Fissidens rivularis
Fissidens rivularis (Spruce) Schimp.
Fissidentaceae
Conservation status. Vulnerable [VU D2].
Morphology and biology. Perennial acrocarpous moss. Tufts dark green or blackish green. Stems 1.0–2.5 cm long, with brown rhizoids, leaves in two rows, one on either side of stem. Leaf structure complex: basal part encircles the stem, becoming sword-like in upper part. Leaf outline tongue-like to lanceolate with wing-like lower part running down stem. There is a border of yellowish cells at leaf margin. Nerve single, strong, ending in leaf point. Sporophyte ellipsoid, erect or slightly inclined. Bisexual.
Habitats and populations. Plants grow on shady and moist rocks or on submerged stream rocks, forming tufts or small groups of individual plants. Tolerant to moderate water pollution.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Strandzha Mts (Dokuzanski Bair locality and near Slivarovo village, Draganovski Dol locality).
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania) and other parts of Europe (Belgium, UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Crete), Caucasus, Central and SW Asia, N and C Africa. Sub-oceanic/Mediterranean species.
Threats. Small number of localities, tourism development, human impact, changes in habitat conditions.
Conservation measures taken. Species populations are in the area of Strandzha Nature Park and in a site 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. Petrov 1963.
Author: Anna Ganeva
