A taxonomic revision of Pseudosymblepharis Broth. (Musci: Pottiaceae) in Asia

In Asia, Pseudosymblepharis Broth., consists of only one species: Pseudosymblepharis bombayensis (C. Muell.) Sollman. Although the extremes in the collections (e.g. larger versus smaller plants) at first sight look distinct, intermediates were seen rather frequently. The more variable characters are discussed. Small-sized specimens of Pseudosymblepharis are distinguished from Trichostomum tenuirostre (Hook. & Tayl.) Lindb., Trichostomum brachydontium Br. and several other species. Twenty-three reductions to synonymy are proposed. Data on distribution and habitat are given

Cytological studies on mosses from Papua New Guinea : 1., introduction and the family Orthotrichaceae.

Chromosome numbers with information on meiotic behaviour are recorded for the first time for the following taxa in the family Orthotrichaceae from Papua New Guinea - Desmotheca apiculata (Dozy & Molk.) Lindb. ex Card. n=6; Macromitrium incurvifolium (Hook. & Grev.) Schwaegr. n=9, M. longicaule C. Muell. n=6 (5+X/y), M. orthostichum Nees ex Schwaegr. n=7 (6+ X/y), M. salakanum C. Muell. n=9, M. similirete Bartr. n=9. M. streimannii Vitt n=9 (8+m); Schlotheimia emarginato-pilosa Herz. n=9 and S. macgregorii Broth. & Geh. n=11

Site investigation for the effects of vegetation on ground stability

The procedure for geotechnical site investigation is well established but little attention is currently given to investigating the potential of vegetation to assist with ground stability. This paper describes how routine investigation procedures may be adapted to consider the effects of the vegetation. It is recommended that the major part of the vegetation investigation is carried out, at relatively low cost, during the preliminary (desk) study phase of the investigation when there is maximum flexibility to take account of findings in the proposed design and construction. The techniques available for investigation of the effects of vegetation are reviewed and references provided for further consideration. As for general geotechnical investigation work, it is important that a balance of effort is maintained in the vegetation investigation between (a) site characterisation (defining and identifying the existing and proposed vegetation to suit the site and ground conditions), (b) testing (in-situ and laboratory testing of the vegetation and root systems to provide design parameters) and (c) modelling (to analyse the vegetation effects)

A revised checklist of Hawaiian mosses

A revised and updated literature-based checklist of Hawaiian mosses is presented. Geographic coverage includes the eight main Hawaiian Islands; the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are excluded. The checklist is alphabetically ordered by scientific names; the family is noted for each genus. Synonyms and misapplied names are cross-referenced to the accepted names. A bibliography of supporting references is included

Studies on Barbula tenuirostris Brid. [replaces Barbula consanguinea (Thwaites & Mitt.) A. Jaeger sensu A. Eddy]

Twelve taxa are proposed as new synonyms of Barbula tenuirostris Brid. Two nomina nuda also belong here. Barbula tenuirostris is compared with the most closely related taxa in Asia. Barbula anceps Cardot is Barbula arcuata Griff. A lectotype is selected for Barbula scleromitra Besch

Studies on Barbula flavicans D.G. Long and related taxa

Barbula flavicans D.G. Long replaces Barbula consanguinea (Thwaites & Mitt.) A. Jaeger sensu Eddy. This is a variable species. The types of several mainly Asian taxa were studied. Fifteen taxa are proposed as new synonyms of Barbula flavicans. Barbula (?) anceps Cardot is Barbula arcuata Griff

Systematic screening of bryophytes for antitumor agents

References are made to cytotoxic and/or antitumor compounds that have been isolated - ansamitocin P-3 from Claopodium crispifolium (Hook.) Ren. & Card. and Anomodon attenuatus Hueb., or an associated actinomycete, and ohioensins and pallidisetums from Polytrichum spp. Several hundred collections, which have been obtained from temperate regions of North America during 1990 and 1991, are currently being screened in new bioassays; active sesquiterpene lactones have been recently isolated from species of Porella. The methodologies of collecting and screening bryophyte samples are discussed with consideration to costs based on expected number of samples that might be collected in a day, the diversity in the collections as related to phytogeography and vegetation types, and the bryophyte cover that is vanishing in many forest regions of the United States. The difficulties in obtaining large collections for isolation of active agents are also discussed by examplerecollection of Claopodium crispifolium

Correlating magnetic fabrics with finite strain : comparing results from mudrocks in the Variscan and Appalachian Orogens

New magnetic anisotropy data from Variscan mudstones collected in the Cantabrian Arc, N Spain constrain the corresponding strain (shortening). The results are based on our previous study of mudrocks from the Valley and Ridge Province (Appalachians) where independent strain quantification of pencil structures permitted a correlation between magnetic fabric and tectonic strain. An exponential relationship between the AMS shape parameter T and tectonic shortening was found for the interval of 10-25% shortening: shortening (%)=17*exp(T), relationship that appears to be supported by tectonic strains up to 40%. The T parameter describes the shape of the magnetic susceptibility ellipsoid, which in pelitic rocks appears more sensitive to strain than the degree of anisotropy parameter P (or P'). In mudrocks from the Cantabrian Arc a positive correlation between T parameter and deformation intensity, reflected by cleavage domains spacing, is observed. Using the above relationship, we estimate the range of tectonic shortening for the Cantabrian mudstones. The correlation between strain and AMS offers a robust estimate of strain magnitude of 10-40% in weakly to moderately deformed clay-rich rocks, where other strain indicators are often lacking or are poorly preserved

New or little known epiphyllous liverworts : 6., Papillolejeunea gen. nov. from Papua New Guinea

A new epiphyllous Lejeuneaceae genus, Papillolejeunea is described. It is a segregate of Lejeunea, characterized by a large, 2-4 celled, stout, papilla like first (distal) tooth on a well developed, inflated lobule, while the second (proximal) tooth is reduced, blunt, hidden with the usually involuted free lobule margin. Four new species are described within the genus. One, Papillolejeunea balazsii, forms the Section nov. Papillolejeunea and the type of the genus, characterized by large number of serially arranged mucilage cells on the dorsal surface and margin of the lobe, at the margin of amphigastria and on the perianth keels. Three further species, Papillolejeunea candida, Papillolejeunea papuana and Papillolejeunea touwii constitute the Section nov. Candidae, where no such dorsal and marginal glands occur. The distribution of the genus seems to be restricted to the mountainous area of New Guinea