Undiscovered Biodiversity of the European Moss Flora: Neodicranella hamulosa (Aongstroemiaceae), a New Genus and Species from SW Portugal

Abstract

A new genus is described to accommodate Neodicranella hamulosa, a novel species resolved in the family Aongstroemiaceae, from the Monchiquense district in SW Portugal. Characterized by its small size, erect spreading to subsecund non-sheathing leaves, plane bistratose leaf margins, and rhizoidal gemmae with slightly protruberant cells, it differs from all other European Dicranellaceae in the uniquely patterned distal peristome segments with backward-pointing papillae resembling hooked barbs. The species appears to be endemic to the sub-Mediterranean bioclimatic zone, in wooded biomes where humidity remains relatively high throughout the year. Morphological and molecular data strongly support the singularity of this new taxon. The species is illustrated by photomicrographs and SEM, and its ecology and conservation are discussed.

Keywords: Dicranella; European moss endemic; Nad5; algarve; bayesian phylogenetic analysis; rps4; serra de monchique; taxonomy; trnL-trnF.

Figure 1

Bayesian tree of a selection of Dicranidae species, with particular focus on Aongstroemiaceae, inferred from combined sequences of cp trnS-rps4 and trnL-trnF regions and the mt nad5 intron. Posterior probabilities of ≥0.8 and bootstrap values inferred from ML of ≥50 are shown above branches; maximally supported nodes (PP = 1, BS = 100) are indicated by thick solid lines. The clade corresponding to Aongstroemiaceae s.l. cf. Bonfim-Santos et al., 2021 is highlighted by the gray box. For details, see Appendix A.

Figure 2

Macro and micro photographs of gametophyte of Neodicranella hamulosa: (A) view on sterile plants, (B) leaves from upper part of stem, (C) leaf of lower part of stem, (D) perichaetial leaves, (E) leaf apex, (F) upper-leaf cells, (G) middle-leaf cells, (H) basal cells, (I) leaf cross sections, (J) stem cross section, and (K) tubers. Scale bars: B,C—1 mm; D—0.5 mm; E–H—100 µm; I,J—50 µm; and K—100 µm. Photos A–C and E–K from holotype (KRAM B-260000) and D from paratype 1.

Figure 3

Macro and micro photographs of sporophyte of Neodicranella hamulosa: (A) view on fertile plants, (B) seta with capsule, (C) capsule with peristome, (D) detail view on peristome teeth, (E) spores, (F) upper-capsule cells, (G) middle-capsule cells, (H) basal-capsule cells, (I) cross section of basal part of seta with vaginula, (J) cross section of upper part of seta, and (K) operculum. Scale bars: B—1 mm; C—0.5 mm; D—100 µm; E,H—50 µm; I,J—250 µm; and K—0.5 mm. All photos from holotype (KRAM B-260000).

Figure 4

SEM photographs of capsule and peristome of Neodicranella hamulosa: (A) view of capsule, (B,C) views of peristome, (D,E) detailed view of upper part of outer peristome layer (OPL) densely ornamented with distinctive hamulose papillae, (F) detailed view of middle part of inner peristome teeth (IPL) showing conspicuous papillae on cross-trabeculae, (G) detailed view of middle part of outer peristome layer (OPL), and (H) basal part of outer peristome layer (OPL). Scale bars: A–C—100 µm; D—50 µm; E–G—10 µm; and H—50 µm. All photos from holotype (KRAM B-260000).

Figure 5

Habit of Neodicranella hamulosa in hydrated condition, on N-facing soil bank in Quercus faginea woodland, Vale das Amoreiras, Algarve, 28 January 2021 (paratype 1).

Figure 6

Comparison of peristomes in different species of Dicranella (A–F), Diobelonella (G), and Neodicranella (H) using SEM photographs: (A) Dicranella grevilleana, (B) D. heteromalla, (C) D. howei, (D) D. schreberiana, (E) D. varia, (F) D. humilis, (G) Diobelonella palustris, and (H) Neodicranella hamulosa.

Figure 7

Habitat of Neodicranella hamulosa in (A) N-facing Quercus faginea woodland, Vale das Amoreiras, Algarve, 28 January 2021 (type locality); (B) in Castanea sativa coppiced woodland in NE-facing barranco, on soil bank (to right of picture), NE of Ginjeira, Serra de Monchique, Algarve, 30 January 2017 (paratype 3); (C) on boulder top in Alnus glutinosa riparian woodland, Ribeira de Seixe, Serra de Monchique, Algarve, 22 February 2016 (paratype 5); and (D) on soil bank in N-facing Quercus faginea woodland, Vale de Cova da Serra, Baixo Alentejo, 12 April 2021 (paratype 7).

Figure 8

Distribution of Neodicranella hamulosa in south-west Portugal: (H) holotype and (1–7) paratypes (for details, see Section 3.2).