New Philippine moss records for Luzon and Mindanao Islands

ABSTRACT

Introduction. The Philippine moss flora is updated and this shows that its richness and diversity is far from fully understood.

Methods. The status of 15 new records has been verified through recent publications. Type specimens of these new records were also examined to confirm their identity. Voucher specimens have been deposited in PNH. The taxa are listed in alphabetical order for ease of referencing.

Key Results. Fifteen new records for Luzon and Mindanao Islands are reported, derived from recent and older collections held in the Philippine National Herbarium (PNH).: Breutelia pendula (Sm.) Mitt., Chaetomitrium cucullatum Dixon, Ectropothecium filicaule M.Fleisch., Ectropothecium pseudocyperoides M.Fleisch., Entodon scariosus Renauld & Cardot, Hypnum plumaeforme Wilson, Leptodontium flexifolium (Dicks.) Hampe, Leucobryum sumatranum Broth. ex M.Fleisch., Oxyrrhynchium savatieri (Schimp. ex Besch.) Broth., Pelekium minusculum (Mitt.) Touw, Rhodobryum ontariense (Kindb.) Paris, Rhizogonium hattorii Nog., Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske, Schlotheimia emarginatopilosa Herzog and Wijkia surcularis (Mitt.) H.A.Crum.

Chaetomitrium cucullatum and Ectropothecium filicaule are reinstated as species. Leptodontium flexifolium and Sanionia uncinata are new generic and species records for the Philippines.

Conclusions. These reported updates in Philippine moss flora indicate the importance of continued studies of unidentified bryological collections at PNH and elsewhere. Likewise, the necessity of field collecting to improve knowledge of the Philippine flora is also highlighted.

KEYWORDS:

• Luzon
• Mindanao
• moss flora
• new records
• nomenclature
• Philippines

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank the curators and staff of the Philippine National Herbarium for allowing the author to examine their specimens. The author is also indebted to De La Salle University for the loan of specimens and use of equipment.

Notes on contributor

Mr Virgilio Linis received his M.S. degree in Biology from De La Salle University, Pennsylvania, USA and in Climate Change from Australian National University. He joined the Philippine National Herbarium from 2005 to 2012 as a researcher for bryophytes when a species of moss, Pseudoparaphysanthus linisii (Enroth & B.C.Tan) S.He, Sukkharak & Chantanaorr., was named after him. His current interests lie in bryophyte systematics, phylogenetics and taxonomy with interest in Ectropothecium Mitt. within the order Hypnales. He is currently undertaking research for his Ph.D. degree in Botany at the University of New England, Australia.