Herzog Vindicated: Integrative Taxonomy Reveals That Trichostomum brachydontium (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta) Comprises Several Species

The morphologically variable moss Trichostomum brachydontium is very common in south and west Europe, particularly under Mediterranean Atlantic climates. A morphological study was conducted alongside a molecular phylogenetic based on nr ITS cp-rbcL regions order to assess if T. an exceptionally polymorphic species as evidenced by the number of described infraspecific taxa last century or, alternatively, it includes more than one species, so, find valid name for them. Phylogenetic analyses both nuclear chloroplast datasets show that there are four well-supported clades. While ITS-based tree good agreement with data, few inconsistencies reference rbcL tree; this may be explained incomplete lineage sorting hybridization or persistence isolated ancestral races. survey revealed well-defined discriminate differences between lineages. taxonomic conclusions include recognition species: s.s., herzogii (a new proposed var. cuspidatum), littorale, meridionale densum). Lectotypes designated littorale. Our results underline ongoing need integrative studies examine further underestimated diversity complex other regions.