Dicranum shennongjiaense W.Z.Huang & R.L.Zhu (Dicranaceae, Bryophyta), a new species from Central China supported by morphological and molecular evidence

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Dicranum Hedw. is one of the most taxonomically challenging genera of mosses, having 93 accepted species worldwide. Although recent integrative taxonomic revisions have clarified the delimitation of most species within this genus, the circumscriptions of some Dicranum species remain unsolved. During our recent survey of Dicranum in China, an intriguing species with an unknown combination of morphological traits was discovered in the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, Central China. We carried out a study to provide morphological and phylogenetic evidence with which to determine the taxonomic status of this Chinese species.

Methods

The phylogenetic evidence was obtained through the combined analysis of five loci (rps4–trnT, trnL–trnF, trnH–psbA, rps19–rpl2 and rpoB) and one nuclear region (nrITS1–5.8S–ITS2). Morphological characteristics were investigated by microscopic examination of specimens.

Key results and conclusions

A new moss species, Dicranum shennongjiaense W.Z.Huang & R.L.Zhu, is described and illustrated based on molecular and morphological evidence. This new species is characterised by its falcate leaves, rectangular and elongated laminal cells with strongly protruding upper angles on the dorsal side in the upper leaf portion, irregularly bistratose laminal cells above the midleaf, one layer of guide cells in the costa, and sharp serrations on the dorsal side of the costa in the upper leaf portion. Additionally, D. baicalense Tubanova, previously known only from Russia, is newly reported for China. A key for identification of the Chinese species of Dicranum sect. Dicranum is provided.

KEYWORDS:

• Dicranum baicalense
• Hubei
• mosses
• phylogeny
• Shennongjia National Nature Reserve

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Mamtimin Sulayman (Xinjiang University) for providing specimens, and to Jian-Jun Long, Jing-Yuan Yang and Yu He (Wuhan Imagination Science and Technology Development Co. Ltd) for field collections.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 32370218) and the East China Normal University (the Research Funds of Happiness Flower ECNU).

Notes on contributors

Wen-Zhuan Huang

Wen-Zhuan Huang is a Ph.D. student at the East China Normal University. Currently, his research interest lies in the taxonomy of mosses in China, especially Dicranaceae, Hedwigiaceae and Leucobryaceae.

Shan-Gang Tong

Shan-Gang Tong obtained his bachelor’s degree from the Hubei University of Education and is currently employed at the Wuhan Imagination Science and Technology Development Co. Ltd. He is currently involved in conducting a plant biodiversity survey of China.

Rui-Liang Zhu

Rui-Liang Zhu obtained his doctoral degree from Hong Kong Baptist University. He currently works at the East China Normal University. His current research interests are the biodiversity and phylogenetics of bryophytes.