Syntrichia splendida M.T.Gallego & M.J.Cano (Pottiaceae), a new moss species from northern Chile

ABSTRACT

Introduction

While studying material of South American Syntrichia for a worldwide revision of the genus, we found that a specimen collected in Parinacota (Chile) did not match the concept of any species known in the genus. We present our argument for recognising this specimen of a South American Syntrichia from Chile as a new species and describe its differentiation from other closely related taxa.

Methods

About 3500 specimens from South America belonging to Syntrichia were studied, using conventional anatomical and morphological methods. Additionally, most of the type material of the taxa attributed to this genus, from throughout the world, was examined. Photographs of key features of the species were obtained for the preparation of illustrations for publication.

Key results and conclusions

A new moss species, Syntrichia splendida M.T.Gallego & M.J.Cano, from northern Chile, is described and illustrated. The species is strikingly distinguished by its abruptly contracted apices to a linear, pluricellular, papillose, mucronate, strongly toothed and chlorophyllose caducous propagule. Possible confusion with other closely related taxa is discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Bryophytes
• caducous toothed propagules
• Musci
• Parinacota
• taxonomy

Acknowledgements

M. J. Cano is very grateful to members of the Departamento de Botánica, Universidad de Concepción, for their assistance during her stay in Chile.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación under grant number PID2019-103993GB-I00, cofinanced by FEDER.

Notes on contributors

M. Teresa Gallego

M. Teresa Gallego is an Associate Professor of Botany at the University of Murcia (Spain). She obtained a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Murcia in 2002. Her research focuses on systematics, taxonomy and floristics of mosses, more specifically Pottiaceae, with a special interest in the genus Syntrichia Brid.

María J. Cano

María J. Cano is a Full Professor of Botany at the University of Murcia (Spain). She holds a Ph.D. in Biology Sciences. Her research topics include floristics, conservation, taxonomy and phylogeny of bryophytes. Her current research interest is the taxonomy and phylogeny of different genera of Pottiaceae in South America.