MOSS DIVERSITY AND ENDEMISM OF THE TROPICAL ANDES

The mosses of the tropical Andes tire examined to determine a conservative estimate of diversity, excluding a significant number of unconfirmed names and dubious reports that have distorted estimates in [lie past. tit this analysis, 1376 species represented by 327 genera and 69 families are recognized. Within this cohort, species endemism for the tropical Andes is estimated at 31%. Regionally, the number of mosses restricted to the northern Andes (32 1 species) is higher than the number restricted to the central Andes (241 species). Regional endemism exhibits a similar pattern: more endemics in the northern Andes (155 species) than in the central Andes (129 species).