Premium
Ombronesus stuvensis , a new genus and species of the Ptychomniaceae (Bryophyta) from south west Chile
Author(s) -
Bell Neil E.,
Pedersen Niklas,
Newton Angela E.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
taxon
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.819
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1996-8175
pISSN - 0040-0262
DOI - 10.2307/25065870
Subject(s) - autapomorphy , taxon , biology , phylogenetic tree , genus , evolutionary biology , thallus , clade , type locality , key (lock) , zoology , botany , ecology , biochemistry , gene
A new genus of the Ptychomniaceae (Ptychomniales) is described from Juan Stuven Island, south west Chile. Molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphology independently confirm the position of the taxon in the family, but features of the sporophyte (in particular a highly reduced endostome), a unique combination of gametophytic characters and a significant number of molecular autapomorphies indicate that the plant is clearly distinct from previously described genera. Molecular data demonstrate that the new genus is one of the earlier diverging lineages within the order, part of a basal grade that includes Hampeella, Ptychomniella, Tetraphidopsis , and Cladomniopsis , although its precise position remains ambiguous. The Ptychomniales occupy a key phylogenetic position as one of the earliest diverging pleurocarpous lineages with features that are intermediate between the most basal, predominantly orthotropic pleurocarps and the more derived plagiotropic taxa. The new taxon is thus of considerable phylogenetic significance and contributes to the nature conservation value of the locality.