The family Lomariopsidaceae (Filicopsida) and its probable ancestors

The family Lomariopsidaceae includes eight genera of tropical ferns– Arthrobotrya, Bolbitis, Egenolfia, Elaphoglossum, Lomagramma, Lomariopsis, Teratophyllum and Thysanosoria. Salient morphological features of the Lomariopsidaceae have been enumerated. Views of various authors postulating evolution of this family from Thelypteroid, Dryopteroid, Polystichoid or Dennstaedtioid stocks are discussed and it is concluded that they do not seem to be the ancestors of the Lomariopsidoid ferns. On the other hand, it appears, on the basis of various characters, that the Tectarioid ferns could possibly be the ancestors of the Lomariopsidaceae.