Reinstatement of species rank for Grimmia limprichtii (Bryophyta, Grimmiaceae) based on molecular and morphological data

Abstract

The genus Grimmia Hedw. has been considered taxonomically difficult because of its great morphological variability, and its treatments by different specialists have led to incongruent results. One of the debates in the genus is the species status of Grimmia limprichtii Kern, an Asian-European disjunct moss species that has been considered identical to Grimmia anodon Bruch & Schimp. or Grimmia tergestina Tomm ex Bruch & Schimp. It has also been regarded as the muticous-leaved male plants of G. tergestina. Based on a detailed analysis of the type and many non-type specimens combining the molecular and morphological data, the reinstatement of species rank for G. limprichtii is proposed. The diagnostic characteristics of G. limprichtii and its distinction from some closely related species, with which it may be confused, are discussed. Grimmia obtusifolia C. Gao & T. Cao is considered a synonym of G. limprichtii based on molecular and morphological data.