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. 2025 Oct 19;15(10):e72293.
doi: 10.1002/ece3.72293. eCollection 2025 Oct.

Leptochilus dolichophyllus (Polypodiaceae), a New Hemiepiphytic Species From Fujian, China

Hou-Hua Fu  1   2 , Cheng-Yuan Zhou  1   2 , Xiong-De Tu  1   2 , Liang Ma  3 , Shi-Pin Chen  1   2 , Hong-Jin Wei  4
Affiliations

Leptochilus dolichophyllus (Polypodiaceae), a New Hemiepiphytic Species From Fujian, China

Hou-Hua Fu et al. Ecol Evol. .

Abstract

A new species, Leptochilus dolichophyllus (Polypodiaceae), from central-northern Fujian, southeastern China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to Leptochilus leveillei, but differs by its hemiepiphytic habit and longer frond. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on three plastid regions (rbcL, rps4 + rps4-trnS, and trnL + trnL-trnF) demonstrates that the new species represents a distinct and well-supported clade. Both morphological and molecular data provide compelling evidence for the recognition of L. dolichophyllus as a new species. Furthermore, the complete plastid genome of this new species is reported.

Keywords: Leptochilus leveillei; climbing habit; hemiepiphytism; phylogeny; southeastern China.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
The plastome annotation map of Leptochilus dolichophyllus. The darker gray in the inner circle corresponds to GC content. The IRA and IRB (two inverted repeating regions); LSC (large single‐copy region); and SSC (small single‐copy region) are indicated outside of GC content.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
ML phylogenetic tree based on combined plastid genome regions (rbcL, rps4 + rps4‐trnS, and trnL + trnL‐trnF). The numbers near the nodes are approximate Bayesian posterior probabilities and bootstrap percentages (aBayes supports and BP). *Node is the 1.00 posterior probability or 100 bootstrap percentage.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Phylogenetic tree obtained by ML analysis of the plastomes matrix. The numbers near the nodes are approximate Bayesian posterior probabilities and bootstrap percentages (aBayes supports and BP). *Node is the 1.00 posterior probability or 100 bootstrap percentage.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Habitat and morphology of Leptochilus dolichophyllus. (A) Habitat. (B) Habit. (C) Fertile fronds. (D) Adventitious roots establishing terrestrial connection. (E) Epiphytic young individuals with roots extending downwards. (F) Dorsal view of rhizome. (G) Ventral view of rhizome. (H) Portion of fertile frond. (I) Portion of sterile frond showing venation. (J) Lower portion of stipes with rhizome. (K) Scales from rhizome. (L) Cross section of rhizome.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Line drawings of Leptochilus dolichophyllus. (A) Habit. (B) Portion of sterile frond showing venation. (C) Portion of fertile frond showing sori.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Geographical distribution of Leptochilus dolichophyllus (center of rings).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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