On Sciuro-hypnum oedipodium and S. curtum (Brachytheciaceae, Bryophyta)

Abstract

Sciuro-hypnum curtum has been synonymized with S. oedipodium, but the present revision reveals that they are two distinct species although morphological variation is very broad in both of them. However, molecular delimitation of these two species (nrITS) is much more sharp. Sciurohypnum curtum is a widespread species in boreal forests of Eurasia, and occurs also in North America mainly in its eastern part, with solitary localities in the West. Sciuro-hypnum oedipodium is widespread in western North America, totally absent in the eastern part of this continent, and is known in Russia in Caucasus and in Chukotka. Brachythecium holzingeri is synonymized with S. oedipodium.