Tortula muralis Hedw (IUCN red listed taxa): New record for Nillgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu

Tortula muralis in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

There is no indication of a notable recent or ongoing decline in the wide-spread species Tortula muralis Hedw, which is classified as an IUCN red-listed (LC). With time, the IUCN Red List of Threatened has developed into the most extensive collection of information on the state of animal, fungal, and plant conservation worldwide. It is an important metric for assessing the condition of biodiversity worldwide. In Tamil Nadu, Tortula muralis has been before recorded from Palni Hills. It is being collected for the first time from the Coonoor region of the Nilgiri Hills during this study. Spathulate leaves with long hyaline aristas and leaf-cell papillose on both surfaces with 2-4 thick C-shaped segments are characteristics of the species. Abaxial steroidal band with four to five well-developed deuter cells. The capsule is reddish-brown and upright.