B. Papp szerk.: Studia Botanica Hungarica 33. 2002 (Budapest, 2002)

Papp, Beáta: New records of Bryophytes from a saline area of Greece

Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia, Ukraine, Southeast Russia, from the Mediterranean region of Europe as Spain and southwestern Asia. It was reported in 1996 from Germany as well (AHRENS 1996). It grows characteristically in salinealkali areas, on the banks of alkali lakes, but sometimes occurs in calcareous sandy areas and on calcareous rocks of mountain ranges as well. The species is included in the Red Data Book of European Bryophytes (ECCB 1995) in the rare category. Other bryophytes found in the Vromolimnes basin associated with E. hungaricus were as follows: Barbula unguiculata Hedw., Bryum subapiculatum Hampe, Pottia davalliana (Sm.) C. Jens., Pottia truncata (Hedw.) B. et S., Pseudocrossidium hornschuchianum (K. F. Schultz) Zander, Didymodon tophaceus (Brid.) Lisa, Didymodon vinealis (Brid.) Zander, Phascum cuspidatum Hedw., Funaria hygrometrica Hedw., Bryum bicolor Dicks. Among the above-mentioned bryophytes there is a remarkable species; Bryum subapiculatum Hampe. It has only two previous records from Greece (BLOCKEEL et al. 2002) from the Ionian Islands and central Greece. The species is new to North Greece. It is regarded as an "oceanic" species by DULL (1984,1985). It is a member of the Bryum erythrocarpum complex. The species of this complex have rhizoid gemmae. The reproductive propagulum production is very quick and intensive, which helps them to quickly occupy newly formed habitats. The other species of the complex can also be found frequently in saline-alkali areas. For example, B. radiculosum and B. rubens have been mentioned from the saline areas of the Strymon river delta at Touzla and Nea Kerdylia villages (PAPP et al. in press). Bryum subapiculatum is reported from almost all western European countries and from some countries of central Europe, e.g. Poland, Austria. It has records from Africa, America and New Zealand as well. It is a plant of arable fields, sides of footpath, cliffs and places kept bare by frequent disturbance. It is also found on sandy and peaty soils. It is a calcifuge species, but does not tolerate very acid conditions (CRUNDWELL and NYHOLM 1964). CONCLUSION The occurrence of these two species in Greece in salt affected habitats is not surprising. Entosthodon hungaricus was also found in Spain in salt affected areas (salt-marshes, saline areas around lagoons, salty lakes) (CASAS and BRUGUES 1978, GARCIA GOMEZ and FUERTES LASALA 1980, FUERTES LASALA and GARCIA GOMEZ 1981). Its continental-Mediterranean distribution and preference to saline-alkali soils explain the presence of this species on the investigated area. Bryum subapiculatum is a member of Bryum erythrocarpum complex. The other species of the complex can be found frequently on saline-alkali areas.