Campylopus introflexus in Spain
Campylopus introflexus (Bryophyta) is the most widespread invasive moss species in the EPPO region. It is native to the southern hemisphere (Australia, South Africa and South America). Local dispersal is achieved by dispersal of vegetative propagules and the production of spores enable long distance dispersal. C. introflexus can invade both natural and anthropogenic habitats and can cause ecological impacts when invading costal sandy habitats in Western Europe. In Spain, a number of populations are known from the Iberian Peninsula (Catalonia) and the Balearic Islands. Until now, the species was regarded as very rare in the east of Spain where it was historically reported from a single location (Sierra Calderona). Two new populations have now been recorded, at the foothills of the Sistema Ibérico mountain range, between the Palancia and the Mijares rivers. The two populations from Artana and Eslida are approximately 3 km apart. At Artana, the species grows under a Quercus suber-Pinus pinaster canopy, among shrubs and vines. The population was found near forest tracks from a residential settlement, in slightly human-disturbed habitats. In contrast, the population from Eslida is located in pristine habitats, not subject to human disturbance, at sandstones crevices in open environments. In both sites, C. introflexus does not cover large areas.
Sources
Miravet J, Marvavilla M, Rossello JA (2021) New records of the invasive Campylopus introflexus (Bryophyta) in eastern Spain. Flora Montiberica 81, 57-59. |