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.

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Didymodon s.l. is one of the largest genera in the moss family Pottiaceae, with about 122 species distributed in all continents. This, together with its high degree of morphological variation, has made it one of the taxonomically most challenging genera of Pottiaceae. Circumscription of Didymodon s.l. has been, and still is, controversial. To date, the only molecular study that has investigated the delimitation of the genus has been far from comprehensive (35 samples from 27 species), limited in geographical scope (mainly restricted to Europe), and based exclusively on ITS sequences. To evaluate the circumscription of Didymodon s.l. and its relationships with the allied genera Andinella, Gertrudiella, and Tridontium, we conducted phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences for three plastid markers (atpB-rbcL, trnG, and trnL-F) and one nuclear locus (ITS) for 335 samples representing 86 species of Didymodon s.l. (ca. 70%), and all taxa of the genera Andinella, Gertrudiella, and Tridontium. Individual markers and concatenated matrices were analyzed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Our results indicate that Didymodon s.l. is not monophyletic, because Andinella, Gertrudiella, and Tridontium species are nested within it. Species of these four genera can be divided into eight well-supported and morphologically distinct genera: Didymodon s.s., Geheebia, Gertrudiella, Husnotiella, Trichostomopsis, Tridontium, Vinealobryum, and Zanderella. In correspondence with the results presented, 38 new combinations, 10 new synonyms, and a new name are provided for those taxa where required, and lectotypes are designated for 13 names. A diagnostic key to the eight recognized genera is provided.

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and length variations in the chloroplast trnL-trnF intergenic spacer were used to analyze the geographic structure of Juniperus thurifera L. populations in Spain and North Africa. The chloroplast DNA analysis indicated three size classes of the spacer, but was uninformative of any geographic pattern. In contrast, the RAPD data based on 127 polymorphous bands clearly showed the existence of three population groups: (a) a group comprising two populations from northeastern Spain and two from southern Spain, (b) a group comprising the rest of the Spanish populations, and (c) a group which consisted of the two Moroccan populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 24% of the variation is found between groups of populations, 15% between populations within groups, and 61% within populations. The results are consistent with a hypothetical migration of J. thurifera starting from central Europe, passing through France and Spain, and finally reaching North Africa.

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