The Diversity and Distribution of Mosses in Gujarat: Current Status

Abstract

Gujarat harbors a large diversity of habitats ranging from deserts to moist deciduous forest to
grasslands and coastal areas which provide a variety of microhabitats necessary for colonisation
by bryophytes. An earlier study reported 44 species of mosses in Gujarat. 75% of the districts
however remained unsurveyed. Hence, to understand the diversity of bryophytes in the state
and its distribution, an intensive study was carried from November 2013 to February 2015. The
present study reports the presence of 24 species of mosses which belong to 12 genera falling
under 7 families. Pottiaceae, Bryaceae, Plagiothiaceae and Fissidentaceae are the dominant moss
families of Gujarat while Bryum, Stereophyllum and Hyophila are the dominant moss genera with
four species each. Gymnostomiella. vernicosa (Hook.) Fleish. and Hyophila. involuta (Hook.)
Jaeg. were the most common and found in almost all the districts of Gujarat. The other common
species included Hydrogonium consanguineum (Thw. et Mitt.), Barbula indica (Hook.) Spreng.,
Bryum coronatum Schwaegr, Bryum capillare L. ex Hedw. Brachyemenium turgidium Broth. ex
Dix., Fissidens curvatoinvolutus Dixon. and Barbula indica (Hook.) Spreng . Physcomitrium
eurystomum Sendth. and Hyophila spathulata (Harv.) Jaeg. are being reported for the first time
from the state. Moss records are being reported for the first time for more than 20 districts of the
state. Dangs district has the highest diversity followed by Junagadh, Panchmahal and Valsad
districts