Pseudocrossidium perpapillosum (Pottiaceae) a new species from South America

Abstract

Pseudocrossidium perpapillosum M.J.Cano & J.A.Jiménez is described and illustrated as a new South American species from Argentina and Chile. It differs from other species of Pseudocrossidium R.S.Williams by the costa excurrent in an awn, elliptical in cross-section, with 4–5(6) guide cells, marginal laminal cells differentiated with rounded, thin-walled and papillose cells, paracostal distal cells with 1–2(4) bi- to quadrifurcate, long papillae, and perichaetial leaves differentiated.     

Aerobryum brevicuspis S.He (Brachytheciaceae), a new species from northern Vietnam

A new species of Aerobryum Dozy & Molk. (Brachytheciaceae), A. brevicuspis S.He from Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam is described and illustrated. The new species resembles epiphytic A. speciosum Dozy & Molk. in the presence of pendent, sparsely branched stems, similar shape of leaves and areolation, but differs by its apiculate to cuspidate leaf apices, a single, faint or sometimes double costae in branch leaves, rather differentiated alar cells, the presence of a central strand in the stems, and numerous clustered axillary hairs that are often 5-8(-10) cells long.     

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.     

Didymodon vulcanicus J.A.Jiménez,Hedd. & Frank Müll. (Pottiaceae), a new species from tropical Africa

Didymodon vulcanicus J.A.Jiménez, Hedd. & Frank Müll. is described and illustrated as a new species from volcanic regions of tropical Africa. The species is distinguished morphologically by its lanceolate or more rarely ovate-lanceolate leaves that are strongly incurved distally when dry, acute apices, upper and middle laminal cells arranged in longitudinal rows with a low dorsal papilla over the transverse walls which reaches the two immediate cells, basal cells not or hardly differentiated from the medial cells, and the presence of gemmae in the leaf axils. Drawings and light microscope photographs of the main characters are given, and possible confusion with other closely related taxa is discussed.     

Bryoerythrophyllum neimonggolicum X.-L.Bai & C.Feng (Pottiaceae), a new species from Inner Mongolia,China

Abstract

A new Inner Mongolian endemic species, Bryoerythrophyllum neimonggolicum X.-L.Bai & C.Feng is described and illustrated from China. It is characterized by lingulate to broad-lanceolate leaves with obtuse or rounded apex, leaf margins broadly recurved to revolute to near the apex, bulging laminal cells, basal cells with thickened walls and the absence of lax and enlarged basal cells. This species is compared with closely related species and its ecology is discussed.     

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.     

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.     

Plagiomnium guizhouense Y.-J.Yi & S.He sp. nov. (Mniaceae) found in southwestern China

A new species of Plagiomnium (Mniaceae), P. guizhouense Y.-J.Yi & S.He from Guizhou, China is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to P. affine in having spinosely serrate leaf margins with teeth consisting of up to 4 or more cells, a broadly elliptic leaf shape, and a decurrent leaf base, but is distinguished from the latter species by having a cuspidate leaf apex, broader marginal differentiation with borders consisting of 4–5 rows of linear, thick-walled cells, strongly ciliate marginal teeth that are sometimes branched and up to 7 cells long in upper fertile stem leaves and perichaetial leaves, and a much shorter leaf costa that ends just above mid-leaf in the lower leaves.     

Chenia zanderi C.Feng & J.Kou (Pottiaceae,Musci), a new species from Yunnan,China

A new species, Chenia zanderi C.Feng & J.Kou, from Xishan Forest Park in Yunnan Province, China is described and illustrated. Particularly distinctive features of the new species are the fragile stems and leaves fragile along their insertions, narrow leaves usually constricted near the middle, broadly rounded leaf apices with a long apiculus, large distal laminal cells with numerous solid and bifurcate papillae, a narrow groove on the distal ventral surface of the costa, and absence of a costal stereid band. A key for the species recognised in Chenia R.H.Zander is also provided.     

The cultivation of mosses and liverworts

Abstract

Rhynchostegium confusum, a new species from Spain and the Iberian Peninsula is described. It is closely related to R. confertum, from which it differs in its noticeably wider stem leaves with wider and apically spurred costa, more flexuous branch leaves, and shorter seta. It also differs in its habit and habitat: the plants are tightly attached to siliceous rocks just over the water level in rivulets that dry out during the summer in the Mediterranean region. Molecular data show that the new species derives from R. confertum, but is clearly differentiated from the studied populations of the latter in a number of missing haplotypes.     

Hilpertia tibetica J.Kou,X.-M.Shao & C.Feng (Pottiaceae), a new species from Tibet,China

A new species, Hilpertia tibetica J.Kou, X.-M.Shao & C.Feng from Chara Mountain, Dagzê County, Tibet, China, is described and illustrated. It is similar to Hilpertia velenovskyi (Schiffn.) R.H.Zander, but its erect to erecto-patent leaves when moist, the quadrate to short-rectangular, strongly bulging ventral epidermal cells forming a bulliform ridge on the adaxial surface of the costa, not or slightly thickened superficial abaxial laminal cell walls, the annulus consisting of 2–3 rows of rectangular to elongate cells, much smaller spores and yellow-orange laminal KOH colour reaction, readily separate it from the latter. This new species is compared with closely related species and its ecology is discussed.     

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.     

Three new species of Philocorydoras Suriano, 1986 (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) infecting the gills of callichthyids (Actinopterygii: Callichthyidae) from the Peruvian Amazonia

During a research on gill ectoparasites of callichthyids fishes from the Peruvian Amazonia, the following monogenoideans were found: Philocorydoras peruensis n. sp. from Corydoras splendens (Castelnau); Philocorydoras multiradiatus n. sp. and Philocorydoras jumboi n. sp. from Brochis multiradiatus (Orcés, V.). All new species described herein are mainly differentiated from their congeners based on the morphology of the copulatory complex. In P. peruensis n. sp. the cirrus is “J”-like shaped tube slightly tilted to one side, while in P. jumboi n. sp. is “J”-like shaped tube in a straight position and in P. multiradiatus n. sp. the cirrus is an arced tube with inflated base and distally narrow. Brochis (Orcés, V.) represents a new genus hosting species of Philocorydoras. All new species presented in this work represent the first species of Philocorydoras reported for Peru.

     

Monograph of the moss genus Macrodictyum (Broth.) E.H.Hegew. (Dicranaceae)

Abstract

Macrodictyum is a small acrocarpous moss genus of three species (M. latifolium (E.B.Bartram) M.J.Price, M. proliferum (Mitt.) E.H.Hegew., M. wrightii (Sull.) E.H.Hegew.). It grows in tufts and mats on trees or rocks at 450–1500 m in the Neotropics. The genus has a restricted distribution within the Neotropics and is currently known from only a few localities in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and southeastern Brazil. Macrodictyum is characterized by four main features: 1) appressed, non-crispate, ovate–oblong, lingulate to ligulate or linear leaves; 2) large, rhomboidal, thin-walled cells in the upper leaf; 3) large, irregular, multicellular apical teeth; and 4) guide cells that are ventral at and above mid-leaf. These features are atypical of the Dicranaceae. However, Macrodictyum shares pseudautoicous sexuality, sheathing perichaetial leaves, and peristome structure with the large pantropical Dicranaceous genus Holomitrium Brid. In these two genera the peristome consists of 16 single, triangular, entire or weakly divided, fenestrate, striate teeth that are papillose throughout on both the inner and outer surfaces. Macrodictyum is retained in the Dicranoideae (Dicranaceae), close to Holomitrium, based on its pseudautoicous sexuality, sheathing perichaetial leaves, and peristome structure.     

A new species of Grindelia (Asteraceae, Astereae) from the Meseta del Somuncura (Patagonia), Argentina

Grindelia coronensis, a new species from the Meseta del Somuncura, Prov. Río Negro, Argentina, is described and illustrated. It is similar toG. chiloensis (Cornel.) Cabrera but it is readily distinguished by its leaves which are conspicuosly differentiated into a obovate blade and a long petiole.     

Re-evaluation of Hymenostylium xanthocarpum (Hook.) Brid., and Ardeuma R.H.Zander & Hedd., a new name for all other species of Hymenostylium (Pottiaceae,Bryophyta)

The Old World Hymenostylium xanthocarpum, the generitype of Hymenostylium, was found to be unrelated to the widespread H. recurvirostrum and other species currently placed in the genus. Major distinguishing traits of H. xanthocarpum are the presence of a stem central strand, leaves broadest about midleaf and constricted just above the base, distal laminal cells usually ventrally bulging and massively unipapillose, and basal cells differentiated only in the lower 1/5–1/7 of the leaf. A new genus name, Ardeuma, is proposed for the remaining species of Hymenostylium, and combinations are made for those that are commonly recognized. A key to Tuerckheimia species in the New World that may be confused with H. xanthocarpum is provided.     

A new species of Zelkova (Ulmaceae,Ulmoideae) with leaves and fruits from the Oligocene of South China and its biogeographical implications

A new fossil species of Zelkova is described from the Oligocene Ningming Formation of Guangxi, South China. Zelkova ningmingensis sp. nov. is characterized by leaves with craspedodromous venation pattern and drupaceous fruit type. The new species possesses elliptical to ovate leaves, bearing 7–12 pairs of secondary and simple toothed margin, as well as epidermal cells with straight or rounded anticlinal walls. The species is compared with extant and other fossil species hitherto reported of the genus. It is most similar to the living Zelkova schneideriana in the leaf gross morphology and epidermal characters, which may be suggested to be the ancestral type of Zelkova schneideriana. The discovery of Zelkova ningmingensis sp. nov. in Guangxi indicates that Zelkova has already existed in southern China as early as the Oligocene. In combination with Zelkova material from the Oligocene of Europe, it can be inferred that Eurasian Zelkova had begun to diversify by at least the Oligocene. Because China is the biodiversity centre of modern Zelkova, the fossil herein provides new insights into Zelkova biogeography.     

Haplodontium zangii X.R.Wang & J.C.Zhao,sp. nov. (Bryaceae,Bryopsida) from Xizang,China

Haplodontium zangii X.R.Wang &; J.C.Zhao, a new moss species from Xizang, China, is described and illustrated. Previously, specimens of H. zangii have been identified as Mielichhoferia himalayana Mitt. However, H. zangii is distinctly different from M. himalayana in having excurrent costae with short awns (vs long denticulate awns), short-pyriform capsules, 0.8–1?mm (vs long-pyriform capsules, 2.5–3?mm), and densely papillose exostome teeth (vs smooth or vertically striped exostome teeth). Haplodontium zangii is similar to H. macrocarpum (Hook.) J.R.Spence, which was traditionally placed in Mielichhoferia Nees &; Hornsch. as M. macrocarpa (Hook.) Bruch &; Schimp. The main differences between H. zangii and H. macrocarpum are in the morphology of the leaves, capsules, guide cells, and stomata. Mielichhoferia himalayana and another Chinese species of Mielichhoferia, M. sinensis Dix., are also transferred to Haplodontium Hampe, a new genus in the bryoflora of China, as H. himalayanum (Mitt.) X.R.Wang &; J.C.Zhao and H. sinensis (Dix.) X.R.Wang &; J.C.Zhao. A morphological comparison and a key to the three species of Haplodontium in China as well as to H. macrocarpum, a species that is likely to be found in China, are provided.     

Two new species of Lejeunea Lib. (Hepaticae: Lejeuneaceae) from Sikkim,India

Abstract

Two new species of Lejeunea Lib., L. kashyapii sp. nov. and L. mehrana sp. nov. are described from Sikkim, India. The former is characterized by sub-orbicular leaves; first tooth of leaf lobule, 1–3 cells long 1–2 cells wide at base; reniform underleaves slightly wider than long; monoicous sexuality; 2–3-paired male bracts; obcordate perianth with 4–5 smooth keels (2 lateral, auriculate; 2 ventral; 0–1 dorsal, indistinct). Whereas, the latter is characterized by oblong – ovate leaves; lobule 1/6–1/5 as long as lobe; distant – contiguous underleaves with 1–3 teeth on each lobe; dioicous (?) sexuality; 2–4-paired male bracts and 1–2 male bracteoles present near the base of androecia. A key to the Indian species of the genus are provided.     

A review of the Gymnostomum calcareum Nees & Hornsch. complex (Bryopsida: Pottiaceae) in southern Europe and the Macaronesian Islands,including G. calcareum var. atlanticum var. nov.

Abstract

New taxonomic observations, based on rhizoidal and protonemal gemmae of material from southern Europe and the Macaronesian Islands, are given in this work for sibling taxa of the Gymnostomum calcareum Nees & Hornsch. complex. Gymnostomum calcareum var. atlanticum Sérgio from the Iberian Peninsula, Madeira and Azores is described as a new variety, and its diagnostic characters are described and illustrated. This moss has a bistratose margin in the upper parts of the perichaetial and vegetative leaves, and the perichaetial leaves are markedly acute. It is closely related to Gymnostomum lanceolatum Cano, Ros & J. Guerra, here reduced to a variety of G. calcareum. The occurrence of fusiform or claviform protonemal gemmae provides a diagnostic feature for the different taxa.