Systematic position of the moss genus Trachyphyllum A.Gepp (Pylaisiadelphaceae) plus additions to its distribution in the Neotropics

Abstract

Representatives of the genus Trachyphyllum are shown to form a monophyletic group. The presence of papillae at both ends of leaf cells, investigated here using SEM, is suggested as a possible synapomorphy. The position of the genus at the family level is discussed and changed to Pylaisiadelphaceae. In addition, the geographic distribution of Trachyphyllum in the New World is updated.

Keywords:

• Hypnales
• Mosses
• Pterigynadraceae
• Pylaisiadelphaceae
• Systematics

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the curators of the cited herbaria, to Abel Rocha Soares, Ana Gabriela Duarte Silva and Dr. Denilson Peralta. The second author thanks PROIC-UnB for the scholarship provided.

Taxonomic additions and changes: Nil.