Moss Genus Research Articles

Morphophylogenetic assessment of a new moss species Bryum bharatiense sp. nov. (Bryaceae) from Larsemann Hills, Eastern Antarctica

Bryum is recognized as a cosmopolitan genus of mosses in the family Bryaceae that contains the largest diversity of mosses. Although there are around 100 species of moss species reported from Antarctica to date, the actual species diversity remains elusive, as the continent remains one of the least explored habitats globally. Here, we describe a new species of Bryum from the Larsemann Hills, Eastern Antarctica, with several synapomorphic characters, including unbranched plant body, ovate-lanceolate leaves, reflexed leaf margins with slightly serrulate apex, and percurrent coasta. In nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 1 phylogram, our isolate did not cluster with any known species of this genus. The closest BLASTn hit was found to be Bryum pseudotriquetrum , but our isolate had several distinct synapomorphic traits. Based on morphological and molecular data, a new moss species, Bryum bharatiense sp. nov. is formally proposed herein. Besides, two new taxonomic records are also presented in this study, viz. Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum from Larsemann Hills and Coscinodon lawianus from Schirmacher Oasis.

A rare European endemic moss genus Arvernella is discovered in Sakhalin, Russian Far East, where it is also rare

A rare European endemic moss genus Arvernella is discovered in Sakhalin, Russian Far East, where it is also rare

Relationships within Timmia, especially within T. austriaca Hedw. (Musci, Timmiaceae)

ABSTRACT Introduction Within the moss genus Timmia, three or four sections have been suggested based on morphology. Earlier studies conflicted in suggesting that T. austriaca Hedw. either displays limited phylogeographical structure or includes large molecular variation with potential for geographical structure. Methods Relationships within Timmia were inferred from variation in the nuclear 26S and plastid atpB–rbcL and trnL–trnF. New sequences were generated for 64 specimens of T. austriaca. For other Timmia species, sequences came primarily from earlier studies or GenBank. Key results Timmia includes two main, well-supported molecular lineages. Within T. austriaca, four arctic or subarctic specimens resolved in a small-lineage sister to all other specimens. Conclusions Recognition of two sections is suggested: Timmia Hedw. sect. Timmia (syn. sect. Timmiaurea Brassard; syn. sect. Sphaerocarpa Y.Jia & Yang Liu bis) and sect. Norvegica Brassard. Timmia fossils, including T. austriaca, were deposited at least 3 Myr BP in northernmost North America under a milder climate than presently in that area. It is theorised that plants of the small T. austriaca lineage evolved adaptations to survive only under cold conditions, when the Arctic was gradually cooling. Timmia austriaca disperses easily, and because the numerous temperate region samples studied included no representatives of the northern lineage, the restricted distribution of this lineage is suggested to have resulted from adaptation to cold environments. In situ survival of T. austriaca in Fennoscandia during the Late Glacial Maximum, as previously theorised, is deemed unlikely due to glacial erosion and submergence of large areas as a result of isostatic depression.

The Genus Plagiothecium Schimp. (Plagiotheciaceae, Bryophyta) in Eurasia: An Annotated Checklist with Distribution and Ecological Data.

An annotated checklist of the pleurocarpous moss genus Plagiothecium in Eurasia is presented for the first time based on a thorough review of the literature. Data have been compiled from previous relevant works conducted on the genus over more than 70 years and published up to the end of June 2020 for 107 Eurasian countries (and islands). Sectional classification is based on molecular phylogeny of the genus published recently. A total of 41 taxa are reported, including 29 species and 12 infraspecific taxa (nine varieties and three forms) belonging to eight sections. The highest numbers of taxa were found in China (20 taxa), the Russian Federation (20 taxa) and Japan (18 taxa), while the smallest numbers of taxa were recorded in the Middle East, Central Asia and the islands area. Not a single species of Plagiothecium was recorded in 26 regions, whereas P. denticulatum, P. nemorale and P. cavifolium turned out to be the most widespread species in the entire study area. They were recorded in most of the surveyed countries and islands. For each accepted taxon, information on relevant literature, synonyms, distribution within Eurasia and globally are provided. Comments on each taxon, ecological preferences, and notes on doubtful records are also included. Additionally, distribution maps for each recognised taxon are supplied. This checklist can enlighten and foster a better understanding of the distribution, diversity, and ecology of Plagiothecium in Eurasia and provides an incentive for future research on the genus.

Environmental patterns of brown moss- and Sphagnum-associated microbial communities

Northern peatlands typically develop through succession from fens dominated by the moss family Amblystegiaceae to bogs dominated by the moss genus Sphagnum. How the different plants and abiotic environmental conditions provided in Amblystegiaceae and Sphagnum peat shape the respective moss associated microbial communities is unknown. Through a large-scale molecular and biogeochemical study spanning Arctic, sub-Arctic and temperate regions we assessed how the endo- and epiphytic microbial communities of natural northern peatland mosses relate to peatland type (Sphagnum and Amblystegiaceae), location, moss taxa and abiotic environmental variables. Microbial diversity and community structure were distinctly different between Amblystegiaceae and Sphagnum peatlands, and within each of these two peatland types moss taxon explained the largest part of microbial community variation. Sphagnum and Amblystegiaceae shared few (< 1% of all operational taxonomic units (OTUs)) but strikingly abundant (up to 65% of relative abundance) OTUs. This core community overlapped by one third with the Sphagnum-specific core-community. Thus, the most abundant microorganisms in Sphagnum that are also found in all the Sphagnum plants studied, are the same OTUs as those few shared with Amblystegiaceae. Finally, we could confirm that these highly abundant OTUs were endophytes in Sphagnum, but epiphytes on Amblystegiaceae. We conclude that moss taxa and abiotic environmental variables associate with particular microbial communities. While moss taxon was the most influential parameter, hydrology, pH and temperature also had significant effects on the microbial communities. A small though highly abundant core community is shared between Sphagnum and Amblystegiaceae.

Cell Division Patterns in the Peristomial Layers of the Moss Genus Costesia: Two Hypotheses and a Third Solution.

The Chilean endemic genus Costesia belongs to the Gigaspermaceae, one of the most basal groups of arthrodontous mosses. While none of the species in this family has a peristome, earlier stages of sporophyte development often disclose its basic structure. The study of Costesia sporophytes at the early stages of development was conducted to identify possible similarities with Diphyscium, the genus sister to Gigaspermaceae plus all other arthrodontous mosses in the moss phylogenetic tree. Diphyscium shares a strongly unequal cell division pattern with the Dicranidae. In groups more closely related to Diphyscium, as it is the case of Costesia, this pattern is not known. Our study of Costesia found only irregular presence of slightly unequal cell divisions that may then be considered as a plesiomorphic state in peristomate mosses. The most frequently present pattern revealed in Costesia is common with the Polytrichaceae, a more basal moss group with nematodontous peristomes.

Systematic Revision of Papillaria (Meteoriaceae, Bryophyta)

Abstract—A systematic revision of the tropical moss genus Papillaria was carried out by combining morphological studies with phylogenetic reconstructions based on molecular data from the plastid (trnL-F and rpl16) and the nuclear (ITS region) genomes. For the morphological study a set of qualitative and quantitative features was studied in over 2800 herbarium specimens, including the types, of all 55 previously accepted species in the genus. After revision, nine species of Papillaria were recognized, Papillaria crocea and P. flexicaulis which are broadly distributed in the tropics, P. africana that is endemic to Africa, P. laevifolia that is known from the Americas, and P. flavolimbata, P. funiformis, P. leuconeura, P. nitens, and P. zeloflexicaulis that are known from Australia and the Pacific Islands. The majority of the other previously accepted names do not belong to Papillaria s. s. but to the closely related genera Toloxis and Meteorium. We propose five new synonyms under P. africana as well as one new synonym for P. crocea and one for P. laevifolia. The revision reduced the number of Papillaria species in Africa from ten to one and in South America from thirteen to three. We extend the geographic range of P. crocea due to a new record from eastern South America (Brazil).

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Taxonomic notes and new synonyms on Brazilian &lt;em&gt;Macromitrium&lt;/em&gt; Bridel (Bryophyta, Orthotrichaceae)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Brazil is a megadiverse country that intends to catalog all its flora by 2020. Therefore, knowledge about taxonomy and the correct identification of species is essential for accessing the real species biodiversity. Macromitrium (Orthotrichaceae) is considered the third largest moss genus in the world and with the majority of its species distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. For Brazil 64 species have been cited, but 44 remain as unknown to the Brazilian flora. The aim of this work was to check all 64 names of Brazilian Macromitrium helping to clarify its validity and correct identification. Type specimens from 14 herbaria were studied using optical microscopy. After this analysis 22% are good species, 54% are synonymous of others species; 13% are excluded from the Brazilian flora and 11% were not possible to check. This work contributed to clarify the diversity of Macromitrium in Brazil, contributing to the knowledge of bryophytes and important data for the flora of Brazil 2020.

Extreme plastid RNA editing may confound phylogenetic reconstruction: A case study of Selaginella (lycophytes)

Cytidine-to-uridine (C-to-U) RNA editing is common in coding regions of organellar genomes throughout land plants. In most cases RNA editing alters translated amino acids or creates new start codons, potentially confounds phylogenetic reconstructions. In this study, we used the spike moss genus Selaginella (lycophytes), which has the highest frequency of RNA editing, as a model to test the effects of extreme RNA editing on phylogenetic reconstruction. We predicted the C-to-U RNA editing sites in coding regions of 18 Selaginella plastomes, and reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships within Selaginella based on three data set pairs consisted of plastome or RNA-edited coding sequences, first and second codon positions, and translated amino acid sequences, respectively. We predicted between 400 and 3100 RNA editing sites of 18 Selaginella plastomes. The numbers of RNA editing sites in plastomes were highly correlated with the GC content of first and second codon positions, but not correlated with the GC content of plastomes as a whole. Contrast phylogenetic analyses showed that there were substantial differences (e.g., the placement of clade B in Selaginella) between the phylogenies generated by the plastome and RNA-edited data sets. This empirical study provides evidence that extreme C-to-U RNA editing in the coding regions of organellar genomes alters the sequences used for phylogenetic reconstruction, and might even confound phylogenetic reconstruction. Therefore, RNA editing sites should be corrected when plastid or mitochondrial genes are used for phylogenetic studies, particularly in those lineages with abundant organellar RNA editing sites, such as hornworts, quillworts, spike mosses, and some seed plants.

The moss genus Didymodon as an indicator of climate change on the Tibetan Plateau

Bryophytes are sensitive to changing atmospheric conditions. Potentially, typical alpine bryophytes are valuable indicators of climate change for alpine ecosystems. However, little is known about the effects of climate change on the dominant alpine bryophytes of the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we compared suitable habitats and predicted the effects of key environmental variables, in three climate change scenarios (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5), on the distribution of two dominant moss genera, a typically alpine xerophytic functional group, Bryoerythrophyllum and Didymodon in Pottiaceae. We used Maximum Entropy model (MaxEnt) modelling, for the 2050s and 2070s in Tibet. Simulation-based estimates suggest that Bryoerythrophyllum are more suited to habitats from semi-humid regions to semi-arid regions while Didymodon are relatively drought-resistant mosses that mainly inhabit drought regions. The variables associated with temperature will have the strongest effect on the future distribution patterns of both Bryoerythrophyllum and Didymodon when compared with precipitation and topographic variables. However, Climate change should affect Didymodon the most, due to its relatively narrow temperature and precipitation range for optimum growth. Additionally, Bryoerythrophyllum is predicted with a ratio of increase in suitable areas at 19.08%, 141.49% and 121.56% and 55.22%, 129.93% and 172.08% under all three scenarios, for 2050 and 2070, respectively. In contrast, Didymodon has a ratio of increase in suitable areas at −25.36%, 12.51% and 51.1% and 13.71%, 14.27% and 131.91%, for all three scenarios for the two future decades, respectively. However, there are more obviously regular expansions and contractions can be easily caught for Didymodon than for Bryoerythrophyllum with GHG emissions from low to high. In summary, although Bryoerythrophyllum and Didymodon are evolutionarily closely related and have similar distribution patterns and future upward and northward shifts, Didymodon will respond more to climate warming under each climatic scenario for the 2050s and 2070s. Therefore, Didymodon is recommended as an indicator of climate change on the Tibetan Plateau.

A re-evaluation of the morphology of Sorapilla (Bryophyta: Sorapillaceae) based on Sorapilla papuana

Sorapilla Spruce &amp;amp; Mitt. is a taxonomically problematic genus of mosses. In this paper one of the two known species, Sorapilla papuana Broth. &amp;amp; Geh., is described and illustrated in detail for the first time, and its morphological peculiarities are discussed. It is monoicous, rather than dioicous as had been assumed. The presence of an annulus on the capsule and sparse hairs on the calyptra, both suggested previously, are confirmed. Paraphyllia, which had been reported for Sorapilla, are not present. The phylogenetic position of Sorapilla remains uncertain.

New data on the moss genus Stegonia (Bryophyta, Pottiaceae)

Cano, M. J. 2019. New data on the moss genus Stegonia (Bryophyta, Pottiaceae). – Herzogia 32: 338 –343.Stegonia hyalinotricha is recorded for the first time from South America. The species, until now known only from Mexico and the U.S.A. (California), was collected in the Monte Desert of Chubut (Argentina). The species is briefly characterized and illustrated. Stegonia mouretti, endemic from Morocco, is placed in synonymy with Pterygoneurum ovatum and the name lectotypified.

Lazarenkoa a new moss genus from the Russian Far East

Lazarenkoa a new moss genus from the Russian Far East

Taxonomic Revision of Chionoloma (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta)

A worldwide taxonomic revision of the species belonging to the moss genus Chionoloma Dixon (Pottiaceae) is here presented. Our work is based on the morphological analysis of more than 2600 specimens deposited in different herbaria or collected during field trips. A total of 131 names were found and their nomenclatural types were examined, resulting in the lectotypification of 45 names. It is concluded that Chionoloma is composed of 22 species and one variety, seven of them are here newly combined (C. circinatum (Besch.) M. Alonso, M. J. Cano &amp; J. A. Jiménez; C. cylindrotheca (Mitt.) M. Alonso, M. J. Cano &amp; J. A. Jiménez; C. hyalinoblastum (Broth.) M. Alonso, M. J. Cano &amp; J. A. Jiménez; C. melanostomum (Mitt.) M. Alonso, M. J. Cano &amp; J. A. Jiménez; C. orthodontum (Müll. Hal.) M. Alonso, M. J. Cano &amp; J. A. Jiménez; C. sarawakense (Dixon) M. Alonso, M. J. Cano &amp; J. A. Jiménez; and C. stenocarpum (Thér) M. Alonso, M. J. Cano &amp; J. A. Jiménez). Moreover, 42 names are newly synonymized and a total of 74 new records for various countries are reported. Keys, descriptions, illustrations, photographs, and distribution data of each species are provided.

Molecular tools to identify tropical mosses: a case study of the Brazilian species of Schlotheimia Brid. (Bryophyta, Orthotrichaceae)

Species of the moss genus Schlotheimia are often difficult to identify morphologically, because it is necessary to study sporophytic characters and fertile plants are quite rare. In this paper, we aim to infer the potential of trnG-R, trnL-F, and ITS markers to resolve phylogenetic relationships and species delimitations within Schlotheimia in Brazil, using different tree-based analysis methods and Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD). For the first time in bryophytes, the trnG-R spacer was sequenced together with the trnG intron (trnG-R region). Furthermore, we aim to evaluate the morphological species concept based on the molecular data, to aid the on-going taxonomic revision of Schlotheimia in Brazil. The combined analysis of all three markers resolved 11 clades corresponding to Schlotheimia species, which was corroborated by ABGD and morphological characters. The best candidate marker for DNA barcoding was trnG-R due to its easy amplification and ability to discriminate all but one species. While trnG-R is sufficient for routine identification, the combination trnG-R + ITS should be used if all Brazilian Schlotheimia species are to be identified with high statistical support. The nuclear marker ITS was easy to amplify and more variable than the plastid markers, but a higher percentage of low quality sequences due to polynucleotide stretches or fungal contamination is a potential drawback. TrnL-F had a low discrimination potential. The analysis of the molecular markers investigated provides a baseline for the taxonomic revision of Schlotheimia and is an important tool for the identification of sterile specimens.

Ptychomitrium subcrispatum Thér. & P.de la Varde, an east southern African species excluded from the Cape Verde bryoflora

Two species of the moss genus Ptychomitrium Furn. are currently recorded from the Cape Verde archipelago namely P. nigrescens (Kunze) Wijk & Margad. from the islands of Santo Antao, Fogo, Sao Nicol...

Using water chemistry to define ecological preferences within the moss genus Scorpidium, from Wales, UK

ABSTRACTIntroductionThree Scorpidium species: S. scorpioides, S. cossonii and S. revolvens are often associated with habitats of high conservation value. This is the first attempt to define the chemical niches for these Scorpidium species in Wales (UK) and allows us to compare these with earlier European datasets.MethodsWater chemistry from sixteen locations was analysed using water obtained by direct squeezing of mosses sampled from a total of 77 spots, and their principal water supply, e.g. springs and seepages.Key ResultsStatistical analysis by spherical k-means clustering suggests there are two distinct groups in the dataset; one characterised by S. cossonii and another by S. revolvens, associated with differences in pH and Electric Conductivity (EC) of the habitat. The Welsh habitats have higher pH and EC than Scandinavian habitats of the species, which could potentially be a result of different pollution histories or species compositions of the areas, the latter leading to different realised niches along the mineral poor to rich gradient.ConclusionsIt is hoped that with this data a better understanding of the chemical niches will support site managers and environmental regulators to make evidence-based decisions to protect these species and their habitats.

A brief survey of bryological studies in the Subantarctic, including Macrocoma tenue (Orthotrichaceae), a moss genus and species newly found in Îles Kerguelen

Studies on the bryophyte flora of the Southern Ocean islands and in the Antarctic are briefly reviewed and the current state of knowledge of the moss flora of Îles Kerguelen is discussed. &lt;em&gt;Macrocoma tenue&lt;/em&gt; (Hook. &amp;amp; Grev.) Vitt is recorded from the Îles Kerguelen archipelago and this constitutes the first record of the genus &lt;em&gt;Macrocoma&lt;/em&gt; (Müll. Hal.) Grout from the Subantarctic. The local plants of the species are characterized and illustrated and their ecology is discussed. Global distribution of &lt;em&gt;M. tenue&lt;/em&gt; is reviewed and mapped. It is suggested that the type subspecies of &lt;em&gt;M. tenue&lt;/em&gt; is a Gondwanan relictual taxon, which could have evolved on this supercontinent prior to its break-up and, subsequently, it reached Îles Kerguelen where it survived during the Pleistocene glacial epoch.

Cleaning a taxonomic dustbin: placing the European Hypnum species in a phylogenetic context!

The pleurocarpous moss genus Hypnum s.l. is a species-rich (&gt; 40 species) cosmopolitan genus, of which 21 taxa occur in Europe. Although several of these species show high morphological resemblance there are strong indications that the genus is highly paraphyletic, which may be masked by convergent morphological evolution. Using molecular information, we analyse whether the morphological similarity of gametophytes of the European Hypnum taxa is explained by common ancestry or convergence. We provide a phylogenetic reconstruction of the relationships of the currently recognized European Hypnum taxa in a broad pleurocarpous moss context (192 taxa) using the nuclear ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, the plastid rps4 gene and trnL-F, and the mitochondrial nad5 intron. Bayesian tree topologies show that the genus is polyphyletic, and we retain only the Hypnum cupressiforme complex within Hypnum. The genus originally represented half of the moss species diversity, as it accommodated basically all pleurocarpous mosses; here we retain only seven species and one variety. The remainder of the species where resolved either within the three families Amblystegiaceae, Entodontaceae, and Pylaisiaceae, or in an independent clade that we describe as the new family Stereodontaceae. The Stereodontaceae includes five European species, all in the genus Stereodon, where they were already placed in the 18th century. In addition, we describe the four new genera Aquilonium, Insomniella, Jochenia, and Lignocariosa, and make new combinations for several Hypnum species.

In Memoriam to Jochen Heinrichs (1969–2018)

This special issue of Bryophyte Diversity and Evolution is dedicated to Jochen Heinrichs (1969–2018) in commemoration of his outstanding contributions to bryology. His work spanned a diverse spectrum of topics that will be reflected in this special issue by 10 research papers. Therein, and in honor of Jochen, the moss genus Jochenia gen. nov. (Schlesak et al. 2018), the liverwort species Frullania heinrichsii sp. nov. (Atwood et al. 2018), as well as the liverwort amber fossil Geocalyx heinrichsii sp. nov. (Katagiri 2018) are introduced to the scientific community.