A Preliminary Survey of Bryophytes in the Central Province of Sri Lanka

Bryophytes possess a key position in land plant evolution and hold the link between green algal ancestors and vascular plants. Bryophytes comprise the most diverse and species rich group of land plants after flowering plants. The most recent classification includes bryophytes in three phyla: Marchantiophyta (liverworts), Bryophyta (mosses) and Anthocerotophyta (hornworts). Bryophyte flora of Sri Lanka is poorly researched and does not contribute much to its biodiversity figures. Therefore, a preliminary survey was carried out in the Central Province of Sri Lanka to aid future bryological research in the country. This on-going survey has identified 15 liverworts, 27 mosses and 2 hornworts, with 12 new species records in Sri Lanka. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v42i1.5901 Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 42 (1): 67-72, 201