Aulacopilum beccarii (Müll. Hal. ex Venturi) Mitt.: New record for Nilgiri Hills (Tamil Nadu), South India

Aulacopilum beccarii (Müll. Hal. ex Venturi) Mitt. is a pleurocarpous moss that belongs to the family Erpodiaceae. The genus Aulacopilum Wils. consists of eight species distributed throughout the world, mostly in tropical regions There have only been two species identified in India thus far: A. glaucum and A. beccarii.. One new species of moss was found during the survey of the plant specimen (moss) collection from various areas of the Nilgiri hills. It was recognized as Aulacopilum beccarii (Müll. Hal. ex Venturi) Mitt. after thorough investigation. It was previously recorded only from the single location of Mahendragiri (Tirunelveli district), Tamil Nadu. The taxon has now been reported for the first time from the Nilgiri Hills as well. The plants are characterized by corticolous nature, green, and irregularly branched leaves. Leaves are oblong-ovate with hyaline, brittle leaves. Costa is absent. Leaf cells are thin-walled, hexagonal to quadrate, and multi-papillate, except basal angular cells. The basal cells are rectangular. The present report extends the range of species distribution within the country.