A Generic Revision of the Funariaceae (Bryophyta: Musci).

Abstract

The genera of Funariaceae are evaluated for the first time in sixty years; spore ornamentation and numerical phenetic techniques are emphasized. Thirteen genera are recognized, nine monotypic. Funaria is restricted to species with revoluble annuli, apically fused teeth, and small, verrucate-lirate spores. Entosthodon is redefined to include exannulate species with both symmetric and asymmetric capsules. It consists of three subgenera: Entosthodon, Plagiodus comb. et stat. nov., and Murcia nom. nov. prov. (accomodating E. fascicularis). In contrast to the spores of other genera, those of Entosthodon are too heterogeneous to have value in generic definition. Amphoritheca and Trigonomitria are retained as sections, based on E. lindigii and E. mittenii, respectively. Entosthodon californicus is placed in sect. Spirales nom. nov. prov. Physcomitrium is divided into three subgenera: the type, Cryptopyxis, and Osculum nom. nov. prov. (accomodating P. pusillum, with a narrowed mouth). In subgenus Physcomitrium, section Campicola nom. nov. prov. accomodates P. hookeri, with a revoluble annulus. Physcomitrium spores are invariably spinate and help to define the genus. Aphanorhegma and Physcomitrella, also with spinate spores, are both retained. Exsertofructus stat. nov., previously a subgenus of Physcomitrella, is elevated to generic rank. Pyramidula and Goniomitrium, with large, ellipsoid spores, are mutually allied but isolated in the family. Loiseaubryum includes Entosthodon nutans and Physcomitrium capillipes. Poorly known, monotypic genera include Brachymeniopsis, Physcomitrellopsis, Cygnicollum, and Nanomitrella. The most significant contribution of the phenetic analysis was its indication of alliance between exannulate species formerly in Funaria with species traditionally placed in Entosthodon. The dominant evolutionary trend in the family is progressive sporophytic reduction.