Taxonomical status of Andreaea clavata var. tenuior Broth. (Bryophyta, Andreaeaceae)

Abstract

The moss genus Andreaea (Andreaeaceae Dumort., Bryophytina Engl.) is found growing on acid and neutral rocks in cool temperate to subpolar environments, as well as in the high altitude mountains of tropical and subtropical regions (Murray 1988). The genus include between 15 and 20 species in the Andean region with many taxa still poorly known. Andreaea clavata Broth. is only know from two collections, one from Bolivia and one from Peru.During the revision of Andean species of Andreaea housed in the Herbarium Haussknecht (JE), some type specimens were studied. The examination of these materials showed that Andreaea clavata is identical with Andreaea clavata var. tenuior Broth., a subordinate taxa previously described from Bolivia also based on a Herzog collection. Thus, the latter is here proposed as a new synonym.