Pseudosymblepharis and Oxystegus species (Pottiaceae) new to northwestern North America, and refutation of molecular Chionoloma

Abstract

Three species of Pottiaceae (Bryophyta) of limited distribution worldwide are reported for hyperoceanic northwestern North America. The Asian Pseudosymblepharis angustata is a genus and species new to North America from Alaska. Oxystegus daldinianus, previously known from Europe and the Southern Appalachians in the U.S.A., is reported as new to Canada from British Columbia. A new species is described in Oxystegus from British Columbia. These genera continue to be recognized here instead of the broad molecular systematics concept of Chionoloma in part because of lack of resolution of molecular cladograms reported by a recent study on molecular races in the Pottiaceae.