Ignatova, E.A., E.M. Ryzhova,O.I. Kuznetsova & M.S. Ignatov. 2023. Does Schistidium marginale occur in Asian Russia?

Arctoa (2023) 32: 199–206

doi: 10.15298/arctoa.32.17

A combined molecular phylogenetic and morphological analysis revealed that specimens from Asian Russia previously referred to Schistidium marginale do not belong to that species. They are described as species new to science, S. transbaicalense. It is very similar to S. marginale superficially and shares with it some morphological characters, but it also differs in hair-point structure and transverse section of costa. In the molecular phylogenetic tree inferred from nrITS1-2 sequences it is resolved far from the terminal Сonfertum-clade where S. marginale is found, but in the basal grade in the tree rooted on S. sordidum, where S. pulchrum and S. scabripilum also occur. Schistidium transbaicalense is currently known from few localities in southern Siberia: Altai Republic, Kemerovo Province and SE of Zabaikalsky Territory, and further north, on Putorana Plateau in Krasnoyarsk Territory. Its description, illustrations, distribution, ecology and distinctions from similar species are provided.