ALBERT

Description: Data on structure and chemistry of oil bodies are being provided for twenty species of leafy Hepaticae, most of them belonging to Lejeuneaceae. Oil bodies are described as new for Symbiezidium, which stands out among Lejeuneaceae by its large, Bazzania-type oil bodies. The observed occurence of segmented as well as homogeneous oil bodies in Archilejeunea and Dicranolejeunea constitutes a further break-down of what was generally considered a stable generic character in Lejeuneaceae. Detected chemical compounds include a large number of unidentified terpenoids. Sesquiterpene lactones, traditionally considered important chemical markers for Frullaniaceae, were newly detected in Lepicolea (Lepicoleaceae), Clasmatocolea (Lophocoleaceae) and Omphalanthus (Lejeuneaceae). Of particular chemotaxonomic interest is the discovery of large quantities of pinguisane-type sesquiterpenes in Brachiolejeunea subg. Plicolejeunea, Trocholejeunea and Acrolejeunea, corroborating the close morphological relationship among these three groups, as well as the occurence of two morphologically and chemically distinct races in Gongylanthus granatensis. Obeserved intraspecific chemical variation in Marchesinia brachiata is considered dubious and possibly related to the different states of preservation of the material. Further taxonomic notes include new synonymy in Dicranolejeunea (D. cipaconea (Gott.) Steph. = D. circinnata (Spruce) Steph. syn. Nov.) as well as a key to the five Andean species of Omphalanthus Nees. The morphological circumscription of Omphalanthus is expanded by the inclusion of Brachiolejeunea paramicola Herz. (= O. paramicola (Herz.) Gradst. comb. nov.), characterised by the pluriplicate perianth.