Bryophytes of Wayanad in Western Ghats (India)

[Madhu PV]

Dear All,

I am happy to intimate the publication of our latest book "BRYOPHYTES OF 
WAYANAD IN WESTERN GHATS" <http://pvmadhu.tripod.com/bryo.html> authored by 
Manju C. Nair, K.P. Rajesh & P.V. Madhusoodanan and with a foreword by Dr 
Virendra Nath (National Botanical Research Institute- NBRI).

(Excuse me, if cross-posted)

The Western Ghats of India is one of the Global Biodiversity hotspots well 
known for its rich biodiversity. It is equally rich in bryophytes also, 
however the documentation is far from complete. The present book is the 
first in the series to document its rich bryo-wealth.

It is the result of extensive explorations on the bryophytes of Wayanad, the 
mountainous district in the Western Ghats of Kerala, notable for its unique 
geographical location with varied topography and associated habitat 
diversity supporting unique assemblage of biodiversity. Except for the coast 
and backwaters, almost all habitat types of South India, from low altitude 
to the high altitude grasslands and shola forests, occur in Wayanad, which 
forms the major part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is also notable 
being a transition zone in the Western Ghats, where the comparatively drier 
northern forest meets the wetter southern forests.

This book contains illustrative accounts of more than 170 bryophytes 
belonging to 105 genera and 47 families including two new species
*viz., Trichostomum
wayanadensis** *Manju *et al.* and *Amphidium gangulii et al.* Seven species 
and one variety are new distribution records to India, 31 species and one 
variety are new records to Peninsular India and 43 are new records to Kerala 
State.

Easy to follow keys and descriptions of family, genus and species are 
provided, supported with more than 160 figures and 200 photographs. Each 
species is treated in detail with the updated scientific name, important 
synonyms relevant to the Indian context and taxonomic description. Its macro 
and microhabitat details, Indian as well as global distribution and details 
of the voucher specimens are also given. 

As commented by Dr Virendra Nath in the foreword to the book, this book 
could be used as an "identification manual for the bryophytes of South India 
at large".

The book is published by Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS), Calicut, 
India, a non-profit organisation dedicated to Nature education, research and 
conservation of biodiversity.

For copies and payment details contact: 

*Dr KP Rajesh*

*Botany Department*

*Calicut University*

*Malappuram Dist.,*

*Kerala-673 635, INDIA*

*Email: kprajesh.botany at gmail.com*

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*Contributory Price: US$ 100/- plus postage*.

Hard bound; D ¼ Size (A4), i -iv + 284 pages; over 200 colour photographs in 
14 plates, 1 map; over 160 B&W illustrations.

 Yours sincerely,

 Dr PV Madhusoodanan 

Botany Department

Calicut University, Kerala, INDIA
http://pvmadhu.tripod.com

 *BRYOPHYTES OF WAYANAD IN WESTERN GHATS<http://pvmadhu.tripod.com/bryo.html>
*

BY Manju C. Nair, K.P. Rajesh & P.V. Madhusoodanan. (2005).

*CONTENTS*: Foreword, Acknowledgements, Preface, 1. INTRODUCTION: 1.1. 
Origin and evolution, 1.2. Significance of Bryophytes, 1.2.1. Horticultural 
uses, 1.2.2. Medicinal uses, 1.2.3. Pollution indicators, 1.2.4. Ecological 
importance, 1.3. Present status,1.4. Relevance of the present investigation. 
2. WAYANAD: THE STUDY AREA, 2.1. Vegetation types, 2.2. Human habitations 
and Cultivation.3. REVIEW OF LITERATURE: 3.1. Liverworts and Hornworts, 3.2. 
Musci, 3.3. Bryophyte study with special reference to Kerala. 4. MATERIAL 
AND METHODS: 4.1. Taxonomy, 4.2. Ecology, 4.3. Abbreviations used in the 
text. 5. TAXONOMIC ACCOUNT OF BRYOPHYTES OF WAYANAD: 5.1. Class I: Hepaticae 
(Liverworts), 5.2. Class II: Anthocerotae, 5.3. Class III: Musci. 6. ECOLOGY 
OF BRYOPHYTES OF WAYANAD: 6.1. Distribution of Bryophytes along vegetation 
gradient, 6.2. Altitude and Bryophyte Distribution, 6.3. Habitats and 
Bryophyte associations, 6.4. Host Specificity, 6.5. New habitat records, 6.6. 
Bryophytes in bird's nests. 7. DISCUSSION: 7.1. Future Prospects, 7.2. 
Conservation. 8. BIBLIOGRAPHY. 9. APPENDIX-Glossary. 10. INDEX. LIST OF NEW 
TAXA PUBLISHED IN THIS BOOK*.*

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