Dwarf Streak-moss
Rhabdoweisia fugax
Dwarf Streak-moss (Rhabdoweisia fugax) is a small, cushion-forming moss species characterized by its distinctive streaked appearance and compact growth form. This diminutive bryophyte typically forms dense, low-growing mats with narrow, pointed leaves that create characteristic linear patterns.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) petit_bonnier, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Bryophyta
Class
Bryopsida
Order
Dicranales
Family
Rhabdoweisiaceae
Genus
Rhabdoweisia
Dwarf Streak-moss belongs to the family Rhabdoweisiaceae, order Dicranales, within the Bryopsida class.
Species Profile
Dwarf Streak-moss (Rhabdoweisia fugax) is a small, cushion-forming moss species characterized by its distinctive streaked appearance and compact growth form. This diminutive bryophyte typically forms dense, low-growing mats with narrow, pointed leaves that create characteristic linear patterns. As a pioneer species, it plays an important ecological role in soil stabilization and provides microhabitat for invertebrates in harsh environments.
Dwarf Streak-moss faces significant threats from habitat degradation and loss due to human activities and environmental changes. Its specialized habitat requirements and limited distribution make it particularly vulnerable to disturbances that alter the specific microclimate conditions it depends on for survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Dwarf Streak-moss typically grows on acidic rock surfaces, particularly sandstone and granite outcrops, in mountainous and upland areas. It favors shaded, humid microhabitats on vertical or overhanging rock faces where moisture levels remain relatively stable.
Threats
Air pollution and acid deposition
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Climate change affecting moisture regimes
Quarrying and mining activities
Trampling and recreational disturbance
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 Streak-moss (Rhabdoweisia fugax). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/dwarf-streak-moss