Recircumscription of Pronephrium to include Nannothelypteris, and recognition of segregate genera Abacopteris, Grypothrix and Menisciopsis (Thelypteridoideae; Thelypteridaceae) [PASSED] #56
We propose to include Nannothelypteris as a synonym of Pronephrium s.l.; to resurrect Abacopteris; and to elevate Menisciopsis and Grypothrix to rank of genus with the circumscription proposed by Fawcett and Smith (2021).
The name Abacopteris Fée was published in 1852 and is the earliest available name for members of the Abacopteris clade. Abacopteris is more closely related to Pseudocyclosorus and Trigonospora than to any other members of Pronephrium C. Presl s.l. (Fawcett et al. 2021).
Both Grypothrix (Holttum) S.E. Fawc. & A.R. Sm. and Menisciopsis (Holttum) S.E. Fawc. & A.R. Sm. were recognized as sections of Pronephrium by Holttum (1982) and were elevated to genus rank by Fawcett and Smith (2021). The members of Grypothrix form a monophyletic clade defined by hamate (hooked) hairs. The genus corresponds perfectly to the Pronephrium sect. Grypothrix of Holttum (1982). It resolves as sister to a clade that includes Menisciopsis, Chingia and Plesioneuron (Fawcett et al. 2021). Species we recognize in the genus Menisciopsis had previously been treated in Pronephrium (e.g., Holttum 1982) or Christella (Palmer 2003; Holttum 1977). Phylogenetic analyses representing all species resolve Menisciopsis as sister to Chingia + Plesioneuron (Fawcett et al. 2021).
For keys and morphological descriptions, see Fawcett & Smith 2021. For phylogenetic analyses, see Fawcett et al. 2021.
The genus Pronephrium as recognized by PPG I is non-monophyletic, with its species resolving in eight distinct clades; four of these clades correspond to Abacopteris (14 spp.), Grypothrix (12 spp.), Menisciopsis (7 spp.) and Pronephrium s.s., and the rest are scattered within Sphaerostephanos (Fawcett et al. 2021). The type species of Nannothelypteris (6 spp.) is nested within Pronephrium s.s.
Fawcett, S. and A. R. Smith. 2021. A Generic Classification of the Thelypteridaceae. Sida, Botanical Miscellany 59. Fort Worth: Botanical Research Institute of Texas Press.
Fawcett, S., Smith, A.R., Sundue, M., Burleigh, J.G., Sessa, E.B., Kuo, L.Y., Chen, C.W., Testo, W.L., Kessler, M. and Barrington, D.S., 2021. A global phylogenomic study of the Thelypteridaceae. Systematic Botany, 46(4), pp.891-915.
Fawcett, S., A. R. Smith, M. Sundue, J. G. Burleigh, E. B. Sessa, L.-Y. Kuo, C.-W. Chen, W. L. Testo, and M. Kessler. GoFlag Consortium, and D. S. Barrington. 2021. Data from: A global phylogenomic study of the Thelypteridaceae. Dryad Digital Repository. https: doi.org/10. 5061/dryad.gxd2547j4.
Holttum, R. E. 1977. The family Thelypteridaceae in the Pacific and Australasia. Allertonia 1: 169–234.
Holttum, R. E. 1982. Thelypteridaceae. Flora Malesiana, ser. II 1: 334–560.
Palmer, D.D., 2003. Hawai'i's ferns and fern allies (No. 2002-2010). University of Hawaii Press.
This proposal was voted on during PPG Ballot 7 (voting period January 2024). A total of 73 votes were cast. There were 73 'Yes' votes (100%) and 0 'No' votes (0%). The proposal passes.
Author(s) of proposal
Susan Fawcett and Alan R. Smith
Name of taxon
Pronephrium, Nannothelypteris, Abacopteris, Grypothrix, Menisciopsis
Rank of taxon
Genus
Approximate number of species affected
39
Description of change
We propose to include Nannothelypteris as a synonym of Pronephrium s.l.; to resurrect Abacopteris; and to elevate Menisciopsis and Grypothrix to rank of genus with the circumscription proposed by Fawcett and Smith (2021).
The name Abacopteris Fée was published in 1852 and is the earliest available name for members of the Abacopteris clade. Abacopteris is more closely related to Pseudocyclosorus and Trigonospora than to any other members of Pronephrium C. Presl s.l. (Fawcett et al. 2021).
Both Grypothrix (Holttum) S.E. Fawc. & A.R. Sm. and Menisciopsis (Holttum) S.E. Fawc. & A.R. Sm. were recognized as sections of Pronephrium by Holttum (1982) and were elevated to genus rank by Fawcett and Smith (2021). The members of Grypothrix form a monophyletic clade defined by hamate (hooked) hairs. The genus corresponds perfectly to the Pronephrium sect. Grypothrix of Holttum (1982). It resolves as sister to a clade that includes Menisciopsis, Chingia and Plesioneuron (Fawcett et al. 2021). Species we recognize in the genus Menisciopsis had previously been treated in Pronephrium (e.g., Holttum 1982) or Christella (Palmer 2003; Holttum 1977). Phylogenetic analyses representing all species resolve Menisciopsis as sister to Chingia + Plesioneuron (Fawcett et al. 2021).
For keys and morphological descriptions, see Fawcett & Smith 2021. For phylogenetic analyses, see Fawcett et al. 2021.
Fawcett_Smith_2021.pdf Fawcett_2021_GlobalPhylogeny.pdf
Reason for change
The genus Pronephrium as recognized by PPG I is non-monophyletic, with its species resolving in eight distinct clades; four of these clades correspond to Abacopteris (14 spp.), Grypothrix (12 spp.), Menisciopsis (7 spp.) and Pronephrium s.s., and the rest are scattered within Sphaerostephanos (Fawcett et al. 2021). The type species of Nannothelypteris (6 spp.) is nested within Pronephrium s.s.
Fawcett, S. and A. R. Smith. 2021. A Generic Classification of the Thelypteridaceae. Sida, Botanical Miscellany 59. Fort Worth: Botanical Research Institute of Texas Press.
Fawcett, S., Smith, A.R., Sundue, M., Burleigh, J.G., Sessa, E.B., Kuo, L.Y., Chen, C.W., Testo, W.L., Kessler, M. and Barrington, D.S., 2021. A global phylogenomic study of the Thelypteridaceae. Systematic Botany, 46(4), pp.891-915.
Fawcett, S., A. R. Smith, M. Sundue, J. G. Burleigh, E. B. Sessa, L.-Y. Kuo, C.-W. Chen, W. L. Testo, and M. Kessler. GoFlag Consortium, and D. S. Barrington. 2021. Data from: A global phylogenomic study of the Thelypteridaceae. Dryad Digital Repository. https: doi.org/10. 5061/dryad.gxd2547j4.
Holttum, R. E. 1977. The family Thelypteridaceae in the Pacific and Australasia. Allertonia 1: 169–234.
Holttum, R. E. 1982. Thelypteridaceae. Flora Malesiana, ser. II 1: 334–560.
Palmer, D.D., 2003. Hawai'i's ferns and fern allies (No. 2002-2010). University of Hawaii Press.
Reference(s) for publication of the name
Fawcett_Smith_2021.pdf
List the numbers of any related issues
58
No response
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