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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One of the best-studied examples of host-virus coevolution is the release of myxoma virus (MV) for biological control of European rabbits in Australia and Europe. To investigate the genetic basis of MV adaptation to its new host, we sequenced the genome of 6918, an attenuated Spanish field strain, and compared it with that of Lausanne, the strain originally released in Europe in 1952. Although isolated 43 years apart, the genomes were highly conserved (99.95% identical). Only 32 of the 159 MV predicted proteins revealed amino acid changes. Four genes (M009L, M036L, M135R, and M148R) in 6918 were disrupted by frameshift mutations.

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.

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