Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry of 20 samples of Thysananthus (T. comosus, T. convolutus, T. retusus, T. spathulistipus) and one of Dendrolejeunea (D. fruticosa) from Malaysia and Thailand revealed the presence in most taxa of large quantities of sesquiterpenoids and unidentified diterpenoids. Isolepidozene was detected as a major component in T. comosus, T. convolutus and T. spathulistipus, pinguisane sesquiterpenoids as major components in T. retusus, and the unidentified (M )304, 271(100). 105(90) as the most abundant component of D. fruticosa. The large chemical heterogeneity detected in T. convolutus correlates with the variation in leaf dentation observed in the species and supports the resurrection of T. gottschei, previously considered a synonym of T. convolutus. The subdivision of Thysananthus into two subgenera, subg. Thysananthus and subg. Sandeanthus, and the treatment of Dendrolejeunea as a separate genus, are chemically supported.

The aim of this study is to develop a technique of visualization and staining of nuclei of protonemal cells of Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. in order to establish a test of genotoxicity (micronucleus assay). This technique is part of the development of methodology for environmental risk assessment. Bryophytes are often used as biological models in biomonitoring and ecotoxicology. For ecotoxicology studies, there are bioassays, including micronucleus assay. The genotoxicity assay is often practiced in higher plants; we wanted to expand its use to lower plants, like mosses and especially Ceratodon purpureus. To meet the criteria of micronucleus assay, the cells of protonemata of Ceratodon purpureus were selected as a model. The liquid culture of protonemata provides the quantity of biomass needed to achieve a bioassay. First, the development of a reproducible method for visualization and staining of the nuclei of protonemal cells was a necessary and prior step to the realization of micronucleus assay. So for this staining stage, the coloring agent used was the acetic orcein. It is the reference coloring agent for the micronucleus test on Vicia faba (AFNOR, 2004). With our assays of staining, we could develop a reproducible technique of staining of protonemal nuclei. Then, to attempt to visualize micronuclei, we used our method of staining after an exposure of protonemata to cadmium. The first test of staining of micronuclei following exposure of protonemata to Cd failed to demonstrate micronuclei in the conditions of the experiment. Further research must be conducted using other clastogenic agents to validate our results. Assays on micronuclei of cells of protonemata of Ceratodon purpureus are a first in scientific research. Its innovative aspect encourages further research.

Seventeen moss species developed on 262 samples of faeces of 5 ungulate species, collected on Biebrza Marshes and in Białowieża Forest. Over half of them have not been previously reported for Białowieża Forest and over 30% for both sites. The most common species in the field were not found in the samples. Only Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. and Leptobryum pyriforme (Hedw.) Wilson grew on each type of faeces. Moss species growing on most of the faeces types were of neutral or calcicole habitats, while those present on the faeces of only one animal species were of weakly calcifuge to neutral habitats. Our study demonstrated that the dung of ungulates allows for the development of moss species with preferences for neutral and alkaline soils and bare ground habitats. It can be concluded that the presence of large herbivores, especially tarpan (Equus gmelini Ant.), elk (Alces alces L.) and European bison (Bison bonasus L.), and their faeces in the landscape contributes to the biodiversity of bryophyte flora.

On a constaté la présence de 17 espèces de mousses dans 262 échantillons d'excréments de 5 espèces d'ongulés, prélevés dans les marécages de Biebrza et dans la forêt de Białowieża. Plus de la moitié des mousses notées n'avait jamais été citée de la forêt de Białowieża et plus de 30 % n'étaient connues dans aucun des deux sites. Les espèces les plus communes dans ces régions n'ont pas été trouvées sur les excréments. Seuls Ceradoton purpureus Hedw. et Leptobryum pyriforme (Hedw.) Wilson sont présents sur les excréments de chaque espèce animale. Les mousses se développant sur la majorité de types d'excréments préfèrent des habitats neutres ou calcicoles, tandis que celles présentes sur les excréments d'une seule espèce préfèrent les habitats faiblement calcifuges à neutres. Nos recherches démontrent que les excréments des ongulés favorisent l'expansion des mousses préférant les sols neutres et alcalins et les habitats sans couvert végétal. Nos résultats suggèrent que la présence dans la nature de grands herbivores et notamment du tarpan (Equus gmelini Ant.), de l'élan (Alces alces L.) et du bison (Bison bonasus L.) et de leurs excréments a des effets positifs sur le maintien de la diversité des espèces de mousses.

Checklists of the bryophytes of the Guadeloupe archipelago (including La Désirade, Marie-Galante and Les Saintes archipelago) and Martinique are presented based on published data, herbarium specimens and fieldwork. 613 species taxa, including 361 of liverworts, 242 of mosses and 10 of hornworts, are recorded from the Guadeloupe archipelago and 355 species (190 liverworts, 156 mosses, 9 hornworts) from Martinique. Fifty species (20 liverworts, 29 mosses, 1 hornwort) are new to the Guadeloupe archipelago and 21 (8 liverworts, 13 mosses) are new to Martinique.

Barbilophozia lycopodioides (Wallr.) Loeske is recorded for the first time in Turkey, based on specimens collected in Yenice Forest (Ilgaz, Çankırı).

Gymnomitrion adustum has been erroneously reported from Slovakia and Poland on several occasions. These data were published between 1865 and 1961 for the Tatra Mountains (Western Carpathians) area. Gymnomitrion adustum was mistaken for Gymnomitrion brevissimum and some species of the genus Marsupella, such as M. sprucei, M. funckii and M. condensata. This paper presents the first records of Gymnomitrion adustum in 23 localities in the Tatra Mts (20 from Slovakia and 3 from Poland), as well as characteristics of the diagnostic features of this species. In most of the European countries where G. adustum has been recorded, this liverwort is included in red lists of endangered species; this is a rare species in the Slovakian Tatra Mts, and it is very rare in the Polish Tatra Mts.