Sofronova, E.V., A.D. Potemkin, Yu.S. Mamontov & R.R. Sofronov. Liverworts of the Mus-Khaya Mountain (Yakutia, Asiatic Russia)

Arctoa (2015) 24: 156-164

doi: 10.15298/arctoa.24.16

Mus-Khaya Mountain (“Ice mountain” in Yakutian), 2959 m alt., is the main summit of Suntar-Khayata Range situated in the southern part of the Verkhoyansk Range. It is the second highest peak of Yakutia and the largest glaciated area in the North-East Siberia. The article characterizes in details this area as a center of liverwort diversity in Verkhoyansk Range and the compiles chiefly unpublished results of first bryological expedition to Mus-Khaya Mt. in 2011. The liverwort flora of Mus-Khaya Mt. is very different in species composition and species activity from the rest Verkhoyansk Range. In total 78 species and 2 varieties were recorded in the study area and listed. Among them 4 species found for the first time for Yakutia in Mus-Khaya Mt. Area, 12 found for the first time for Verkhoyansk Range and 11 species for Suntar-Khayata Range. The list of liverworts of tundra belt of Suntar-Khayata Range is expanded in 40 species. Three endemics of Russia Frullania ignatovii, Scapania rufidula and Scapania sphaerifera were recorded in Mus-Khaya Mt. Area. Data on frequency, altitude range, recorded localities, habitats, substrates, growth pattern, structures associated with reproduction, representative specimens are listed for every species. Annotations of selected species are accomplished by data on associated species and additional notes on distribution, ecology, morphology, etc. Most remarkable are records of rare in Russia and Yakutia Bucegia romanica, Gymnocolea cf. fascinifera, Herbertus cf. aduncus, Isopaches alboviridis, Gymnomitrion commutatum, Prasanthus suecicus, Scapania sphaerifera. Among them Bucegia romanica, Gymnomitrion commutatum, Scapania sphaerifera are included in the Red Data Book of Russian Federation.