Friday, 16 January 2015

A whole (U)lotta fun

Flora Briofitica Iberica Vol V, which was published last summer/autumn, moves us on several steps in Ulota identification.  This was covered by Dr Francisco (Paco) Lara at the BBS Orthotrichum workshop too.  FBI separates U. crispula from U. crispa, but another species Ulota intermedia is about to be described so British bryologists aren't yet being officially told about the crispula split in anticipation of further work.  You have probably all seen U. crispula as it is pretty common in lowland areas: it's the very short-capsuled Ulota with relatively un-furrowed dry capsules whereas U. crispa has deeply furrowed capsules as in the picture below.  The third species U intermedia is more like crispula but is northern and upland - I have a candidate from Brechfa Forest which is being examined in Spain.  So, please try to collect representative Ulota from Glamorgan just in case.  Paco reckoned that U bruchii is so distinct in its narrow mouths that one scarcely needs to think about it!

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7 comments:

  1. Charles Hipkin16 January 2015 at 09:16

    I note Smith's very dismissive comments that, because of variation (intergradation), Ulota crispula can't even be maintained as a variety of Ulota crispa! To go from there to the designation of 2 new species is surprising. Just when we all thought it was safe to go out!

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  2. Barry Stewart16 January 2015 at 09:58

    I clearly need to look at these a lot more carefully. Understanding how the capsules vary during development and under differing levels of humidity will be the first step for me...

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  3. GMT16 January 2015 at 11:57

    I found a Ulota on a gravestone in Llanishen (Cardiff) yesterday lunchtime, sadly no mature capsules but I'm pretty sure it was either bruchii or crispa (or crispula!). The same grave also held F. dilatata and C. heteromalla, which I didn't see on any of the other tombstones in the churchyard - for some reason the bryos seemed to think this particular stone was a tree.

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  4. GSM16 January 2015 at 20:56

    By the way I have recently found some more specimens of Ulota calvescens tucked away in packets, so I think I now have five records for Brecks - all in the area between the Upper Neath valley over towards Garwnant - so all not too far from Glam boundary.

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  5. GMT17 January 2015 at 11:21

    Interesting Graham, certainly one for us all to look out for. How hairy have the calyptrae been on your specimens?

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  6. GSM17 January 2015 at 19:05

    U. calvescens calyptrae are usually quite sparsely haired, although a bit hairier than I imagined. The hairs in calvescens are almost always very erect and straight - they more messy in crispa - Smith shows this in illustrations, but i don't think mentions it in description - no doubt the messiness will prove to be variable across the members of crispa group though!

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  7. GMT18 January 2015 at 10:17

    Thanks Graham. The straightness of the hairs sound like a useful field feature.

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