Syntrichia boliviana (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta), a New Species from the Tropical Andes

A moss from the puna of Urmiri, Department of La Paz in Bolivia, is described and illustrated as the new species Syntrichia boliviana. This species is characterized by its keeled and lanceolate leaves with bistratose to tristratose laminae, plane or weakly recurved bordered margins, acute apex, dorsa I surface costal cells in the upper third like those of the lamina, and costa ending a few cells below the apex, sporophytes with a short seta, and a peristome membrane hardly projecting above the urn. Detailed light and scanning electron microscope photographs of the main characters are presented. The principal characters that separate this from similar species are briefly discussed. Syntrichia napoana, previously only known from Ecuador, is reported from Bolivia. A key to the species of Syntrichia in Bolivia is provided.