Gymnostomiella M. Fleisch. A New Moss Record to North Africa

Gymnostomiella M. Fleisch. (Pottiaceae) represented as Gymnostomiella vernicosa (Hook ex. Harv.) M. Fleisch. is recorded for the first time in North Africa (Afr1) from El-Fayoum Governorate Egypt. This region represents a natural depression with a hot, arid weather. G. vernicosa is the most widespread species of this genus, which has only six validated species, in the world. Only four of these species G. erosula (Müll. Hal. ex Dusén) Arts, G. monodii P.de la Varde, G. vernicosa and G. tuberculosa (Renauld and Paris) Arts and P. Sollman have been recorded in Africa. G. erosula and G. vernicosa were recorded from Nile Basin countries. Therefore, it is likely that G. vernicosa was introduced to the study area through the Nile. This record extends the known range of the genus to 29°21’48”, increasing the number of recorded Egyptian moss taxa to 196 and the number of Pottiaceae taxa to 93. A detailed morphological and anatomical description, illustrations, geographic distribution around the world and Egypt, and floristic remarks are provided.