| Abstract Detail
Pteridology Sosa, Karla [1], Windham, Michael D. [1], Huiet, Layne [2], Yatskievych, George A. [3], Pryer, Kathleen [1]. A case of mistaken identity revealed as a new species of Cheilanthes s.s. (Pteridaceae). During our ongoing studies of cheilanthoid ferns, we have encountered herbarium specimens from Ecuador identified as Cheilanthes rufopuncata Rosenst. If correctly identified, this would be a remarkable range extension given that C. rufopunctata has been reported previously only from Bolivia and southern Peru. Morphological comparisons to bona fide specimens of C. rufopunctata quickly revealed that the Ecuadorian collections did not belong to that species. Cheilanthes rufopunctata has much larger, more divided leaf blades that are nearly glabrous, whereas the Ecuadorian collections are quite pubescent. They are more reminiscent of C. pilosa, but differ from that species in their hair length and glandularity, and their broad, light brown petiole scales. Molecular analyses do not support a close relationship of these specimens to either C. rufopunctata or C. pilosa. Instead, our plastid data reveal that the Ecuadorian collections are sister to C. micropteris, the generitype of Cheilanthes. This is somewhat surprising given the significant morphological disparities between these two taxa. Because the Ecuadorian plants do not match any previously described taxon of Cheilanthes, we propose to recognize them as a new species—Cheilanthes ecuadorensis—currently known from just two collections gathered in Loja Province. Despite the dissimilarity between C. micropteris and C. ecuadorensis, we have obtained viable hybrids from artificial crossing experiments. These hybrids may prove invaluable for understanding the genetics of morphological divergence and convergence in cheilanthoid ferns.
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1 - Duke University, Biological Sciences, 137 Bio Sciences Building, 130 Science Drive, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
2 - Duke University, Biological Sciences, 137 Bio Science Building, 130 Science Drive, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
3 - The University of Texas at Austin, Plant Resources Center, Main Building, Room 127, 110 Inner Campus Drive Stop F0404, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
Keywords:
Ecuador
phylogeny
artificial hybridization
morphology.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 7, Pteridological Section/AFS
Location: 203/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 9:00 AM
Number: 7004
Abstract ID:483
Candidate for Awards:None |
