Paul G. Davison

Morphologically cryptic biological species within the liverwort Frullania asagrayana

UNLABELLED PREMISE OF THE STUDY The Frullania tamarisci complex includes eight Holarctic liverwort species. One of these, F. asagrayana, is distributed broadly throughout eastern North America from Canada to the Gulf Coast. Preliminary genetic data suggested that the species includes two groups of populations. This study was designed to test whether the two groups are reproductively isolated biological species. • METHODS Eighty-eight samples from across the range of F. asagrayana, plus 73 samples from one population, were genotyped for 13 microsatellite loci. Sequences for two plastid loci and nrITS were obtained from 13 accessions. Genetic data were analyzed using coalescent models and Bayesian inference. • KEY RESULTS Frullania asagrayana is sequence-invariant at the two plastid loci and ITS2, but two clear groups were resolved by microsatellites. The two groups are largely reproductively isolated, but there is a low level of gene flow from the southern to the northern group. No gene flow was detected in the other direction. A local population was heterogeneous but displayed strong genetic structure. • CONCLUSIONS The genetic structure of F. asagrayana in eastern North America reflects morphologically cryptic differentiation between reproductively isolated groups of populations, near-panmixis within groups, and clonal propagation at local scales. Reproductive isolation between groups that are invariant at the level of nucleotide sequences shows that caution must be exercised in making taxonomic and evolutionary inferences from reciprocal monophyly (or lack thereof) between putative species.

Plagiochila punctata (Plagiochilaceae) in Tennessee, new to North America

Abstract Plagiochila (sect. Arrectae) punctata, previously known from the Neotropics, Africa and Europe, has been collected on a sandstone cliff in a rockhouse type environment in Tennessee, new to North America. Maximum likelihood analyses based on nrITS1–5.8S-ITS2 sequences of several species of Plagiochila sect. Arrectae resolve the Tennessee specimen in a robust P. punctata subclade with accessions from Ecuador and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Bryoplana xerophila n. g. n. sp., a new limnoterrestrial microturbellarian (Platyhelminthes, Typhloplanidae, Protoplanellinae) from epilithic mosses, with notes on its ecology

Bryoplana xerophila, a new genus and species of limnoterrestrial protoplanelline platyhelminth, was found in moss and soil covering a concrete wall in northern Alabama, USA. Bryoplana xerophila is the first taxon of limnoterrestrial Protoplanellinae recorded from North America and is one of the few rhabdocoels known from dry habitats. It is unique within Protoplanellinae in lacking rhabdites, having a pharynx rosulatus in the frontal half of the body, and lacking sclerotized parts in the male system. Notes on encystment, reproduction and feeding behavior are given. An updated identification key to all known genera of Protoplanellinae is presented.

Epiphyllous bryophytes in the Appalachian Plateau of Kentucky and Tennessee, U.S.A

Abstract Epiphyllous bryophytes are poorly documented for temperate eastern North America. Ten liverwort taxa and one moss species are reported as epiphylls on Rhododendron maximum from the Appalachian Plateau (Fentress County, Tennessee, and Menifee County, Kentucky). The Kentucky localities represent the northernmost documented sites for bryophyte epiphylls in eastern North America. Three North American liverwort endemics, Lejeunea ruthii, Leucolejeunea clypeata, and Radula obconica, and the moss, Platygyrium repens, are newly reported as epiphylls. Colony size ranged from <0.1 mm to 20 mm in diameter. Host plant leaf coverage of epiphylls was as high as 15%. A quantitative study at one locality showed 0% of one-year-old host leaves supported bryoepiphylls with 8.9% of two and 13.3% of three-year-old leaves supporting epiphylls. The frequency and northern limits of bryoepiphylly in eastern North America are likely well underestimated.

Metzgeria uncigera New to Arkansas

Abstract. Metzgeria uncigera is reported new for Arkansas based on a collection from the Crystal Mountains, Montgomery County. The occurrence on rock is apparently new for the species.

Freshwater Dalyelliidae from the Nearctic (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela): new taxa and records from Ontario, Canada and Michigan and Alabama, USA

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An Occurrence of Frullania bolanderi in New Gloucester, Maine

Abstract. Frullania bolanderi is reported new for Cumberland County, Maine, in an area with attributes of an old-growth forest. This report supports the previously published hypothesis that F. bolanderi may be an indicator of old growth forest in eastern North America.

New England liverworts for the general public

Popular identification guides to bryophytes are not at all common, although their numbers are increasing given the ease of capturing decent images with digital cameras. This book is the first of its kind for North America in that it includes many color photographs and treats all species of liverworts found in a multistate region. I do not know Mary S. G. Lincoln, but I suspect that as an amateur bryologist herself, this book was born out of a labor of love. As stated in the introduction, the book is ‘‘a nontechnical introduction to the liverworts and hornworts of New England.’’ The descriptions of species ‘‘emphasize characters that can be seen with a strong hand lens or a dissecting microscope.’’ Though aimed squarely at the beginner, all species of liverworts and hornworts currently or historically known for New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont) are included. I noted only the omission of Pedinophyllum interruptum known from Connecticut and Massachusetts. The hardcover is richly illustrated with attractive photographs of liverworts. While not specifically designed as a field guide, the duplication of the main ‘‘illustrated key to hornworts and liverworts’’ inside the front cover is convenient for field use. Sections preceding the main treatments provide a brief history of regional hepaticology, describe the New England landscape, give an overview of the distributions compiled and explain basic morphology and life cycle characteristics. Given the growing interest in bryophyte conservation, the paragraph on rare and endangered species of liverworts is misleading. It includes the following statement (p. 7): ‘‘Because liverworts are so infrequently studied, no one can really say that a particular species is rare or endangered, either worldwide or in a particular area.’’ The statement is later contradicted in the treatment of species where some are described as ‘‘rare.’’ There are three appendices: a traditional dichotomous key to 24 ‘‘common and easily identified’’ species; a list of ‘‘leafy liverwort genera arranged by size’’ and a list of ‘‘liverworts characteristic of specialized habitats.’’ A glossary of 90 terms, a bibliography and an index to scientific names are included. The main body of the book (pp. 12–142) consists of 15 sections (A–O), each a logical group identified by the two-paged ‘‘illustrated key.’’ For example, section A presents ‘‘complex thalloid liverworts with elevated receptacles,’’ and section I ‘‘leafy liverworts with lobed leaves and succubous insertion.’’ Each section begins with a key diagram to

Chapter Sixteen: Porella gracillima Mitt. (Jungermanniidae, Porellaceae) in Tennessee, with an Illustrated Key to the Porella Species of North America North of Mexico

Abstract An illustrated key to the currently accepted 10 species of Porella in North America north of Mexico is presented. The only known American locality of P. gracillima is described.

Epiphyllous Liverworts of China

THOMAS H. NASH III, BRUCE D. RYAN, CORINNA GRIES, AND FRANK BUNGARTZ (EDITORS). Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region—Volume 1. viii 1 532 pages. Lichens Unlimited, Department of Plant Biology, Arizona State University, Box 871601, Tempe, AZ 85287-1601, U.S.A. 2002. [ISBN 0-9716759-0-2.] Price: US