Sumudu C. K. Rubasinghe

Realignment of the genera of Cleveaceae (Marchantiopsida, Marchantiidae)

Abstract Thalloid liverworts with a complex anatomy and with star-shaped epidermal pores with strongly thickened radial walls in the surrounding cells have traditionally been accommodated within the Cleveaceae, which comprises three genera: Athalamia, Peltolepis and Sauteria. Based on phylogenetic inferences from three chloroplast genes (psbA, rpoC1 and rps4) sampled for 41 accessions, we tested the circumscription and the relationships of these genera, using six species of the Aytoniaceae as outgroups. Four main lineages are resolved, two corresponding to Peltolepis and Sauteria and two composing a polyphyletic Athalamia. The latter is here divided into Clevea and a narrowly defined Athalamia. The traditional definition of genera of Cleveaceae based on two characters (carpocephalum stalk position and anatomy) is rejected and morphological characters defining the genera are re-assessed. A revised generic delimitation is presented, including a key to the genera. Evolution of the genera of Cleveaceae is re-evaluated in the light of molecular results, and the misleading influence of homoplasy on past morphological classifications and phylogenies is discussed.

A new combination and three new synonyms in the genus Clevea Lindb. (Marchantiopsida, Cleveaceae)

with first tooth 2 cells long, 1 cell wide and second tooth with 1–2 cells, or indistinct (Figure 5: 1, 6, 7, 11, 12); unicellular stylus (Figure 5: 13) and 20–28-celled discoid gemmae with three adhesive cells (Figure 5: 14). Among the Indian species of the genus, C. serrulata resembles C. trichomanis (Gottsche) Steph., but can be easily distinguished from the latter which has oblong–ovate leaf lobes with nearly entire–crenate margins and uniseriate stylus 3–8 cells long (see also Zhu & So, 2001; Asthana & Srivastava, 2003). The authors are thankful to the Director, Botanical Survey of India for facilities and encouragement, the Chief Wildlife Wardens, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and West Bengal Forest Departments for facilitating the exploration work, the unknown reviewer for valuable suggestions and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi for financial assistance under All India Coordinated Project on Taxonomy. One of the authors (MD) is also grateful to the Director, Botanical Survey of India for financial support under ‘Flora of India’ project during the tenure of which the present work was completed.

Bryophytes of Sri Lanka: a review of past exploration and taxonomic research and priorities for the future

Abstract This overview presents a historical summary of the past collectors of bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworts) in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, and some of the researchers who studied and published the results of their explorations. The first British collectors of the early nineteenth century were linked with the development of the Botanic Garden and herbarium in Peradeniya, of which George Gardner and George Thwaites made the greatest contributions, resulting in three publications by William Mitten on both mosses and liverworts. By the mid-nineteenth century, collectors from other countries took the lead, firstly Johannes Nietner from Germany and Odoardo Beccari from Italy. By the early twentieth century, Victor Schiffner from Austria and Max Fleischer from Germany became the leading bryologists throughout SE Asia, and both visited Ceylon. Fleischer’s work was part of a monographic revision of all mosses resulting in many new genera and species. After Fleischer, the most important bryologist was the German Theodor Herzog, who was the first to describe the ecological structure and bryological richness of different forest zones in southern Ceylon, with insight into forest loss from agricultural and population expansion, and a summary of biogeographical links of the bryoflora. The English bryologist H.N. Dixon took over from Mitten in describing many new moss species. Since independence in 1948, bryology in Sri Lanka has had major input from some local bryologists, such as B.A. Abeywickrama, as well as several important visitors, notably H. Inoue from Japan, C.C. Townsend from England, P.P.M. Tixier from France, and Maurice Onraedt from Belgium. Awareness in Sri Lanka of the need to taxonomically revise the extensive and scattered herbarium collections, has led to the running of some bryophyte workshops and training of new Sri Lankan bryologists. The ultimate goal of these efforts is to produce the first comprehensive bryophyte flora of the country, and priorities for future work are outlined.

Henckelia wijesundarae (Gesneriaceae), a new endemic species from Sri Lanka, and lectotypification of Chirita walkerae and C. walkerae var. parviflora

Abstract: A new species, Henckelia wijesundarae, endemic to Hiniduma, Galle, Sri Lanka, is described and illustrated. Diagnostic features of the new species are discussed and compared to the closely allied species H. walkerae. Based on fieldwork studies, we propose an IUCN conservation status of Critically Endangered (CR) for H. wijesundarae. At the same time we lectotypify the names Chirita walkerae (the basionym of H. walkerae) and C. walkerae var. parviflora (treated here in the synonymy of H. wijesundarae). Citation: Ranasinghe S., Milne R., Jayasekara R. Rubasinghe S. & Möller M. 2016: Henckelia wijesundarae (Gesneriaceae), a new endemic species from Sri Lanka, and lectotypification of Chirita walkerae and C. walkerae var. parviflora. — Willdenowia 46: 213–224. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3372/wi.46.46202 Version of record first published online on 28 July 2016 ahead of inclusion in August 2016 issue.

Two New Records of Sri Lankan Hornworts, Notothylas javanica (Notothyladaceae) and Megaceros flagellaris (Dendrocerotaceae)

Abstract Sri Lankan hornworts remain the least studied group of bryophytes. So far, three families (Anthocerotaceae, Notothyladaceae, Dendrocerotaceae) and 4 genera (Anthoceros, Folioceros, Phaeoceros and Dendroceros) have been recorded within the country. During the present study, hornworts were freshly collected from different geographical localities within the country and identification was done using light and stereo-microscopy and SEM spore morphological observations. Based on this study, Notothylas javanica (Sande Lac.) Gottsche (Notothyladaceae) and Megaceros flagellaris (Mitt.) Steph. (Dendrocerotaceae) are reported for the first time in Sri Lanka. The species are described and illustrated with notes on their ecology and distribution.