Paraphymatoceros proskaueri (Stotler, Crandall-Stotler & W. T. Doyle) J. C. Villarreal & Cargill
Description: Paraphymatoceros proskaueri is a relatively newly described species, recently separated from Paraphymatoceros pearsonii. It is a dioicous species, with separate male plants, which are said to be significantly smaller (0.3-0.8 mm) than female plants (1.5-2mm). Both sexes form disc-shaped tubers at the lobe tips and along the margins on tiny dwarf branches. This may or may not be diagnostic. Sporophytes are short, 0.7-1.7 cm at maturity, turning yellow then brown at the tips when spores are mature. Spores are yellow to brown, with warts on the distal surface and a few smaller bumps (papillae) on the proximal surfaces. Pseudoelaters are 2-3 celled. Here in Santa Barabara County, I have found definitive Paraphymatoceros proskaueri with sporophytes at only one location. I have found what I believe to be vegetative plants at several locations, and what may be hybrids between Paraphymatoceros proskaueri and Paraphymatoceros pearsonii at several others.
Key Characters:
- Thallus: solid (no cavities), strap-like, females 1.5-2 mm, males 0.3-0.8 mm
- Tubers: flattened disks at lobe tips and along margins on dwarf branches
- Sporophytes: 0.7-1.27 cm long
- Spores: yellow to brown, distal face with 13-30 warts, proximal face with 4-10 papillae
- Pseudoelaters: 2-3 cells (but may disintegrate)
- Chloroplasts: usually 1/cell, without pyrenoids
Scroll down for photos illustrating habitat, form, tubers, chloroplasts, pseudoelaters and spores (click to enlarge).
Bryophytes of Santa Barbara 