An annotated checklist of bryophytes of Europe, Macaronesia and Cyprus

TLDR

The authors expanded the updated spreadsheets from the European bryophyte Red List into a new checklist, noting that it will quickly become outdated and that further research, especially molecular work, is expected to drive additional changes. A steering group of ten European bryologists convened, compared the spreadsheets with previous checklists over a year, and extensively searched recent literature to develop the checklist. The resulting checklist, covering hornworts, liverworts, and mosses, presents a new taxonomic system, proposes fifteen new combinations, and offers a 2019 snapshot of the European bryophyte flora.

Abstract

Introduction. Following on from work on the European bryophyte Red List, the taxonomically and nomenclaturally updated spreadsheets used for that project have been expanded into a new checklist for the bryophytes of Europe.Methods. A steering group of ten European bryologists was convened, and over the course of a year, the spreadsheets were compared with previous European checklists, and all changes noted. Recent literature was searched extensively. A taxonomic system was agreed, and the advice and expertise of many European bryologists sought.Key results. A new European checklist of bryophytes, comprising hornworts, liverworts and mosses, is presented. Fifteen new combinations are proposed.Conclusions. This checklist provides a snapshot of the current European bryophyte flora in 2019. It will already be out-of-date on publication, and further research, particularly molecular work, can be expected to result in many more changes over the next few years.