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Cryptothallus
Scientific Name: Cryptothallus
Family: Aneuraceae
Category: Liverwort
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Cryptothallus
Cryptothallus is a genus of liverworts belonging to the family Aneuraceae. The genus includes accepted species names, such as Cryptothallus mirabilis and Cryptothallus hirsutus.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Genus: Cryptothallus
- Family: Aneuraceae
- Species (example): Cryptothallus mirabilis Malmb.
- Synonym (for C. mirabilis): Aneura mirabilis
Common Names
- Ghostwort (for Cryptothallus mirabilis)
- Spökmossa (Swedish for Ghost Moss - for Cryptothallus mirabilis)
Distribution and Habitat
Cryptothallus mirabilis has been found in various locations, including:
- Oceanic northwestern Europe
- Milngavie, Scotland
- Forest of Senonches, Eure-et-Loir (France)
- Catfield Hall Fen
- Flitwick Moor nature reserve, Bedfordshire
- Portugal
- Surrey
- India (matured)
Morphological Characteristics
- Plants are small.
- They are white to pale green due to the absence of chlorophyll.
- Cryptothallus mirabilis reaches about 7mm.
Ecological Role
Cryptothallus is a saprophytic or myco-heterotrophic liverwort, meaning it obtains nutrients from decaying organic matter or through a relationship with fungi, respectively. Specifically, Cryptothallus mirabilis is epiparasitic and specialized on Tulasnella species of fungi.
Genetic Information
Studies have been conducted to understand the relationships of Cryptothallus mirabilis based on f loci.
Interactions with Other Organisms
Cryptothallus mirabilis has a specialized relationship with Tulasnella species of fungi, acting as an epiparasite.
Further Information
- Expert on Bryophytes in Finland, and elsewhere: Timo Koponen
- ITIS database
- NODC Taxonomic Code database
- Tropicos