Fernando B. Matos

A new hybrid and two new combinations in neotropical grammitid ferns

A new hybrid,Micropolypodium xbradei, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is described and illustrated. It shows intermediate morphology between its parents,M. setosum andTerpsichore achilleifolia, in dissection of blades and veins, and number of sori per segment. New combinations for Brazilian endemic species are presented based on this hybrid and on recent results in grammitid phylogenetics.

A new species of Thelypteris (Thelypteridaceae) from southern Bahia, Brazil

A new species, Thelypteris beckeriana (Thelypteridaceae), is here described. It belongs to subgenus Goniopteris because of the presence of forked and stellate hairs on some parts of its blades. It is a narrow endemic to the Atlantic Rain Forest of southern Bahia, Brazil. A complete description, illustrations, and comparisons with the most similar species are provided.

Cyathea atrocastanea , a New Tree Fern from the Atlantic Rain Forest of Southeastern Brazil

Abstract Cyathea atrocastanea, a new species of tree fern is described, illustrated, and compared with similar species. This new species should be classified as vulnerable (VU) according to the IUCN criteria. This species is distinct by its atrocastaneous and scurfy petiole, and rachis, and by the broad ovate and yellowish, nonbullate scales on the costulae and midveins. A key to the exindusiate species from southeastern Brazil with nondenticulate petiole scales is also presented.

A new Brazilian species of the genus Asplenium L. (Aspleniaceae).

Abstract Asplenium truncorum, a new asplenioid fern from the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest, is described, illustrated and compared to the most similar species. So far, it seems to be restricted to the montane moist forests of southern Bahia and Espírito Santo States, at elevations of 750 to 950 m. Field observations suggest that this species grows exclusively as an epiphyte on the trunks of tree ferns, especially Alsophila setosa Kaulf. (Cyatheaceae).

Notes on the Taxonomy and Growth Habits of Three Species of Campyloneurum (Polypodiaceae) from Southeastern Brazil

Abstract Among the Campyloneurum that occur entirely or primarily in the Atlantic Rain Forest of Brazil, three species have been previously referred to by the following six names: C. acrocarpon, C. crispum, C. herbaceum, C. lapathifolium, C. minus, and C. wacketii. We show that C. crispum and C. herbaceum are the correct names for two of the species, and we designate lectotypes for these two names. The third species, which ranges from Brazil to Argentina and Paraguay, lacks a name and is here newly described as C. atlanticum. Two of the previously used names, C. acrocarpon and C. wacketii, are considered synonyms of C. crispum. The remaining names, C. lapathifolium and C. minus, appear to be of uncertain application. Based on our field studies, C. atlanticum and C. herbaceum are primary hemiepiphytes. Our finding constitutes the first report of this growth habit in the genus. The third Brazilian species treated herein, C. crispum, varies in growth habit, being either terrestrial, primary hemiepiphytic, or holoepiphytic. The spores of the three species are uniform and typical of the genus; they do not provide any distinguishing characters for the species.

The Gametophytes and Young Sporophytes of Elaphoglossum decursivum (Dryopteridaceae) in Costa Rica

Abstract Most studies on ferns focus on the adult sporophytes, overlooking the gametophyte as a potential source of biological information. Herein, field-collected gametophytes and young sporophytes of Elaphoglossum decursivum are described with the aims of providing a more complete understanding on the morphology of this species and additional morphological characteristics for its sectional classification. Gametophytes share the general morphology of most other Elaphoglossum species, but one unusual observation was the presence of minute scales (proscales) on the thallus. Young leaves differ from the glabrous adult leaves by having papillate glandular hairs. These are the first observations of hairs in the glabrous sect. Elaphoglossum. Our study shows that the gametophytes and young sporophytes of E. decursivum have indument characters that are not present in the adult sporophytes, and studying these life stages could potentially be useful in a phylogenetic context.

Elaphoglossum doanense and Elaphoglossum tonduzii: New Members of Elaphoglossum Sect. Squamipedia (Dryopteridaceae) and Their Significance for Inferring the Evolution of Rhizome Habit and Nest-Forming Leaves within the Genus

Premise of research. Elaphoglossum is a large fern genus with about 600 species. Our continuing fieldwork and molecular investigations have revealed a surprising placement of two Elaphoglossum species in sect. Squamipedia. The two species differ from most others in the section by short-creeping rhizomes and large leaves. Their placement in sect. Squamipedia has implications for the evolution of rhizome form and nest-forming habit within the genus. Methodology. Phylogenetic relationships within Elaphoglossum were investigated using a three-locus plastid data set. Sampling encompassed representatives of all major clades in the genus, including all recognized species of sect. Squamipedia. We included all species of Elaphoglossum with nest-forming habit from which material was available. To better understand the evolution of rhizome form and nest-forming habit, those characters were scored and optimized onto the resulting phylogenetic tree. Pivotal results. Elaphoglossum doanense and Elaphoglossum tonduzii are resolved in sect. Squamipedia. They are sister to each other, and they in turn are sister to the rest of the Neotropical species in the section. Long-creeping rhizomes and non-nest-forming habit are plesiomorphic in Elaphoglossum. There have been several transitions in rhizome form within Elaphoglossum, either from short-creeping rhizomes to long-creeping ones or vice versa. For sect. Squamipedia, it is equivocal what the plesiomorphic rhizome form was. The nest-forming habit has evolved independently in each of the major clades of Elaphoglossum, and in sect. Squamipedia it has evolved at least three times. Keys, illustrations, nomenclatural data, specimens examined, dot-distribution maps, and spore images are given for all species of sect. Squamipedia with short-creeping rhizomes. Conclusions. Three out of four members of sect. Squamipedia with short-creeping rhizomes have short-petiolate leaves forming a basket that traps organic matter falling from above. The only exception is E. tonduzii, which has longer petioles and leaves not forming a basket. The nest-forming habit is likely an adaptation to the epiphytic environment, being also known from other plant families.

Elaphoglossum litanum (Dryopteridaceae), an older name for E. megalurum from the Andes and E. subciliatum from Central America

We show that Elaphoglossum megalurum, previously thought endemic to Peru and Bolivia, and E. subciliatum, previously thought endemic to Costa Rica and Panama, are later heterotypic synonyms of E. litanum, a species described from northwestern Ecuador. The revised distribution of this species is now construed as Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. The species has a wide elevational range, occurring from (20–)100–1400 m. In South America, it occurs on both the eastern and western sides of the Andes. A complete list of synonyms and their types, a description, specimens examined, and a distribution map is given for E. litanum as recognized in this new, more inclusive sense. A lectotype is designated for E. carillense, which has long been considered a synonym of E. subciliatum, and a second-step lecotype is designated for E. litanum.

The Brazilian species of Elaphoglossum section Setosa (Dryopteridaceae)

A taxonomic treatment for the 17 species of Elaphoglossum sect. Setosa found in Brazil is presented. The species of this section are recognized by the presence of subulate scales and hydathodes on adult leaves, or if hydathodes apparently absent, the leaves less than 10 cm long and spathulate. Several species are also characterized by the presence of minute glandular hairs on petioles and laminae. In Brazil, the group is most diverse in the mountains of southeastern Brazil, where the species grow in a variety of habitats, from deeply shaded riverbeds to partially sunny road banks. Elaphoglossum boragineum, E. brachyneuron, E. eximium and E. hieracioides are first records for the country, some of these known from only one or two collections made on mountains in northern Brazil. Additionally, misapplied names that have long been used in the literature and herbarium specimens, such as E. aubertii, E. jamesonii, E. plumieri, E. spatulatum, and E villosum are here excluded from the Brazilian flora. We provide identification keys, descriptions, synonyms, comments, line drawings, spore images, distribution maps, and an index of herbarium vouchers to all species accepted in this treatment. Lectotypes are designated for Acrostichum alpestre, A. boragineum, and A. tenellum. A neotype is designated for A. horridulum.

Anemia paripinnata (Anemiaceae), a New Species from Central Brazil

Abstract We describe Anemia paripinnata, a new species from the rock outcrops of Central Brazil. It is remarkably distinct from most of its congeners by having paripinnate lamina, a character that is only found in the Amazonian A. dardanoi. The new species is described, illustrated, and compared to the most similar species in the genus. The new species is known from few collections in Mato Grosso. Based on the IUCN criteria, it can be considered an endangered species.