A summary of progress: the first 15 years of the Tropical Bryology Group

Michelle Price1 & Brian O'Shea2

1 Conservatoire et ]ardin botaniques de la Ville de Geneve) Case postale 601 CH- 1292 Chambe.ry/GE) Switzerland 2141 FawnbrakeAvenue) London) SE24 OBG

Introduction Formation of the TBG The Tropical Bryology Group (TBG) was created with a view to encouraging and The formation of a Tropical Bryology Group promoting research on tropical bryophytes. It was first proposed by Longton (1985a, b) who has been successful, perhaps even beyond the stressed the need to fo cus bryological research expectations of its founders, in achieving its efforts on tropical areas. The tropics, in original objectives. The TBG, specifically the comparison to temperate zones, were core members of the group, have contributed to bryologically under-recorded and remained at a) increasing the knowledge of certain poorly­ greater risk from habitat destruction as areas known tropical areas, b) the scientific were exploited for their rich resources. It was understanding of certain taxonomic groups, and considered especially important to encourage c) collecting efforts and herbarium activities in collaboration and co-operation between the several countries. They have produced over 50 members of a TBG and bryologists working in publications resulting directly from their TBG the tropics. involvement (see bibliography) . The main fo cus of research has been the African bryophyte The TBG was formed as a result of an informal flora. A website for the TBG has been meeting of interested parties during the annual developed to contain and allow access to this meeting of the British Bryological Society in rich source of tropical bryological information Leeds in 1986; the sixteen attendees discussed and resources. setting up a TBG, its aims and objectives, co­ ordination of actions, and particular matters of After 15 years, and with a change of TBG co­ interest to each party. The group was finally ordinator, it seems timely to review the progress initiated in 1988, when its objectives were agreed made by the TBG between 1986 and 2002. This and a report prepared by Martin Wigginton was review is based on the original TBG discussion discussed. This document included various document (see publication 1 on the TBG website, proposals for the activities of the group, based currently at www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/bbstbg). on suggestions made by all the interested parties. Future directions of the TBG were reviewed at The original proposals are summarised here in the 2003 AGM and will be considered the following sections, with comments on elsewhere. progress since 1986 shown in italics.

23 Field Bryologynumber 83

Review of the proposals in the TBG reserves and other wildlife areas) and on discussion document practical matters such as travel and export of collections; [This has not been done fo rmalfy, Collecting although itiformaladvice has been given to a number ifin dividuals.] It was agreed that systematic collecting of • assist BBS members in overseas collecting bryophytes was one of the most urgent tasks trips, either as individuals or as a group; because of the rapid and continuing loss of [Ma�ry TBG members continue to act in this habitats, especially in the tropics. Africa was capaciry.] subject to the least bryological fo cus and was • organise surveys in threatened areas and considered to be a region where the greatest habitats; [This has been achieved in part but bryological contribution could be made. remains an ongoing concern as more habitats come Literature for that continent was poor or lacking under threat.] for many countries/regions, and previous • collaborate in major research initiatives, such collecting efforts had fo cused mostly on hot­ as those based in Korup, Cameroon, or spots such as Mt Kilimanjaro. The TBG could Gunung Mulu, Borneo. [This has not been done. do the following: Insteatifocus was directed towards regional collecting activities, e.g. in Ug anda and Malawi. The reason • advise on the most important and threatened for this was the lack ifinterest within such research areas; [The InternationalAssociation ifBry ologists prqjects in supporting bryopi!Jte-orientated activities - (JAB) have since undertaken this oijective, but the the TBG would have had to work in areas ifli mited inputfor Afr ica was from members ifthe TBG.] bryological interest or in areas that had alreacfy been • . advise on how to collect in the tropics, on documented.] the habitats and niches of bryophytes, on the care of collections, etc; advise on the Herbaria documentation of collections, stressing the importance of good collecting and full It was noted that there were many un-worked documentation; advise on photographic bryophyte collections in private and national documentation; establish links with university herbaria in the UK, and possibly collections that expedition groups, seeking to stimulate remained undocumented within local and interest in bryophyte collecting; and prepare national institutions. It was considered a 'Guide to bryophyte collecting in the important that the TBG assisted with this by: tropics'; [These oijectives have mostfy been achieveti and documents are available on the TBG website. A • locating collections of tropical material held guide to bryopi!Jte eo/lectin& specimen processin& in local institutions or privately in Britain, herbarium techniques and literature for the tropics and maintaining an inventory of these has been published (O 'Shea, 1989).] herbaria, including details of the state of the • establish links with other organisations, such collections (e.g. whether the collections are as the Royal Geographical Society, armed identified, fully documented, etc.); [This was services expedition groups, Operation done but the information gathered was erratic and Raleigh, etc., if collecting can be encouraged unreliable, and the document waswithdrawn from the by these means; [This has not been done, mainfy TBG website. It would be worthprepa ring a revised because their focus has been on oijectives and areas documentfor the website.] that were not compatible with usiful bryological • sorting and documenting un-worked activiry.] collections held in institutions, including • act as a source of information on places in documenting information from herbarium which to collect (national parks, nature packets. This should be readily possible for 24 Tropical Bryology Group: summary of progress

small collections, but daunting indeed for the Research larger ones held at the London Natural .History Museum (BM); [This has been achieved It was felt that the TBG could make significant in part forsome collections at BM but reviewing other contributions to taxonomic and ecological collections proved difficult fo r two main reasons: research in the tropics by: t. Becoming aware of the existence of collections. Information is onfy available at some herbaria1 • undertaking primary taxonomic research, and and the mqjor collections are at BM. Maf!Y advising on methods; advising on research herbaria will onfy allow specimens to be sent to needs for taxonomic groups and other herbaria1 and not to private individuals1 geographical areas; and specialising in although BM allowed un-accessioned unidentified particular taxonomic groups; [These points have material to be sent out for the Mosses and been addressed by the research carried out within the Liverworts of Uganda (MALOU) project. framework ofthe Malawi and Ug anda proj ects (s ee tt. Identijjing the specimens. The difficulties of bibliography) and TBG reports and newsletters on identijjing tropical African collections became the website).] clear following the Malawi expedition. Although • establishing a panel of referees as our participants came fa irfy quickfy up to speed in expertise develops; [This has been developed identifying to the level offa mify and genus1 some during the work on collections from Malawi and genera are more or less impossible to work on Ug anda. Co-ordinators are available forall African without taxonomic revisions. This brought to the fa milies1 who can either confirm identifications or fore the idea of a foraF offa milies and genera for pass specimens on to other experts.] Afri ca1 as a first step (G uide to Bryophytes • holding regular workshops to enhance the of Africa (GBA)).] expertise of the whole group. Individual • acting as a focus for the exchange of members could tutor on their specialisation; specimens, and for loans of collections. [The [One workshop was held in Cambridge on 21 TBG has no rfficial herbarium or reference collection1 September 19901 and was attendedby 14peopl e.] and thus exchanges and loans of collections have • co-ordinating studies of un-worked herbaria, mostfy been done through arrangements between t individuals and sourcedfr om private herbaria.] wi h a view to placing specimens in at least a broad taxonomic group. Indeed, even 'moss' Data storage andproces sing or 'hepatic' written on a herbarium packet would be a step forward; [This �vork has been The increasing importance of computers and undertaken by TBG members1 especialfyfocus ing on computer programs was noted. It was suggested Ug andan collections at the BM (e.g. F. Rose's that TBG members could benefit from better collections). However, herbaria still hold thousands of data handling, for instance in maintaining well-documented but as yet unidentified specimens databases on the locations of tropical herbaria, from interesting areas.] and lists of taxa, collections, specialists, locations • maintaining a reference collection of micro­ of reference material, etc. [Br.ian 01Shea wrote and slides of tropical material; [No slide reference manages TAXA 1 a piece of software which has been collection was createcl and although slide collections used by afew peo ple in the TBG to create a database of have been made by individual researchers1 thry cannot literature1 scientific names and collection information. be regarded as permanent. It should be noted that However, the .rystempre-d ates Windows and has a large making 'permanent' micro-slides requires access to number of fa cilities that would require extensive chemicals that are usualfy onfy available to development to convert to the Windows environment. la boratories.] Other people use difftrent .rystems to manage their data • producing checklists and undertaking and there is no centralised data fa czlityfor the TB G.] monographic work. [Checklists have been

25 Field Bryologynumber 83

produced for Malawi, Ug anda and sub-Saharan Overseas responsibilities Afri ca, and a number ofAf rican genera have been monographed.] Unfortunately, only limited responses were received fr om overseas members for this Literature/ iriformation category. They indicated the following needs:

The small amount of recent taxonomic literature • a desire to develop cryptogamic herbaria in on bryophytes, and the difficulty of obtaining the country of origin; [The TBG has made this literature, could be addressed by: contributions to the herbaria of MAL (Malawi), MHU (Ug anda) and PRE (S outh Afri ca) as part • seeking ways of obtaining essential literature oftheir activities.] and making it available; advising on • a desire to collaborate in research; [The TBG appropriate literature for particular has provided literature to researchers overseas and taxonomic groups; and establishing a library helped with identifications, but so fa r has not of literature pertaining to tropical bryology; developed extensive research relations. It is perhaps [The TBG has no centralised source of literature easierfor TBG individuals based at universities, (rep rint collection or library). Instead, individuals museums or botanical gardens to establish have developed personal collections ofli terature that collaborations than for the group as a whole to do can be shared with other TBG members. A literature this.] list was prepared (Prfcs & O'Shea, 1991), but this • a suggestion that the BBS (TBG) should is now out of date. It will be rep laced partfy by arrange collecting trips in collaboration with GBA, and hopifulfy will be keptup to date on the local bryologists. Some overseas institutions TBGwebsite.] cannot support travel for collecting even • preparing translations of important literature locally; [This has been done in Malawi in published in other languages; [Matry krys to collaboration with stciffat MAL and in Ug anda in trop ical taxa, especialfy for Afri ca, have been collaboration with stciff at MHU and Makerere translated 0 TBG members and are available on the University, both withfu ndingfound 0 the TBG.] TBG website, although the rate ofthis activity has • provision of lab space for visiting bryologists; slowed in recent years. Some of the translated krys [This has not been realised 0 the TBG, as it is not are now known to be unreliable, and revised versions something the TBGit se!fcan suppfy; instead it must are awaited.] refy on individual members based at universities, • keeping TBG members informed through museums or botanical gardens with such fa cilities.] information circulars or a newsletter; • a request for the exchange of information, [A chieved through the publication of TBG literature and specimens, and for general newsletters 1-18. A wider audience has been reached assistance; [This has been achieved within the via annual progress reports in the BBS Bulletin.] framework of the Malawi and Ug anda prqjects, • establishing and maintaining links with other through individual interactions between TBG sources of information, e.g. lAB and members, and 0 information made available on the specialists in the UK and overseas; [Matry TBG website and in TBG publications/ specialists are involved in GBA and MALOU, and newsletters.] several members are now regular particzpants at • a suggestion that the BBS (TBG?) seek internationalcon ferences.] research grants to assist tropical bryologists; • acting as a fo cus for advice and information [This has not been done - fu nding remains a on tropical bryology. [Matry enquiries are now problem.] dealt with, and usualfy it is possible to give • a suggestion that the TBG collaborates with assistance.] international organisations that are already

26 Tropical Bryology Group: summary of progress

involved in conservation in the country; [This Funding could be sought from: has not been done. It is difficult to achieve this objective without first obtaining research grants, • Government and international organisations, something that is difficult forthe TBGas it stands.] such as the British Council, European • advertising the availability of bryological Community, United Nations Development training. [This has not been done by the TB G, Programme and the World Conservation although part!JI-subsidised training is now available Union (IUCN); [No fu nding was app lied through courses in Kampala and Helsinki. A local for/obt ained fr om these sources, exceptfo r fu nding workshop was run in Ug anda as part ofthe TBG under the UK Darwin Initiative.] project there. Academic institutions are more like!JI to • non-governmental organisations, such as the get such grantsi for instance, NHM is current!JI Royal Society, Royal GeographicalSo ciety and seekingfunding.] National Geographic; [These sources have been used tofu nd conftrence attendance by TBG members.] Conservation • commercial sector, e.g. banks, industrials, forestry. [No fu nding has been app lied fo r/ The TBG could act in an advisory capacity to: obtainedfr om these sources.]

• propose conservation strategies for tropical S eekingfunds was found to involve the preparation of bryophytes in specific areas; [Such information detailed proposals that required a la rge time on Ug andan fo rests was part ofthe reportsubmitted commitment on the part ofthe writer/s . This is a to the Darwin Initiative, but general!JI has not been problem that is difficult to resolve in the shortterm. undertaken by the TBG.] • have an input into conservation work Other work areas undertaken by other organisations. [This has not been done by the TBG direct!JI. Instear;£ • It was suggested that the TBG may consider contributions have been made in the fo rm of the need to 'recruit' skilled botanical taxonomic work, production of checklists, and illustrators to produce figures for taxonomic general!JI by increasing the bryological understanding papers. [This remains an issue. Several skilled of particular areas. GBA would be a major artists are contributing to GBA and MALOU, and contribution to getting bryophytes included in more BBS fu nding has been granted for providing general survt?Jis.] illustrationsfor MALOU.]

Funding Progress against the general and specific aims of the TBG Funding to facilitate research efforts by the TBG was discussed. Funding could be sought The initial aims outlined by the TBG 1n the for: discussion paper included:

• • collecting trips; [Successful for the Malawi and setting up a small working party to chart the Uganda projects.] way forward; • • support for resident bryologists from tropical specialising in one particular geographical countries. [Not much mont?JI was obtained forthzs region of the tropics (Africa); purpose but some was used to supp ortinvol vement in • developing a fo cus on particular taxonomic collecting trips in Malawi and Ug anda, and in groups; running a workshop in Ug anda.] • collaborating in the Bryologia Afri cana project.

27 Field Bryologynumber 83

[These were all achieved. The group was able to plan and Malawi and Uganda. Perhaps the most manage the Malawi and Ug anda expeditions and make significant element of TBG research has been significant contributions to th e bryological knowledge of the production of local and regional checklists, these countries. Although the BryologiaAfri cana prqject taxonomic contributions to different Floras, and (to produce a species-level bryopf?yte Flora ofAfri ca)1 the development of the Guide to Bryopf?ytes of managed by Missouri Botanical Garden1 has not Afri ca (GBA), the Liverwort Flora of West Africa progressed, an essential precursor has been initiated in (WAFLO), and Mosses and Liverworts of Ug anda GBA which will form the basis of afu ture species-level (MALOD) . Flora. The need to overcome the fu ndamental barrier of taxon identification is central to progress within the TBG The success of the TBG so far can be attributed as well as in Africa as a whole. This should remain a kry to the efforts of a core group of researchers, the oijective1 leading to the production ofGBA1 MALOU TBG executive committee, and the TBG co­ and, in the lo nger term1 BryologiaAfri cana.] ordinators (Martin Wigginton 1986-1988 and Brian O'Shea 1988-2002). For this success to Less progress was made against the other continue we must reconsider the role of the objectives: TBG and its future directions and goals.

• to have a planned strategy and to set targets, Bibliography (date order) with some timetabling; [Not done1 but probab!J Malazvi impractical when TBG members are contributing in th eir spare time.] Longton RE. 1991. BBS Expedition to Mt. Mulanje, • to investigate the possibility of collecting Malawi, June/July 1991. Bulletin ofthe British Bryological trips in collaboration with local Society 57: 28-29. O'Shea B. 1992. BBS TBG Expedition to Mount Mulanje, bryologists/institutions, and to investigate Malawi. Bulletin ofthe BritishBryologica! Society 59: 30. sources of funding; [This was achieved in part O'Shea BJ. 1993. British Bryological Society Expedition to th rough the Malawi and Ug anda prqjects.] Mulanje Mountain, Malawi. 2. Checklist of Malawi bryophytes. Journal ofBryology17: 645-670. • to investigate ways in which the TBG could Hodgetts N. 1996. British Bryological Society Expedition assist overseas members, perhaps including to Mulanje Mountain, Malawi. 3. Erpodiaceae (Musci) . the exchange of information, literature and Journal ofBryology 19: 113-118. collections; [A chieved in part - a number ofqueries Frahm J-P, O'Shea BJ. 1996. British Bryological Society have resulted in smallpieces ofcol laborative work.] Expedition to Mulanje Mountain, Malawi. 4. Dicranaceae: Campylopodioideae (A tracty!ocarpus, • to investigate means of making bryological Bryohumbertia, Campylopus, Microcampylopus) . Journal of literature more available to TBG members. Bryology 19: 119-134. [On!Jpart !J achievedby those who have access to the Enroth J, Hodgetts NG. 1996. British Bryological Society literature and are able to make copies ofit.] Expedition to Mulanje Mountain, Malawi. 5. Neckeraceae (Musci). Journal ofBryo!ogy 19: 135-142. KruijerJD. 1997. British Bryological Society Expedition to Summary: the success of the TBG, 1986-2002 Mulanje Mountain, Malawi. 6. Hypopterygiaceae (Musci). Journal ofBryology 19: 515-520. The contributions of the TBG to tropical Hodgetts NG. 1997. British Bryological Society bryology research efforts have been both diverse Expedition to Mulanje Mountain, Malawi. 7. Adelanthaceae, Porellaceae, Schistochilaceae and far-reaching in effect. Members have made (Hepaticae). Journal ofBryology 19: 521-525. significant contributions to bryological research Porley RD. 1997. BritishBryological Society Expedition to in the tropics and to increasing theknowledge of Mulanje Mountain, Malawi. 8. Lejeuneaceae: Colura tropical bryophytes. The list of publications by (Hepaticae) . Journal ofBryology 19: 799-803. O'Shea BJ. 1997. British Bryological Society Expedition to t TBG members in association wi h TBG projects Mulanje Mountain, Malawi. 9. Regmatodontaceae, highlights this well (see bibliography), with over Rhachitheciaceae, Rhacocarpaceae and Rhizogoniaceae 30 publications resulting from TBG activities in (Bryopsida) . Journal ofBryology19: 805-813.

28 Tropical Bryology Group: summary of progress

Hodgetts NG. 1999. British Bryological Society RD , Ellis LT, Wading MC, Bates JE. 2003. Expedition to Mulanje Mountain, Malawi. 10. Bryophytes of Uganda. 6. New and additional records, Lepidoziaceae (Hepaticae). Journal ofBryology21: 316-318. 3. Tropical Bryology24: 161-168. O'Shea BJ. 1999. British Bryological Society Expedition to Mulanje Mountain, Malawi. 11. Pterigynandraceae M. Other publications Fleisch. and Rigodiaceae H.A. Crum (Bryopsida) in

Africa. Journal ofBryo logy 21: 309-313. Longton RE . 1985a. Future developments in bryology. In: Wading MC, O'Shea BJ. 2000. British Bryological Society Longton RE, Perry AR, eds. British Bryological Society Expedition to Mulanje Mountain, Malawi. 12. A Diamond Jubilee. British Bryological Society Special revision of the genus Rhacopilopsis Renauld & Cardot Volume 1.

(Hypnaceae, Bryopsida) . Journal ofBryology22: 209-218. Longton RE . 1985b. Tropical Bryology Group. Bulletin of O'Shea BJ, Wigginton MJ, Bruggeman-Nannenga the BritishBryological Society 45: 21. MA, Hodgetts NG, Porley RD . 2001. British O'Shea BJ. 1989. A guide to collecting bryophytes in the Tropics. Bryological Society Expedition to Mulanje Mountain, British Bryological Society Special Volume 3. Malawi. 13. New and other unpublished records. P6cs T, O'Shea BJ. 1991. Quick reference list of basic TropicalBryolo gy20: 1-26. literature to identify tropical African bryophytes. Wigginton MJ, Porley RD . 2001. British Bryological TropicalBryolo gy4: 69-84. Society Expedition to Mulanje Mountain, Malawi. 14. O'Shea BJ. 1994. One hundred years of bryology on Allisoniaceae, Arnelliaceae, Aytoniaceae, Mulanj e Mountain. Bulletin ofthe British Bryological Society Geocalycaceae, Gymnomitriaceae, Pallaviciniaceae 63: 47-48. (Hepaticae). Journal ofBryology 23: 133-138. O'Shea BJ. 1995. Checklist of the mosses of sub-Saharan Wigginton MJ. 2001. British Bryological Society Africa. Tropical Bryology 10: 91-198. Expedition to Mulanje Mountain, Malawi. 15. O'Shea BJ, Frahm J-P, Porembski S. 1996. Die Lejeuneaceae, and the occurrence and fr equency of Laubmoosflora der Seychellen. Tropical Bryology 12: 169- follicolous taxa. Tropical Bryology20: 83-95. 191. O'Shea BJ. 2003. A revision of Schoenobryum Wigginton MJ, Grolle R. 1996. Catalogue of the (Cryphaeaceae, Bryopsida) in Africa. (British Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of sub-Saharan Africa. Bryological Society Expedition to Mulanje Mountain, BryophytorumBibliotheca 50: 1-267. Malawi. 16). Tropical Bryology24: 147-159. O'Shea B. 1997. Revised checklist of sub-Saharan African mosses. Bryological Times 94: 8. Uganda O'Shea BJ. 1997. The mosses of sub-Saharan Africa. 1. A review of taxonomic progress. Journal of Bryology 19: Stark G, O'Shea B. 1997. Tropical Bryology Group visit 509-513. to Uganda (1997). Bulletin ofthe British Bryological Society O'Shea BJ. 1997. The mosses of sub-Saharan Africa. 2. 70: 26-30. Endemism and biodiversity. Tropical Bryology 13: 75-85. Hodgetts NG, Goffinet B. 1998. Hypnodontopsis (Ther.) H. O'Shea BJ. 1997. A revision of the genus Acanthorrhynchium Rob., a genus and species new to Africa. Journal of (Sematophyllaceae) in Africa. Tropical Bryology 13: 125- Bryology 20: 251-252. 130. Wigginton MJ, Porley RD , Hodgetts NG. 1999. O'Shea, BJ. 1998. Notes on Seychelles mosses. 3-4. A Bryophytes of Uganda. 1. BBS Tropical Bryology revision of Papillidiopsis (Broth.) Buck & Tan, Group expeditions, 1996-1998. Introduction and Rhaphidostichum Fleisch. and WarbUI;giella Muell. Hal. ex collecting sites. Tropical Bryology 16: 165-177. Broth. (Sematophyllaceae, Bryopsida) in Africa. Tropical Porley RD , O'Shea BJ, Wigginton MJ, Matcham HW, Bryology 15: 75-78. Hodgetts NG, Stevenson CR. 1999. Bryophytes of Hodgetts NG, Matcham HW, Duckett JG. 1999. Uganda. 2. New and interesting records. Tropical Bryophytes collected in Lesotho, the Natal Bryology 16: 179-193. Drakensberg and the Orange Free State, southern O'Shea BJ. 1999. Bryophytes of Uganda. 3. Phyllodon Africa. Journal ofBryolo gy 21: 133-155. truncatulus (l'vfilll. Hal.) Buck is replaced in Africa by O'Shea BJ. 1999. Checklist of the mosses of sub-Saharan Phyllodon truncatus (Welw. & Duby) Buck (Hypnaceae, Africa (version 3, 11/99). Tropical Bryology &search Bryopsida). Tropical Bryology 16: 203-204. &ports 1: 1-133. Wigginton MJ, O'Shea BJ, Porley RD , Matcham HW. O'Shea BJ. 1999. African Sematophyllaceae (Bryopsida) 2001. Bryophytes of Uganda. 4. New and additional and a new key to thegenera, using mainly gametophytic records, 2. Tropical Bryology 20: 55-62. characters. Bryobrothera 5: 299-302. O'Shea BJ, Buck WR. 2001. Bryophytes of Uganda. 5. O'Shea BJ. 2000. Notes on Seychelles mosses. 6. A generic Bryocrumia L.E. Anderson (Hypnaceae), a monotypic revision of C!astobryophilumM. Fleisch. (Sematophyllaceae, moss genus new to Africa. Tropical Bryology20: 103-107. Bryopsida) . Tropical Bryology 18: 97-105. O'Shea BJ, Wigginton MJ, Bruggeman-Nannenga O'Shea BJ. 2000. Notes on Seychelles mosses. 5. The MA, Hedenas L, Matcham HW, Frahm J-P, Porley mosses of Fregate Island. TropicalBryo logy 19: 7-9.

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O'Shea BJ. 2000. Taxonomic notes on Anomodon Wigginton MJ. 2002. Checklist and distribution of the (Anomodontaceae, Bryopsida) in Africa. Journal of liverworts and hornworts of sub-Saharan Africa, Bryology22: 241-242. including the East African islands. Tropical Bryology Hodgetts NG, O'Shea BJ, P6cs T. 2000. Sub-Saharan Research Reports3: 1-88. Africa. In: Hallingback T, Hodgetts NG, eds. Mosses, O'Shea BJ. 2003. Bryogeographical relationships of the liverworts and hornworts: status survey and conservation action mosses of Sri Lanka. Journal of the Hattori Botanical plan for bryophytes. Gland & Cambridge: IUCN, 31-34. Laboratory 93: 293-304. O'Shea BJ, Ochyra R. 2000. Families and genera of O'Shea BJ. 2003. An overview of the mosses of mosses no longer believed to occur in sub-Saharan Bangladesh, with a revised checklist.Journal ofthe Hattori Africa. TropicalBryolo gy 18: 119-127. Botanical Laboratory 93: 259-272. Wigginton MJ. 2000. Caudalejeunea yangambiensis (Vanden Hodgetts NG. 2003. Some synonyms of Herbertus dicranus Berghen) E.W. ]ones (Lejeuneaceae) with mature (Taylor ex Gottsche et a!.) Trevis. Journal ofBryolo gy 25: sporophytes from Ghana. TropicalBryolo gy 19: 41-44. 138-140. Wigginton MJ. 2001. A small collection of bryophytes O'Shea BJ. 2003. A review of Gammiella Broth. from Ethiopia. Tropical Bryology 20: 27-29. (Sematophyllaceae, Bryopsida) in Africa, with a range O'Shea BJ. 2001. Felipponea (Leucodontaceae, Musci), a extension to the East African islands and southern new genus for Africa, to include 'Leucodon maritimus' Africa. Tropical Bryology24: 7-10. and L assimilis. TropicalBryolo gy 20: 43-49. Hodgetts NG. 2001. Typification of Herbertus sakurazi Progress reports and newsletters. Annual TBG progress reports (Warnst.) Hatt. Journal ofBryology23 : 362-363. have been published in the Bulletin ofthe British Bryological O'Shea BJ. 2002. Checklist of the mosses of Sri Lanka. Society (1990-2003). Eighteen issues of the TBG newsletter Journalof the Hattori Botanical Laboratory 92: 125-164. have been published (1991-2003). O'Shea BJ. 2002. Further notes on the genus Rhacopilopsis Renauld & Cardot (Hypnaceae, Bryopsida). Journal of TBG website. The TBG website is currently available at Bryology 25: 63-64. www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/bbstbg.

Reports of local meetings

South-East Group

Brede High Wood (v.-c. 14), 2 October 2003: constructed in the 1930s and now owned by hornworts and a hornet Southern Water, and further visits should be a priority. Since the field trip, several waymarked This was a joint meeting of the Southern and walks through the woods have been installed by South-East Groups. Ironically after a very dry Southern Water, making this a practical and summer and early autumn, the day of the attractive place for bryologists and others to excursion was very wet and limited our list to visit. just 96 species; had the weather been better goodness knows what else we might have found. Despite the rain, the woodland rides yielded all Brede High Wood and adjacent parts of the the usual suspects (Fossombronia wondraczekii, Great Saunders Estate cover some six square Archidium altemifolium, Dicranella schreberiana, D. kilometres, and provide a wide range of habitats staphylina, Ditrichum cylindricum and Pseudephemerum on Wealden clays and sandstones. It is one of nitidum) . In addition, it was particularly pleasing the few large wooded areas in East Sussex for to see Anthoceros husnotii (a new vice-county which there appeared to be almost no record) and Phaeoceros laevis. Hornworts are bryological records. The day's exploration only increasingly uncommon in south-east England, embraced the area from south of the B2089 and indeed W akehurst Place is one of the few (public car park at TQ804196) down to the places where a sighting of Phaeoceros can be northern banks of the Powdermill reservoir virtually guaranteed. The most notable epiphytes

30