Discovery of Sciuro-hypnum tromsoeense (Brachytheciaceae, Bryophyta) in China: Morphological Diagnostics and Insights into Holarctic Bryophyte Dispersal
Abstract
Sciuro-hypnum tromsoeense is a taxonomically distinctive and challenging species of Sciuro-hypnum (Brachytheciaceae). Primarily distributed in Northern and Central Europe, it has no prior East Asian records. Based on morphological and molecular evidence, we formally report it as a new Chinese record from Yili, Xinjiang. This discovery fills the species’ Central Asia-northwest China distribution gap, supports the Tianshan Mountains as an important east-west migration corridor for Arctic-boreal bryophytes, and provides empirical evidence for floristic connections between the Eurasian Arctic-boreal and East Asian temperate regions.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Bryophyte Studies and Records
Lichen and fungal ecology
Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Phytotaxa
- Publisher
- Magnolia Press
- Volume
- 762
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 191–197
- Publication date
- 15 June 2026