The top of the Pollino massif (southern Italy), an important refuge area for noteworthy mosses

The occurrence on the Pollino massif (southern Italy) of several remarkable mosses, which are rare or very rare in Italy, is reported. They are Orthotrichum acuminatum H. Philib., Distichium inclinatum (Hedw.) Bruch & Schimp. and Grimmia longirostris Hook., new to the southern part of the Italian peninsula, and Schistidium dupretii (Thér.) W.A. Weber, new to South Italy. Moreover, Orthotrichum cupulatum Hoffm. ex Brid. var. fuscum (Venturi) Boulay, a very rare taxon in Europe and up to now considered vanished in Italy, is rediscovered in Italy after about one century from its single previous report.     

New distributional data of the rare endemic species Eokochia saxicola (Guss.) Freitag and G. Kadereit (Chenopodiaceae): Effects on biogeography and conservation

Eokochia saxicola (Guss.) Freitag & G. Kadereit is a very rare endemic species of southern Italy and one of the rarest plants in Europe, included as priority species in the Annex II of the Council Directive 92/43/EEC. During the floristic surveys in the Cilento e Vallo di Diano National Park (Campania region, southern Italy), with the aim to assess the conservation status of rare and/or endemic species, new sites of occurrence of E. saxicola have been recorded representing the first known mainland sites; in fact, this endemic species was previously recorded only in the insular sites of Ischia (where it is extinct) and Capri in Campania region and Strombolicchio in Sicily region. Moreover, a further site was found in Capri island. So, three new sites of occurrence of E. saxicola have been recorded, increasing the total number from the two previously known to the actual five; in Campania, the total number increased from one to four. The research also increased significantly the global population size, currently made up of about 270 individuals compared with the 150 previously known. Consequences for the biogeography of the species and practical issues for conservation are discussed.     

New records of Cynipidae (Hymenoptera) from Italy

New records of Cynipid gall wasps and inquilines for the Italian peninsula and Sicily and their new host plants for the Palaearctic Region are listed and commented on. Among them we find: Cerroneuroterus cerrifloralis (Müllner 1901) as new for Italy and new for the Palaearctic region as host on Quercus suber; Andricus multiplicatus Giraud 1859 on Q. suber, as new host for the Palaearctic region; Aylax papaveris (Perris 1839), reported in Italy over a century ago, but later overlooked; Cerroneuroterus minutulus (Giraud 1859), also reported more than a century ago from Sicily, but later overlooked. Among the inquilines are here listed: Synergus variabilis Mayr 1872, emerged from Janetia cerris (Kollar 1850) galls (Diptera Cecidomyiidae), and found for the first time in the Palaearctic Region as host on Q. suber; Saphonecrus haimi (Mayr 1872) and Saphonecrus barbotini Pujade-Villar & Nieves-Aldrey 1986, are new records for Italy.     

Notes on mosses from Ceylon and India, 7. Some species of Trichostomum

Abstract

Trichostomum bombayense C.M. is typified and T. cylindrotheca Mitt. reduced to synonymy under it. The records of Trichostomum species from Ceylon are critically examined and T. tenuirostre (Hook. & Tayl.) Lindb. removed from the Ceylon moss flora. Records of T. orthodontum (C.M.) Broth. and T. cuspidatum (D. & M.) D. & M. hitherto published are based on misidentifications, but new records are given of both. Differences between T. cuspidatum and T. stenophyllum (Mitt.) Broth., which latter binomial is not a homonym as Index Muscorum states, are dealt with and illustrated by S.E.M. photographs. T. stenophyllum is a good species which has been relegated to extraordinary synonymy in the past.     

A new check-list of the mosses of Turkey

Abstract

The check-list includes a list of genera, species, subspecies and varieties of Turkish mosses. It is composed of 726 species, subspecies and varieties representing 164 genera and 42 families. Accompanying the lists are a systematic arrangement of the genera, species and varieties and lists of synonyms, excluded species and of annotations. Three mosses, Pseudoleskeella rupestris (Berggr.) Hedenäs & L. Söderstr., Isothecium myosuroides Brid. var. brachythecioides (Dixon) C.E.O. Jensen, Eurhynchium hians (Hedw.) Sande. Lac. var. rigidum (Boulay) J.-P. Frahm are recorded as new for the moss flora of Turkey.     

First record of Capnobotrys dingleyae (Metacapnodiaceae) on Taxus baccata for southern Europe

Field investigations carried out in a mixed forest of Fagus sylvatica and Taxus baccata in the Nebrodi Natural Park (Sicily, southern Italy) allowed us to identify a very rare lignicolous ascomycete Capnobotrys dingleyae, a new species for southern Europe.     

Additional reports for Italian moss flora

As a result of the study of both recent collections and a review of herbarium specimens, the following taxa are reported for the first time from various Italian regions: Hedwigia stellata Hedenäs, Hedwigia ciliata var. leucophaea Bruch & Schimp., Pleurozium schreberi (Willd. ex Brid.) Mitt. and Ptychostomum compactum Hornsch. var. compactum. The last taxon is new for southern Italy, while the report of Pleurozium schreberi confirms the occurrence of this species in southern Italy after more than half a century. Moreover, Crossidium laxefilamentosum Frey & Kürschner represents the second report of this species from Italy.     

Sulla presenza nell'Italia meridionale di alcune alghe marine bentoniche rare per il Mediterraneo

Abstract

On the occurrence in Southern Italy of some benthic marine algae rare to the Mediterranean Sea. - The Authors report the occurrence along the coast of Southern Italy of the following species that resulted rare to the Mediterranean Sea: Antithamnion piliferum Cormaci et Furnari; Bonnemaisonia asparagoides (Woodward) C. Agardh (tetrasporophyte); Corynophlaea flaccida Kuetzing; Fosliella farinosa (Lamouroux) Howe: of this very common species, the occurrence of thalli with propagules is reported; Hypnea cervicornis J. Agardh; Jania adherens Lamouroux, new to Italy; Mesogloia lanosa P.L. et H.M. Crouan, new to Italy; Pneophyllum confervicolum (Kuetzing) Chamberlain f. minutulum (Foslie) Chamberlain, new to the Mediterranean Sea; Polystrata fosliei (Weber van Bosse) Denizot, new to Italy; Rhodymenia delicatula Dangeard; Spermothamnion johannis G. Feldmann-Mazoyer: of this common species, the occurrence of bisporocysts in monoic gametophytes is reported; Vickersia baccata (J. Agardh) Karsakoff.     

Taxonomic notes on African Orthotrichaceae I. New synonymy in Macromitrium

New synonymy and distribution records for the genus Macromitrium Brid. in sub-Saharan Africa are presented. Seven names are placed in synonymy, reducing the number of accepted taxa for Macromitrium in sub-Saharan Africa to 33. Macromitrium anomodictyon Cardot was found to be conspecific with M. serpens (Bruch ex Hook. & Grev.) Brid.; M. mauritianum Schwägr. and M. sanctae-mariae Renauld & Cardot are placed in synonymy with M. subtortum (Hook. & Grev.) Schwägr. and M. belangeri Müll.Hal., M. seriatum Paris & Broth., M. bequaertii Thér. & Naveau and M. trollii Dixon in Herz. are all placed in synonymy with M. sulcatum (Hook.) Brid. subsp. sulcatum. The precise lectotypification is implemented for six species within the genus. Macromitrium chloromitrium (Besch.) Wilbraham and M. orthostichum Nees ex Schwägr. are reported new to Tanzania and M. chloromitrium new to continental Africa.     

New lichenicolous, muscicolous, corticolous and lignicolous taxa of Burgoa s. l. and Marchandiomyces s. l. (anamorphic Basidiomycota), a new genus for Omphalinafoliacea, and a catalogue and a key to the non-lichenized, bulbilliferous basidiomycetes

A catalogue and a key to the non-lichenized, bulbilliferous basidiomycetes are given. The new genus Burgella is described for the lichenicolous B. flavoparmeliae, phylogenetically close to Sistotrema oblongisporum and Multiclavula. The genera Pneumatospora and Tricellulortus are placed in synonymy of Minimedusa, the new combination M. obcoronata is proposed, and the new facultative lichenicolous M. pubescens is described. The new facultative lichenicolous Burgoa angulosa is phylogenetically close to the generic type B. verzuoliana, whilst the new B. moriformis and B. splendens are provisionally included in the genus Burgoa. A Burgoa-like species in the Ceratobasidiaceae is left unnamed. Two new species of Marchandiomyces, M. buckii and M. nothofagicola, are described. As Marchandiomyces aurantiacus is phylogenetically more close to Erythricium than to Marchandiomyces, it is proposed to exclude it from that genus and to use the holomorphic generic name Marchandiobasidium for both anamorph and teleomorph of this species. The new genus Marchandiomphalina is introduced for the lichenized Omphalina foliacea, a taxon phylogenetically close to Marchandiobasidium. Taxonomic novelties Burgella Diederich & Lawrey; B. flavoparmeliae Diederich & Lawrey; Burgoa angulosa Diederich, Lawrey & Etayo; B. moriformis Diederich, Ertz & Coppins; B. splendens Diederich & Coppins; Marchandiomphalina Diederich, Lawrey & Binder; Marchandiomphalina foliacea (P. M. J?rg.) Diederich, Lawrey & Binder; Marchandiomyces buckii Diederich & Lawrey; M. nothofagicola Diederich & Lawrey; Minimedusa pubescens Diederich, Lawrey & Heylen; M. obcoronata (B. Sutton, Kuthub. & Muid) Diederich & Lawrey     

John Bishop Duncan

Abstract

Atrichum undulatum (Hedw.) Beauv., Physcomitrium pyriforme (Hedw.) Hampe, Cyclodictyon blumeanum (C. Muell.) O. Kuntze and Tristichella spiculifera Dix., representing four genera of mosses new to Peninsular Malaysia, are reported and the latter two species described and illustrated. Features of ecological and distributional interest are also discussed. The sporophytes of Tristichella spiculifera are described and figured for the first time.     

Riunione Generale Straordinaria in Val D'aosta

Abstract

The present study focused on the bryoflora of watercourses of the Tiber River basin watercourses (Central Italy). A total of 20 bryophyte species, which included 14 mosses and 6 liverworts, were collected at 32 river stations. Most species were recorded at stations of the watercourses' upper sections, which have rocky substrate and where there is cool and well oxygenated running water, with low trophic load. Only few species, such as Leptodictyum riparium, Cinclidotus fontinaloides and Riccia fluitans, were also found at stations of the middle and lower sections, which are characterized by slow-flowing, turbid, warm and eutrophic waters. Some species are widely distributed, among which Fontinalis antipyretica ssp. antipyretica and Platyhypnidium riparioides, while others are very rare, such as Cinclidotus aquaticus, Dialytrichia mucronata and R. fluitans. Some of the collected species are new regional records (Hygroamblystegium fluviatile, D. mucronata), regional confirmations of rare taxa in Italy (C.aquaticus) or confirmations of old regional reports (Hygroamblystegium tenax, C. fontinaloides, Aneura pinguis).     

Contributions à la réorganisation systématique des Peritelini ouest-paléarctiques. IX. Révision du genre Meira Jacquelin du Val 1852 (Coleoptera : Curculionidae : Entiminae)

The genus Meira Jacquelin du Val 1852 is revised, four lectotypes and a neotype are designated, a new synonymy is proposed and four new species from France – one from Alpes-Maritimes (Meira alpina n. sp.), two from Var (M. echinoides n. sp. and M. teloniensis n. sp.), one from Vaucluse (M. germanni n. sp.) and one from Italy, from Abruzzo (M. osellai n. sp.) are described,. Synonyms, bibliographic and ecological data are provided. Whole-body photos of the types of the old species and of the four new species, drawings of systematically important characters, keys and distribution maps are also presented.     

Additions to the bryoflora of Réunion Island 3: new and interesting records from the Tropical Bryology Group (British Bryological Society)

Abstract

This contribution is a result of collaborative work based on the fieldwork organized during a workshop of the Tropical Bryology Group on Mascarene bryophytes in September 2008, and also from previous unpublished records of the authors. We add 35 new taxon records (17 mosses and 18 liverworts) as well as five other interesting records for Réunion Island (Mascarene Archipelago). Grimmia austrofunalis Müll. Hal., Sphagnum magellanicum Brid. subsp. magellanicum, Didymodon tectorum (Müll. Hal.) K. Saito, Anastrophyllum revolutum Steph. and Lejeunea exilis (Reinw. et al.) Grolle are reported for the first time for Africa. Syrrhopodon vardei L. T. Ellis, Ceratolejeunea papuliflora Steph. and Xylolejeunea grolleana (Pócs) X.-L. He & Grolle, previously known as endemic from Madagascar, are here recorded for Réunion. The latter species is also illustrated with SEM pictures.     

Alcuni rari Aphyllophorales lignicoli italiani. Secondo contributo

Abstract

Vengono presentate in questo lavoro alcune specie rare, spesso non segnalate prima in Italia, come: Lindtneria trachyspora (Bourdot & Galzin) Pilat, Oligoporus rancidus (Bres.) Gilb. & Ryvarden, Sistotrema muscicola (Pers.) S. Lundell, Trechispora hymenocystis (Berk. & Broome) K.H. Larss. e Fomitopsis labyrinthica Bernicchia & Ryvarden, una specie recentemente descritta come nuova, ritrovata sull'Appennino settentrionale.     

Desmidiacee della torbiera del Vedes (Trento)

Abstract

Desmids of the peat-bog of Vedes (Trento, North-Italy). A list of 27 Desmids s.l. (Desmidiaceae, Closteriaceae and Mesotaeniaceae) observed in some samples coming from the peat-bog of Vedes (Trento, North-Italy) is reported. This is a high moor bog situated at an altitude of 1496 m and rich in Sphagnum species (Sphagnum medium, S. fuscum, S. robustum, S. laricinum, etc.). The most interesting Desmids found are: Actinotaenium cucurbita, A. crassiusculum, Bambusina brebissonii, Penium polymorphum, Tetmemorus brebissonii, T. laevis, Closterium intermedium, Cosmarium amoenum, Euastrum insigne, Netrium digitus and Staurastrum erostellum, the last one being a very rare species found for the first time in Italy; thirteen entities are new for the algal flora of Trentino-Alto Adige.     

Taxonomic notes on African Orthotrichaceae 2: Macrocoma – new synonymy and first report of multicellular spores

Type material of two poorly known species of Macromitrium, described from East Africa and Madagascar, was examined and both were found to belong to the genus Macrocoma. Macromitrium megalosporum Thér. & Naveau was found to be morphologically very close to Macrocoma abyssinica (Müll.Hal.) Vitt., with the only significant difference between these taxa being the large multicellular spores of M. megalosporum, which is also the first report of multicellular spores for the genus Macrocoma. This name is here transferred to Macrocoma as Macrocoma abyssinica var. megalospora (Thér. & Naveau) Wilbraham comb. nov. Macrocoma abyssinica var. megalospora is reported new for the Comoros, which is the first record for the species in the East African Islands. Macromitrium adelphinum Cardot in Grandidier was found to be conspecific with Macrocoma tenuis (Hook. & Grev.) Vitt. subsp. tenuis and an appropriate synonymy is proposed. Macrocoma tenuis. subsp. tenuis is also reported here new to the Comoros.     

New records and a bibliography of the mosses of Pakistan

Abstract

Forty mosses are recorded for Pakistan, of which six appear to be new records for that country. Timmiella subintegra Dix. is reduced to synonymy under T. barbuloides (Brid.) Moenk., and there are notes on the typification of Pilotrichum pluvinii Brid. (Cryptoleptodon pluvinii (Brid.) Broth.).     

A prostrate species of myricaria in Eastern Himalaya and Yunnan

Summary

Under the name Myricaria germanica var. prostrata two species, both distinct from M. germanica (L.) Desv., have been confused, namely M. prostrata Hook. f. & Thoms. (syn. M. hedinii Paulsen) and M. rosea W. W. Smith, hitherto considered endemic to Yunnan but now known to extend westward to central Nepal.