Cryptic species within the cosmopolitan desiccation-tolerant moss Grimmia laevigata

Abstract

The common cushion moss Grimmia laevigata (Bridel) Bridel grows on bare rock in a broad range of environments on every continent except Antarctica. As such, it must harbor adaptations to a remarkably broad set of environmental stresses, the extremes of which can include very high temperatures, prolonged nearly complete desiccation, and high ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure. Yet, like many mosses, G. laevigata shows very little morphological variability across its cosmopolitan range. This presents an evolutionary puzzle, the solution to which lies in understanding the phylogeographic structure of this morphologically simple organism. Here we report the results of an analysis of amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) in G. laevigata, focusing on individuals from the California Floristic Province. We found evidence that populations within California constitute two distinct geographically overlapping cryptic species. Each clade harbors multiple private alleles, indicating they have been genetically isolated for some time. We suggest that the existence of cryptic species within G. laevigata, in combination with its life history, growth habits, and extreme desiccation tolerance, makes this moss an ideal research tool and a candidate for a biological indicator of climate change and pollution.amplified fragment length polymorphisms ͉ bioindication ͉ California Floristic Province ͉ Grimmiaceae ͉ phylogeography

Molecular variation inDrepanocladus aduncuss.l. does not support recognition of more than one species in Europe

“…Further studies are needed to test this hypothesis, but cryptic species or infraspecific variation within bryophyte species are nowadays well known and no longer surprising (e.g. Feldberg et al, 2004;Fernandez et al, 2006;Hedenä s & Eldenä s, 2007;Shaw, 2001;Shaw & Allen, 2000;Stech & Dohrmann, 2004). Most of the rather wide molecular differentiation within D. aduncus is, however, less prominent and is best interpreted in relation to the geographical distributions of some of the haplotype groups.…”

Biomonitoring of Airborne Heavy Metal Contamination

“…They are able to survive in such diverse and often extreme environment; these sedentary organisms possess an equally diverse set of physiological adaptations (Cenci et al, 2003;Fernandez et al, 2006;Dragovič & Mihailovič, 2009). Of all biological species used in biomonitoring, lichens and mosses have the most common occurrence.…”

Cryptic diversity within the Anatololacerta species complex (Squamata: Lacertidae) in the Anatolian Peninsula: Evidence from a multi-locus approach

“…Particularly, while the study of morphological variation seems to be informative in delimiting boundaries among syntopic species, the distinction of allopatric or parapatric sibling taxa generally appears to be problematic (e.g. Bruna et al, 1996;Fernandez et al, 2006;Ibáñez et al, 2006). Most cryptic species also result from recent speciation processes, so that morphological or other diagnosable traits have not yet evolved or become evident (Saez and Lozano, 2005;Kaliontzopoulou et al, 2012).…”