Age estimates of <i>Frullania</i> (Frullaniaceae, Porellales) main lineages: another example of rapid and recent diversification in liverwort evolution

<p><i>Frullania</i> Raddi is an extant genus of liverworts (Bryophytes) widespread around the world. It belongs to the family Frullaniaceae Lorch., with a large number of species distributed into several subgenera, sections and subsections according with different morphological classifications. As shown in previous studies, most <i>Frullania</i> sub-generic classifications are supported by molecular data, indicating that morphological characters appear well suitable to discriminate species. However, deep among-clade relationships remain unclear, probably due to the rapid diversification of main clades, paralleling other plant lineages. In this study, we reconstruct <i>Frullania</i> phylogeny based on available molecular data used in previous studies, and we present time estimates for the origin of its main branches. Results supported the monophyly of most subgenera as demonstrated in previous studies and supported a rapid diversification of these main lineages. Time estimates under a relaxed molecular clock and with integrated fossil evidence and nucleotide mutation rates further suggested a Jurassic origin of the genus and a rapid diversification during Palaeogene and Neogene. This may have been influenced by geographical and climate changes during these periods as predicted for most leafy liverworts.</p

Integrative taxonomy reveals too extensive lumping and a new species in the moss genus <i>Amphidium</i> (Bryophyta)

<p>An integrative taxonomic approach, including molecular phylogenetic reconstructions based on plastid <i>rps4-trnF</i> and nuclear ITS sequences, statistical analysis of morphological-anatomical characters, and classical taxonomy, indicates that the reduction of 13 <i>Amphidium</i> species to three in a recent morphological revision represents a case of too extensive lumping. Instead, six <i>Amphidium</i> species can be distinguished based on molecular and morphological data, the widespread <i>Amphidium lapponicum</i>, <i>A. mougeotii</i>, and <i>A. tortuosum</i>, as well as the Macaronesian endemic <i>A. curvipes</i>, the North American endemic <i>A. californicum</i>, and a newly discovered species from Central Asia (southern Siberia and northern Mongolia), <i>A. asiaticum</i> sp. nov. Diagnostic morphological characters for all six species are discussed. The present data confirm that species diversity of <i>Amphidium</i> is highest in the Holarctic, where all six species occur.</p