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Issue: Vol. 762 No. 2: 16 Jun. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-06-16
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.762.2.5
Page range: 149-159
Abstract views: 0
PDF downloaded: 0

Fontinalis sullivantii and F. dichelymoides (Fontinalaceae, Bryophyta)—synonyms or distinct species?

University of Lodz; Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection; Department of Geobotany and Plant Ecology; ul. Banacha 12/16; 90–237 Lodz; Poland
Center for Biodiversity and Evolution; The New York Botanical Garden; Bronx; NY 10458-5126; USA
University of Lodz; Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection; Department of Geobotany and Plant Ecology; ul. Banacha 12/16; 90–237 Lodz; Poland
Bryophytes Fontinalaceae morphological-anatomical variation type material fountain moss NY Herbarium

Abstract

The genus Fontinalis is recognized as one of the most taxonomically challenging groups of mosses due to its high morphological variability and divergent species concepts applied in North America and Eurasia. This study presents a detailed morpho-anatomical re-evaluation of the type material of Fontinalis sullivantii and F. dichelymoides to clarify their taxonomic boundaries. An analysis of 38 qualitative and quantitative characters revealed distinct differences between the type specimens of both taxa. Key diagnostic features include leaf dimensions, auricle morphology, and stem anatomy. Fontinalis dichelymoides is distinguished by narrower, nearly needle-like leaves, strongly inflated, subglobose to ovoid, and sharply delimited auricles, as well as significantly larger stem epidermal cells compared to F. sullivantii. The results indicate that both names represent distinct morphological entities. Consequently, the synonymization of F. dichelymoides under F. sullivantii, as proposed in some North American works, is not supported by the morphological and anatomical characteristics of their respective type materials. This work represents a necessary step towards stabilizing the nomenclature of the genus and revising the geographic ranges of both species.

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How to Cite

Latoszewski, M., Buck, W.R. & Wolski, G.J. (2026) Fontinalis sullivantii and F. dichelymoides (Fontinalaceae, Bryophyta)—synonyms or distinct species?. Phytotaxa 762 (2): 149–159. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.762.2.5