Saccobasis polita var. arctica (Scapaniaceae, Marchantiophyta) from Novaya Zemlya Archipelago (European Russian Arctic)

Abstract

Saccobasis polita var. arctica is firstly reported for Novaya Zemlya Archipelago, from its Yuzhny (southern) Island. It is the third record of this variety from Russia. This report is supported by comparison of ITS1-2 nrDNA and trnL-F cpDNA nucleotide sequences with known molecular data of Saccobasis polita var. arctica, and by morphological study. Distinctions from earlier described specimens and extended description of the variety supplied by photomicrographs of specimen from Novaya Zemlya are provided. The arctic plants of Saccobasis polita var. arctica have lophozioid appearance, which may results in its misidentification and distorted data on its distribution. Variation, differentiation and approaches to identification of critical specimens of S. polita var. arctica are discussed.