Encalypta papillosa C.Feng, J.Kou & B.Niu (Encalyptaceae, Musci), a new species from Tibet, China

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction. During the identification of a number of specimens collected from Tibet, China, some specimens belonging to genus Encalypta attracted the authors’ attention because of their narrowly cucullate leaf apex, papillose basal laminal cells and scindulae on the calyptra throughout. Detailed observations revealed that these samples as a new species of Encalypta (Encalyptaceae). Methods. The specimens included in this paper were collected by the third author B. Niu during his investigation in Tibet in August 2018. The specimens were studied with the anatomical and morphological methods applied for the Encalyptaceae and the diagnostic characters were evaluated mainly according to Horton (Horton 1982, 1983). Key results. The new species differs most saliently from other species of Encalypta by the combination of hair-pointed leaves that have narrowly cucullate apices, basal laminal cells with large, forked papillae which are associated with dark-orange transverse walls along costa, capsules with slight longitudinal ribs, peristome single, red and without rudimentary exostome teeth, and scindulae on the calyptrae that are entire at the base. Conclusions. A new moss species, Encalypta papillosa C.Feng, J.Kou & B.Niu from Tibet, China, is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to Encalypta sect. Rhabdotheca Müll.Hal. and is compared with similar species and a key to Chinese species of the genus is provided.