Glossadelphus; Discovery of a Novel Genus of Moss in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Genus Glossadelphus Fleisch has been classified under the Family Sematophyllaceae which consists of pleurocarpous mosses. Altogether about 38 species, subspecies, varieties and forms of Glossadelphus have been found throughout the world. Among them, four species of Glossadelphus were recorded in Sri Lanka before 2002. Later these were repositioned under different genera. Therefore, Genus Glossadelphus was not listed under the Sri Lankan moss flora.

This study was carried out to examine mosses in Hakgala Botanic Gardens and the border of Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve located beneath the Hakgala rock on August 08th, 2012 as the practical component of the National Workshop on Evolution, Biodiversity and Conservation of Sri Lankan Bryoflora (August 6th to 11th) organized by National Herbarium, Department of National Botanic Gardens, Sri Lanka. Samples were collected randomly and labeled. Morphological characterization was done using stereoscopic and compound microscopes in the laboratory of Royal Botanic Garden, Peradeniya. Specimens were identified up to its genus level using taxonomic keys and illustrations provided in standard taxonomic texts.

Specimens were belonged to 11 genera including Genus Glossadelphus. The Glossadelphus specimen was further identified as the G. bilobatus (Dixon) Brotherus. It possessed prominent strongly denticulate leaf margins with spinose double tips of cells which was the distinct characteristic features of G. bilobatus. According to the checklist for mosses in Sri Lanka by Brian O‟Shea (2002) G. bilobatus is not discovered before in this country.

Systematic survey is immediately required to discover some new Glossadelphus spp. and for ex-situ conservation of mosses in Sri Lanka.