SPECIES DIVERSITY AND RICHNESS OF THE MOSSES OF THE COLOMBIAN CHOCÓ REGION
2005 Volume 97 Pages 97-116
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2005 Volume 97 Pages 97-116
The mosses of the Chocó biogeographic region of Colombia comprise a total of 132 species in 24 families and 60 genera. This subset represents 14% of the species, 22% of the genera, and 35% of the families reported for the country.
The richest families in genera and species are: Pilotrichaceae (12 genera/36 species), Calymperaceae (3/20), Sematophyllaceae (5/12), Neckeraceae (4/7) and Pterobryaceae (4/7). The most species-rich genera are Fissidens (9), Syrrhopodon (9), Lepidopilum (8) and Calymperes (6).
Analysis with reference to the major altitudinal/ecological zones reveals the following pattern: Region I, which includes the estuaries and lacustrine landscapes of the alluvial plains and low hills and terraces (0-200 m), is characterized by 91 species in 38 genera and 20 families; in the mid to higher elevations (>200-1000 m) of ecogeographic Region II there are 40 species in 31 genera and 18 families.
Epiphytes are the most diverse growth form, with 105 species, and are especially prevalent in region I. Neotropical taxa predominate in the Chocó phytogeographical region (49.2% of species), followed by those of Mesoamerican and wide continental distribution.
