Systematiek van de Hypopterygiaceae

The Hypopterygiaceae are a small family of pleurocarpous mosses. After completing a taxonomic revision of this family, its c. 160 validly published species and infraspecific taxa will be reduced to 26 species. The phylogenetic relationships between these species and with representatives of taxa that are possibly related with the Hypopterygiaceae were analyzed. It is suggested that the Hypopterygiaceae are polyphyletic, because its genus Cyathophorum seems to be closely related to the Hookeriaceae s.l. However, the phylogeny of the Hypopterygiaceae s.l. is not completely satisfactorily resolved. For a definite transfer of Cyathophorum to the Hookeriaceae s.l. further research of the relationships of the Hypopterygiaceae s.l. is necessary, and should include other possibly related pleurocarpous moss families or the use of moleculair techniques.