Macromitrium salakanum Müll.Hal.

Thouvenot, Louis, 2019, A review of the genus Macromitrium Brid. (Orthotrichaceae, Bryophyta) in New Caledonia, Cryptogamie, Bryologie 20 (16), pp. 167-217 : 208

Macromitrium salakanum Müll.Hal.

Synopsis Muscorum Frondosorum omnium hucusque Cognitorum

2: 646 (1851).

ILLUSTRATIONS AND DESCRIPTION. — Vitt et al. (1995).

DISTRIBUTION IN NEW CALEDONIA. — Rarely found but present in North Province.

TOTAL RANGE. — Indonesia, Philippines, Western Melanesia ( Vitt et al. 1995).

SELECTED SPECIMENS. — Java. Tjibodas im Berggarten an Bäumen 1450 m, III.1900, Fleischer Musci Archipelagi Indici 128, PC0738562 (PC); New Caledonia. Province Nord, Poindimié, mountains south of Amoa River, in shrublands and low forests, 230 m, 11.X.2012, Larraín 35929 (PC).

REMARKS

Compared with Macromitrium leratii , the plants related to M. salakanum in New Caledonia are medium to large with branches reaching 22 mm long, thinner, 1-1.5 mm wide, branch leaves smaller, 2-2.6 mm long, lanceolate, with the same areolation. But they can be separated from more easily by: 1) the upper cells single-layered thorough; 2) the intermediate cells more progressively longer toward the leaf base; 3) branch leaves less narrowly acuminate; and 4) calyptrae somewhat hairy in upper part.

The differences between Macromitrium leratii and M. salakanum are not very robust in New Caledonia specimens and it would be necessary to look for molecular evidences in order to test that distinction. The bistratose upper cells observed in M. leratii must be linked to other features such as calyptra hairiness, long acuminate vegetative leaves and molecular data.