Taxonomic study on Meteoriaceae I. Reappraisal of some species of Barbella and Pseudotrachypus

ABSTRACT

Introduction. The concept of the genera Barbella and Pseudobarbella have changed considerably in recent years. The delimitation of Barbella has been revised by Buck, meanwhile, Pseudobarbella has been treated a synonym of Pseudotrachypus. However, the taxonomy of some species in the genus Barbella have not been studied since their inception. Some species have been retained in Pseudobarbella, and their status needs to be reappraised.

Methods. Type specimens of Barbella and Pseudotrachypus were studied, and a review of relevant non-type materials was undertaken.

Results. The authors have made a reappraisal of the taxonomic status of Pseudotrachypus ancistrodes (Renauld & Cardot) V.Nath & Bansal, Barbella chlorodiclados M.Fleisch., Barbella conferva (Müll.Hal.) Broth., Barbella elegantula Broth. ex Ihsiba and Barbella capillicaulis (Renauld & Cardot) Cardot. Illustrations of these species are provided.

Conclusions. Pseudotrachypus ancistrodes (Renauld & Cardot) V.Nath & Bansal should be returned to Meteoriopsis, and it is recognised here as a synonym of Meteoriopsis reclinata (Müll.Hal.) M.Fleisch. Barbella chlorodiclados M.Fleisch. has been resurrected as an independent species. Barbella conferva (Müll.Hal.) Broth. and Barbella capillicaulis (Renauld & Cardot) Cardot. are transferred to Barbellopsis and Neodicladiella respectively. Barbella elegantula Broth. ex Ihsiba is treated as a synonym of Meteoriella soluta (Mitt.) S.Okamura.

KEYWORDS:

• Barbella
• Bryophyta
• Meteoriaceae
• Meteoriopsis
• Pseudotrachypus

Acknowledgements

We thank the curators of BM, BUC, E, FH, G, HIRO, HSUN, JE, MO, NY, PC, and PE for loaning the specimens cited in this study. We are grateful to Dr. Akiyama and an anonymous reviewer for their constructive comments on our manuscript.

Notes on contributors

Gao Wa Naren is a PhD candidate at the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, interested in taxonomy and systematics of Meteoriaceae.

Yu Jia is a bryologist with an interest in the flora of China and the taxonomic study of the pleurocarpous mosses. His current research is mostly on the taxonomy and systematics of Pylaisiadelphaceae, Hypnaceae and Meteoriaceae.

Additional information

Funding

This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 31670204].