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Exploring phylogeny of the microsoroid ferns (Polypodiaceae) based on six plastid DNA markers

Chi-Chuan Chen1, Jaakko Hyvönen2, Harald Schneider3

  • 1Organismal & Evolutionary Biology, Viikki Plant Science Center & Finnish Museum of Natural History (Botany), PO Box 7, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland; Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China.

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
|November 10, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Phylogenetic analysis of microsoroid ferns reveals 17 genera, clarifying the non-monophyletic Microsorum genus. This study provides a robust evolutionary framework for this fern subfamily using chloroplast DNA.

Area of Science:

  • Botany
  • Plant Systematics
  • Molecular Phylogenetics

Background:

  • Microsoroid ferns (Polypodiaceae) are diverse, with over 180 species in tropical Australasia.
  • The genus Microsorum is known to be non-monophyletic, necessitating phylogenetic clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish a robust phylogenetic hypothesis for microsoroid ferns.
  • To re-evaluate the generic and tribal classification within the subfamily.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic analysis using six chloroplast DNA regions (rbcL, rps4+rps4-trnS, trnL+trnF, atpA, atpB, matK).
  • Comparative analysis of traditional and additional DNA markers for phylogenetic resolution.

Main Results:

  • The study identified up to 17 distinct genera within the microsoroid ferns.
  • Twelve genera align with previous classifications, while five new tribes are proposed.
  • Species formerly in Microsorum are now distributed across six genera in two tribes.

Conclusions:

  • The phylogenetic framework supports a revised classification of microsoroid ferns.
  • The inclusion of atpA and matK markers enhances understanding of evolutionary relationships.
  • This research clarifies the complex taxonomy of the Microsorum group.
Keywords:
Microsoroid fernsPhylogenyPolypodiaceaeatpAmatK

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