Studies on Jungermanniidae. IV. On Scapaniaceae, Blepharidophyllaceae and Delavayellaceae

AbstractUntil recent decennia, Delavayella Steph. and Blepharidophyllum Angstr. were assigned to the Scapaniaceae. Although the former had been treated as forming a separate family, Delavayellaceae, more recently it has been again regarded as a member of the Scapaniaceae. Blepharidophyllum, regarded as representing a subfamily of Scapaniaceae, is now regarded as belonging to an autonomous family, Blepharidophyllaceae. The three groups chiefly agree in superficial criteria: all have vertically oriented leaves, canaliculate or conduplicate; all tend to develop dentition/ciliation of leaf margins; all have frontally compressed perianths. Analysis of a suite of more fundamental criteria shows that the Delavayellaceae are quite isolated and lack obvious phylogenetic ‘moorings’. Blepharidophyllaceae may show some remote affinities to Scapaniaceae but the latter are more allied to Jungermanniaceae subf. Lophozioideae (Lophoziaceae) than to Blepharidophyllaceae. Phylogenetic implications are discussed.Criteria of...