Kučera, J., E.A. Ignatova, M.S. Ignatov, A.V. FedOrova, O.I. Kuznetsova & V.E.Fedosov. 2021. Rauiella thuidioides, sp. nov. (Leskeaceae, Bryophyta), a new species from the Russian Far East

Arctoa (2021) 30: 425–433

doi: 10.15298/arctoa.30.28

Molecular barcoding of a morphologically unfamiliar thuidiaceous moss, known so far from two specimens collected in the Sikhote-Alin mountain range suggested the affinity with the genus Rauiella. Subsequent evaluation in a broader phylogenetic context of Leskeaceae s. lat. using nuclear ribosomal ITS and chloroplast trnF-trnS regions confirmed that the plants which morphologically substantially differ from known representatives of Rauiella are molecularly likewise distinctive. It is therefore described and illustrated here as a new species, Rauiella thuidioides. We further discuss the morphological differences from its congeners and other similar taxa, as well as its ecology and geographical affinities. Finally, we also touch the delimitation of the genus Rauiella and advocate the synonymy of Thuidiaceae with Leskeaceae.