Lichens and mosses from the kar plateau, southern victoria land, antarctica

Abstract

The Kar Plateau, southern Victoria Land, Antarctica, is an ice-free area of about 4 km2, at 600 m altitude, and covered with a frost-shattered felsenmeer. Mosses occur sporadically at low density on debris islands (one species) and in sheltered rock crevices (four species). Lichens (22 species) also occur throughout but with one area (0.1 km2) of exceptional richness. The plateau is a floristically rich locality for the latitude (near 77°S). The new combination Rhizoplaca priestleyi (Dodge) Seppelt is made to accommodate Omphalodina priestleyi (Dodge) Dodge following earlier transfer of Omphalodina to Rhizoplaca. Phytogeography of the species in Antarctica is briefly discussed. © 1995 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.