Ecology of Conocephalum salebrosum (Snakeskin Liverwort) in Western North Carolina Streams

Irene M. Rossell^1,*, Simon Barrie¹, Alan L. Hobbs¹, Alyssa S. Melton¹, and Janet M. Weaver¹

¹Environmental Studies Department, University of North Carolina at Asheville, NC 28804. *Corresponding author.

Southeastern Naturalist, Volume 23, Issue 2 (2024): 151–161

First published early online: 28 May 2024

Abstract
Mountain streams with rocky substrates and high turbulence are generally characterized by bryophytes rather than vascular plants. Conocephalum salebrosum (Snakeskin Liverwort) is a thallose bryophyte that occurs in damp soil along streambanks as well as on rocks and boulders in stream channels. Our objectives were to determine its prevalence on boulders in western North Carolina streams and characterize its habitat and chlorophyll levels. We documented Snakeskin Liverwort in 11 streams across 6 counties and 3 river basins; all had a circumneutral pH and low conductivity. We found patches of Snakeskin Liverwort in a variety of light conditions, but overall, patches were situated on boulders that received significantly less sunlight than nearby random boulders. Within channels, patches occurred more often along the edges of streams than in the center. Chlorophyll concentrations in thalli collected from 2 streams at different elevations and river basins did not differ significantly, suggesting similar photosynthetic potential. Mosses were present on ≥92% of boulders supporting Snakeskin Liverwort and on ≥90% of nearby random boulders. Vascular plants occurred in 50–93% of Snakeskin Liverwort patches, compared with 10–28% of random boulders. Graminoids (sedges and grasses) were the most common vascular plants aasociated with liverwort patches, followed by forbs. Our results suggest the thallose mats of Snakeskin Liverwort facilitate the establishment of rooted plants on boulders, which could enhance overall primary production in mountain streams.

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