Pohlia nutans (Hedw.) Lindb.

Ivanets, Viktoria, Wierzgoń, Mariusz, Yevchun, Hanna & Parnikoza, Ivan, 2023, Range extensions for moss species on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula, Cryptogamie, Bryologie 20 (2), pp. 61-88 : 74

Pohlia nutans (Hedw.) Lindb.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED. — Antarctica. West Antarctic Peninsula, Graham Coast , Wilhelm Archipelago,in the north-eastern part of Hovgaard Island , 65°07’14”S, 64°04’08”W, alt. 30 m a.s.l., forming small turves at the base of the exposed rocky buttress near the stand of Kiaeria pumila , associated with Lophozia excisa , 12.II.2022, Parnikoza 06/22 ( KRAM [ B-262845 ]); same site, 65°07’15”S, 64°04’07”W, alt. 30 m a.s.l., in the lower part of the exposed rocky buttress in the company of bryophyte species growing in the immediate vicinity, including Polytrichastrum alpinum , Sanionia georgicouncinata , Andreaea regularis , Kiaeria pumila and Barbilophozia hatcheri , 12.II.2022, Parnikoza 14/22 ( KRAM [ B-262837 ]); same site, 65°07’14”S, 64°04’05”W, alt. 30 m a.s.l., forming large turves on the moss bank, 12.II.2022, Parnikoza 15/22 ( KRAM [ B-262851 ]); Graham Coast, Rasmussen Point , on western slope, 65°14’52.00”S, 64°4’60.00”W, alt. 25 m a.s.l., in wet place in moss carpet formation associated with Andreaea regularis , 07.III.2019, Parnikoza 53a/19 ( KRAM [ B-248849 ]); same area, north-west of the hut, 65°14’50”S, 64°05’08”W, alt. 30 m a.s.l., on the moss bank, 16.II.2022, Parnikoza 16/22 ( KRAM [ B-262852 ]).

REMARKS

The discovery of Pohlia nutans on Hovgaard Island is no surprise as it is one of the most common species of moss on the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula, especially in the Danco Coast and Graham Coast regions. On the Graham Coast, it is known on whole region from Booth Island in the north to the Biscoe Islands in the south ( Fig. 8 ) ( Ellis et al. 2020a). It is similarly common on the Fallières Coast, especially on the northern part of Marguerite Bay.

Towards the south it becomes a rare species, known from single sites on Charcot Island and Alexander Island, reaching its southernmost location in the Antarctic Peninsula on the Rymill Coast on the eastern coast of George VI Sound. It is widely distributed, though scattered on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula, ranging from Joinville Island to the Wilkins Coast. In continental Antarctica P. nutans is rare in Victoria Land, Queen Mary Land and Ellsworth Land ( Ochyra et al. 2008a).

Figures

FIG. 8. — Distribution map for Pohlia nutans (Hedw.) Lindb. in the Graham Coast area and in the Antarctic Peninsula region including the South Shetland Islands (inset). The new localities on Hovgaard Island and Rasmussen Point are marked with triangles.