[RPS4 and NAD5 sequences evidenced of polyphyly of ditrichaceae and parallelisms in the evolution of haplolepidous...

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of 66 representatives of haplolepidous mosses showed polyphylia of Ditrichaceae. According to the data obtained, the structure of the peristome, as well as features of the gametophyte on which a family traditionally allocated, arose independently in different groups of haplolepideous mosses. At least six genera (Distichium, Saelania, Eccremidium, Garckea, Rhamphidium, and Wilsoniella) should be excluded from the Ditrichaceae family, while Saelania and Distichium should be assigned even to another order. The loss of the peristome and forming of cleistocarpous capsules also occurs independently in at least two lineages of Ditrichaceae s. str., and in representatives of several lineages of Pottiaceae, a family derived from this group. Ditrichum, the type genus of Ditrichaceae, is also polyphyletic, species of this genus belong to two clades. It was concluded that parallel lines of the morphological variability in this group of mosses occur and its phylogeny need to be resolved based on molecular data.