A GAMETOPHYTIC EVALUATION OF THE LESKEACEAE AND RELATED FAMILIES

Abstract

  Similarity graph analysis using Gower's coefficient of similarity was performed on a group of 23 genera assembled from the Leskeaceae, Pterigynandraceae and Thuidiaceae. Results using 14 gametophytic characters support the generic placement and family limits proposed by W. R. Buck and H. Crum in 1990 with only two exceptions. Bryohaplocladium is shown to be a typical member of the Thuidiaceae, to which it is returned in this study. Pseudoleskeopsis, traditionally included in the Leskeaceae, is shown to be very distinct from all other genera in the study, and does not belong in any of the three families studied. The analyses show clearly defined subfamily structure in the Leskeaceae but not in the Pterigynandraceae.