| Popis: |
It has long been realized that bryophytes are one of the most important groups in the flora of the Antarctic Peninsula-Scotia Ridge sector of Antarctica, being well represented both in number of species and in the contribution they make to the vegetation (Longton 1967, this Discussion, p. 213). Cardot (1908) pointed out that the bryophyte flora was made up of a number of phytogeographical elements, one being a group of bipolar species some of which are known from many localities throughout the area. Cardot also drew attention to the rarity of fruit on most specimens he had seen from Antarctica. As many bryophytes are known to show a marked decline in reproductive success towards the limit of their ranges, and as there was evidence that species of the bipolar group appeared to be behaving in this way, an investigation was started to determine the reproductive behaviour of selected species throughout the Antarctic Peninsula-Scotia Ridge area. |
