Desmophlebiaceae and Desmophlebium: A new family and genus of Eupolypod II ferns

Abstract

Based on an analysis of five plastid markers (atpA, atpB, rbcL, rps4‐trnS, trnL/trnL‐trnF), we show that Diplazium lechleri is sister to a clade formed by the Hemidictyaceae and Aspleniaceae. Thus, it does not belong to the Athyriaceae where previously classified. A new family, Desmophlebiaceae, and a new genus, Desmophlebium, are described to accommodate this relationship. Morphologically, Desmophlebium is distinguished from Diplazium by the combination of thick 1‐pinnate laminae, entire pinnae, decurrent distal pinnae, conform lamina apices (i.e., the terminal segment is similar to the lateral pinnae), and the presence of a submarginal connecting vein. On the basis of morphology, we also assign Diplazium longisorum to the new family and genus. Accordingly, the new combinations Desmophlebium lechleri and D. longisorum are provided. A lectotype is designated for Diplazium parallelogrammum, a synonym of Desmophlebium lechleri. Desmophlebium grows in humid forests from 125 to 1900 m. Desmophlebium lechleri occurs from Panama to north‐central and northeastern Brazil, and D. longisorum occurs in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

A community‐derived classification for extant lycophytes and ferns

“…Mynssen, A.Vasco, Sylvestre, R.C.Moran & Rouhan (≡ Asplenium lechleri Mett.). Circumscription sensu Mynssen et al (). Only one species included in a phylogenetic analysis, but assumed to be monophyletic based on morphological evidence (Mynssen et al, ).…”

“…Circumscription sensu Mynssen et al (). Only one species included in a phylogenetic analysis, but assumed to be monophyletic based on morphological evidence (Mynssen et al, ). Two species. …”

Fern and lycophyte flora of Acre state, Brazil

“…Characterized by two vascular bundles in thick petiole bases; imparipinnate laminae; alternate pinnae with the distal ones decurrent, and veins connected at the tips by a continuous submarginal vein (Mynssen et al, 2016). Non-clathrate rhizome scales will help distinguish this species from the Asplenium, which also have linear sori.…”

“…It also resembles Diplazium (Athyriaceae) but differs by sori not diplazioid (i.e., paired back-to-back along the same vein), and the presence of a submarginal connecting vein. This family was recently described by Mynssen et al (2016). It was segregated from the Athyriaceae.…”

State of the art and perspectives on neotropical fern and lycophyte systematics

“…While there is reasonable phylogenetic knowledge available today and many significant changes have been made in the classification of ferns and lycophytes, the following non‐exhaustive list of studies (with significant neotropical sampling) shows that few present a thorough sampling of studied taxa: Anemiaceae − Labiak et al, ; Aspleniaceae − Murakami & Schaal, ; Murakami et al, ; Schneider et al, ; Dyer et al, ; Athyriaceae − Mynssen et al, ; Cibotiaceae − Geiger et al, ; Korall et al, ; Culcitaceae and Lophosoriaceae − Korall et al, ; Cyatheaceae − Korall et al, ; Korall & Pryer, ; Wolf et al, ; Dennstaedtiaceae − Wolf et al, ; Dryopteridaceae − Little & Barrington, ; Skog et al, ; Vasco et al, ; Moran et al, ; Guillou, 2011, unpublished data; Sessa et al, ; Lóriga et al, ; Labiak et al, ; McHenry & Barrington, ; Moran & Labiak, ; Vasco et al, ; Liu et al, ; Moran & Labiak, ; Equisetaceae − Des Marais et al, ; Hymenophyllaceae − Dubuisson et al, ; Hennequin et al, ; Isoetaceae − Hoot et al, ; Lindsaeaceae − Lehtonen et al, ; Lomariopsidaceae − Rouhan et al, ; Hennequin et al, ; Christenhusz et al, ; Lycopodiaceae − Wikström & Kenrick, , ; Field et al, ; Lygodiaceae − Madeira et al, ; Marattiaceae − Christenhusz et al, ; Murdock, ; Marsileaceae − Nagalingum et al, , 2008; Metaxyaceae − Cárdenas et al, ; Ophioglossaceae − Hauk et al, ; Osmundaceae − Yatabe et al, ; Metzgar et al, ; Polypodiaceae − Schneider et al, ; Kreier & Schneider, ; Schneider et al, ; Salino et al, ; Lehnert et al, ; Otto et al, ; Labiak et al, , ; Sundue et al, , ,…”