Tasmanian Herbarium, P.O. Box 5058, UTAS LPO, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7005, Australia
* (1913–2001)
Cite as: R.D.Seppelt & I.G.Stone (2016), Australian Mosses Online 70. Fissidentaceae. Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra. Version 16 June 2016. http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/Mosses_online/70_V2_Fissidentaceae.html
This treatment of the family Fissidentaceae, originally intended for publication in Flora of Australia, is based on a manuscript prepared by Ilma Stone in 1992, and substantially updated in 1998. The authors of that early treatment, Ilma Stone and David Catcheside, are both deceased.
Since the preparation of the original manuscript, the infrageneric classification of Fissidens has altered considerably, along with the recognition of many new taxa and new synonyms, while the monogeneric Nanobryaceae has been subsumed into the Fissidentaceae. Therefore, an up-to-date, illustrated treatment of the most diverse moss genus in the Australian flora was clearly long overdue.
To accommodate recent revisions and records, a new treatment of the Australian Fissidentaceae has been prepared by Rodney D. Seppelt for publication in Australian Mosses Online, drawing heavily on the pioneering work of Ilma Stone. Descriptions of taxa have been expanded, all taxa are or will be fully illustrated, and a new key to species has been constructed. Over many years, Ilma Stone collected hundreds of Fissidens specimens, with particular emphasis on the tropical and subtropical regions of Australia. The subtropics support the richest Fissidens flora, and the majority of Ilma's specimens were of species that have proved to be notoriously variable and difficult to identify with certainty. Many challenges lie ahead, and updates to this treatment can be expected.
Jessica Beever, who collaborated with Ilma Stone and has recently published her revision of Fissidens for the New Zealand Flora, has freely shared her knowledge and experience with me, and for this I am particularly grateful. Ida Bruggeman-Nannenga and the late Ron Pursell have also provided much advice and help. In Australia, Andi Cairns, David Meagher, Andrew Franks and Alison Downing have contributed recent collections for study (particularly from subtropical Queensland) and much stimulating discussion on species variability. Jean Jarman and Lyn Cave have provided specimens and advice on temperate taxa, particularly from Tasmania. Finally, I am grateful for financial assistance provided by the Australian Biological Resources Study and for the editorial skills of Patrick McCarthy.
16 June 2016
