''Antitrichia curtipendula'' (also known as pendulous wing moss or hanging moss) is a species of feather-moss found predominantly in western North America and the western coast of Europe.

Description

''Antitrichia curtipendula'' has dark red stems and green “leaves” that give the overall matt of intertwined steams and roots a rusty yellow looking color. This color varies in intensity depending on the level of moisture being held within the organism. The stems of Hanging Moss can grow up to 15–30 cm long and are host to a leaf with, upon close examination, three midribs. One main and longer midrib going down the center and two fainter and shorter ones on either side. This particular aspect of the leaf sets it apart from other similar Epiphytes like the Lanky Moss (R. Loreus). Found higher in the canopy than some mosses, ''Antitrichia curtipendula'' likes to form large clumps on branches, stumps, and tree trunks, looking like a cross between a blanket and a carpet.

Biogeography

''Antitrichia curtipendula'' is native to North America, spanning the western coastline from southern

Alaska Alaska ( ) is a non-contiguous U.S. state on the northwest extremity of North America. Part of the Western United States region, it is one of the two non-contiguous U.S. states, alongside Hawaii. Alaska is also considered to be the north ...

down to northern California. In California particularly, this moss’ distribution is almost entirely similar to that of the coastal

redwoods Sequoioideae, commonly referred to as redwoods, is a subfamily of coniferous trees within the family Cupressaceae, that range in the northern hemisphere. It includes the largest and tallest trees in the world. The trees in the subfamily are a ...

. This moss likes a moderate coastal climate that renders its habitat seasonally moist. Some other locations that this particular species has been found are Denmark, the Eastern coast of Norway near Stockholm, Austria, the Western coast of France, and the Western coast of Spain. The locations in Western Europe where Hanging Moss has been found are much smaller areas than those in Western North America, where the moss’ habitat is more extensive. This moss prefers a temperate climate with moderate temperatures and moderate to high amounts of precipitation. This moss is found in low to high elevation forests, ranging from around 0–2100 meters in elevation that are predominantly coniferous type trees. They can be found in the forest canopy growing on limbs, branches, stumps and sometimes rocks.

Ecology

While not being parasites,

Epiphytes An epiphyte is a plant or plant-like organism that grows on the surface of another plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphyt ...

need a host to grow on. Unlike

parasites Parasitism is a close relationship between species, where one organism, the parasite, lives (at least some of the time) on or inside another organism, the host, causing it some harm, and is adapted structurally to this way of life. The en ...

, they do not cause any damage to the host on which they grow. Their host plant only provides support and a vantage point at which to reach the nutrients needed to grow. Hanging moss does not grow roots into the ground, instead growing complex root systems upon their host plant, that weave themselves into a tight matt and provide structure and support to the overall moss community. Living up off the forest floor allows these epiphytes to gain access to the precipitation falling through the forest canopy. Epiphytes engage in

photosynthesis Photosynthesis ( ) is a system of biological processes by which photosynthetic organisms, such as most plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, convert light energy, typically from sunlight, into the chemical energy necessary to fuel their metabo ...

, gaining their energy from the incoming solar radiation. Living in the canopy not on the forest floor also gives these organisms access to more sunshine than they would get otherwise. They obtain nutrients and water from the air, eliminating the need for roots that occupy the soil.

Taxonomy

Similar to ''Rhytidiadelphus'' mosses, ''Antitrichia curtipendula'' is close to '' Rhytidiadelphus loreus'' (lanky moss) a moss which also has red stems and green leaves and forms mat like structures with their root systems. Unlike ''Antitrichia curtipendula'', this epiphyte will sometimes grow on the ground, climbing upwards with long creeping branches. Unlike the ''Antitrichia curtipendula'', which has three midribs on its leaf, ''Rhytidiadelphus loreus'' has a double midrib leaf. Like ''Antitrichia curtipendula'', ''Rhytidiadelphus loreus'' and other ''Rhytidiadelphus'' species thrive in coastal maritime environments with high potential evapotranspiration. Also related to ''Antitrichia curtipendula'' is ''Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus'' or bent-leaf moss. As its name implies, the leaf of ''Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus'' is characteristically bent and it prefers to grow in open shady areas where persistent moisture is present and other vegetation is minimal, instead of in the forest canopy.H. Warnst. (Accessed 2019). Introduction to Bryophytes, The Public Face of Biology. Retrieved from http://blogs.ubc.ca/biology321/?page_id=983

Reproduction

Mosses prefer a shady environment that allows for a consistently moist environment. ''Antitrichia curtipendula'' is a small flowerless and seedless plant that reproduces by

spores In biology, a spore is a unit of sexual (in fungi) or asexual reproduction that may be adapted for dispersal and for survival, often for extended periods of time, in unfavourable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many plant ...

. After

germination Germination is the process by which an organism grows from a seed or spore. The term is applied to the sprouting of a seedling from a seed of an angiosperm or gymnosperm, the growth of a sporeling from a spore, such as the spores of fungi, ...

and when first developing, moss will develop a thin, felt like structure on damp soil, rocks, tree bark, or rocks. This transitional stage in the life cycle of moss leads to the growth of

gametophore Gametophores are prominent structures in seedless plants on which the reproductive organs are borne. The word gametophore and ‘-phore’ (Greek Φορά, "to be carried"). In mosses, liverworts and ferns (Archegoniata), the gametophores suppor ...

which then develops into stems and leaves. Wind is an important distributor of moss spores. Since these mosses do not want to grow on the forest floor, they cannot simply fall to the ground and take root. Wind distribution allows for the moss spores to reach a greater distance than they otherwise would and allows for the spores to attach to surfaces within the canopy. Along with wind, insects and birds play a role in helping the reproduction of epiphytes like the hanging moss. When birds and insects land on or brush against moss, they can retain spores on their bodies, carrying them through the forest to where ever they land next. This process has the ability to spread moss spores even farther than the wind might.

Current threats

''Antitrichia curtipendula'' is susceptible to anything that threatens the hosts on which they grow. Since epiphytic mosses generally grow on trees, factors that threaten tree growth and health also threaten their growth. Threats such as

deforestation Deforestation or forest clearance is the removal and destruction of a forest or stand of trees from land that is then converted to non-forest use. Deforestation can involve conversion of forest land to farms, ranches, or urban use. Ab ...

alter the habitat in which these mosses grow. After this habitat is altered, they need to wait for the tree canopy to grow back before they are able to then inhabit the area once again. These mosses tend to inhabit mid to old growth forests for the particular reason that these forests are already established enough to provide good structural support for these epiphytes. Also, because these mosses are slow growing, which means to get a structurally sound community in one spot, they need to develop over time.

Bibliography

* C.C. Newberry. (Accessed 2019). Antitricia Curtipendula, Flora of North America, vol 28, p591-593. Retrieved from http://dev.semanticfna.org/Antitrichia_curtipendula * H. Warnst. (Accessed 2019). Introduction to Bryophytes, The Public Face of Biology. Retrieved from http://blogs.ubc.ca/biology321/?page_id=983 * K. Fretwell, I. Cruickshank, B. Starzomski. (2014). Biodiversity of the Central Coast: Hanging wing-moss, hanging moss, Antitrichia Curtipendula. Retrieved from https://www.centralcoastbiodiversity.org/hanging-wing-moss-bull-antitrichia-curtipendula.html * K. Fretwell, B. Starzomski. (2013). Biodiversity of the Central Coast: Lanky Moss, Rhytidiadelphus Loreus. Retrieved from https://www.centralcoastbiodiversity.org/lanky-moss-bull-rhytidiadelphus-loreus.html * Montana Field Guides. An Antitrichia Moss- Antitrichia Curtipendula. Retrieved from http://fieldguide.mt.gov/%5C/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=NBMUS0D020 * R.Welch.(2007). Epiphytes: An ecosystem contained within an ecosystem. Retrieved from http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/fieldcourses07/PapersCostaRicaArticles/Epiphytes.Anecosystemcont.html

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q165615 Leucodontaceae