IntroductionThere is unresolved synonymy associated with the two distinct Southeast Asian taxa Calymperes subintegrum Broth. in J.Schmidt and Calymperes schmidtii Broth. in J.Schmidt. Over time, Calymperes nymanii (M.Fleisch.) W.D.Reese, Calymperes sublaevifolium Broth., Calymperes kanakense Paris, Calymperes stenophyllum Dixon and Calymperes albolimbatum Dixon have all been proposed as conspecific with both. Herein, the true identities of these taxa are considered. In addition, features in the leaves of C. schmidtii are assessed in comparison with similar features in Calymperes tenerum M & uuml;ll.Hal.MethodsNomenclatural and taxonomic investigation was carried out with reference to bryological literature and herbarium material, including type specimens; it involved the microscopic investigation and analysis of leaf morphology in both historical and recent collections.Key results and conclusionsCalymperes nymanii, C. sublaevifolium, C. kanakense, C. stenophyllum and C. albolimbatum are conspecific with C. subintegrum. Calymperes schmidtii is a distinct but rare species endemic to Thailand and without synonyms. Calymperes schmidtii is distinguishable from C. tenerum, although it shares some significant features of its leaves.
IntroductionThe family Bryaceae, including its largest genus Bryum, underwent several reclassifications during the past few decades. As part of a new taxonomic revision based on molecular and morphological data, we reinstate several Gemmabryum species in Bryum. In addition, two species previously included in Gemmabryum and Rosulabryum are transferred to Ptychostomum.MethodsOur molecular phylogenetic analyses are based on nuclear ITS and chloroplast rpoC2, ndhF and rps14-psbZ sequence data of 52 Bryaceae species. The collected morphological character states of the taxa examined are visualised in a representative heatmap.Key results and conclusionsThe results of the maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses showed almost identical generic groups. Rhodobryum is closely related to a group of early-diverging species, most of which belong to Rosulabryum. Distinct morphological features and a preference for warmer climates are consistent with this. The other Rosulabryum taxa, R. erythroloma and R. rubens, were recovered as members of a sister clade to Ptychostomum. An inclusion of the type R. albolimbatum in future studies will clarify whether a definition of a new genus for one of the two Rosulabryum groups is adequate. According to new molecular data, we reinstate the Gemmabryum species in Bryum because the type B. argenteum is recovered within the same group. The position of Gemmabryum caespiticium and Rosulabryum sanguilentum in the Ptychostomum group requires a transfer of these two species to this genus.
IntroductionThe invasiveness of Campylopus introflexus is well documented, but its phenology remains unknown except for abundant spring-maturing sporophytes and caducous shoots.MethodsPopulations of Campylopus introflexus on a heathland in southern England were examined every 1-2 months over 4 years. Its reproductive biology and morphology were determined from field images, and light and scanning electron microscopy. To investigate the relationship between growth and sporophyte production, annual growth increments and sporophyte counts for wet and drier areas were paired and analysed statistically. For possible capillarity inside the perichaetia, female plants were placed in 1% methylene blue, and dye movements recorded.Key resultsEstimates of surface area occupied by males and females revealed a 75% preponderance of females. Following gametangia production in winter, it takes similar to 16 months until sporophyte dehiscence in early summer. Young embryos remain quiescent through summer, and most sporophyte development occurs within the perichaetia, the sporophytes held there by basal spines on the calyptra. Exceptionally long archegonial necks within, closely embracing perichaetial leaves, act as capillary wicks, delivering sperm to stem tips. Sporophyte production relates strongly to annual growth in dry and wet substrates.ConclusionsThe invasiveness of Campylopus introflexus is probably explained by prolific sexual reproduction, tuned to seasonal weather cycles, rather than to rampant growth per se. Preponderance of females in our populations is attributed to greater allocation of resources to antheridium production rather than vegetative growth. Rampant sexual reproduction and invasiveness suggest C. introflexus as a model species to study climate change in bryophytes.
IntroductionAmong bryophytes, liverworts may serve as models for understanding plant evolution and adaptation to seasonal changes. Seasonal changes are associated with variations in temperature, precipitation, humidity, and nutrient availability, which can cause oxidative stress. To cope, liverworts have evolved distinct strategies, including proteomic changes.MethodsA gel-based proteomic analysis of the liverwort Dumortiera hirsuta (Sw.) Nees, collected from Pynursla town (25.5788 degrees N, 91.8933 degrees E), East Khasi Hills district, near Shillong, Meghalaya, India, was performed during its four growing seasons: pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon, and fruiting season.ResultsTwo-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry demonstrated that proteins from the categories of cell growth and development, photosynthesis, defence mechanisms, post-transcriptional modifications, protein turnover and chaperones, and uncharacterised proteins changed their accumulation across seasons. The most notable changes occurred during the post-monsoon and fruiting seasons. Defence- and protein degradation-related proteins accumulated predominantly during these seasons, whereas proteins involved in photosynthesis and protein biosynthesis decreased considerably. This pattern reflects challenging growth conditions during post-monsoon and fruiting, characterised by lower temperature, reduced precipitation, and nutrient availability. To cope with these conditions, Dumortiera hirsuta may reduce photosynthetic activity and protein synthesis while increasing the accumulation of antioxidative and stress-responsive proteins. Important putative stress-responsive proteins accumulated during post-monsoon and/or fruiting seasons include Bet_v_1, DDE Tnp4, germin-like, TCTP, and tyrosinase_Cu-bd domain-containing proteins, whose precise functions remain uncharacterised.ConclusionsSeasonal changes significantly alter the Dumortiera hirsuta proteome, reducing photosynthesis and increasing defence proteins during stressful seasons, showing its acclimatory strategy for survival under changing environmental conditions.
IntroductionBreutelia chrysocoma (Hedw.) Lindb., the only Breutelia species in continental Europe, was previously considered nearly extinct in Asturias (Spain) after the loss or non-confirmation of most historical localities. Given that bryophytes are taxonomically challenging and specialists are scarce, crowdsourced biodiversity portals may provide a useful complementary source of records to support monitoring and conservation assessments.MethodsCasual observations submitted to iNaturalist were used to guide fieldwork, leading to the discovery and documentation of additional localities. This collaboration enabled the implementation of a census for population monitoring of the taxon, using a standardised methodology that also provides population size estimates for bryophytes and the re-evaluation of its conservation status following UICN standards.Key results and conclusionsNew localities substantially increase the known population of Breutelia chrysocoma in Asturias. The resulting data allow for a more accurate assessment of the species' conservation status in Spain and offer further justification for its classification as a Critically Endangered species. These findings underscore the potential benefits of using crowdsourced biodiversity portals to enhance monitoring and conservation.
IntroductionCheilolejeunea is a pantropical genus with approximately 130 species, 55 of which are currently recognised in the Neotropics. Recent phylogenetic and taxonomic studies have laid the groundwork for biogeographical research on the genus. Building on these advances, the present study explores the phytogeographical relationships and climatic affinities of the Neotropical Cheilolejeunea species.MethodsWe investigated the distribution of the species of Cheilolejeunea within the Neotropics and the climatic factors that might have influenced their distribution, using databases of species distribution, geographical information systems tools, environmental variables, and multivariate analyses.Key resultsCheilolejeunea species in the Neotropics were found to be distributed from sea level up to 4400 m but appeared to have diversified mainly at elevations below 2000 m. Areas of maximum species density were identified in the Atlantic Forest (Brazil), northern South America (Colombia), and southern Central America (Costa Rica and Panam & aacute;). The distributions were mainly influenced by environmental variables related to humidity, with considerable variation in orography. Species diversity appeared to be favoured by turnover in mountainous regions. Endemic species appeared to be associated with regions of high overall species richness.ConclusionsThe distribution of Cheilolejeunea species in the Neotropics is primarily shaped by geographical and environmental factors, with altitude and humidity emerging as key determinants. These factors may have contributed to a relatively high endemism rate, with approximately 25% of species restricted to a single biogeographical province.
Introduction. The Ecuadorian Andes, within the Tropical Andes biodiversity hotspot, support exceptional bryophyte diversity due to altitudinal gradients and cloud-forest microclimates, although many species remain undescribed. During examination of liverwort collections from upper montane cloud forest of the Ecuadorian Andes, a new species of Colura with a five-keeled urceolate perianth was found. Methods. The specimens were examined and measured using stereo and compound microscopes. Spore features were observed via scanning electron microscopy. Diagnostic features were rendered as line illustrations, using the Sketchbook application on a digital device. Key results and conclusions. Colura amphorica is described and illustrated here as a new species from the southeastern Ecuadorian Andes. The new species is characterised by autoicous sexuality, lateral leaves with sac-like structures terminated by hollow cylindrical extensions, the valve of the lobule composed of two basal median cells, an urceolate perianth with five horn-like keels, and an androecial branch bearing 1 (or 2) pair of male bracts, with each male bract containing three antheridia.
