Project's information

Project's title Evolutionary differentiation of hygrophilous and xerophilous liverworts in North Indochina: Calypogeia versus Frullania subg. Thyopsiella и F. subg. Meteoriopsis
Project’s code HTQTRU01.10/20-21
Research hosting institution Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources
Coordinating unit, co-chair Russian Foundation for Basic Research
Project leader’s name Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Sinh
Project duration 01/06/2020 - 30/06/2022
Project’s budget 200 million VND
Classify Fair
Goal and objectives of the project
The objective of the project is to study the characteristics of two groups of moisture-loving and drought-tolerant species of liverworts in North Indochina: the genus Calypogeia and the subgenera of Frullania (F. subg. Thyopsiella and F. subg. Meteoriopsis) in the context of adaptation to the intersecting conditions of the Holarctic and the Paleotropics.
Main results

Scientific results: For the first time by taxonomic method based on multiple approaches diversity of the genus Calypogeia and the subgenera of Frullania (F. subg. Thyopsiella and F. subg. Meteoriopsis) has been studied, their taxonomic revisions compiled. The taxonomic significance of the known morphological features was evaluated and the new morphological features of the two groups of liverworts were explored. Research conducted has confirmed that the vast majority of newly scientifically identified species by molecular genetics can be confidently defined according to morphology and other characteristics. A taxonomy key for the genus Calypogeia has been compiled. Research has shown that diversification in these groups occurred under the influence of causes of different origin: in Calypogeia, presumably, during repeated expansions of hygrophytic mountain temperate flora from the north (mainly through the southeastern spurs of Tibet), while in Frullania subg. Meteoriopsis and F. subg. Thyopsiella as a result of pulsating changes in the distribution of clarified hardwood forests on the border of tropical and subtropical belts in the mountains.
Application: The set of 50 liverwort samples collected in Lai Chau and Lao Cai are valuable research materials for the study of liverwort taxonomy and ecology for scientists, graduates and students.
Co-operative Development: This project strengthens the cooperation between the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources and Russian scientists in the study of liverworts.

Novelty and actuality and scientific meaningfulness of the results

The project constructed a taxonomic key for the genus Calypogeia. A sample set of 50 species of liverworts belonging to the genera Calypogeia and Frullania was built for the provinces of Lai Chau and Lao Cai.

Products of the project
Published article:
(1) Bakalin V. A., K. G. Klimova, Nguyen Van Sinh (2022): A review of Calypogeia (Marchantiophyta) in the eastern Sino-Himalaya and Meta-Himalaya based mostly on types. PhytoKeys 153: 111–154 (2020). Doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.153.52920.
(2) Vadim A. Bakalin, Anna A. Vilnet, Seung Se Choi and Van Sinh  Nguyen (2020): Blepharostoma trichophyllum S.L. (Marchantiophyta): The Complex of Sibling Species and Hybrids. Plants(MDPI), 9(11): 1423, 2020 
Products: A set of 50 samples have been processed for long-term storage for research and study.
Recommendations

The liverwort flora of Vietnam is rich. Russian scientists are highly qualified, in-depth specialized, enthusiastic in scientific research, ready to share experiences with Vietnamese scientists. It is necessary to continue research cooperation in order to improve the professional qualification of Vietnamese scientists.
The project has completed the research and has enough main products. We request management agencies at all levels to to approve it.