Taxonomic notes on African Orthotrichaceae 4. New synonymy in Schlotheimia

Abstract

Introduction New synonymy and distribution records for Schlotheimia Brid. in sub-Saharan Africa are presented. Methods Examination of herbarium type material has confirmed the identity of some poorly known Schlotheimia names. The application of correct names and typification has been carried out in accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature Shenzhen (2018) for algae, fungi, and plants. Key results Fifteen names are placed in synonymy, reducing the number of accepted taxa for Schlotheimia in sub-Saharan Africa to 33. Schlotheimia badiella var. longicaulis Besch., S. badiella var. helicophylla Besch., S. badiella var. brevifolia Renauld, S. illecebra Schimp. ex Besch., S. nossi-beana Müll.Hal. ex Besch., S. nossi-beana var. linealis (Müll.Hal.) Thér., S. foveolata Renauld & Cardot, S. foveolata var. torquescens Cardot, S. perrotii Renauld & Cardot, S. perrotii var. breviseta Thér. and S. poecilodictyon P.de la Varde & Thér. are all considered to be new synonyms of S. badiella Besch. Schlotheimia acutifolia Renauld & Paris, S. acutifolia var. angustifolia Thér., S. congolensis Cardot and S. fragilifolia Thér. & Naveau are reduced to synonymy with S. percuspidata Müll.Hal. Lectotypification is effected for 14 names within the genus. Schlotheimia percuspidata is reported here new to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Réunion and Madagascar. Conclusions This work reduces the sub-Saharan African checklist for Schlotheimia to 29 species and 4 varieties, a number that is expected to be reduced even further once additional type material has been examined.