The Journal of the Hattori Botanical Laboratory
Online ISSN : 2432-8944
Print ISSN : 0073-0912
A SURVEY OF THE MOSSES OF THE LESSER SUNDA ISLANDS (NUSA TENGGARA), INDONESIA
ANDRIES TOUW
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1992 Volume 71 Pages 289-366

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Abstract

  The Lesser Sunda Islands are a most interesting, geologically and ecologically diverse island group forming a bridge between Asia and Australia. Nevertheless, they have been ignored greatly by bryologists until recently. From 1981 onwards rather sizeable collections have been made in Bali, Lombok and Flores. These and several smaller collections have been identified as far as possible, and identifications of other collections known from the area have been tested. As a result, 367 species are listed, including 230 new to the area (5 being documented for the first time from the phytogeographical region Malesia). In addition, several species are reported as new to other parts of Malesia. Eight names are reduced to synonyms, and three new combinations are proposed (Acroporium strepsiphyllum (Mont.) Tan, Pseudobarbella wallichii (Thwait. & Mitt.) Touw, Symphysodontella splendens (Reinw. & Hornsch.) Magill & Touw). For each species all collections known from the area are listed (including those known from literature only), together with brief notes on their habitat in the Lesser Sunda Islands, and on various other subjects where pertinent. Introductory paragraphs present information on the composition, geological history and climate of the island group, and on the altitudinal zonation of the vegetation, nowadays greatly influenced by human activity. Statistics of bryofloristic research show that the present knowledge of the moss flora of the Lesser Sunda Islands is fragmentary. The information available relates almost exclusively to small parts of some islands belonging to the volcanic inner arc. Most urgently needed are collections from the southern, relatively dry, non-volcanic islands (Timor in particular) in order to establish the relation of their moss flora to the floras of the inner arc and Australia. At present, their moss flora has remained virtually unknown.

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© 1992 Hattori Botanical Laboratory
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