Further results are provided of the 1991 British Bryological Society Expedition to Mulanje Mt., Malawi including 168 taxa of bryophyte, comprising 72 taxa of liverwort (38 new to Malawi) and 96 taxa of mosses (45 new to Malawi).

6 liverwort taxa and 21 moss taxa were collected at or near Lalibela, Wolo Province, Ethiopia, on 1-2 March 1997, of which 12 moss taxa are new to the country.

109 species of bryophytes are presented from various localities in Kenya, among which are thirteen new records (marked with **) for the country.

Hypnum cupressiforme, Entodon macropus, Homalia glabella and Calyptothecium duplicatum are recorded as new from Dominican amber. Earlier records of Neckera spec. have to be transferred to Calyptothecium duplicatum. These records raise the total number of all mosses known from Dominican amber to 14. All mosses so far reported from Dominican amber are extant species which occur today in the Dominican Republic. This could indicate that the mossflora in the island of Hispaniola has not changed during the past 20-40 Mio years, but also falsifications of fossils in amber have to be taken into account, which can be suspected from the quality of some of the specimens

Felipponea assimilis (Müll.Hal.) O’Shea is the correct name to be used for all African collections of Felipponea, a species found in Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, southern and eastern Africa and the East African islands. Hypnum maritimum Müll.Hal. and Cladomnion montevidensis Müll.Hal. are new synonyms. Lectotypes are selected for Neckera assimilis Müll.Hal., Cladomnion montevidensis Müll.Hal. and Braunia peristomata Dixon in Sim & Dixon.

Four species of liverworts and 13 taxa of mosses have been identified from samples collected in Montserrat in 1980, 11 of which appear to be new to the island.

20 hepatics and 16 mosses are reported new to Uganda, 1 moss being also new to Africa. A further 6 taxa are recorded for the second time from Uganda.

A survey of the literature and collections in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and adjacent pastureland yielded a total of 198 epiphytic bryophyte taxa (120 species of hepatics in 50 genera, 77 species of moss in 48 genera, and 1 hornwort): 178 in the primary forest, 63 in the secondary forest, and 84 in the pastureland.

Barbula geminata C. Muell. is Barbula crinita K.F. Schultz; Barbula austroruralis C. Muell. is Tortula antarctica (Hampe) Wils. in Hook. f.; Hymenostomum olivaceum C. Muell. ex Geheeb is Weissia controversa Hedw.; Hymenostomum sullivanii C. Muell. ex Geheeb is Weissia patula (Knight) A.J. Fife. Furthermore, comments are given on several nomina nuda.

The first record of a sporophyte of Muscites confertus Goeppert & Berendt described as fossil species from Baltic amber revealed that this species can be attributed to the genus Hypnodontopsis. It is very similar to the extant H. mexicana known from only two collections in Mexico and Uganda, but seems to differ in the absence of pluripapillose laminal cells. Therefore Muscites confertus is combined as new to the genus Hypnodontopsis.

Details of habitat and location are given for 64 taxa of Lejeuneaceae collected during the BBS expedition to Mulanje Mountain, Malawi in 1991, of which 47 are new to Malawi. The occurrence and frequency of foliicolous taxa are documented.

Calymperes campylopodioides Müll.Hal. ex Besch. is placed in synonymy with Calymperes graeffeanum Müll.Hal., and the occurrence of the latter species in continental Africa is noted.

A number of collections from Africa identified as Phyllodon scutellifolius or Glossadelphus serpyllifolius belong to Bryocrumia vivicolor, previously known only from America and Asia. Phyllodon scutellifolius is known only from one (possibly two) collections from Madagascar, and Glossadelphus serpyllifolius is a synonym of Bryocrumia vivicolor.

The altitudinal distribution of selected species of epiphyllous Lejeuneaceae shows 6 groups (table 1 and 2): I (only lower than 500 m) Cololejeunea setiloba; II (1-1600m) Aphanolejeunea costaricensis, A. moralesiae, Cololejeunea cardiocarpa, C. guadelupensis, C. linopteroides, C. obliqua, C. papillifera, C. standleyi, Colura verdoornii, Cyclolejeunea chitonia, C. peruviana, Diplasiolejeunea brunnea, Microlejeunea epiphylla, Rectolejeunea berteroana, R. cf. emarginuliflora, Stictolejeunea squamata; III (1-3000m) Aphanolejeunea angustissima, Colura tortifolia, Diplasiolejeunea cavifolia, D. pellucida, Drepanolejeunea inchoata, Dr. lichenicola, Lejeunea laetevirens, Odontolejeunea lunulata; IV (only 500-1600m) Aphanolejeunea cingens, A. longifolia, A. pustulosa, Cyclolejeunea accedens, C. convexistipa, Diplasiolejeunea grolleana, D. unidentata, Harpalejeunea uncinata, Lejeunea filipes, Odontolejeunea decemdentata; V (500-3000m) Anoplolejeunea conferta, Aphanolejeunea crenata, A. ephemeroides, Colura tenuicornis, Diplasiolejeunea alata, Drepanolejeunea infundibulata, Dr. mosenii, Lejeunea flava, Omphalanthus filiformis; VI (only above 1600-3000m) Aphanolejeunea camillii, Cololejeunea fefeana, Diplasiolejeunea costaricensis sp.nov., D. involuta.

Six altitudinal transects through temperate rain forests were studied at different latitudes in the South and North Island of New Zealand with respect to species numbers of bryophytes, cover and phytomass of epiphytic bryophytes, composition of life forms and ratio liverworts : mosses. Phytodiversity of bryophytes is almost constant from the lowlands to the high montane belt but decreases in the subalpine belt. Similarly, phytomass and cover increase with elevation but decrease in the subalpine belt. The percentage of liverworts increases accordingly and can reach maxima of 80-90%. The most significant life forms are tails and wefts characteristic for hyperhygric conditions, pendents for cloud belts and cushions for subalpine belts. The altitudinal gradient is much stronger then the latitudinal gradient, that means the differences between the elevations within a transect are more important than the differences between the transects. They are attributed to the humidity. The temperate rain forests of New Zealand have similar bryological characteristics as the tropical rain forests in equatorial latitudes in 2000 – 3000 m altitude but differ in the drier subalpine belt and higher phytomass.

Benin is bryologically one of the least known African countries. An inventory of the Lama forest reserve revealed 11 species of mosses and 12 species of hepatics, of which 7 species of mosses and all species of hepatics are new to Benin

In May 1997, the first collections of bryophytes were made on Fr?gate island, Seychelles. A list of collections is provided. Fissidens sciophyllus is recorded for the first time from the Seychelles

Barbula propingua C. Muell. is Tortula antarctica (Hampe) Wils. in Hook. f.; Barbula vesiculosa C. Muell. is Tortula papillosa Wils.; Tortula chlorotricha Broth. & Geheeb is Barbula crinita K. F. Schultz; Barbula chrysopus C. Muell. is Didymodon torquatus (Tayl.) Catcheside. Furthermore, comments are given on several nomina nuda

Barbula consanguinea (Thw. & Mitt.) Jaeg. sensu Eddy is considered as a pan-tropical species. This taxon is reported new for several central African countries, the Arabian peninsula, and Middle America. This variable species is shortly discussed and compared with (most) related taxa. Hymenostylium crispulum Broth. & Par. and Barbula obscura Sull. (= Barbula wrightii Sauerb.) are considered as synonyms of Barbula consanguinea

Barbula zennoskeana Tan is reported new for Malaysia. Didymodon maschalogena (Ren. & Card.) Broth. (replaces Didymodon michiganensis (Steere) K. Saito) is reported new for the Philippines. Barbula murina C. Muell. nom. nud. is considered as synonymous with Barbula indica (Hook.) Spreng.

Four species of Ardisia (Myrsinaceae, Magnoliopsida) with rosette or low-lying leaves in China (including Hong Kong) have been found to be the hosts for 12 species of epiphyllous liverworts which belong to 4 families and 9 genera. However, no obvious species-specific hostepiphyte relationship could be recognized.

Sixty one species of bryophytes (26 mosses, 35 liverworts) have been found growing on fungi basidiomata in Brazil

Mature perianths of Caudalejeunea yangambiensis (Vanden Berghen) E.W.Jones (Lejeuneaceae) are described for the first time, and the species reported new to Ghana

Five species of Lejeuneaceae, tribe Lejeuneae from state of Bahia, Brazil are described and illustrated. Data on geographic distributions, distribution in Brazil and habitat in Bahia are also given

Calenia flava spec. nova from Papua New Guinea is described and illustrated. The new species is closely related to C. phyllogena but differs in the larger apothecia with yellow disc and the abundance of sterile thallus hairs.

In the present paper the authors update the taxonomic and floristic knowledge of foliicolous lichenized fungi in northern Argentina and adjacent areas in Paraguay and southern Brazil. Twenty-seven taxa are reported for the first time, and the genera Phyllobathelium and Psorotheciopsis are recorded for the first time in Argentina. Furthermore, the new combination Gyalectidium catenulatum [Tauromyces catenulatus] is proposed.

Atranorin, a p-depside of the b-orcinol series, is produced by several Cladonia species. Immobilized cells of Cladonia verticillaris in calcium alginate are able to produce atranorin when they are supplied with 1.0 mM acetate as a precursor. Production of the depside is enhanced by adding an oxidant agent (NAD+ or FMN) to the incubation media and its secretion to these media is facilitated by permeabilizing the immobilized cells with 2 % iso-propanol

Fifteen species of Lejeunea and three species of Taxilejeunea (Lejeuneaceae, subfam. Lejeuneoideae) occurring in Misiones, Argentina are described and illustrated: Lejeunea cancellata Nees & Mont., L. filipes Spruce, L. flava (Sw.) Nees, L. geophila Spruce, L. grossitexta (Steph.) E.Reiner & Goda, L. laetevirens Nees & Mont., L. lepida Lindenb. & Gottsche, L. monimiae (Steph.) Steph., L. phyllobola Nees & Mont., L. ptosimophylla C.Massal., L. puiggariana Steph., L. quinqueumbonata Spruce, L. setiloba Spruce, L. tapajosensis Spruce, L. trinitensis Lindenb., Taxilejeunea obtusangula (Spruce) A.Evans, T. pterigonia (Lehm. & Lindenb.) Schiffn. and T. terricola (Spruce) Steph. Five new synonyms (Lejeunea flava (Sw.) Nees [syn. nov.: L. symphoreta Spruce], L. lepida Lindenb. & Gottsche [syn. nov.: L. cladobola Spruce] and L. phyllobola Nees & Mont. [syn. nov.: L. cephalandra Spruce, L. polycephala Spruce and L. brittoniae (A.Evans) Grolle]) and four lectotypifications (L. lepida Lindenb. & Gottsche, L. monimiae (Steph.) Steph., L. phyllobola Nees & Mont. and L. quinqueumbonata Spruce) are proposed. Keys for identification of the species are also provided.

In this paper are recorded 18 taxa of hepatics (Jungermanniophyta) for the first time for the state of Bahia, Brazil. Of these, Harpalejeunea ovata (Hook.) Schiffn. is new for Brazil. Morphological characters, notes on habitat and substrate are given for each species. Illustrations for Harpalejeunea ovata, Pycnolejeunea callosa (Lindenb.) Steph., Pycnolejeunea macroloba (Nees & Mont.) Schiffn., Rectolejeunea berteroana (Gott. ex Steph.) Evans and Trachylejeunea crenata (Mont. & Nees) Schust. are given.

Leptotheca hamiltonii Crum was originally described from a collection made in Peru, and is known only from this collection. The holotype specimen of L. hamiltonii, as well as one isotype specimen, both have morphological traits consistent with those shown in the holotype and twelve additional specimens of Leptotheca boliviana Herzog. It is concluded that L. hamiltonii is a new synonym of L. boliviana.

According to our collections of literature, about 400 scientific papers dealing with Chinese bryophytes have been published in China and abroad during 1990’s. Among these, more than 50 % were published in different scientific journals in China and often written in Chinese with English abstract, which are not well known and assessable for foreign bryologists. Therefore, in addition to previous Chinese literature I-III (Cao et al. 1990, Li et Zhang 1993, 1994), we present the fourth part of Chinese literature herewith. It is hoped that this up-dated list will provide useful information for all people who are interested in bryological research.

Sixteen new records of Philippine mosses, namely, Acroporium ramicola, Atractylocarpus comosus, Campylopus flagelliferus, Ectropothecium ptychofolium, Fissidens guangdongensis, Garovaglia bauerlenii, Holomitrium stenobasis, Hypnodendron auricomum, Leucobryum boninense, Macromitrium archboldii, Meiotheciella papillosa, Neolindbergia cladomnioides, Rhynchostegiella vriesei, Schlotheimia emarginato-pilosa, Symphysodontella parvifolia and Trichosteleum singapurense are reported. Atractylocarpus and Meiotheciella are two new generic records for the country. Additional Mindanao records of five uncommon mosses in the Philippines, i.e., Claopodium assurgens, Cryptogonium phyllogonioides, Erpodium biseriatum, Meiothecium bogoriense fo tenuissima and Papillaria leuconeura, are also reported.

Of the 26 mosses listed in this report Amblystegium varium, Calliergonella cuspidata, Chrysoblastella chilensis, Drepanocladus aduncus, D. revolvens, Racomitium geronticum, and Scorpidium turgescens are new to the Ecuador moss-flora. The others listed provide updated reports on what was previously stated as their highest altitudinal ranges in both this country and the Neotropics. The taxonomic status of Drepanoclaus leitensis, D. polycarpus, Hypnum lacunosum and Racomitrium geronticum are discussed. Collections were made at: Chimborazo Volcano 4700-5200m, Cotopaxi Volcano 3900-4500m, Laguna Toreadore - peak of Patul Mt. 3800-4500m and on N. Tungurahua Mt., close to the tree limit at ca. 3800m.

Sixteen lowland jungle mosses growing in anthropogenic habitats at Santa and The Bell - Ituni localities on the Demerara River in Guyana were examined in detail with the aim of detecting any features which would indicate their adaptations to new habitats. Amounts of chlorophyll in leaf cells, protective coloration, alterations in leaf morphology, characteristics of old stems, rhizoid tomentum and fertility are considered as the most pronounced adaptive features of these species to new localities. The ecology, general appearance and morpho-anatomical changes of specimens from anthropogenic habitats were observed and compared with their equivalents from habitats occurring in the closest natural environments. No one species grows or has local centers of occurrence only in anthropogenic habitats. Generally, invasion of lowland jungle mosses into anthropogenic environments is considered as difficult, slow and limited.

The horizontal and vertical range of Hemiragis aurea (Musci) is subdivided into four regions: I - N. Panama, Costa Rica, S. Nicaragua; II - circum-Caribbean; III - Guyana Highlands; IV - Andean. Ecological evidence is discussed in the context of the effects of volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, climactic changes and other factors.

Four new records of pleurocarpous mosses are reported for the first time for the State of Bahia: Phyllodon truncatulus (Hypnaceae), Trichosteleum brachydictyon, Sematophyllum tequendamense and Potamium lonchophyllum (Sematophyllaceae). These species were found in the Tropical Atlantic Rainforest situated in the South of Bahia.

Nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1/2 sequences of the Colombian endemic Gradsteinia andicola were determined and compared with those of 16 other species of the Hypnales (Amblystegiaceae, Brachytheciaceae, Hypnaceae, Plagiotheciaceae and Rhytidiaceae). In a maximum parsimony tree Gradsteinia andicola belongs to a well supported clade consisting of Amblystegium, Cratoneuron, Cratoneuropsis, Hypnobartlettia and Palustriella, and seems to be closely related to Cratoneuropsis relaxa from New Zealand. Gradsteinia andicola is therefore transferred to Amblystegiaceae, but the genus Gradsteinia is maintained. The systematic relationship of Amblystegiaceae and Donrichardsiaceae is discussed.

This small collection contained 8 species of mosses and 3 species of hepatics. Leucobryum boryanum is new to Mauritius but previously known from Réunion. A sample from the seldom visited small island of Ile aux Aigrettes, close to Mauritius, is of particular interest.

Nineteen species of bryophytes are reported for the first time for Réunion. Especially remarkable are the first African record of Anastrophyllum leucocephalum (Tayl.) Steph. and the first records for the East African Islands of Cephaloziella cf. vaginans Steph., Fossombronia foveolata Lindb., Riccia huebeneriana Lindenb., Barbula unguiculata Hedw., Bryum pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) Schwägr., Chenia leptophylla (Müll.Hal.) R.H.Zander, Dicranella subsubulata (Hampe ex Müll.Hal.) A.Jaeger, Ditrichum punctulatum Mitt., Physcomitrium spathulatum (Hornsch.) Müll.Hal. var. spathulatum and Trichostomum crispulum Bruch var. crispulum. Brachymenium gemmiferum A.J.Shaw & W.R.Buck is regarded as synonymous with Brachymenium exile (Dozy & Molk.) Bosch & Sande Lac.

The genus Clastobryophilum M.Fleisch. (Sematophyllaceae, Bryopsida) is reviewed, and two species are maintained: C. bogoricum (Bosch & Sande Lac.) M.Fleisch. and C. balansaeanum (Besch.) Broth.. C. rufo-viride (Besch.) M.Fleisch. of Madagascar and Seychelles, the only African species, becomes a synonym of the Asian C. bogoricum, as does C. asperifolium (Thwaites & Mitt.) B.C.Tan of Sri Lanka. Several collections named as Clastobryophilum, including the type of C. bogoricum var. laevibogoricum (Dixon) Seki in Nog., are excluded from the genus.

The known geographical distribution of 12 bryophyte species is extended by confirmation of their presence in the state of Pernambuco. Leptoscyphus porphyrius (Nees) Grolle, Harpalejeunea uncinata Steph., Chryso-hypnum diminutivum (Hampe) Buck and Porotrichum korthalsianum (Dozy & Molk.) Mitt. are new to northeastern Brazil. The material studied was collected in remnants of Atlantic Forest situated at altitudes of 100-1.100m. The principal taxonomic characteristics are cited, with ecological and distributional commentary provided.

The type species of Atractylocarpus has revealed to be a species of a genus which was later introduced as Camylopodiella. To avoid taxonomic confusions, it was proposed to keep the current use of Atractylocarpus and Campylopodiella by amending the genus Atractylocarpus. This proposal was rejected by the ICBN committee. Therefore the valid genus for all species so far comprised in Atractylocarpus is Metzleria and all species so far included in Campylopodiella must be transferred to Atractylocarpus. Accoringly, all necessary new combinations are introduced here: Atractylocarpus himalayanus (Broth.) J.-P. Frahm , Atractylocarpus malagensis (Herz.) J.-P. Frahm Metzleria comosa (Dix.) J.-P. Frahm, Metzleria madagascariensis (Thér.) J.-P. Frahm, Metzleria nana (Williams) J.-P. Frahm, Metzleria patagonica (Herz. et Thér.) J.-P. Frahm

Twelve genera are excluded from the sub-Saharan Africa checklist based on evidence from literature or re-identification. Atractylocarpus, Chorisodontium, Ctenidium, Dicranodontium, Homalia, Isothecium, Lasiodontium, Meesia and Potamium are excluded as the collections belong to other genera, and Camptochaete, Phyllodrepanium and Ptychomnion are excluded because of evidence of mistaken (or no longer existing) localities. As a consequence, the following families no longer are known from Africa: Echinodiaceae, Lembophyllaceae, Phyllodrepaniaceae and Ptychomniaceae. Ectropothecium nishimurii O’Shea & Ochyra, nom. nov. replaces Ectropothecium mauritianum (Broth.) Nishimura, hom. illeg., and Kindbergia kenyae (Dixon ex Tosco & Piovano) O’Shea & Ochyra, comb. nov. replaces Isothecium kenyae Dixon ex Tosco & Piovano. Lasiodontium mieheanum Ochyra in S. Miehe & G. Miehe, nom. nud., is a synonym of Daltonia angustifolia Dozy & Molk. and accordingly Lasiodontium Ochyra in S. Miehe & G. Miehe, nom. nud., must be placed in synonymy with Daltonia Hook. & Taylor.

In Asia, Pseudosymblepharis Broth., consists of only one species: Pseudosymblepharis bombayensis (C. Muell.) Sollman. Although the extremes in the collections (e.g. larger versus smaller plants) at first sight look distinct, intermediates were seen rather frequently. The more variable characters are discussed. Small-sized specimens of Pseudosymblepharis are distinguished from Trichostomum tenuirostre (Hook. & Tayl.) Lindb., Trichostomum brachydontium Br. and several other species. Twenty-three reductions to synonymy are proposed. Data on distribution and habitat are given.

Plagiothecium lucidum (Hook. f. & Wils.) Paris is confirmed as a new addition to the bryoflora of tropical Africa on the basis of two collections from the Bale Mountains in Ethiopia. The type material of Isopterygium integrifolium Bartr. from Costa Rica in Central America is evaluated and this species is considered to be conspecific with P. lucidum. As a result of this taxonomic conclusion the range of this species is extended to Costa Rica and this is the first recognition of this species in the Central American isthmus. A world distribution map for this species is presented and some details of African plants and the type of I. integrifolium are illustrated.

Dicranella hilariana (Mont.) Mitt., a pan-neotropical moss species, is reported for the first time from the Antarctic botanical zone. It was found on geothermally heated ground near fumaroles on Visokoi, Candlemas and Bellingshausen Islands in the volcanic archipelago of the South Sandwich Islands. Dicranella recurvata Ochyra, Arts & Lewis-Smith, nom. nud., is reduced to synonymy with D. hilariana. The Antarctic plants of D. hilariana are briefly described and illustrated, including the rhizoidal tubers which have not previously been reported in this species. The global distribution of D. hilariana is briefly reviewed and mapped. It is suggested that the species reached the Antarctic via long-distance dispersal from South America by the prevailing strong westerly winds.

The species included in Rhabdoweisia were revised. Rhabdoweisia lineata Richards et Argent is regarded as synonymous with R. fugax (Hedw.) B.S.G. and R. collenchymatica (J.Fröhlich) Eddy with R. crispata (With). R. fugax is lectotypified.

Only 3 of the 13 species so far comprised in Amphidium were retained in the genus: Alapponicum (Hedw.) Schimp., A. mougeotii (B.S.G.) Schimp. and A. tortuosum (Hornschuch) Cufodontis. Amphidium. sublapponicum (C. Müll.) Broth. is conspecific with A. lapponicum, A. cyathicarpum (Mont.) Broth., A. curvipes (C. Müll.) Broth. and A. californicum (C. Müll.) Broth. are synoymous with A. tortuosum. Amphidium brevifolium Broth., A. clastophyllum Broth. and A. papillosum Broth., all known only from the type locality, are sterile and differ vegetatively from all other species of the genus. They belong probably not to Amphidium. The types of Amphidium letestui Thér. & P. Varde, A. aloysii-sabaudiae Negri and A. remotidens (C. Müll.) Broth. could not be located.

The 1996 Chagos Expedition provided the first opportunity to study the archipelago’s lichen flora. Seventeen of the 55 islands were ecologically investigated, some in more detail than others, and lists and representative collections of lichens have been assembled for many of them. In all, 67 taxa have been recorded, 52 to specific level.
Although the islands have a low biodiversity for cryptogamic plants, as would be expected in terms of their relatively young age, remoteness and small terrestrial surface areas, those taxa that are present are often found in abundance and play significant ecological roles. There is a good correlation between total lichen biodiversity and island size, despite the fact that Cocos nucifera is such an important substratum for cryptogamic plants and its presence on all islands studied provides a consistently high associated species count.
Comparisons of lichen floras for ten island and coastal tropical areas show good correlations (based on the Sörensen Coefficient) within the Indian Ocean as would be expected, but poorer correlations exist within and between Pacific Ocean and neotropical floras. Ranked correlations between Chagos and other floras are in the sequence Maldives > Laing Island > Aldabra > Tuamotu > Pitcairn > N.Mariana & Belize > Guadeloupe > Cook. When coefficients are calculated using only the Physciaceae, different correlations and sequences are derived, but the affinities of the Indian Ocean islands remain strong. However, although the lichen flora of Chagos is characteristic for an Indian Ocean, it is dominated by pantropical species.

The species Pseudohepatica duidensis Marcano, Palacios & Morales is described from the Venezuelan Amazonas. Special attention has been paid to the morphology and the chemistry (e.g. polysaccharides and secondary compounds), using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thin-layer chromatography (TLC, HPTLC) and iodine reagent tests. Pseudohepatica duidensis is characterized by a very small (to 1 mm long), yellowish-green thallus, non-pored epicortex, yellowish lower surface with soredial protuberances, paraplectenchymatous upper cortex consisting of strongly sclerotic cells, cell walls with iodine reactions characteristic of lichenan and gyrophoric acid as relevant chemical constituent.

Orthotrichum subulatum Mitt. and Orthotrichum diaphanum Brid. var. diaphanum are reported from the M?rida P?ramo, representing the first records of these two species in Venezuela. Additionally, new records of the recently described O. tenuicaule Lewinsky and O. spanotrichum Lewinsky are reported

Macromitrium incrustatifolium Robins. is reported as a new addition to the bryoflora of China, and Macromitrium yunnanense L. Zhang, nom. nud. is reduced to a synonym of Macromitrium incrustatifolium

Diplasiolejeunea cogoensis is described as new from Equatorial Guinea (West Central Africa). It is included in Sectio Villaumeae, it is recognisable by its big size, the auriculated dorsal base of lobe, its long and always double first tooth and the shape and location of propaguliferous leaves.

The group of African Cololejeunea species with a heart-shaped perianth and elongate marginal leaf cells has been studied. Cololejeunea iradieri is described as new from Equatorial Guinea (West Central Africa), while Cololejeunea harrisii P?cs var. magna Tix. is raised to species level. Their relations to similar species, C. amaniensis P?cs, C. harrisii P?cs and C. tenuiparietata Tix., are discussed.

Campylopus gedehensis Baumg. & Froehl.is synonymous with C. macgregorii Broth. & Geh., C. pinfaensis Th?r. with C. fragilis (Brid.) B.S.G. ssp. fragilis.

The types of Dichodontium opacifolium Dix. in Christ. and Dichodontium brasiliense Broth. were compared. They are identical and the same as Chrysoblastella chilensis (Mont.) Reim.

82 liverwort taxa are recorded from Uganda, of which 24 are new to the flora of the country. Colura hedbergiana, Colura kilimanjarica and Harpalejeunea fischeri found on Mt. Elgon, were previously known only from their type locality on Mt. Kilimanjaro or on Mt. Karisimbi. A Madagascan-Mascarene species, Plagiochila boryana was also found on Mt.Elgon. Its only known previous locality in continental Africa was Mt. Kilimanjaro.

16 taxa of mosses and 4 taxa of hepatics have been identified from a recent collection of Seychelles bryophytes. Isopterygium subleptoblastum C.M?ller is new to the Seychelles. Ectropothecium squarrifolium (Broth.) Nishimura is new to Africa 3 sensu Index Muscorum, but the identification is somewhat uncertain.

This paper presents data on morphology, ecology and distribution of 16 species of bryophytes collected in Pernambuco, Brazil, that are interesting floristic records. Notothylas orbicularis (Schwein.) Sull. is new to Brazil, 11 species are new to the Northeast region of Brazil and 4 species are new to Pernambuco.

Seven species of Coccocarpia are reported from the Andaman Islands and two from the Nicobar Islands. These include four species new to India and to the Andaman Islands, viz. C. glaucina, C. cf. myriocarpa, C. sp. 1 and C. sp. 2, and two species new to the Nicobar Islands, viz. C. erythroxyli and C. palmicola. A key to all nine species of Coccocarpia known from India is presented and information on morphology, chemistry and distribution given.

An annotated checklist of the lichens of Hong Kong, based on all available literature reports and specimens, including those recently collected by the authors, is presented. In total, 261 species are reported, of which 176 are new records for Hong Kong, 132 of which are new for China, 43 are new for East Asia, and 27 are new for Asia. The lichen vegetation is mainly tropical, as is shown by the distribution patterns of the identified species: 53 species are cosmopolitan, 40 northern temperate, 122 pantropical, 17 paleotropical and 29 endemic to tropical East Asia. With regard to substrata, 129 species are corticolous, 148 saxicolous, 17 foliicolous and 19 terricolous. Four species are newly described: Anisomeridium conorostratum Aptroot, A. hydei Aptroot, Caloplaca pulicarioides Aptroot and Placidiopsis poronioides Aptroot. The flora is rather poor in species; for example, no Caliciales have been found. In the past, the numbers of species of several groups such as the Graphidaceae, Heterodermia and Xanthoparmelia have been overestimated, whereas few pyrenocarps have been reported. The flora of wet granitic outcrops is surprisingly well developed in Hong Kong. Although not a single Peltula species was reported before, six species were identified, including one that was previously only known from Africa. In addition, several other cyanophilic genera are present, such as Euopsis, Psorotichia, Pyrenopsis and, most unexpectedly, Vestergrenopsis, each with one species. A comparison between old and recent records shows that many Lobarion species are now extinct. The drastic decline of species of the Lobarion vegetation indicates that air pollution and other habitat disturbances, mainly deforestation, to which these species are very sensitive, are seriously threatening the lichen biodiversity of Hong Kong.

We report for the first time 11 species of Frullania growing as epiphylls in New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Colombia . Also listed are 29 Frullania species that have previously been recorded growing as epiphylls in other regions of the world. The highest diversity of Frullania epiphyllous species are in the floristic regions of New Zealand, New Caledonia, Macraonesia, and Madagascar. Frullania epiphylls range in altitude from sea-level to 2500m and can be categorised into facultative or accidental epiphylls. The number of Frullania species currently recorded growing as epiphylls will no doubt increase as more revisions of the genus in different floristic regions take place. This number may also increase if botanists were to explore leaf surfaces as a potential substrate for Frullania species, in addition to bark and rock habitats that have traditionally been described as microhabitats for the genus.

Odontoschisma prostratum (Sw.) Trevis. and Jungermannia callithrix Lindenb. et Gottsche, two liverworts mainly distributed in the Neotropics, are reported at hand of many collections from Macaronesia. O. prostratum occurs on 8 of the 9 Azorean islands, growing on all type of substrates, even epiphyllous, but rarely in bogs. J. callithrix is known from 8 Azorean islands and from Madeira, growing epigeic. The phytogeographical interest of the occurrence on the Azores of some 39 liverworts (among 147) belonging to the neotropical and/or paleotropical elements is discussed. Most of the neotropical species may have been easily transported to the Azores by the frequent depressions (or occasionally storms) moving rapidly at relatively low altitude (3,000 m) from the North or Central American eastern coasts or from the Caribbean islands and Bermuda to Western Europe in a few days. Only a few of these species could have been be introduced by human activities, mainly along the coast.

Bryum lisae var. cuspidatum and B. radiculosum were collected in xeric, lowland habitats on the islands of Oahu and Kauai, respectively, and constitute the first records for either species for the Hawaiian archipelago.

Reported once and then deleted as a misidentification, Neckeropsis obtusata is confirmed as a component of the Hawaiian flora based on newly collected material. The species is still known only from a very limited area of the westernmost main island of Kauai and may represent an adventive introduction.

The allelopathic activity of the different type of Cladonia verticillaris lichen extracts and fumarprotocetraric acid on the early growth of A. cepa (IPA 6) germinated seedlings depends on their chemical composition and concentration, respectively. It was observed that the length of the radicle was significantly stimulated by fumarprotocetraric acid at high concentrations and by the total extract of C. verticillaris thalli, which contained high level of fumarprotocetraric, acid confirmed by HPLC – technique. In addition, it was found, that the phosphate buffer extract, which contained high level of methy b-orcinol carboxilate measured by HPLC, significantly reduced the length of the hypocotyls. Under our experimental conditions there was no influence of different type of extract and fumarprotocetraric acid on the seed germination ratio of A. cepa, in relation to control. From the study of HPLC it was found that fumarprotocetraric acid and methy b-orcinol carboxilate were present in all extracts at different concentrations, according to the method of extraction.

A taxonomic revision of the genus Cryphaea Mohr (Musci) for the tropical Andes was undertaken. Keys to separate the species, descriptions, illustrations, SEM photographs and distribution maps are provided. Cryphaea reticulata Besch. and C. fasciculata Mitt. are new synonyms of C. jamesonii Tayl. and C. ramosa (Mitt.) Wils. respectively.

Fifteen taxa of mosses are reported from the island of Rodrigues. The second African report of Luisierella barbula (Schwaegr.) Steere bridges the Asian and New World disjunctions of this taxon. Three other species are reported new to the Mascarenes, i.e., Calymperes tenerum C.Müller var. tenerum, Fissidens ramulosus Mitten and Weissia edentula Mitten. Three are new to Rodrigues, i.e., Bryum truncorum Bridel, Fissidens sciophyllus Mitten and Vesicularia ayresii (Schimper ex Besch.) Broth.

The effect of lichen extracts obtained from Cladonia substellata and its main constituent, usnic acid, on the germination and growth of onion (Allium cepa L.) seedlings was investigated. No significant inhibitory effect of the lichen extracts and usnic acid on germination was found, except of usnic acid at the concentration of 726.7 µM. Growth inhibition of the radicle and of the hypocotyl of the seedlings was found for the total extract and for usnic acid in concentrations of 290.6 µM and 726.7 µM.

All species of Campylopus Brid. are listed, including citations of basionyms and homotypic synonyms, completed by citation of the type specimen and its location, as well as the current use or other uses of the name.

From the mist oasis of Erkwit (Red Sea coastal plain of Sudan) 25 epiphytic lichen taxa are reported, probably the first lichen floristic report for the country. Most species encountered are widespread in warm and dry areas worldwide, while a few have their center in the Mediterranean region and document a Mediterranean element in this tropical region.

Despite its small area (7500 km2), the Valle de México is the site of high plant diversity. Its flora includes about 105 species and varieties of pleuocarpous mosses, i.e., 31% of the total recognized for Mexico. The Leucodontales include 22 taxa, the Hookeriales are represented by two species only, and the Hypnales by some 81 taxa. Because of their epiphytic habitat, the Leucodontales are comparatively scarce in the Valle de México; the Hookeriales usually grow in lowland, shaded moist tropical forests. The large and diverse Order Hypnales is a north temperate taxon which, in the tropical latitudes, is distributed at high elevations in open forests that are frequent in the area of study. Drepanocladus capillifolius and Hygroamblystegium fluviatile are recorded for the first time for Mexico.

A new key to neotropical species of the genus Bazzania, based on the descriptions by Fulford (1946, 1963), is provided. A list of the treated species is added.

Eight moss species corresponding to nomina nuda recorded in the literature from Annobon Island are listed with their recent determination and current names. Leucophanes unguiculatum, Philonotis uncinata var. glaucescens and Vesicularia strephomischos are new records for the Equatorial Guinean bryoflora.

Results of an evaluation of a collection of bryophytes made by Mr. T. Karisch on St. Helena, comprizing approx. 70 specimens, are presented. Four species (Bryum sauteri, Lophocolea bidentata, Syrrhopodon gaudichaudii, Trichostomum brachydontium) are reported for the first time for St. Helena. Five taxa endemic to St. Helena (Kurzia nemoides, Radula fulvifolia, Tylimanthus anisodontus, Fissidens helenicus, Sematophyllum plumularium) and Dicranella proscripta, which is elsewhere only known from Ascension, have been found probably for the first time this century. A phytogeographical analysis of the bryoflora of St. Helena is presented. Dicranella condensata Aongstr. is regarded as synonymous with Dicranella proscripta (Hornsch.) Mitt. and Rhaphidorrhynchium plumularium (Mitt.) Broth. with Sematophyllum erythrocaulon (Aongstr.) Jaeg.

Decomposing wood forms the substrate for special lignicolous, hygrophilous, and sciophilous plant communities. In a moist tropical forest, vegetation on this substrate consists mostly of bryophytes. The material gathered from Mt. Meru and the Usambara Mts. in Tanzania comprises 102 taxa or genera of bryophytes. Of these 86 taxa are mosses and 16 hepatics. They were collected from a number of rotten logs at different stages of decay both in primeval and in cultivated forests. The bryophyte vegetation on these logs was examined by use of quadrats 20 x 20 cm. A total of 71 taxa occurred in 51 plots.

The British Bryological Society Tropical Bryology Group (TBG) undertook three expeditions to Uganda, in Jan-Feb 1996, Jan-Feb 1997 and June-Jul 1998. Collections were made from 134 sites, mainly from national parks and forest reserves in western and southern Uganda

All specimens in BM labelled Phyllodon truncatus or P. truncatulus have been examined, together with two new Uganda collections, and all African species conform to the type of P. truncatus, and all American species conform to the type of P. truncatulus. Buck’s (1987) assessment of this genus is supported, and it is confirmed that P. truncatulus does not occur in Africa.

The new species Colura zoophaga from the Aberdare Mountains in Kenya is described as new. It differs from C. berghenii and C. hedbergiana in the obtuse apex, which is rounded or only weakly prolonged. C. zoophaga also differs from C. berghenii in the smooth leaf-cells, from C. hedbergiana in the 5-horned perianth keels and from C. calyptrifolia in the papillose perianth. A key to the African taxa of Sectio Macroramphus is provided. The ecology of C. zoophaga is briefly described.