Dicranodontium denudatum
Dicranodontium denudatum (Brid.) Britton
Dicranaceae
Conservation status. Vulnerable [VU D2].
Morphology and biology. Perennial acrocarpous moss forming dark green or yellowish green glossy tufts, 5–8 cm high, with reddish rhizoids at the base. Leaves easily fall off, erect or slightly spreading, with ovate or lanceolate-ovate basal part, gradually narrowing above to long and channelled, faintly toothed, upper part. Nerve ends in leaf tip, its basal part wide. Sporophytes rare, elliptical, with longitudinal ridges. Vegetative reproduction predominates. Gemmae small, bud-like, forming on upper stem part or of leaf origin. Unisexual.
Habitats and populations. Plants grow on decaying logs covered by bryophytes, and on rocks and stones, also on peat soil, mainly in forests. The species is an indicator of old forests of high conservation importance.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Western – near Haydushkite Vodopadi locality; Central – on northern slopes of Botev peak and above Ribaritsa village).
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria), W and C Europe, Scandinavia, Baltic region, Italy, Slovenia, European part of Russia, Caucasus, Asia, N and C America, Pacific region. Boreal-montane species.
Threats. Limited distribution and limited dispersal potential, decrease of air humidity.
Conservation measures taken. Species localities are in the area of Central Balkan National Park and in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Long-term study, assessment of trends in habitat changes, and prognosis for population development.
References. Kuc et al. 1965.
Author: Anna Ganeva
