Compact Swan-neck Moss
Campylopus brevipilus
Compact Swan-neck Moss (Campylopus brevipilus) is a small acrocarpous moss characterized by its distinctive curved setae that resemble a swan's neck and short, densely packed leaves. This bryophyte forms compact cushions or turfs on acidic substrates and plays a crucial role in soil stabilization and moisture retention in its specialized microhabitats.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Valentin Hamon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Valentin Hamon
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Bryophyta
Class
Bryopsida
Order
Dicranales
Family
Leucobryaceae
Genus
Campylopus
Compact Swan-neck Moss belongs to the family Leucobryaceae, order Dicranales, within the Bryopsida class.
Species Profile
Compact Swan-neck Moss (Campylopus brevipilus) is a small acrocarpous moss characterized by its distinctive curved setae that resemble a swan's neck and short, densely packed leaves. This bryophyte forms compact cushions or turfs on acidic substrates and plays a crucial role in soil stabilization and moisture retention in its specialized microhabitats.
Compact Swan-neck Moss (Campylopus brevipilus) is critically endangered due to its extremely limited distribution and vulnerability to habitat degradation. The species faces severe threats from human activities that alter its specialized moss habitat requirements, including changes in moisture levels, substrate disturbance, and potential climate impacts on its restricted range.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This moss typically grows on exposed acidic rock faces, particularly sandstone outcrops and weathered granite surfaces in upland areas. It also colonizes disturbed acidic soils along roadside cuttings and the edges of old quarries where competition from vascular plants is minimal.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Compact Swan-neck Moss (Campylopus brevipilus) is critically endangered due to its extremely limited distribution and vulnerability to habitat degradation. The species faces severe threats from human activities that alter its specialized moss habitat requirements, including changes in moisture levels, substrate disturbance, and potential climate impacts on its restricted range.
Changes in moisture and microclimate conditions
Extremely limited distribution and small population size
Habitat degradation and disturbance
Climate change impacts on specialized habitat requirements
Human activities and development pressure
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Compact Swan-neck Moss (Campylopus brevipilus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/compact-swan-neck-moss