New and neglected morphological features in the taxonomy of Asian Lejeunea (Marchantiophyta)

Abstract

The infrageneric classification of the large genus Lejeunea Lib. is poorly understood due to the lack of stable morphological characters characterizing supraspecific groups. Phenetic analysis of 26 morphological features of 31 Asian Lejeunea species separated two main species clusters based on the number of superior central cells at underleaf bases. The number of superior central cells had not previously been utilized in the classification of Lejeunea and appears to be new and stable morphological feature within this genus. The presence of surface wax was confirmed in L. flava (Sw.) Nees and was newly recorded in L. mimula Hürl. and L. tuberculosa Steph. We suggest that wax ornamentation may be a useful taxonomic feature at species level in Lejeunea.