Abstract

The liverwort (Hepaticae) genus Cheilolejeunea (Spruce) Schiffn. (Lejeuneaceae, Jungermanniopsida) is represented by 23 species in continental Africa. Over the years the species have been variously ranked in several subgenera including Cheilolejeunea (Spruce) Schiffn., Euosmolejeunea Schiffn. and Strepsilejeunea (Spruce) Schiffn. The stem, lobule and perianth characters once thought to be typical of the infrageneric associations are variable. In this study, morphological data were used to establish the taxonomy of Cheilolejeunea and the closely associated genus Leucolejeunea A. Evans in Africa. Phenetic data analysis of 21 Cheilolejeunea and three Leucolejeunea species separated Cheilolejeunea species into four clusters representing subgenera Strepsilejeunea, Cheilolejeunea, Euosmolejeunea and Xenolejeunea. In addition, the species Leucolejeunea rotundistipula is transferred to Cheilolejeunea. The ecological importance of the genus was assessed along the disturbance gradient in Kakamega (Kenya) and Budongo(Uganda) tropical lowland rain forests. Ecological results indicate high diversity of Cheilolejeunea species in young and disturbed open forests compared to advanced secondary forests.