The taxonomic status of Thamnobryum maderense (Kindh.) Hedenas (Bryopsida)as inferred from molecular data

CpDNA trnL(UAA) intron and nrDNA ITS2 sequences of six specimens of Thamnob ryum alopecurum (three from the Iberian Peninsula, each one from Morocco, T enerife and Germany) and four specimens of T. maderense (two from the Iberi an Peninsula and two from Morocco) are completely identical, except for one substitution in the trnL intron of T. alopecurum from Germany and one subs titution in the ITS2 of T. alopecurum from Morocco and Tenerife. In contras t. Thamnobryum pandum from New Zealand differs in 7 substitutions in the tr nL intron and in 3 substitutions and one indel in the ITS2. In the single m ost parsimonious tree inferred from a combined data set of both molecular m arkers. the genus Thamnobryum is monophyletic and separated from species of two other genera of the Thamnobryaceae (Porothamnium stipitatum, Porotrich um usagarum). The T. alopecurum/T. maderense specimens form a polytomous br anch separated from 7: pandum. It is concluded from the molecular similarit y that Thamnobryum maderense should not be regarded as a distinct species. but should rather be included in T. alopecurum. A new taxonomic combination is proposed: Thamnobryum alopecurum var. maderense comb. nov.