<p class="HeadingRunIn"><strong>Common but new: <em>Bartramia rosamrosiae</em>, a “new” widespread species of apple mosses (Bartramiales, Bryophytina) from the Mediterranean and western North America</strong></p>

Abstract

Recent phylogenetic analyses challenged the traditional generic concept of the Bartramiaceae (apple mosses), especially with regard to the largest genus Bartramia . Although molecular analyses revealed the three Bartramia sections ( Bartramia , Strictidium and Vaginella ) to be monophyletic, they appeared in different parts of the inferred phylogenies and thus rendered the genus itself polyphyletic. In addition, Anacolia laevisphaera , a tropical montane species, appeared in the section Strictidium , weakening its character as a typical Mediterranean element. Although morphologically similar to members of the section, such as B. stricta , A. laevisphaera has been generally treated within the genus Anacolia based on sporophytic characters. In fact, Anacolia laevisphaera is often confused with B. stricta in sterile condition. A thorough analysis revealed another surprise, in placing A. laevisphaera sister to the Southern South American samples of Bartramia stricta, while the Mediterranean populations of “ B. stricta ” cluster with the Australian B. breutelii . Subsequent morphometric studies revealed three morpho-species in accordance with the polyphyletically resolved B. stricta . Here we describe the new species Bartramia rosamrosiae to accommodate the Mediterranean and western North American populations of what was traditionally treated as B. stricta .