Neckera enrothiana (Neckeraceae,Musci), a new species from Sichuan,China

Abstract

A new species in the moss family Neckeraceae, Neckera enrothiana M.C. Ji is described and illustrated from the Sichuan Province, China. It is characterized by the combination of relatively small plants, entirely non-undulate and non-decurrent leaves, and by its lacking or very short costa. It is compared with the somewhat similar and widely distributed N. complanata (Hedw.) Hueb. and N. besseri (Lob.) Jur., as well as with the Asian N. goughiana Mitt.     

Mnioloma fuscum (Marchantiopsida: Calypogeiaceae), an unexpected addition to the indigenous flora of New Zealand

Abstract

Mnioloma fuscum, a liverwort species known to date primarily from tropical-montane regions, is reported for New Zealand for the first time. Its occurrence in New Zealand is unexpected as the next nearest known site is believed to be the Solomon Islands, some 3500 km distant. The occurrence of Mnioloma fuscum in New Zealand highlights the contribution tropical regions have made to the composition of New Zealand's hepatic flora.     

New synonymy and typification in African Schlotheimia (Bryopsida: Orthotrichaceae)

Abstract

Schlotheimia grevilleana Mitt., Schlotheimia rigescens Broth., Schlotheimia laetevirens Broth., Schlotheimia bequaertii Thér. & Naveau and Schlotheimia brachypodia Thér. & Naveau are placed in synonymy with Schlotheimia ferruginea (Bruch ex Hook. & Grev.) Brid. The typification of Schlotheimia percuspidata Müll.Hal. is discussed and a neotype is proposed.     

Molecular circumscription and intraspecific variation in Porella canariensis (F.Weber) Underw. (Porellaceae,Marchantiophyta)

Abstract

Fissidens subpulchellus Norkett in Gangulee is critically revised, and reduced to the synonymy of F. pulchellus Mitt. A new species, Fissidens longtonianus Z.Iwats. &; Tad.Suzuki, is described from India. This moss was collected on a branch in Jdukki District, South India, and is separated from F. pulchellus Mitt. by its smooth laminal cells, shorter setae and larger, smooth spores.     

Taxonomic assessment of Ptychomitrium lepidomitrium and P. tortula (Bryopsida,Ptychomitriaceae)

Abstract

Ptychomitrium tortula (Harv.) A.Jaeger, P. lepidomitrium (C.Muell.) Schimp., P. rhacomitrioides Dixon and P. lindigii (Hampe) Jaeg. are similar in morphology by having scabrous calyptrae, sinuous basal leaf cells and crisped and contorted dry leaves. Studies of the type specimens of these species indicated that P. rhacomitrioides and P. lindigii are synonymous with P. tortula and P. lepidomitrium, respectively. Comparisons of the morphological features and distribution in detail showed that P. tortula and P. lepidomitrium are two distinctive species with geographical disjunction between Asia and Central and South America.     

Bucklandiella allanfifei (Grimmiaceae), a new moss species from New Zealand,with a note on South American B. striatipila

Abstract

A new species, Bucklandiella allanfifei Bednarek-Ochyra, is described from New Zealand. The new species belongs to Bucklandiella Roiv. sect. Marginatae (Bednarek-Ochyra) Bednarek-Ochyra & Ochyra and is allied to southern South American B. striatipila (Cardot) Bednarek-Ochyra & Ochyra. Bucklandiella allanfifei is characterized by the smaller stature of the plants, mostly prostrate and profusely branched stems, most often with short, erect-ascending branchlets, shorter leaves, 1.5–2.1 mm long (without a hair-point) and anatomy of the costa which is reniform to crescent-shaped in cross-section and 3(–4)-layered in the proximal part. Additionally, the laminal cells are short-rectangular in the distal and median parts, (15–)20–30(–40) μm long, the basal marginal border is composed of 3–4 rows of hyaline, translucent, esinuose and rectangular cells, the innermost perichaetial leaves are longly pilose, the capsules are ellipsoid to short-cylindrical, 1.5–2.0 mm long and the setae are short, (2.2–)3.0–4.5(–6.0) mm. Bucklandiella striatipila is briefly assessed taxonomically and it is considered to be definitely distinct from B. crispipila (Taylor) Bednarek-Ochyra & Ochyra, a pan-tropical oreophyte, with which it was prematurely considered conspecific. Racomitrium integripilum Dusén, R. gemminatum Roiv. and R. substriatipilum Roiv. are reduced to synonymy with B. striatipila. Two new combinations are made: Buckladiella elegans (Müll. Hal.) Bednarek-Ochyra & Ochyra and B. pycnotricha (Müll. Hal.) Bednarek-Ochyra, Ochyra & Seppelt.     

Studies of protonemal morphogenesis in mosses. X. Ephemeraceae revisited; new dimensions underground

Abstract

This systematic investigation of the filament systems in nine species of Ephemerum and two of Micromitrium revealed a range of new characters in the Ephemeraceae. Above ground most taxa have pointed chloronemata with widely spreading branches, whereas in Micromitrium, Ephemerum cohaerens and E. spinulosum, the branches are fastigiated. Four species of Ephemerum (E. sessile, E. cohaerens, E. spinulosum and E. hibernicum) have massive lipid-laden tubers, the last three with prominent spinulose side branches. Tubers, comprising chains of rounded cells, are described for the first time in Micromitrium. Unique to E. recurvifolium are starch-laden tubers and fragile chloronemal branches. The morphology of the diaspores reinforces the pottialean affinities of the Ephemeraceae. The production of long-lived tubers provides Ephemerum species predominantly found on lake and reservoir margins in the British Isles, with an alternative means of perennation on sites susceptible to inundation prior to sporophyte maturation.     

A review of the genus Fallaciella (Bryopsida: Lembophyllaceae), including a new species from South Island,New Zealand

Abstract

An overview of the genus Fallaciella is provided, including reasons for its placement in the Lembophyllaceae. A new species, Fallaciella robusta sp. nov., is described from South Island, New Zealand. The differences between the two known species of Fallaciella are outlined and the main points summarized in a key. Illustrations are provided for both species, and a distribution map is provided for F. robusta.     

A new species of Jonesiobryum (Bryopsida: Rhachitheciaceae) from Uganda

Abstract

Jonesiobryum dumboi is described as a new moss species from Uganda. It differs from its congeners by possessing more broadly obovate leaves and a costa that ends well below the apex. The species is only known from the type locality where it was collected on branches in the canopy.     

A new Cheilolejeunea Marchantiopsida: Lejeuneaceae from montane forests in New Zealand

Abstract

Cheilolejeunea celata M.Renner & Glenny sp. nov., a minute species from high elevation (generally >600 m), high rainfall forests on the wetter, western side of New Zealand, is described and illustrated. It is similar to Cheilolejeunea novaezelandiae R.M. Schust. in its dome-shaped papillae on the lobe surface and its autoicous state, but differs in bearing papillae over the entire lobe surface and on the underleaves, in having narrower underleaves that are never imbricate and have a narrow sinus, and in growing primarily in forest, on the stems of other bryophyte species. In its combination of oblique lobes, strongly inflated keel, and bifid underleaves, the species provides further support for the recent merger of Cyrtolejeunea into Cheilolejeunea.     

A new species of Cheilolejeunea (Spruce) Schiffn. from Panama

Abstract

Cheilolejeunea (subgen. Strepsilejeunea) norisiae G. Dauphin & Gradst. sp. nov. is described and illustrated. The new species differs from other members of the genus Cheilolejeunea by the laciniate leaf margins and the large pre-apical tooth.     

The systematic identity of Chiloscyphus trichocoleoides,a new liverwort species from New Zealand,uncovered by morphological and molecular evidence

Abstract

A new liverwort species from Western Nelson Ecological Province of New Zealand known from a single sterile specimen is described. It is unusual in having well-developed stem paraphyllia, and the leaves and underleaves are divided with three levels of ciliate division in a pinnate manner. This morphology suggested membership of Trichocoleaceae or Trichotemnomaceae, but other features of the plant made placement in either family seem unnatural. We determined its position by conducting phylogenetic analyses of rbcL, rps4 and trnL–F sequence datasets from 35 exemplars, and further confirmation of the position was carried out by an extended analysis using rbcL sequence dataset of 59 exemplars. The surprising result is that it belongs within the genus Chiloscyphus, where it is unique in these features. We describe this new species as Chiloscyphus trichocoleoides. Placing the new species in Chiloscyphus has broadened the generic concept of Chiloscyphus, and its phylogenetic relationship within and to other genera such as Clasmatocolea and Heteroscyphus needs further investigation. The results also show that the same morphological features seen in Chiloscyphus and in Trichocoleaceae and Trichotemnomaceae have developed independently.     

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.