Lapshina, E.D. The ecological and phytocenotic preferences of Dichelyma capillaceum (Fontinalaceae, Bryophyta) in West Siberia

Arctoa (2015) 24: 210-215

doi: 10.15298/arctoa.24.21

Ecological conditions and phytocenotic characteristics of Dichelyma capillaceum habitats in the Nature Park “Kondinskie Lakes” (Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous District, West Siberia – 60°54’ N; 63°30’ E) are described based on a geobotanical survey. Unlike the previous finds of Dichelyma capillaceum in Russia this locality is represented by several collections and multiple records of the species. Nineteen vegetation relevйs with Dichelyma capillaceum are analyzed. It is noted that the habitats of this species in West Siberia are similar to those in Western Europe. The habitats in both Europe and Siberia have a strongly variable water level (amplitude up to 1.0 m). The main distinctions are the low amounts of nutrients in river and lake waters in Siberia (nitrogen: NO3– =0.32-0.76 mg/l, NO2– =0-0.06 mg/l, NH4+=0.6-0.8 mg/l; phosphorus: PO43– =0.05-0.15 mg/l), the low mineral levels (total sum of ions is 32.7 – 43.7 mg/l), and the relatively acid water (pH=5.1-5.8). The collections from the study area lack sporophytes. However, the frequency and abundance of Dichelyma capillaceum in suitable habitats suggests that the asexual reproduction is rather efficient, which allows us to assume a wider distribution of the species in West Siberia.