Radula splendida sp. nov. (Radulaceae: Marchantiophyta), a polymorphic species from New Zealand

We describe Radula splendida, a new species endemic to New Zealand. Radula splendida is most similar to Radula physoloba in size, colour, and habitat, but differs in producing microphyllous and amentulose branches, reflexed lobule exterior margin, lobules as wide as long with a deeply arched keel, and by amentulose branches dislocating as cladia. Radula splendida is the first Radula species reported to produce cladia. This species is surprising in two ways, firstly individual propensity to produce cladia differs, and secondly the propensity to produce cladia is correlated with differences in lobule shape. This correlation is confirmed by geometric morphometric analysis of sexually and asexually reproducing plants within one North Island population where individuals differing in their tendency to asexual reproduction were observed. We present a key to New Zealand species of Radula with amentulose or microphyllous axes, which leads us to reinstate Radula multiamentula for Australasia. © 2010 J. Cramer in der Gebrüder Borntraeger Verlagsbuchhandlung.

Duke Scholars

Author A. Jonathan Shaw Biology