Evolutionary leverage of dissilient genera of Pleuroweisieae (Pottiaceae) evaluated with Shannon-Turing analysis

Abstract

  Evolutionary leverage is the average of total transformational trait changes among species in a dissilient (radiative) genus or larger, integral taxonomic group. It is proposed as a measure of evolutionary success in modern environments. Comparing evolutionary leverage aids in measuring potential evolutionary coherency and ecological success among taxonomic groups, here exemplified with Pleuroweisieae and Barbuloideae of Pottiaceae and genera of Streptotrichaceae (all Bryophyta). Shannon-Turing analysis—calculation using summed informational bits and sequential Bayes—translates to relative support for order and coherence of species in dissilient (radiative) genera. Hymenostylium gracillimum (Pottiaceae) is transferred to Ardeuma, while H. xerophilum and H. hildebrandtii (Merceyopsis hymenostylioides as synonym) are transferred to Eobryum. These three possess the primitive trait of a stem central strand in Pleuroweisieae. The genus Ozobryum is resurrected from synonymy with Molendoa.