Circumscription and Phylogenetic Position of Two Propagulose Species of (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta) Reveals Minor Realignments within the Tribe Syntricheae.

In the course of a worldwide revision of the genus , we identified problems in the circumscription of some species of the genus as well as among some allied genera grouped in the tribe Syntricheae. This is the case for the two propagulose and , closely related to We analyzed phylogenetic relationships between these species, based on nuclear (ITS) and two plastid (L-F and G) markers and morphological features. Species delimitation using molecular data was consistent with our preliminary morphological inference. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. Our results placed in the clade. is also included in in spite of the discrepancy of the ITS and plastid relationships, which could be evidence of an exchange of genetic material between species in various lineages in the Pottioideae. is maintained as a separate genus on the basis of morphology characters, and we consider the differentiation of laminal papillae and the presence of a stem central strand as new characters in the genus. We accept as distinct genus sister to . We consider the lack of costal dorsal epidermis and the differentiation of a crescent-shaped costal dorsal stereid band as distinctive generic characters in Additionally, we include as a new synonym for . Three names are lectotypified.