The Erpodiaceae (Bryophyta) is a family of very small to small, pleurocarpous mosses most closely related to the Orthotrichaceae. Mosses in the Erpodiaceae are found mainly in drier areas of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Five genera are recognized in this study--Aulacopilum (2 species, 3 subspecies), Erpodium (2 species), Solmsiella (2 species), Tricherpodium (1 species, 2 subspecies), and Venturiella (8 species, 7 subspecies). This study is primarily morphologically based. The genera and species within each genus are arranged alphabetically. Keys are provided to the genera, sections, species, and subspecies. All genera, sections, species, and subspecies are described; illustrations and distribution maps are provided for each species and subspecies. The book includes twenty nomenclatural novelties.

Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate due to anthropogenic activities around the world. This book is the first volume in the new series Biodiversity Hotspots of the World, which highlights the 36 hotspot regions of the world, regions that were designated as reaping maximum benefit from preservation efforts. This series is our humble attempt to document these hotspots as a conservation and preservation measure. This first volume in the series focuses on the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, construed as forming a community of species because of their shared biogeographical history. The volume explores the diversity and conservation efforts of the extraordinarily rich species found here, including plants, many of which are found nowhere else in the world; forests, which face tremendous population pressure and have been dramatically impacted by demands for timber and agricultural land; as well as the hotspot’s diverse mammals, birds, insects, and amphibian species, and more. The volumes in this series will be essential resources for researchers and practitioners in the fields of conservation biology, ecology, and evolution.

FNA presents for the first time, in one published reference source, information on the names, taxonomic relationships, continent-wide distributions, and morphological characteristics of all plants native and naturalized found in North America north of Mexico.