A revision of the genus Bruchia Schwaegr. (Musci).

Bibliographic Details
Main Author:	Rushing, Ann Elizabeth, 1952-
Other Authors:	Cox, Elenor (degree committee member.), Kimber, Clarissa (degree committee member.), Nessler, Craig (degree committee member.)
Format:	Thesis Book
Language:	English
Published:	1982.
Subjects:	Cytology. Plant spores > Morphology. Botany Academic theses
Online Access:	ProQuest, Abstract Link to ProQuest Copy

Description
Abstract:	The genus Bruchia Schwaegr. is revised worldwide using cytological investigations, scanning electron microscope observations and phenetic analyses. The genus is divided into two subgenera, Bruchia and Sporledera. The subgenus Sporledera is further divided into two sections, Sporledera and Pycneura. The subgenus Bruchia includes two species, B. vogesiaca and B. bolanderi. The subgenus Sporledera, section Sporledera includes 11 species, B. brevifolia, B. Brevipes, B. carolinae, B. drummondii, B. flexuosa, B. fusca, B. hallii, B. microspora, B. queenslandica, B. ravenelii and B. texana. The subgenus Sporledera, section Pycneura includes two species, B. aurea and B. uruguensis. Cytological investigations of the species which were available in the proper stage for observation yielded three chromosome numbers for the genus: n = 15 (Bruchia carolinae, B. fusca, B. flexuosa), n = 16 (B. brevifolia, B. flexuosa, B. hallii, B. ravenelii, B. texana) and n = 30 (B. drummondii). Four spore types are recognized based on scanning electron microscope observations: warty (2 species), pitted (4 species), reticulate (3 species) and spinose (6 species). Phenetic analyses provide evidence for resolving several taxonomic problems: (1) the status of the B. flexuosa-complex in which B. texana is retained as a species, while B. sullivantii and B. donnellii are united with B. flexuosa; (2) the status of the B. bolanderi and B. vogesiaca problem in which both species are shown to be distinct; and (3) the status of the South American material in which two of the five previously recognized species are retained, B. aurea and B. uruguensis. The species of southeastern North America were also shown to be distinct species.
Item Description:	Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Botany."
Physical Description:	xiii, 221 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm
Bibliography:	Includes bibliographical references (leaves 202-209).