On the status of Metzgeria angusta, a poorly known neotropical taxon

Metzgeria angusta Steph., a species recorded from numerous localities in th e New World, is lectotypified and redescribed. The syntype material is hete rogeneous and includes seven different species. As lectotypified here, Metz geria angusta is similar to M. albinea Spruce and is reduced to varietal st atus under the tatter, as Metzgeria albinea var angusta (Steph.) Costa & Gr adst. stat. nov. (= Metzgeria angusta var pectinata Schiffn., syn. nov.). T he variety occurs in Mexico, Trinidad and southeastern Brazil.