Fissidens chiricahuensis and F. brindae, spp. nov., from the Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, with notes on the Fissidens elegans complex, subgenus Aloma

Abstract

Fissidens chiricahuensis and F. brindae, two new species from the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona, belong to subgenus Aloma (Fissidens elegans complex). Fissidens chiricahuensis has broadly acute to obtuse leaves; costae that end several cells below the leaf apices; and, 2–3-stratose, intramarginal to partially marginal limbidia confined to the vaginant laminae. Fissidens brindae has weak and erratic limbidia on the vaginant laminae of the perichaetial leaves and infrequently on the vaginant laminae of infertile stem leaves; a highly reduced peristome; and, a high percentage of aborted spores.