Pteridophyte flora of Lesvos (East Aegean Islands, Greece)

Abstract

New data on the Pteridophyta of Lesvos (East Aegean Islands, Greece) contributing to the knowledge of their distribution and ecology are given. The presence of 24 taxa (species and subspecies) belonging to 16 genera and 7 families is confirmed whilst the occurrence of 4 more previously recorded is considered as doubtful or needs more recent confirmation. Isoetes duriei Bory, Pilularia minuta Durieu and Polystichum setiferum (Forsskål) Woynar appear to be new records for the East Aegean Islands, and Isoetes histrix Bory is new for the island of Lesvos. Furthermore the presence on Lesvos of some rare species (i.e. Notholaena marantae (L.) Desv. and Ophioglossum vulgatum L.) is confirmed. Critical comments on most of the taxa are made and dot maps of their distributions are presented. With regard to the rare species and their habitats, a need for urgent conservation measures is identified.