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. 2020 Dec 10:170:1-23.
doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.170.59471. eCollection 2020.

Affinities of the fern genus Ptisana (Marattiaceae) in the Solomon Islands, with descriptions of two new species

Andrew G Murdock  1   2 , Cheng-Wei Chen  3 , Yao-Moan Huang  4 , David Glenny  5
Affiliations

Affinities of the fern genus Ptisana (Marattiaceae) in the Solomon Islands, with descriptions of two new species

Andrew G Murdock et al. PhytoKeys. .

Abstract

In the process of undertaking a comprehensive review of the pteridophytes of the Solomon Islands, multiple unidentified specimens of the fern genus Ptisana Murdock (Marattiaceae) were collected. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses as well as field observations were required to identify the Solomon Islands taxa. Four species and one variety are recognized from the Solomon Islands: Ptisana ambulans Murdock & C.W. Chen, sp. nov., Ptisana decipiens Murdock & C.W. Chen, sp. nov., Ptisana decipiens var. delicata Murdock & C.W. Chen, var. nov., Ptisana papuana (Alderw.) Murdock & C.W. Chen, comb. nov., and Ptisana smithii (Mett. ex Kuhn) Murdock. The complexities in the identification of Solomon Islands collections show the limits of morphology in the genus and illuminate a path forward for untangling the Ptisana taxonomy on a broader scale.

Keywords: Marattiaceae; Ptisana; Ferns; Solomon Islands; pteridophytes; taxonomy.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Map of the Solomon Islands showing the locations of the selected specimens examined for each taxon and collections sequenced for this paper. Specimens from Vanikoro (Santa Cruz Islands) and surrounding countries shown in inset map (bottom left).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Phylogeny of Ptisana based on rps4–trnS and trnSGG plastid sequence data. Bayesian consensus tree, with branch support values (ML bootstrap support / Bayesian posterior probability); • = 100. The four species recognized in the Solomon Islands are marked by colored bars. Key clades discussed in text marked by arrows.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Ptisana ambulans: A type specimen B live plant of type collection C abaxial surface of ultimate segment D segment attachment points and terminus of the costa. Photos: C.-W. Chen.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Ptisana decipiens var. decipiens: A type specimen, with characteristically large segments B stipe showing scales C adaxial surface of fertile segments, showing vein spacing, synangial distance from margin, and winged costa. Ptisana decipiens var. delicata: D type specimen, with characteristically small segments E abaxial surface of fertile segment with maturing synangia. Photos: C.-W. Chen.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Comparison of Ptisana papuana (left column) and Ptisana smithii (right column) A, B whole plants Ptisana smithiiB showing its distinctively repand margins C, D fertile segments with mature synangia. Ptisana papuana (left) has longer synangia that reach nearly the midpoint between the margin and the midrib, and conspicuously serrate margins E, F Pulvini, closeup.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Comparison of venation and margins (A–E) and apices of ultimate segments (F, G) of the Ptisana species in the Solomon Islands A, FP. ambulansB, GP. decipiens var. decipiensC, HP. decipiens var. delicataD, IP. papuanaE, JP. smithii. Scale bars: 5 mm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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