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Weissia multicapsularis

Biology

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Bryophyta

Class: Bryopsida

Family: PottiaceaeOrder: Pottiales

Species: multicapsularisGenus: Weissia

Classification of Weissia multicapsularis [1]

Weisseria multicapsularis, also known as the many-fruited beardless moss, is a critically endangered species of coastal moss which is found only in Cornwall, England [1]

A member of the Pottiaceae family of mosses [1], the moss can grow up to 15mm tall and is distinguished by its yellowish-green appearance, its mostly flat leaves (they may be very weakly curved towards the top) and a distinct transition between the short lower leaves and the longer upper leaves[2]. It is an acrocarp, which means that the female sex organs (archegonia) and the capsules associated with them are found at the top of the stem. Acrocarpous mosses such as W.multicapsularis are unbranched and form erect tufts as opposed to pleurocarpous mosses which have their archegonia on lateral branches forming a ‘spreading carpet’ of moss instead [3]. W.multicapsularis is monoicous and so has both the male and female gametes on the same gametophyte. When spores from they are released through rupturing of the capsule cell wall because the moss is cleistocarpous meaning it does not have lids which fall away from the capsule to release the spores. Also, despite the name ‘multicapsularis’, this species of moss usually only has one capsule per shoot.[2]

Ecology

The range of W.multicapsularis is incredibly small[4]. The moss is confined to two tiny patches in Cornwall, England. The first site in Talland Bay measures just 17cm² and the second in Portscatho is even smaller at only 15cm². The many-fruited beardless moss has also previously been recorded in a site in France however this population became extinct in 1997 after construction destroyed the site. [1].

This species grows on damp and muddy soils in non-calcareous areas. The many-fruited beardless moss has been found on banks and tracksides near the coast, and on inland hedge banks. In the past it was recorded from woodland rides, fields and brick pits. It is a good example of an extremely rare species which shows a narrow geographical range whilst having low habitat specificity. [5]

Threats and conservation

W.multicapsularis was added to the IUCN World Red List in 2008, one of four british bryophytes on the list [2]

By the early 1990’s it was clear that Weissica multiscapularis had undergone a precipitous decline in England. The Decline of the moss has thought to be related to agricultural intensification and nutrient enrichment of soils; it doesn’t tolerate competition. [2]

Maintenance of colonies on Cornish hedges has been achieved by herbicide treatment and hand removal of competing species.[2]

Conservation actions identified by experts:

1.  Annual management of the Porthscatho site has allowed the favourable conditions for W. multiscapularis to survive, the same regular management will be needed at the Talland Bay and Pentire Point east sites.

2.   The largest population in Britain (and globally) is currently unprotected and should be designated as a SSSI (site of special scientific interest) and species should be added to the list of protected plants under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

3.   As frozen samples of W. multiscapularis are being stored, work needs to be resumed on reintroduction trials. In particular to Pentire Point East if the species does not recur naturally, reintroduction should only be undertaken if habitat is returned to a favourable condition. [6]

References:

[1] http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/133733/0 IUCN red list for W.multicapsularis

[2] PORELY R.D (2013) : England's Rare Mosses and Liverworts: Their History, Ecology, and Conservation, Princeton University Press, Princeton.

[3] ALLABY M (1998) Dictionary of Plant Sciences Oxford University Press, Oxford

[4] Söderström L(2006)The State of Bryophyte Ecology. Conservation Biology of Bryophytes Vol. 31 No. 1/2 pp. 24-32

[5] LAAKA-LINDBERG, S., HEDDERSON, T. A. & LONGTON, R. E. (2000) Rarity and reproductive characters in the British hepatic flora. Lindbergia, Vol. 25, pp 78-84.

[6] Joint nature conservation committee: UK priority species pages – Version 2  http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/_speciespages/630.pdf

[7] http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48767000/jpg/_48767519_weissiamulticapsulariscopyrightdtholyoak052a-1.jpg picture