Lectotypification of Encalypta affinis (Musci): Maintenance of Continuity between Epithet and Taxonomic Concept

The taxonomic concept of E. affinis is well established historically and the epithet affJinis has been fairly consistently applied to this taxon, particularly recently. Even though the original description and illustrations were, at least in part, based upon plants of E. affinis, the potential type specimens presently in the original author's herbarium consist of another distinct, and probably only distantly related species, E. alpina. As the specimen in the collector's herbarium consists of both E. affinis and E. alpina, it is concluded that the original description was based upon a mixed collection, a portion of which has since been removed. Therefore, E. affinis is lectotypified in the collector's herbarium in order to maintain the continuity established between the taxonomic concept and the epithet, in accordance with Recommendation 7B of the ICBN.