Lesser Rough Earwort
Scapania aequiloba
Photo: Photo: (c) Stefan Gey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Stefan Gey
Overview
The Lesser Rough Earwort (Scapania aequiloba) is a small leafy liverwort characterized by its distinctive bilobed leaves where the upper lobe is typically smaller than the lower lobe, giving it a characteristic asymmetrical appearance. This bryophyte forms small patches or scattered shoots on its substrate and plays an important ecological role in nutrient cycling and providing microhabitat for invertebrates in specialized environments.
Lesser Rough Earwort (Scapania aequiloba) is critically endangered primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized wetland environments. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes essential for this bryophyte's survival. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to local environmental changes and human disturbances.
Habitat
Scapania aequiloba typically grows on damp, shaded rock faces, particularly on acidic substrates such as sandstone outcrops and rocky crevices in upland areas. It favors locations with consistent moisture levels, often found in sheltered gorges, alongside streams, or on north-facing rock surfaces where it can avoid direct sunlight while maintaining adequate humidity.
Other threatened species in Scapaniaceae
Frequently asked questions
Why is Lesser Rough Earwort classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Lesser Rough Earwort live?
What are the main threats to Lesser Rough Earwort?
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