Resolving a nearly 95-year-old enigma: Transfer of the little-known Japanese moss Arctoa schistioides to Kiaeria falcata (Rhabdoweisiaceae, Bryophyta)

Taxonomic uncertainties regarding rare species often impede effective biodiversity conservation. One such taxonomic uncertainty is the 95-year-old mystery surrounding Arctoa schistioides (Broth. ex Ihsiba) Ihsiba. Since its initial publication in 1929, this species has not been subjected to any furt...

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Main Authors: Wen-Zhuan Huang, Jia-Yi Zheng, Xin-Rui Xia, Xin-Yin Ma, Tian-Xiong Zheng, Yu-Huan Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pensoft Publishers 2025-03-01
Series:PhytoKeys
Online Access:https://phytokeys.pensoft.net/article/141498/download/pdf/
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author Wen-Zhuan Huang
Jia-Yi Zheng
Xin-Rui Xia
Xin-Yin Ma
Tian-Xiong Zheng
Yu-Huan Wu
author_facet Wen-Zhuan Huang
Jia-Yi Zheng
Xin-Rui Xia
Xin-Yin Ma
Tian-Xiong Zheng
Yu-Huan Wu
author_sort Wen-Zhuan Huang
collection DOAJ
description Taxonomic uncertainties regarding rare species often impede effective biodiversity conservation. One such taxonomic uncertainty is the 95-year-old mystery surrounding Arctoa schistioides (Broth. ex Ihsiba) Ihsiba. Since its initial publication in 1929, this species has not been subjected to any further discoveries and is, thus, classified as “doubtful taxa” or “insufficiently known taxa” to date. Assessing the taxonomic status of this species is essential for determining whether a conservation strategy should be implemented. In this study, we examined the holotype of A. schistioides and treated this species as a new synonym of Kiaeria falcata (Hedw.) I.Hagen, a widely distributed species in the Northern Hemisphere, by providing detailed description, illustration and taxonomic notes. Our findings not only resolve this long-standing mystery, but also enhance our understanding of Japanese mosses and the global distribution of bryophytes.
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id doaj-art-d954d504f35c4be1b2f2a7ad300c5d79
institution OA Journals
issn 1314-2003
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Pensoft Publishers
record_format Article
series PhytoKeys
spelling doaj-art-d954d504f35c4be1b2f2a7ad300c5d792025-08-20T02:10:20ZengPensoft PublishersPhytoKeys1314-20032025-03-0125415115910.3897/phytokeys.254.141498141498Resolving a nearly 95-year-old enigma: Transfer of the little-known Japanese moss Arctoa schistioides to Kiaeria falcata (Rhabdoweisiaceae, Bryophyta)Wen-Zhuan Huang0Jia-Yi Zheng1Xin-Rui Xia2Xin-Yin Ma3Tian-Xiong Zheng4Yu-Huan Wu5Hangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhou Normal UniversityHattori Botanical LaboratoryHangzhou Normal UniversityTaxonomic uncertainties regarding rare species often impede effective biodiversity conservation. One such taxonomic uncertainty is the 95-year-old mystery surrounding Arctoa schistioides (Broth. ex Ihsiba) Ihsiba. Since its initial publication in 1929, this species has not been subjected to any further discoveries and is, thus, classified as “doubtful taxa” or “insufficiently known taxa” to date. Assessing the taxonomic status of this species is essential for determining whether a conservation strategy should be implemented. In this study, we examined the holotype of A. schistioides and treated this species as a new synonym of Kiaeria falcata (Hedw.) I.Hagen, a widely distributed species in the Northern Hemisphere, by providing detailed description, illustration and taxonomic notes. Our findings not only resolve this long-standing mystery, but also enhance our understanding of Japanese mosses and the global distribution of bryophytes.https://phytokeys.pensoft.net/article/141498/download/pdf/
spellingShingle Wen-Zhuan Huang
Jia-Yi Zheng
Xin-Rui Xia
Xin-Yin Ma
Tian-Xiong Zheng
Yu-Huan Wu
Resolving a nearly 95-year-old enigma: Transfer of the little-known Japanese moss Arctoa schistioides to Kiaeria falcata (Rhabdoweisiaceae, Bryophyta)
PhytoKeys
title Resolving a nearly 95-year-old enigma: Transfer of the little-known Japanese moss Arctoa schistioides to Kiaeria falcata (Rhabdoweisiaceae, Bryophyta)
title_full Resolving a nearly 95-year-old enigma: Transfer of the little-known Japanese moss Arctoa schistioides to Kiaeria falcata (Rhabdoweisiaceae, Bryophyta)
title_fullStr Resolving a nearly 95-year-old enigma: Transfer of the little-known Japanese moss Arctoa schistioides to Kiaeria falcata (Rhabdoweisiaceae, Bryophyta)
title_full_unstemmed Resolving a nearly 95-year-old enigma: Transfer of the little-known Japanese moss Arctoa schistioides to Kiaeria falcata (Rhabdoweisiaceae, Bryophyta)
title_short Resolving a nearly 95-year-old enigma: Transfer of the little-known Japanese moss Arctoa schistioides to Kiaeria falcata (Rhabdoweisiaceae, Bryophyta)
title_sort resolving a nearly 95 year old enigma transfer of the little known japanese moss arctoa schistioides to kiaeria falcata rhabdoweisiaceae bryophyta
url https://phytokeys.pensoft.net/article/141498/download/pdf/
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