Unveiling the Tiny Titan: Trematodon puteensis Besch.
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medium.jpg from: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/448664-Trematodon-latinervis
Trematodon puteensis Besch.: A Tiny Moss with a Big Story
Introduction
When it comes to the world of bryophytes, there are countless fascinating species to discover. One such hidden gem is Trematodon puteensis Besch., a small but mighty moss in the Bruchiaceae family. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the captivating details of this unique plant.
Background on Bryophytes
Before we get into the specifics of T. puteensis, let’s briefly review what bryophytes are.
trematodon_brevicollis.jpg from: https://www.plantsnap.com/plant-encyclopedia/bryophytes/Bruchiaceae/trematodon-divaricatus/
Bryophytes are non-vascular plants that include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. They lack true roots, stems, and leaves, instead having structures that serve similar functions. Mosses like T. puteensis are classified in the Bryopsida class.
Morphology and Identification
Trematodon_longicollis.jpg from: https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/262450
Single-plants-of-Trematodon-ambiguus-left-Bruchia-vogesiaca-right-and-their-hybrid.png from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Single-plants-of-Trematodon-ambiguus-left-Bruchia-vogesiaca-right-and-their-hybrid_fig2_260868733
Trematodon puteensis is a small, acrocarpous moss, meaning it produces sporophytes at the tips of its stems. Its leaves are
TREMA%2BLONGIC.jpg from: https://plantasdepuertorico.blogspot.com/2017/01/musgos-dicranaceae-trematodon.html
lanceolate (lance-shaped) and have a costa (midrib) that extends to the leaf tip. The seta (stalk bearing the capsule) is
Comparison-of-transverse-sections-of-leaves-in-Trematodon-longicollis-and-its-synonyms-as.png from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Comparison-of-transverse-sections-of-leaves-in-Trematodon-longicollis-and-its-synonyms-as_fig6_326474010
yellowish
5058081183_18681c164a.jpg from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/imbala/5058081183
and curved when moist. The capsules are inclined to horizontal and strumose
Trematodon-longicollis-4.jpg from: https://ohiomosslichen.org/moss-trematodon-longicollis/
(with a goiter-like swelling) at the base.
Global Distribution and Habitat
Trematodon_longicollis,I_TQBH8118.jpg from: https://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Bruchiaceae
This moss has a scattered global distribution, found in parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. It typically grows on moist, acidic soils in open habitats like fields, roadside banks, and disturbed areas from lowlands to mountains.
Ecological Roles and Adaptations
Like other mosses, T. puteensis plays important ecological roles:
- Helps retain soil moisture and prevent erosion
trematodon-baileyi-illust-1890.jpg from: https://www.cpbr.gov.au/bryophyte/photos-captions/trematodon-baileyi-illust-1890.html
- Provides shelter and food for micro-organisms and invertebrates
- Pioneers disturbed habitats and contributes to soil formation
Its small size and tolerance of disturbance allows it to colonize habitats that other plants cannot. The curved seta helps position the capsule to aid in spore dispersal.
Conclusion
From its distinct morphology to its widespread distribution, Trematodon puteensis Besch. may be small in stature but has an intriguing story to tell. Next time you’re out in nature, take a closer look – you might just spot this tiny but tough moss making its mark on the world. What other small wonders are out there waiting to be noticed?