Victor B. Amoroso

Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the fern genus Pteris (Pteridaceae)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Pteris (Pteridaceae), comprising over 250 species, had been thought to be a monophyletic genus until the three monotypic genera Neurocallis, Ochropteris and Platyzoma were included. However, the relationships between the type species of the genus Pteris, P. longifolia, and other species are still unknown. Furthermore, several infrageneric morphological classifications have been proposed, but are debated. To date, no worldwide phylogenetic hypothesis has been proposed for the genus, and no comprehensive biogeographical history of Pteris, crucial to understanding its cosmopolitan distribution, has been presented. METHODS A molecular phylogeny of Pteris is presented for 135 species, based on cpDNA rbcL and matK and using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference approaches. The inferred phylogeny was used to assess the biogeographical history of Pteris and to reconstruct the evolution of one ecological and four morphological characters commonly used for infrageneric classifications. KEY RESULTS The monophyly of Pteris remains uncertain, especially regarding the relationship of Pteris with Actiniopteris + Onychium and Platyzoma. Pteris comprises 11 clades supported by combinations of ecological and morphological character states, but none of the characters used in previous classifications were found to be exclusive synapomorphies. The results indicate that Pteris diversified around 47 million years ago, and when species colonized new geographical areas they generated new lineages, which are associated with morphological character transitions. CONCLUSIONS This first phylogeny of Pteris on a global scale and including more than half of the diversity of the genus should contribute to a new, more reliable infrageneric classification of Pteris, based not only on a few morphological characters but also on ecological traits and geographical distribution. The inferred biogeographical history highlights long-distance dispersal as a major process shaping the worldwide distribution of the species. Colonization of different niches was followed by subsequent morphological diversification. Dispersal events followed by allopatric and parapatric speciation contribute to the species diversity of Pteris.

Hamiguitan Range: A sanctuary for native flora

Hamiguitan Range is one of the wildlife sanctuaries in the Philippines having unique biodiversity resources that are at risk due to forest degradation and conversion of forested land to agriculture, shifting cultivation, and over-collection. Thus, it is the main concern of this research to identify and assess the endemic and endangered flora of Hamiguitan Range. Field reconnaissance and transect walk showed five vegetation types namely: agro-ecosystem, dipterocarp, montane, typical mossy and mossy-pygmy forests. Inventory of plant species revealed 163 endemic species, 35 threatened species, and 33 rare species. Assessment of plants also showed seven species as new record in Mindanao and one species as new record in the Philippines. Noteworthy is the discovery of Nepenthes micramphora, a new species of pitcher plant found in the high altitudes of Hamiguitan Range. This species is also considered site endemic, rare, and threatened. The result of the study also showed that the five vegetation types of Mt. Hamiguitan harbor a number of endangered, endemic, and rare species of plants. Thus, the result of this study would serve as basis for the formulation of policies for the protection and conservation of these species and their habitats before these plants become extinct.

The International Long-Term Ecological Research–East Asia–Pacific Regional Network (ILTER-EAP): history, development, and perspectives

There are growing needs to broaden and deepen our multi-faceted understanding of the ecosystems, and the networks of Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) can play significant roles in fostering and applying ecosystem studies at regional and global scales. The International LTER Network (ILTER) is organized as a global network of field research sites and scientists to address current ecological issues such as biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation within a globally changing environment. The ILTER East Asia–Pacific Regional Network (ILTER-EAP) is one of the four constituent ILTER regional networks. Since 1995, ILTER-EAP has been developed to promote data sharing, research collaborations and capability building in the science and to bridge gaps between societal needs and scientific imperatives on concerns in the Asia–Pacific Region. Currently, ILTER-EAP comprises nine formal ILTER members and two associate networks. Their activities involve long-term and multiple-site observations of structural, functional and developmental aspects of ecosystems, data sharing, and bridging society and ecological science. This paper presents a review of the activities of ILTER-EAP, focusing on its: (1) vision and the development following its inception, (2) scientific activities and major outputs related to selected thematic areas, (3) contributions from ILTER-EAP to the international initiatives, and (4) future challenges and opportunities relating to its development and role in facilitating regional and global research collaborations. Accordingly, regional research questions were identified that could be most effectively addressed by opening up a common research platform, integrated data management system and the network science, which is open to all interested parties.

Plantlet Production of the Philippine Giant Staghorn Fern [Platycerium Grande (Fee) C. Presl] Through Spore Culture

Platycerium grande (Fee) C. Presl, commonly known as the giant staghorn fern, is a highly prized ornamental fern, which is endemic in Mindanao, Philippines and considered to be one of the endangered plants of this country. Its spores rarely germinate under natural conditions. This study is aimed to determine the appropriate culture medium and conditions for spore germination, gametophyte and sporophyte (plantlet) development of P. grande; to find out the optimum potting medium and conditions for acclimatization of the plantlets; and for mass propagation of the plantlets. The spores of P. grande germinated nineteen days after sowing, in agar culture medium supplemented with nutrients. The gametophytes were formed after 21–30 days in culture. Plantlets emerged from the prothalli and later were successfully grown in potting medium consisting of chopped adventitious roots of Cyathea and compost. Thus, mass propagation of Platycerium grande through spore culture is one way of conserving and propagating this endangered and ornamental plant of the Philippines.

A Revised Framework of Dryopteris subg. Nothoperanema (Dryopteridaceae) Inferred from Phylogenetic Evidence, with Descriptions of Two New Sections

Abstract Dryopteris subgenus Nothoperanema (Dryopteridaceae) includes sections Acrophorus, Diacalpe, Nothoperanema, and Peranema. Phylogenetic relationships among these sections and their relationship to sect. Dryopsis (genus Dryopteris subgenus Erythrovariae, Dryopteridaceae) are unclear. Additionally, previous phylogenetic work has not included Stenolepia, which has been suggested as an important relative of Peranema based on morphology. In this study, we examined phylogenetic relationships within subgenus Nothoperanema by including Stenolepia and utilizing six plastid regions (∼5,500 characters). Our inferred phylogeny revealed that sect. Dryopsis is not monophyletic. The Nothoperanema clade is highly supported, and includes sect. Acrophorus, sect. Diacalpe, sect. Nothoperanema, sect. Peranema, certain Dryopsis species, and Stenolepia. By re-examining diagnostic morphological characters, we establish and describe two new sections under subgenus Nothoperanema: sect. Shiehia and sect. Stenolepia. This revision accommodates new species transferred from sects. Dryopsis and Stenolepia, and makes subgenus Nothoperanema and each of its sections natural groups. Finally, we provide a table with morphological comparisons and a key to sections.

Four New Species of Nepenthes L. (Nepenthaceae) from the Central Mountains of Mindanao, Philippines

Together with the islands of Sumatra (Indonesia) and Borneo (Indonesia, Malaysia), the Philippines are the main center of diversity for carnivorous pitcher plants of the genus, Nepenthes L. Nepenthes are the largest of all carnivorous plants, and the species with the biggest pitchers are capable of trapping and digesting small amphibians and even mammals. The central cordillera of Mindanao Island in the south of the Philippines is mostly covered with old, primary forest and is the largest remaining cohesive, untouched area of wilderness in the Philippines. In a recent field exploration of two areas of the central cordillera, namely Mount Sumagaya and a section of the Pantaron range, four new taxa of Nepenthes were discovered. These four remarkable new species, N. pantaronensis, N. cornuta, N. talaandig and N. amabilis, are described, illustrated and assessed.

Monachosorum arakii Tagawa (Dennstaedtiaceae) is a Relict “International” Hybrid: A Reassessment of the Monachosorum Species

Abstract Monachosorum arakii Tagawa is a plant species endemic to the western part of the main island of Japan. It is characterized by large bulbils on the rachises and is a close relative of M. henryi Christ, which can be found in the Sino-Himalayan region and is not present in Japan. Although M. arakii was reported to be a hexaploid, we determined that it is a pentaploid based on chromosome counts. All of the herbarium specimens examined, including the holotype, had irregularly shaped spores, suggesting that this is a sterile hybrid species. Analysis of the nuclear gapCp sequences also supported its hybrid origin from M. henryi (tetraploid) and M. nipponicum Makino (hexaploid). It should be noted that the parental species of M. arakii, which are endemic to Japan, only co-occur in China. It is possible that the hybrids are relicts from the time when M. henryi were also present in Japan, and are now reproducing only vegetatively by rhizome division and bulbil production. The updated taxonomic treatments for Monachosorum species provided in the current study recognize four species and two hybrid taxa.

Reproductive Biology of Aglaomorpha cornucopia (Copel.) M.C. Roos, a Rare and Endemic Fern from the Philippines

Abstract Aglaomorpha cornucopia (Copel.) M.C. Roos is an endemic and rare epiphytic fern from the Philippines. Ex situ germplasm storage and growth are important complementary tools for conserving this rare fern. This study was conducted to document the reproductive biology of this species. Mature sporophylls of A. cornucopia were collected in May, 2012 from Mt. Apo, the Philippines. Each sporangium bore 64 yellow, monolete spores. The average spore size was 49.3±3.7 µm. Fresh spores germinated 100% within one week of sowing (mean germination time (MGT) <1 week). Air-dried mature spores remained completely viable even after one year of storage at 3°C, although mean germination time was somewhat delayed (MGT = 1.4 weeks). Spore germination was of the Vittaria-type, whereas gametophyte development was of the Drynaria-type. Adult gametophytes were cordiform-annual and gametangia were of the leptosporangiate type. Unicellular papillate hairs appeared on marginal, dorsal, and ventral surfaces of the gametophytes. Gametophytes first produced antheridia and archegonia after seven weeks of culture. Gametophytes began to sexually produce sporophytes after 13 weeks of culture. The rate of sporophyte production reached 64% after 26 weeks culture. Results of this study suggest that cold temperature spore storage and in vitro culture offer reliable techniques for conserving this rare fern.

Two New Nepenthes Species from the Philippines and an Emended Description of Nepenthes ramos

With 50 species of the genus Nepenthes L. currently described from the Philippines, it is without doubt that the country, along with the islands of Sumatra (Indonesia) and Borneo (Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei), should be considered the center of diversity of the genus. In this work, we describe two new species. One species, N. aenigma sp. nov., is from Ilocos Norte province on Luzon Island and has the—for Nepenthes—unusual ecological preference to grow in dense vegetation in deep shade. The other new species is from Mount Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental province on Mindanao Island. With this new entry, Mount Hamiguitan is now home to four endemic species (N. peltata, N. micramphora, N. hamiguitanensis, N. justinae sp. nov.). Furthermore, we provide an emended description of N. ramos based on field data. Nepenthes kurata is synonymized here with N. ramos.

Plant Diversity in Two Philippine Long-Term Ecological Research Sites

The Philippines is one of the world’s 17 megadiversity countries that collectively claim two-thirds of the earth’s biological diversity within their borders. However, the Philippines is also one of 34 global biodiversity hotspots, which means that the nation’s high biodiversity and endemism is under a high level of threat. The primary threats to Philippine biodiversity are habitat alteration and loss caused by destructive resource use, developmental activities, and human population pressure. It is an archipelago consisting of 7,100 islands with a total land area of about 300,000 km2 (30 million hectares). Despite its relatively small land area, the Philippines supports numerous and diverse habitats with highly diverse and unique species.