Diplasiolejeunea mayaykuensis (Lejeuneaceae, Marchantiophyta), a new liverwort species from southern Ecuador

Abstract

A new epiphytic species of Diplasiolejeunea (Spruce) Schiffii.from the Amazonian region of southern Ecuador is described and illustrated. Diplasiolejeunea mayaykuensis Schäf.-Verw. and Heinrichs, sp. nov. is characterized by ascending to squarrose leaves, narrowly ovate(-lanceolate) underleaf lobes with acute to subobtuse apices, well developed lobule teeth and lobules with strongly involute free margins. Morphologically, D. mayaykuensis closely resembles D. brunnea Steph. and D. cavifolia Steph. The locality is situated in the western escarpment of the Cordillera del Condor.