Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation
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(Chromista, algae in the narrow sense). The classification of the ‘algae’ has changed markedly
over the last fifty years and is expected to undergo further revisions as new species are
discovered
and more intensive studies generate new data. The arrangement of the kingdoms and their
constituent cyanobacterial and algal species in this census follows Cavalier-Smith (2004).
Globally, there are approximately 34,000 described species of cyanobacteria and algae, but this is
probably only a tenth of the total species as there are many species still to be discovered. These
organisms play an important role in aquatic ecosystems underpinning food webs including those
supporting commercial fisheries, contributing to global carbon, nitrogen and sulphur cycles,
stabilizing sediments to improve water quality and providing habitat for many other species.
Julie Phillips, Glenn McGregor
Plantae: non-vascular plants—bryophytes
“Bryophyte” is a collective term for three distinct lineages of non-vascular land plants within the
Kingdom Plantae: mosses (Bryophyta), liverworts (Marchantiophyta) and hornworts
(Anthocerotophyta). The three lineages are grouped together because of shared traits, primarily
small stature, lack of vascular tissue and a life cycle including a sporophyte (diploid spore
producing phase) and a dominant gametophyte (haploid sexual phase which is the most easily
seen form). From an evolutionary viewpoint, the bryophytes mark the transition from aquatic to
terrestrial environments and are considered the closest modern relatives of terrestrial plants but
the classification and relationships of the three lineages is still debated. There are an estimated
20,000 species worldwide with approximately 1,800 occurring in Australia. With just over 1,000
known species occurring in Queensland, the Bryophytes are the second-most diverse group of
land plants after the angiosperms.
In Queensland, bryophytes occupy a diverse range of habitats from arid environments through to
tropical rainforests. They are often among the first species to colonise exposed surfaces such as
road cuttings. Along with cyanobacteria, lichens and algae, bryophytes are a critical component of
the biological crusts which bind the soil surface in semi-arid to arid areas.
The true mosses (Bryophyta) are the most diverse group and generally have leaves spirally
arranged around the stem and usually have a mid-rib (costa). Mosses are generally erect in form
and are attached to the substrate via root-like structures (rhizoids).
Liverworts (Marchantiophyta) may be either flat (thallose) or leafy and superficially resemble
mosses but leaves lack a mid-rib. Many species grow on other plants, especially in high-rainfall
forests and are important as habitats for invertebrates and in regulating forest hydrology.
Hornworts (Anthocerotophyta) have distinctive elongated sporophytes that split longitudinally to
release the spores, while the gametophytes are flat. Most species are terrestrial, growing on moist
earthen banks or in gaps between ground covers. One genus (Dendroceros) is epiphytic, growing
on rough barked trees in rainforests.
The bryophyte flora of Queensland is far from complete with many areas yet to be properly
surveyed. However, with more identification resources readily available such as Australian Mosses
Online and well-illustrated field guides, a greater understanding of the bryophyte diversity and
distribution in Queensland will be possible.
Andrew Franks, Ross Patterson
Census of the Queensland Flora 2017
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Fungi: macrofungi
Fungi are an important part of ecosystem processes. The roles of different fungi include
decomposers that recycle nutrients, mycorrhizal fungi that are associated with plant roots and
assist water and nutrient absorption, along with disease fungi such as myrtle rust which attack their
hosts. Many fungi are important food sources for native animals.
Fungi appear in the fossil record at around the same time as plants and animals. The macrofungi
recorded here include those with larger, more visible fruiting bodies and are mainly decomposers
or mycorrhiza. Two groups are included in this census, reflecting the majority of fungal collections:
the sac fungi (Ascomycetes) and the club fungi (Basidiomycetes). The sac fungi are recognised by
the typical ascus (plural asci), a cup or sac usually containing eight sexually-produced spores.
These include the cup fungi, morels, truffles and most lichens. Club fungi are recognised by their
distinctive basidium (plural basidia), or club shaped cells, which usually bear sexually-produced
spores in groups of four. They include the mushrooms, puffballs, coral fungi, bracket fungi and
many other forms.
The fungal biodiversity of Queensland is still largely unknown and the classification of fungi is
undergoing rapid changes due to the results of molecular studies. Recent surveys in south-eastern
Queensland have shown that more than 70% of fungi species in this area are new to science. The
Queensland Herbarium and the
Queensland Mycological Society
(http://qldfungi.org.au/) are
actively involved in discovering and documenting the fungi flora.
Two non-native species are known to be naturalised in Queensland.
Nigel Fechner, Megan Prance
Fungi: lichens
The lichens are a group of organisms characterised by a symbiotic relationship between a fungus
and a photobiont (photosynthetic organism). The photobiont is usually a green alga or a
cyanobacterium (blue-green alga). The fungus is almost always a sac fungus (Ascomycete) but
may also be a club fungus (Basidiomycete). About 40% of sac fungi are lichenized. Lichens are
considered to be ancient in origin, appearing in the earliest known land floras.
A lichen name is strictly applicable to the fungal component only, the photobiont being classified
separately. Most of the green-algal photobionts are not known to occur outside of lichens and
many show genetic adaptation to the lichen life-style. Lichenization has occurred at least five times
within the Ascomycota and several times in the Basidiomycota.
About half of the known Australian lichens occur in Queensland, with many more yet to be
discovered, especially in central and northern Queensland. The Queensland Herbarium and the
Queensland Mycological Society are actively involved in discovering and documenting the lichen
flora.
Rod Rogers