Trichocolea Tomentella

''Trichocolea tomentella'' is a species of liverwort belonging to the family Trichocoleaceae. It forms loose, pale green to yellowish-white mats and is characterised by its highly divided leaves that give it a feathery or fuzzy appearance. The species has a wide distribution across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in oceanic and suboceanic areas, occurring in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and eastern North America. It typically grows in moist, shaded locations, especially near springs and streams in deciduous and coniferous forests. While capable of sexual reproduction, with male and female structures on separate plants, it reproduces predominantly through vegetative means via branching and fragmentation. The species shows considerable morphological variation between populations but maintains stable taxonomic characteristics in its cell structure. Though it can form extensive pure patches and effectively compete with other bryophytes in suitable habitats, ''T. tomentella'' faces threats from habitat destruction, particularly through logging and drainage of its preferred moist forest habitats.

Taxonomy

''Trichocolea tomentella'' was first documented in 1700 by Joseph Pitton de Tournefort under the name . In 1783, Jakob Friedrich Ehrhart recognised it as distinct from '' Jungermannia ciliaris'' and named it ''Jungermannia tomentella''. The genus ''Trichocolea'' was proposed by Barthélemy Charles Joseph Dumortier in 1822 (initially spelled as ''Thricholea'') to accommodate this species and ''T. tomentosa''. After several spelling variations, Christian Gottfried Daniel Nees von Esenbeck standardised the spelling to ''Trichocolea'' in 1838, which was later conserved as the official genus name.

The species shows considerable morphological variation between populations, particularly in growth form, plant size, branching frequency, stem thickness, density of stem paraphyllia (small leaf-like structures), and leaf characteristics. Plants growing in very wet, shaded habitats often have a more ascending habit, smaller size, and sparser branches compared to those in merely humid conditions, which tend to grow prostrate and form more compact mats with denser branching. However, certain characteristics remain stable and taxonomically significant, including the thin-walled leaf cells, the - to weakly -verrucose surface of the (hair-like projections), and non-dilated septa between cells.

Molecular phylogenetics studies based on ''rbcL'' gene sequences have revealed that populations of ''T. tomentella'' show different DNA haplotype patterns between European and Southeast Asian populations. European populations show genetic homogeneity across their range, while Southeast Asian populations exhibit three distinct haplotypes. This greater genetic diversity in Asian populations suggests that the species may have originated in Southeast Asia before spreading to Europe, as ancestral populations typically show higher genetic diversity than more recently established ones.

Description

''Trichocolea tomentella'' is a distinctive liverwort that forms loose, pale green to yellowish-white mats. Individual plants grow to in length and have a characteristic feathery or fuzzy appearance due to their highly divided leaves.

The plant grows in a branching pattern, with the main stem producing regular side branches that themselves branch two to three times, creating a fern-like appearance. The main stem is relatively robust, measuring about half a millimetre in width, and is covered with tiny leaf-like structures called paraphyllia.

The leaves are divided into 6–8 delicate finger-like segments, giving the plant its characteristic fuzzy texture. These segments are made up of elongated cells containing 4–8 oil bodies - small organelles that are characteristic of liverworts. Unlike many other liverworts, ''T. tomentella'' rarely produces root-like structures (rhizoids).

The species is dioicous, meaning male and female reproductive structures occur on separate plants. The male structures (androecia) grow along the main stem, while the female structures (gynoecia) develop into a club-shaped structure covered in small leaves. When fertilisation occurs, this develops into a long stalk bearing a narrow, dark brown to black spore capsule. However, sexual reproduction is rare in many parts of its range, with the plant primarily spreading through vegetative growth. The spores, when produced, are reddish-brown and very small, measuring just in diameter.

The plant's distinctive appearance, particularly its pale colour and highly divided leaves, makes it relatively easy to identify even for novice botanists.

Habitat, distribution, and ecology

''Trichocolea tomentella'' has a wide distribution across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in oceanic and suboceanic areas. Its range extends from northern Portugal and Spain northwards to southern Norway, Sweden and Finland, and from Ireland and Great Britain eastward to western Russia. The species is also found in Asia, North Africa and eastern North America.

The species typically grows in moist, well-shaded locations, with a particular preference for deciduous forest habitats. It is frequently found near springs, streams and gullies where there is a constant water supply and moderately diffuse light. In western Norway, it occurs in two distinct habitat types: ''Alnus glutinosa'' forests with '' Carex remota'' understory, and on poorer mineral soils in narrow river gorges dominated by either ''Betula pubescens'' or ferns. In other regions, it can be found in coniferous swamp forests.

''Trichocolea tomentella'' can form extensive pure patches covering up to , though it often grows mixed with other bryophytes. Common associate species include ''Brachythecium rivulare'', ''Thuidium tamariscinum'', '' Calliergonella cuspidata'', and various species of ''Rhytidiadelphus''. The species reproduces predominantly through asexual means via clonal regeneration and branching, with sexual reproduction (sporophyte production) being rare in much of Europe, though more common in eastern North America. Its dispersal ability appears to be limited, particularly in areas where it reproduces only asexually, though it may occasionally spread through water, mammals, or birds carrying detached shoot fragments.

The species faces threats from habitat destruction, particularly through logging

HOME


Content is Copyleft
Website design, code, and AI is Copyrighted (c) 2014-2017 by Stephen Payne


Consider donating to Wikimedia



As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases