Striking autapomorphic evolution in Physotheca J.J.Engel & Gradst. (Marchantiophyta: Lophocoleaceae) blurred its actual relationships with Leptoscyphus Mitt.

Abstract

The taxonomic status and phylogenetic position of the monotypic liverwort genus Physotheca J.J.Engel & Gradst., including P. autoica J.J.Engel & Gradst. endemic to Ecuador, are inferred from phylogenetic analyses of two cpDNA loci. The results indicate that the genus is nested within Leptoscyphus and the new combination, L. autoicus (J.J.Engel & Gradst.) Vanderp. & Gradst., is made. This indicates, along with an increasing body of evidence, that extreme morphological transformations can obscure the phylogenetic signal present in morphological data.

Keywords:

• atpB-rbcL
• Ecuador
• Liverworts
• Molecular phylogeny
• Morphology
• Páramo
• Sexual systems
• trnL

AV, AD and BL are research associate and PhD students, respectively, of the Belgian Funds for Scientific Research (FNRS). Financial support from FNRS (grant 2·4557·11) is acknowledged.

Taxonomic Additions and Changes: Leptoscyphus autoicus (J.J.Engel & Gradst.) Vanderp. & Gradst. comb. nov. (Physotheca autoica J.J.Engel & Gradst.)