Anna A. Vilnet

[Phylogeny of the genus Lophozia (Dumort.) Dumort. s. str. inferred from nuclear and chloroplast sequences ITS1-2 and TRNL-F].

Maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees were constructed for 21 taxa of Lophozia s. str. and the related genera, Schistochilopsis (5 species), Protolophozia elongata, and Obtusifolium obtusum based on combined nuclear ITS1-2 and chloroplast trnL-F DNA sequences. The trees were characterized by similar topology. It was demonstrated that the genus Lophozia s. str. was monophyletic, excluding L. sudetica, which deserved isolation into a distinct cryptic genus. The species distribution among the clades disagreed with the sections distinguished based on anatomical and morphological data. The relationships within the genus Schistochilopsis were consistent with the sectioning of the genus, based on morphological characters. Analysis of molecular data provided more precise definition of the systematic position of a number of taxa. A low level of genetic divergence of geographically distant forms was demonstrated.

Two new species of the liverwort genus Hygrobiella Spruce (Marchantiophyta) described from the North Pacific based on integrative taxonomy

The molecular and morphological variability of Hygrobiella laxifolia (Hook.) Spruce across its distributional area was investigated to verify its genetic entity. We sequenced nuclear ITS1–5.8S rDNA and three plastid genomic loci (trnL–F, trnG-intron and matK) of 31 specimens referred to H. laxifolia and gathered from remote regions: northwestern European and Far Eastern parts of Russia, as well as western USA. Three robustly supported clades within “H. laxifolia” were obtained by maximum parsimony, maximum-likelihood analyses and Bayesian approach. Haplotype network reconstruction also revealed three haplotype groups separated from each other by a row of missing haplotypes. The majority of Far Eastern accessions were composed of two genetic entities and were contrary to a third one containing all samples from northwestern European Russia, western USA and Bering Island as well. As a result of critical morphological reinvestigation for each of the discovered genetic entities, diagnostic characters were provided and a hypothesis of cryptic speciation in H. laxifolia was not supported. Accessions from removed localities united in a third clade were classified as typical H. laxifolia, whereas Far Eastern specimens from two other clades were applicable to new species—Hygrobiella intermedia Bakalin & Vilnet sp. nova and H. squamosa Bakalin & Vilnet sp. nova, which are described and illustrated here. The re-evaluation of species morphology indicated that the presence of secondary pigmentations, form of perianth and leaves, stem cross section anatomy and length of underleaves appear to be the main differentiation features. Available data suggest sympatric distribution of three Hygrobiella species in the northern Pacific region and the origin of two new species under the strong impact of volcanism.

New combinations and new species of Solenostoma and Plectocolea (Solenostomataceae) from the Russian Far East

Abstract This study provides a molecular phylogeny of Solenostoma and Plectocolea based on trnL-F and trnG-intron cpDNA sequences of 25 species represented by multiple accessions from different regions of Russia and some adjacent countries. Phylogenetic trees constructed using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods are mostly congruent, except for an unstable position of P. vulcanicola, P. rosulans and S. caucasica. Based on our analyses we accept narrow generic concepts and provisionally conclude that only P. hyalina and the P. obovata-P. subelliptica-P. obscura-P. harana-P. emarginata complex should be transferred to the genus Solenostoma. Moreover, two species new to science are described and three varieties are elevated to the species level. Morphologically, Solenostoma rossica Bakalin et Vilnet is characterized by heteroicous inflorescences, red-purple pigmentation restricted to the perianth beak and a whitish-colored stem. Solenostoma major (S. Hatt.) Bakalin et Vilnet is characterized by deep purple rhizoid coloration and wide, flattened, undulate and distant leaves. Solenostoma ochotensis Bakalin et Vilnet has a Solenostoma-like perianth and well-developed plectocoleoid perigynium. Plectocolea kurilensis (Bakalin) Bakalin et Vilnet is similar to P. infusca s. str. but differs by commonly having smaller, grayish and more numerous oil-bodies, deflexed antical leaf margins, undulate leaves and purplish to almost purple rhizoids. Plectocolea ovalifolia (Amak.) Bakalin et Vilnet is only distantly similar to P. infusca s. str., as it has purple rhizoids, oil bodies unlike P. infusca, a smaller plant size, generally distant to rarely contiguous leaves, and ovate leaves, as opposed to lingulate to broadly or transversely elliptic leaves. It is suggested the new species originated in the contact zone of circumboreal and temperate East Asian floras with the possible influence of modern volcanic activity.

Genosystematics and new insight into the phylogeny and taxonomy of liverworts

The current state of molecular studies in liverworts, including original data, was considered. The traditional concepts of the liverwort phylogeny and systematics have greatly changed as a result of recent molecular researches. The phylogenetic inferences from studies of different DNA loci of different species sampling are mainly congruent. The phylogeny and systematics of the suborder Jungermaniineae, one of the largest and taxonomically difficult groups, is discussed on the basis of nucleotide sequence analyses of internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (ITS1-2) of nuclear rDNA and chloroplast trnL-F in a representative species sampling.

Mesoptychia chinensis Bakalin, Vilnet & Xiong sp. nov. (Jungermanniaceae, Marchantiophyta) and comments on the distribution of Mesoptychia south of the boreal zone in Asia

Abstract Morphologically unique specimens of Mesoptychia (Lindb.) A.Evans recently collected in Guizhou Province, China were sequenced and analysed using a combined trnL-F+trnG-intron cpDNA dataset from 10 known taxa of Mesoptychia. Using a combination of morphological and molecular data, Mesoptychia chinensis Bakalin, Vilnet & Xiong sp. nov. is described as new to science. Mesoptychia polymorpha subsp. pakistanica Bakalin & Vilnet subsp. nov. is established based on morphological data only. Mesoptychia ussuriensis is newly recorded for China. New molecular data for species delimitation within Mesoptychia distributed in southern and south-east Asia are provided.

A review of the genus Diplophyllum (Marchantiophyta) in North and East Asia with the description of a new species (D. sibiricum) based on integrative taxonomy

Diplophyllum sibiricum is described based on plants from North and East Asia. It somewhat resembles D. obtusifolium, from which it differs in coloration and highly protandrous paroecy, as well as distribution. The species status of D. trollii is confirmed based on molecular studies, and it is additionally recorded from the spurs of the Himalaya in Guizhou Province of China. Both taxa are slightly molecularly divergent ‘young’ species that are strongly defined geographically from close morphological relatives. Diplophyllum obtusatum and D. obtusifolium should be excluded from the flora of North Asia. A key to Diplophyllum taxa in North and East Asia is provided. Probable cryptic speciation was observed within D. albicans, but this problem is regarded as requiring further studies. The split of Diplophyllum subg. Diplophyllum into two sections is not maintained.