BULL. BOT. SURV, INDIA Vol. 44, NOS.1 -4 : pp. 1 19- 134, 2002 CONTRIBUTION TO THE MOSSES OF GOBIND NATIONAL PARK, UTTARANCHAL, INDIA SWEET KUMAR AND D.K. SINGH Botanical Survey of India, Dehra Dun - 24.8 195 ABSTRACT The paper deals with the morphotaxonomical studies on nine species of mosses, viz. Atrichurn undulatum (Hedw.) P. Beauv. var. hausknechtii (Jur. & Mild.) Frye (Polytrichaceae), Macromitrium moorcroftii (Hook. & Grew.) Schwaegr. (Orthotrichaceae), Timmia megapolitana Hedw. (Timmiaceae), Pohlia gedeana (Bosch & Lac.) Gangulee (Bryaceae), Bartramidula bartramioides (Griff.) Wijk & Marg. (Bartramiaceae), Claopodium prionophyllum (C. Muell.) Broth. (Thuidiaceae), Plagiothecium neckeroidium B.S.G. (Plagiotheciaceae), Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. (Hypnaceae) and Regmatodon orthostegius Mont. (Leskeaceae), from Gobind National Park in Uttarkashi district of Uttaranchal, India. This constitutes the first record of bryophytes from this protected area situated in the Garhwal Himalaya. Pohlia gedeana (Bosch & Lac.) Gangulee, so far known from Bhutan and Indo-Malayan region, has been recorded for the.first time from the country. INTRODUCTION Taxonomic studies on the mosses of western Himalaya have received considerable attention in Indian bryology (Chopra, 1975; Chopra & Kumar, 1981 ; Vohra, 1983). Yet no significant systematic study has so far been carried out on the mosses of the Protected Areas in this region, except a recent contribution on the bryoflora of Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh (Narayan & al., 2000). The ~ o b i n dN ational Park is situated in Uttarkashi district of Uttaranchal state in North West Himalaya. The park covers an area of about 953 km2 with the altitude ranging from 1300-6230 m above mean sea level. The area comprises two river valleys, viz. the Rupin and Supin, two major tributaries of river Tons which ultimately drains into river Yamuna. Vegetation in the park Received on 7th October, 2002; accepted 01128th March, 2003. 120 BULLETIN OF THE BOTANICAL SURVEY OF INDIA [Vo1.44 ranges from subtropical coniferous forests through moist mixed temprate forests, dry temperate forests to alpine scrubs and meadows. The over all topography and climate facilitate a luxuriant growth of bryophytes, both mosses and liverworts, especially between the altitudes 1300-3600 m. The materials for.the present study were collected by one of us (DKS) during a People's Biodiversity Register (PBR) awareness campaign amongst the inhabitants inside the park during the month of June, 2001. The results presented here constitute the first record of bryophytes from this National Park. Pohlia gedeana (Bosch & Lac.) Gangulee so far known from Bhutan, Thailand and Indonesia (Gangulee, 1974) has been recorded for the first time from India. The families have been arranged following Vit's (1 984) classification. All the specimens have been deposited in the Cryptogamic section of the herbarium of the Botanical Survey of India, Northern Circle, Dehra Dun (BSD). ENUMERATION POLYTRICHACEAE 1. Atrichum undulatum (Hedw.) P. Beauv. var. hausknechtii (Jur. & Mild.) Frye in Grout in Moss Fl. N. Am. 1 : 103. 1937. A. hausknechtii Jur. & Mild. In Verh. 2001. Bot. Ges. Wien 20 : 598. 1870. Fig.1 (1-8) Plants medium, yellow green to green with simple stems, 30-34 mm long, 14-18 mm broad. Leaves highly contorted and curled when dry; lower leaves smaller 2.4-2.8 mm in length, 1.4-1.6 mm wide, upper leaves erectopatent to spreading, carinate and wavy, 5.0-5.5 mm long, 1.6-2.1 mm broad; lamina with rough teeth in oblique rows giving appearance of veins (hence variety hausknechtii); leaf base cells, 24.25-26.35 pm in length, 14.5-1 5.5 pm wide; upper cells rounded to sub hexagonal, 16.0-20.0 pm wide; margin cartilagenous with 2-3 rows of cells, 60.0-72.0 pm long, 20.0-24.0 pm wide; costa ends just below the apex, spines present on back surface. Gametangia not seen. 20021 KUMAR AND SINGH : CONTRIBUTION TO THE MOSSES OF GOBIND NATIONAL PARK 121 Fig.] ( 1-8) : Atrichurn undulatum var. hausknechtii ( Jur. el Mild.) Frye I. Habit. 2; An upper leaf; 3. Apical cells of the leaf; 4, Marginal cells of the leaf showing bidentation; 5. Ventral surface of costa showing dent at ion^; 6. Basal cells of the leaf along costa; 7, The same along margin; 8. Nerve cells. 122 BULLETIN OF THE BOTANICAL SURVEY OF INDIA IVol.44 Specimens examined : Terrestrial, growing along with other mosses like Plagiothecium neckeroidium, etc. Taluka, Uttarkashi (2200 m), D.K. Singh 98553-b (BSD). Distribution : India : Western Himalayas (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal); Nepal, Japan, C.I.S., Europe; North America. ORTHOTRICHACEAE 2. Macromitrium moorcroftii (Hook. & Grev.) Schwaegr. in Sp. Musc. Suppl. 2 (2): 67. 1826. Orthotrichum moorcroftii Hook. 8: Grev. in Edin. J. Sc. 1: 116. 1824. Fig.11 (1-7) Plants robust, green; main shoot 60.0-40.0 mm; secondary branches 8.0- 11.0 mm in hight. Leaves dense, erectopatent, curled when dry, lanceolate, plicate at basal portion, 3.4-3.6 mm long, 0.6-0.65 mm wide; apex acute, pointed, margin revolute at places with heavy bulging of upper marginal cells; leaf cells thick walled, papillose; upper cells 12.0-14.0 pm long, 8-11 pm wide; middle cells 14.0-16 .0 x 4.5-6.8 pm; extreme basal cells rectan-gular, elongated, 28.0-30.0~1 0.0- 12.0 pm; costa reaches up to apex. Sporophytes apical; seta 6-6.5mm in length; capsule erect, ovoid, 3.0-3.5mm long, 0.8- 1 .Omm in diameter; operculum rostrate; endostome lacking; calyptra mitriform, covering almost whole of the capsule. Specimens examined : Terrestrial, growing along with Timmia megapolitana. Seema, Uttarkashi (2200 m), D.K. Singh 98552-b (BSD). Distribution : India : Eastern Himalaya (Sikkim, West Bengal, Meghalaya), Western Himalaya (Uttaranchal); Western Ghats (Tamil Nadu); Nepal, Myanmar, China (Yunnan). TIMMIACEAE 3. Timmia megapolitana Hedw., SP. Musc.: 176. 1801 Fig.111 (1 -7) Plants robust, yellow green to green, look like members of Polytrichaceae; shoots erect unbranched, 2.8-5.0 mm long, 1.0-1.2 mm wide, gradually shorter 20021 KUMAR AND SMOH :CONTRIBUTION TO THE MOSSES OF GOBMD NATIONAL PARK Fig.fl (1 -7) : Macmmifrilrm mooncmfliii ( Hmk. & Grev.) Schwaegr. I.H abit; 2. A leaf; 3, Apical cells of the leaf: 4. Marginal cells of the leaf: 5. Basal cells of lhc leaf along costa; 6. The same along margin; 7, Nme cells. towards base. Leaves sheathing at base, narrow, lanceolate above, 1.5-2.2 rnm long, 0.6-0.8 mm wide, carinate, stiff, highly curled when dry, apiculate with serrate margin from tip to little down the base; basal cells thin walled, yellowish, rectangular, 37.0-48.0 pm long, 7.5-8.5 pm wide cells at apex 12.4-13.6 x 10.0-12.0 pm; apical spine cell 36.0-39.0 20.0-24.0 pm; costa very strong, percurrent, reddish, in transverse section shows deuter eel 1s row between stereid patches, ventral cells of costa marnillose. Sporophytes apical; seta erect, bent at tip, purplish brown. 24-0-27.0 mm; capsules horizontal, 124 BULLETIN OF THE BOTANICAL SURVEY OF INDIA [Vol 44 row between stereid patches, ventral cells of costa mamillose. Sporophytes apical; seta erect, bent at tip, purplish brown, 24.0-27.0 mm; capsules horizodtal, furrowed in dry state, 2.5-3.0 mm long, 1.1-1.3 mm in diam.; outer peristome 540.0-580.0 pm long, 100.0- 11 5.0 pm wide; spores 10.0- 12.0 pm in diameter papillose. Specimens examined : Terrestrial, growing along with bryophytes like Targionia indica, Pohlia gedeuna and Macromitrium moorcroftii. Seema, Har ki Dun, Uttarkashi (2700 m), D.K. Singh 98551-d: 98552-d, 985554 (BSD). Distribution : India : Western Himalaya (Jammu & Kashmir, Uttaranchal); Bhutan, China, Japan, C.I.S., Europe (Central & West), North America. BRYACEAE 4. Pohlia gedeana (Bosch & Lac.) Gangulee,. Moss. E. India and adjacent regions 2(4) : 927. 1974. Bryum gedeanum Bosch & Lac. in Bryol. 1: 147. 1860. Fig.IV (1-7) Plants in loose tufts, branched, 5.0-6.0 mm high. Lower leaves smaller, distantly placed; upper leaves erectopatent, narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, 1.8-2.4 mm long, 0.4-0.45 mm broad, margin entire below and serrated above, cells unboardered, hexagonal to linear, 78.0- 1 14.0 x 9.2-9.6 pm, cells shorter at tip, longer in middle; basal cells irregularly rectangulate, 70.0-78.0 18.0- x 24.0 pm near vein, 70.0-74.0 8.0-12.0 pm near border; costa strong, x excurrent in an awn like structure with stiff tip. Gametangia not seen. Specimens examined : Terrestrial, growing along with other bryophytes like Targionia indica and Timmia megupolitana. Seema, Uttarkashi (2200 m), D.K. Singh 98551-c (BSD). Distribution : India: Western Himalaya (Uttaranchal); Bhutan, Thailand, Indonesia. BARTRAMIACEAE 5. Bartramidula bartramioides (Griff.) Wijk & Marg. in Taxon 7: 289. 1958. 20021 KUMAR AND SINGH :CONTRIBUTION TO THE MOSSES OF GOBIND NATIONAL PARK 125 Fig.11J (1 -7) : Timmia megapo!itana fkdw. 1. Habit: 2. Apical cells of the [eat 3, Marginal cells of the leaf; 4. T. S. leaf showing deuter cells; 5. Basal Cells of the leaf along Costa; 6. The same along margin; 7. Peristome teeth. BULLETIN OF THE BOTANICAL SURVEY OF INDIA Fig.lV (1-71 : Pohljqgedeam ( Bosch & Lac.) Gangulee I. Habit; 2. 3. Leaves: 4. Apical cells of the leaf: 5. Marginal fells of the lal: 6. Median cells of the leaf along costa: 7. Basal cells of the leaf 20021 KUMAR AND SINGH :CONTRIBUTION TO THE MOSSES OF GOBIND NATIONAL PARK 127 Fig.V (1-6) : Bnrtramidula bartramioides ( GriK) Wijk. & Marg. 1. Habit. 2. A leaf from main stem leaf. 3. A leaf from branch. 4. Apical cells of the leaf 5. Marginal cells of the leaf 6. Peristome (exostome only). Weisia bartrarnioides Griff. In Cal. J. Nat. Hist. 2 : 489. 1842. Fig.V (1-6) Plants small, green, caespitose. Stem slender, 3.4-3.6 mm long, with many subfloral innovations of equal size, covered with leaves, thickly 128 BULLETIN OF THE BOTANICAL SURVEY OF INDIA [Vo1.44 tomentose below. Leaves variable in size, linear, lanceolate, 2.24-2.3 mm, acuminate, margin inrolled throughout, sharply dentate at tip; branch leaves - smaller, 1.1 1.2 0.13-0.15 mm; cells thin walled, narrow, elongated, x mamillose towards apex, 34-36 x 6.2-6.8 pm at apex, 28.4-29 x 10.2-10.8 pm at base. Seta apical, erect, 15.0-16.0 mm high; capsules erect, ovoid, 2.0-2.3~1 .0-1.1 mm, wrinckled; exostome 160.0-174.0 pm high, 24.0-30.0 pm wide. Specimens examined : Terrestrial, growing in moist, shaded conditions along with Dumortiera hirsuta. Himri, Uttarkashi (1500 m), D.K. Singh 98546- b (BSD). Distribution : India : Western Himalaya (Uttaranchal), Eastern Himalaya (West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland), Gangetic Plains (Bihar); Eastern Ghats (Orissa), Western Ghats (Maharashtra); Myanmar, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Japan. THUIDIACEAE 6. Claopodium prionophyllum (C. Muell.) Broth. in Nat. Pfl. l(3): 1009. 1908. Hypnum prionophyllum C. Muell. Syn., 2 : 481. 185 1. Fig.VI (1-6) Plants yellow to yellow green, phyllodioicous, in dense tufts with main stem creeping with distant leaves and pinnate branching. Paraphyllia present. Leaves on main stem larger cordate, lanceolate, 1.8-2.0 mm long, 0.6-0.7 mm wide; those on branches spreading, 1.0-1 -2 mm long, 0.24-0.28 mm wide, with narrow tip, margin distinctly dentate; cells ovate-hexagonal, 6.0-8.0 x 4.0-6.0 pm in size with single papilla on lumen; marginal cells larger, 22.0-24.0 6.0- x 8.0 pm; middle cells 16.0-19.0 x 6.0-8.0 pm; costa strong and percurrent. Gametangia not seen. Specimens examined : Epiphytic, growing along with Metzgeria hamata. Taluka, Uttarkashi (2200 m), D. K. Singh 98549-b (BSD). ~istribution: India : Eastern Himalaya (Sikkim, West Bengal, Arunachal