BRYOPHYTA
(mosses)

Subtaxon Example images Rank Featured
subtaxa
No of
images
No of
ID refs
Class 2 subtaxa 27 images
Order 2 subtaxa 27 images
Plant (Click to open)
Family 2 subtaxa 27 images
 (Click to open)
Class 122 subtaxa 1,406 images 29 ident. refs
Male Plants (Click to open)
Class 6 subtaxa 176 images 1 ident. refs
 (Click to open)
Class 11 subtaxa 110 images 6 ident. refs
Class 1 subtaxa 28 images
Order 1 subtaxa 28 images
 (Click to open)
Family 1 subtaxa 28 images
Taxonomic hierarchy:
PhylumBRYOPHYTA (mosses)
SubkingdomVIRIDIPLANTAE (lower green plants)
KingdomPLANTAE (plants)
DomainEukaryota (eukaryotes)
LifeBIOTA (living things)

Identification Works

AuthorYearTitleSource
in the field() Atherton, I., Bosanquet, S. & Lawley, M. (eds) 2010 Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland - a field guide 848pp, British Bryological Society
Casa, C., Brugues, M., Cros, R.M. & Sergio, C. 2006 Handbook of Mosses of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands 385pp
Edwards, S. 2006 Mosses and Liverworts of Town and Garden: identification of some commoner species with a hand-lens
() Frey, W. Frahm, J.-P., Fischer, E. & Lobin, W. 2006 The Liverworts, Mosses and Ferns of Europe English, revised and edited by T.L. Blockeel edition, 512pp, Harley Books
() Jahns, H.M. 1980 Ferns, Mossses and Lichens of Britain, Northern & Central Europe Collins Photo Guide, 272pp, Collins
() Jewell, A.L. 1955 *** The Observer’s Book of Mosses and Liverworts ***(Superseded) Observer's Books, No 20, 128pp, Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.
OPAL The OPAL guide to epiphytic mosses in orchards in the East of England
Phillips, R. 1980 Grasses, Ferns, Mosses and Lichens of Great Britain and Ireland 191pp, Pan Books
Porley, R. 2008 Arable Bryophytes: Field Guide: The Mosses, Liverworts and Hornworts of Cultivated Land in Britain and Ireland 140pp, WILDGuides
() Watson, E.V. 1981 British Mosses and Liverworts (Ed 3) 3 edition, 519pp, Cambridge University Press
() Watson, E.V. 1968 British Mosses and Liverworts (Ed 2) 2 edition, 495pp, Cambridge University Press
() Watson, E.V. 1955 *** British Mosses and Liverworts (Ed 1) ***(Superseded) 1 edition, 495pp, Cambridge University Press
Wuilbaut, J.J. Cercle de Mycologie de Mons (Belgique): (Page perso de JJ. Wuilbaut) users.skynet.be/jjw.myco.mons

BRYOPHYTA (mosses) may also be included in identification literature listed under the following higher taxa:

NBNNBN (data.nbn.org.uk) has a distribution map for BRYOPHYTA (mosses)
BioInfoBioInfo (www.bioinfo.org.uk) has 387 host/parasite/foodplant and/or other relationships for BRYOPHYTA (mosses)

Photographing spores can be difficult, especially under oil immersion when they move continuously.

Various thickening agents can be used. Glycerine Jelly tends to make the spores collapse. Methyl Cellulose (aka wallpaper paste) is often used for similar purposes. Xantham Gum (on the "Free From" shelf at the supermarket), Alginate or Gelatine could also be tried.

Both methyl cellulose and xanthan gum contain structures that show up under contrast enhancement techniques (eg Phase Contrast, Differential Interference Contrast): bamboo ropes for methyl cellulose and minute granules for xanthan gum. (Either of these may vary with the source of the material).

Xanthan Gum can be prepared by adding the powder to water at about 1:5. Stir until all the white trapped air has disappeared. It keeps for at least a few weeks, but seal to keep out dust and prevent evaporation. To use touch the surface with a glass rod (or finger tip!) and touch onto the slide. As the coverslip is pressed down it will form a thin film without too many air bubbles.

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