Folioceros Amboinensis – a Rare Hornwort, Discovered in Eastern Himalayan Bryo-Geographical Territory, India

Abstract

Anthocerotophyta is a distinct group among bryophytes. The members of this group show characteristic similarity with Algae in having a single chloroplast with pyrenoid bodies, as well as thallose gametophytes like liverworts. They are unique among bryophytes in having a horn-like sporophyte with unlimited growth. The majority of members can fix atmospheric nitrogen by having Nostoc colonies embedded in their gametophytes. They also provide microhabitat to other small insects which is beneficial to the ecosystem. In India, they are represented by 7 genera viz., Anthoceros, Folioceros, Notothylas, Phaeoceros, Megaceros and a recently discovered genus Phymatoceros. The members of genus Folioceros mostly distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of East and South-East Asia. Folioceros amboinensis (Schiffn.) Piippo [Anthocerotaceae; Anthocerotophyta], a very little-known species, earlier reported from Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Kerala in India, is reported and described here as a new distributional record from Mizoram, Eastern Himalayan Bryo-geographical territory. A detailed description, colour photo plate and SEM of sporoderm are provided.