Symphysodon longicuspis (Brotherus) Brotherus, 1906

Azuelo, Andrea G., Tan, Benito C., Shevock, James R., Manual, Alven, Yorong, Aimanuelzon & Sariana, Lalaine G., 2015, Mosses New for Mindanao Island, Republic of the Philippines, Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 62 (4), pp. 127-134 : 132

10. Symphysodon longicuspis (Brotherus) Brotherus

[ Pterobryaceae ]

The genus Symphysodon is recognized easily by its dendroid plant habit with attenuate branches. The leaves are concave, unicostate and with acuminate apices. Symphysodon longicuspis differs from its congeners in having a large plant size and slightly concave and narrowly lanceolate leaves with gradually narrowed and long acumen that is bordered with strong dentation. Its closest relative is alleged to be Symphysodon neckeroides (see Hyvönen 1989), which differs from this species in having a smaller stature and more strongly concave leaves with an abruptly narrowed short to long, toothed acumen.

Symphysodon neckeroides Dozy & Molkenboer var. tjibodensis M. Fleischer (1908) was noted to differ from var. neckeroides in having larger plant size with leaves having a gradually, not abruptly, narrowed long acumen. We suspect that the var. tjibodensis is a synonym of S. longicuspis .

Symphysodon longicuspis is reported to be an endemic of Papua New Guinea ( Hyvönen 1989). Herein we report this as a new record for the Philippine moss flora. Its presence in Mindanao indicates the New Guinea connection of the Philippine moss flora.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED.— Bukidnon Province. Mt. Kiamo , on tree trunk in lower montane forest by a deeply shaded stream, 7 May 2014, Tan 2014 -271 ( UC), Shevock & Tan 45161 ( CAS, CMUH, MO, UC) .