Characterisation of Holocene plant macrofossils from North Spanish ombrotrophic mires: bryophytes

The methods and criteria used for the identification of bryophytes from the peat deposits of four ombrotrophic mires in northern Spain are presented. Two liverworts and fifteen moss taxa were recorded. Twelve were identified to species level, two to genus level (Polytrichum sp., Campylopus sp.) and another to section level (Sphagnum sect. Acutifolia). All taxa were identified from their vegetative remains, mainly leaves. Only sporangia of Sphagnum species were recorded. Descriptions of the most relevant characters for taxa identifications are shown, accompanied by illustrations that facilitate their interpretation. A dichotomous identification key is also provided.