New additions to leafy liverwort flora (Marchatiophyta, Jungermanniopsida) of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Leafy liverworts (Marchantiophyta, Jungermanniopsida) comprise a morphologically diverse and complex group of liverworts. Based on past checklists and publications, 25 families, 62 genera and 290 species of leafy liverworts are known to occur in Sri Lanka. The existing checklists largely depend on old publications, and lack proper taxonomic descriptions, keys and locality details, hampering further research and conservation of this important group of plants. A detailed taxonomic survey was initiated to explore and document the leafy liverwort flora of Sri Lanka. Fresh samples were collected and surveyed for morphological, anatomical and spore morphological characters. Specimens were identified using the unique characters based on recent taxonomic keys and monographs and authenticated using type specimens and/or descriptions. Six new species were identified as new records to Sri Lanka: Lejeunea sordida (Nees) Nees, Leptolejeunea subdentata Schiffn., Spruceanthus polymorphus (Sande Lac.) Verd., Frullania udarii Nath et Singh, Heteroscyphus turgidus (Schiffn.) Schiffn. and Fuscocephaloziopsis lunulifolia (Dumort.) Vaňa et L.Soderstr. The genus Fuscocephaloziopsis Fulford is recorded as a new genus to Sri Lanka. Taxonomic descriptions along with photo plates are provided for all the species reported. Addition of the six new records increases the total number of leafy liverwort species of Sri Lanka from 290 to 296 and the number of genera from 62 to 63.