Recent Bryological Literature

Abstract

Growing Leptobryum pyriforme (Hedw.) Wilson under ten times ambient atmospheric CO₂ concentrations showed that, while stomatal density and index decreased under elevated atmospheric CO₂, the overall number of stomata per spore capsule remained unaltered. Capsule length increased, while the size of stomata and epidermal cells decreased. This study suggests that stomatal frequency measures used to investigate the influence of varying levels of atmospheric CO₂ on angiosperms and gymnosperms may result in misleading conclusions when applied to bryophytes if considered in isolation from growth responses.     

Recent Bryological Literature

Abstract

Members of the moss family Hylocomiaceae have been hypothesized to belong to more than one major clade. While molecular studies performed so far are inconclusive regarding Hylocomiaceae relationships, morphological data are used here to test this hypothesis, based on species representing all genera of the Hylocomiaceae as well as some genera that possibly belong to this family. The results of the analysis suggest that Hylocomiaceae members belong to two major clades, one including mainly northern temperate species and one mainly tropical to subtropical taxa, with most of the latter species found in S.E. Asia. With the morphological context provided here, the next step in the investigation of this family should include both studies of more taxa outside the family, to correctly infer the phylogenetic relationships in a larger framework, and the addition of data from several molecular markers belonging to more than one genome.     

Recent Bryological Literature, 50

Abstract

Streimannia turgida from the Brindabella Range in the Australian Capital Territory is described as a new genus and species of the Brachytheciaceae. It is a peatland moss having deeply concave, ovate to ovate-lanceolate and reflexed-apiculate leaves with margins entire or merely faintly serrulate above; very variable, double or more rarely single and branched costae reaching 1/3–1/2 the leaf length; thickwalled and po rose cells at the leaf insertion; thin-walled and hyaline angular cells forming rounded, pellucid and excavate auricles.     

Recent Bryological Literature, 60

Abstract

Brachythecium dieckii Roell and B. salteri Card. &; Dix. are removed from the synonymy of B. velutinum (Hedw.) B., S. &; G. The two first names belong to the same species, B. dieckii having priority. Brachythecium dieckii has more strongly prorate upper abaxial nerve cells than B. velutinum, it has scattered prorate upper lamina cells, more broadly recurved and more coarsely denticulate leaf margins, and it has more regular, more incrassate alar cells in larger groups that extend further up along the leaf margin than in B. velutinum. B. dieckii is known from central Spain and from the Canary Islands     

Recent Bryological Literature, 52

Abstract

Barbula tomaeulosa sp. nov. is described from arable fields on the Yorkshire Coal Measures. Its most distinctive characteristics are the mamillose areolation of the leaf lamina and the abundant rhizoidal tubers.     

Recent Bryological Literature, 62

Abstract

Fissidens gymnogynus Besch., F. mangarevensis Mont. and F. obscurirete Broth. et Par. are reported new to the Philippine moss flora. Their discoveries greatly strengthen the continental Asiatic affinity of the local moss flora.