Subfossils of the Boreal Mosses Calliergon trifarium and Meesia triquetra in an Indiana Peatland

Abstract

Analysis of peat cores extracted from Tamarack Bog, section 7, Noble Township, Noble County, IN, revealed the first recorded subfossils of the boreal mosses Calliergon trifarium (Web. & Mohr.) Kindb. and Meesia triquetra (Richt.) Aongstr. from the state of Indiana. The paleo-environment was characterized as a mineral-rich fen. Local extirpation was attributed to natural acidification. The regional distribution of these two species, since glaciation, has receded northward to the northern lake states. Both species are now extirpated in Indiana.