Abstract
Based on morphological characters only, the taxonomy of the moss genus Polytrichum has still not been fully resolved. Application of molecular techniques might clarify
some of these problems. Within P. commune s.l., the taxonomic status of several varieties, e.g., P. commune var. commune and P. commune var. uliginosum, is still debated. This study uses allozyme electrophoresis to show that there are
two distinct allozyme multi-locus genotypes within our P. commune samples. These two multi-locus genotypes coincide with both differences in morphology
and differences in habitat association. This division is corroborated by observations
from different Danish and Dutch populations. Based on these results, in connection
with a genetic comparison of the two infraspecific taxa of P. commune s.l. with a related species P. formosum, we argue that P. commune var. commune and P. commune var. uliginosum are two genetically distinct entities with fixed morphological differences and a
considerable niche differentiation. They should, therefore, be regarded as two distinct
species: P. commune and P. uliginosum.
Key words
Allozymes - cryptic species - genetic identity -
Polytrichum commune
-
Polytrichum commune var. commune
-
Polytrichum commune var. uliginosum
- taxonomy
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in press
R. Bijlsma
Department of Genetics
University of Groningen
Kerklaan 30
9751 NN Haren
The Netherlands
Email: r.bijlsma@biol.rug.nl
Section Editor: F. Salamini
