Biosystematics study of Plagiomnium in North of Iran

The genus Plagiomnium (Mniaceae) of mosses embraces about 34 species in the world out of which seven species are mainly distributed in the northern forest areas of Iran. The aim of this study is biosystematics survey on this genus by the help of numerical taxonomy as well as palynological methods within the natural habitats of the Hyrcanian regions in Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan provinces (north of Iran). After collection of samples from natural habitats, they were transferred to the laboratory, and were examined and analyzed. In this research, 38 qualitative and quantitative morphometrical traits belonging to three species of Plagiomnium were studied. Also, by investigated spores of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), it was determined that, spores were spherical, exine surface granulated, and sculptures were gemmate type. By using Cluster Analysis (CA), and Principle Component Analysis (PCA), the relationships between the Plagiomnium species were studied and it was determined that, the numerical taxonomy as well as palynological study are able to classify Plagiomnium species.