Banded cord-moss (Entosthodon fascicularis) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 2

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COSEWIC
Executive Summary

Banded Cord-moss
Entosthodon Fascicularis

Species Information

Entosthodon fascicularis belongs to the moss family Funariaceae, characterized by small species with a great degree of vegetative similarity. There are twelve species of Entosthodon in North America, of which only 2 are found in Canada. Entosthodon fascicularis grows in small patches on seasonally wet soil. In habitat, it is inconspicuous and often hidden among other mosses and litter. Sporophytes are common.

 

Distribution

Entosthodon fascicularis has a western North American–western Eurasian disjunctive pattern. It is relatively rare in North America, found only in British Columbia, Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. In Canada, the banded cord-moss is mainly found in a small area in the southwestern coastal area of British Columbia. Only two of the reported populations were located during initial fieldwork for this report.

 

Habitat

Entosthodon fascicularis usually grows on soil, sometimes in leaf litter with other mosses, and around the bases of vascular plants. The habitats where it is found are open to semi-shaded with seasonally moist areas and rock outcroppings. Ownership of some of the reported populations is undetermined while others are in municipal or provincial parks.

 

Biology

Entosthodon fascicularis is a small, acrocarpous moss that grows in patches on seasonally wet soil among other mosses and vascular plants. The production of sporophytes is common in Canadian populations and spores are probably of importance in the short-range dispersal of this species. Many small buds are found on underground stems.

 

Population Sizes and Trends

At all of the known sites, Entosthodon fascicularis is uncommon and the species is represented by a few small patches.

 

Limiting Factors and Threats

Limiting factors and threats to Entosthodon fascicularis include urban or highway development, hiking, wildfowl grazing, and usage of areas by dogs. A further threat may be long periods of drought and climate change.

 

Special Significance of the Species

The British Columbia populations represent the northern extension of its very restricted range in North America. This species is often found in nationally rare and threatened habitats. Most of the North American populations for this species are in Canada.

 

Existing Protection or Other Status Designations

No legislation, regulations, customs, or conditions currently protect this species. In British Columbia, it is listed as apparently secure to secure globally and it is Red-listed provincially.

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