A bryophyte flora for Southern Victoria Land, Antarctica

Eight mosses, Grimmia antarctici, G. plagiopodia, Ceratodon purpureus, Didy modon gelidus, Hennediella heimii, Sarconeurum glaciale, Bryum subrotundifo lium, B. pseudotriquetrum, and one hepatic, Cephaloziella exiliflora, are r epresented in the bryoflora of Southern Victoria Land. Mosses are known fro m as far south as 84 degrees 42'S. Despite the apparent inhospitability of the environment, significant areas of moss-covered terrain, up to 2.5 ha, a re known from Botany Bay in Granite Harbour, from Beaufort Island, and from the Lake Fryxell-Canada Glacier area of the Taylor Valley. Notes on the An tarctic distribution, morphological variation, and associated taxonomic dif ficulties are provided, together with illustrations of the taxa.