Additions to the liverwort flora of the Suntar-Khayata Range (Eastern Yakutia, Russia)

Abstract

According to the results of three field seasons (2015–2017), 7 new species and 1 variety were discovered for the liverworts flora on the Suntar-Khayata Range in the Vostochnaya Khandyga River Basin (Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Clevea hyalina, Eocalypogeia schusteriana, Frullania parvistipula, Lophoziopsis excisa var. elegans, Mannia pilosa, Pellia endiviifolia, Scapania glaucocephala). They are very rare in the mountains of the North-East of Yakutia. Frullania parvistipula is first reported for the Verkhoyansk-Chukotka mountainous country. The localities of Frullania parvistipula, Scapania glaucocephala are the northernmost in Russia. Eocalypogeia schusteriana is included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, Scapania glaucocephala is listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The annotations to each species provide information on habitats, substrates, associated species, growth pattern and indicate the presence of structures associated with reproduction. The peculiarities of distribution are discussed. Data on morphology are presented for Clevea hyalina, Lophoziopsis excisa var. elegans and Scapania glaucocephala. Most of the identified species usually grow on basic or calcareous substrates. Such substrates on the Suntar-Khayata Range have been limited. Chiloscyphus polyanthus and Scapania glaucocephala grew on rotting wood in poplar forest, which are also very rare in the study area. A morphological comparison of Scapania glaucocephala with the most ecologically and morphologically similar S. apiculata and S. carinthiaca is provided based on the Yakutian specimens. Distribution maps of Eocalypogeia schusteriana, Lophoziopsis excisa var. elegans, Scapania glaucocephala in Russia are presented.