Phylogenetic relationships of the Hypopterygiaceae within the Bryidae were assessed by comparison of DNA sequences of the rps4 gene of the chloroplast genome. A total of 26 taxa were examined in this study. 20 taxa were newly sequenced for this analysis. The phylogenetic trees obtained from maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods were consistent in the main clades. Cyathophorum bulbosum (Hedw.) Müll.Hal. and Cyathophorum adiantum (Griff.) Mitt. are separated from the rest of the Hypopterygiaceae. The remaining genera of the Hypopterygiaceae form a monophyletic clade sister to the “pleurocarpous“ mosses, contradicting a proposed placement within the Bryales.
Bryopsida, Hypopterygiaceae, chloroplast DNA, rps4 gene, molecular systematics, cladistic analysis, phylogeny