IFA Countryside

IFA Countryside is dedicated to defending the interests of those who actively enjoy the Irish countryside.

IFA Countryside
  • Home
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Countryside News
  • Insurance
  • Campaigns
  • Training
  • 0818 924 982
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Second population of rare Kerry Mousetail fern discovered

  • October 1, 2021
  • BiodiversityConservationcountryside
Second population of rare Kerry Mousetail fern discovered
  • First European discovery made in Killarney National Park
  • Species found on vertical rockface
  • NPWS believe species arrived in Ireland without human intervention

Killarney National Park, world renowned and internationally significant for the number of bryophytes that occur there, is still capable of revealing secrets. Two years after a new species to Europe was first discovered there, a second population of the Kerry Mousetail Fern (Stengrammitis myosuroides) has just been discovered.

 In September 2021, a second population of the Kerry Mousetail fern was found in a very remote woodland in the uplands of the National Park, over 4km distant from the previously known location. Six plants were found to be present on a vertical rockface above a stream, one of which was fully mature and producing spores. This discovery proves that this species is fully established in the Killarney National Park, and is not merely a transient colonist that will quickly disappear again.

The Kerry Mousetail Fern was first discovered in the Killarney National Park in July 2019, as a new species to Europe. This species was previously found only in the Caribbean, in the tropical cloud forests of Jamaica, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, and is a member of a group of tropical ferns known as the Grammitid ferns, of which no members had been previously found in Europe, aside from in Macaronesia, a collection of four volcanic archipelagos in the North Atlantic Ocean, off the coasts of the continents of Africa and Europe.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage believe that this species arrived in Ireland without human intervention, with the most likely explanation being that its tiny spores travelled across the Atlantic on the wind and happened to land in a place where conditions were suitable for it to grow. “It is not clear how long this species has been present in Ireland and only forty plants were found on two rocks in one location, making it an extremely vulnerable and threatened plant,” a spokesperson said this week.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), in its quest to add to the knowledge of the range of species and habitats under its remit, have over the last two years embarked on a suite of taxonomic and botanical surveys in Killarney National Park, with a particular focus on niche specialists. As part of the survey scheme NPWS engaged leading specialists in a number of fields, including independent botanical researcher Dr Rory Hodd.

It is not known when the rare plant first established itself in Killarney National Park, widely regarded as one of Ireland’s richest and more diverse National Parks.

The NPWS is looking into the suggestion that it has survived undetected in the area for at least a number of years, and may not be a recent arrival, having possibly been present for decades, centuries or even longer. Due to its very small size and tendency to grow in remote areas, it would be very easily overlooked by generations of botanists.

However, the fact that it has now been found in two disparate areas means that it is very likely that the Kerry Mousetail Fern occurs elsewhere in the National Park, or further afield, as many pockets of similar habitat exist where conditions are suitable for its growth. This discovery puts to rest any doubts that may have existed about whether this enigmatic Neotropical fern can be considered a full, established member of the Irish flora.

ENDS

Share

Related Posts

Funding for locally led biodiversity projects doubled to €3m

January 25, 2023

Public consultation on Ireland’s Fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) launched

September 23, 2022

Government announces €1.4 million for local biodiversity projects

September 22, 2022

Farmers praised as Irish corncrake numbers increase by 5%

September 22, 2022

Recent Posts

  • Coillte confirms to IFA They’re not Working on Any Further Partnerships with Funds
  • Funding for locally led biodiversity projects doubled to €3m
  • NPWS seeks information on White-tailed Eagle found dead in Cavan 
  • Trim Co. Meath announced as Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2022
  • Motorists urged to be vigilant during deer breeding season

Categories

  • Angling
  • aquaculture
  • Biodiversity
  • Biology
  • Bogs
  • Broadband
  • Climate
  • Coillte Licences
  • Community
  • Conservation
  • countryside
  • Crime
  • DAFM
  • Deer
  • Deer Hunting
  • DEER LICENCES
  • DEER STALKING
  • Disease
  • Dogs
  • Duck
  • Ecology
  • Environment
  • FBD
  • Fishing
  • Food
  • Game
  • Gardening
  • Grants
  • Gun Clubs
  • Habitats
  • HCAP
  • Heritage
  • Horses
  • IWTF
  • Lead shot
  • Littering
  • Lobbying
  • Member Benefits
  • Mental Health
  • NPWS
  • Open Seasons
  • Organic
  • Peat Harvesting
  • Pheasants
  • Project Ireland
  • Rural Development
  • Rural Economy
  • Rural Ireland
  • Rural Security
  • Rural Services
  • Security
  • Shooting
  • Sustainability
  • Trapping
  • Uncategorized
  • Vermin Control
  • Walking
  • Walking Trails
  • Walkways
  • Water
  • weather
  • wildlife management
  • Home
  • Countryside News
  • Biodiversity
  • Second population of rare Kerry Mousetail fern discovered

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Countryside News
  • Insurance
  • Campaigns
  • Training
  • 0818 924 982

Connect With Us

  • Irish Farmers’ Association
  • Download the new IFA App
  • IFA Member Services
  • AgriApps.ie
  • SmartFarming
  • Privacy Statement

© 2023 IFA Countryside

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Home
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Countryside News
  • Insurance
  • Campaigns
  • Training
  • 0818 924 982
  • Home
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Countryside News
  • Insurance
  • Campaigns
  • Training
  • 0818 924 982
This website uses cookies. We use cookies to personalise your web experience and to analyse our traffic.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPTREJECT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT