Recently resurrected for European liverwort flora – Frullania calcarifera Steph., new addition for the Crimean Peninsula

Frullania calcarifera is a long forgotten taxon, which originally has been described by F. Stephani in 1887 from Portugal, but largely overlooked since that time due to its synonymization with F. tamarisci s.str. Based on both molecular and morphological data, F. calcarifera is here for the first time recorded for the Crimean liverwort flora. A morphological description and figures are provided and differentiation, ecology and distribution are discussed

Taxonomical rearrangements of Solenostomataceae (Marchantiophyta) with description of a new family Endogemmataceae based on trnL-F cpDNA analysis

The results of trnL-F cpDNA analysis of the suborder Jungermanniineae allow to re-evaluate relations and taxonomy of the morphologically distinctive species Solenostoma caespiticium. A new monotypic family Endogemmataceae is described. The new combination Endogemma caespiticia is made. Provisionally, the genus Nardia is placed in Gymnomitriaceae.

Some aspects of the moss population development on the Svalbard glaciers

Glaciers are rather unusual habitat for mosses, but sometimes they can be suitable for some species due to presence of sufficient moisture and cryoconite substrate in the ablation zone. To date, moss populations were found only on a few glaciers in Alaska, Iceland and Svalbard. An origin and development of moss cushions on ice (so called "glacier mice") are still unclear. In this study, some aspects of the moss population development were explored on ice of the Svalbard glaciers – Bertilbreen (Billefjorden) and Austre Grnfjordbreen (Grnfjorden) in 2012 and 2013. On Bertilbreen, populations of Hygrohypnella polaris (Lindb.) Ignatov & Ignatova and Schistidium abrupticostatum (Bryhn) Ignatova & H.H. Blom were found for the first time. Due to putative morphological features, identification of S. abrupticostatum was confirmed by com-paring ITS1-2 nrDNA sequence data to BLAST searches (megablast). The results indicated a genetic heterogeneity of the population. Although visually moss-free, examination of cryoconite sediments revealed development of new individuals of S. abrupticostatum from filamentous structures consisting of caulonema and rhizoids. The developmental stages of young plants were revealed. Therefore, besides fragmen-tation of existing cushions, cryoconite sediments provided a source of new moss cush-ions in glacier populations. Additionally a few plants of Pohlia cf. wahlenbergii (F. Weber & D. Mohr) Andrews and a gametophyte fragment of Philonotis sp. were found in aggregation of cryoconite. Presence of Paludella squarrosa (Hedw.) Brid. reported for Bertilbreen has not been confirmed. On Austre Grnfjordbreen Bryum cryophilum Mrtensson, Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske were found invading into some Hygrohypnella polaris cushions. Each moss polster on ice represents a separate mini-ecosystem that includes successive colonization events

Plagiochila xerophila (Plagiochilaceae, Marchantiophyta) – a highly xerophilous new species from the Tibetan Spur (China)

Background and aims – The xeric landscapes of the Tibetan floristic province are adverse habitats for leafy liverworts. Here we report on the occurrence of a population of a species of the genus Plagiochila from exposed high-elevation cliffs in the Sichuan Province, China. We assessed its taxonomic distinctiveness and affinities within a morphological and phylogenetic framework.Results and discussion – The population is accommodated in a new species, Plagiochila xerophila Bakalin & Vilnet – probably the most xerophilous taxon within the genus in Asia – and a new section (sect. Xerophilae Bakalin & Vilnet) based on integrative analyses of molecular and morphological traits. The species is characterized by a greenish colour, unexpected given the highly exposed habitat, rigid texture and stem paraphyllia. The closest morphological relatives from sect. Poeltiae are phylogenetically only distantly related, whereas members of its sister groups, namely of sect. Trabeculatae and sect. Fruticosae are morphologically conspicuously different

Stolonicaulon: A Section-Puzzle within Marsupella (Gymnomitriaceae, Marchantiophyta)

Marsupella sect. Stolonicaulon is not speciose and is a commonly neglected section within the genus, which currently includes three species with somewhat similar morphologies (wiry shoots with distanced leaves) and distributions in the mountains of tropical and subtropical regions (SE (Southeast) Asia, the Venezuelan Andes, and the high mountains of SE Brazil). After studying materials that were found to be dissimilar to the “traditional” Marsupella that were collected in the last decade by the authors of this article, it was found that these plants belong to three new-for-science species, and all of these species should be included in Marsupella sect. Stolonicaulon. The newly described species have expanded the boundaries of morphological variability, not only for the section itself, but also for the genus based on two findings: (1) the leaves of Marsupella sect. Stolonicaulon can be either appressed and entire or spaced and deeply divided (thus, the plants could occasionally be similar to Cephaloziella or Anastrophyllum); (2) some species of the section possess regular underleaf production. The first discovery of regular underleaves in Marsupella, as noted in two of the three newly described taxa, is the main morphological novelty described in this paper. The development of regular underleaves is a presumable relict character that brings Marsupella closer to Nardia, which was recently transferred to the Gymnomitriaceae and occupies an isolated position within its own subfamily, Nardioideae

An unexpected record of the European liverwort <I>Scapania aspera</I> (Scapaniaceae, Marchantiophyta) in East Siberia

A morphological study, supplemented by molecular analysis (ITS1-2 nrDNA, and trnL-F cpDNA) revealed Scapania aspera M.Bernet &amp; Bernet, a species that is typically distributed throughout Europe, in samples collected from Anabar Plateau, Taimyr District, Subarctic East Siberia. The ecology and distribution of this species are discussed, and images of Siberian specimens of Scapania aspera are provided. This finding of the species is both the easternmost and the northernmost in Eurasia and is at least 3000 km from the nearest European localities. The territory is remarkable due to extensive outcrops of calcareous rocks. A number of rare calcareous bryophytes with disjunctive distribution have been observed in this area. Despite the significant distance and probable isolation, the molecular distances between newly identified Siberian population and the European populations are extremely low.</p

Drouetiella elegans (Oculatellaceae, Cyanobacteriota): A New Species of the Recently Established Genus from the Russian Arctic

The species diversity of the recently described genus Drouetiella (Oculatellaceae, Cyanobacteriota), including thin filamentous cyanobacteria, has been rapidly increasing due to the subsequent discovery of new-to-science species in the last several years. This study focuses on one more strain that was isolated from a small lake on the Chukotka Peninsula in the Russian Arctic and tested by an integrative approach. In the result of molecular phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and the 16S&ndash;23S ITS rRNA region, this strain was found in a separate clade in the genus Drouetiella. The strain is characterized by unique secondary structures of conserved regions D1&ndash;D1&prime;, Box&ndash;B, V2, and V3 helices of the 16&ndash;23S ITS rRNA. Morphologically, the tested strain was distinct from other Drouetiella species by long cells in mature trichomes, absence of false branching, and hormogonia. Drouetiella elegans occurred in the plankton of a small lake and shared ecological similarities with some aquatic strains of Drouetiella lurida. We provide a taxonomic description of a new species, Drouetiella elegans sp. nov

Plagiochila xerophila (Plagiochilaceae, Marchantiophyta) – a highly xerophilous new species from the Tibetan Spur (China)

Background and aims – The xeric landscapes of the Tibetan floristic province are adverse habitats for leafy liverworts. Here we report on the occurrence of a population of a species of the genus Plagiochila from exposed high-elevation cliffs in the Sichuan Province, China. We assessed its taxonomic distinctiveness and affinities within a morphological and phylogenetic framework.Results and discussion – The population is accommodated in a new species, Plagiochila xerophila Bakalin &amp; Vilnet – probably the most xerophilous taxon within the genus in Asia – and a new section (sect. Xerophilae Bakalin &amp; Vilnet) based on integrative analyses of molecular and morphological traits. The species is characterized by a greenish colour, unexpected given the highly exposed habitat, rigid texture and stem paraphyllia. The closest morphological relatives from sect. Poeltiae are phylogenetically only distantly related, whereas members of its sister groups, namely of sect. Trabeculatae and sect. Fruticosae are morphologically conspicuously different.</jats:p

Cyanobacterial Assemblages Inhabiting the Apatity Thermal Power Plant Fly Ash Dumps in the Russian Arctic

In the process of the work of a coal power station is formed ash and slag, which, along with process water, are deposited in the dumps. Coal ash waste dumps significantly degrade the surrounding environment due to their unprotected surfaces, which are highly susceptible to wind and water erosion. This results in the dispersion of contaminants into adjacent ecosystems. Pollutants migrate into terrestrial and aquatic systems, compromising soil quality and water resources, and posing documented risks to the environment and human health. Primary succession on the coal ash dumps of the Apatity thermal power plant (Murmansk Region, NW Russia) was initiated by cyanobacterial colonization. We studied cyanobacterial communities inhabiting three spoil sites that varied in time since decommissioning. These sites are characterized by exceptionally high concentrations of calcium and magnesium oxides—levels approximately double those found in the region’s natural soils. A total of 18 cyanobacterial taxa were identified in disposal sites. Morphological analysis of visible surface crusts revealed 16 distinct species. Furthermore, 24 cyanobacterial strains representing 11 species were successfully isolated into unialgal culture and tested with a molecular genetic approach to confirm their identification from 16S rRNA. Three species were determined with molecular evidence. Cyanobacterial colonization of coal fly ash disposal sites begins immediately after deposition. Primary communities initially exhibit low species diversity (four taxa) and do not form a continuous ground cover in the early years. However, as succession progresses—illustrated by observations from a 30-year-old deposit—spontaneous surface revegetation occurs, accompanied by a marked increase in cyanobacterial diversity, reaching 12 species