BIODIVERSITY OF BRYOPHYTE OF PHOTIC ZONES OF CAVES IN THE KUTUK TRACT (SOUTHERN URAL, BASHKIRIA)

This article presents results of a study of bryophytes in seven caves of the Kutuk tract of the National Park «Bashkiria» of the Republic of Bashkortostan, including the largest cave in Bashkiria - Kutuk-Sumgan. Fifty-five bryophytes species were found in the studied caves. The dominant species in all caves was Timmia bavarica. The species composition of bryophytes of each cave is unique. Among identified bryophytes species 23, species were found only in one cave, and 11 species in 2 caves. During our survey, we found 31 species in Kutuk-Sumgan Cave, 21 species in Kutuk-2 and Kutuk-3 caves, 19 species in Kutuk-4 caves, 18 species in Vintovaya and Zigzag caves and 14 species in Kutuk-1 cave.Using the Jaccard and Phi-squared similarity indices, we revealed the stability of the bryoflora of the caves in different years and show its changes. Changes in the composition and structure of mosses in the Kutuk tract may be caused by mechanical influences. Benchmark similarity analysis allowed us to determine the influence of entrance morphology and glaciation in the photic zone of the caves on the composition of bryophytes. Using the Kutuk tract caves as an example, it is shown that in the primary analysis of the bryoflora, when selecting a characteristic cave, up to 40% of the total species composition of the caves can be identified in a single cave. The current study of Kutuk tract caves shows that identification of the primere analyses of bioflora permits identification of up to 40% of species composition of an individual cave. Three criteria for selecting a characteristic cave were identified: size of the photic zone and morphology of the entrance, diversity of habitats, and the least degree of disturbance.