The sporophyte-less filmy fern of eastern North America Trichomanes intricatum (Hymenophyllaceae) has the chloroplast genome of an Asian species

Trichomanes intricatum, the sporophyte-less filmy fern of the eastern United States, has been considered to be a species whose sporophyte generation has become extinct or is possibly still present among the many species of Trichomanes s.l. in the new world tropics but unable to grow in a temperate climate. A close relationship to Asian species has heretofore not been considered. Comparison of rbcL and rps4-trnS sequences to species of Trichomanes s.l. reveals that T. intricatum shares its chloroplast genome with Crepidomanes schmidtianum of eastern Asia. Because C. schmidtianum is a sterile triploid and the ploidy level of T. intricatum is unknown, several scenarios leading to their sharing of these maternally inherited genes must be explored.     

New species of ferns (Polypodiopsida) from Ecuador

The following new species of ferns are described and illustrated: Arachniodes squamulosa, Cyathea halonata, C. punctata, Polypodium fayorum , and Trichomanes paucisorum.     

A global molecular phylogeny of the fern genus Trichomanes (Hymenophyllaceae) with special reference to stem anatomy

To establish a basis for future taxonomic revisions and to infer the evolutionary traits of Trichomanes s.l. , one of two large filmy fern genera, molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted using chloroplast rbcL sequences. Sampling covered most of the global distribution range of this genus throughout the tropical and temperate zones, as well as all taxonomically significant species by the addition of 51 samples principally from Asia. The evolution of eight selected characters, which were adopted as taxonomic keys and/or putatively reflect morphological regression, was optimized on the retrieved most parsimonious rbcL trees, together with new observations on the stem anatomy of 45 species. The eight robust clades retrieved within Trichomanes in the rbcL phylogeny conflict with the existing classifications. Our results also suggest that the cup-shaped sorus, the primary diagnostic character of the genus, appears in parallel in the Hymenophyllum lineage, as demonstrated by Pleuromanes (typified by Trichomanes pallidum ) included in the lineage. The suggestion that the regressive character states are homoplastic apomorphies in the evolution of the frond size, stem thickness, root system, and stem anatomy (stele and cortex) probably illustrates a strong tendency towards adaptive evolutionary transition in Trichomanes . © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 1–27.     

Trichomanes resinosum (Hymenophyllaceae), a new species from southern Venezuela and adjacent Guyana

A new species,Trichomanes resinosum, is described and compared to two similar species,T. elegans Rich. andT. rigidum Sw., with which it has been confused.     

THE APOGAMOUS LIFE CYCLE OF TRICHOMANES PINNATUM—A CONFIRMATION OF KLEKOWSKI'S PREDICTIONS ON HOMOEOLOGOUS PAIRING

The gametophyte of Trichomanes pinnatum is filamentous save for its club-shaped archegoniophores. Gametangial structure is consistent with that of related species. The apogamous embryo originates from the archegonial jacket and contiguous tissue such that there is no external indication of apogamy. The life cycle follows the Döpp-Manton scheme. Specimens were studied which were homozygous for a paracentric inversion and these showed chromosomal bridges and associated fragments at meiosis-I, thus confirming cytologically the occurrence of homoeologous pairing.     

Six new species and two new records of (Pteridophyta) from Costa Rica

Six new species of Pteridophyta from Costa Rica are described: Dryopteris flaccisquama A. Rojas, Hypolepis lellingeri A. Rojas, H. moraniana A. Rojas, Melpomene alan-smithii A. Rojas, Selaginella osa?nsis A. Rojas and Terpsichore esquiveliana A. Rojas. Blechnum stoloniferum (Mett. ex E. Fourn.) C. Chr. and Trichomanes micayense Hieron. are new records for the country. Only D. flaccisquama and M. alan-smithii are present outside Costa Rica.     

Un antico relitto atlantico ai piedi delle Alpi Apuane: Trichomanes speciosum Willd., entità nuova per la flora italiana

Abstract

An Atlantic relict on the Apuan Alps: Trichomanes speciosum Willd., new to Italy.—In Versilia, at the foot of the Apuan Alps, has been found the fern Trichomanes speciosum Willd., new genus for the Italian flora and old relict witness, like Hymenophyllum tunbrigense (L.) Smith, of an Atlantic climate which still persists in deep valleys, dug on paleozoic quartz schists, on the tirrenic coast of the Apuan Alps.     

ALTERNATION OF GENERATIONS IN FERNS: MECHANISMS AND SIGNIFICANCE

Arguments against the compiling of generalized life cycles summarizing alternation of generations in ferns are presented, and some common misconceptions about breeding systems addressed. What little is known or can be deduced about time frames, mechanisms and significance of alternation events in the lives of two species: bracken fern ( Pteridium ) and Killarney fern ( Trichomanes speciosum ) is presented. Evidence is provided that gametophytes may play a more important role in survival of both these species than previously suspected, and the need for more long-term studies and experiments/measurements of ferns in natural conditions/populations is stressed.     

Systematic relationships within the genus Trichomanes sensu lato (Hymenophyllaceae, Filicopsida): cladistic analysis based on anatomical and morphological data

Systematics within the genus Trichomanes sensu lato (Hymenophyllaceae, Filicopsida) have continued to be controversial because of the difficulty in identifying homologies and informative characters within high morphological diversity. Systematic relationships are investigated in this study by using a cladistic approach with 31 anatomical and morphological characters from 20 taxa which correspond to the sections defined by Morton. The results broadly confirm Morton's four subgenera: Trichomanes, Didymoglossum, Pachychaetum and Achomanes. The monophyly of Pachychaetum remains fragile and the section Lacostea appears to be excluded from its traditional subgenus (Achomanes). In addition, by producing two major 'ecological' clades (terrestrial and epiphytic), the analysis shows that several selected characters appear to be strongly linked with the ecology which may have a significant influence on the topology.     

A review of progress towards the conservation of the Killarney Fern (Trichomanes speciosum Willd.) in the British Isles

Summary

The Killarney Fern (Trichomanes speciosum) was considered amongst the rarest and most vulnerable of Europe's plants. Research which fed into the Biodiversity Action Plan and developed alongside it, has forced us to reconsider the level of threat to this species. A hitherto overlooked stage of the life-cycle, the gametophyte, has been shown to be comparatively abundant, genetically diverse, largely threat-free and with the potential over time to regenerate the familiar sporophyte stage. This research also promoted wider public interest which itself generated additional records, such that even the sporophyte is now known at more British sites than at any time previously and the species is accordingly considered ‘recovered’. However, continued legal protection and the need for further research are still recommended.     

福建蕨类植物新资料

对凤丫蕨属(裸子蕨科)井冈山凤丫蕨一新变型,即条纹凤丫蕨(Coniogramme jinggangshanensis Ching et Shing f.zebrina X.X.Wang et M.M.Lin)和福建新记录种漏斗瓶蕨(Trichomanes naseana),碗蕨(Dennstaedtia scabra),桃花岛鳞毛蕨(Dryopteris hondoensis)和尖齿拟水龙骨(Polypodiastrum argutum)进行了报道.     

Studies in the systematics of filmy ferns

The involucres in the Hymenophyllaceae were studied morphologically. Comparisons were made among the various forms of mature involucres found in species throughout the family. Histological and organogenetic observations were made on three forms of involucres exhibited by the bivalvate involucres inHymenophyllum polyanthos andH. badium, the obconic involucres with bilabiate mouths inTrichomanes tosae, and the typically tubular involucres inT. orientale. The involucres of the Hymenophyllaceae consist of two parts, i.e. the basal cup-shaped portion and unistratose indusial flaps. These observations led to the conclusion that there are not two distinct types of involucres supporting a bigeneric system of classification. The sori of the Hymenophyllaceae are morphologically similar to those of the Dicksoniaceae except for the unistratose construction of the indusial flaps.     

Ecological diversity and adaptive tendencies in the tropical fern Trichomanes L. (Hymenophyllaceae) with special reference to climbing and epiphytic habits

Among the basal fern families, the Hymenophyllaceae, with more than 600 species, display a high diversity in terms of their morphology and the habitats that they occupy. We have chosen to focus on Trichomanes L., a clearly defined genus for which a phylogeny is presently being developed, to investigate the appearance of the climbing and epiphytic habits, as well as the related supposed adaptive characters. In this study we present the first review of the different ecological types within the genus: terrestrial, climbing (divided into hemi-epiphytic forms and true lianas), and epiphytic types. The study of several features concerning stem morphology and leaf size allows a proposal on relationships between ecology and plant morphology. Terrestrial species display a thick monocaulous rhizome with robust roots and short internodes. Climbing species are characterized by a branched, thick, creeping rhizome with long internodes. Epiphytic species also exhibit long, creeping and branching stems with long internodes but the rhizome is fine to filiform. Under these circumstances, there is a reduction of root system and frond size leading to dwarfism in numerous instances. This may be related to an extreme hygrophilous epiphytic strategy. Finally, hypotheses on the evolution of these habits and hence on the evolutionary relationships between ecology and characters are presented and discussed.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 142 , 41–63.     

Correlation between water relations and within-canopy distribution of epiphytic ferns in a Mexican cloud forest

The physiological traits associated with water relations of eight common epiphytic ferns in a Mexican cloud forest were investigated in relation to the distribution of these species within the canopy. Fern distribution was significantly correlated with the relative water content at which stomata close, leaf thickness, stomatal density and size. Trichomanes bucinatum desiccated completely within hours in moderately dry air and was confined to the stem bases, and Asplenium cuspidatum, with no evident adaptations to cope with drought, grew in the second most shaded zone within the tree crowns. Despite growing in a humid cloud forest, all other species had xeric adaptations including coriaceous leaves (Pleopeltis mexicana, Elaphoglossum glaucum), succulent rhizomes (Polypodium puberulum, Phlebodium areolatum), low rates of uncontrolled water loss (all species except P. puberulum), leaf scales (Elaphoglossum petiolatum, Polypodium plebeium), and high cell wall elasticity (all species). P. plebeium and Pl. mexicanum, which grow in the most exposed locations, tolerated water loss beyond the turgor loss point before the stomata closed and appear to be poikilohydric or at least to tolerate high water deficits. Received: 8 June 1997 / Accepted: 30 November 1997     

Typifications of five Linnaean fern names based on Osbeck's specimens

The nomenclatural history of five Linnaean fern names based on Osbeck's collections from China is discussed. The type status of Osbeck's specimens is discussed and types are selected for the names Blechnum orientale (Blechnaceae), Adiantum flabellulatum (Pteridaceae), Polypodium barometz (Cibotium barometz, Dicksoniaceae), Polypodium varium (Dryopteris varia, Dryopteridaceae) and Trichomanes chinense (Odontosoria chinensis, Lindsaeaceae).     

A synopsis of Jacquinia (Theophrastaceae) in the Antilles and South America

Stål, B. 1995. A synopsis of Jacquinia (Theophrastaceae) in the Antilles and South America. — Nord. J. Bot. 15: 493–511. Copenhagen. ISSN 0107–055X.
The genus Jacquinia in the Antilles and South America is revised. Twenty-two native and one introduced species are recognised. In the Greater Antilles, 11 species (six endemic) occur in Cuba, eight in Hispaniola (two endemic), five in Jamaica (two endemic), and four in Puerto Rico (none endemic). Two species (none endemic) occur in the Lesser Antilles and five (four endemic) in South America. Eighteen species are native to the Antilles and of these one, J. arborea , is shared with Central America and one, J. amzillaris , is shared with South America. No species is shared between South and Central America. One new combination, J. frutescens , is made. Several species are illustrated and distribution maps for all species are presented. A key to the species in the Antilles and South America and an index to all combinations published in Jacquinia are provided.     

Genetic relationships among South American species of Cunila D. Royen ex L. based on ISSR

Cunila species are among the commonly used South Brazilian plants in popular medicine. This genus presents two centers of distribution in North and South America; the latter being classified into three sections: Incanae, Incisae and Spicatae. Based on the prospective utility as aromatic and medicinal plants, the aim of this work was to examine the genetic diversity among the South American species to contribute to the knowledge of their botanical sections. In this context, 11 Cunila species were analyzed by ISSR using seven primers that generated a total of 107 bands. The relationship was evaluated by constructing dendrograms using the UPGMA algorithm and analysis of principal components. The cluster analysis places the species C. origanoides with the South American species, but forming an independent cluster. Remarkably, among South American species two clusters emerge, one consisting of shrubs and the second by subshrubs species, which refines the botanical taxonomy for several species of the genus.     

福建泉州爬行动物的调查及区系分析

本文报道泉州市的爬行动物共 5 8种 ,分析了这 5 8种爬行类所属的动物区系。它们当中属于古北界的仅 2种 ,属于东洋界的有 5 3种 ,其中华南区与华中区共有者 30种 ,华中区的种类 4种 ,华南区的种类有 19种 ,说明泉州市爬行类的区系组成是以华南区的种类占优势。     

浙江近海后鳃类软体动物的分布及其区系

报道了浙江近海的后鳃类97种,分别隶属于7目30科44属。其中我国沿岸广温广布种14种,主要分布于东海和南海的亚热带种50种,南海的热带种18种,渤、黄海延伸到东海北部的暖温带种15种。