BRYOPHYTES OF THE REPUBLIC OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA (WEST CENTRAL AFRICA) VII. NEW RECORDS AND RANGE EXTENSIONS OF LIVERWORTS FROM RÍO MUNI

Abstract

Río Muni (Muni region) is the continental and largest part of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, extending over 26000 of its 28000 km2, placed between Cameroon and Gabon. The territory is quite homogeneous from a vegetation point of view: 99% of the area is covered by forest, around 20% of which is still primary. The lowland rainforest is most typical; only on the most mountainous areas is a less dense submontane forest developed. The current knowledge of the Río Muni bryoflora is still poor: 181 taxa (107 liverworts and 74 mosses) have been recorded so far. Data on 19 liverwort species in the families Cephaloziellaceae, Frullaniaceae, Lejeuneaceae, Lepidoziaceae, Metzgeriaceae and Porellaceae are offered. Six of them are new additions for the country of Equatorial Guinea, and seven are new for the Muni region (Río Muni). For each species, geographical distribution, altitudinal range, ecological information and accompanying bryophyte species are given.