Phylogenetic biogeography and taxonomy of disjunctly distributed bryophytes

TLDR

Bryophyte intercontinental distributions are largely driven by dispersal, with many disjunct patterns arising from short‑distance dispersal, rare long‑distance dispersal, extinction, recolonization, and diversification, as shown by over 200 molecular phylogeny studies published since the millennium. Molecular phylogenetic studies reveal a complex genetic structure in bryophytes, challenge many morphologically based species concepts, demonstrate that disjunct species’ phylogeny mirrors geographic ranges rather than morphology, and enable reconstruction of refugia and migration routes.

Abstract

Abstract More than 200 research papers on the molecular phylogeny and phylogenetic biogeography of bryophytes have been published since the beginning of this millenium. These papers corroborated assumptions of a complex genetic structure of morphologically circumscribed bryophytes, and raised reservations against many morphologically justified species concepts, especially within the mosses. However, many molecular studies allowed for corrections and modifications of morphological classification schemes. Several studies reported that the phylogenetic structure of disjunctly distributed bryophyte species reflects their geographical ranges rather than morphological disparities. Molecular data led to new appraisals of distribution ranges and allowed for the reconstruction of refugia and migration routes. Intercontinental ranges of bryophytes are often caused by dispersal rather than geographical vicariance. Many distribution patterns of disjunct bryophytes are likely formed by processes such as short distance dispersal, rare long distance dispersal events, extinction, recolonization and diversification.