ABSTRACT

Introduction

The aims of this study were to help clarify the identification of Sphagnum balticum in Britain, to review its distribution, and to investigate the possible presence of hybrids between it and either S. cuspidatum or S. fallax.

Methods

All sites at which Sphagnum balticum has been recorded recently in Britain were visited in 2020, and a search made for it and other species with which it could be confused, together with possible hybrids. Samples were collected when suitable material was found. DNA was extracted from 31 shoots, each representing one field sample. Fifteen microsatellites that have been developed for Sphagnum species were amplified and genotyped. The genetic structure of the data was investigated using principal coordinate analysis and cluster analysis.

Results

The results of the genetic analysis support the recognition of four taxa, which corresponded to four morphologically identified taxa: Sphagnum angustifolium, S. balticum, S. cuspidatum and S. fallax. There was no evidence of hybrids. Over-recording of S. balticum has occurred in Britain due to confusion with some forms of S. cuspidatum and S. fallax, which can exhibit some morphological characters usually used to identify S. balticum. An illustrated identification key is provided to help solve this problem.

Conclusions

Sphagnum balticum is a very rare species in Britain that has undergone a decline due to habitat destruction and alteration. It is presently known to survive at only three sites, of which two are within protected areas.

中文翻译：

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英国Sphagnum balticum (Russow) CEOJensen的鉴定和分布

摘要

介绍

这项研究的目的是帮助澄清英国的Sphagnum balticum的鉴定，回顾其分布，并调查其与Sphagnum cuspidatum或S.fallax之间可能存在的杂交种。

方法

2020 年，英国对最近记录到的波罗的海泥炭藓的所有地点进行了考察，并对它和其他可能与它混淆的物种以及可能的杂交种进行了搜索。当找到合适的材料时收集样品。从 31 个芽中提取 DNA，每个芽代表一个田间样本。对为泥炭藓物种开发的 15 个微卫星进行了扩增和基因分型。使用主坐标分析和聚类分析研究数据的遗传结构。

结果

遗传分析的结果支持对四个类群的识别，这四个类群对应于四个形态学上识别的类群：Sphagnum angustifolium、S. balticum、S. cuspidatum和S. Fallax。没有证据表明存在杂交。由于与某些形式的S. cuspidatum和S. Fallax混淆， S. balticum在英国出现了过度记录，后者可以表现出一些通常用于识别S. balticum 的形态特征。提供了图解识别密钥来帮助解决这个问题。

结论

波罗的海泥炭藓是英国的一种非常稀有的物种，由于栖息地的破坏和改变，其数量已经减少。目前已知它仅在三个地点生存，其中两个位于保护区内。