Cratoneuron y Palustriella (Amblystegiaceae, Bryopsida) en la Península Ibérica e Islas Baleares. Revisión y biogeografía

Abstract

Cratoneuron and Palustriella are revised for the Iberian Peninsula, based mainly on specimens kept in PC and the main Iberian herbaria. The occurrence of Cratoneuron filicinum, Palustriella commutata, P. falcata and P. decipiens is confirmed. Cratoneuron filicinum var. atrovirens and C. filicinum var. curvicaule should be excluded from the Iberian Bryological Flora. All the Iberian specimens kept in the revised herbaria as Hypnum sulcatum, Hypnum irrigatum, Cratoneuron commutatum var. irrigatum, C. commutatum var. fluctuans, C. commutatum var. sulcatum, and Palustriella commutata var. sulcata were re-identified as Palustriella falcata, and these names are considered as synonyms of P. falcata. Cratoneuron filicinum is the most common of the revised species. It can stand longer dry periods than Palustriella species, consequently its distribution is the widest among the studied species in the Eurosiberian Region (250-2000 m) and the Mediterranean Region and Balearic Islands (180-2300 m). Palustriella commutata grows exclusively in wet and calcareous habitats in the northern half of the Iberian Peninsula, and it is very rare in the south. Palustriella falcata grows on rocks and basic or neutral soils, although it requires wetter habitats than Palustriella commutata, for this reason its distribution is restricted to mountainous regions in the northern half of the Iberian Peninsula, being rare in the southern half. P. decipiens behaves as an acidophilus or neutrophilus species. It only occurs in mesophitic habitats, growing on wet rocks or oligo-mesotrophic meadows, and can stand short dry periods. Its distribution area is restricted to high mountain regions (Cantabric Range, Pirenees, La Demanda Range, and Sierra Nevada). Identification keys, descriptions, iconography, SEM images, and distribution maps for all the species of Cratoneuron and Palustriella occurring in the Iberian Peninsula are provided.