Ecological and experimental studies on the "copper mosses': Mielichhoferia elongata (Bryaceae) and Scopelophila cataractae (Pottiaceae)

Substrate analyses of 41 samples for Mielichhoferia elongata and three each for M. mielichhoferiana and M. macrocarpa were conducted to determine if high copper concentrations are a constant feature of their habitats. Soil analyses showed that relatively few populations of M. elongata grew on soil with significant copper enrichment. Many sites, however, contained higher than normal levels of aluminium, iron, or manganese, or various combinations of these metals. M. elongata was neither tolerant of high copper supplied in nutrient media, nor did it require excess copper for vigorous growth. Scopelophila cataractae, in contrast, grew best on media containing 9 ppm copper. -From Authors

Duke Scholars

Author A. Jonathan Shaw Biology