Epiphytes are hyper‐diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non‐vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer‐reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non‐vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non‐vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events.

The spore morphology and wall ultrastructure of Microlepia speluncae and Pteridium arachnoideum from the Paranaense Province were analyzed with LM, SEM and TEM and a comparative analysis was carried out. In both species the spores are covered by a three-dimensional network of threads branched and fused, tangentially arranged to the surface, and some free-end threads are also seen. The species were differentiated by morphology and the frequency of threads fusion and the networks distribution on the surface of the spores. In both species the exospore is two-layered in section, both layers are traversed by single or branched channels. The perispore is three-layered in section: the inner layer is adhered to the exospore, the middle layer is formed of a three-dimensional network of threads and the outer layer is discontinuous. The perispore ultrastructure of Microlepia speluncae was interpreted as formed of helical subunits displayed around a central channel. The spore morphology and perispore ultrastructure allow differentiating Microlepia from Pteridium but also to the other Dennstaedtiaceae genera that grow in the Paranaense Province. The results obtained allow establishing relationships that let us recognize different groups and gave a new reference to get a better knowledge of the family.

Diversity of ferns and lycophytes from Reserva Natural Punta Lara, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Punta Lara Natural Reserve shelters the relict of the Southernmost riparian forest in the world, where the flora is threatened by the anthropic expansion and by the introduction of exotic species. In this area the ferns and lycophytes grow in particular environments as marshland, grassland and marginal forest. The aim of this work was to evaluate the diversity of ferns and lycophytes that inhabit in Punta Lara Natural Reserve. Field trips were conducted from 2006 to 2009 and local herbaria and specific bibliography were also revised. As a result of our study twenty four taxa of ferns and lycophytes were recognized. Their habit was mainly terrestrial (70%), fewer aquatic (17%) and epiphytic (13%). Five native taxa were scarcely recorded whereas two native species previously documented were not found. We assume that the main threats on ferns and lycophytes populations in Punta Lara Reserve are: removal for comercialization, invasion by exotic species and climatic fluctuations (drought periods). Keys for taxa identification are given and strategies for the conservation of threatened taxa are proposed. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (3): 1037-1046. Epub 2011 September 01.

Summary:Anogramma chaerophylla belongs to a fern genus with annual sporophytes and potentially perennating gametophytes. In the studied area, Natural Reserve Punta Lara, the plants grow stressed mainly by pollution and the invasion of exotic species. As a part of a project on conservation of ferns inhabiting Buenos Aires province, the objectives of this work were to evaluate in Anogramma chaerophylla the conditions for in-vitro spore germination and to analyse the different stages of its reproductive cycle. Spores were sterilized in an aqueous solution 10 % of NaCIO during different times and then sown in Petri dishes with Murashige & Skoog medium, without the addition of sucrose. The dishes were kept under laboratory conditions, at 12 h light/ darkness photoperiod and a temperature of 22 (± 2) °C. After two weeks, the percentage of germination was 80%. The spore germination pattern corresponds to the Vittaria type and the prothallus development was Ceratopteris type. Gametangia developed first in the bended thalloid region of the prothallus and then bisexual tubercles originated near this zone. The sporophytes developed only in association with the tubercles. During culture in plastic pots the sporophytes gave origin to a second generation of prothalli. Our preliminary findings demonstrate that the in vitro culture technique is suitable for A. chaerophylla propagation as a strategy for ex-situ conservation.Key words: Anogramma chaerophylla, micropropagation, gametophyte, tubercle, ex-situ conservation Resumen: El cultivo in vitro de esporas y los aspectos reproductivos del helecho anual Anogramma chaerophylla (Pteridaceae). Anogramma chaerophylla pertenece a un género de helechos con esporofitos anuales y gametofitos potencialmente perennes. En el área de estudio, la Reserva Natural Punta Lara, la vegetación crece bajo estrés debido principalmente a la contaminación y la invasión de especies exóticas. Como parte de un proyecto de conservación de helechos que habitan en la provincia de Buenos Aires, los objetivos del trabajo fueron evaluar en Anogramma chaerophylla las condiciones para la germinación de esporas in-vitro y analizar las distintas etapas de su ciclo reproductivo. Las esporas fueron desinfectadas en solución 10 % de NaCIO durante distintos tiempos y sembradas luego en medio de cultivo Murashige -Skoog, sin agregado de sacarosa. Las cápsulas se incubaron con un fotoperíodo de 12 h luz/oscuridad y una temperatura de 22 (± 2) °C. A las dos semanas germinaron el 80% de las esporas. El patrón de germinación fue tipo Vittaria y el desarrollo del protalo tipo Ceratopteris. Los gametangios aparecieron primero en la región engrosada del protalo donde posteriormente se originaron los tubérculos bisexuales. Los esporofitos se desarrollaron solo en asociación con los tubérculos. Durante su cultivo en macetas, éstos dieron origen a una segunda generación de protalos. Nuestros resultados demuestran que la técnica de cultivo in vitro es apropiada para la propagación de Anogramma chaerophylla y como estrategia para...