The classification of the speciose leafy liverwort genus Plagiochila into species and sections is still in a preliminary state. Based on phylogenetic analyses of a dataset comprising nuclear ITS and chloroplast rps4 and rbcL sequences, we reject an earlier proposed synonymy of the Asian-Australasian Plagiochila sect. Abietinae and the pantropical P. sect. Vagae. A monophyletic sect. Abietinae is recognised, containing a clade with five accessions of P. abietina sister to a single accession of P. hampeana. This Abietinae clade nests in a larger Plagiochila clade which also retrieves monophyletic sects. Fruticosae, Trabeculatae, Peculiares, Plagiochila and Poeltiae. Plagiochila sect. Vagae is placed sister to P. sect. Africanae. Two P. abietina accessions from Australia form a sister relationship with a clade comprising three P. abietina accessions from the Fiji Islands. Based on the example of P. patula, we discuss the benefits of including type or topotype specimens in revisionary studies considering molecular and morphological evidence.

Molecular analyses have consistently evidenced the phylogenetic heterogeneity of Orthotrichum Hedw., and suggested the need to segregate the species with superficial stomata in a separate genus. A recent proposal has been made to accommodate the monoicous species with such stomata in the genus Dorcadion Adans. ex Lindb., which is, however, an illegitimate name according to the current Code of nomenclature of algae, fungi and plants. Consequently a new name is required, and the generic name Lewinskya F.Lara, Garilleti & Goffinet is proposed. New combinations are made for all the species included in the new genus. Given the long history of the genus Orthotrichum and the similarities between this genus and Lewinskya, the morphological and geographic circumscriptions of both genera are provided to define them accurately. The taxa remaining in Orthotrichum s.str. are also listed.

Takakia lepidozioides is a rare and potentially relictual species of a genus that diverged early in the evolution history of mosses. Plants of Takakia grow very slowly in the wild and are almost too small (only ∼ 5 mm high) to be genetically manipulated. We collected Takakia plants with mature spore-bearing capsules from the Nyingchi region at about 4,000 meters elevation in the Tibetan Plateau. We analyzed the pH and inorganic elements of the soil below the population to then optimize the composition of the Beneck medium that is generally suitable for moss culture. We explored the effects of several factors on spore germination and gametophyte growth and established the conditions for efficient spore germination and rapid gametophyte propagation. The characterization of spore germination and early gametophyte development revealed that the sporeling of Takakia is thalloid as in Sphagnum and Andreaea. These results provide the foundation to facilitate genetic, physiological and biochemical research with T. lepidozioides and also developmental studies, which may contribute to our understanding of the morphological transformations in the early diversification of mosses.

In the area of Katowice city (S Poland) a significant increase in the number of sites of some epiphytes (mainly from the genera Orthotrichum and Ulota) were recorded. The comparison of their distribution in 2001 and 2015 shows two groups: (1) species of which the number of localities is obviously higher, e.g. Orthotrichum diaphanum, O. obtusifolium, O. pumilum and O. speciosum and (2) species new in the bryoflora, i.e. Leskea polycarpa, Orthotrichum affine, O. patens, O. rogeri, O. stramineum, O. striatum, Radula complanata, Syntrichia latifolia, Ulota bruchii and U. crispa. The analysis of the preference of epiphytes towards inhabited phorophytes reveals that the most commonly and abundantly inhabited species were poplar and willow trees, which show higher pH values of bark.

The paper presents the results of bryosociological research conducted on the epiphytic vegetation in the western Tian-Shan Mountains in 2013. The surveys on epiphytic bryophyte and lichen communities were done on 115 sites with different quantity of trees (solitary, in alleys or wood plots along river valleys) distributed in several mountain ranges within study area. In total 21 epiphytic moss species were found during research which composes characteristic species combinations making apparent difference between associations. As a result of field research and numerical analyses, three separate groups of samples corresponding to seven associations and one community within three alliances: Ulotion crispae and Syntrichion laevipilae (Frullanio dilatatae-Leucodontetea sciuroidis class) as well as Neckerion complanatae (Neckeretea complanatae class) have been distinguished. A synopsis of the epiphytic moss communities is proposed. The most interesting is the association of Orthotrichetum crenulati which is described here for the first time. Two species of epiphytic mosses (Orthotrichum crenulatum and O. pallens) are new to Kyrgyzstan.

Sri Lankan hornworts remain the least studied group of bryophytes. So far, three families (Anthocerotaceae, Notothyladaceae, Dendrocerotaceae) and 4 genera (Anthoceros, Folioceros, Phaeoceros and Dendroceros) have been recorded within the country. During the present study, hornworts were freshly collected from different geographical localities within the country and identification was done using light and stereo-microscopy and SEM spore morphological observations. Based on this study, Notothylas javanica (Sande Lac.) Gottsche (Notothyladaceae) and Megaceros flagellaris (Mitt.) Steph. (Dendrocerotaceae) are reported for the first time in Sri Lanka. The species are described and illustrated with notes on their ecology and distribution.

A morphological study, supplemented by molecular analysis (ITS1-2 nrDNA, and trnL-F cpDNA) revealed Scapania aspera M.Bernet & 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.

Twelve mosses within nine genera of Pottiaceae, including Anoectangium aestivum (Hedw.) Mitt., A. stracheyanum Mitt., Barbula cf. seramensis H.Akiyama, Chionoloma bombayense (Müll.Hal.) P.Sollman, Gymnostomiella erosula (Müll.Hal. ex Dusén) Arts, G. vernicosa (Harv.) M.Fleisch., Hydrogonium consanguineum (Thwaites & Mitt.) Hilp., H. orientale (F.Weber) Kučera, Hymenostylium recurvirostrum (Hedw.) Dixon, Hyophila involuta (Hook.) A.Jaeger, Leptodontium viticulosoides (P.Beauv.) Wijk & Margad. and Splachnobryum obtusum (Brid.) Müll.Hal., are newly reported for São Tomé and Príncipe and eight of these species represent the first report for the Gulf of Guinea islands. Notes on habitat and distribution are provided.

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (5775 m) it is the highest peak of Colombia and the highest coastal mountain in the world. Liverworts and hornworts of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta have been relatively little studied. In this paper a considerable number of new species records from the Sierra Nevada are presented with brief notes on morphology, distribution and habitat of the taxa. Ten species and the genus Notothylas Sull. (2 spp.) are new to Colombia. The Asiatic Metzgeria lindbergii Schiffn. (= M. saxbyi Pearson, syn. nov.) is shown to be a pantropical species and is newly recorded from Africa and the New World. The lectotypification of Radula xalapensis Nees & Mont. is discussed.