| Dactyloradula | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Marchantiophyta |
| Class: | Jungermanniopsida |
| Order: | Radulales |
| Family: | Radulaceae |
| Genus: | Dactyloradula (Devos, M.A.M.Renner, Gradst., A.J.Shaw & Vanderp.) M.A.M.Renner & Gradst. |
| Species: | D. brunnea
|
| Binomial name | |
| Dactyloradula brunnea (Steph.) M.A.M.Renner & Gradst.
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Dactyloradula is a liverwort genus in the family Radulaceae, containing the single species Dactyloradula brunnea. The species is endemic to Japan, though a disjunct population was historically known from Oregon in the western United States. The species typically grows as an epiphyte on tree bark in temperate forests, particularly in subalpine regions, and occasionally on rock faces. First described in 1910 as a species of Radula, it was elevated to genus status in 2022 based on its distinctive morphological features and ancient evolutionary history. The genus is characterised by its bistratose stem cortex, finger-like appendages at the base of its leaf lobules, and regular production of specialised branches called amentulose (reduced-leaf) shoots. Molecular studies indicate that Dactyloradula represents one of the earliest diverging lineages within Radulaceae, having separated from other members of the family about 133 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period.