Striking autapomorphic evolution inPhysothecaJ.J.Engel & Gradst. (Marchantiophyta: Lophocoleaceae) blurred its actual relationships withLeptoscyphusMitt.

Abstract

The taxonomic status and phylogenetic position of the monotypic liverwort genus Physotheca J.J.Engel & Gradst., including P. autoica J.J.Engel & Gradst. endemic to Ecuador, are inferred from phylogenetic analyses of two cpDNA loci. The results indicate that the genus is nested within Leptoscyphus and the new combination, L. autoicus (J.J.Engel & Gradst.) Vanderp. & Gradst., is made. This indicates, along with an increasing body of evidence, that extreme morphological transformations can obscure the phylogenetic signal present in morphological data.

On the taxonomic status of the enigmatic Phycolepidoziaceae (Marchantiophyta: Jungermanniales) with description of a new species,Phycolepidozia indica

“…We refrain from placing P. indica in a separate genus, however. As shown by Vanderpoorten & al. (2012) and others, an increasingly large number of monospecific genera of liverworts, among them several highly specialized and morphologically well-defined taxa, have recently been relegated to synonymy based on molecular evidence.…”

“…absence of leaves and underleaves in this "leafy" liverwort, indicates, along with an increasing body of evidence, that extreme morphological transformations can obscure the phylogenetic signal present in morphological data (e.g., Heinrichs & al., 2012;Vanderpoorten & al., 2012). This may sometimes lead to dramatic differences in the generic or even familial placement of taxa.…”