molecular phylogeny of the liverwort family Lepidoziaceae Limpr. in Australasia

Relationships within the Lepidoziaceae (Hepaticae) are investigated using chloroplast (rbcL and trnL-F) and mitochondrial (nad5) sequences. The results indicate that taxonomic concepts of a number of subfamilies and genera require reassessment, including the recent re-circumscription of Telaranea that includes a number of taxa with Microlepidozia-type branching. The members of subfamily Zoopsidoideae investigated are polyphyletic (forming 2 or 3 clades), as are the Lepidozioideae and Lembidioideae. Kurzia (Lepidozioideae) is consistently part of a clade with members of the Lembidioideae. Chloranthelia denticulata (Lembidioideae) is sister to Zoopsis leitgebiana and the relationships of Neogrollea (Neogrolleoideae) are not resolved. The placement of Megalembidium in a separate subfamily is not supported. More investigation is needed in order to confirm the placement of Drucella in relation to the family.