Toward a monophyletic Cheilanthes: The resurrection and recircumscription of Myriopteris (Pteridaceae)

Abstract

The fern genus Cheilanthes (Pteridaceae) has perplexed taxonomists for more than two centuries. Complex patterns of evolution involving rampant morphological convergence, polyploidy, hybridization, and apomixis have made the taxonomy of this group especially difficult. Fortunately, recent phylogenetic analyses have helped to clarify relationships among cheilanthoid taxa. Based on these findings, we here formalize an updated taxonomy for one monophyletic clade comprising 47 primarily North and Central American taxa usually included in Cheilanthes. Because the type species of Cheilanthes (Cheilanthes micropteris) is only distantly related to this clade, we resurrect the genus Myriopteris to accommodate these taxa, and present a revised circumscription for the group, including 36 new combinations.

Embracing the pteridophyte classification of Ren‐Chang Ching using a generic phylogeny of Chinese ferns and lycophytes

“…This group includes the type of the genus Allosorus (Eiserhardt et al, ), which is the oldest generic name available for the clade (Christenhusz, ). The present study recovered evidence for some phylogenetic structure within this clade that may lead to the recognition of several small genera comparable to the recent studies on Neotropical cheilanthoids such as Gaga (Li et al, ) and Myriopteris (Grusz & Windham, ).…”

Development of microsatellite markers for the apomictic triploid fern Myriopteris lindheimeri (Pteridaceae)

“…Myriopteris Fée is an early diverging lineage of cheilanthoid ferns (Pteridaceae) that contains approximately 47 species encompassed within three major clades—all of which, until recently, were circumscribed in the large, polyphyletic genus, Cheilanthes Sw. (Grusz and Windham, 2013; Grusz et al, 2014). The covillei clade is the largest subclade in the recently resurrected genus Myriopteris , within which M. lindheimeri (Hook.)…”

“…E. Fourn. (sexual diploid), and M. rufa Fée (apomictic triploid) (Windham and Rabe, 1993; Windham and Yatskievych, 2003; Grusz and Windham, 2013; Grusz et al, 2014). …”

Anatomical, Histochemical and Cytogenetic Features of <i>Doryopteris triphylla</i> (Pteridaceae)

“…Benham & Windham [5] [6], Doryopteris J. Sm. [7], Gaga Pryer, F. W. Li & Windham [8], Myriopteris Fée [9], Notholaena R. Br. [10], and Pellaea Link [11], among others, indicate that the study and circumscription of the genera of the subfamily Chelanthoid is a priority when analyzing cheilanthoid ferns.…”