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From the rich Vanuatu bryophyte collections of the late Heinar Streimann, 29 liverworts and one hornwort species were identified. One genus (Schiffneriolejeunea) and 16 species proved to be new records for the islands, 6 of them new to the whole Pacific realm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a large part of the bryophyte collection of the late Pierre Tixier (1918-1997), deposited in the Cryptogamic Herbarium of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris (PC), was unidentified, the Author has started to study the rich collection of Bazzania Gray species as well as some other taxa. They were not identified by Tixier, because during his lifetime the genus had not been revised yet. Long ago, the Author himself recorded nine species from northern Vietnam, and a couple of studies were published on Vietnam and neighbouring areas. Today, by identifying Tixier's collection, the number of Bazzania species known in Vietnam has been increased to 28. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Malaysian records from the family Lejeuneaceae are presented, including four species new to Malaysia and seven new to Peninsular Malaysia (Kelantan or Terengganu). The new records include Lejeunea convexiloba M.L.So & R.L.Zhu, which was only known from China and Radula grandilobula Promma & Chantanaorr., which was only known from its type from southern Thailand and Borneo. All species are illustrated, their diagnostic characteristics and morphological comparison between their allies are provided and discussed, habitat and distribution are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of several collecting trips to Madagascar in cooperation with the Parc Botanique de Tsimbazaza (Antananarivo, Madagascar) and the Missouri Botanical Gardens, five species new to science are described: Cheilolejeunea renigastria sp. nov., Cololejeunea translucens sp. nov., Drepanolejeunea tubana sp. nov., Lejeunea mamilliflora sp. nov. and Lejeunea tubulirostris sp. nov. Former Lejeunea alata var. patriciae is given species rank under the name of Lejeunea geisslerae nom. et stat. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study of two recognised geographic lineages within Radula novae-hollandiae sens. lat. have resulted in the detection of morphological differences between individuals from the Queensland Wet Tropics, and those from New South Wales. Individuals from the Wet Tropics have perianths that are shorter at maturity (1.6–2.0 v. 3.8–4.4 mm), leaf lobes that usually bear numerous marginal gemmae, and leaf-lobules that are smaller and more quadrate. The morphological differences, particularly in perianth length, were not fully appreciated previously and provide evidence supporting the recognition of the Queensland Wet Tropics lineage as a distinct and new species, Radula tonitrua, which is here described. The degree of phylogenetic divergence and fixed molecular difference between R. tonitrua and R. novae-hollandiae, are comparable with the separation observed between R. ocellata and R. pulchella, another species pair exhibiting the same geographic disjunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species of Lejeunea (Lejeuneaceae) from Papua New Guinea are described and illustrated herein. They are L. heinarii, L. madangensis and L. marginedentata from Morobe, Madang and Sandaun (West Sepik) province, respectively. They were found growing as epiphytes on trees and inhabit the montane forests of the island. Lejeunea heinarii is characterized by the strongly inflated and inrolled leaf lobules, large reniform underleaves with retuse apices, and well-developed trigones with conspicuous intermediate thickenings (up to 4 per cell), while the distinguishing characters of L. madangensis are the 2-winged perianth keels, large reniform underleaves with cordate-auriculate bases, flat free margin of leaf lobules, and autoicy. Lejeunea marginedentata stood out among all its allies by the inflated perianths without keels, asymmetrical leaf lobes with strong arched dorsal margin and straight ventral margin, and the prominent dentate margin with acute teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the species richness and beta diversity of epiphyllous assemblages from three selected localities in Sabah, i.e. Mt. Silam in Sapagaya Forest Reserve, and Ulu Senagang and Mt. Alab in Crocker Range Park. A total of 98 species were found and a phytosociological survey was carried out based on the three study areas. A detailed statistical analysis including standard correlation and regression analyses, ordination of species and leaves using centered principal component analysis, and the SDR simplex method to evaluate the beta diversity, was conducted. Beta diversity is very high in the epiphyllous liverwort assemblages in Sabah, with species replacement as the major component of pattern formation and less pronounced richness difference. The community analysis of the epiphyllous communities in Sabah makes possible their detailed description and comparison with similar communities of other continents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Colura (Dumort.) Dumort. is morpho-taxonomically investigated in India and eight species have been recognized mainly distributed in three different bryo-geographical regions of the country. Colura corynophora (Nees, Lindenb. & Gottsche) Trevis. is reported here for the first time from India, C. leratii (Steph.) Steph. is added to the East Himalayan bryogeographical territory, C. acroloba (Prantl) Jovet-Ast, C. ari (Steph.) Steph. and C. conica (Sande Lac.) K.I. Goebel are new additions to Mizoram, while C. tenuicornis (A. Evans) Steph. is a new report to the state of Meghalaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examination of previously unstudied liverwort collections made by R.M. Schuster during 1962 and 1967 was undertaken. We report 13 new records for the Fiji Islands including Cheilolejeunea xanthocarpa, Cololejeunea appressa, Cololejeunea floccosa, Cololejeunea koponenii, Cololejeunea magnilobula, Cololejeunea subtriapiculata, Drepanolejeunea pentadactyla Heteroscyphus splendens, Lopholejeunea wiltensii Mastigolejeunea indica, Schiffneriolejeunea pulopenangensis and Schiffneriolejeunea tumida var. haskarliana Range extensions for eight additional species were reported, which were previously known only from one locality in the islands prior to the current investigation. New morphologic features of Cololejeunea bifalcata, Cololejeunea tuiwawana Pócs and Phaeolejeunea amicorum were also observed. One species, Cheilolejeunea occlusa was collected by Schuster in Western Samoa, which is a new record to the South Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of liverwort studies in Malaysia is briefly reviewed. Three historical periods are recognized: (1) 1838-1938, the first 100 years of liverwort collecting in Malaysia; (2) 1950-2000. during which most collections were made, many new taxa were found and described, and studies were carried out by well-known foreign bryologists e.g., by Zennoske Iwatsuki and Masami Mizutani from the Hattori Botanical Laboratory, Japan; (3) 2000-present day, in which liverwort work has been continued by foreign and local bryologists. Thus far, 747 species and 42 infraspecific taxa of liverworts have been recorded from Malaysia or almost 15% of world diversity of liverworts. However, only few taxonomic treatments and identification keys have been published dealing with Malaysian liverworts. An urgent effort should be undertaken to systematically and intensively collect and study this interesting group of plants in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cololejeunea elizabethae Meagher & Pócs is described as a species new to science from Lord Howe Island, Australia. This is the second Cololejeunea species known from the island, along with the widespread temperate Australasian Cololejeunea laevigata (Mitt.) R.M.Schust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new epiphyllousCololejeuneaspecies is described from Nosy Komba Island of northwest Madagascar. Two varieties are distinguished, var.nosykombaeand var.laevis. The species is distinguished by its acute, swallow-tail shaped perianth wings, unique in the genus, and by the special leaf dentition in its typical variety. The new species seems to be endemic to the small Nosy Komba Island. Conservation aspects are discussed and the new species is considered to be critically endangered. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Thirty-eight species of the genus Cololejeunea (Spruce) Steph. (Lejeuneaceae, Marchantiophyta) are reported for the whole of Australia, more than doubling the number of taxa known since the first account of the Australian members of the genus. Cololejeunea cairnsiana Pócs, Cololejeunea heinari Pócs and Cololejeunea floccosa var. fraseriana Pócs are described as new to science. The records of Cololejeunea diaphana A. Evans, Cololejeunea gottschei (Steph.) Mizut., Cololejeunea longifolia (Mitt.) Benedix ex Mizut. Cololejeunea verrucosa Steph. and Cololejeunea floccosa (Lehm. & Lindenb.) Steph. var. amoenoides Tixier are new for the continent. Cololejeunea amoena Benedix is treated as a variety of Cololejeunea floccosa. Cololejeunea tortifolia Steph. is synonymized with Cololejeunea microscopica (Taylor) Schiffn. and is excluded from the Australian flora. The name Cololejeunea cambodiana Tixier is validated. A key for the Australian taxa and an analysis of their distribution follow the enumeration of species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examination of a collection of non-epiphyllous bryophytes from lowland areas of Phang Nga, Phuket and Surat Thani province yielded 38 liverwort and 29 moss species. Microlejeunea filicuspis (Steph.) Heinrichs. et al., is new to Thailand and additional ten proved to be rarely recorded in this country, being hitherto known only from one other locality. Locality data and habitats are provided for each species and information on oil bodies is given for several species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic history of Lepidozia cupressina (Sw.) Lindenb. ( Jungermannia cupressina Sw.) is presented and its diagnostic characters and variability in sub-Saharan Africa are thoroughly discussed. Three subspecies are currently distinguished in this region, namely subsp. cupressina, subsp. africana (Steph.) Pócs, stat. et comb. nov., which occurs in the East African Indian Ocean islands and in the Eastern Arc of continental East Africa, as well as on the island of St. Helena in the Atlantic Ocean, and subsp. natalensis (Steph.) Pócs which is restricted to southern Africa. The other two subspecies, subsp. pinnata (Hook.) Pócs and subsp. quinquefida (Steph.) Pócs, are merged with the type subspecies of L. cupressina. A key to the recognition of the subspecies of L. cupressina is provided. Lepidozia chordulifera Taylor, a temperate species widely distributed in southern South America, is taxonomically assessed and some of its diagnostic traits are illustrated. It is considered to be conspecific with L. cupressina subsp. cupressina. Thanks to this taxonomic conclusion the range extension of L. cupressina in southern South America, including the Falkland Islands, is sanctioned and, additionally, distribution of this species is extended to subantarctic South Georgia and the northern maritime Antarctic. The current geographical range of L. cupressina is reviewed and mapped and it may be designated as a bipolar temperate species with numerous transitional stations in the tropical mountains. In the Southern Hemisphere L. cupressina is a typical Afro-American oreophyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cololejeunea indica Pandé & Misra (Lejeuneaceae: Marchantiophyta) previously treated as a synonym of C. spinosa (Horik.) Pandé & Misra, is reinstated as a distinct species. It is characterised by a 4-celled, elongate vitta accompanied by basal ocelli and the presence of a single-celled stylus. Cololejeunea planiflora Benedix is a new synonym of Cololejeunea indica. A detailed description is provided, based on new and recent collections of this species from Mizoram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 96 epiphyllous liverwort species and 2 infraspecific taxa were collected, of which 18 are new to Malaysia, one is new to the Asian mainland and one variety is new to science: Cololejeunea magnilobula var. falcidentata. New synonymy of Cololejeunea stylosa and Cololejeunea papulosa is established. Illustrations for Cololejeunea magnilobula var. falcidentata and several taxa new to Malaysia are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Colura (Dumort.) Dumort., was collected in the Cape Tribulation area of Queensland, in the mangrove forests of Daintree National Park. It is a member of subgenus Colura, section Harmophyllum Grolle, and differs from the superficially similar Colura pulcherrima Ast and C. queenslandica B. M. Thiers (both belong to another subgenus or section) by its easily detachable valve or by its acutely papillose lobule surface. Cheilolejeunea occlusa (Herz.) Kodama & Kitagawa occurs in the same habitat. This is a new record for Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

120 liverwort specimens collected in peninsular Malaysia for oil body studies belonged to 80 species, 6 of which (Frullania subocellata S. Hatt., Chiloscyphus integerrimus Schiffn., Bazzania assamica (Steph.) S. Hatt., Bazzania bilobata Kitag., Telaranea quadriseta (Steph.) J. Engel & G. L. Merrill and Radula assamica Steph.) proved to be new for Malaysia and 9 to its peninsular part or to Selangor or Pahang states. The most interesting occurrences were of Frullania subocellata, hitherto known only from Seram Island, Chiloscyphus integerrimus, known from Java, and Telaranea quadriseta, an Australian element. The majority of the collected species are of Indomalesian distribution. Microphotos and distribution maps of the more interesting species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An account of the Lejeunea species of Thailand with their distributional ranges in Thailand and worldwide is presented. Seven species are newly recorded to Thailand: Lejeunea cocoes Mitt., L. lumbricoides (Nees) Nees, L. micholitzii Mizut., L. parva (S.Hatt.) Mizut., L. patersonii (Steph) Steph., L. tamaspocsii G.E.Lee and L. umbilicata (Nees) Nees. Illustrations of the newly recorded species and a map of the provinces of Thailand with numbers of Lejeunea species recorded are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Acanthocoleus R.M. Schust. species is described from the afroalpine belt of Mount Elgon, Uganda. Acanthocoleus elgonensis Gyarmati et Pocs is distinguished from the related A. madagascariensis (Steph.) Kruijt by stem, leaf lobule and underleaf structure, pigmentation of cell walls and finally by the shape of female bracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Draba simonkaiana Jáv. is a critically endangered, Southern Carpathian endemic species, distributed only in Parâng, Retezat and Cozia Mountains. As an European endemic, and restricted to a single European country, D. simonkaiana is treated as a "species of European concern". Although of great international significance, the distribution of Draba simonkaiana is slightly known, without any georeferenced records on GBIF. Based on field studies, analyses of herbarium material and literature data, the authors managed to record the occurrence of D. simonkaiana in Southern Carpathians and determined the threatened status according to criteria and categories of IUCN. Unfortunately, the species has not been found in locus classicus (Badea Hill) but the authors have discovered two new localities (in Parâng Mountains) of this important endemic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the first comprehensive molecular phylogeny of the epiphyllous liverwort genus Cololejeunea and its close relatives. It cites the use of three markers and 116 accessions representing the geographic range as well as the morphological diversity of the genus. The molecular data's support of major lineages Colura, Myriocoleopsis, and Cololejeunea and the influence of frequent homoplasy of morphological characters on the current classification of Cololejeunea are also noted.

Ethiopia has diverse topographic features and climatic conditions with a diverse flora. The liverwort flora of southwest Ethiopia is practically unknown, despite a favourable climate and the occurrence of suitable ecosystems such as montane rainforests. During an ecological study of diversity patterns of bryophytes and vascular plants in relation to land use, we recorded many bryophyte species. In this paper we report the finding of 89 species of liverworts, and give short ecological notes and describe the distribution (locally and in Africa) for each species. Of these, 51 species are newly reported from Ethiopia. It is thus obvious that Ethiopia is considerably richer in liverworts than might be expected from previous checklists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crossidium laxefilamentosum Frey & Kürschner is shown to be a distinct taxon that is easily distinguished from the related C. crassinerve. Discovery of two plants of C. laxefilamentosum with sporophytes has permitted the description of the capsule and spore characters for the first time. This species is recorded as new to Europe and to North Africa. The known range of this desert species is now expanded from South-West Asia to North Africa, to the steep loess cliffs along the River Danube, and to the dry S. E. coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Among these regions five localities are reported from northern Serbia, three from central Hungary, S. of the 47° line of latitude, one from Romania, 20 from Spain and six localities have been found in Tunisia. The distribution of C. laxefilamentosum suggests that it had a circum-Tethyan origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enormous area of China extends from sub boreal gymnosperm forests through a very broad temperate belt to the subtropical and tropical rainforests, including high mountains as well as deserts. The Chinese diversity of the subfamily compares to the floras of the whole of the Neotropis, with its 65 species in 22 genera (Gradstein, 1994), of Western Melanesia including New Guinea with 49 species in 12 genera (Gradstein I et al. i , 2002) or Australia with 30 species in 10 genera (Thiers & Gradstein, 1989). 1 Gradstein, S.R. 1994 B . b Lejeuneaceae: Ptychantheae, Brachiolejeuneae. [Extracted from the article]

A new species from Fiji, Lejeunea heinrichsii is described and illustrated herein based on morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic analyses. The taxonomic descriptions of L. heinrichsii and the comparison with their allies are presented, together with the Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of two chloroplast regions (trnL‐trnF, rbcL) and the nuclear ribosomal ITS region. This delicate and rather minute species is characterized by its autoicy, eplicate perianths, the oblong‐rectangular leaf lobes, the distantly arranged underleaves with lobes to 1/2‐2/3 underleaf length, and the leaf cells without well‐developed trigones and intermediate thickenings. In the molecular phylogeny, L. heinrichsii is placed sister to the Asian L. compressiuscula from Indonesia and forms an independent lineage including accessions of Neotropical L. adpressa from the Dominican Republic and the widespread Palaeotropical L. anisophylla from São Tomé and Príncipe. Morphologically, L. heinrichsii is very similar to L. capensis, however the result based on the molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that the two species are very distinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bryophyte flora of Hungary was relatively well studied during the twentieth century, but data on the present-day frequency and geographical distribution of Hungarian bryophytes are lacking. We present here our preliminary results based on recent fieldwork and herbarium studies. We recorded bryophyte occurrences in grid cells (quadrants) of approximately 5.5 × 6 km. Frequency was determined based on the number of quadrants, and geographical distribution evaluated in terms of the 19 administrative units (counties) of the country. To investigate correlations between species richness and relevant environmental drivers, statistical analyses were carried out. A total of 698 bryophyte taxa (2 hornworts, 151 liverworts and 545 mosses) have been found in the territory of Hungary. For each of the 637 taxa that have been observed since 1973, one of five frequency classes (very common, common, sporadic to frequent, rare, and very rare) has been assigned based on the relevant number of field records or herbarium specimens. Additionally, tabular distributional information (occurrence in each of the 19 counties) is presented for each taxon. In the statistical evaluation of the geographical distribution data, the elevational range and the size of the surveyed area were positively correlated with bryophyte richness, whereas arable land cover was negatively correlated. Although the survey was not uniform or complete across the different counties, the results support some robust bryogeographical theories. We hope to have the opportunity in the near future to compile a new Hungarian bryophyte Red List, partly based on these national frequency data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptolejeunea latilobula Lei Shu, R.L.Zhu & Pócs, a new species from Fiji, is described and illustrated. This species stands out within Leptolejeunea on account of its large size of leaf lobule with four cells wide on the apical portion, lobe apex acute to apiculate, margin more or less dentate, and underleaf lobes linear, usually two cells long. Leptolejeunea serrulata Herzog is proposed as a synonym of Leptolejeunea tripuncta (Mitt.) Steph., previously known only from Fiji. A neotype of Leptolejeunea tripuncta is designated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated forest edge effects on the composition, abundance and species richness of epiphyllous (leaf-inhabiting) bryophytes in tropical cloud-forest fragments in the Taita Hills (Eastern Arc Mountains, Kenya). Six sample plots each of 0.04 ha (20 × 20 m) were established along a disturbance gradient extending in 200 m from the forest edge at three sites. Four leaves were collected from each phorophyte species and the diversity of epiphyllous bryophytes examined. Relative humidity and temperature readings were recorded using time-calibrated data loggers and a digital hygrometer. The epiphyllous species composition among localities and forest-edge distance classes were analysed using multivariate procedures. Overall, 1387 leaves distributed across 489 phorophytes were studied, and 95 species of bryophyte epiphylls were found in the 18 0.04-ha plots selected. The richness and distribution of epiphyllous bryophyte species did not change with the forest-edge distance, but rather depended on phorophyte species composition and (micro-) environmental variables such as sunlight exposure and spatial and dimensional canopy structure. The differences in epiphyll diversity among forest fragments were thus influenced by site-specific characteristics. Our findings suggest that management policies addressed to preserve ancient uncut stands that exhibit as much original phorophyte diversity as possible, need to be urgently achieved to protect epiphyll communities in African tropical cloud forests. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Examination of type specimens and additional vouchers has revealed that the African Taxilejeunea pulchriflora and the tropical Asian Lejeunea propagulifera and Lejeunea tamaspocsii show considerable morphological overlap; however, morphological similarity does not necessarily indicate genetic similarity. Thus, sequences of two chloroplast regions (trnL-trnF, rbcL) and the nuclear ribosomal ITS region were generated from accessions of these taxa from Tanzania, Ethiopia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Fiji Islands and integrated into an existing Lejeunea dataset. Phylogenetic analyses of the three-marker dataset resolved the three taxa in a robust monophyletic lineage and indicated relationships to Neotropical and Holarctic species. Based on the morphological similarities and the low molecular variation of the investigated accessions, we consider the three taxa as conspecific and propose two synonyms and a new combination, Lejeunea pulchriflora. Lejeunea pulchriflora is characterized by its asymmetrical leaf lobes, small, distant underleaves, toothed perianth keels, and autoicy and ranges from tropical Africa to the Pacific region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We document the makeup of four understory epiphyllous (leaf-inhabiting) bryophyte assemblages along an elevational gradient on the eastern slopes of the Cordillera El Sira in Ucayali, Peru. Epiphylls from two lowland rainforest (250 and 350 m) and two upland cloud forest (1550 and 1800 m) sites were sampled along a transect spanning 6.8 km horizontal and 1.6 km vertical distance, with 74 epiphyllous taxa (69 liverworts and 5 mosses) identified. Change in community composition along the elevational gradient and factors affecting the diversity and distribution of understory epiphyllous bryophytes are explored using various approaches to diversity measurement and multivariate analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: With an estimated 300–375 species, Frullania is the largest genus of Porellales and forms a major clade of leafy liverworts. The cosmopolitan genus includes mostly epiphytes and represents an important component of the cryptogamic vegetation in various, especially tropical, habitats. There have been abundant changes and modifications to the infrageneric classification of Frullania, with up to fifteen subgenera and numerous sections solely based on morphology. Here we present the first molecular phylogeny of Frullania using four markers (rbcL, psbA, trnL-trnF region of cp DNA, nr5.8S-ITS-2 region) and 171 accessions from throughout the range. The molecular data provide evidence for the monophyly of several subgenera and support intercontinental ranges of these clades. Previous subgeneric assignment for a suite of taxa based on morphological evidence is not supported by the molecular data. Representatives of the genera Amphijubula, Neohattoria and Schusterella are nested in robust subclades of Frullania. Basal relationships within Frullania are largely unsupported. Based on the outcome of the phylogenetic analyses we present a revised supraspecific classification and provide evidence for the monophyly of some morphological species. Disjunct distributional patterns within Frullania cannot be explained by Gondwanan vicariance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A floristic exploration was carried out of the epiphyllous bryophytes in Mount Tebu Forest Reserve, in the state of Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. Epiphyllous liverworts are reported for the first time from Terengganu. A total of 54 species from 18 genera and seven families of epiphyllous bryophytes were discovered, and of these, 43 liverworts are newly reported from Terengganu. The largest family is represented by Lejeuneaceae, with 44 species (81%) from 12 genera, and the largest genus is Cololejeunea, with 15 species (28%). Most of the species (43 spp., 69%) have an Indo-Pacific distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide an updated and comprehensive illustrated checklist of bryophytes in Hồ Chí Minh City. We collected specimens from all possible substrates at different locations in the city such as parks, house gardens, school yards, roadsides, and industrial and residential areas. We record 31 species, of which 25 are mosses and 6 are liverworts. Four species — Calymperes boulayi, C. pallidum, Splachnobryum oorschotii, Cololejeunea furcilobulata — were recorded for the first time from Vietnam. All species are illustrated and a dichotomous key to the species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study confirms the first certain occurrence of Juncus squarrosus L., an Atlantic species, in the Romanian native flora. Characteristic plant communities with J. squarrosus occur in the Apuseni Mts (Western Romanian Carpathians). At these sites J. squarrosus has the southeastern limit of its European distribution. The identified plant communities with J. squarrosus in Romania are devoid of some Atlantic species present in Western and Central European communities and therefore are assigned to the Nardo-Juncetum squarrosi (Nordh. 1920) Bük. 1942 association. This plant community is a new syntaxon for the Romanian vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preliminary inventory of the eastern Nigerian highlands yielded 27 bryophyte species (5 liverworts, 22 mosses), including 13 species new for the country (2 liverworts and 11 mosses). The large percentage of new national records (ca 52%) indicates that the eastern Nigerian highland has rich bryophyte diversity and is undercollected. A more detailed inventory of the region using more rigorous sampling protocols is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolutionary history and classification of epiphyllous cryptogams are still poorly known. Leptolejeunea is a largely epiphyllous pantropical liverwort genus with about 25 species characterized by deeply bilobed underleaves, elliptic to narrowly obovate leaf lobes, the presence of ocelli, and vegetative reproduction by cladia. Sequences of three chloroplast regions ( rbcL, trnL-F, psbA) and the nuclear ribosomal ITS region were obtained for 66 accessions of Leptolejeunea and six outgroup species to explore the phylogeny, divergence times, and ancestral areas of this genus. The phylogeny was estimated using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference approaches, and divergence times were estimated with a Bayesian relaxed clock method. Leptolejeunea likely originated in Asia or the Neotropics within a time interval from the Early Eocene to the Late Cretaceous (67.9 Ma, 95% highest posterior density [ HPD]: 47.9-93.7). Diversification of the crown group initiated in the Eocene or early Oligocene (38.4 Ma, 95% HPD: 27.2-52.6). Most species clades were established in the Miocene. Leptolejeunea epiphylla and L. schiffneri originated in Asia and colonized African islands during the Plio-Pleistocene. Accessions of supposedly pantropical species are placed in different main clades. Several monophyletic morphospecies exhibit considerable sequence variation related to a geographical pattern. The clear geographic structure of the Leptolejeunea crown group points to evolutionary processes including rare long-distance dispersal and subsequent speciation. Leptolejeunea may have benefitted from the large-scale distribution of humid tropical angiosperm forests in the Eocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim How disjunct distributions arise and why organisms differ in diversification patterns remain some of the most compelling fundamental questions in biogeography. We carry out phylogeographical analyses of the pantropical liverwort genus Ceratolejeunea to identify its geographical origin and the dispersal routes by which it gained its Neotropical-African disjunction. Furthermore, we investigate whether there is geographical structure in Ceratolejeunea on islands and whether island diversity is a result of radiations or recurrent migration. Location America, Africa and Australasia. Methods Sequences of two chloroplast regions ( trnL- F, rbcL) and the nuclear ribosomal ITS region were obtained for 55 accessions of 20 species to explore the phylogeny, divergence times and ancestral areas of Ceratolejeunea. The phylogeny was reconstructed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference approaches, and divergence times were estimated with a Bayesian relaxed clock method and fossil and secondary calibrations. Ancestral areas were estimated using BioGeoBEARS. Results Ceratolejeunea likely originated in the Neotropics during the Palaeogene (42.2 Ma, 95% HPD: 22.2-64.8) and the initial diversification of its crown group took place between the Eocene and Miocene (25.5 Ma, 95% HPD: 16.6-35.8). Although boreotropical migration and subsequent extinction in northern regions cannot be rejected, the observed disjunctions are best explained by four transoceanic dispersal events from the Neotropics to Africa during the late Oligocene to Pleistocene. Geographical structure is prevalent on islands, particularly in the C. cornuta complex. Three species and the subgenus Ceratolejeunea are recovered as paraphyletic. Main conclusions Widespread paraphyly and sister group relationships between disjunct taxa indicate an important role of cryptic speciation and transoceanic dispersal with subsequent genetic differentiation in the evolution of Ceratolejeunea. On islands, recurrent migration, rather than radiation, has shaped bryophyte diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cambay amber originates from the warmest period of the Eocene, which is also well known for the appearance of early angiosperm-dominated megathermal forests. The humid climate of these forests may have triggered the evolution of epiphytic lineages of bryophytes; however, early Eocene fossils of bryophytes are rare. Here, we present evidence for lejeuneoid liverworts and pleurocarpous mosses in Cambay amber. The preserved morphology of the moss fossil is inconclusive for a detailed taxonomic treatment. The liverwort fossil is, however, distinctive; its zig-zagged stems, suberect complicate-bilobed leaves, large leaf lobules, and small, deeply bifid underleaves suggest a member of Lejeuneaceae subtribe Lejeuneinae (Harpalejeunea, Lejeunea, Microlejeunea). We tested alternative classification possibilities by conducting divergence time estimates based on DNA sequence variation of Lejeuneinae using the age of the fossil for corresponding age constraints. Consideration of the fossil as a stem group member of Microlejeunea or Lejeunea resulted in an Eocene to Late Cretaceous age of the Lejeuneinae crown group. This reconstruction is in good accordance with published divergence time estimates generated without the newly presented fossil evidence. Balancing available evidence, we describe the liverwort fossil as the extinct species Microlejeunea nyiahae, representing the oldest crown group fossil of Lejeuneaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classification of Lejeuneeae, the most speciose tribe of the largely epiphytic leafy liverwort family Lejeuneaceae, is deemed notoriously difficult and hampered by extensive morphological homoplasy. We employed sequences of two chloroplast regions ( trnL- trnF, rbcL) and the nuclear ribosomal ITS region of several critical taxa to explore their phylogenetic position. Based on our phylogenetic analyses and accompanying morphological investigations, we transfer Microlejeunea aphanella to Vitalianthus, reinstate the genus Allorgella, transfer Vitalianthus from Drepanolejeuneinae to Lepidolejeuneinae, identify Metalejeunea as another element of Lepidolejeuneinae, and place Allorgella and Haplolejeunea in Echinolejeuneinae. We map selected morphological characters on the reconstructed phylogenetic hypothesis to demonstrate the importance of subgynoecial innovations and ocelli for the circumscription of genera and subtribes of Lejeuneeae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cheilolejeuneinae is an early diverging lineage of Lejeuneaceae tribe Lejeuneeae with a pantropical distribution. The current phylogeny and classification of this subtribe is based on morphological and limited-sampling molecular studies. Here we present a molecular phylogeny of Cheilolejeuneinae and related lineages based on maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses, as well as Bayesian inference of two chloroplast regions ( trnL-F, trnG) and the nuclear ribosomal ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region, to test the monophyly of this subtribe, and to re-evaluate the infrageneric classification of Cheilolejeunea. The results confirm the monophyly of Cheilolejeuneinae, which consists of one single genus, Cheilolejeunea. Aureolejeunea and Omphalanthus are nested in Cheilolejeunea and, consequently, all species (11) and varieties (2) accepted in these two genera are transferred to Cheilolejeunea. Based on morphological and molecular evidence a new infrageneric classification of Cheilolejeunea into nine sections is proposed: sect. Anomalolejeunea, sect. Cheilolejeunea, sect. Cyrtolejeunea, sect. Euosmolejeunea, sect. Leucolejeunea, sect. Paroicae, sect. Omphalanthus, sect. Strepsilejeunea and sect. Xenolejeunea. Cheilolejeunea decurviloba is resolved in a sister relationship to Pycnolejeunea densistipula and C. gaoi constitues a separate lineage remote from Cheilolejeuneinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a diverse taphocoenosis in a piece of Mexican amber that includes two morphotypes assignable to the leafy liverwort family Lejeuneaceae, an angiosperm seed, a putative bud scale, dematiaceous hyphomycetes as well as dipteran and hymenopteran insects belonging to Phoridae (genera Megaselia , Puliciphora , and Apocephalus ), Cecidomyiidae, Psychodidae and Mymaridae (genus Alaptus ). Liverworts are known from eight amber deposits but have only rarely been observed in Mexican amber. A perianth-bearing liverwort gametophyte in the piece of amber is classified as Mastigolejeunea extincta sp. nov., and several sterile gametophytes are described as Ceratolejeunea sublaetefusca sp. nov. With these new species, approximately 60 liverworts have been described from amber to date. Remarkable syninclusions include a hyphomycete which is the first darkly-pigmented filamentous microfungus with clear reproductive structures reported from Mexican amber. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy of a fragment of the investigated amber piece revealed a “Type I” Mexican amber. A whole solubility test suggested a mature resin, although the resin was not much oxidized during the process of amberization. Available evidence suggests that the amber was produced by a Hymenaea tree and that the resin was exposed on its bark, behaving as a sticky trap for insects and vascular plant fragments, and also embedding some epiphytic liverworts and fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lejeunea is a largely epiphytic, subcosmopolitan liverwort genus with a complex taxonomic history. Species circumscriptions and their relationships are subject to controversy; biogeographic history and diversification through time are largely unknown. Methodology and Results: We employed sequences of two chloroplast regions (trnL-trnF, rbcL) and the nuclear ribosomal ITS region of 332 accessions to explore the phylogeny of the Harpalejeunea-Lejeunea-Microlejeunea complex. Lejeunea forms a well-supported clade that splits into two main lineages corresponding to L. subg. Lejeunea and L. subg. Crossotolejeunea. Neotropical accessions dominate early diverging lineages of both main clades of Lejeunea. This pattern suggests an origin in the Neotropics followed by several colonizations from the Neotropics into the Paleotropics and vice versa. Most Afro-Madagascan clades are related to Asian clades. Several temperate Lejeunea radiations were detected. Eighty two of the 91 investigated Lejeunea species could be identified to species level. Of these 82 species, 54 were represented by multiple accessions (25 para- or polyphyletic, 29 monophyletic). Twenty nine of the 36 investigated species of L. subg. Lejeunea were monoicous and 7 dioicous. Within L. subg. Crossotolejeunea, 15 of the 46 investigated species were monoicous and 31 dioicous. Some dioicous as well as some monoicous species have disjunct ranges. Conclusions/Significance: We present the first global phylogeny of Lejeunea and the first example of a Neotropical origin of a Pantropical liverwort genus. Furthermore, we provide evidence for the Neotropics as a cradle of Lejeunea lineages and detect post-colonization radiations in Asia, Australasia, Afro-Madagascar and Europe. Dioicy/monoicy shifts are likely non-randomly distributed. The presented phylogeny points to the need of integrative taxonomical studies to clarify many Lejeunea binomials. Most importantly, it provides a framework for future studies on the diversification of this lineage in space and time, especially in the context of sexual systems in Lejeuneaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Diplasiolejeunea is a pantropical, epiphytic genus of leafy liverworts that occurs from the lowlands to more than 4000m altitude. Phylogenetic analyses of a molecular dataset consisting of three markers (nuclear ribosomal ITS region, plastidic trnL-F region and rbcL gene) and 122 accessions (plus two outgroups, Colura and Cololejeunea) indicate that the evolutionary diversity of Diplasiolejeunea is underestimated by current morphology-based classification. Four morphologically semi-cryptic species have been recovered. The molecular phylogenies support a deep split into a Neotropical and a Paleotropical clade, the latter structured into Australasian, Asian and Afromadacascan lineages. Presented results confirm the ranges of two pantropical species (D. cavifolia, D. rudolphiana), provide evidence for dispersal from the Neotropics into the Paleotropics, indicate speciation along altitudinal gradients and demonstrate extensive morphological homoplasy. We propose a revised supraspecific classification of Diplasiolejeunea into a predominantly Paleotropical subgenus Physolejeunea and predominantly Neotropical subgenera Austrolejeuneopsis and Diplasiolejeunea, the former containing mainly epiphytic species, the latter mainly epiphylls. Several clades are supported by combinations of morphological character states, and could be assigned to sections at some later point. This is the first comprehensive phylogeny of a largely epiphyllous genus of liverworts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This contribution is a result of collaborative work based on the fieldwork organized during a workshop of the Tropical Bryology Group on Mascarene bryophytes in September 2008, and also from previous unpublished records of the authors. We add 35 new taxon records (17 mosses and 18 liverworts) as well as five other interesting records for Réunion Island (Mascarene Archipelago). Grimmia austrofunalis Müll. Hal., Sphagnum magellanicum Brid. subsp. magellanicum, Didymodon tectorum (Müll. Hal.) K. Saito, Anastrophyllum revolutum Steph. and Lejeunea exilis (Reinw. et al.) Grolle are reported for the first time for Africa. Syrrhopodon vardei L. T. Ellis, Ceratolejeunea papuliflora Steph. and Xylolejeunea grolleana (Pócs) X.-L. He & Grolle, previously known as endemic from Madagascar, are here recorded for Réunion. The latter species is also illustrated with SEM pictures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plagiochilasect.Vagaeis a large pantropical clade that is characterized morphologically by frequent terminal branching, vegetative distribution by propagules on the ventral surface of the leaves and a capsule wall with thickenings in all layers.Plagiochila corrugatafrom Brazil is characterized by strongly undulate, toothed leaf margins and represents the only known neotropical species of sect.Vagaewith unispiral elaters.Plagiochila cambuenafrom Madagascar is distinguished by the same features. Maximum likelihood and parsimony analyses of 38 nrDNA ITS sequences ofPlagiochilarevealP. corrugataandP. cambuenain a weakly (ML) to well (MP) supported monophyletic lineage withinP. sect. Vagae. As an outcome of the morphological and molecular investigation,P. cambuenais relegated to the synonymy ofP. corrugata. Plagiochila corrugatais placed in aVagae-subclade with 11 further American species. The range ofP. corrugatacan be ascribed to long-range dispersal from the Neotropics rather than a Gondwanan distribution. Species from tropical Asia and Africa are placed at the base of theVagaeclade. Branch length withinP. sect. Vagaepoints to a sudden radiation. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London,Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004,146, 469–481. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the biogeographical and diversification processes explaining current diversity patterns of subcosmopolitan-distributed groups is challenging. We aimed at disentangling the historical biogeography of the subcosmopolitan liverwort genus Lejeunea with estimation of ancestral areas of origin and testing if sexual system and palaeotemperature variations can be factors of diversification. We assembled a dense taxon sampling for 120 species sampled throughout the geographical distribution of the genus. Lejeunea diverged from its sister group after the Paleocene-Eocene boundary (52.2 Ma, 95% credibility intervals 50.1–54.2 Ma), and the initial diversification of the crown group occurred in the early to middle Eocene (44.5 Ma, 95% credibility intervals 38.5–50.8 Ma). The DEC model indicated that (1) Lejeunea likely originated in an area composed of the Neotropics and the Nearctic, (2) dispersals through terrestrial land bridges in the late Oligocene and Miocene allowed Lejeunea to colonize the Old World, (3) the Boreotropical forest covering the northern regions until the late Eocene did not facilitate Lejeunea dispersals, and (4) a single long-distance dispersal event was inferred between the Neotropics and Africa. Biogeographical and diversification analyses show the Miocene was an important period when Lejeunea diversified globally. We found slight support for higher diversification rates of species with both male and female reproductive organs on the same individual (monoicy), and a moderate positive influence of palaeotemperatures on diversification. Our study shows that an ancient origin associated with a dispersal history facilitated by terrestrial land bridges and not long-distance dispersals are likely to explain the subcosmopolitan distribution of Lejeunea. By enhancing the diversification rates, monoicy likely favoured the colonisations of new areas, especially in the Miocene that was a key epoch shaping the worldwide distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]