A revision of Plagiochila sect. Crispatae and sect. Hypnoides (Hepaticae) in the Neotropics. I. Plagiochila disticha, P-montagnei and P-raddiana

A revision of about 40 species and infraspecific taxa of Plagiochila sect. Crispatae Carl and sect. Hypnoides Carl from the Neotropics leads to the re cognition of only three species, P disticha (Lehmann & Lindenb.) Lindenb., P montagnei Nees and P. raddiana Lindenb., all common and widespread at rat her low elevations in tropical America. The species are fully described and illustrated. interpretations of P disticha and I! raddiana by Inoue (1989) appear to have been erroneous. Analysis of sporophytic and gametophytic ch aracters shows that the two sections are morphologically very similar and s hould be treated as synonyms. Sect. Crispatae is proposed as the correct na me of the group, estimated here to contain about ten species in the Neotrop ics. The position in the Crispatae of Plagiochila dubia Lindenb. & Gottsche , briefly described here with two new synonyms, remains uncertain by lack o f sporophytes. The occurrence of the Crispatae in Africa seems to be restri cted to It rudolfii Pocs as other African species placed in this section (J ones 1962) differ from the American taxa in branching pattern and elater st ructure.