Geomolecular divergence in the Gondwanan dendroid Symphyogyna complex (Pallaviciniaceae, Hepaticophytina, Bryophyta)Studies in austral temperate rain forest bryophytes 22

Abstract

Summary The geomolecular divergence pattern of the dendroid Symphyogyna complex ( S. podophylla s.l.: S. bogotensis , S. hymenophyllum , S. podophylla [Pallaviciniaceae, Hepaticophytina, Bryophyta]) is evaluated by comparison of the cpDNA trn L UAA intron and nrDNA ITS2 sequences of four specimens from Africa, nine resp. eight from South America, and five from Australasia. The presented data strongly support the delimination of distinct species: Symphyogyna hymenophyllum is confined to Australasia (New Zealand, Australia, and Tasmania), while S. podophylla is widely distributed throughout Africa and South America. Both species are differentiated by a sequence divergence of 1.5–2.7% ( trn L UAA intron) and 6.8–10.6% (ITS2). The third dendroid Symphyogyna taxon ( S. bogotensis ) shows a close molecular relationship to the Australasian S. hymenophyllum , but requires further investigations concerning the taxonomic status.