Austral hepaticae 53. unraveling hidden diversity: a novel species of Frullania Raddi from New Zealand

Abstract

Frullania crassissima J.J.Engel, von Konrat and Glenny, a member of the genus Frullania Raddi, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically most similar to F. setchellii, F. svihlana and F. falciloba, of New Zealand and F. vittiana of Lord Howe Island. The new species is also sister to F. squarrosula, F. nicholsonii, F. vittiana and F. falcilobaina previously published phylogenetic analysis. It shares with those species a falcate asymmetrical leaf lobule that is truncate at its apex. It differs from those species principally in the surface ornamentation of the perianth and leaf cell wall thickenings. It is currently only known from the type material, but is likely to be more widespread.