Nova Hedwigia Vol.

91 issue 3–4, 317–348 Article

Stuttgart, November 2010

Geomolecular divergence patterns of Gondwanan and

Palaeoaustral bryophytes – An overview
Studies in austral temperate rain forest bryophytes 34

Wolfgang Frey1, Tanja Pfeiffer2 and Michael Stech3

1
Ortlerweg 39d, 12207 Berlin, Germany, wgfrey@gmx.de
2
Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universität, Institut für Botanik und Landschaftsökologie, Grimmer
Straße 88, 17487 Greifswald, Germany, tanja_pfeiffer@gmx.de
3
Netherlands Centre for Biodiversity Naturalis (section NHN), Leiden University, PO
Box 9514, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands, stech@nhn.leidenuniv.nl

With 8 figures

Frey, W., T. Pfeiffer & M. Stech (2010): Geomolecular divergence patterns of Gondwanan and
Palaeoaustral bryophytes. - An overview. Studies in austral temperate rain forest bryophytes 34. –
Nova Hedwigia 91: 317–348.
Abstract: Continental drift led to the break-up of the ancient Southern Hemisphere supercontinent
Gondwana and the Palaeoaustral region (Nothofagus region), is considered to be one of the most
influential processes shaping both the earth’s geosphere and biosphere, and it is still continuing today.
Former southernmost Gondwanaland is supposed to be the "original locus of origin" of different plant
groups, and its continental fragments are "floating Noah’s arks" (Schuster 1982), on which a conspicuous
number of palaeoendemics of Gondwanan and Palaeoaustral floras have survived. Vicariance is one
main explanation for extant disjunct distributions of Gondwanan and Palaeoaustral taxa, which either
underwent divergent evolution or remained (nearly) indistinguishable in the separated regions due to
low rates of molecular and morphological evolution. Nowadays, however, such patterns are frequently
explained by more recent or ongoing migration from one region to the other, probably through transoceanic
dispersal of diaspores (dispersalist "counter-revolution").
A small number of extant bryophyte taxa still show a presumable Gondwanan distribution pattern,
representing the Gondwanan genoelement, e.g., Haplomitrium blumei s.l. and species of the dendroid
Symphyogyna-complex. More frequent are extant bryophyte species and genera with a southern Austral
distribution pattern, a significant number of them representing the "Palaeoaustral genoelement".
Molecular investigations, especially in the BRYO AUSTRAL project (1997–2003), revealed new
insights in the geomolecular divergence patterns of Gondwanan and Palaeoaustral taxa. The Palaeoaustral
taxa can be divided into: (1) stenoevolutionary species with low rates of molecular and morphological
evolution in the palaeoaustral region, and no means of long-range dispersal (e.g., Pallavicinia xiphoides,
Hypopterygium didictyon, Lopidium concinnum), (2) species with no or little intraspecific genetic
variation, but dispersal capabilities that make genetic homogenisation of disjunct populations by gene-
flow possible (e.g., Leptotheca gaudichaudii, possibly Weymouthia spp., and (3) genera (or species)
that have differentiated into species (or subspecies), indicating that a common ancestor evolved into

© 2010 J. Cramer in Gebr. Borntraeger Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, Germany www.borntraeger-cramer.de

DOI: 10.1127/0029-5035/2010/0091-0317 0029-5035/2010/0091-0317 $ 8.00
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