Catagoniaceae


Catagoniaceae is a small family of mosses in the order Hypnales, distinguished by its hypnoid peristome characterized by well-developed, ornamented exostomial teeth and leaves with double costae. Species typically grow in compact tufts or dense mats on various substrates, including tree trunks, rocks, and soil. The family has a disjunct distribution, primarily found in South America and Oceania. In Brazil, these mosses inhabit diverse vegetation types such as ombrophilous forests and high-altitude environments.

Morphology

Catagoniaceae species are relatively small, forming dense green mats. They feature:
  • Ascending stems with irregular or simple branching
  • Cylindrical or flattened shoots
  • Rhizoids with projections at the stem base
  • Clustered oblong-ovate to elliptic leaves with abruptly apiculate tips
  • Dioicous sexuality
  • A double-layered peristome

    Distribution

Phytogeographic Domains

In Brazil, recorded in:
The family is monogeneric, containing only Catagonium with nine recognized species:
  • Catagonium brevicaudatum
  • Catagonium emarginatum S.H.Lin
  • Catagonium nitens Cardot
  • Catagonium nitidum Broth.
  • Catagonium politum Dusén ex Broth.
  • Catagonium serrulatum Broth.
  • Catagonium mucronatum Broth.
  • Catagonium gracile Broth.
  • Catagonium complanatum Broth.

    Phylogeny

Catagoniaceae belongs to the Hypnales order, a monophyletic group of pleurocarpous mosses. Molecular studies suggest close relationships with Brachytheciaceae and Hypnaceae, though robust phylogenetic data remain limited. The family was established to accommodate Catagonium, previously classified in other Hypnalean families.