Ignatov M.S.1, Ignatova E.A.2 2001. On the zoochory of Schistostega pennata (Schistostegaceae, Musci) // Arctoa. Vol. 10: 83–96 [in English].
1 Tsitsin Main Botanical Garden of Russian Academy of Sciences, Botanicheskaya 4, Moscow 127276 Russia
2 Biological Faculty, Moscow State University, Moscow 119234 Russia
KEYWORDS: spores, Schistostega pennata, anemochory, ecology, dispersal, adaptation, Schististegaceae, Splachnaceae.
ABSTRACT. The spores of Schistostega pennata (Hedw.) Web. et Mohr have sticky surface and can not be freely dispersed by wind in fresh state. Also spore surface ornamentation is very similar to that of Splachnum, Tetraplodon and Aplodon, genera strictly adapted to entomochory; this allows to suggest the adaptation to zoochory in Schistostega. Other evidences of zoochory in Schistostega are based on its recent rapid expansion in some parts of Central Russia, on habitat peculiarities, and on some other parallels in morphology with Splachnaceae. The possible dispersal agents are discussed (birds, mammals, insects, spiders, etc.), but no one of them can be chosen as the main one, at least in the forests of Central Russia.
doi 10.15298/arctoa.10.09