Life forms and reproductive traits of mosses in the Proaza municipality, Asturias (Spain)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24310/abm.51.2026.22822Keywords:
Adaptations, dioecious, sporophyte, microhabit mosaicAbstract
The aim of this research is to explore the association between the functional morphology of mosses, expressed through their life forms, and their reproductive traits under different levels of water tolerance. This is done to elucidate the distribution and coexistence patterns of species along forest trails in the municipality of Proaza, Asturias. A total of 78 species were sampled. The association between water tolerance and reproductive traits—sexual system (dioecious vs. monoecious) and type of reproduction (sexual and asexual)—was analyzed in a 3x2 contingency table. Fisher's exact test was chosen, with a p-value estimated through a Monte Carlo simulation. The results indicate that mosses exhibit important adaptations. Desiccation-tolerant life forms, such as lawns and cushions (62.8%), predominate by optimizing water retention through external capillary action, allowing them to colonize exposed habitats. In contrast, vulnerable forms such as fans (6.4%) are restricted to damp and shady environments. Reproductively, the dioecious system is predominant (80%), which favors genetic diversity through cross-fertilization. Sexual reproduction is key for the colonization and dispersal of these species. Distribution patterns reflect a mosaic of microhabitats that impose selective pressures. The result is a segregation of reproductive and morphological strategies that, together, explain the diversity and ecology of mosses in the region.
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