Dwarf Rock-bristle
Seligeria pusilla
Dwarf Rock-bristle (Seligeria pusilla) is a tiny acrocarpous moss species that forms small, inconspicuous cushions or scattered shoots on rock surfaces. This diminutive bryophyte has narrow, bristle-like leaves and produces small capsules on short setae, playing an important role in pioneer plant communities on bare rock substrates and contributing to initial soil formation processes.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Johannes Merz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Johannes Merz
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Bryophyta
Class
Bryopsida
Order
Grimmiales
Family
Seligeriaceae
Genus
Seligeria
Dwarf Rock-bristle belongs to the family Seligeriaceae, order Grimmiales, within the Bryopsida class.
Species Profile
Dwarf Rock-bristle (Seligeria pusilla) is a tiny acrocarpous moss species that forms small, inconspicuous cushions or scattered shoots on rock surfaces. This diminutive bryophyte has narrow, bristle-like leaves and produces small capsules on short setae, playing an important role in pioneer plant communities on bare rock substrates and contributing to initial soil formation processes.
Dwarf Rock-bristle faces significant threats from habitat degradation and loss of suitable rock substrates due to quarrying, construction activities, and air pollution. Its highly specialized habitat requirements and small population sizes make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbances in rocky environments.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Dwarf Rock-bristle grows on acidic rock surfaces, particularly sandstone and granite outcrops, walls, and rocky crevices in upland areas. It typically occurs in shaded or semi-shaded locations where moisture levels remain relatively stable.
Threats
Air pollution and acid deposition
Quarrying and rock extraction
Climate change affecting moisture regimes
Construction and urban development
Recreational activities and trampling
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | 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). Dwarf Rock-bristle (Seligeria pusilla). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/dwarf-rock-bristle