Scapania gracilis

Got a bit of spare time last night and couldn't resist getting out the microscope. One of my favourite things over the weekend was coming across three new spp. of Scapania (for me) - nemorea, gracilis and compacta. I still have nemorea in a packet I think so I may 'do' that one later. In the meantime here's a small tribute to S.gracilis. As the field guide says, "generally untidy appearance ... non-appressed lobes ... 3-dimensional... forms large cushions".

Scapania gracilis

BBS field guide page

Scapania undulata at Cullaloe LNR

Quite widespread in marshy flush areas of the reserve, I had seen one that was handed to me but didn't see it in the field. I "rediscovered" it on Saturday. This s a species which seems to have been split in the past, but is variable as to the degree of "tooth" on display. This one is pretty toothy!

Looking at previous shots of Scapania obtained from the BBS meet, I see that the previous one showed no sign of teeth at all. Is this a genetic difference or a habitat-based phenotype difference? See in gallery (Q-U) for previous.

(edit - from Smith, p.189: "it is clear from field observation and literature reports that much of the variation is environmentally induced")