Format: ORAL

Rafael Medina1, Matthew G. Johnson2, Nikisha Patel3, Nicholas Wilding4, Yang Liu5, Bernard Goffinet5

1 Departamento de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución. Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Madrid. Spain 2 Department of Biological Sciences. Texas Tech University. Lubbock TX. USA 3 Department of Biology. Trinity College. Hartford CT. USA 4 UMR PVBMT, Pôle de Protection des Plantes. University of La Réunion. Saint-Pierre, Réunion. France 5 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. University of Connecticut. Storrs CT. USA

Traditionally, morphology played a pivotal role in shaping bryophyte taxonomy until the advent of the molecular phylogenetic revolution, substantially impacting their systematics. The integration of morphology and sequence data, while occasionally feasible, often remains elusive in select groups, likely due to the constrained morphospace of their anatomy and the prevalence of homoplasy. Here, we delve into the transformative influence of molecular investigations on classical generic concepts within the moss family Funariaceae. Despite the general conservation of moss sporophyte architecture driven by selective pressures for efficient spore dispersion, the Funariaceae exhibit an exceptionally diverse sporophytic generation. Historically, generic assignment relied on specific trait combinations, resulting in the recognition of 17 genera, including three specious onesFunaria, Entosthodon, and Physcomitriumand 14 paucispecific genera. Many of the latter were established to reflect intuitively unique morphological variations, typified by single or very few species, such as for Physcomitrella, harboring the model taxon P. patens. However, a series of molecular phylogenetic studies at different scales has substantially reshaped the taxonomic landscape within the Funariaceae. These investigations have unveiled novel insights: For example, most highly reduced sporophyte morphologies reflect a recurrent syndrome within the family, lacking predictive value of systematic affinities. Secondly, certain taxa arise from hybridization events, exhibiting combinations of morphological traits that may or may not align with the progenitor species. Additionally, what seemed like a coherent lineage, Entosthodon, reveals itself as two separate groups (Entosthodon s.s. and Physcomitrellopsis) diverging 30 mya. While proposing a novel generic synopsis consolidating the familys diversity into seven genera was feasible, achieving a complete integration between morphology and molecular systematics remains a partially realized goal. The refinement of Funariaceae taxonomy remains an ongoing challenge, prompting future inquiries to uncover overlooked synapomorphies that complement the evolutionary narratives elucidated by molecular data.