New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts

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Short communication

Hypnobartlettia fontana is an environmental form of Cratoneuropsis relaxa (Bryophyta: Amblystegiaceae)

Jessica E. Beever

Landcare Research
Private Bag 92170
Auckland 1142, New Zealand
beeverj@landcareresearch.co.nz

Allan J. Fife

Landcare Research
PO Box 40
Lincoln 7640, New Zealand

Abstract The aquatic moss Hypnobartlettia fontana Ochyra was described, and placed in its own family, the Hypnobartlettiaceae, based on material collected at Te Waikoropupuu (“Pupu Springs”), Takaka, Nelson, New Zealand. It is known only from the type locality. Based on morphological evidence, we conclude Hypnobartlettia fontana is an environmentally induced form of the very variable Cratoneuropsis relaxa (Hook.f. & Wilson) Broth. modified in its morphology by the unusual physical features of its habitat in Pupu Springs. Data from published molecular studies relevant to this conclusion, and which do not support it, are equivocal and confounded by incorrectly identified material.

Keywords Amblystegiaceae; Hypnobartlettiaceae; Cratoneuropsisrelaxa; Hypnobartlettiafontana; moss; aquatic; trnL_UAA intron; ITS sequence; Pupu Springs; Waikoropupuu; New Zealand flora

B07049; Online publication date 29 July 2008; Received 14 November 2007; accepted 18 July 2008

New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2008, Vol. 46: 341–345
0028–825X/08/4603–0341 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2008

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