Telaranea longii sp. nov. in Britain, and a comparison with T. murphyae Paton

Abstract

Telaranea longii is described as a new species. It differs from T. tetradactyla in its less terete shoots with obliquely inserted lateral leaves, and the cilia on the perianth mouth terminating in a rounded cell. The branch leaves are less spreading than in T. murphyae and the shoots are less Lepidozioid, often overlapping and orientated in the same direction forming smoother mats than in T. murphyae. Male plants are unknown in T. longii and female plants are unknown in T. murphyae. Female Telaranea plants from Surrey, which were erroneously determined as T. murphyae, are shown to be referable to T. longii. Both species are associated with gardens and may have been imported accidentally from unknown countries of origin.