Anthoceros neesii
Anthoceros neesii is a type of the class of hornworts ( Anthocerotopsida ). She is known by only a few, very small, disjunct areas of Central Europe and is regarded as threatened with extinction.
Description
This moss is composed of a yellowish- green, fleshy vegetative body ( thallus ), which reached a diameter of one centimeter. The horn-shaped capsules are three to seven millimeters long and have a diameter of 0.3 to 0.4 millimeters. Anthoceros neesii is an annual and monoecious plant. It produces spores that can survive at the site a few years, even without the presence of the plant.
The spores are staffed with about 45 simple, not forked spines, the proximal side of the spore is warty - spiny, the distal side filled with mostly simple spines.
Distribution and status
Anthoceros neesii is an endangered species that only occurs at 15 locations in Hesse (Westerwald and Vogelsberg ) and two sites in Styria, Austria world. In the 20th century it also occurred at two locations in the Czech Republic, where it is now extinct. Until the 19th century it was detected in Poland.
The species is usually found on stubble fields. Their original habitats are unknown, probably it is open sites on clay soils. Often there is associated the style with Anthoceros agrestis and Notothylas orbicularis.
In Germany the species is on the Red List as " Critically Endangered " out. Your exposure is mainly due to the monotonous agricultural use of the meadows and arable soils and the use of pesticides.
Systematics and history of research
Anthoceros neesii in 1958 first described by Johannes Max Proskauer as a species. The discoveries were made by Josef Futschig in Hesse.