Phylogeny and Taxonomy on Cryptic Species of Forked Ferns of Asia.

ABSTRACT: Cryptic species comprise two or more taxa that are grounded under a single name because they are more-or-less indistinguishable morphologically. These species are potentially important for detailed assessments of biodiversity, but there now appear to be many more cryptic species than previously estimated. One taxonomic group likely to contain many cryptic species is Dicranopteris, a genus of forked ferns that occurs commonly along roadsides in Asia. The genus has a complex taxonomical history, and D. linearis has been particularly challenging with many intra-specific taxa dubiously erected to accommodate morphological variation that lacks clear discontinuities. To resolve species boundaries within Dicranopteris, we applied a molecular phylogenetic approach as complemen

SUBMITTER: Wei Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8718997 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature