IAB Conference 2025
Bryological Advances in Asia and Beyond
2025.10.13-17 in Taiwan
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Here, we would like to give you an overview of the diversity of bryophytes in Taiwan.
Diversity of Bryophytes in Taiwan
Diversity of Bryophytes in Taiwan
According to the literature, Taiwan has about 1,406 species of bryophytes, including 872 species of mosses in 66 families and 261 genera, 515 species of liverworts in 52 families and 117 genera, and 19 species of hornworts in 3 families and 6 genera. Compared with other regions, China has about 3,460 species of bryophytes, Japan has about 1,882 species, North America has about 1,900 species, and the United Kingdom has about 1,059 species. In comparison, Taiwan has a very high diversity of bryophyte species, mainly due to its location. Taiwan is in the middle of the Festoon Islands, the East and Southeast Asia intersection. In addition, the surrounding ocean currents, monsoons, and typhoons all contribute to the spread of bryophyte species from Oceania and the Pacific region to Taiwan. With topography and climate factors, Taiwan has a very high species diversity.
The Geographic Composition of Bryophytes in Taiwan
The Geographic Composition of Bryophytes in Taiwan
According to the analysis of relevant data, the geographic composition of bryophytes in Taiwan are as follows:
East Asian element: 35%
Representative species include Bazzania tridens, Calypogeia japonica, Marchantia emarginata, Porella perrottetiana, and Thuidium glaucinum. Among them, the distribution of Calypogeia japonica reaches its southern limit in Yangmingshan.
Paleotropical element: 24%
Representative species including Lepidozia wallichiana, Philonotis thwaitesii, and Pogonatum neesii.
Circumboreal element: 13%
Representative species including Conocephalum conicum s.l., Physcomitrium sphaericum and Plagiochasma appendiculatum.
Endemic element: 7%
Representative species including Cololejeunea nanhutashanensis, Marchantia formosana, and Plagiothecium shevockii.
Cosmopolitan element: 5%
Representative species including Hookeria acutifolia and Tricocolea tomentella.
Regarding geographical regions, Taiwan shares the same number of taxa with Japan, China, and Korea, accounting for 64.9% of the total number in Taiwan. Taiwan shares the same number of taxa with India and the Indochina Peninsula, accounting for 5.5% of the total number in Taiwan. Taiwan shares the same number of taxa with the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, etc., accounting for 5.1% of the total number in Taiwan.
Generally speaking, the composition of bryophytes in low-altitude areas of Taiwan is more closely related to the Philippines, South China, and Southeast Asia and is greatly affected by human interference. The composition of bryophytes in mountainous areas is more closely associated with Japan, Southwest China, and the Circumboreal region.
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