Marchantiopsida (complex thalloid liverworts) are one of the earliest lineages of embryophytes (land plants), and well‐known for their air pores and chambers, pegged rhizoids, and absence of organellular RNA editing sites. Despite their importance to an understanding of early embryophyte evolution, many key nodes within this class remain poorly resolved, owing to the paucity of genetic loci previously available for phylogenetic analyses. Here, we sequenced 54 plastomes, representing 28 genera, nearly all families, and all orders of Marchantiopsida. Based on these plastomes, we present a hypothesis of deep relationships within the class, and make the first investigations of gene contents and synteny. Overall, the Marchantiopsida plastomes were well‐conserved, with the exception of the genus Cyathodium that has plastomes with higher GC content, fewer single sequence repeats (SSRs), and more structural variations, implying that this genus might possess RNA editing sites. Abundant repetitive elements and six highly divergent regions were identified as suitable for future infrafamilial taxonomic studies. The phylogenetic topology of Sphaerocarpales, Neohodgsoniales and Blasiales within Marchantiopsida was essentially congruent with previous studies but generally we obtained higher support values. Based on molecular evidence and previous morphological studies, we include Lunulariales in Marchantiales and suggest the retention of narrowed delimitation of monotypic families. The phylogenetic relationships within Marchantiales were better resolved, and 13 monophyletic families were recovered. Our analyses confirmed that the loss of intron 2 of ycf3 is a synapomorphy of Marchantiidae. Finally, we propose a new genus, Asterellopsis (Aytoniaceae), and present an updated classification of Marchantiopsida. The highly supported phylogenetic backbone provided here establishes a framework for future comparative and evolutionary studies of the complex thalloid liverworts.
Eleven noteworthy liverworts are reported from Brunei, Indonesia (Seram), and Malaysia (Sabah). Cololejeunea koponenii and Allorgella zantenii previously endemic to New Guinea are newly reported for Indonesia. The poorly known monospecific genus (Cephalolejeunea) is new to Brunei. Cololejeunea streimannii previously known only from Papua New Guinea is newly found in Borneo. Cheilolejeunea obcordata is discovered for the first time except for the type locality. Porella geheebii is new to Seram. Oil bodies of Cephalolejeunea parvilobula, Cheilolejeunea obcordata, Cololejeunea koponenii, C. streimannii, Leptolejeunea spinistipula, and Pictolejeunea mizutanii are reported for the first time. The photographs of Allorgella zantenii, Cephalolejeunea parvilobula, Cheilolejeunea obcordata, Cololejeunea koponenii, Drepanolejeunea blumei., and Porella geheebii are provided.
A new species, Drepanolejeunea glimeae (Marchantiophyta: Lejeuneaceae), is described and illustrated from Brunei Darussalam. It was discovered in the lowland rainforests in Ulu Temburong. This new species is distinguished by the absence of gynoecial innovations, erectly to obliquely spreading underleaf lobes, large leaf lobule about 1/2 as long as the lobe, acute to obtuse apex of the leaf, occasional occurrence of ribbon-like regenerants at leaf margins, and occasional presence of ocelli in the female bracteole.
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