Infraspecific Research Articles

The Callerya Group redefined and Tribe Wisterieae (Fabaceae) emended based on morphology and data from nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences.

The Tribe Wisterieae (Zhu 1994), founded on the single genus Wisteria, is emended and recircumscribed based on morphology and data from nuclear ITS and ndhJ-trnF, matK and rbcL chloroplast DNA sequences. This newly enlarged tribe comprises 36 species and 9 infraspecific taxa within 13 described genera. Six genera are new, two are reinstated and five were previously placed in Tribe Millettieae. The genus Adinobotrys is also reinstated comprising two species including the new combination A.vastus. Other reinstated genera include Whitfordiodendron, with four species, and Padbruggea, with three species, including the reinstatement of P.filipes and the new combination P.filipesvar.tomentosa. The existing genera Afgekia, Callerya, Endosamara (with the new combination E.racemosavar.pallida), Sarcodum and Wisteria, with the new combinations W.frutescenssubsp.macrostachya are evaluated. The new genera comprise three Australasian species in Austrocallerya: A.australis, A.megasperma and A.pilipes; Wisteriopsis with five species from east Asia has six new combinations: W.japonica, W.kiangsiensis, W.championii, W.eurybotrya, W.reticulata and W.reticulatavar.stenophylla. Two species comprise the new Thai genus Kanburia: K.tenasserimensis and K.chlorantha. Nanhaia comprises the two species: N.fordii and N.speciosa and the monotypic genera Sigmoidala and Serawaia are based respectively on the species S.kityana and S.strobilifera. Lectotypes are designated for the names Adinobotrysfilipes, A.myrianthus, Millettiabonatiana, Millettiabracteosa, Millettiachampionii, Millettiacinerea, Millettiadielsiana, Millettiakityana, M.maingayi, Millettianitida, Millettiaoocarpa, Millettiapurpurea, M.reticulata, M.reticulatavar.stenophylla, Padbruggeadasyphylla, Pterocarpusaustralis, Robiniaracemosa, Whitfordiodendronscandens, W.sumatranum and Wisteriapallida. A neotype is designated for the name Millettialeiogyna.

Molecular phylogeny of the large South American genus Eriosyce (Notocacteae, Cactaceae): Generic delimitation and proposed changes in infrageneric and species ranks

Eriosyce is one of most species‐rich genera within Notocacteae (Cactaceae) harboring a variety of stem and flower morphologies, and fruits with basal abscission. The lack of a well‐sampled molecular phylogeny contributes to the current taxonomic instability of the genus, where its circumscription and infrageneric classification has been questioned. Specimens of Eriosyce (63 taxa) plus 19 outgroups were analyzed through sequencing three plastid noncoding introns (rpl32‐trnL, trnL‐trnF, trnH‐psbA), one plastid gene (ycf1), and one nuclear gene (PHYC). Individual markers and concatenated matrices were analyzed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Phylogenetic analyses strongly support the monophyly of Eriosyce s.l. Furthermore, seven clades within Eriosyce s.l. were defined based on supported branches, although one of them was weakly supported. Our results suggest that some past taxonomic proposals have low phylogenetic support and should no longer be used, e.g., based on their scattered positions in the phylogenetic reconstruction, several infraspecific taxa appear unrelated to the typical form of the species in which they had been placed. We present a phylogeny‐informed infrageneric classification of the genus Eriosyce, and new combinations are proposed to update the nomenclature of species and sections.

Geometric Morphometrics Dismiss the Polymorphic Hydrocotyle quinqueloba (Araliaceae) from the Neotropics

Abstract—Hydrocotyle taxonomy is poorly resolved due the traditional assessment of leaf morphology that has imposed difficulties to species delimitation and prompted the recognition of several infraspecific taxa. Hydrocotyle quinqueloba comprises ten infraspecific taxa that differ mainly by the shape of their leaf blade. The species complex occurs in montane forests of the Andes and eastern Brazil, along the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado domains. However, the geographic distribution of the taxa under H. quinqueloba is poorly known, and their supposedly continuous morphological variation remains unverified. Here we analyze the morphological variation and documented correlated differences in geographic distribution of H. quinqueloba to assess whether they support the delimitation of distinct species or the recognition of infraspecific taxa. For this task, we applied landmark-based geometric morphometrics (GM) to leaves and traditional morphometrics to other structures of specimens of H. quinqueloba. Procrustes analysis of variance (Procrustes ANOVA) indicated that variation of leaf blade shape was weakly associated with geography and was mainly explained by taxa themselves. In contrast, variation of leaf blade size was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with geography, but variation at the specimen level could account for it. Principal component analysis (PCA) of leaf blade shape indicated that taxa differed mainly by the angle and relative size between median and lateral primary veins, by the space between the petiole insertion and middle lobe’s sinuses, and by the width of the middle lobe’s base. Canonical variate analysis (CVA) indicated significant (p < 0.01) differences among seven infraspecific taxa that formed groups defined by leaf blade shape. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) of 11 morphological characters separated five groups of taxa, which displayed significant (p < 0.001) differences among each other. Based on that, we propose an updated taxonomic treatment that restricts the circumscription of H. quinqueloba to plants from the Andes and accepts four species from eastern Brazil.

A new variety of Schizachyrium (Poaceae: Andropogoneae) from South America, with notes on the infraspecific taxa of Schizachyrium tenerum

A new variety of Schizachyrium tenerum from South America is described and illustrated. The new taxon (S. tenerum var. muticum) differs from the other varieties of the species (S. tenerum var. tenerum and S. tenerum var. hirtiglume) mainly by the absence of awns in the sessile spikelets, which is a very unusual character in the genus. The new variety occurs in Venezuela, Bolivia, and Brazil. A taxonomic discussion and an identification key for the infraspecific taxa of S. tenerum are also presented, as well as illustrations of all varieties of the species. Additionally, Schizachyrium tenerum var. hirtiglume is reported for the first time for Colombia.

A brainstorm on the systematics of Turnera (Turneraceae, Malpighiales) caused by insights from molecular phylogenetics and morphological evolution

With 145 species, Turnera is the largest genus of Turneraceae (Malpighiales). Despite several morphotaxonomic and cytogenetic studies, our knowledge about the phylogenetic relationships in Turnera remains mainly based on morphological data. Here, we reconstruct the most comprehensive phylogeny of Turnera with molecular data to understand the morphological evolution within this group and to assess its circumscription and infrageneric classification. We analyzed two nuclear and six plastid markers and 112 taxa, including species and infraspecific taxa, 97 from Turnera, covering the 11 series of the genus. Bayesian inference, maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses show that Turnera, as traditionally circumscribed, is not monophyletic. The genus is divided into two well-supported independent clades; one of them is sister to the genus Piriqueta and is here segregated as the new genus Oxossia. According to our reconstructions, Turnera probably evolved from an ancestor without extrafloral nectaries and with solitary, homostylous flowers with yellow petals. The emergences of extrafloral nectaries and distyly, both common in extant taxa, played an important role in the diversification of the genus. An updated infrageneric classification reflecting the relationships within Turnera is now possible based on morphological synapomorphies and is here designed for further studies.

Typifications and Nomenclatural Notes on Urospatha (Araceae)

This paper addresses typification of species and infraspecific taxa in the genus Urospatha Schott. Thirteen lectotypifications, one neotypification, and corrections for two type localities are presented and discussed. Additionally, U. friedrichsthaliana Schott (a probable synonym of Sagittaria latifolia Willd.) is lectotypified.

A taxonomic study of Scleria subgenus Hypoporum: synonymy, typification and a new identification key

For Scleria subgen. Hypoporum, 214 species and infraspecific names were published since the first publication of the name Scleria. These names represent 76 accepted taxa, representing 72 species of Scleria subgen. Hypoporum. Herbarium material of all recognised species was studied, including the type material if available. Synonymy and typification in Scleria subgen. Hypoporum was thoroughly investigated. Fifty-six lectotypes and two neotypes were newly assigned. An identification key for the subgenus is presented. For each species, synonymy and types are cited, a description is provided including information on distribution, habitat and a list of additional specimens examined. Taxonomical difficulties and remarkable observations are added in notes. A useful overview of all published names linking them to their accepted taxon is added.

On Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae s. str./Amaranthaceae s. l.) in Tunisia: nomenclatural and morphological notes on its infraspecific variability

Abstract Populations of Atriplex canescens var. gigantea were found in Lamta, Bouficha-Enfidha (central Tunisia), and Medenine (southern Tunisia). Literature data concerning the presence of this species in Tunisia are contradictory but now our data confirm its occurrence in the country. On the other hand, this variety is reported in the present paper for the first time both in Tunisia and in North Africa in general. Morphological characters and ecological data are presented, as well as notes about patterns of infraspecific variability of A. canescens. Nomenclatural notes on infraspecific names in A. canescens, as well as on the closely related species A. garrettii, are provided. The types of the names A. canescens var. laciniata, A. canescens var. macilenta, A. garrettii, Obione occidentalis var. angustifolia, and Pterochiton occidentale, that in earlier publications were erroneously considered to be holotypes, are in fact lectotypes (for most of taxa) under Art. 9.10 of the ICN. Isolectotypes were found at CAS (A. canescens var. laciniata and A. canescens var. macilenta), GH (A. canescens var. macilenta), and YU (Atriplex nuttallii).

Checklist to the Elatostema (Urticaceae) of Vietnam including 19 new records, ten new combinations, two new names and four new synonyms.

Elatostema (Urticaceae) comprises several hundred herbaceous species distributed in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania. The greatest species richness occurs on limestone karst in Southeast Asia. Taxonomic revisions of Elatostema are largely out of date and contradict each other with respect to the delimitation of Elatostema and Pellionia. Most herbaria in SE Asia and worldwide contain significant amounts of unidentified material. As part of a broader revision of Elatostema in SE Asia, we present an updated checklist for Vietnam based on field visits, a review of specimens in herbaria worldwide, a review of type material and nomenclature. We recognize 77 taxa (75 species and two infraspecific taxa) of Elatostema in Vietnam, 23 of which were previously ascribed to Pellionia. Nineteen of these are new records for the country, i.e., E. attenuatoides, E. austrosinense, E. backeri, E. brunneinerve, E. crassiusculum, E. crenatum, E. fengshanense, E. glochidioides, E. malacotrichum, E. nanchuanense, E. oblongifolium, E. obtusum, E. oppositum, E. pergameneum, E. prunifolium, E. pseudolongipes, E. pycnodontum, E. salvinioides and E. xichouense. We place E. baviensis in synonymy of E. platyphyllum, E. colaniae in synonymy of E. myrtillus, P. macroceras in synonymy of E. hookerianum, and P. tetramera in synonymy of E. dissectum for the first time. Fourteen taxa (18% of all the recognized taxa) are endemic to Vietnam, which makes Elatostema one of the richest genera for endemic species in this country; this level of endemism is comparable to levels observed in Orchidaceae. Our checklist suggests that the highest diversity and endemism of Elatostema occurs in northern Vietnam, and that there is the greatest floristic similarity of northern Vietnam to SW China. The relationship among floristic regions is also investigated. We could find no records of Elatostema for 33 out of 63 provincial units of Vietnam, including all the southernmost provinces. We propose that further studies on the diversity of Elatostema in central and southern Vietnam are severely needed.

Genetic structure, phylogeography, and migration routes of Bouteloua gracilis (Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths (Poaceae:Chloridoideae)

Blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis) populations are found in widely variable environments, tolerating drought, alkaline soils and different levels of grazing. Many ploidy levels have been reported for this species that is also considered to be phenotypically plastic and morphologically variable. Recently a decline in its cover and frequency in the North American shortgrass steppe and central Mexico has been reported although much about the biology of the species is unknown, including genetic diversity throughout its distribution. Genetic and phylogeographic structure and phylogenetic relationships among B. gracilis were estimated employing next generation sequencing of a high number of SNPs and loci. Population genetics and Structure analyses were performed. We compared the marginal likelihoods of different migration models using MIGRATE and obtained the best population model of migration for our data. Demographic expansion of B. gracilis was observed graphically with a mismatch distribution obtained in DNAsp. Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood methods were used to resolve phylogenetic relationships among B. gracilis and its closely related species as well as within B. gracilis populations. B. gracilis is sister to the B. chasei and B. herrera arrietae clade. Among the populations of the species two highly supported clades were resolved, grouping samples from Mexico and USA respectively. Allele frequencies determined three population clusters: CUSA from the Great Plains, MEX from central and southern Mexico, and WUSA-NMEX from northern Mexico and the western mountainous region of USA, the latter of which contains an allele admixture of the other two clusters. The haplotype network revealed an ancestral haplotype originating in Mexico, from which the rest of the haplotypes diversified to the north. Both evidence of gene flow and isolation among populations was observed. Genetic clusters are not genetically structured and variation is higher among populations. The genetic and morphological data do not support recognition of ecotypes or infraespecific taxa. However, the Great Plains populations are least diverse, making them most vulnerable to environmental change.

Materijali za floru Srbije iz herbarijumske kolekcije PZZP (2)

In this article is presented the second part of data on selected new and noteworthy taxa for a flora of Serbia resulting from the ongoing process of examination and revision of the Herbarium collection of the Institute for Nature Conservation of the Vojvodina province (PZZP). These data are including 22 species, 14 subspecies, 1 variety, 1 form, 1 infraspecific taxon with indetermined taxonomical status [stat. indet.] and one nothospecies belonging to 11 genera (Leontodon L., Lepidium L., Leucanthemella Tzvelev, Leucanthemum Mill., Leucojum Mill., Limonium Mill., Limosella L., Linaria Mill., Lindernia All., Linum L. and Scorzoneroides Moench). One subspecies (Linum capitatum subsp. serrulatum), one nothospecies (Linaria ×oligotricha) and 3 taxa on the different infraspecific levels are new for a flora of Serbia.

Contribution to the knowledge of the pollen morphology in the tribe Orobancheae Lam. & DC. (Orobanchaceae)

The pollen grains of 53 species and 57 taxa of two genera (Cistanche, Orobanche s. l.) of tribe Orobancheae were studied with light microscopy (LM). Thirty-five of these species were also studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Two pollen types (Orobanche and Phelipanche) and six pollen groups (I–VI) were described. A principal component analysis was performed to help clarify some taxonomic problems at generic, specific and infraspecific levels. Some transition forms exist between the two pollen types. We consider that these data support the elevation of Trionychon to the rank of subgenus (Phelipanche). The pollen morphology of the subgenus Boulardia and of the genus Cistanche is quite similar to that of subgenera Orobanche and Phelipanche, respectively. Our results support the position of Boulardia as the sister taxon to Orobanche s. s. The contribution of pollen morphology to the resolution of several taxonomic problems related to specific and infra-specific taxa was discussed. Within the Orobancheae, the tricolpate, isopolar, microreticulate-scabrate pollen grains are plesiomorphic and the apolar, granulate, inaperturate pollen grains are apomorphic. Some taxa (e.g. O. cernua, O. cumana, O. lavandulacea and O. mutelii) present pollen heteromorphism, which could be related to the existence of geographical clines. The polymorphic (inaperturate, colpate), scabrate-perforate, tectate-columellate pollen grains present in some species (O. cernua, O. cumana) possibly represent an intermediate evolutionary type. Considering the separation of specific and infraspecific taxa in the Orobancheae, LM is apparently more useful than SEM, although information from SEM is clearly relevant as a complement for LM.

Reinstatement and lectotypification of Gnidia sisparensis (Thymelaeaceae), a species endemic to India

Gnidia sisparensis Gardner (1847: 457–458) was first described based on (at least) two collections made from Sispara Pass in the Nilgiri Mountains in southwestern India. Wight (1852: 18, text explanation sub plate 1860) translated the original Latin description of G. sisparensis into English (almost verbatim), adding the following comment: “In its general aspect this plant is so like the other [i.e. G. eriocephala Wall. ex J. Graham (1839: 176)] that it might be passed as such, but on closer examination it proves a very distinct species”. In that publication, Wight also provided the first illustrations of G. sisparensis (plate 1860), and the plant closely matches the description included in Gardner’s protologue. Without personally examining any specimen, Meisner (1857) transferred the species to the very closely related genus Lasiosiphon Fresenius (1838: 602–603), creating L. sisparensis (Gardner) Meisner (1857: 598), on the basis of the protologue (Gardner 1847) and the plate published in Wight (1852). Hooker (1886: 197) synonymized L. sisparensis and several other names [e.g. Lasiosiphon hugelii Meisner (1857: 598), L. metzianus Miquel (1851: 15), G. insularis Gardner (1847: 456)] under a broadly circumscribed L. eriocephalus (Wall. ex J. Graham) Decaisne (1844: 148), noting that there were no distinguishing characters available to separate them. Later, Gamble (1925) cited Gardner’s Sispara material along with two other collections from Palghat Hills (=Palakkad) and Mysore (=Mysuru), made by Beddome and Lobb, respectively. Additionally, Gamble (1925) recognized the taxon at the varietal rank as L. eriocephalus var. sisparensis (Gardner) Gamble (1925: 1244), mentioning differences related to leaf shape and the color of the trichomes within the inflorescences. Townsend (1981) was the first to treat L. eriocephala, and its basionym, Gnidia eriocephala, as synonyms of the widespread African Gnidia glauca (Fresenius 1838: 603) Gilg (1894: 227) [≡ Lasiosiphon glaucus Fresenius(1838: 603)], writing on page 506 that the “Indian material is often more abruptly and less sharply pointed in the leaf than African, but this is by no means consistent”. Additionally, Townsend recognized two infraspecific taxa of G. glauca, the var. glauca, ranging from Southwest India to tropical Africa (Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, through Sudan and Ethiopia and west to Nigeria), and var. insularis (Gardner) Townsend (1981: 507), a more pubescent Sri Lankan variety (Gnidia sisparensis was not mentioned in the publication). Kumari (1987) recognized that Townsend’s treatment implied a transfer of L. eriocephalus var. sisparensis to Gnidia, and published the new combination G. glauca var. sisparensis (Gardner) Kumari (1987: 214). Kumari went on to indicate the Ramanathapuram District of Tamil Nadu as its native range, without citing any voucher specimens. Moreover, Naithani (1990) also recognized the variety and extended its distribution, reporting three adjacent Indian states (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala), but likewise without citing any supporting vouchers. Gnidia sisparensis is reinstated here as a distinct species and a lectotype is designated for the name.

Epipactis purpurataf.variegata(Orchidaceae), A New Infraspecific Taxon

A new infraspecific taxon in Orchidaceae, Epipactis purpurata f. variegata Żolubak & Jakubska-Busse f. nova, with variegated leaves, is described and illustrated from Lower Silesia, Poland.

Lectotipificaciones en Amaranthaceae de la Flora Argentina

Se designan lectotipos para 36 nombres específicos y 22 nombres infraespecíficos correspondientes a la familia Amaranthaceae de la Flora Argentina, los que pertenecen a los géneros actualmente aceptados Alternanthera, Blutaparon, Chamissoa, Froelichia, Hebanthe y Pfaffia. Del total, 20 corresponden a lectotipificaciones de segundo paso.

A molecular phylogeny of the Old World cypresses (Cupressus: Cupressaceae): evidence from nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences

Studies of phylogenetic relationships among cypresses of the Old World (Cupressus; Cupressaceae) have been plagued by unresolved relationships, poor branch support, and conflict between data sets and methods of analysis. In this study, we combined 5.4 kb of aligned DNA sequence and 157 binary characters with previously published data in examining phylogenetic relationships among Cupressus species. Bayesian and parsimony analysis of the combined data or of the nuclear data alone always recovered three principal clades of Cupressus; however, tests of phylogenetic incongruence could not distinguish between competing relationships among the three principal Cupressus lineages. In contrast, incongruence tests often found statistically significant conflict between the nuclear and plastid data, particularly with respect to the placement of C. chengiana. Consistent with previous studies and prevailing taxonomic opinion, we find C. darjeelingensis more closely related to cypresses of the New World (Hesperocyparis). In contrast, we placed accessions of C. assamica and C. tonkinensis, two putatively Old World species suggested to be misidentified New World taxa by some authors, within well-supported Old World clades. Statistical analysis of genetic distances suggests instances in which taxa recognized as distinct species by some authors are identical or nearly so and may best be considered a single taxon. Conversely, we identify instances in which infraspecific taxa are more distantly related to one another than those traditionally recognized as distinct species. Factors confounding cypress taxonomies, including poor morphological differentiation, misidentification, and the use of accessions of questionable provenance, are discussed.

La familia Bromeliaceae en México

Antecedentes: Las Bromeliaceae mexicanas han despertado el interés de los botánicos desde 1789; su estudio sistemático inició a partir de la década de los setenta del siglo pasado, contando actualmente con avances significativos en su conocimiento taxonómico-florístico.Pregunta: ¿Cuántas y cuáles especies de Bromeliaceae se presentan en México? ¿Cómo están distribuidas y cuántas son endémicas?Sitio de estudio: México, 1887-2017.Métodos: Con base en el estudio de las Bromeliaceae de México, incluyendo recolecciones botánicas, revisión de literatura y consulta, cotejo y determinación de ejemplares en 50 herbarios nacionales y extranjeros, se obtuvieron datos sobre riqueza, endemismo y distribución de sus representantes en el país.Resultados: En México están representadas cuatro de las ocho subfamilias de Bromeliaceae, 19 géneros, 422 especies y 8 taxones infraespecíficos. Los géneros más ricos en especies son Tillandsia (230/54.5 %), Hechtia (71/16.8 %) y Pitcairnia (50/11.8 %). Trescientas dieciocho especies, así como los géneros Ursulaea y Viridantha, son endémicos de México; 172 especies son microendémicas. La entidad con más taxones es Oaxaca, seguida por Chiapas, Veracruz y Guerrero y las que cuentan con menor representación son Tlaxcala y Baja California Sur. Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Ciudad de México, San Luis Potosí, Sonora, Tabasco y Tlaxcala no tienen taxones endémicos estrictos.Conclusión: Aunque el avance del conocimiento de las Bromeliaceae mexicanas ha sido constante, todavía se requiere de trabajo de exploración y recolección en algunas regiones del país, antes de concluir la flora Bromeliológica Mexicana. También es necesario abordar aspectos de conservación y aprovechamiento sustentable.

Tackling the Paepalanthus elongatus complex (Eriocaulaceae) in central Brazil: nomenclatural changes and description of a new species from Goiás

In Paepalanthus ser. Dimeri, one of the few groups of Eriocaulaceae with dimerous flowers, the poorly understood circumscription of Paepalanthus elongatus and its numerous infraspecific taxa challenge the delimitation of the remaining taxa and distorts the group’s actual diversity. In order to clarify the taxonomy of the group in central Brazil, nomenclatural and taxonomic changes are proposed. Paepalanthus cassiae is described based on specimens usually misidentified as P. elongatus, as well as specimens collected on recent field trips. The new species is easily distinguished from P. elongatus by its smaller habit, dark castaneous leaf sheath, and golden to pale straw-colored involucral bracts, twice as long as the floral disc. Paepalanthus longibracteatus and P. niger are raised to species status based on P. elongatus varieties briefly described by Harold Moldenke. Detailed descriptions are provided for these species. The three species detailed occur in the vicinities of the recently extended Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park. Details of the species’ etymology, distribution, biology, conservation status, and morphological variation, along with illustrative photographs, are provided. Paepalanthus elongatus var. glabrescens is treated as a new synonym of P. elongatus var. elongatus.

Description of Six New Species and Two New Infraspecific Taxa of Lejeuneaceae (Marchantiophyta) from India

Six new species namely Cololejeunea khawanglungensis Sushil K. Singh sp. nov., Cololejeunea murlenensis Sushil K. Singh sp. nov., Drepanolejeunea mizoramensis Sushil K. Singh sp. nov., Lejeunea bukpuiensis Sushil K. Singh sp. nov., Lejeunea kolasibensis Sushil K. Singh sp. nov., Leptolejeunea mizoramnsis Sushil K. Singh sp. nov., and two new varieties namely Lejeunea eifrigii var. indica Sushil K. Singh var. nov ., Spruceanthus semirepandus var. indicus Sushil K. Singh var. nov . belonging to family Lejeuneaceae have been described from Mizoram in North-East India.

On taxonomic status of Macromitrium leptocarpum and M. subleptocarpum, with comments on M. sulcatum (Bryophytea, Orthotrichaceae)

Macromitrium sulcatum (Hook.) Brid., M. leptocarpum Broth. and M. subleptocarpum Dixon & P. de la Varde are similar in their gametophytes. Having studied their type and ordinary specimens, we treat M. subleptocarpum as a synonym of M. leptocarpum, and the latter as M. sulcatum var. leptocarpum (Broth.) J. Ying, D. D. Li, Y Li & S. L. Guo comb. nov. The variation of M. sulcatum and its infraspecific taxa are also discussed.