The Genus Schlotheimia (Orthotrichaceae: Bryopsida) in Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

In Australia and New Zealand, there are four species of Schlotheimia. The correct name for the one, widespread Australian species is S. brownii Schwaegr. The second Australian species, S. funiformis Dix., is known only from one, unspecified Australian locality. Schlotheimia knightii C. Muell. is restricted to North, South, and Stewart Islands of New Zealand, while S. campbelliana C. Muell. is distributed on Campbell, Stewart, and South Islands, north to southern- most North Island. An analysis of regional character variation in four characters among the three common species indicates that each of the species has separate characters that can be correlated with latitude. Individual characters have very different patterns ofvariation among these three species. Distribution maps, a key, and detailed structural descriptions are given. Scanning electron micro- graphs reveal consistency of peristome features among the species, while spore distribution analyses show that three of the four species have spores with unimodal size distributions.