Collection: Nonvascular Plants : 2015

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Specimen #20 Algae

Specimen 20: Algae

Figure 1: Pictured Eudorina specimen with edges in focus; each spherical individual cell composing the colony contains two flagella, which are difficult to see even under high power; cells are bright green color, as seen above.

Scientific Name: Eudorina
Order: Chlamydomonadales
Family: Volvocaceae
Collection Date: September 20, 2015
Habitat: Quiet waters, open waters, shallows of ditches, bogs, ponds, puddles
Location: Observation Pond - Hiram College Field Station - Hiram, OH
Description: Green; individual cells are spherical with two flagella; form colonies, which range in size from 40-50 μm in diameter
Collector: Caroline Georskey

Key Used: Rainis, K.G, Russell, B.J.1996. Guide to Microlife. A Division of Grolier Publishing. Danbury, CT.

Key Steps:

Shape key pp. 30 --> Eudorina pp. 139

Ecology:
Typically two volvocine species are studied: the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a unicellular alga, and Volvox carter as a multicellular alga with differentiated cell types (Lerche & Hallmann). While species with intermediate characteristics exist, they tend to complicate the boundaries between unicellular and differentiated multicellular species (Lerche & Hallmann). An example of one of these species is Eudorina elegans, and it requires detailed genetic manipulation and has limited DNA and/or protein sequence information, which scientists are in the process of discovering (Lerche & Hallmann).

Links:

http://www.microscope-microscope.org/applications/pond-critters/protozoans/mastigophora/eudorina.htm
http://cfb.unh.edu/phycokey/Choices/Chlorophyceae/colonies/colonies_flagellated/EUDORINA/Eudorina_key.html
http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/dna/organisms/details/641
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=5597
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6750/13/11

Algae Links:

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/greenalgae/greenalgae.html
http://botany.si.edu/projects/algae/
http://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/algal-biofuels
http://tolweb.org/accessory/Algae:_Protists_with_Chloroplasts?acc_id=52

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Specimen #19 Algae

Specimen 19: Algae

Figure 1: The chloroplasts are visible in these sphere-shaped green protists.

Figure 2: Group of Volvox pictured together containing various numbers of cells within their colonies.

Scientific Name: Volvox
Order: Volvocales
Family: Volvocaceae
Collection Date: September 20, 2015
Habitat: Quiet ponds, open water, puddles, ditches, shallow ponds, bogs, freshwater
Location: Observation Pond - Hiram College Field Station - Hiram, OH
Description: Green protists, oval shaped, up to 50,000 individual cells within a gelatinous sphere, spin through the water, up to 1 mm (colony)
Collector: Caroline Georskey

Key Used: Rainis, K.G, Russell, B.J.1996. Guide to Microlife. A Division of Grolier Publishing. Danbury, CT.

Key Steps:

Shape Key pp. 30 --> Volvox #70 pp.153

Ecology:
These colonies were first studied by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1700, and have since been used as a genetic model for study of morphogenesis (Britannica). Volvox is known to exhibit differentiation, which is considered to be significant in tracing the evolution of higher animals from microorganisms (Britannica).

Links:

http://www.britannica.com/science/Volvox
http://www.eol.org/pages/11637/overview
http://microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/art97b/volvoxms.html
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/V/Volvox.html
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/olympusmicd/galleries/moviegallery/pondscum/protists/volvox/index.html

Algae Links:

Specimen #18 Algae

Specimen 18: Algae

Figure 1: A longer segment of the algae species with a reproductive cell present. Cells appear to be green in color, as pictured.

Figure 2: A small segment of the algae is present, with a reproductive cell in view.

Scientific Name: Tribonema
Order: Tribonematales
Family: Tribonemaraceae
Collection Date: September 20, 2015
Habitat: Quiet waters, found in ditches, especially in spring
Location: Observation Pond - Hiram College Field Station - Hiram, OH
Description: Filamentous green protists, reproductive cell present
Collector: Caroline Georskey

Key Used: Rainis, K.G, Russell, B.J.1996. Guide to Microlife. A Division of Grolier Publishing. Danbury, CT.

Key Steps:

Filamentous green protists --> pp. 127

--> Tribonema pp. 133

Ecology:
Some Tribonema species can be found in metal-polluted streams (University of New Hampshire).

Links:

http://cfb.unh.edu/phycokey/Choices/Tribophyceae/TRIBONEMA/Tribonema_key.html
http://dbmuseblade.colorado.edu/DiatomTwo/sbsac_site/genus.php?g=Tribonema
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=2053
http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:catalogueoflife.org:taxon:d7912808-29c1-102b-9a4a-00304854f820:col20120124

Algae Links:

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Specimen #17 Algae

Specimen 17: Algae

Figure 1: The specimen can be identified from its green color, hornlike projection, and disk-shape, as seen above.

Scientific Name: Pediastrium
Order: Chlorococcales
Family: Hydrodictyaceae
Collection Date: September 21, 2015
Habitat: Rare in deep water; found in ponds and lakes along shores
Location: Willa's Garden Pond - South Russell, OH
Description: Disk-shaped colonial green algae, characterized by peripheral hornlike projections; freshwater plankton; number of cells per colony varies
Collector: Willa Schrlau

Key Used: Rainis, K.G, Russell, B.J.1996. Guide to Microlife. A Division of Grolier Publishing. Danbury, CT.

Key Steps:

Protist Key pp. 78

Organism without stalk, free swimming, grouped together, floating, or as a filament --> 3
Colored --> 4
Cells are green; contain chloroplasts --> 5
Cells not arranged in green filaments --> 6
Green and yellow - Green protists --> pp. 150 --> pp. 152 Pediastrium

Ecology:
This specimen is predominantly found in freshwater, and plays a key role in oxygen production (Chantangsi).

Links:

http://www.britannica.com/science/Pediastrum
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artsep01/pediastrum.html
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=6032
http://www.cfb.unh.edu/phycokey/Choices/Chlorophyceae/colonies/colonies_not_flagellated/PEDIASTRUM/Pediastrum_key.html

Algae Links:

Specimen #16 Slimemold

Specimen 16: Slimemold

Figure 1: Pictured above are immature examples of the cushion-like specimen that were collected from a well-rotted wood. They are pinkish in color and when "popped," they released a toothpaste-like substance of a similar color.

Scientific Name: Lycogala epidendrum
Common Name: Wolf's Milk
Order: Liceales
Family: Reticulariaceae
Collection Date: September 20, 2015
Habitat: scattered or clustered on well-rotted wood
Location: Hiram College Field Station - Hiram, OH
Description: fruiting bodies appear pinkish-gray to bright red in color when young, but turn olive-brown with age; paste-like substance; appear in small, cushion-like bulbs
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used: Stephenson, S.L, Stempen H. 1994. Myxomycetes: A Handbook of SlimeMolds. Timber Press, Inc.. Portland, OR.

Key Steps:

Order: Liceales --> pp. 76

Fruiting body an aethalium or pseudoaethalium --> 2
Fruiting body an aethalium, pulvinate to subglobose, with no evidence or individual sporangium-like units --> 4
Pseudocapillitium consisting of flattened hyaline tubules; spores pallid --> Lycogala epidendrum

Ecology:
This specimen is inedible (Messiah College). This is one of the most commonly found and identified slime molds (Messiah College).

Links:

http://www.messiah.edu/Oakes/fungi_on_wood/puffball%20and%20cushion/species%20pages/Lycogala%20epidendrum.htm
http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/lycogala.html
http://ncrfungi.uark.edu/species/38_lycogalaEpidendrum/lycogalaEpidendrum.html
http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Lycogala+epidendrum

Slimemold Links:

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/protista/slimemolds.html
http://www.microbeworld.org/types-of-microbes/protista/slime-molds
http://www.herbarium.usu.edu/fungi/FunFacts/SlimeMold.htm
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/the-sublime-slime-mold/
http://lancaster.unl.edu/hort/articles/2013/SlimeMold.shtml

Specimen #15 Algae

Specimen 15: Algae

Figure 1: The oval stacked cells (four pictured) are imaged. The outside cells are seen to have two spines on each. Cells are green in this specimen.

Scientific Name: Scenedesmus
Order: Chlorococcales
Family: Scenedesmaceae
Collection Date: September 21, 2015
Habitat: Shallow, ditches, ponds, bogs, puddles, quiet, open waters
Location: Willa's Garden Pond - South Russell, OH
Description: Green; oval stacked cells, 50-250 μm; 4-12 cells; outside cells have two spines
Collector: Willa Schrlau

Key Used: Rainis, K.G, Russell, B.J.1996. Guide to Microlife. A Division of Grolier Publishing. Danbury, CT.

Key Steps:

Shape Key pp. 31 --> pp. 69

Scenedesmus --> pp. 148

Ecology:
This type of algae is a common component of freshwater plankton, and is used in experimental work with pollution and photosynthesis issues (Britannica). During sewage purification processes, Scenedesmus provides oxygen in order to breakdown organic matter, helping to destroy harmful substances (Britannica).

Links:

http://www.britannica.com/science/Scenedesmus
http://www.labome.org/topics/organisms/algae/green/scenedesmus-2232.html
http://dbmuseblade.colorado.edu/DiatomTwo/sbsac_site/genus.php?g=Scenedesmus
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=6104

Algae Links:

Specimen #14 Fungi

Specimen 14: Fungi

Figure 1: The specimen was found on the side of a dead hardwood stump.

Figure 2: The radial wrinkles can be see in the specimen. It is brown in color, and is darkening/bruising with age as it is stored. The specimen appears woody, and tougher due to age.

Figure 3: The underside of the specimen shows the visible tubes (pores), and the lack of stalk. The pores were initially white and darkened with age.

Figure 4: The deep, elongated tubes forming a united layer can be seen pictured above.

Scientific Name: Ischnoderma resinosum
Common Name: Resinous polypore
Order: Polyporales
Family: Fomitopsidaceae
Collection Date: October 8, 2015
Habitat: Solitary or several together on dead hardwoods; widely distributed but not particularly common; fruiting mostly in summer and fall
Location: Hiram College Field Station - Hiram, OH
Description: Radially wrinkled, exude droplets, shelving, woody, stalk absent, pores, cap brown in color
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used: Arora, D. 1986. Mushrooms Demystified. Ten Speed Press. New York, NY.

Key Steps:

Key to major groups of fleshy fungi --> pp. 52
Fruiting body shelflike, crustily, tough, woody, layer of pores under cap --> Polypores & Bracket Fungi pp. 549

Spore-bearing surface not composed of tubes, or if composed of tubes then the tubes form a united layer, fruiting body fleshy, tough, woody --> 2
Stalk absent, growing on wood, fruiting body knoblike, hooflike, bracketlike, shelflike, crustily --> 4
Pore surface exposed, not growing on birch --> 5
Pore surface differently colored (not pinkish/reddish-purple/blackish-purplish) --> 6
Fruiting body not rescpindle, has cap --> 7
Spore-bearing surface with deep, elongated, mazelike pockets or even gills or "teeth" --> 8
Spore-bearing surface with tubes (pores), elongated or mazelike --> 10
Fruiting body annual (with only one tube layer), cap soon dark to brown to blackish, often roughened, radially wrinkled, fruiting body at first watery and often beaded with droplets, but tougher in age, pore surface whitish at first but aging or bruising darker, found on dead trees, widespread but not common --> Ischoderma resinosum pp. 573

Ecology:
This species is often found on the deadwood of hardwoods or conifers, usually appearing in fall (Kuo, 2004). They tend to cause a rot that separates the rings in aging wood (Kuo, 2004). It is found very widely distributed in North America (Kuo, 2004).

Links:

http://www.mushroomexpert.com/ischnoderma_resinosum.html
http://www.messiah.edu/Oakes/fungi_on_wood/poroid%20fungi/species%20pages/Ischnoderma%20resinosum.htm
http://www.wisconsinmushrooms.com/Ischnodermaresinosum.html
http://www.iub.edu/~preserve/flora/mushrooms/i_resinosum.html
http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/resinous-polypore

Fungi Links:

http://www.britannica.com/science/fungus
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fungi/fungi.html
http://www.microbeworld.org/types-of-microbes/fungi
http://www.herbarium.usu.edu/fungi/FunFacts/Kingfact.htm

Specimen #13 Liverwort

Specimen 13: Liverwort

Figure 1: Pores are easily visible within the polygonal markings on the thallus in a wet sample. Some bruised areas can be seen, which are said to release an aromatic odor.

Figure 2: Dry sample of species; pores very visible, as are the rhizines. The specimen appears flat, and ribbon-like as a thalloid liverwort.

Scientific Name: Conocephalum conicum
Common Name: Great Scented Liverwort
Order: Marchantiales
Family: Conocephalaceae
Collection Date: September 17, 2015
Habitat: Common on moist earth or rocks, often covering many square feet
Location: Cleveland Metro Parks - Chagrin Falls, OH
Description: Largest of thalloid liverworts, conical umbrella only raised up on stalk in spring; emits an aromatic odor when bruised; pores very visible; polygonal markings; grow flat, ribbon-like
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used: Conard, H.S. 1956. How to Know the Mosses and Liverworts. WM. C. Brown Company Publishers. Dubuque, IA.

Key Steps:

Pictured-Key to Liverworts of North America

Plants growing flat, ribbon-like --> 2
Plant opaque by reason of air-spaces inside of item showing air pores and polygonal markings --> 8
Air pores visible without lens, each in a polygonal area --> 9
Without gemmae, without marginal scales on underside of thallus --> 11
Air pores on low mound of colorless cells --> Concocephalum conicum pp. 159

Ecology:
Observed to grow with fungal associate, most commonly Dumortiera hirsuta, which was found associated with as many as 25 populations. Populations have a widespread tolerance to temperature (Iqbal, et. al).

Links:

http://bryophytes.plant.siu.edu/imConocephalumConicum.html
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=COCO38
http://www3.botany.ubc.ca/bryophyte/conocephalum.html
http://www.bbsfieldguide.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/liverworts/Conocephalum_conicum-salebrosum.pdf
http://www.bioref.lastdragon.org/Bryophyta/Conocephalum_conicum.html
http://www.archive-for-bryology.com/Archive%20104.pdf

Liverwort Links:

http://www.britannica.com/plant/liverwort
http://www.backyardnature.net/liverwrt.htm
http://www.anbg.gov.au/bryophyte/what-is-liverwort.html
http://www.hiddenforest.co.nz/bryophytes/liverworts/intro.htm

Specimen #12 Lichen

Specimen 12: Lichen

Figure 1: The pale gray-green surface exposing the bright red/orange medulla can be seen from this profile view. The powdery surface is due to soredia.

Figure 2: The upper surface, brightly colored medulla, and black lower surface with some white-tipped rhizomes are visible. The powdery soredia are present, as well. Lobes are visibly small in size.

Scientific Name: Phaeophyscia rubropulchra
Common Name: Orange-cored Shadow Lichen
Order: Teloschistales
Family: Phyciaceae
Collection Date: September 10, 2015
Habitat: Grows on tree bark and rocks in light to deep shade; shade tolerant; rarely on conifers, moss or rock
Location: Triangle Lake - Kent, OH
Description: Medulla is orange/red; gray/green upper surface; lower surface black, rhizines have white tips; soredia present on lobe margins; lobes 0.5-1.2 mm;
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used:
Ohio Division of Wildlife. 2015. Common Lichens of Ohio: Field Guide. ODNR Division of Wildlife. Columbus, OH.

Walewski, J. 2007. Lichens of the North Woods. Kollath+Stensaas Publishing. Duluth, MN.

Key Steps:

Key 1: photo found on pp. 46

Key 2:

Trees Section (green)
Foliose Section (purple)
Orange-cored Shadow Lichen, foliose pale to dark green, small lobed, red-orange inner core, found on bark of deciduous trees in shaded forests --> Phaeophyscia rubropulchra pp. 118

Ecology:
This species is common on trees in the eastern United States and is widespread and common in Ohio around tree bases (Ohio Moss & Lichen Association). The species is fairly tolerant to shade and is commonly grazed by slugs, which eat the upper cortex, exposing the brightly colored medulla (Ohio Moss & Lichen Association).

Links:

http://ohiomosslichen.org/lichen-phaeophyscia-rubropulchra/
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PHRU4
http://www.discoverlife.org/20/q?search=Phaeophyscia+rubropulchra
http://collections.si.edu/search/results.htm?print=yes&q=record_ID:nmnhbotany_2031385
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=191075

Lichen Links:

http://www.backyardnature.net/lichens.htm
http://www.lichen.com
http://www.lichen.com/biology.html
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fungi/lichens/lichens.html

Specimen #11 Lichen

Specimen 11: Lichen

Figure 1: Pale mint green, thick and cottony thallus.

Figure 2: Rounded edges, consisting mostly of soredia with a powdery, dust appearance.

Figure 3: Image showing the small size of this species (<1.5 cm in this photo).

Scientific Name: Lepraria lobificans
Common Name: Fluffy Dust Lichen
Order: Lecanorales
Family: Stereocaulaceae
Collection Date: September 17, 2015
Habitat: Rocks and trees in shade; one of the most shade tolerant lichens
Location: Cleveland Metro Parks - Chagrin Falls, OH
Description: Fairly thick, fluffy thallus consisting of mostly soredia, thallus is pale yellow-green to greenish gray, often rounded edges; crustose
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used:
Ohio Division of Wildlife. 2015. Common Lichens of Ohio: Field Guide. ODNR Division of Wildlife. Columbus, OH.

Walewski, J. 2007. Lichens of the North Woods. Kollath+Stensaas Publishing. Duluth, MN.

Key Steps:

Key 1: photo found on pp. 17

Key 2:

Trees Section (green)
Crustose Section (blue)
Fluffy Dust Lichen; common on tree bases and shaded rock, yellowish-green to pale mint green, thick and cottony, fuzzy or dusty surface--> Lepraria lobificans pp. 99

Ecology:
One of the most commonly found dust lichens in North America (Ohio Moss & Lichen Association). This species is a source of soredia that camouflage lacewing larvae (Ohio Division of Wildlife).

Links:

http://www.lichens.lastdragon.org/Lepraria_lobificans.html
http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Lepraria+lobificans
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=Scientific_Name&search_value=Lepraria%20lobificans&search_kingdom=Fungal&search_span=exactly_for&categories=All&source=html&search_credRating=All#
http://ohiomosslichen.org/lichen-lepraria-lobificans/
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CRAL10

Lichen Links:

http://www.backyardnature.net/lichens.htm
http://www.lichen.com
http://www.lichen.com/biology.html
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fungi/lichens/lichens.html

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Specimen #10 Moss

Specimen 10: Moss

Figure 1: Blackish plants with spiky leaves; change little when wet, but reveal hints of red and green.

Figure 2: Leaves curve outward, as imaged.

Figure 3: Leaves are lance-shaped with a midrib that can be difficult to identify seeing as most of the blade is filled with it; leaf edges are smooth; cells are rounded.

Figure 4: Plants are small; leaves are 1-2 mm long, as seen above.

Scientific Name: Andreaea rothii
Common Name: Needle-leaved Lantern Moss
Order: Andreaeles
Family: Andreaeaceae
Collection Date: September 17, 2015
Habitat: Acidic rocks, shaded or out in the open, dry or wet rocks, but often where water seeps over rock at least periodically
Location: Cleveland Metro Parks - Chagrin Falls, OH
Description: Small, blackish plants, crusty patches over rocks, crumble when dry, football shaped capsules, leaves change little when wet, but reveal subtle hints of red and green
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used: McKnight, K.B, Rohrer, J.R., et al. 2013. Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ.

Key Steps:

Acrocarpous
Leaf shape: Lance
Midrib: Yes

Key II, pp. 342-350
Darker green or blackish brown leaves, leaves flat or folded but not tubular, with midrib usually visible at least at base of leaf --> 3
On soil, rock, trees, logs in dry areas, or if wet area, then plants not submerged in water; not folded at base --> 4
Leaf surface not rippled or wavy when wet --> 9
Leaves < 4 mm long --> 21
Leaves spreading in various directions when wet or barely diverging from stem --> 22
Plants 0.2-2 cm tall --> 34
Plants growing on rock, soil, rotting wood, tree base, or other substrate --> 39
Shoots not surrounded by persistent protonema; leaves various --> 40
Leaves not at all bluish and not cobwebby or moldy in appearance --> 41
Leaves not or slightly contorted when dry, sometimes tips slightly twisted or leaf folded like keel --> 48
Plant not whitish or pale green --> 49
Growing on rock, green to dark green, brown, black --> 53
Capsules opening by 4 lengthwise slits to resemble a Chinese lantern when dry --> 54
Leaves narrowly lance-shaped, midrib present --> Andreaea rothii pp.121

Ecology:
This species belongs to the family referred to as the "granite mosses," and its genus is the single representative of this class found in North America, with the acceptation of Andreaeobryum. This species is one of two most commonly represented in North America, but is less widespread, more commonly found in eastern North America (Ohio University).

Links:

http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ANRO7
https://www.ohio.edu/plantbio/vislab/moss/mckinney.htm
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=548229
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200000843

Bryopsida Links:

http://tolweb.org/Bryopsida
http://www.dlia.org/class-bryopsida
http://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet?source=profile&symbol=Bryopsida&display=31
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/bryophyta.htm
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/plants/bryophyta/bryophyta.html

Specimen #9 Moss

Specimen 9: Moss

Figure 1: Leaves are green to yellowish-brown with wormlike branches; capsules are brown to black, and spherical.

Figure 2: Leaves are egg-shaped, sometimes with tips bent away from the branch up to 45 degrees.

Figure 3: Leaves lack teeth and a midrib; cells are triangular in this species.

Scientific Name: Sphagnum palustre
Common Name: Blunt-leaved Peat Moss
Order: Sphagnales
Family: Sphagnaceae
Collection Date: September 10, 2015
Habitat: Margins of streams, bogs, ponds; more typically shaded areas than in full sun
Location: Triangle Lake - Kent, OH
Description: Large, upright, 8-25 cm tall, green/yellow-brown, plump, wormlike branches, leaves have no midrib; capsules are uncommon, brown to black, spherical
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used: McKnight, K.B, Rohrer, J.R., et al. 2013. Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ.

Key Steps:

Peat Moss

Key XII, pp. 376-379
Branches plump, wormlike, branched leaves with margins strongly incurved, forming blunt, hooded tips --> 2
Plants green, yellowish --> 4
Spreading branches with tapering ends, green to yellowish brown --> Sphagnum palustre pp. 325

Ecology:
This species was used for a European Union project at the University of Freiburg in Germany to track air pollution, with hopes of using biotechnology to then fight pollution (Euronews).

Links:

http://www.bbsfieldguide.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/mosses/Sphagnum_palustre.pdf
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SPPA70
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=15692
http://www.euronews.com/2013/06/03/biotechnology-to-fight-air-pollution/

Bryopsida Links:

Specimen #8 Moss

Specimen 8: Moss

Figure 1: This species is 5-15 cm tall when upright; stalk of capsule is 5-9 cm tall.

Figure 2: Leaves are narrow and pointed; tightly pressed to stem when dry.

Figure 3: Capsules are four-sided, box-like, with a disk at the base.

Figure 4: Leaves are about 6-10 mm long.

Figure 5: Leaves are narrow, thick, and has teeth running from its base to the tip; midrib hard to recognize, as it fills most of the blade.

Scientific Name: Polytrichum commune
Common Name: Common Haircap Moss
Order: Polytrichales
Family: Polytrichaceae
Collection Date: September 10, 2015
Habitat: Moist soil, along margins of bogs, swamps, lakes, often shaded
Location: Triangle Lake - Kent, OH
Description: Four-sided capsule with disk, 6-10 mm long; large; plant 5-10 cm tall, upright, look like pine tree seedlings
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used: McKnight, K.B, Rohrer, J.R., et al. 2013. Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ.

Key Steps:

Acrocarpous
Leaf shape: Lance
Midrib: Yes

Key II, pp. 342-350
Darker green, brownish black, midrib visible --> 3
Not submerged in water, not folded @ base --> 4
Not wavy when wet --> 9
Leaves mostly > or = to 4 mm long --> 10
Wet leaves stiff, thick, opaque - midrib visible @ base --> 14
Leaf margin toothed except along leaf base, capsule with or without disk --> 17
Capsule four-sided, like box --> 19
Capsule with disk at attachment to stalk --> Polytrichum commune pp. 57

Ecology:
This species is used in New Zealand as a decorative material for cloaks, woven into the fabric. They provide extra warmth, as well. This moss is used to make teas to relieve and dissolve gall bladder and kidney stones, and to strengthen hair. The leaves have been used to make brooms, brushes, rugs, baskets, and more (Ohio University).

Links:

http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=POCO38
https://www.ohio.edu/plantbio/vislab/moss/giallombardo.htm
http://www.theplantencyclopedia.org/wiki/Polytrichum_commune
http://www.bbsfieldguide.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/mosses/Polytrichum_commune_var._commune.pdf

Bryopsida Links:

Specimen #6 Moss

Specimen 6: Moss

Figure 1: When dry, this species has a whitish green with a characteristic gray glossy appearance to them; leaves curl when dry.

Figure 2: When wet, leave are brighter green and lose gray glossy appearance; gently sweep to one side.

Figure 3: Leaves are hairlike and approximately 4-8 mm long; curved upward, appearing tube-like.

Figure 4: Leaf made entirely of the midrib, except at the base.

Figure 5: The tip of the leaf is very finely toothed, as imaged above.

Scientific Name: Paraleucobryum longifolium
Common Name: Silver Bloom Moss
Order: Dicranales
Family: Dicranaceae
Collection Date: September 17, 2015
Habitat: Rocks or boulders in moist forests
Location: Cleveland Metro Parks - Chargin Falls, OH
Description: Tip finely toothed, when dry- whitish green/grey shade, when wet- more green, gently curls to one side on plant, midrib composed of alternating clear and green cells
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used: McKnight, K.B, Rohrer, J.R., et al. 2013. Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ.

Key Steps:

Acrocarpous
Leaf shape: Hair-like
Midrib: Yes

Key I, pp. 341
Plants > 1 cm tall --> 3
Leaves swept to one side of stem --> 4
Gray green/ white green - individual plants with leaves swept to one side, but not all plants swept to same side --> Paraleucobryum longifolium pp. 43

Ecology: Often found intermixed in cushions of Dicranium fuscescens (Flagmeier, 2013).

Links:

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200001018
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PALOS2
http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:catalogueoflife.org:taxon:ed066356-29c1-102b-9a4a-00304854f820:col20120124#tab_classification
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/259369480_Paraleucobryum_longifolium_%28Hedw.%29_Loeske_in_Scotland

Bryopsida Links:

Specimen #5 Moss

Specimen 5: Moss

Figure 1: The hairlike leaves spread from stem when wet.

Figure 2: Yellow-green, shiny leaves that curl toward stem when dry.

Figure 3: Midrib is difficult to locate except at base, seeing as it fills most of the blade; edges are smooth.

Figure 4: The microscopic strongly toothed leaf tips are a key feature of this species.

Scientific Name: Ditrichum pallidum
Common Name: Saffron Moss
Order: Dicranales
Family: Ditrichaceae
Collection Date: September 17, 2015
Habitat: Disturbed soil, partly shady woodlands
Location: Cleveland Metro Parks - Chagrin Falls, OH
Description: Strongly toothed leaf tips, midrib fills most of blade, and is hard to distinguish except at the base of the leaf, edges are smooth, sporophytes are tall with yellow seta
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used: McKnight, K.B, Rohrer, J.R., et al. 2013. Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ.

Key Steps:

Acrocarpous
Leaf shape: Hair-like
Midrib: Yes

Key I, pp. 341
>1 cm tall --> 2
Leaves 3-5 mm --> Ditrichum pallidum pp. 35

Ecology:
Commonly found across Ohio on the ground of dry wooded areas (Ohio Moss & Lichen Association). This species is considered endangered in Bulgaria (http://www.e-ecodb.bas.bg/rdb/en/vol1/Ditpalli.html).

Figure 4: Distribution of this species throughout Ohio

Links:

http://ohiomosslichen.org/moss-ditrichum-pallidum/
https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ditrichum_pallidum
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=16861
http://www.plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=DIPA22
http://www.e-ecodb.bas.bg/rdb/en/vol1/Ditpalli.html

Bryopsida Links:

Monday, October 12, 2015

Specimen #7 Moss

Specimen 7: Moss

Figure 1: Plagiothecium cavifolium has two forms - one with cylindrical, overlapping cup-shaped leaves, and the other, the less common, has flattened shoots with well-spaced and wide-spread leaves (McKnight & Rohrer, 2013).

Figure 2: Leaves are symmetrically ovate, wide-spread, and well-spaced.

Figure 3: Leaves lack midrib, have smooth edges, and come to very sharp point.

Scientific Name: Plagiothecium cavifolium
Common Name: Round Silk Moss
Order: Hypnales
Family: Plagiotheciaceae
Collection Date: September 17, 2015
Habitat: Soil, often overlying rock, moist, shady places, rotting tree bases
Location: Cleveland Metro Parks - Chagrin Falls, OH
Description: Species has two forms; this form is less common; has flattened shoots bearing well-spaced, wide-spread leaves, bright olive green, shiny, leaves that are symmetrical and smooth edges
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used: McKnight, K.B, Rohrer, J.R., et al. 2013. Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ.

Key Steps:

Pleurocarp
Leaf shape: Ovate
Midrib: No

Key IX, pp. 369
Flattened branches --> 2
Leaves wide 60°-90°, stem visible --> 5
Lacking tiny branches at base --> 7
Quite flattened --> 9
Leaves symmetrical --> 10
Spaced, not overlapping, leaf tips short-pointed --> Plagiothecium cavifolium pp. 295

Ecology:
This species of moss can be found on soil, rocks, near stream banks and other damp places, or in shady areas (Ohio Moss & Lichen Association).

Figure 4: Distribution of species throughout Ohio

Links:

http://ohiomosslichen.org/moss-plagiothecium-cavifolium/
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PLCA15&format=print
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=16293
http://plants.usda.gov/java/largeImage?imageID=plca15_001_ahp.jpg

Bryopsida Links:

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Specimen #4 Moss

Specimen 4: Moss

Figure 1: Densely packed stems look like white-green sea urchins; leaves are typically stiff and straight.

Figure 2: Wet, brighter green, smooth edges evident; air bubbles present near base of leaf, flat, clear cells are imaged

Figure 3: Dry, white-green color, almost opaque overall presence, but some individual cells can be seen to be clear, lacking midrib, smooth edges are apparent

Scientific Name: Leucobryum albidum
Common Name: White Moss
Order: Dicranales
Family: Leucobryaceae
Collection Date: September 17, 2015
Habitat: Forest soil, remains of logs, recently fallen logs
Location: Cleveland Metro Parks - Chagrin Falls, OH
Description: Smaller version of similar species (Pincushion Moss) - < 1 cm tall, leaves 2-4 mm long, lance shaped leaves, like white-green sea urchins, brighter green appearance when wet, blades appear opaque, midrib lacking, edges smooth, flat, clear, egg-shaped base, typically has air bubbles visible
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used: McKnight, K.B, Rohrer, J.R., et al. 2013. Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ.

Key Steps:

Acrocarpous
Leaf shape: Lance
Midrib: No

Key II, pp. 342-350
Grey/white/light green --> 2
Stem < 1 cm --> Leucobryum albidum pp. 123

Ecology:
One of two that occur in Ohio, and while it is widely distributed in Eastern North America, it tends to be more common southward into Mexico and Central America (Coniferous Forest Bryophytes, 2007).

Links:

http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=LEAL35
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250075534
https://www.ohio.edu/plantbio/vislab/moss/Jarrod%27spage.html
http://www.esf.edu/efb/kimmerer/mossecology/coniferousforest.htm

Bryopsida Links:

Specimen #3 Moss

Specimen 3: Moss

Figure 1: Leaves spread apart when wet, arrowhead shaped leaves, smooth edges evident.

Figure 2: Cells are shaped like long diamonds

Figure 3: Known as "Knothole Moss," this species is predominantly recognized for their habitats in tree trunks, moist nooks, and cracks or rain channels; appear as tiny, creeping, dark green plants with irregularly dividing branches

Scientific Name: Anacamptodon splachnoides
Common Name: Knothole Moss
Family: Fabroniaceae
Collection Date: September 1, 2015
Habitat: Tree trunks in moist nooks
Location: Bonney Castle - Hiram College - Hiram, OH
Description: Arrowhead shaped leaves, starry, tiny, 1 mm long, midrib ends below leaf tip, smooth edges, cells shaped like long diamonds, with small square cells in lower outside corners of leaves
Collector: Breanna Beltz

Key Used: McKnight, K.B, Rohrer, J.R., et al. 2013. Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians. Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ.

Key Steps:

Pleurocarpous
Leaf shape: Ovate
Midrib: Yes

Key VIII, pp. 365
Not pinnately branched --> 10
Stems branched near to base --> 13
Various substrates - moist to dry --> 19
Small < or = to 1 mm --> 25
Leaf tip pointed, not broken off --> 26
Dry - leaves spread, wet - same --> 28
Found on tree trunks --> Anacamptodon splachnoides pp. 263

Ecology:
This species is typically located in knotholes, and crevices where moisture collects on trees. They are found in certain areas within Ohio (Ohio Moss and Lichen Association).

Figure 4: Distribution of species throughout Ohio

Links:
http://ohiomosslichen.org/moss-anacamptodon-splachnoides/
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=547524
http://download.springer.com/static/pdf/240/art%253A10.2307%252F2806443.pdf?originUrl=http%3A%2F%2Flink.springer.com%2Farticle%2F10.2307%2F2806443&token2=exp=1443574992~acl=%2Fstatic%2Fpdf%2F240%2Fart%25253A10.2307%25252F2806443.pdf%3ForiginUrl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Flink.springer.com%252Farticle%252F10.2307%252F2806443*~hmac=c51cf80dcc8b7a175d5e97fe669835daf34bb4665bb5cada7f597110a7aec984
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ANSPA

Bryopsida Links: