Vegatative Architecture of Desiccation-tolerant Arborescent Monocotyledons

Within the monocotyledons the acquisition of the tree habit is enhanced by either primary growth of the axis or a distinctive mode of secondary growth. However, a few arborescent monocotyledons deviate from this pattern in developing trunks up to four meters high that resemble those of tree ferns, i.e., their woody-fibrous stems consist mainly of persistent leaf bases and adventitious roots. This type of arborescent monocotyledon occurs in both tropical and temperate regions and is found within Boryaceae (Borya), Cyperaceae (Afrotrilepis, Bulbostylis, Coleochloa, Microdracoides), and Velloziaceae (e.g., Vellozia, Xerophyta). They have developed in geographically widely separated regions with most of them occurring in the tropics and only Borya being a temperate zone outlier. These mostly miniature lily trees frequently occur in edaphically and climatologically extreme habitats (e.g., rock outcrops, white sand savannas). Characterized by a high degree of desiccation tolerance and a certain amount of fire-resistance, these plants are xerophytes that among vascular plants possess a unique combination of ecophysiological and morphoanatomical adaptations (e.g., poikilohydry, roots with velamen radicum). Moreover, most lily trees tend to form clonal populations of considerable age by means of stolons or by basal branching, which provides substantial advantages for the rapid and long lasting occupation of suitable sites. A summary is given of the major vegetative traits that obviously evolved independently within Boryaceae, Cyperaceae, and Velloziaceae

Moose von Inselbergen aus Westafrika

Anläßlich der Untersuchung der Vegetation westafrikanischer Inselberge in der Republik Elfenbeinküste, in Senegal und in Guinea wurden auch Moose gesammelt. Ihre Bestimmung ergab 43 Neunachweise für diese Länder, die zu den floristisch am wenigsten bekannten tropischen Länder gehören. Es handelt sich überwiegend um Arten mit sehr weiten Arealen. Es wird angenommen, daß Inselbergstandorte aufgrund ihrer besonderen ökologischen Bedingungen eine Standortskonstanz über lange Zeit und auch in wechselnden Klimaperioden geboten haben. An solchen Refugien konnten trockenadaptierte Sippen in feuchteren Klimaperioden überdauern und sich in trockeneren Klimaperioden wieder auf Savannen ausdehnen. Die Neukombination Archidium globiferum (Brid.) Frahm (Pleuridium globiferum Brid.) wird für Archidium ohioense Schimp. ex C. Müll., eingeführt.Bryophytes have been collected during a survey of the vegetation of Inselbergs in western Africa in Ivory Coast, Senegal and Guinea, which are rather undercollected areas. The identifications revealed 43 new records for these countries. Inselberg habitats are considered to provide constant ecological conditions over long periods and varying climatic conditions. They can be regarded as refugia for dry adapted species during humid periods which could expand to the surrounding savannahs in dry periods. A new combination (Archidium globiferum [Brid.] J.-P. Frahm) is introduced for Archidium ohioense Schimp. ex C. Müll

Moose von Inselbergen in Benin

Acht Leber- und zehn Laubmoosarten werden von Inselbergen aus Benin angegeben. Fünf der Lebermoose (Acrolejeunea emergens, Riccia atropurpurea, R. congoana, R. discolor, R. moenkemeyeri) und alle Laubmoose (Archidium ohioense, Brachymenium acuminatum, B. exile, Bryum arachnoideum, B. argenteum, Bryum deperssum, Garckea moenkemeyeri, Hyophila involuta, Philonotis mniobryoides und Weissia cf. edentula) werden neu für Benin angegeben.Eight liverworts and ten mosses are reported from inselbergs in Benin. Five of the liverworts (Acrolejeunea emergens, Riccia atropurpurea, R. congoana, R. discolor, R. moenkemeyeri) and all mosses (Archidium ohioense, Brachymenium acuminatum, B. exile, Bryum arachnoideum, B. argenteum, Bryum deperssum, Garckea moenkemeyeri, Hyophila involuta, Philonotis mniobryoides and Weissia cf. edentula) are reported as new to Benin

Inselbergs: potential conservation areas for plant diversity in the face of anthropization

Faced with the loss of biodiversity, particularly plant diversity, due to anthropogenic pressure, particular ecosystems such as inselbergs can constitute refuge areas. The objective of this study is to determine the conservation potential of plant biodiversity on inselbergs in Burkina Faso. A comparative study was carried out between inselberg’s vegetation and the surrounding plains vegetation. In each of these vegetation types, stratified and random sampling was adopted and data were collected in plots of 900 m² for the woody stratum and 100 m² for the herbaceous stratum. The specific diversity was evaluated through the effective numbers of Hill of order Q = 0; 1; 2. The Hill index does not vary between inselbergs and plains and thus reflects a strong similarity in floristic diversity between the two ecosystems. Sorensen’s similarity coefficient also shows a similarity in terms of floristic composition between inselbergs and surrounding plains. In inselbergs, relict species that have disappeared from the surrounding plains of some phytogeographic sectors occur. The flora of inselbergs is also characterised by indicative species of anthropized ecosystem absence. However, these species are present on the surrounding plains. Indeed, the flora of inselbergs is characterised by 11 endemic species. Inselberg’s vegetation is characterised by unique plant communities such as rock pools and Afrotrilepis pilosa mats. The exploitation and mortality rates of woody plants are significantly higher on the surrounding plains than on the inselbergs. The flora and vegetation of inselbergs show the absence of indicator species of disturbed ecosystems. They present endemic and relict species and stable woody stands. Due to the steep slope, lack of suitable soil for agriculture and sacred status of someones, the inselbergs constitute a refuge for plant species and thus contribute to the conservation of biodiversity like the protected areas

Die Laubmoosflora der Seychellen

Eine komplette Liste aller auf den Seychellen gefundenen Laubmoose wird gegeben, die 107 Arten enthält. Darin werden 24 Arten angeführt, welche von S. Porembski im Frühjahr 1995 auf den Seychellen gesammelt wurden. Sieben Arten [Acanthorrhynchium loucoubense (Besch.) Fleisch., Brachymenium exile (Dozy & Molk.) Bosch & Lac., Campylopus robillardei Besch., Campylopus nanophyllus C. Müll. in Broth., Fissidens crispulus Brid., Leucoloma sinuosulum C. Müll. ex Besch. und Vesicularia albo-viridis (Ren.) Broth.] werden neu für die Seychellen nachgewiesen. Acroporium punctuliferum (Thw. & Mitt.) und Luisierella barbula (Schwaegr.) Steere Fleisch. sind neu für Afrika. Die floristischen Bezüge der Laubmoosflora der Seychellen zu denen der anderen ostafrikanischen Inseln wird kalkuliert.A survey of the mosses from the Seychelles is provided, which includes 107 species. The list includes 24 species of mosses collected by S. Porembski in spring 1995 in the Seychelles. Seven species [Acanthorrhynchium loucoubense (Besch.) Fleisch., Brachymenium exile (Dozy & Molk.) Bosch & Lac., Campylopus robillardei Besch., Campylopus nanophyllus C. Müll. in Broth., Fissidens crispulus Brid., Leucoloma sinuosulum C. Müll. ex Besch. and Vesicularia albo-viridis (Ren.) Broth.] are reported for the first time for the Seychelles. Acroporium punctuliferum (Thw. & Mitt.) Fleisch. and Luisierella barbula (Schwaegr.) Steere are new to Africa. The floristic affinities between the moss flora of the Seychelles and the other East African islands are calculated

The First Bromeligenous Species of Dendropsophus (Anura: Hylidae) from Brazil\u27s Atlantic Forest

We describe a new treefrog species of Dendropsophus collected on rocky outcrops in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Ecologically, the new species can be distinguished from all known congeners by having a larval phase associated with rainwater accumulated in bromeliad phytotelms instead of temporary or lentic water bodies. Phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data confirms that the new species is a member of Dendropsophus; our analysis does not assign it to any recognized species group in the genus. Morphologically, based on comparison with the 96 known congeners, the new species is diagnosed by its small size, framed dorsal color pattern, and short webbing between toes IV-V. The advertisement call is composed of a moderate-pitched two-note call (~5 kHz). The territorial call contains more notes and pulses than the advertisement call. Field observations suggest that this new bromeligenous species uses a variety of bromeliad species to breed in, and may be both territorial and exhibit male parental care

The bii4africa dataset of faunal and floral population intactness estimates across Africa’s major land uses

Sub-Saharan Africa is under-represented in global biodiversity datasets, particularly regarding the impact of land use on species’ population abundances. Drawing on recent advances in expert elicitation to ensure data consistency, 200 experts were convened using a modified-Delphi process to estimate ‘intactness scores’: the remaining proportion of an ‘intact’ reference population of a species group in a particular land use, on a scale from 0 (no remaining individuals) to 1 (same abundance as the reference) and, in rare cases, to 2 (populations that thrive in human-modified landscapes). The resulting bii4africa dataset contains intactness scores representing terrestrial vertebrates (tetrapods: ±5,400 amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and vascular plants (±45,000 forbs, graminoids, trees, shrubs) in sub-Saharan Africa across the region’s major land uses (urban, cropland, rangeland, plantation, protected, etc.) and intensities (e.g., large-scale vs smallholder cropland). This dataset was co-produced as part of the Biodiversity Intactness Index for Africa Project. Additional uses include assessing ecosystem condition; rectifying geographic/ taxonomic biases in global biodiversity indicators and maps; and informing the Red List of Ecosystems

The bii4africa dataset of faunal and floral population intactness estimates across Africa’s major land uses

Sub-Saharan Africa is under-represented in global biodiversity datasets, particularly regarding the impact of land use on species’ population abundances. Drawing on recent advances in expert elicitation to ensure data consistency, 200 experts were convened using a modified-Delphi process to estimate ‘intactness scores’: the remaining proportion of an ‘intact’ reference population of a species group in a particular land use, on a scale from 0 (no remaining individuals) to 1 (same abundance as the reference) and, in rare cases, to 2 (populations that thrive in human-modified landscapes). The resulting bii4africa dataset contains intactness scores representing terrestrial vertebrates (tetrapods: ±5,400 amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and vascular plants (±45,000 forbs, graminoids, trees, shrubs) in sub-Saharan Africa across the region’s major land uses (urban, cropland, rangeland, plantation, protected, etc.) and intensities (e.g., large-scale vs smallholder cropland). This dataset was co-produced as part of the Biodiversity Intactness Index for Africa Project. Additional uses include assessing ecosystem condition; rectifying geographic/taxonomic biases in global biodiversity indicators and maps; and informing the Red List of Ecosystems