Bryophyte flora of the Arabian peninsula and Socotra

This flora comprehensively details the bryophytes of the Arabian Peninsula and Socotra island, featuring keys to all species, occurrence notes across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, along with distribution maps. It encompasses one hornwort, 50 liverworts, and 173 mosses, totaling 224 species in the region. The work includes an overview of bryofloristic exploration, phytochorial elements, and a phytogeographical analysis of the bryoflora. The monsoon-influenced xerotropical southwestern and southern border mountains of the Arabian Peninsula and Socotra showcase numerous Palaeotropical and Afro-montane taxa, highlighting strong floristic ties between southern Arabia and Africa. Conversely, the arid and semi-arid inner Arabian regions are characterized by drought-adapted taxa of xerothermic-Pangaean and circum-Tethyan origin, exhibiting xeromorphic adaptations suitable for desert life. The phytogeographical analysis reveals a distinct phytochorial border across the Peninsula, often aligned with climatic conditions, particularly the winter rainfall/summer rainfall divide, influencing the distribution of thalloid and leafy liverworts, as well as acrocarpous and pleurocarpous mosses.