Bryophyte Biology

Paperback  486 pp, 57 diags, 25 illus, 23 tables  ISBN 0521667941      £30.00

Hardback  486 pp, 57 diags,  ISBN 0521660971      £80.00

Bryophyte Biology provides a comprehensive yet succinct overview of the morphology, systematics, ecology, and evolution of hornworts, liverworts, and mosses. A distinguished set of contributors provide state-of-the-art summaries of the most recent advances in bryology, with rich citation of the current literature. Revised classifications for the liverworts and mosses are presented that depart significantly from previous arrangements. These novel classifications reflect the results of recent phylogenetic analyses and include exhaustive lists of accepted genera with their familial placements. Accessible and well-illustrated overviews of morphology are provided for each group, with subsequent contributions focusing on current areas of active research, including developmental biology, molecular genetics, ecology, and microevolution. In addition to reviews of the most current literature, the chapters provide abundant reference to classical studies in bryology that will help those new to the topic to develop an historical perspective within which recent developments can be viewed.

Contents

Preface;
1. Anatomy, development, and classification of hornworts K. Renzaglia and K. Vaughn;
2. Morphology and classification of Marchantiophyta B. Crandall-Stotler and R. Stotler;
3. Morphology and classification of mosses W. Buck and B. Goffinet;
4. Origin and phylogenetic relationships of bryophytes B. Goffinet;
5. Chemical constituents and biochemistry R. Mues;
6. Molecular genetic studies of moss species D. Cove;
7. Control of morphogenesis in bryophytes M. Christianson;
8. Physiological ecology M. Proctor;
9. Mineral nutrition, substratum ecology and pollution J. Bates;
10. Peatlands: ecosystems dominated by bryophytes D. Vitt;
11. Role of bryophyte-dominated ecosystems in the global carbon budget K. O'Niell;
12. Population ecology, population genetics, and microevolution A. Shaw and B. Goffinet;
13. Biogeography and conservation of bryophytes B. Tan and T. Pócs; Index.