Phylogenetic position of the genus Bryhnia Kaurin (Brachytheciaceae, Bryophyta) inferred from chloroplast (rpl16, trnG, trnL–F) and nuclear (ITS) sequence data

Abstract

The systematic position of the genus Bryhnia Kaurin has been problematic and remains unsettled. A phylogenetic analysis of Bryhnia and closely related genera, based on the nuclear marker ITS1–5·8S–ITS2 and the plastid markers rpl16, trnG, and trnL–F, was carried out to clarify their relationships and systematic positions. The phylogenetic trees generated from Maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses show that Bryhnia s.s., represented by B. novae-angliae (Sull. & Lesq.) Grout, B. hultenii E.B.Bartram, and B. scabrida (Lindb.) Kaurin, forms a maximally supported clade nested within Brachythecium Schimp. ‘Bryhnia scabrida’ sensu is Bryhnia brachycladula Cardot, and together they form a monophyletic group with Eurhynchiadelphus eustegia (Besch.) Ignatov & Huttunen and Myuroclada maximowiczii (G.G.Borshch.) Steere & W.B.Schofield. We propose the inclusion of the species currently recognized in Bryhnia in Brachythecium, with the transfer of Bryhnia brachycladula to the genus Myuroclada Besch. Bryhnia brachycladula is further treated as a synonym of the new combination, Myuroclada longiramea (Müll.Hal.) M.Li, Y.F.Wang, M.S.Ignatov & S.Huttunen.

Keywords:

• Brachythecium
• Eurhynchiadelphus
• Moss
• Myuroclada
• Phylogeny

Acknowledgements

Thanks are due to the curators and staff of BM, FH, MO, NICH, NY, PC, PE, S, SHNU, TNS, and XJU for loans of specimens, including types. We are grateful to Professor X. Y. Chen and Dr X. Y. Liu for their help with phylogenetic analyses. Two anonymous reviewers provided valuable comments. This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 31270255).

Taxonomic Additions and Changes: Brachythecium hultenii (E.B.Bartram) M.Li & Y.F.Wang, comb. nov. Brachythecium scabridum (Lindb.) M.Li & Y.F.Wang, comb. nov. Myuroclada longiramea (Müll.Hal.) M.Li, Y.F.Wang, M.S.Ignatov & S.Huttunen, comb. nov. (Bryhnia brachycladula Cardot, syn. nov.).