Microbryum starckeanum (Hedw.) R.H.Zander

Larraín, Juan, Cano, María J. & Jiménez, Juan A., 2020, New bryophyte records from the Mediterranean region of Chile, Cryptogamie, Bryologie 20 (11), pp. 131-140 : 136

Microbryum starckeanum (Hedw.) R.H.Zander

SPECIMENS EXAMINED. — Chile. Región de Coquimbo: Provincia de Choapa, Comuna de Canela, por Ruta D-895, al S del empalme con la Ruta D-71, en quebrada con matorral de Porlieria chilensis con Lithraea dispersos y abundantes cactus Opuntia , en suelo abierto, 31°22’33.6”S, 71°13’47.5”W, 595 m, 28.VII.2017, J. Larraín 41865A (CONC, MUB). — Región de Valparaíso: Provincia de Petorca, Comuna de Petorca, por ruta E-37-D, junto al Estero Las Palmas, entre Padegua y Palquico, matorral de Talguenea trinervis al costado de la carretera, en suelo abierto, 32°18’30.8”S, 71°05’55.3”W, 356 m, 27.VII.2017, A. Larraín & J. Larraín 41749 (CONC, MUB).

REMARKS

This taxon is characterized by the small plants with apiculated leaves with recurved margins, stegocarpous capsules, and strongly warty spores, c. 25 µm in diameter. In the Chilean material studied, all the capsules exhibit a rudimentary peristome.

Microbryum starckeanum was found growing on bare exposed soil among dry shrublands in central Chile, between 350- 600 m a.s.l., during the wettest month of the winter in central Chile (July). This taxon is distributed in western North America and Mexico, Europe, Macaronesia, North Africa, China, New Zealand ( Zander 2007a; Zhao et al. 2009), and Australia, where it has been apparently introduced ( Duell 1984). These are the first records of this taxon for Chile and also for South America.

A complete description and illustrations of this species are given by Ros & Werner (2006), and Zhao et al. (2009).