Morphological and molecular studies of the Fissidens taxifolius complex from most of the parts of its distribution area (Europe, Northern America and Asia) showed that it is genetically a very variable taxon and that it seems to include more species than recognized at present. The analyses of the Canarian samples show that at least one new species can be recognized both morphologically and genetically. A clear geographical segregation of the samples has been observed. Preliminarly, it can be supposed that the dispersion pathway of the species is very complex and that the colonization of the Macaronesian Islands has occurred independently at least three times.