CYTOTAXONOMIC STUDIES IN WEST HIMALAYAN BRYACEAE (MUSCI)

The meiotic chromosomes of 10 species (Pohlia elongata, Anomobryum cymbifolium, Brachymenium acuminatum, B. ochianum, B. sikkimense, Bryum cellulare, B. pseudotriquetrum, B. apiculatum, B. capillare and B. atrovirense), in four genera of the family Bryaceae of acrocarpous mosses are studied with special emphasis on their evolution, polyploidy and cytological features with reference to interrelationship among the included genera and species. The occurrence of the heteromorphic bivalent in some taxa and its significance is also discussed. Polyploidy has played an important role in the evolution and speciation of the taxa in the family  and  seems to be an advantage for colonising/surviving in diverse climatic and habitat conditions.