Diversity of mosses (Bryophyta) in Pangi valley (Himachal Pradesh, India): an unexplored domain of northwestern Himalaya

Authors

  • Anshul Dhyani Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2925-2191
  • Kumar Shantanu Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110019, India.
  • Rajender Kumar Sharma Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110019, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4267-417X
  • Prem Lal Uniyal Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8733.16.5.25227-25234

Keywords:

Bryophytes, ecosystem, growth forms, hotspots, indicator, macroclimate, patch size, population, richness, taxa

Abstract

Diversity of mosses of a unique and unexplored geographical location in Himalaya, the Pangi valley in Himachal Pradesh, India is investigated. A total of 49 moss species belonging to 21 families have been recorded, including Hedwigia emodica, the detail on the type specimen of which is uncertain and Encalypta vulgaris, a rare moss in the Himalaya. In addition, 13 moss species are new records for Himachal Pradesh. The dominant mosses of the surveyed area are Philonotis and Grimmia, where the latter is frequently found on basic, barren boulders in sunny positions. Among the recorded moss species, 35 are terrestrial, six aquatic, and eight epiphytes. The findings will be useful for forest policies and management of bryophytes conservation in areas which have extreme climatic conditions.

Author Biographies

  • Anshul Dhyani, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.

    .

  • Kumar Shantanu, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110019, India.

    .

  • Rajender Kumar Sharma, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110019, India.

    .

  • Prem Lal Uniyal, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.

    .

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Published

26-05-2024

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