Plagiochila arbuscula var. rekohuensis
Common name
Liverwort
Family
Plagiochilaceae
Flora category
Non-vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Liverworts
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: IE, OL
Distribution
Endemic. New Zealand: Rekohu (Chatham Island) - shores of Lake Rakeinui
Habitat
Known from one collection made from peaty ground under dense tarahinau (Dracophyllum arboreum) - matipo (Myrsine chathamica) forest on the border of a peat lake in the southern tablelands of Rekohu (Chatham Island) (Engel & Smith-Merrill 2010; de Lange 2011).
Similar taxa
Distinguished from Plagiochila arbuscula var. arbuscula by the distinctive toothing of the dorsal margin of the foliage leaves, which in var. rekohuensis are toothed along the base rather than, as is typical of this var. arbuscula along the distal portion of the leaves. Further, the male bracts of var. rekohuensis are sharply acute rather than deeply toothed.
Threats
Known only from one gathering. At the site in which it was collected it was reasonably common but at the time it was collected it was not recognised as distinct from P. arbuscula so the extent of the population was not noted. Although the location in which it was found is part of a secure reserve system further survey for this Plagiochila is clearly needed. This variety was treated as ‘Data Deficient’ by Glenny et al. (2011) who listed it as Plagiochila aff. obscura (AK 302647; Chatham Islands).
Etymology
arbuscula: From the Latin arbor, meaning like a small tree
Attribution
Fact Sheet Prepared for NZPCN by: P.J. de Lange 14 November 2011.
References and further reading
de Lange, P.J. 2011: Finally the Chatham Islands have an endemic liverwort. Chatham Islands website (http://www.chathams.co.nz/content/view/384/116/ accessed 14 November 2011).
Engel, J.J.; Smith Merrill, G.L. 2010: Studies on New Zealand Hepaticae. 39-55. More new taxa, combinations, typifications and synonymy in Plagiochila from New Zealand (Plagiochilaceae). Nova Hedwigia 91: 501-517.
Glenny, D.; Fife, A.J.; Brownsey, P.J.; Renner, M.A.M.; Braggins, J.E.; Beever, J.E.; Hitchmough, R. 2011: Threatened and uncommon bryophytes of New Zealand (2010 Revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 49: 305-327.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Plagiochila arbuscula var. rekohuensis Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/plagiochila-arbuscula-var-rekohuensis/ (Date website was queried)