Abstract

In the present contribution, the first known sporophyte of Chenia lorentzii is described in detail and microphotographs are provided. Its differences with associated species are highlighted. In addition, the role of sporophytic characters is discussed in a phylogenetic context. To do this, a molecular phylogenetic analysis of a reduced dataset of Pottiaceae genera was carried out by using nad5, rps4, 26S and morphological characters. Gametophytic and sporophytic characters were mapped onto the molecular topology, and their fit to the phylogeny was assessed on the basis of the number of diagnosed nodes. The statistical significance of the observed difference was tested by performing a randomisation test. The results suggest that sporophytic characters should be treated with caution when nomenclatural changes are proposed.