My name is Imen BEN OSMAN. I was born in Tunis, Tunisia. Plants have fascinated me since childhood because of their diverse colors, shapes and beautiful flowers. Having a Master’s degree in Evolutionary Ecology, I began my journey as a bryologist working on a research project suggested by my supervisor, to whom all the merit is due, Mrs. Amina DAOUD-BOUATTOUR, professor at the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis. The field intrigued me, and I found it interesting considering the fact that there are no specialists in Tunisia–“no bryologists”. I began my first steps with the encouragement and the assistance of my supervisor and my co-supervisor Mr. Serge MULLER, professor at the University of Montpellier, who instructed me on the ABC of bryology. I would like to thank them for their dedication, the time and effort they put in for me, and their constructive advice. I studied the diversity and ecology of the hepaticological flora of Kroumiria, a northern region in Tunisia. Now I am conducting my doctoral studies on the Bryophytes of Tunisia, focusing on the taxonomic diversity and conservation issues under the mentorship of the renowned brylogist Mr. Vincent HUGONNOT. I feel very fortunate to have such a mentor; his kindness, expertise, consistent supervision, constructive criticism and his skills in bryology have helped me enormously in undertaking research in this area.
Aside from my thesis, we are also working on a book on the bryoflora of my country as a first step, notably to facilitate the biological inventories, but also the subsequent works on bryophytes in Tunisia, allowing future bryologists to take over and, thus, ensuring continuity. Additionally, and considering the serious conservational issues that the bryflora is facing in Tunisia, we are working on the elaboration of a red list with the aim to contribute to the preservation of the bryophyte flora in the hope of carrying out efficient conservation actions in the near future.
Bryophytes are truly awesome organisms that I’m fond of, despite how challenging they are to study and observe under the microscope, the diversity of their form, the details they contain, their behaviour in their natural environment, their distribution, their preferences are very interesting and inspiring.
List of publications:
Ben Osman, I., Hugonnot, V., Muller, S.D. & Daoud-Bouattour, A. 2019. A contribution to the study of hornworts and liverworts in Tunisia a checklist and ecology of Kroumirian species. Cryptogamie Bryology. 40 (21): 271-287.
https://doi.org/10.5252/cryptogamie-bryologie2019v40a21
Hugonnot, V., Ben Osman, I., Daoud-Bouattour, A., Muller, S.D., Fedorova, A.V., Ignatova, E.A. & Ignatov, M.S. 2020. African and Asian range extension of Heterocladium flaccidum (Schimp.) A.J.E.Sm. and confirmation of its specific individuality. Cryptogamie Bryology.41 (21): 265-272. https://doi.org/10.5252/cryptogamie-bryologie2020v41a21.
Ben Osman, I., Hugonnot, V., Muller, S.D. & Daoud-Bouattour, A. 2021. Sphagnum subnitens Russow & Warnst. at the southern limit of its range in Tunisia, North Africa. Cryptogamie Bryology.43(2): 190-192.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03736687.2020.1852818
Ben Osman, I., Hugonnot, V., Muller, S.D. & Daoud-Bouattour, A. 2021. New bryophytes for Tunisia. Part 1: Pottiaceae. Nova Hedwigia 113. Issue 1-2, 45-59.
Ben Osman I., Hugonnot V., Muller S. D. & Daoud-Bouattour A. 2021. Four bryophytes collected in Tunisia, new for mainland Africa. Cryptogamie, Bryologie. 42 (16): 213-219. https://doi.org/10.5252/cryptogamie-bryologie2021v42a16.
Ben Osman, I., Hugonnot, V., Muller, S.D. & Daoud-Bouattour, A. (in press). New bryophytes for Tunisia. Part 2: Other families. Cryptogamie Bryology.
