Two Decades Later: A Bibliographic Revision of <i>Menegazzia</i> in Chile with New Identification Key and Phylogenetic Perspectives

This study presents a bibliographic review of the genus <i>Menegazzia</i> in Chile, the first in over two decades, updating new records, the taxonomic placement of the genus, and the synonymization of species. Up to twenty species have been cited in the country, considering that <i>...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: David Alors
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Diversity
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/7/483
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Summary:This study presents a bibliographic review of the genus <i>Menegazzia</i> in Chile, the first in over two decades, updating new records, the taxonomic placement of the genus, and the synonymization of species. Up to twenty species have been cited in the country, considering that <i>M. albida</i>, <i>M. hollermayeri</i>, and <i>M. norstictca</i> are synonyms of the valid species <i>M. wilsonii</i>, <i>M. dispora</i>, and <i>M sanguinascens</i>. A fully revised dichotomous key and color photographs are included to facilitate accurate identification, especially given the genus’s morphological convergence and sparse reproductive structures. For the first time, the divergence times of <i>Menegazzia</i> lineages are discussed in relation to major Southern Hemisphere geologic events, suggesting a dispersal-driven distribution with a crown age of approximately 21.2 Ma. This review consolidates fragmented data, integrates recent molecular findings, and emphasizes the genus’s value as an ecological and biogeographic indicator in Chilean temperate forests.
ISSN:1424-2818