Delongia flavolimbata (S.He & Y.J.Yi) S.He & Y.J.Yi, an unusual species with elamellate laminae from China, newly combined in Polytrichaceae based on molecular data

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Hyophila flavolimbata S.He & Y.J.Yi has several unusual morphological features that cast doubt on its current generic position in Hyophila and even its family placement in the Pottiaceae. The results of a molecular study carried out to investigate the taxonomic identity of this taxon have provided a unique resolution.

Methods

In addition to a morphological examination in which material from related species were compared, rps4 and trnL–F sequences from the type specimen and a newly identified specimen of Hyophila flavolimbata were analysed. Relationships between related species in the Polytrichaceae were explored using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses.

Key results and conclusions

Phylogenetic analysis resolved a new taxonomic position for Hyophila flavolimbata in the genus Delongia of the Polytrichaceae, and consequently, a new combination, Delongia flavolimbata (S.He & Y.J.Yi) S.He & Y.J.Yi, is made. Photographs detailing key morphological differences from related taxa, and a key to the three currently recognised species in Delongia, are provided. The completely elamellate laminae of this species are an unusual morphological character that is highly remarkable for Delongia and uncommon in the Polytrichaceae.

KEYWORDS:

• China
• Delongia
• Hyophila flavolimbata
• Polytrichaceae
• rps4
• trnL–F
• Yunnan

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to David Long (E), Wen-Zhang Ma (KUN) and James Shevock (CAS), who collected the specimens of Delongia flavolimbata and made them available for this study. Also, we thank Richard Zander (MO) for his taxonomic insights into the status of Hyophila flavolimbata. We thank Dr Neil Bell and an anonymous reviewer for their constructive comments in revising the manuscript and for their help with English grammar.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was partially supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (nos. 31872650, 31470309).

Notes on contributors

Yan-Jun Yi

Yan-Jun Yi is a full professor at the College of Life Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, China. Her research is mainly concentrated on mosses, especially on systematics of the family Mniaceae.

Jie Zhang

Jie Zhang is a graduate student at the College of Life Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, China.

Xiao-Xuan Xiao

Xiao-Xuan Xiao is a graduate student at the College of Life Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, China.

Si He

Si He is a curator and moss taxonomist at the Missouri Botanical Garden, St Louis, USA. His research is focused on the taxonomy of mosses and the floras of East and Southeast Asia.