Scapania scandica
Scapania scandica (Arnell & H. Buch) Macvicar
Scapaniaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(iii)].
Morphology and biology. Perennial leafy liverwort. Plants form green to brown patches. Stems 0.8–2 cm long, together with leaves 1.1–3 mm wide, ascending to erect. Leaves bilobed, lobes folded together face to face. Dorsal (upper) lobe usually with entire margin, occasionally with single teeth. Ventral (lower) lobe usually with rounded apex. Perianths with entire mouth, prolonged-cylindrical. Vegetative propagation is by means of light green to colourless ellipsoid 2-celled gemmae. Unisexual.
Habitats and populations. Plants grow on exposed soils or moist rocks in woody areas in mountains in individual patches or mixed with other bryophytes (Lophozia spp., Cephalozia spp.). The population density and growth rate are low.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Pirin Mts (Banderitsa chalet), Rila Mts (above Borovets and near the waterfall on Chavcha River above the King Bath at Kostenets).
General distribution. Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria), North and Central Europe, Italy, Ukraine, Russia, Azores, Caucasus, Siberia, Far East, North America. Subarctic-montane species.
Threats. Water, soil and air pollution. The species localities are found in areas used for tourism and recreation; with intensive human activities, direct or indirect habitat damage is possible.
Conservation measures taken. Some of the localities are within the Pirin National Park and in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of changes in population size and changes in habitats ecological conditions; developing of action plans.
References. Šmarda 1970, Ganeva & Düll 1999.
Author: Anna Ganeva
