Mylia anomala
Mylia anomala (Hook.) Gray
Jungermanniaceae
Conservation status. Vulnerable [VU D2].
Morphology and biology. Perennial leafy liverwort forming small yellowish green to brownish green patches. Stems together with leaves are up to 3 mm wide, 2–4 cm long, prostrate or erect, on ventral (lower) side with colourless rhizoids, swollen at apex. Leaves ovate to lance-shaped, distant or overlapping, erect above and spreading below. Gemmae bright yellow or yellowish green, 1–2-celled, spherical to ellipsoidal. Unisexual.
Habitats and populations. Peat bogs and mires in higher mountains, often mixed with other bryophytes.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Central – Zlatishko-Tetevenski Balkan, spring mires on northern slopes of Bolovanya peak).
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria), most parts of Europe except the southern regions, Portugal and Hungary, Far East, Siberia, northern and central parts of North America. Boreal species.
Threats. Global warming and climate drying up, succession in vegetation types, draining of land, air pollution, tourism. The species is characterized by low reproductive potential.
Conservation measures taken. The species locality is in the area of Central Balkan National Park and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Long-term studies and the assessment of the trends in habitat changes will make possible a prognosis for population development and undertaking actions for species conservation.
References. Petrov 1970.
Author: Anna Ganeva
