Fissidens arboricola Brugg., 2022

Bruggeman-Nannenga, Maria Alida, 2022, Five new species of Fissidens Hedw. (Fissidentaceae, Bryophyta), taxonomic notes and a new species record for South Africa, Cryptogamie, Bryologie 20 (3), pp. 37-49 : 38

Fissidens arboricola Brugg. -Nann., sp. nov.

( Fig. 1 )

Cryptogamie, Bryologie 43 (2): 14 nomen nudum. HOLOTYPE. — Madagascar. Toamasina, Alaotra-Mangoro, Moramanga District, Association Mitsinjo , Parc Mitsinjo , Analamazotra Forest Station south of Andasibe , trails between Mitsinjo office and Orchid Park , 18°56’01.2”S, 48°24’43.8”E, secondary forest, wood, corticolous on small tree, alt. 885 m, 30.IX.2018, Brinda 12240 (holo-, MO; iso-, L).

ADDITIONAL SPECIMEN EXAMINED (PARATYPE). — Madagascar.Tulear, Horombe, Ihosy, Betroka, RS Kalambatrita, Forêt d’Analamaro, 23°28’40”S, 46°23’38”E, on twig, alt. 1330 m, 6.XI.2004, Roger Andriamiarisoa ALR-237 (private herbarium Bruggeman-Nannenga).

ETYMOLOGY. — The species grows on the bark of trees, hence the name arboricola (arbor: tree; colere: inhabit; cola: dweller).

ECOLOGY. — Secondary forest, growing on bark of a small tree in pure mats and/or between mosses and liverworts; on twigs.

DISTRIBUTION. — Madagascar, 885-1330 m.

Figures

FIG. 1. — Fissidens arboricola, sp. nov. A, vegetative plant; B, sporophytic plant; C, leaf apex; D, mid leaf; E, basal part of leaf; F, G, cross-sections of stems, F with thin-walled inner cortical cells and G with thick-walled inner cortical cells; H, exterior side (OPL) of peristome; I, interior side (IPL) of peristome teeth; J, operculum (all from holotype). Scale bars: A, B, 1 mm; C-E, J, 100 µm; F, G, 50 µm; H, I, 20 µm.