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Issue: Vol. 50 No. 1: 30 Dec. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-12-30
DOI: 10.11646/bde.50.1.8
Page range: 31-49
Abstract views: 22
PDF downloaded: 3

Morphological and molecular evaluation of Plicanthus birmensis and P. hirtellus (Anastrophyllaceae, Marchantiophyta) in Asia and Africa

Houraijisan Museum of Natural History, 6 Moriwaki, Kadoya, Shinshiro, Aichi 441-1944, Japan, Hattori Botanical Laboratory, 6-1-26 Obi, Nichinan, Miyazaki 889-2535, Japan
Forest Research Institute, Forest Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
UMR PVBMT, Université de La Réunion, Pôle de Protection des Plantes, 7 Chemin de l’IRAT, 97410 Saint-Pierre, France, OSU-Réunion, UAR 3365, Université de la Réunion, CNRS, IRD, Météo-France, 97744 Saint-Denis, France
Department of Botany, California academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse dr., Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California 94118, USA
Mittlere Letten 11, 88634 Herdwangen-Schönach, Germany
Program of Basic Biology, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
Department of Botany, National Museum of Nature and Science, 4-1-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0005, Japan, Hattori Botanical Laboratory, 6-1-26 Obi, Nichinan, Miyazaki 889-2535, Japan
Africa Asia liverworts phylogeny Plicanthus

Abstract

Plicanthus hirtellus and P. birmensis are morphologically similar liverworts whose taxonomic distinction has long been debated due to overlapping characters. In this study, we examined specimens from Asia and Africa primarily in East Africa, including the type specimen of P. hirtellus, using both morphological and molecular data. Morphologically, P. hirtellus typically bears filamentous cilia on the leaves and has leaf lobes with long uniseriate apices composed of rectangular to linear cells. In contrast, P. birmensis has shorter apices with quadrate to rectangular cells and lacks filamentous cilia. Molecular phylogenetic analyses support the distinction between the two species. However, poorly developed individuals of P. hirtellus may resemble P. birmensis, highlighting the potential for misidentification. We conclude that an integrated approach, combining molecular data with careful morphological assessment of well-developed shoots, is essential for accurate species delimitation within Plicanthus.

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