Molecular, chromosomal, and morphological evidence reveals a new allotetraploid fern species of Asplenium (Aspleniaceae) from southern Jiangxi, China

Abstract

Aspleniumjiulianshanense, a new tetraploid fern species of the A.normale complex (Aspleniaceae) from Jiulianshan National Nature Reserve, southern Jiangxi, China is described and illustrated. We inferred the phylogenetic position of the new species based on sequences from seven plastid markers (atpB, rbcL, rps4, rps4-trnS, trnL, trnL-F, and trnG) and one low-copy nuclear gene, pgiC. The plastid phylogeny supported a close relationship among the new species A.jiulianshanense, A.minutifolium, and A.kiangsuense, while the nuclear phylogeny differed in topology from the plastid tree. The new species may be due to hybridization between A.kiangsuense and A.boreale. Morphologically, the new species can easily be distinguished from other members of the A.normale complex by rachises bearing a gemma near the apex, pinna margins entire to sparsely crenate, and (1‒)3‒4(‒6) sori per pinna.

Keywords: Black-stemmed spleenworts; conservation; new taxon; species complex; taxonomy.