WORLD DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS IN THE LOPHOZIACEAE / SCAPANIACEAE COMPLEX (HEPATICAE, BRYOPHYTA)

Abstract

  Global analysis of bryophyte distribution ranges is generally absent from the literature. In order to understand general patterns of distribution we studied those for the members of the Lophoziaceae/Scapaniaceae complex at a worldwide scale. Number of species and number of restricted species was investigated for the geographical units at three levels (continents, regions and areas). A rarity index was developed in order to identify areas where restricted species occurred and these areas were mapped. Differences in average distribution range and in the evenness of the distribution patterns were analyzed for various distribution groups.

  Himalaya, south-central China, Hawaii, Malesia, New Zealand, Tasmania. Venezuela, southern South America and some subantarctic Islands are hot spots for restricted species in the group. There are more species north of the tropics than in the tropics and south of the tropics and the northern species have much wider distribution and occur more evenly on available land areas than the rest.