The article summarizes 15 years of research activity of Jan-Peter Frahm at Bonn University in the field of bioindication of environmental pollution with bryophytes and lichens as sensitive monitoring organisms.

Some species of Splachnaceae smell like berries when the spores are already ripe but the capsules still closed. It is supposed that this is a way to attract animals to eat the capsules, so that the spores reach suitable substrates directly with the faeces. This first strategy is little known, as the smell can be observed for a short time only. The second strategy, attraction of dung flies by dung smell of the open capsules, which transport the spores from one dunghill to another, is well-known.

We analysed documented moss species numbers on a global scale with the aim to identify regions or countries with possibly under-documented moss floras. European units (countries, administrative units) in general have much higher documented species numbers than extra-European units with similar area sizes. Especially South American and African units have relatively low documented species numbers. This is in contrast to the overall continental moss floras of these regions, which are almost twice as species rich compared to Europe. We identified possibly under-documented geographical units in each continent based on negative outliers in species-area plots. There is a negative correlation of species richness with the area of desert or grassland biomes in a geographical unit. Based on our dataset, the question of the existence of a general latitudinal gradient of increasing moss diversity with decreasing latitude has to be denied.

The results of a bryophyte mapping project carried out in Saxony between 1980 and 2004 were evaluated in cases of nature conservation. The following questions were analysed: the relation of frequency and threat of species; the threat of species in different biotope types; differences in the ecological characteristics of Red List species in comparison with unthreatened species using the Ellenberg’s indicator values and the hemerobie status; main reasons for decline and threat of Red List species; changes in the classification in the different editions of the Red Lists of Saxony and their reasons, mainly the decline and increase of species; the allocation of distribution centres of threatened bryophytes of selected biotope types.

The scientific work of Jan-Peter Frahm and others elucidated the enormous potential bryophytes have for basic as well as applied research. In this review we focus on some results that widely open the door for the use of different bryophyte species for plant biotechnology, suggesting that “Bryotechnology” is a rapidly evolving sector of biotechnology in general.

The GC/MS analysis of the volatile components present in diethyl ether extracts of 15 Marchantiophyta species collected in Borneo island indicated that each liverwort species, produce own characteristic compounds. Most of the studied species elaborate a large quantity of sesquiterpenoids whereas only a few synthesize monoterpenoids, diterpenoids and aromatic compounds. Sesquiterpenoids, such as herbertanes, gymnomitranes, chiloscyphanes as well as eudesmane, germacrane and guaiane sesquiterpene lactones, can be used as chemosystematics markers. Aromatic compounds like methyl benzoates with prenyl ether group are characteristic of Trichocolea pluma. Diterpenoids belonging to labdane-, clerodane- and fusicoccane-types are chemical markers of Pleurozia gigantea, while cembranes are characteristic for Chandonanthus hirtellus and rearranged 7,8-secolabdane-type diterpenoids for Pallavicinia species. Monoterpenoids, responsible for characteristic fragrance, occur mainly in thalloid liverworts belonging to the order Marchantiales, here represented by Wiesnerella denudata and Dumortiera hirsuta.

Physcomitrella patens Hedw. (Bruch & Schimp.), a species belonging to the Funariaceae, is the first bryophyte the genome of which has been completely sequenced. In addition, the species became a model organism for evolutionary-developmental studies. These qualities of P. patens enable the comparison of genomic features across a very broad range of land plants and allow to infer changes that occurred during early land plant evolution. As hybridization and polyploidization occurs frequently among the Funariaceae, P. patens is also an ideal model to compare these mechanisms of genome evolution among land plants. In order to close the remaining gaps between algae and flowering plants in terms of complete genome sequences, it will be necessary to sequence further representatives from other early diverging land plant lineages. The first such additional projects are now proceeding with the cosmopolitan moss Ceratodon purpureus and the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. In this article we shall review what the P. patens genome may teach us about land plant evolution and which additional species might be useful to explore in future.

Many loci in the organelle genomes of chloroplasts and mitochondria have been investigated to deduce the phylogeny of land plant clades. In addition to coding regions, several non-coding regions in mitochondrial and chloroplast DNAs have successfully been used for this purpose. Focusing on the most recent developments, this paper attempts to summarize how research on the molecular evolution of group I and group II intron sequences, intergenic regions and pseudogenes has contributed to our modern understanding of bryophyte phylogeny.

The taxonomic position of Rhynchostegiella acicula, a local endemic of Shaanxi Province of China, is investigated by means of cladistic analyses employing nrITS sequences. The analyses show that R. acicula does not belong to Rhynchostegiella s.str. (Helicodontioideae) but is resolved within the Homalothecioideae as sister to Eurhynchiastrum, from which it differs by a soft and slender habit; narrow lanceolate and acuminate leaves; a percurrent costa; and an autoicous condition. It differs from Brachytheciastrum and Brachythecium in a longly rostrate operculum, and from Homalothecium in a small plants that lack thick-walled basal laminal cells characteristic of this genus, as well as in an autoicous inflorescence. As a consequence, R. acicula is transferred into its own, monospecific genus Frahmiella Ignatov, Vanderpoorten & Wang You-fang, gen. nov.

Pinnatella homaliadelphoides Enroth, S. Olsson, S. He, Shevock & D. Quandt (Neckeraceae, Bryophyta) is illustrated and described from China and India. Morphologically, it differs strongly from all known species of Pinnatella, but shares many features characteristic of Homaliadelphus Dixon & P. de la Varde (Miyabeaceae). The generic placement is therefore evaluated by molecular methods. Sequence data from the plastid rps4-trnT-trnL-trnF cluster as well as the rpl16 group II intron and the nuclear ITS1 & 2 place Pinnatella homaliadelphoides sister to P. foreauana Thér. & P. de la Varde, both sharing the same general geographical distribution range.

Mannia pilosa (Hornem.) Frye & L.Clark, a circumpolar species widely distributed in arctic-alpine regions was newly found from Mt. Kitadake, with its 3192 m peak the second highest mountain in Japan. Plants of M. pilosa were growing in an alpine meadow on a limestone outcrop about 400 m south of the peak at 35°40’ N, 138º 14’ E, ca. 3000 m alt. The isolated Japanese population for M. pilosa seems to be a glacial relict. New information on spore morphology using SEM and habitat of the Japanese plants is provided.

Variation in tRNA-Gly and ITS from 85 and 88 specimens, respectively, reveal that the widespread pleurocarpous moss Kindbergia praelonga (Hedw.) Ochyra sensu lato consists of three species. Kindbergia praelonga s. str. was sampled from Europe, Macaronesia, western North America, and the Southern Hemisphere. Low levels of haplotype variation and no unique haplotypes outside Europe-Macaronesia could potentially be explained by recent introductions outside this region. Most of the American specimens differ from K. praelonga s. str. in three ITS and six tRNA-Gly ‘missing’ haplotypes, and despite rather similar morphologies these most likely represent separate species. The included Chinese specimens deviate even more strongly from both K. praelonga s. str. and the American taxon. Kindbergia brittoniae (Grout) Ochyra and K. dumosa (Mitt.) Ignatov & Huttunen may be the correct names for the American and Asiatic taxa, but this requires further studies to be confirmed. In K. praelonga s. str. one complex of haplotypes is only found in Macaronesia and the central, western part of Europe. Since the variation within this complex is relatively smaller than among the remaining European-Macaronesian material despite that its position closer to the root of the network suggests a higher age, it is suggested that populations of this complex were strongly reduced during the last glaciation maximum and thereby lost a substantial portion of its haplotype variation.

A sterile liverwort inclusion in a piece of Miocene amber from the Dominican Republic is described and assigned to the extant genus Frullania. The remote leaf lobules of the fossil plant fragments resemble the polyphyletic taxon Frullania subgen. Diastaloba.

Previous studies have shown that submontane forests of Sulawesi harbor a very rich bryophyte flora, with more than 150 species occurring on eight canopy trees. We explore the relationships of trunk base bryophyte communities with elevation and tree characteristics (tree diameter, bark roughness) in montane forests of Sulawesi. The study showed that submontane, lower montane and upper montane forests of Sulawesi are characterized by very different bryophyte taxa. Calymperaceae, Fissidentaceae, Hypopterygiaceae, Lejeuneaceae, Leucobryaceae, Lophocoleaceae, Meteoriaceae, Neckeraceae, Porellaceae, Pterobryaceae Radulaceae and Thuidiaceae are mainly found at low elevations, while Herbertacaeae, Lepidoziaceae, Mastigophoraceae, Scapaniaceae, Schistochilaceae and Trichocoleaceae predominate at high elevations. Lejeuneaceae are the most important family in submontane and lower montane forests in terms of number of species, and Lepidoziaceae in upper montane forest. Plagiochilaceae are prevalent in lower montane forest. In general, species richness of liverworts increases towards higher elevation whereas moss richness decreases. Similar trends are observed elsewhere in the Tropics. Trunk community similarity decreases with distance and is about 25% between Sulawesi and Borneo, and virtually nil across continents. A few species showed a significant preference for rough bark but none for smooth bark. In general, trees with rough bark had more species than those with smooth bark. Trunk diameter correlated with the distribution of a few species but not with community composition or species richness. Our data are first statistically-supported evidence for bark roughness and trunkdiameter specificity of bryophyte diversity in tree-species rich tropical forest.

24 new distributional records of species of Distichophyllum and allied genera in Asia and Australasia are identified during an examination of loan materials from various herbaria. For each new species record, taxonomic, biogeographic and habitat notes, where appropriate, are included. Three new synonyms (Distichophyllum cucullatum E.B. Bartram, D. macropodum Dixon, and D. pullei Dixon) are proposed and several probable synonymies are pointed out.

A molecular investigation by Wilson et al. (2006) showing the close relationship between the neotropical Myricoleopsis gymnocolea (Spruce) Reiner & Gradst. and Cololejeunea vuquangensis Pócs & Ninh. from Vietnam, instigated the author to reexamine the latter species. The morphological and anatomical characters of Cololejeunea vuquangensis support its transfer to the genus Myriocoleopsis and the new combination of Myriocoleopsis vuquangensis (Pócs & Ninh) Pócs, comb. nov. is proposed. This is the first record of the South American genus Myriocoleopsis from Asia and a remarkable extension of its known distribution.

A key to the species of genera Philonotis Brid. and Fleischerobryum Loeske in China is presented. The presence of P. calcarea (Bruch & Schimp.) Schimp., P. cernua (Wils.) D. G. Griffin & W. R. Buck, P. marchica (Hedw.) Brid. and P. seriata Mitt. in China is doubted. P. tomentella Molendo is an addition to the Chinese flora.

Neckera xizangensis Enroth & M.C. Ji sp. nov. (Neckeraceae, Bryophyta) is described from Xizang (China) and illustrated in line drawings. It morphologically resembles N. denigricans Enroth from Vietnam and Yunnan, but differs especially by the much shorter costa, longer and narrower leaf cells, and the lack of an endostome.

The Grimmiaceae is the largest moss family represented in Antarctica. In continental locations fruiting mosses are rare. Re-examination of early Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) collections revealed the presence of Dryptodon fuscoluteus (Hook.) Ochyra & ¯arnowiec with capsules in the region of the Shackleton Ice Shelf, Terre Adélie. The species is described and illustrated and localities where plant collections were made by the AAE clarified. Other specimens collected by the AAE have been revised and they represent the following species: Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid., Syntrichia sarconeurum Ochyra & R. H. Zander, Orthogrimmia sessitana (De Not.) Ochyra & ¯arnowiec, Schistidium antarctici (Cardot) L. I. Savicz & Smirnova, and Bryum pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) P. Gaertn., B. Mey. & Scherb.

Schistidium frahmianum Ochyra & Afonina sp. nov. is described and illustrated as a new species from Chukotka in the Russian Far East and Alaska in North America. The species belongs within subg. Canalicularia Ochyra and is closely related to S. agassizii Sull. & Lesq. but is immediately distinct in its costa which is longly excurrent as a stout terete subula and variously bistratose laminal cells at the leaf shoulders. Schistidium frahmianum is an Arctic species restricted in its occurrence to Beringia.

Fissidens chiricahuensis and F. brindae, two new species from the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona, belong to subgenus Aloma (Fissidens elegans complex). Fissidens chiricahuensis has broadly acute to obtuse leaves; costae that end several cells below the leaf apices; and, 2–3-stratose, intramarginal to partially marginal limbidia confined to the vaginant laminae. Fissidens brindae has weak and erratic limbidia on the vaginant laminae of the perichaetial leaves and infrequently on the vaginant laminae of infertile stem leaves; a highly reduced peristome; and, a high percentage of aborted spores.

The taxonomical position of three Pottiaceae species present in the Mediterranean area have been reconsidered according to the criteria introduced by Zander (1993), in order to make the needed taxonomical changes that will be incorporated in the Mediterranean checklist of mosses that is being compiled. Two new combinations in the genus Tortula are proposed: Tortula vlassovii for Phascum vlassovii and Tortula acaulon var. galilaea for Phascum galilaeum. Pottia gemmifera is considered to be a synonym of Tortula caucasica.

Based on nuclear ribosomal ITS sequence analysis, biogeographic affinities of Campylopus in Macaronesia are inferred with a focus on the Madeira and Azores archipelagos. Molecular phylogenetic reconstructions reveal a complex pattern of biogeographic connections with regions on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Old World affinities predominate in C. pilifer, with only one out of the 30 sequenced Macaronesian samples belonging to the New World C. pilifer clade. New World affinities predominate in C. fragilis. For C. flexuosus connections with Europe, Asia and/or the Neotropics are indicated. Specimens of C. subulatus from Madeira are part of a clade of Neo- and Paleotropical species. Campylopus cygneus and C. shawii are resolved as closely related, but inference of their putative Caribbean origin will need further sampling. In C. introflexus the geographic origin of the Macaronesian populations cannot be inferred due to the low intraspecific sequence divergence. Campylopus pilifer var. brevirameus is reported for the first time for the Azores, C. cygneus for the first time for Madeira. An updated distribution of Campylopus in Macaronesia is presented, which includes 11 species.

The systematic position of the moss genus Acrocladium Mitten is reviewed and previous family placements are evaluated. A molecular dataset spanning five genomic regions from all three genomes was developed to address the relationships of Acrocladium. The results indicate a sister group relationship with Lepyrodontaceae, rather than with the Lembophyllaceae or Amblystegiaceae, as previously suggested. The strong differences in the morphologies of Lepyrodon and Acrocladium warrant recognition of the latter at family level: Acrocladiaceae R. Tangney, D. Quandt, S. Huttunen and M. Stech, fam. nov.

A new and update checklist for the area known as Distrito Federal in Central Brazil is presented here. The area’s original vegetation is the Cerrado (Brazilian Savanna) and is seriously threatened and poorly collected. This checklists presents 149 species among 79 genera, an increase of 35 new occurrences from the previous one, also the list was cleaned for synonyms and voucher were checked. Also two new families and 13 new genera are cited.

In vitro studies on two Indian Anthocerote taxa viz. Anthoceros bharadwajii Udar et Asthana and Phaeoceros carolinianus (Michx.) Prosk. have been carried out on agar medium by inoculating their spores into a range of inorganic media and their growth and development were studied in vitro. Spore germination of A. bharadwajii was exosporous while that of P. carolinianus was endosporous. Half strength Knop’s macronutrients medium under alternate light of 4000-5000 lux for 14 hours and dark period for 10 hours at the temperature 20 0 C was found the most suitable for growth and multiplication of the species. Addition of sucrose and trace elements inhibited their growth. Temperature above 27 0 C proved fatal even for a short time. To avoid dryness in medium regular sub culturing was found essential for the growth of healthy culture.

A recent investigation on the bryophytes of Darjeeling has revealed the occurrence of 12 taxa of hornworts (anthocerotes) in this region. Of these, Anthoceros punctatus, Folioceros assamicus, Phaeoceros himalayensis, Notothylas indica, N. khasiana, N. levieri are new to Darjeeling, while Anthoceros alpinus, a critically endangered species, is new to eastern Himalaya and Notothylas khasiana is an extremely rare species.

The use of the moss Thuidium delicatulum (Hedw.) Mitt. was studied as bioindicator of environmental contamination by zinc, copper and lead in the city of Boquete (Chiriqui, PanamA), for a period of 43 days from January to March, 2008. The methodology of transplant of mosses samples was used and the zinc, copper and lead deposition levels were quantified. Twelve stations were established along Los Fundadores avenue, up to Alto Chiquero zone, in a 12 km transect. Chemicals methods as spectrophotometer of atomic absorption and voltamperometry of anodic redisolution were used. Results show high concentrations of metals (406.92 ppm of Zn; 118.04 ppm of Cu and 7301.8 ppm of Pb) in the sample places next to the urban zone. Probably, these results were related to the presence of car repair shops, gas stations, cabinetmakers shops and bus stations in the area. Also high concentration of metals as zinc (397.40 ppm) and lead (5688.00 ppm) at a sample place near to a crop area were found. Agrochemicals in this area were considerate the main emission source of these metals.

Twelve species of Coccocarpia are now recognized with distribution in Colombia (C. dissecta Swinsc. & Krog, C. domingensis Vain., C. epiphylla (Fée) Kremp., C. erythroxyli (Spreng.) Swinsc. & Krog, C. filiformis L. Arvidss., C. glaucina Kremp., C. imbricascens Nyl., C. palmicola (Spreng.) L. Arvidss. & D. Gall., C. pellita (Ach.) Müll. Arg., C. prostrata Lücking, Aptroot & Sipman, C. stellata Tuck. and C. tenuissima Müll. Arg.), four of which are new records for the country. Anatomical and morphological descriptions are provided for each species, together with results from chemical tests with K, C, KC and PD, and ecological and distributional data. A key to the Colombian species of Coccocarpia is presented.

The mosses reported in this paper are the result of an earlier study (Ireland et al. 2006) on the moss flora of the Bio-Bio Region (Región VIII) in south-central Chile in 2001–2003. Identifications of more of the collections made during this period, plus some recent ones (2006–2010), yielded additional records that are reported for the four provinces, namely Arauco, Bio-Bio, Concepción and Ñuble, two of which are new to Chile, and 13 for the Bio-Bio Region. Furthermore, five species are excluded from the moss flora of Chile.

The four species of Fissidens, F. leptocladus, F. linearis var. obscurirete, F. pellucidus var. pellucidus and F. serratus var. serratus, found on Easter Island, are described using local specimens. Fissidens pascuanus is reduced to the synonymy of F. linearis var. obscurirete.

El presente trabajo tuvo como finalidad inventariar la flora de hepAticas a lo largo de un gradiente altitudinal entre los sectores denominados Cerro El Avila y Lagunazo, ubicados en el Parque Nacional El Avila. En seis localidades se colectaron 294 muestras distribuidas en 18 familias, 41 géneros y 59 especies de hepAticas. Lejeuneaceae resultó ser la familia con mayor número de géneros y especies (18 géneros/ 28 especies). Se observó una alta especificidad para los sustratos suelo, corteza y sobre hoja en las diferentes localidades estudiadas. Del número total de especies, 8 representan nuevos registros para el pais, en tanto que 12 especies constituyen adiciones a la brioflora de la Cordillera de la Costa, destacAndose la presencia de Cystolejeunea lineata (Lehm. & Lindenb.) Evans, especie reportada como vulnerable según las categorias de la Alianza Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (IUCN), en el Libro Rojo de Briofitas de Colombia.

As the result of the floristic study of soil mosses from high montane forest in the Sierra Nevada National Park in Mérida, Venezuela, we report 18 new species for Mérida State and 39 new reports for Sierra Nevada National Park. Ten of these species are recorded for the first time in the Andes of Venezuela. In addition, Sematophyllum chlorocornum (Mull. Hal) W.R. Buck S. P. Churchill & I. Sastre is a new record for Venezuela. The species are listed with their global and local distributions. In the case of Sphagnum L., comments to separate the species are provided.

The "restingas" cover about 70% of the Brazilian coast, but they are threarened by human activity. The study was carried out in the unflooded forests formations of the "restingas" in Ubatuba, Bertioga, São Vicente, Praia Grande, Itanhaém, Peruibe, Iguape, and Cananeia, SP. The results include literature records and data of the bryophytes collections, which are deposited in the Herbaria SP and HRCB. Two divisions with 34 families, 105 genera, 253 species, a subspecies, and seven varieties of bryophytes are listed. Lejeuneaceae predominated in the material, which was often collected on bark of living phorophytes and on a single kind of substrate. The checklist adds 7%, 9%, and 19% of the total of bryophyte species, which are now known to occur in "restingas" of Brazil, São Paulo, and in the unflooded forest formations of the "restingas" of the same state, respectively. The listed species also occur in others ecosystems, except Bromeliophila natans (Steph.) R.M. Schust., which is restricted to the "restingas" of Brazil. The studied bryoflora is similar to that one reported for the "paulista" Atlantic rain forest. Meiothecium revolubile Mitt. (moss) and Harpalejeunea uncinata Steph. (liverwort) are cited fo the first time for the state of São Paulo.

Aguas Claras is a fast growing suburban area of Brasilia municipality, Federal District. The Ecological and Multiple Uses Aguas Claras Park is one of the few places where the local population can enjoy the nature. This work presents the inventory of the bryophytic community of this park, contributing to the knowledge of the bryophytes of the Federal District. Overall, twenty four species were found, organized in eighteen genera and fifteen families. Eighteen of which are mosses (Bryophyta) and six are hepatics (Marchantiophyta). Entodontopsis nitens (Mitt.) W.R.Buck & Ireland, Erythrodontium longisetum (Hook.) Paris, Fissidens intromarginatus (Hampe) A. Jaeger and Lophocolea mandonii Stephani are new citations to the Federal District. A key is presented to the species found in the park.

Scopelophila cataractae is here reported from Thailand, where it occurs on the trunks of an emergent tree in an evergreen montane forest.

Colura leratii (Steph.) Steph., an interesting taxon, has been observed in an epiphyllous collection from Agumbe, Karnataka, South India, which has been described and illustrated here. The taxon is a new record for Indian Bryoflora, thus making a representation of the genus by six species — Colura acroloba (Mont.) Jovet- Ast, C. ari Steph., C. calyptrifolia (Hook.) Dumort., C. conica (Sande Lac.) K.I. Goebel, C. leratii (Steph.) Steph., and C. tenuicornis (Evans) Steph. in India.

The occurrence of Notoligotrichum minimum (Cardot) G.L. Smith is confirmed from Brazil and Oligotrichum canaliculatum (J.D. Hook. & Arnott) Mitt. is reported as new to Brazil. Both species have been, previosly cited from southern South America (Argentina and Chile). Descriptions and illustrations are presented.