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Aloina catillum is a variable moss typical of xerophytic environments in the Neotropics, characterized against other closely allied Aloina species with well-differentiated leaf border by its setae twisted to the left throughout. In order to clarify its variability and its relationships with the allied species with differentiated leaf border A. brevirostris, A. obliquifolia, and A. rigida, we performed an integrative study including sequence data from four markers (nuclear ITS, plastid atpB-rbcL, trnG, trnL-F), morphometry, and species assembling by automatic partitioning (ASAP) algorithm. Our data suggest that A. catillum consists of at least three species: A. calceolifolia (an earlier name for A. catillum), and two species described here as a new, A. bracteata sp. nov. and A. limbata sp. nov. This latter species includes the specimens previously identified as A. obliquifolia from South America. Additionally, some morphological and molecular variability was also detected in A. limbata, but was not consistent enough to be recognized taxonomically. The study supports the presence of A. brevirostris in the Neotropics and A. rigida is tentatively excluded from South America. Full descriptions of the A. catillum s.l. species and a diagnostic key to this complex in South America are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While studying material of South American Syntrichia for a worldwide revision of the genus, we found that a specimen collected in Parinacota (Chile) did not match the concept of any species known in the genus. We present our argument for recognising this specimen of a South American Syntrichia from Chile as a new species and describe its differentiation from other closely related taxa. About 3500 specimens from South America belonging to Syntrichia were studied, using conventional anatomical and morphological methods. Additionally, most of the type material of the taxa attributed to this genus, from throughout the world, was examined. Photographs of key features of the species were obtained for the preparation of illustrations for publication. A new moss species, Syntrichia splendida M.T.Gallego & M.J.Cano, from northern Chile, is described and illustrated. The species is strikingly distinguished by its abruptly contracted apices to a linear, pluricellular, papillose, mucronate, strongly toothed and chlorophyllose caducous propagule. Possible confusion with other closely related taxa is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schistidium memnonium is described as a new species from Europe, based on molecular and morphological data. The species is described and illustrated, its affinities are discussed, and its current distribution mapped. The species is distinguished by its ovate to ovate-triangular leaves, unistratose lamina in lower part, occasionally with 2-stratose spots or short striae, in central and upper part varying from 1-stratose to 2-stratose in spots and striae, recurved leaf margins from the base to near the apex on both sides, in lower part mostly 1-2˗stratose for 1(2) rows, in upper and central part 2-3˗stratose for 1–2 rows and oblong to long rectangular or long obovate exothecial cells in central part. A table with characters to distinguish this species from S. brunnescens (both subspecies), two taxa morphologically very similar, and a phylogenetic analysis in order to detect relationships of the new species with nearby taxa, based on rDNA ITS region, are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. While revising material of South American Syntrichia for a worldwide revision of the genus, one specimen collected in Aysén (Chile) did not match the concept of any of the species known in the genus. Here we present our argument for recognising this moss as a new species and its differentiation from other closely related taxa. Methods. About 3500 specimens from South America belonging to this genus were studied with the typical anatomical and morphological methods. In addition, most of the type material of the taxa attributed to this genus in the world has been studied. Photographic images of key features of the species were obtained for the preparation of illustrations for publication. Results and conclusions. A new moss species, Syntrichia lamellaris M.T.Gallego, M.J.Cano & Larraín, is described and illustrated from Chilean Patagonia. The species is corticolous and distinguished morphologically by its stems with irregular hyalodermis, oblanceolate to obovate-lingulate leaves that are extremely fragile, with apices ending in a spinulose red mucro, plane and strongly sinuous to lacerated leaf margins, and dorsal costal surface without stereids in the upper third, but with irregularly lobed dorsal lamellae. Possible confusion with other closely related taxa is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents bryological notes on regional and national records for plant bryophytes. Among plant byophytes mentioned are Bazzania angustistipula in Eastern Himalaya, Arunachal Pradesh reported by D. K. Singh and colleagues, Bryum porphyroneuron in Central India, Madhya Pradesh in Pachmarhi Lake by R. Gupta and colleagues, and Bucklandiella curiosissima in North Island, Wellington by Bednarek-Ochyra and colleagues.

In the course of a worldwide revision of the genus Syntrichia, we identified problems in the circumscription of some species of the genus as well as among some allied genera grouped in the tribe Syntricheae. This is the case for the two propagulose Syntrichia amphidiacea and S. gemmascens, closely related to Streptopogon. We analyzed phylogenetic relationships between these species, based on nuclear (ITS) and two plastid (trnL-F and trnG) markers and morphological features. Species delimitation using molecular data was consistent with our preliminary morphological inference. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. Our results placed Syntrichia amphidiacea in the Streptopogon clade. Syntrichia gemmascens is also included in Streptopogon in spite of the discrepancy of the ITS and plastid relationships, which could be evidence of an exchange of genetic material between species in various lineages in the Pottioideae. Streptopogon is maintained as a separate genus on the basis of morphology characters, and we consider the differentiation of laminal papillae and the presence of a stem central strand as new characters in the genus. We accept Sagenotortula as distinct genus sister to Syntrichia. We consider the lack of costal dorsal epidermis and the differentiation of a crescent-shaped costal dorsal stereid band as distinctive generic characters in Syntrichia. Additionally, we include Syntrichia percarnosa as a new synonym for S. breviseta. Three names are lectotypified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moss genus Tortula is revised for South America. A key, descriptions, illustrations, distribution data, and light and scanning electron micrographs of the 11 species recognized are provided. A new species, Tortula arequipensis, is described from Peru. Twenty-six names are lectotypified. Thirty eight species are excluded from the genus Tortula. Six new combinations are proposed: Syntrichia breviseta, Syntrichia buchtienii, Syntrichia napoana, Syntrichia polylepidis, Syntrichia pseudolatifolia, and Tortula diaguita. Thirty-six names are newly synonymized. Previous records of Tortula vahliana from Chile correspond to Tortula platyphylla. Microbryum davallianum, Tortula cernua, Tortula hoppeana, and T. vahliana are newly reported for South America. In addition, new records for different countries of the study area are reported. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 156, 173–220. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe one distinctive new moss species of Syntrichia, S. muricata from the Coquimbo Region in northern Chile. It is characterized by the dorsal costa strongly papillose, with prorate cells, a hyaline and smooth hair point, plane leaf margins, and the presence of prominent dorsal-lateral costa cells. Drawings, light microscope and SEM photographs of the main characters are given. The principal characters that separate S. muricata from the most similar species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moss flora of Europe and Macaronesia comprises 278 genera, 1292 species, 46 subspecies and 118 varieties. Of the total 1292 species, 53 are confined to Macaronesia and 21 are thought to be non-native. The checklist was derived from those for the various component countries and regions. It is based on results published up to the end of 2005. Subspecies and varieties are included; hybrids are omitted. The taxonomic hierarchy is based on one published by Goffinet & Buck in 2004. While it has been strongly influenced by results of modern molecular methods, there are still many remaining uncertainties, even at family level. Because of these uncertainties, taxonomic innovation has generally been avoided. There are four new combinations and one change of status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a discussion on Tetrastichium virens, a Macaronesian-European endemic moss which is common in Madeira and the Azores and rare in the Canary Islands and Iberian Peninsula, but otherwise not known in mainland Europe. Recently, specimens of Tetrastichium virens with sporophytes have been cited in the Iberian Peninsula. These are the first fertile samples of Tetrastichium virens from mainland Europe. The article provides the first microphotographs of the Tetrastichium virens peristome.

A morphological review of the Schistidium apocarpum complex (Grimmiaceae) in the Baetic Mountain Ranges (southern part of the Iberian Peninsula) was conducted. The study shows the presence of nine species in the territory. An identification key is provided, and the most relevant differentiating morphological characters of the species are described and analysed. Distribution patterns and important habitats for the species are discussed. Schistidium apocarpum (Hedw.) Bruch & Schimp. is excluded from the territory and the ranges of all the species are considerably expanded. A new combination is proposed, Schistidium griseum (Nees & Hornsch.) J.Guerra, comb. nov., stat. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]