Anthoceros subtilis Steph., Sp. Hepat.

Peng, Tao & Zhu, Rui-Liang, 2013, A revision of the genus Anthoceros (Anthocerotaceae, Anthocerotophyta) in China, Phytotaxa 100 (1), pp. 21-35 : 30-31

Anthoceros subtilis Steph., Sp. Hepat. 5: 1003. 1916.

Type:— INDIA. South Canara , Mangalore, August 1907, R. Pfleiderer 6127 (holotype G-12823!). = Anthoceros subbrevis Haseg., J. Hattori Bot. Lab. 57: 261. 1984. Type:— JAPAN. Miyazaki Pref., Nichinan-shi ,

Nagayoshi, on soil, J. Hasegawa 7770 (holotype KYO). (fide Hasegawa 1998). = Anthoceros brunneus Steph., Sp. Hepat. 5: 1004. 1916. Type :— VIETNAM. Tonkin, s.d., H . F . Bon 1290 (holotype G!). = Anthoceros fuscus Steph., Sp. Hepat. 5: 1004. 1916. Type :— VIETNAM. Thua Thien Hue, Annam, September 1908 ,

P. A. Ebenhardt 224 (holotype G-12818!). = Anthoceros notothyloides Steph., Sp. Hepat. 6: 426. 1923. Type :— INDIA. South Canara, Mangalore, September 1906 ,

R. J. Pfleiderer 5004 (holotype G-12822!) .

Thalli orbicular, small, usually about 6 mm in diameter, light green to deep, cavernous, spongy, ecostate, deeply separate formed fan-shaped to obcuneate lobes, dorsal surfaces significantly plicate without lamellae, and margins always lobulate irregularly. Nostoc colonies scattered in ventral side of thallus. Dioicous (?). Androecia not seen. Involucre cylindrical, erect, up to 2.5 mm high, nearly smooth at mouth. Capsules mostly 1–1.9 cm long, bivalved, with well-developed columella. Epidermal cells of capsule walls rectangular to narrow rectangular, 99–112 × 13–19 µm, thick-walled, stomata scattered, 46–52 × 33–44 µm, each stoma with two reniform guard cells surrounded by 5–8 cells; cells of the inner lining of capsule walls rectangular, 19–42 × 22–33 µm, sometimes with irregular dark thin bands on tangential walls. Spores brown to dark- brown, 35–44 µm in diameter, with spinulate-baculate projections, often apically bifurcated, on proximal surfaces, triradiate marks distinct, attaining to the equator, with spinulose-lamellate, distal surfaces roughened with papillate to spinulose outgrowths often united at the base, more densely spinulate than proximal face. Pseudoelaters light brown, 77–199 µm long, usually 2–3 cells long, thin walled, sometimes with irregular bands of thickenings.

In China, Anthoceros subtilis somewhat resembles A. angustus on the sporoderm ornamentation ( Fig. 5 ). For their differences, see A. angustus .

Habitat:— Mostly on soil, rarely on rock at 10–2000 m in China.

Distribution:— China (Guizhou, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning and Yunnan), India [Maharashtra, Karnataka, South Canara ( Asthana & Srivastava 1991)], Japan, Nepal ( Hasegawa 1998), Thailand, Vietnam [ Annam ( Asthana & Srivastava 1991)].

Representative specimens examined:— CHINA. Guizhou: Panxian Co., Shiqiao , 23 August 1995, R.- H . Dai PX95106 ( GACP) ; Heilongjiang: Shangzhi Co., Maoershan , on soil, 21 August 1959, Q . Gao et al. 269 ( IFP), 31 October 1985, S.- Y . Zeng 85-63 ( IFP), September 1959, 5051 ( IFP) ; Jilin: Linjiang City, mountainside of Maoershan , corn field, on soil, 7 September 1963, Q . Gao 7723 ( IFP) ; Liaoning: Dalian City, Longhe , 29 August 1987, X.- Y . Jia 870041 ( IFP), Kuandian Manzu Autonomous Co., Baishilizi Nature Reserve , Heigou corn field, 22 September 1987, T . Cao & S.- Z . Wang 38643, 38644 ( IFP), on soil, T . Cao & S.- Z . Wang 38663 ( IFP), Benxi Co., Xiamatang town , on soil, 16 September 1975, Q . Gao 13407 ( IFP), Xiamatang Town , on soil in broomcorn field, 16 September 1975, Q . Gao 13398 ( IFP), Huanren Co., Laotudingzi National Nature Reserve , Tianqiaohegou, on soil, 500 m, 26 September 1986, T . Cao & J.- Y . Feng 471 A ( IFP), Shenyang City, shoreside of Hunhe , broomcorn field, on soil, Q . Gao 7041 ( IFP) , Yunnan: Bijiang Co., Gaoligongshan, Pianma to Tingming lake , 30 July 1987, M . Zang 5734 ( IFP), Cangyuan Wazu Autonomous Co., 8 September 1980, S.- Y . Zeng 80-1848 ( IFP), Bianfudong, on rock, 3 September 1980, S.- M . Yu 80-1389 ( IFP), Dali City, Tsang (Cang) Shan, path from Shi Jo Village to Huadianba , on damp bank in village, 2000 m, 16 October 1990, D. G . Long 19198 ( E), Ruili City, Nongdao, on soil behind the Leiyun, 14 July 1977, X.- J . Li 172 ( IFP), Denggashan, 13 August 1980, X.- J . Li 80-825 A ( IFP), Nongdao Town, Leiyun Village , on wet soil by forest edge, 150 m, X.- J . Li 165 ( IFP), Songming Co., Meiziqing , September 1979, G.- H . Feng 7 ( IFP), Tengchong Co., Chengguan commune, on soil, 7 August 1980, X.- J . Li 80-715 ( IFP) . THAILAND. Chiang Mai Province: Chom Thong District, Royal Agricultural Station Inthanon, on soil, 1300 m, 18°54.278'N, 98°51.842'E, 20 December 2011, R.- L . Zhu 20111220-42 ( HSNU) .

Figures

FIGURE 5. Anthoceros subtilis Steph. A. Capsule epidermis with thin walls and stomata. B. SEM micrograph showing sporophyte fragment with tetrads and pseudoelaters. C. Pseudoelaters with thin-walls and irregular thickenings. D. SEM micrograph showing proximal face of spore which is spinulose and has distinct trilete mark. E. SEM micrograph showing distal spore face which is papillate to spinulose with spines often united at the base. All from R.-H. Dai PX95106 (GACP). Scale bars: A, C=50 µm; B, D, E=10 µm.