Fissidens dietrichiae
Common name
Moss
Family
Fissidentaceae
Flora category
Non-vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
No
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Mosses
Current conservation status
- Conservation status of New Zealand mosses, 2014 (PDF, 583.87 kB)
The conservation status of 109 New Zealand moss taxa was assessed using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). Four taxa and one undescribed entity that were not included in previous assessments have been added to the list. The conservation status of only two taxa has changed in this assessment. A full list is presented, along with a statistical summary and brief notes on the changes. This list replaces all previous NZTCS lists for mosses. Authors: Jeremy R. Rolfe, Allan J. Fife, Jessica E. Beever, Patrick J. Brownsey and Rodney A. Hitchmough.
- Conservation status of New Zealand hornworts and liverworts, 2014 (PDF, 695.44 kB)
The conservation status of the New Zealand hornwort and liverwort flora is reassessed using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). A full list is presented, along with a statistical summary and brief notes on the most important changes. This list replaces all previous NZTCS lists for New Zealand hornworts and liverworts which previously had been part of a generic bryophyte conservation status assessment that included mosses. Authors: Peter J. de Lange, David Glenny, John Braggins, Matt Renner, Matt von Konrat, John Engel, Catherine Reeb and Jeremy Rolfe.
Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2009 | Data Deficient | Qualifiers: OL, SO
Distribution
Indigenous. New Zealand: Kermadec Islands (Raoul Island only)
Habitat
Terricolous and saxicolous on weathered andesitic rock and clay within ravine systems. Also collected once admixed with the aquatic moss Cyclodictyon blumeanum on a dripping wet rock wall.
Detailed description
Plants up to 20 mm tall, densely tufted, pale green to dull dark green, usually erect, sparingly branched. Leaves ± crowded, 1.4-1.6 x 0.36-0.48 mm, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, based narrowed, margin entire; apex curled when dry, erect when moist, acuminate, very weakly crenulate; border prominent to just below apex; costa prominent, reaching apex or just below, reddish brown, up to 45 µm wide at the base. Laminal cells mostly hexagonal, to 12 µm long, with those nearer the costa often slightly larger; basal juxtacostal cells on dorsal lamina rectangular, to 38 µm long, bordered by c.2 rows of thin-walled linear cells to 60 x 2 µm; cells moderately hick-walled, lacking papillae. Vaginant lamina 3/4 leaf length, joining half-way between costa and margin; cells similar to dorsal lamina. Rhizoids sparse, reddish, smooth, to 1.1 mm x 20 µm wide; cells 120-180 µm long. Monoicous or dioicous. perichaetia c.200 µm long. Seta erect, dull red, 4-10 mm long. Capsule suberect, ± oblong, 0.7-0.9 mm long, brownish. Operculum slightly conical-acute. Exostome teeth strongly incurved, deep red, 160-300 µm, papillose. Spores opaque, 16-25 µm, reddish brown. Fruiting material not known from New Zealand description based on Norfolk Island material.
Fruiting
Fruiting specimens not yet seen in New Zealand
Threats
Known from three gatherings made from Raoul Island in 2009 and 2011. The gatherings come from two distinct populations neither large. Fissidens dietrichiae is one of a small number of bryophytes recently recognised from Raoul Island whose threat status still requires resolving. However, based on the results of the May 2011 Kermadec Biodiscovery Expedition it would seem that this species is extremely uncommon on the island, and it may warrant a future listing of “Nationally Critical”. Aside from the small number of plants in the wild there are no obvious threats affecting this species on Raoul.
Substrate
Terricolous and saxicolous on weathered andesitic rock and clay
Etymology
fissidens: From the Latin fissio ‘fission’ and dens ‘tooth, prong’ meaning split tooth and referring to shape of the lamina.
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange 13 October 2011.
References and further reading
Streimann, H. 2002: The mosses of Norfolk Island. Flora of Australia Supplementary Series 16. Canberra, Australian Biological Resources Study.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Fissidens dietrichiae Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/fissidens-dietrichiae/ (Date website was queried)