Fissidens viridulus Wahlenb. and F. minutulus Sull.

Abstract

A new species of Pseudocrossidium R.S.Williams, P. exiguum M.J.Cano &; J.A.Jiménez, is described from South America (Argentina, Brazil and Peru). The species is distinguished morphologically by its lingulate to oblong-ovate leaves, leaf marginal cells not or scarcely differentiated from inner, costa ending below apex or percurrent, and semicircular to elliptical in cross-section with two guide cells, scarcely differentiated perichaetial leaves and peristome of short and straight teeth. Drawings and light microscope photographs of the new species are provided. The principal distinctive characters that separate it from the nearest species of Pseudocrossidium and related genera are discussed.     

Studies on the genus Mastigolejeunea (Marchantiophyta: Lejeuneaceae): Mastigolejeunea gradsteinii Sukkharak sp. nov.

Abstract

The liverwort Mastigolejeunea gradsteinii Sukkharak sp. nov. (Lejeuneaceae) is described from Malaysia. The new species is characterised by (1) rigid stem with epidermal cells as large as medullary cells, (2) apiculate leaf apex, (3) curved lobules without teeth, and (4) perianths with 7–8 keels.     

Fissidens traversii,a new species from Queensland,Australia

Abstract

Fissidens traversii, a new species from Queenslahd, Australia, is characterised by the rounded leaf apex, costa papillose and finishing short of the apex, mamillose, multipapillose cells, short dorsal lamina and vaginant laminae (which usually have a marginal strip of transversely elongated calls in the lower half), reaching almost to the apex of the leaf.     

Didymodon mesopapillosus sp. nov. (Pottiaceae) from Tibet,China

Didymodon mesopapillosus J. Kou, X.‐M. Shao & C. Feng is described and illustrated as a new species from Tibet, China. It is characterized mainly by its ovate to ovate‐lanceolate leaves appressed to weakly erect when dry, margins recurved from leaf base to apex, laminal cell superficial walls markedly thicker than the internal walls, laminal papillae present only on both sides of costa, short‐excurrent costa, undifferentiated basal cells and differentiated perichaetial leaves. This species is compared with similar species and its ecology is discussed.     

Plagiochila britannica,a new species in the British Isles

Abstract

Plagiochila britannica is described as a new species. It differs from P. porelloides and P. asplenioides in many characters, especially its often more narrowly oval leaves with a more variable, often truncate to bilobed apex and larger cells, its wider antical stem cells and its diploid chromosome number. Differences from P. arctica var intermedia include its more variable leaf apex, generally more dentate leaves often with longer teeth, the greater maximum size of its leaf cells and its wider antical stem cells. Male and female inflorescences and sporophytes are known in P. britannica, which favours base-rich substrata and has been found in Wales, N. England, Scotland and N. Ireland. A key to the nine species of Plagiochila in the British Isles is included.     

Scapania mucronata Buch in Scotland

Abstract

Regeneration from detached leaves at 20°C in 12 h days was studied in six species. Of the four species of Polytrichum and two of Pogonatum studied, only Pogonatum aloides did not regenerate from leaves. This result could be related to the fact that in nature only this species possesses persistent primary protonemata. Polytrichum commune, P. formosum and P. juniperinum developed long, muchbranched secondary protonemata which produced buds at intervals. Pogonatum urnigerum developed buds without an initial protonema, and Polytrichum piliferum short, unbranched protonemal threads, each bearing a single terminal bud. In all cases regenerants arose from either the large cells at the bases of lamellae, or less often, basal cells of the lamellae themselves. In Pogonatum urnigerum the amount of regeneration tended to decrease from apex to base of leaf, while in the Polytrichum species the reverse occurred. No definite conclusions could be drawn with regard to the effect, if any, of leaf age on regeneration. Possibly the temperature experienced beforehand or some other seasonal factor, affects regeneration, but the question needs further investigation.     

Acaulon eremicola,a new moss from the Australian arid zone

Abstract

A new species, Acaulon eremicola is described from aridcentral Australia. It differs from A. muticum and A. integrifolium in the leaf with longer cells and longer usually downwardly curved acuminate apex with twisted arista, the strongly incurled leaf margins when dry, and different spore pattern.     

African Hepatica XXI. Microlejeunea,Chaetolejeunea and Pleurolejeuna

Abstract

Zoopsis nitida is described as a new species endemic to New Zealand, at present only known from Northland, and appears to be most closely related to Z. setulosa. It differs from other species of the genus in its very reduced leaves which are usually only discernible near the shoot apex.     

Macromitrium maolanense Zeyou Zhang,D.D.Li,Jing Yu & S.L.Guo,a new species from China based on molecular and morphological evidence

Introduction. During a field excursion in Guizhou Province, China, we collected some interesting moss specimens with branch leaves subulate in the upper part, partially and variably bistratose laminae, and a Macromitrium-like epiphytic growth habit on tree trunks. We present morphological and phylogenetic arguments for recognising these plants as a new moss species in the genus Macromitrium Brid. (Orthotrichaceae).

Methods. We compared the morphology of the potential new species with closely related species of Macromitrium, and constructed a phylogenetic tree based on ITS2, trnL and trnG including sampling from 14 other morphologically similar species of Macromitrium.

Key results. The proposed new species belongs to the genus Macromitrium (Orthotrichaceae, Musci). It is closely related to M. gymnostomum Sull. & Lesq. in the phylogenetic tree and according to gametophytic morphological features, represents a hitherto undescribed species.

Conclusions. A new moss species, Macromitrium maolanense Zeyou Zhang, D.D.Li, Jing Yu & S.L.Guo, is described and illustrated. The new species can be distinguished from all congeners by the combination of the following features of the branch leaves: (1) oblong-lanceolate, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, gradually narrowed to an easily broken subula; (2) rather obscure upper and medial cells, often with blackish stains among cells, densely pluripapillose; (3) variably and partially bistratose laminae in the upper 1/3 portion; (4) basal cells clear, hyaline and smooth, those near costae forming a ‘cancellina region’; and (5) with numerous brownish, clavate gemmae on upper portion. We also discuss the principal distinctive characters separating the new species from its nearest congeners.     

Embryology and embryogenesis of Spiranthes L.C.M. Richard (Orchidaceae): S. spiralis (L.) Cheval and S. aestivalis (Poiret) L.C.M. Richard

Abstract

The various stages of female gametophyte development and embryogenesis in S. spiralis and S. aestivalis are described. In both species the reproductive cycle is sexual. Some peculiarities are present: the female gametophyte is usually 6-7-8-nucleate; after double fertilization a single endospermatic cell is formed; the proembryo appears differentiated and is made up of different cells in the chalazal and micropylar ends; a single basal cell in the proembryo acts as suspensor.     

An overlooked taxonomic character in Eleocharis multicaulis

Summary

An overlooked moprhological character is described which assists in the identification of Eleocharis multicaulis. The basal glume to the inflorescence is shown to be shallowly notched to bilobed at the apex.     

Erythrophyllopsis perlaticosta M.J.Cano & J.A.Jiménez (Pottiaceae) a new species from the Peruvian Andes

Introduction. Over the last years we have been engaged in studies of the South American Pottiaceae. Among the bryophyte specimens collected by us in central and northern Peru, some samples of a puzzling Pottiaceae were found. In this paper, we present our arguments for recognising these plants as a new species and its inclusion in Erythrophyllopsis Broth.

Key Results. It differs most saliently from other species of Erythrophyllopsis by the combination of its oblong-ovate to ovate-lanceolate leaves, with usually fragile apex, leaf margins papillose-crenulate from apex to lower third, sometimes erose or crenate, lamina unistratose, occasionally bistratose in patches, costa broad, usually ending below the apex, without dorsal stereids near the apex where they are replaced by cells similar to those of the lamina, and short and straight peristome teeth.

Conclusions. A new moss species, Erythrophyllopsis perlaticosta M.J.Cano & J.A.Jiménez, is described and illustrated from the Andean highlands in central and northern Peru. A revised identification key for the species of Erythrophyllopsis is also provided. This species grows in crevices or fissures of calcareous rocks or banks between 3050 and 4700?m. The principal distinctive characters that separate it from the nearest species of Erythrophyllopsis and related genera such as Bryoerythrophyllum P.C.Chen and Mironia R.H.Zander are discussed.     

Two new species of Alstroemeria L. (Alstroemeriaceae) from Brazil

Alstroemeria hygrophila andA. orchidioides are both described as new from the state of Goiás (including Distrito Federal) in Brazil.Alstroemeria hygrophila is a cerrado bog-dwelling species that grows semi-epiphytically on the culms of a sedge. The vegetative stems of this species characteristically zig-zag between the pseudonodes. Like other wetlandAlstroemeria in Brazil (e.g.,A. apertiflora, A. isabellana, andA. sellowiana),A. hygrophila has wiry stems bearing narrow, lanceolate, nonresupinate leaves, and does not form root tubers.Alstroemeria orchidioides is a hysteranthus forest understory species with large vegetative leaves aggregated at the apex of the stems. The leaves on flowering stems are reduced to scarious bract-like scales. Its flowers are a pale, nearly white, greenish yellow, a color not reported in any other Brazilian species. Both species have 2n=16 chromosomes.     

中国鸢尾兰属(兰科)植物二新记录种

该文报道了兰科(Orchidaceae)鸢尾兰属(Oberonia Lindl.)2个中国新记录种,即心唇鸢尾兰(O. orbicularis Hooker f.)和凭祥鸢尾兰(O. delacourii Gagnep.)。其中,心唇鸢尾兰(O. orbicularis)与国内分布的全唇鸢尾兰(O. integerrima)和扁葶鸢尾兰(O. pachyrachis)均较为相似,但该种花葶中下部两侧具狭翅,不与叶合生,唇瓣边缘具明显的啮蚀状齿或细流苏状,先端中部具明显凹缺,可明显区别。心唇鸢尾兰(O. orbicularis)于2013年首次发现于云南省勐腊县,为中国新记录种。凭祥鸢尾兰(O. delacourii)与剑叶鸢尾兰(O. ensiformis)最为相近,但前者唇瓣中裂片先端小裂片近方形,小裂片先端边缘具流苏状齿,可明显区别于后者。凭祥鸢尾兰自1929年发表以来,除模式产地老挝外,至今未见新分布点的报道,为中国新记录种。文中提供了两个新记录种的形态特征描述,凭证标本存放于中国科学院华南植物园标本馆(IBSC)。     

Circumscription of Fulbrightiella gen. nov. and Sherwoodiella gen. nov., Two Novel Genera in the Calotrichaceae (Nostocales,Cyanobacteria)

Three novel strains in Calotrichaceae from tropical habitats were isolated and characterized with regard to their morphology, phylogenetic placement, and secondary structures of conserved domains in the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS). The strains fell into two clades formerly identified as Calothrix from freshwater and brackish habitats. Based on both morphology and ecology, they differed from the type species of Calothrix, C. confervicola, which is marine, has wide trichomes with short cells, and narrows abruptly to a hyaline hair. The first clade grouped species with heteropolar filaments widened at the base and narrowed gradually toward the apex but not ending in a hair, with basal heterocytes that are formed in series as the apically placed heterocytes senesce; this clade is being named Fulbrightiella gen. nov., with two named species, F. bharadwajae sp. nov. and F. oahuensis sp. nov. The second clade was comprised of a single species with isopolar trichomes that are untapering as hormogonia, but which widen midfilament and taper toward both ends following growth. These trichomes develop pairs of heterocyte mid-filament, causing fragmentation into heteropolar trichomes with basal heterocytes and ends that taper, but not to a hair. This clade consists of a single species at present, Sherwoodiella mauiensis. With this action, four clades in the Calotrichaceae have been named: Macrochaete, Dulcicalothrix, Fulbrightiella, and Sherwoodiella. Calothrix sensu stricto is truly marine, morphologically distinct, and unsequenced; finding and sequencing the generitype for Calothrix remains as the most important and unfinished task in the revision of the Calotrichaceae.     

Dos especies nuevas de <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quararibea</Emphasis> (Malvaceae) del sur de México

Two new species in the genus Quararibea from southern Mexico are described and illustrated, and information on their distribution and habitat is provided. Quararibea lopezperaltae is distinguished by its glabrate branchlets, its obloid, shallowly bilobed fruit, with a conspicuously depressed apex lacking a mammilla, and by the presence of a calyx that is not accrescent in fruit. Quararibea mayarum is distinguished by its densely villous-tomentose branches, petioles, and leaves, and by the presence of an ellipsoid, mammillate fruit that has a depressed apex when dry, and a calyx that is not accrescent in fruit. The relationships of these species are discussed further and a key to separate the Mexican species of Quararibea is presented.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lockhartia viruensis</Emphasis> (Orchidaceae-Oncidiinae), a new species from Roraima state,Brazilian Amazonia region

A new species, Lockhartia viruensis, is described and illustrated from the state of Roraima, in the Brazilian Amazon, and its affinities are discussed. The new species is similar to L. imbricata, but differs by having an entire lip with an obtuse to rounded apex, a callus on the disk of the lip with a longitudinal row of papillae with a rounded apex, and the margin of the column wings entire.     

Phoradendron olae Kuijt, a new species from Mexico pivotal in the taxonomy of the genus, with comments on P. californicum Nutt.

Materials are presented to the effect thatPhoradendron californicum Nutt., the nomenclatural type of the genusPhoradendron (Viscaceae), is related to southern, cataphyllous species, not to northern, acataphyllous ones. The evidence consists of the frequent occurrence of basal cataphylls in the species, variation in basal phyllotaxy, and a basically biseriate arrangement of flowers on fertile internodes. The suggestion of this southern, cataphyllous affinity is supported by the recent discovery of a strictly cataphyllous Mexican species,P. olae Kuijt, which shows median basal phyllotaxy and is in many features extremely similar toP. californicum. The nomenclatural consequences of this discovery would lead to subgen.Boreales (Trel.) Engler (and probably subgen.Aequatoriales (Trel.) Engler) being synonymized under subgen.Phoradendron, characterized by basal cataphylls (though not in all species). However, no generic subdivision of any sort is supported at this time.     

A new species of Omphalanthus (Lejeuneaceae) from Cuba

Abstract

The new species Omphalanthus baracoensis, from the Yunque de Baracoa plateau, southeastern Cuba, is described and illustrated. The species is related to the widely distributed Omphalanthus filiformis, but differs in the presence of a large tooth at the lobule apex.