Alexandre Salino

A community-derived classification for extant lycophytes and ferns

Phylogeny has long informed pteridophyte classification. As our ability to infer evolutionary trees has improved, classifications aimed at recognizing natural groups have become increasingly predictive and stable. Here, we provide a modern, comprehensive classification for lycophytes and ferns, down to the genus level, utilizing a community‐based approach. We use monophyly as the primary criterion for the recognition of taxa, but also aim to preserve existing taxa and circumscriptions that are both widely accepted and consistent with our understanding of pteridophyte phylogeny. In total, this classification treats an estimated 11 916 species in 337 genera, 51 families, 14 orders, and two classes. This classification is not intended as the final word on lycophyte and fern taxonomy, but rather a summary statement of current hypotheses, derived from the best available data and shaped by those most familiar with the plants in question. We hope that it will serve as a resource for those wanting references to the recent literature on pteridophyte phylogeny and classification, a framework for guiding future investigations, and a stimulus to further discourse.

Diversity of ferns and lycophytes in Brazil

This compilation of ferns and lycophytes in Brazil is an update of the one published in 2010 in Catalogo de Plantas e Fungos do Brasil. The methodology consisted in collecting data from regional checklists, taxonomic revisions, and selected databases. Invited specialists improved the list accessing a website housed at the Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. The results show 1,253 species: 1,111 of ferns and 142 of lycophytes. This number is 6.5% higher than the previous one (1,176 spp.). The percentage of endemic species decreased from 38.2% to 36.7%. We recognized 36 families and 133 genera (vs. 33 families, 121 genera in 2010). The 10 most diverse families are Pteridaceae (196 spp.), Dryopteridaceae (179), Polypodiaceae (164), Hymenophyllaceae (90), Thelypteridaceae (86), Aspleniaceae (78), Lycopodiaceae (64), Selaginellaceae (55), Anemiaceae (51), and Cyatheaceae (45). The three most diverse genera are still Elaphoglossum (87 spp.), Thelypteris (85), and Asplenium (74). The richest phytogeographic domain continues to be in the Atlantic Rainforest with 883 species which also has the largest number of endemic and threatened species, followed by the Amazon Rainforest (503), Cerrado (269), Pantanal (30), Caatinga (26), and Pampa (eight). Minas Gerais remains as the richest state (657 spp. vs. 580 in 2010).

Species richness of pteridophytes in a montane Atlantic rain forest plot of Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT – (Species richness of pteridophytes in a montane Atlantic rain forest plot of Southern Brazil). A floristic survey ofpteridophytes (ferns and fern allies) was carried out in a 1ha plot in the Pico do Marumbi State Park, Morretes, State of Parana, SouthernBrazil. The study area is covered with a closed ombrophilous forest (Brazilian Atlantic Forest) and lies approximately 630 m inelevation. All species and life-forms of pteridophytes growing in the plot were registered and most of them were collected for taxonomicidentification. A total of 81 species, belonging to 17 families were registered. The richest were Polypodiaceae (12 species),Hymenophyllaceae (11) and Lomariopsidaceae (11). The richest genera were Asplenium (ten species), Elaphoglossum (10) and Trichomanes (six). Life-form composition was: epiphytes (49 species), terrestrials (28), lithophytes (two), epiphytes/terrestrials/lithophytes (one)and epiphytes/lithophytes (one). No hemiepiphytes were found. Terrestrials included herbaceous (22 species), arborescent (four) andclimbing (two). Species richness of the plot can be considered as high when compared to other neotropical sites.

Composição, diversidade e distribuição geográfica de plantas vasculares de uma Floresta Ombrófila Densa Atlântica do Sudeste do Brasil

In the Montane and Submontane Rain Forest of the Carlos Botelho State Park - PECB (ca. 37,000 ha) the composition, richness and geographical distribution of native, vascular forest species was evaluated. The analysis of 1143 species of 140 families supported the pattern found for other forests of Eastern Brazil, showing high species richness of Myrtaceae (85 species), Orchidaceae (81), Fabaceae (57), Asteraceae, Melastomataceae (54), Lauraceae (53), Rubiaceae (51), Bromeliaceae (43), Piperaceae (30) and Solanaceae (25), besides ferns (123). The most species-rich genera were Eugenia (34), Ocotea (26), Leandra, Myrcia, Vriesea (18), Piper, Solanum (16), Miconia (14), Mollinedia (13), and Peperomia (12). The richness and composition varied greatly among life forms, as well as the number of families represented in each one of them (only Rubiaceae had species in all life forms, except parasites). Trees had the largest contribution of total richness (39.1%), a value that represented more than 20% of the species listed for the whole Atlantic Forest of Southeastern Brazil. Trees were followed by epiphytes (22.4%), herbs (18.4%), shrubs (10.1%), lianas (9.1%), and parasites (0.9%). The overall richness and composition of life forms was quite close to other neotropical forests (e.g. high contribution of ferns among epiphytes), although some life forms remain undersampled in the PECB (mainly herbs, lianas and epiphytes). The occurrence of species endemic to the Atlantic Forest was pronounced (65%), with a predominance of species restricted to the Southern Atlantic Forest (43%). Pantropical species were rare (2%), being more common among ferns. Myrtaceae and Melastomataceae were the families with greater number and proportion of endemic species.

Pteridófitas do Parque Estadual do Jacupiranga, SP, Brasil

ABSTRACT – (Pteridophytes of Jacupiranga S tate Park, Sao Paulo S tate, Brazil). A floristic survey was carried out of the pteridophytesfrom Jacupiranga State Park, located in the municipal districts of Barra do Turvo, Cajati, Cananeia, Eldorado, Iporanga and Jacupiranga,in southern Sao Paulo state. Collecting was done in March and April/2005; voucher specimens are deposited in the BHCB, ESA, SPSFand UEC herbaria. Two hundred and twelve taxa (207 species, one subspecies and four varieties) distributed in 24 families and 65 generawere recorded. The most representative families were Thelypteridaceae with 23 species and three varieties and Polypodiaceae with 23species. The richest genera were Thelypteris with 22 species and three varieties and Asplenium with 18 species and one variety. Asregards life form, of the 212 taxa, 122 are terrestrial, 65 epiphytes, 17 lithophytes, three creepers and five with more than one habitat.The species Diplazium rieddelianum Kunze, Stigmatopteris ulei

Flora vascular do Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho, São Paulo, Brasil

Located in the Serra de Paranapiacaba, South of Sao Paulo State, the Carlos Botelho State Park (PECB) shelters more than 37,000 ha of Atlantic Forest in one of the most important and large remnants of this Biome in Brazil. In the Park the Montane and Submontane rain forests are the predominant types of forests. Aiming to organize the available floristic information and to orient future surveys, this study presents the list of native vascular species of the PECB forests. Besides authors´ personal collections, more than 3,900 records since 1967 were compiled. Coming from different sources of information, these records were checked for the presence of botanical synonyms and new combinations. A total of 1,143 species belonging to 528 genera and 140 families were listed (other 63 species were not included because they were non-native or of doubtful occurrence/determination). There was a great richness of Myrtaceae, Orchidaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Melastomataceae, Lauraceae, Rubiaceae and Bromeliaceae. Although high species richness was found, the richness of herbs, lianas and epiphytes are certainly underestimated and future surveys will add many species to the list presented here. In addition, more than 60 endangered species were found, mainly among the Myrtaceae, Lauraceae and Gesneriaceae families. Therefore, these results put the PECB among the most species-rich conservation units of Sao Paulo state with great relevance to national conservancy of plant diversity.

A New Species of Microgramma (Polypodiaceae) from Brazil and Recircumscription of the Genus Based on Phylogenetic Evidence

Abstract We describe a new species of Microgramma (M. microsoroides) from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, present a phylogeny of Microgramma, and provide a new generic circumscription. Microgramma comprises ca. 30 species in the Neotropics and perhaps two species in Africa and on islands in the Indian Ocean. Several species are contentious with regard to generic placement, and have been treated within Pleopeltis, Polypodium, and Solanopteris. From all known species of Microgramma, the new species differs by the sori forming irregular rows between adjacent primary veins. This finding is quite surprising, inasmuch as all other species in the genus have sori in two very strict rows, one row on each side of the midrib. The monophyly of Microgramma, as newly redefined, is strongly supported in chloroplast DNA-based phylogenetic analyses, using the genes rbcL and rps4, the rps4–trnS intergenic spacer, and the trnL–trnF intergenic spacer on 13 samples from 12 species. The new species is nested within Microgramma as sister to Microgramma megalophylla. Recognition of the relationships of M. microsoroides calls into question certain soral characters traditionally used to define genera of Polypodiaceae, as well as genera of ferns in other families. Sorus placement is notoriously variable in some genera and in many different families of Polypodiales.

Towards a phylogenetic generic classification of Thelypteridaceae: Additional sampling suggests alterations of neotropical taxa and further study of paleotropical genera

Thelypteridaceae is one of the largest fern families, having about 950 species and a cosmopolitan distribution but with most species occurring in tropical and subtropical regions. Its generic classification remains controversial, with different authors recognizing from one up to 32 genera. Phylogenetic relationships within the family have not been exhaustively studied, but previous studies have confirmed the monophyly of the lineage. Thus far, sampling has been inadequate for establishing a robust hypothesis of infrafamilial relationships within the family. In order to understand phylogenetic relationships within Thelypteridaceae and thus to improve generic reclassification, we expand the molecular sampling, including new samples of Old World taxa and, especially, many additional neotropical representatives. We also explore the monophyly of exclusively or mostly neotropical genera Amauropelta, Goniopteris, Meniscium, and Steiropteris. Our sampling includes 68 taxa and 134 newly generated sequences from two plastid genomic regions (rps4-trnS and trnL-trnF), plus 73 rps4 and 72 trnL-trnF sequences from GenBank. These data resulted in a concatenated matrix of 1980 molecular characters for 149 taxa. The combined data set was analyzed using maximum parsimony and bayesian inference of phylogeny. Our results are consistent with the general topological structure found in previous studies, including two main lineages within the family: phegopteroid and thelypteroid. The thelypteroid lineage comprises two clades; one of these included the segregates Metathelypteris, Coryphopteris, and Amauropelta (including part of Parathelypteris), whereas the other comprises all segregates of Cyclosorus s.l., such as Goniopteris, Meniscium, and Steiropteris (including Thelypteris polypodioides, previously incertae sedis). The three mainly neotropical segregates were found to be monophyletic but nested in a broadly defined Cyclosorus. The fourth mainly neotropical segregate, Amauropelta, was found to include species considered to be part of Parathelypteris. In Old World thelypteroids, which correspond to nearly half the diversity in the family, an increase in sampling is still needed to resolve relationships and circumscription of genera, particularly in the christelloid clade (i.e., Amphineuron, Chingia, Christella, Pneumatopteris, Pronephrium, and Sphaerostephanos). Based on currently available knowledge, we propose the recognition of 16 genera in the family.

Thelypteris subg. Meniscium (Thelypteridaceae - Pterophyta) no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

This study presents results on the floristic survey of Thelypteris subg. Meniscium (Thelypteridaceae) in the state of Sao Paulo. Six species and one variety are recognized: T. angustifolia (Willd.) Proctor, T. chrysodioides (Fee) C.V. Mortonvar. goyazensis (Maxon & C.V. Morton) C.V. Morton, T. longifolia (Desv.) R.M. Tryon, T. macrophylla (Kunze) C.V. Morton, T. maxoniana A.R. Sm., T. salzmannii (Fee) C.V. Morton, and T. serrata (Cav.) Alston. Descriptions for the subgenus and species, key for the species, as well as geographical distribution and comments are provided.

Climate-related variables and geographic distance affect fern species composition across a vegetation gradient in a shrinking hotspot

Background: The Atlantic Forest biome is a top hotspot for conservation priorities, but the variations in fern species composition and the factors driving these are still poorly known. The vegetation gradient found in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, constitutes an interesting environmental model for examining such patterns. Aims: We analysed the variation in fern species composition across a vegetation gradient in the southern Atlantic Forest and the variables that might influence it. Methods: We applied cluster analysis (TWINSPAN and WPGMA), ordination (DCA), regression (OLS and GWR) and variance partitioning to species occurrence, environmental and spatial data in 40 sample units (50 × 50 km2), using metadata. Results: Bioclimatic variables, mainly those related to humidity (water being an essential medium for fern reproduction), and geographic distance were related to variation in fern species composition. Dispersal constraints, probably related to neutral processes, could be evoked to explain the significance of the geographic distance. Overall, a great deal of uncertainty remained with regard to the determinants of floristic composition. Conclusions: Our study emphasises, for the first time in the Atlantic Forest, a significant role of environmental determinism and dispersal constraints on the variation of fern species composition.