Mosses diversity from Simeulue Island, Sumatera, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Simeulue is an oceanic islands located in the western coast of Sumatera, just offshore of the southwestern coast of Aceh Province, Indonesia. The diversity of mosses in the island was unknown. Unfortunately, the island was largely devastated by the 2004 tsunami, which also affected the flora of the island, including the moss flora. In order to conserve the present day mosses flora, the current study is conducted covering several types of habitats. 83 samples of mosses from 41 species have been collected and identified. Three species are apparently new records to both Simeulue and Sumatera; Hyophila javanica (Nees) Brid., Taxithelium kerianum (Broth.) M. Fleisch., and Taxithelium ramicola Broth. Neckeropsis gracilenta (Sande Lac.) M. Fleisch. is the dominant species.