ITS sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA support the generic placement and the disjunct range of Plagiochila (Adelanthus) carringtonii

According to phylogenetic analyses of nrDNA ITS1 and ITS2 sequences (including the 5.8S unit) Plagiochila carringtonii and P carringtonii subsp, lobuchensis form a monophyletic lineage, Plagiochilo carringtonii is sister to P sandei, type species of P. sect. Cucullatae, and is placed in a clade with P. asplenioides and P porelloides of sect. Plagiochila. A placement of Plagiochila (Adelanthus) carringtonii in another genus is clearly rejected by Kishino-Hasegawa-tests. Infraspecific ITS variation in Plagiochila can be high and potentially provides a tool for the analysis of dispersal events.