A farewell to Tortella bambergeri (Pottiaceae) as understood over the last decades

Molecular sequence data provide convincing evidence that Tortella bambergeri (Schimp.) Broth., as understood over the last three decades, consists of two species. On the other hand, a careful investigation of the holotype of Trichostomum bambergeri Schimp. revealed its synonymy with Tortella tortuosa (Hedw.) Limpr. (in its current broad sense), which was confirmed by the molecular sequences of two plants from the Alps that were morphologically similar to the T. bambergeri type and that proved to be unrelated to the European plants currently so named. For T. bambergeri auct., two validly described names were located, T. fasciculata (Culm.) Culm., a suboceanic-submediterranean floristic element, and T. pseudofragilis (Thér.) Köckinger &; Hedenäs, comb. nov., a boreo-montane element. Lectotypes for these two names are designated. Beside molecular differences, the two species can be distinguished mainly by having differently shaped cells on the upper leaf margin and by differences in the orientation of the dry leaves. Distribution and ecology of these two taxa are discussed. A key to Tortella (Müll.Hal.) Limpr. species with quadrate superficial cells on the dorsal, upper costa is provided. Hybrid sporophytes in T. pseudofragilis, with T. tortuosa (Hedw.) Limpr. as the male parent, are discussed in the light of other observations, including an apparent hybrid T. pseudofragilis?×?inclinata from Sweden, suggesting that hybridisation may be important in the evolution within Tortella.     

Lophozia silvicola new to Great Britain

Abstract

1. Lophozia silvicola Buch is reported for the first time from Great Britain, having been found in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and North Devonshire.

2. The species is described and figured, and its relationship to its nearest neighbour, L. ventricosa, discussed, with special reference to oil-bodies.

3. It is shown that the distribution of L. ventricosa in Britain must be reinvestipted.     

New national and regional bryophyte records, 10

Abstract

The discovery of Paludella squarrosa (Hedw.) Brid., new to Ireland, is reported. This Boreo-arctic Montane species has a relic distribution in western and central Europe and was formerly more widespread. The reasons for its decline and its documented extinction from Britain and the Netherlands in recent times are discussed. The vegetation and ecology of the Irish locality are described. The associated species include Leiocolea rutheana, another Boreal relic species and a second record for Ireland.     

Book Reviews

Summary

The following species are reported from Great Britain for the first time: Araudiella genistae, Cheilymenia pulcherrima, Keissleriella genistae, Sporormiella borealis, and Sporormiella grandispora. The new combination dSporormiella borealis (= Sporormia borealis Egel.) is proposed and the combination Sporormiella grandispora (Speg.) Ahmed &; Cain (= Sporormia grandispora Speg.) is validated.     

Eine neue Taxilejeunea aus Madagaskar und Réunion

Abstract

Taxilejeunea furcicornuta sp.nov. from Madagascar and Réunion is described and figured in detail. Its affinities to T. conformis (Nees & Mont.) Steph. and Stenolejeunea Schust. are briefly discussed.     

Two-hundred-years old shoots of the epiphytic moss Brotherella henonii preserved in a bark pocket of the conifer Cryptomeria japonica

Abstract

Schistidium flaccidum (De Not.) Ochyra is recorded as new to Britain from Snowdon, Wales. It may be distinguished from the other British species of the genus by its poculiform capsule, absence of peristome and small, dense tufts. Notes are given on its separation from Grimmia anodon, which it resembles more closely.     

Notes on Fissidens

Abstract

Protonemal gemmae in Schistostega pennata are reported and described from Britain for the first time; they are compared particularly with those from the Australasian moss Mittenia plumula.     

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.     

Encalypta brevipes and E. brevicolla: new records from North America,Iceland, Great Britain and Europe

Abstract

Encalypta brevipes Schljak. is reported in North America from north-western-most Oregon, United States; from Iceland; and in Europe from the Alps in southeastern France, and the High Tatra Mountains in Czechoslovakia. Encalypta brevicolla (B.S.G.) Bruch ex Aongstr. is reported from southernmost coastal Oregon, United States and east-central Scotland, Great Britain.     

Tetrameres tarapungae n.sp. (Nematoda: Spirurida), a parasite of the red-billed gull,Larus novaehollandiae scopulinus

Abstract

Tetrameres (Tetrameres) tarapungae n.sp. is described from specimens from the proventriculus of juvenile red-billed gulls from Kaikoura, New Zealand. The male is characterised by having two short rows of lateral cervical cuticular spines that do not extend beyond the middle of the oesophagus, a body length of 2.2–2.6 mm, and the larger spicule longer than half the body length. The male tail bears four pairs of subventral papillae and two pairs of lateral papillae. The pathology of the infections is described briefly.     

Two new species of Larinus Dejean from North Africa (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), with a key to the striped Larinus (s.str.)

Two new sibling species, Larinus synthesys n. sp. from Algeria, and Larinus boroveci n. sp. from Algeria and Morocco, are described. Both species are tentatively assigned to the subgenus Larinus based on resemblance to species having longitudinal stripes on the elytra and rostrum. L. synthesys n. sp. is the smallest species in Larinus (s. str.) and is closely related to L. boroveci n. sp. The lectotype of Larinus cardopatii Lucas, 1847 is designated and redescribed. An illustrated key to the striped Larinus (s. str.) is given.     

A taxonomic revision of Calymperes in southern India and neighbouring islands

Abstract

The fourteen species of Calymperes occurring in southern India and neighouring islands are described and their relationships discussed. Syrrhopodon subgenus Heliconema is raised to generic status and a nomenclatural account of its single Asian representative is provided (Heliconema peguense (Besch.) L. T. Ellis and A. Eddy).     

Additions and amendments to the New Zealand Trichoptera

Features of the family Oeconesidae (Tillyard, 1921) are considered with special reference to the recent work of Neboiss (Australian Entomological Magazine 2(4): 79–85). Under Philopotamidae Stephens, 1829, Dolophilodes (Hydrobiosella) mixta n.sp. is described from material hitherto included in: D. (H.) stenocerca (Tillyard, 1924). Pycnocentrodes Tillyard, 1924 (in Sericostomatidae Stephens, 1836) is revised as follows: P. chiltoni Tillyard, 1924 and P. unicolor Wise, 1958 are synonymised with P. aureola (McLachlan, 1868); P. modesta n.sp. is described from material from the northern half of the North Island; and P. aeris Wise, 1958 is confirmed as a distinct species.     

The morphology of Giffordia hincksiae (Harv.) Hamel on the south coast of Britain

Giffordia hincksiae (Harv.) Hamel collected on the south coast of Britain shows considerable form range. General morphological and reproductive characters for the species are given. Four forms are described, and three types of sporangia, including the long unilocular sporangium not previously recorded on this species in Britain.     

The saltmarsh and brackish swamp vegetation of the Fife peninsula

Summary

A study of saltmarshes in Fife shows that they are far more widespread than previously thought. In this paper the saltmarsh and brackish swamp vegetation is described and classified at plant community level. Of particular interest are the small, rocky shore beach-head saltmarshes, which are often very species-rich and contain several plant communities having a predominantly north-western distribution in Britain. The Fife marshes are compared with those described from other regions, and it is suggested that the beach-head marshes are floristically more closely related to western Scottish marshes than those elsewhere on the east coast. However, some communities suggest certain affinities with the saltmarshes of south-eastern Britain, which lends weight to the view that the Firth of Forth lies on the boundary between ‘southern’ and ‘northern’ saltmarsh types in Britain.     

Eight new Tricoma species (Nematoda,Desmoscolecidae) from a deep-sea transect off Calvi (Corsica,Mediterranean)

Eight new species of the genus Tricoma are described from the Mediterranean: Tricoma (Tricoma) apophysis sp.n., Tricoma (T.) latispicula sp.n., Tricoma (T.) corsicana sp.n., Tricoma (T.) pygmaea sp.n., Tricoma (T.) vincxae sp.n., Tricoma (T.) duopapillata sp.n., Tricoma (T.) setosa sp.n. and Tricoma (Quadricoma) tripapillata sp.n.. All are noteworthy for being small.     

Notes on the genus Thamnobryum in Macaronesia (excluding the Cape Verde Islands)

Abstract

The genus Thamnobryum is reviewed from Macaronesia (excludingthe Cape Verde Islands). In this area there are three species, T. alopecurum (Hedw.) Gang., T. maderense (Kindb.) Hedenäs, comb. nov. and T. fernandesii C. Sérgio. T. fernandesii is only known from Madeira; the other two also occur on the Canary Islands and the Azores. Thamnobryum canariense (Ren. & Card.) Long is transferred to Isothecium, as I. atlanticum Hedenäs, comb. et nom. nov.     

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.     

Revision of the species of the Tychus rufus group (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae)

The species belonging to Tychus rufus group are revised. Eleven species are recognized, described and illustrated and a key to their identification is provided. Nine taxa are new to science: Tychus carpathius n. sp. from Karpathos island (Greece); T. torticornis n. sp. from Lesbos Island (Greece); T. pisidicus n. sp. and T. inermis n. sp. from southwestern Turkey; T. antiocheus n. sp. and T. effeminatus n. sp. from southeastern Turkey; T. artvinensis n. sp. from northeastern Turkey, and T. sidonicus n. sp. and T. libanus n. sp. from Lebanon.