Neophoenix (Pottiaceae) a new African moss genus found through soil diaspore bank analysis

Neophoenix matoposensis is a newly described taxon obtained after forced gr owth from soil of experimental fire plots in southern Zimbabwe. It is relat ed to three other austral genera with transparent thecae, but differs in se veral gametophytic and sporophytic characters. Forced diaspore bank analysi s is shown to be of value in uncovering mosses that are small in stature an d appear to have a short life cycle and limited time of above-ground exposu re. The technique may prove useful in biodiversity analysis in general. Two similarly hyalothecoid pottiaceous species were also uncovered in soil sam ples from the same area: Bryoceuthospora aethiopica is new to Zimbabwe, Ule obryum occultum (of which U. curtisii is a new synonym) is new to Africa, h aving been previously known from Brazil and Australia.