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aplodon moss
Scientific Name: Aplodon
Family: Splachnaceae
Category: Moss
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Aplodon wormskioldii: Carrion-moss
Aplodon wormskioldii, commonly known as Carrion-moss or Wormskjold's Aplodon Moss, is a fascinating species of moss.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Aplodon wormskioldii (Hornem.) Kindb.
- Synonyms: Aplodon wormskioldii (Hornemann) R. Brown.
- Common Names: Carrion-moss, Wormskjold's Aplodon Moss, Aplodon Moss, Aplodon moss
- Family: Splachnaceae
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Rank: Species
- Symbol: APLOD2
Distribution and Habitat
- Aplodon wormskioldii is primarily an arctic species.
- It has been found in northwestern Greenland (Carey Islands) in subfossil peat deposits.
- In Britain and Ireland, it has been recorded in Durham, Westmorland, Cumberland, and Mid Perth.
- It is typically found on dung in boggy places.
Morphological Characteristics
- Grows in lax, bright green tufts 5-6 cm tall.
- Leaves are approximately 2.5 mm long and have very large cells.
Ecological Role
- Aplodon wormskioldii is a saprophytic moss, meaning it obtains nutrients from dead organic matter.
- It is associated with dung in boggy areas.
- One member of the Splachnaceae family, Tetraplodon, is called "lemming moss" because it grows from dead lemmings.
- The moss family Splachnaceae is characterized by half of its members relying on insects for spore dispersal.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Carrion-moss relies on insects for spore dispersal.
Further Information
- TSN 547542
- TSN 183989
- Encyclopedia of Life
- Wikispecies
- Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera (IRMNG)
- Plant List
- Index Nominum