Ctenidium multiseriatum S.He & M.K.Thomas (Bryophyta: Myuriaceae), a new moss species from Maui, Hawai’i

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

The moss genus Ctenidium (Schimp.) Mitt. comprises approximately 23 species worldwide, of which two are known to exist in Hawai’i. Based on recent molecular studies, the genus has been reclassified into the family Myuriaceae, departing from its traditional classification in the Hypnaceae. Plants newly collected from Maui exhibit most characteristics of Ctenidium but differ from all known species within the genus by a combination of several critical characters detailed in this study. Consequently, we propose the classification of this moss as a new species of Ctenidium.

Methods:

The material was studied in Hoyer's solution, using standard microscopical and photomicrographical techniques.

Key results and conclusions:

Ctenidium multiseriatum S.He & M.K.Thomas is described as a new species from Hawai’i and distinguished from all known Ctenidium species by a combination of distinctive characters including multiseriate paraphyses, clearly prorate laminal cells at both the upper and the lower ends, shorter median and upper laminal cells, ecostae perichaetial leaves with subentire margins, irregularly subpinnately branched stems, and foliose pseudoparaphyllia.

KEYWORDS:

• Chryso-hypnum
• Hypnaceae
• new species
• Pacific island
• taxonomy

Acknowledgements

We extend our gratitude to Kanoa Severson for collecting the new species, and we appreciate the efforts of Barbara Kennedy, the collection manager at the Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawai'i, for making the type collection available for study. We also express our thanks to the two anonymous reviewers for their constructive and invaluable comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

No funding agencies contributed support for this work.

Notes on contributors

Si He

Si He is a curator and moss taxonomist at the Missouri Botanical Garden, St Louis, USA. His research focuses on the taxonomy of mosses and the floras of East and Southeast Asia.

Miles K. Thomas

Miles Thomas is a botany research specialist and technician for the O’ahu Plant Extinction Prevention Program. He is interested in the taxonomy and distribution of the native Hawaiian flora, focusing on bryophytes and pteridophytes in Hawai’i.