Contribution to the DNA barcode reference library for Réunion Pteridophyta

Expanding DNA barcode reference libraries is essential to support ecological surveys, conservation assessments and future metabarcoding applications. Réunion Island (Mascarene's Archipelago) hosts a rich diversity of pteridophytes despite its small surface area. Although the chloroplastic rbcL sequences are available for several fern taxa in public databases, additional regions with high variability such as trnH-psbA are still under-represented for the Réunion pteridoflora. This dataset has been produced in the framework of the FRBOL (FRench Barcode Of Life) network.

The current curated DNA barcode dataset contains 84 pteridophyte species from Réunion Island, representing approximately 25% of the pteridophyte species present on the Island. All specimens were morphologically identified by a specialist and are preserved as vouchers in the public herbarium of the University of Réunion (REU). A total of 163 sequences of rbcLa (86) and trnH-psbA (77) were generated and deposited in the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) with complete associated metadata and photos. While numerous rbcLa sequences were already available on GenBank, our dataset provides newlygenerated sequences linked to curated vouchers on BOLD and substantially increases the representation of trnH-psbA for the Island's pteridophytes. Additionally, this work documents the first record of Pteris ensiformis Burm.f., an exotic species for Réunion. Morphological examination allowed the identification of this newly-recorded species, which was corroborated by molecular analyses.