Floristics and Biogeography of the Bryophyte Flora in the Big Thicket National Preserve, Southeast Texas

Abstract

The Big Thicket National Preserve in southeast Texas, U.S.A has been the subject of numerous vascular plant surveys. However, there has not been a comprehensive survey of non-vascular plants (bryophytes) since its founding in 1974. A survey of the bryophytes was conducted between 2008 and 2011. This specimen and literature based inventory documents a total of 166 species of mosses, liverworts, and hornworts in 55 families, 97 genera. This total represents a 41% increase over previously documented species in the preserve. Nine new tentative state records are listed. Dichotomous keys for the identification of all extant groups, genera, and species are included. The bryophyte flora of the Big Thicket National Preserve is primarily composed of Widespread (28%), Holarctic (26%), Eastern North American (21%), and Tropical (17%) species.