The Liverworts and Hornworts of Barro Colorado Island

The 174 species of bryophytes known for Barro Colorado Island (BCI) include 85 liverworts (Marchantiophyta) and 1 hornwort (Anthocerotophyta), in addition to 92 mosses. Among the liverworts, the family Lejeuneaceae is dominant and accounts for 40% of the entire bryophyte flora, as is typical of wet tropical lowland forests. Most species are widely distributed in the Neotropics, although one species is thus far known only from BCI. Epiphyllous liverworts (liverworts living on leaves) are abundant on BCI and have been the subject of several ecological studies focusing on species distribution, succession, and the influence of humidity and light on species growth. Future studies should monitor community structure and dynamics and evaluate potential effects of disturbance and climate change using permanent plots and laboratory experiments. Analyses of population genetics and barcoding of the BCI bryophyte flora are also highly desired.