| Abstract Detail
Bryology and Lichenology Edwards, Cassey [1], Pratt, Donald [2], Stovall, Jeremy [3]. Epiphytic Bryophyte Diversity and Composition on Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam) in the East Texas Pineywoods Ecoregion. The Pineywoods ecoregion of east Texas, forming the western most extension of the southeastern forest of the United States, has a bryophyte rich flora currently estimated to include 179 different species across all phyla. Despite their prevalence, little research has been done to assess the diversity, community structure, and substrate preferences associated with the Pineywoods bryophytes. We sampled six sites across several mixed mesophytic hardwood forests, collecting voucher specimens, percent abundance, and species richness from each of the intercardinal directions of Carpinus caroliniana Walter (American hornbeam) and a neighboring tree of a different species. We found that the bryophyte communities on American hornbeam had a composition with a greater abundance of leafy liverworts than that of other tree species (p = 0.0143), while Shannon’s Diversity Index and Pielou’s Evenness (H’ = 1.20, evenness = 0.50) indicated that the leafy liverwort communities were also more diverse on American hornbeam than on other tree species (H’ = 0.78, evenness = 0.30). American hornbeam had a lower diversity and evenness (H’= 0.94, evenness= 0.43) indicated for moss communities than on other tree species (H’=1.27, evenness= 0.51).This data demonstrates host specificity of epiphytic leafy liverwort communities on American hornbeam. With more research into bark characteristics of different tree species, it may be possible to determine associated physical and chemical characteristics of host phellem that shape the composition and structure of the epiphytic bryophyte community of the East Texas Pineywoods ecoregion.
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1 - 516 E Lamar, Palestine, TX, 75801, United States
2 - Box 13003 SFA Station, Nacogdoches, TX, 75962, United States
3 - Stephen F. Austin State University, 419 East College St., Nacogdoches, TX, 75962, United States
Keywords:
bryophytes
Epiphytic
Pineywoods.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: BRY1, Bryology
Location: Tucson G/Starr Pass
Date: Tuesday, July 30th, 2019
Time: 11:30 AM
Number: BRY1012
Abstract ID:866
Candidate for Awards:A. J. Sharp Award |
