Abstract

URIBE MELENDEZ, JAIME. Monograph of Frullania subgenus Meteoriopsis (Frullaniaceae, Marchantiophyta). Caldasia [online]. 2008, vol.30, n.1, pp.49-94. ISSN 0366-5232.

Frullania subgenus Meteoriopsis is composed of very slender and for the most part pendulous plants that grow mostly in Andean forests. The definition of the subgenus has been confusing due to the high taxonomic value given by several authors to the growing habit of its species and not to the actual diagnostic morphological characters: leaves convoluted around the stem and with two auricles at base. The group has been treated as a subgenus, as a section of subgenus Thyopsiella, and even as a "group" within this subgenus. A taxonomic treatment of Frullania subgenus Meteoriopsis is presented; seven species are recognized including two recently described. Its distribution is now considered to be Neotropical with all paleotropical species previously included in the subgenus being transferred to other subgenera. A taxonomic key for the identification of the species is provided. Each species is described and illustrated including distribution maps. The taxonomic position of subgenus Meteoriopsis within Frullania is discussed on the basis of a phylogenetic analysis carried out using morphological characters. The subgenus Meteoriopsis is considered to be monophyletic and sister to subgenus Thyopsiella. A total of 66 species are either excluded from the subgenus or (35) placed in synonymy.

Keywords : Frullania; Meteoriopsis; liverworts; monograph.

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