Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Calomnion complanatum
Gazetted date:
19 Dec 2008
Profile last updated:
20 Oct 2020
Description
Calomnion complanatum is a small moss to 10 mm long belonging to the family Calomniaceae, which contains one genus with nine species. It typically grows on the trunks of tree ferns, most commonly those of Soft Tree-fern (Dicksonia antarctica), yet has also been found on Cyathea species. Individuals are small, easily overlooked and the species is easily mistaken for other moss species that grow on tree ferns, such as Hymenodon pilifer, Rhizogonium distichum and R. novaehollandiae, and young stems of Lopidium concinnum. C. complanatum can be distinguished from Rhizogonium because the leaves of the latter are in two lateral rows with the stem clearly visible between them whereas in C. complanatum a third row of leaves masks the stem. C. complanatum can be distinguished from H. pilifer because the leaves of H. pilifer are very pale and usually arranged all around the stem.
Distribution
C. complanatum occurs only in south-eastern Australia (including Tasmania and Victoria) and New Zealand. In NSW, C. complanatum has been recorded from only three locations: Cambewarra Mountain (near Nowra), Rocky Creek Canyon (Newnes Plateau), and two sites at Mount Wilson (Waterfall Reserve and Zircon Creek). Each record is of only a few plants.
Habitat and ecology
- C. complanatum grows on the trunks of tree ferns, and occasionally on sandstone rock. Records are from moist, shaded gullies within closed forests in mountainous areas with relatively high rainfall.
At both Mount Wilson and Cambewarra Mountain, the closed forests are associated with basalt soils, overlying shales and/or sandstone. The closed forest on Cambewarra Mountain is quite diverse, with many genera and many species of rainforest trees, vines and ferns. The closed forest at Mount Wilson is dominated by Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum) and Sassafras (Doryphora sassafras).
The Rocky Creek Canyon site is cut into sandstone with underlying shales on the Newnes Plateau.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- C. complanatum is threatened in NSW by environmental stochasticity due to its highly restricted geographic distribution, the small number of locations, and low population size.
- Reduction in rainfall and increases in fire frequency as a result of climate change may also threaten the habitat of this species.
- The Mt Wilson sites are potentially threatened by exotic weed invasion and human disturbance as they are close to popular picnicking and bushwalking sites. If the species still exists in the Cambewarra area it may be affected by lantana.
- Alteration of microclimate to drier conditions as a result of clearing, too frequent burning and climate change.
- Populations typically have low counts.
- Fire regime change, especially in consideration of altered climate.
- Populations are close to popular picnic and bushwalking sites.
Recovery strategies
Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological
community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified
6 priority actions
to help recover the Calomnion complanatum in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- Protect known populations from disturbance.
- Protect habitat around known records from fire.
- Control weeds around known records sensitively using best practice bush regeneration techniques.
- Report any new records of this species to the Department, ideally through the Wildlife Atlas.
Information sources
- Catcheside, D.G. and Bell, D.H. (2006) Calomniaceae. Pp. 316, 367-368, 405 in McCarthy, P.M. (ed.) Flora of Australia Volume 51, Mosses 1. (ABRS, Canberra and CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
- Downing, A.J., Brown, E.A., Oldfield, R.J., Selkirk, R.M. and Coveny, R. (2007) Bryophytes and their distribution in the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales. Cunninghamia 10(2): 225–254
- Meagher, D. (1999) Calomnion complanatum: an endangered moss found in Victoria. The Victorian Naturalist 116: 68-69
- NSW Scientific Committee (2008) Calomnion complanatum - Endangered species determination - final.
- Vitt, D.H. (1995) The genus Calomnion (Bryopsida): taxonomy, phylogeny, and biogeography. The Bryologist 98: 338-358
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