Acrocarpic mosses (Bryophyta) of Chapada das Mesas National Park, Maranhão, Brazil

Abstract

Chapada das Mesas National Park is located in southwestern Maranhão state, Brazil and comprises several forest types characteristic of the Brazilian Cerrado. We contribute to the knowledge of the distribution of Brazilian bryoflora and provide a list of moss species of Chapada das Mesas National Park. A total of 38 species of acrocarpic mosses were found, with Fissidentaceae being the richest family with 11 species. Of the species recorded, 22 are new occurrences for the state of Maranhão, and 4 of these are new records for the Northeast Region of Brazil. Most of the species recorded are broadly distributed in Brazil (66%), while restricted species represented just 10%. The most common acrocarpic moss species were Hyophila involuta (Hook.) A. Jaeger and Octoblepharum albidum Hedw.