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tasmanian liverworts - metzgeriaceae
metzgeria species
In the absence of a key to Tasmanian Metzgeria a tentative (artificial) version has been compiled using as the basis ML So's revision1 for Australasia in conjunction with the Checklist2 and Meagher's key3 for Victorian species.
1. gemmae submarginal, originating 2-4 cells from recurved
dorsal margin - M. submarginata
gemmae not as above - 2
2. thallus lobed and saccate
- M. saccata
thallus not lobed or saccate - 3
3. hairs weakly to distinctly falcate, mostly paired; mid-rib with
2-3 cells dorsally & ventrally - M. leptoneura
hairs not falcate, paired and/or single - 4
4. dorsal mid-rib of 2(-3) cells, 2-4 on ventral side; marginal
hairs usually single
- M. furcata*
dorsal midrib with 3(-4) cells, 4-6 on ventral side
- M.rigida
* Meagher considers the possibility that M. furcata with 3(-4) cells on the ventral mid-rib may be distinct from M. decipiens which has only two. The Checklist includes M. conjugata which shares somewhat similar mid-rib cell arrangement.
We have also an unusual minute specimen which lacks bifurcation. We have yet to determine where it fits into the picture.
 1. M. decipiens |
 2. M. furcata |
 3. M. saccata |
References
- 1 So, M.L., Metzgeria (Hepaticae) in Australia and the
Pacific', New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2002, Vol.40:603-627
- 2 McCarthy, P.M., Checklist of Australian liverworts and hornworts, 2006
- 3 Meagher, D. 'Studies on Victorian Bryophytes 6. Key to
thallose liverworts and hornworts', Victorian Naturalist
Vol. 123(4) August 2006 p 251
- So, M.L., 'Metzgeria submarginata sp. nov., a 'new' species from Australia and New Zealand' New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2002, Vol. 40: 201-205
- da Costa, D.P., 'Morphology of Metzgeria conjugata
Lindb. (Metzgeriales, Hepaticopsida)' Tropical Bryology 6:
65-69, 1992 has a description of M. conjugata
Page URL: http://www.bluetier.org/Liverwort/metzgeriaceae.htm