Rhodobryum cf. roseodens (Müll.Hal. ex Geh.) Paris, 1898

Spence, John R., 2022, Studies in Austral Bryaceae (Bryopsida). IV. New records from the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), with a phytogeographic analysis of the family, Cryptogamie, Bryologie 20 (15), pp. 211-224 : 215

* Rhodobryum cf. roseodens (Müll.Hal. ex Geh.) Paris

SPECIMENS EXAMINED. — Falkland Islands. East Falkland, San Carlo Water , stream at head of inlet, 51°36’18”S, 59°0’50.4”W, wet earth in streambed, 5 m a.s.l., 14.I.2011, 11/233 ( MNH); West Falkland, Fox Bay , head of South Arm , 51°57’54”S, 60°6’43.2”W, wet rocks, stream edge, 3 m a.s.l., 27.I.2015, 15/259 ( MNH).

NOTES

A robust species with stolons, distinct from other southern South American species in its elongate evenly foliate stems. The material keys out to the northern Andean species Bryum (Rhodobryum) roseodens ( Ochi 1980) , but further work is needed as this represents a gap of several thousand km. Much of the Andean Mountain region has not been extensively collected so the distribution of this species may change with more field work. The only other species of Rhodobryum (Schimp.) Limpr. from Chile and Argentina include three species that are distinctly rosulate: Bryum rubromarginatum Ochi (synonym: Rhodobryum chilense Thér. ) from central Chile ( Ochi 1982), R. beyrichianum (Hornsch.) Müll.Hal. and R. subverticillatum Broth. from northern Argentina ( Koponen & Fuertes 2010). Koponen & Fuertes (2010) indicate that the species known as R. platense (Müll.Hal.) Paris from Argentina is likely a Bryum , excluding it from their treatment of the genus. The description indicates it is also strongly rosulate. The Falkland Islands species has also been found in similar habitats in the Magallanes Province of Chile in Tierra del Fuego (Spence, unpublished data). A southern hemisphere/South American temperate species.