Dendroligotrichum is a small genus of mosses in the family Polytrichaceae (order Polytrichales, class Polytrichopsida), erected by Viktor Ferdinand Brotherus in 1905 based on earlier work by Carl Müller (Müll.Hal.). The genus is accepted by GBIF's taxonomic backbone as containing three species: Dendroligotrichum dendroides, Dendroligotrichum squamosum, and Dendroligotrichum tongariroense.
Occurrence data show the genus has a Southern Hemisphere, austral disjunct distribution, with the bulk of records coming from New Zealand and from temperate South America (Chile and Argentina), with a scattering of additional records from sub-Antarctic islands (South Georgia, the Falkland Islands) and Peru. This split range across the southern Pacific mirrors the distribution pattern seen in several other Polytrichaceae genera and in austral bryophyte floras more broadly, reflecting the historical connections among southern temperate landmasses.
As members of Polytrichaceae, mosses in this family are generally characterized by relatively large, often erect gametophytes with well-developed conducting tissue (a hydroid/leptoid strand analogous in function to vascular tissue), distinguishing them from most other mosses. Within this family, Dendroligotrichum species contribute to bryophyte-rich understories and ground cover in the cool temperate forests and subalpine/alpine habitats of its range.
Distribution
Dendroligotrichum occurs across a Southern Hemisphere austral disjunct range: GBIF occurrence data show the genus concentrated in New Zealand and temperate South America (Chile, Argentina), with minor records from sub-Antarctic islands such as South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, and from Peru.
Taxonomy Notes
The genus was published by V. F. Brotherus in 1905 (based on Carl Müller's earlier work) and sits in family Polytrichaceae, order Polytrichales. GBIF's backbone and Wikipedia both recognize three species in the genus: D. dendroides, D. squamosum, and D. tongariroense.
