Phylogenetic relationships of species within the pleurocarpous moss genus Neckera s.l. (Neckeraceae) are reconstructed based on three genomic regions: the plastid rps4-trnT-trnL-trnF cluster and the rpl16 group II intron, as well as the internal transcribed spacer region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2). The phylogenetic reconstruction suggests numerous taxonomic changes within the Neckeraceae. Two unispecific Asian genera are described as new: Taiwanobryopsis to accommodate Neckera warburgii, and Indoneckera to accommodate Neckera himalayana. Seven of the other "Neckera" species, all distributed in Asia, are transferred to Forsstroemia, and a further four Asian species to Taiwanobryum. Six Southern Hemisphere or tropical species (one from New Zealand, one from Africa, four from South America) are transferred to Alleniella. After these adjustments, Neckera becomes a northern hemisphere, mainly temperate, genus of c. 10 species that are absent from the tropics. It is in this context morphologically characterized by lack of paraphyllia (except N. californica) and an absent or weak costa. Alleniella has two species-the first diverging lineages-in the northern hemisphere, but the rest of the currently 15 species are distributed in the southern hemisphere and most of the species occur in mountain habitats in the tropics; it is however absent from tropical Asia and very scarce in Asia in general. Twelve of the 54 species have paraphyllia, which is the clearest morphological distinction from Neckera. Forsstroemia with 19 species, heavily concentrated in Asia, is the largest genus in the Neckeraceae. Clearly longer and more distinct costa distinguishes the genus from Neckera and Alleniella. Taiwanobryum is a morphologically heterogeneous Asian genus of nine species. Neckera decurrens Broth. is synonymized with Forsstroemia fauriei and Neckera valentiniana Besch. with Alleniella ehrenbergii.
This paper presents new distributional records of five Chinese species of Neckera Hedw.: N. bhutanensis Nog. (new to Sichuan and Yu nnan), N. borealis Nog. (new to Xinjiang), N. himalayana Mitt. (Yunnan, new to China), N. setschwanica Broth. (new to Bhutan), and N. xizangensis Enroth (new to Sichuan and Yu nnan, the first reports of the species since type material from Xizang). Maps showing the distributions of the treated species in China and an updated key to the Chinese species of Neckera sensu lato are provided.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.