Asplenium sylvaticum (Aspleniaceae), a new fern species from Yungas and Paraná forests, Neotropical region.

A new species of Asplenium L. (Aspleniaceae) is described and illustrated. Asplenium sylvaticum is endemic of the Yungas and Paraná biogeographic provinces in the Southern Cone. The main diagnostic characters for this taxon are: apical pinnae with one to four caudate lobes at the base, similar in size to lateral pinnae, smooth pinnate blades with 18-36 pairs of caudate pinnae and spores with reticulate perispore, winged folds with scarce equinulaes on the margins and the laesurae wide with smooth margin. The new species belongs to the A. serra species complex group, characterised by xeromorphic habit, creeping rhizome and coriaceous fronds with branched scales on both surfaces, and resembles the other species inhabiting in Argentina, A. achalense and A. serra, in overall leaf architecture and shape but differs of the aforementioned species (and the other species of the A. serra complex) by the unique combination of characters of its rhizomatic scales, fronds and spores. A key with the morphological and palynological characters that differentiate A. sylvaticum from the other taxa belonging to the A. serra complex in the South American Cone and Bolivia is given.

Biogeographic regionalization of the Neotropical region: New map and shapefile.

We provide a map and shapefile of the 57 biogeographic provinces of the Neotropical region. Recognition of these provinces is based on their endemic species, but their delimitation on the map is based on ecoregions combining climatic, geological, and biotic criteria. These provinces belong to the Antillean, Brazilian and Chacoan subregions, and the Mexican and South American transition zones. We provide a vector file of the biogeographical regionalization by converting the map into a polygon shapefile and a raster file with all provinces.

Ferns and lycophytes from the Cerro do Tigre and Cerro Palomas, Pampa biogeographic province, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil / Samambaias e licófitas dos Cerros do Tigre e Palomas, província biogeográfica do Pampa, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

The Pampa represents one of the domains of highest floristic richness in South America, however, especially in relation to the ferns and lycophytes, it still poorly known. This study aims to list the ferns and lycophytes associated with the Tigre and Palomas hills and discuss the floristic aspects that shape the fern and lycophyte flora at the isolated formations (Cerros) of the Pampa domain. The samples were collected and herborized using standard techniques and identified through specific literature. Herbarium specimens were also analyzed in order to complement the floristic list. Species were classified according to their geographical distribution pattern and also considering their life and growth forms. The inventory resulted in 36 species, representing four lycophytes and 32 ferns, distributed in 11 families and 19 genera. Overall, 18 species were exclusive to Cerro do Tigre, five to Cerro Palomas and 13 shared between both areas. Most of the species are widely distributed in South America (41,02%) and Tropical America (35,89%), and no endemic species to the pampean domain were identified. The predominant life form was hemicryptophyte, and rosulate was the most represented growth form. In general, the species occurring in the areas presented adaptations to xerophytic conditions. The results showed a high species richness in the studied areas in relation to cited for the whole domain, indicating that the Cerros serve as refuges for the maintenance of ferns and lycophytes in the Pampa region.

O Pampa representa um dos domínios fitogeográficos de maior riqueza florística da América do Sul; no entanto, principalmente ao que refere às samambaias e licófitas, ainda é muito pouco conhecido. O presente estudo tem como objetivos listar as espécies de samambaias e licófitas associadas aos cerros do Tigre e Palomas e discutir os aspectos florísticos que modelam a flora de samambaias e licófitas nas formações isoladas (Cerros) do domínio do Pampa. As amostras foram coletadas e herborizadas por meio das técnicas usuais, e identificadas com auxílio de literatura específica. Espécimes de herbários também foram analisados a fim de complementar a lista florística. As espécies foram classificadas quanto seu padrão de distribuição geográfica e quanto sua forma de vida e crescimento. O inventário resultou em 36 espécies, sendo quatro licófitas e 32 samambaias, distribuídas em 11 famílias e 19 gêneros. Ao todo, 18 espécies foram exclusivas ao Cerro do Tigre, cinco ao Cerro Palomas e 13 ocorreram em ambas as áreas. A maior parte das espécies tem ampla distribuição na América do Sul (41,02%) e América Tropical (35,89%), e não foram identificadas espécies endêmicas ao domínio pampeano. A forma de vida predominante foi hemicriptófito e a forma de crescimento, o rosulado foi a mais frequente. De forma geral as espécies ocorrentes na área de estudo apresentaram adaptações às condições xerofíticas. Nossos resultados mostraram haver alta riqueza de espécies nas áreas estudadas em relação ao citado para o domínio, e que os Cerros servem como refúgios para manutenção da flora de samambaias e licófitas na região.

Description of the male of Sphallopterus batesi Fragoso, 1982 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycini), with biogeographical considerations.

The male of Sphallopterus batesi Fragoso, 1982 is described for the first time. New records of geographic distribution are presented for Bolivia (new country record) and Brazil, and the biogeography of the species is analysed.

Map and shapefile of the biogeographic provinces of Argentina.

We provide a map of the 15 biogeographic provinces of Argentina based on the ecoregions recognized for the country, combining climatic, geological and biotic criteria. Argentinean provinces belong to the Neotropical region (Yungas, Paraná Forest, Araucaria Forest, Chaco and Pampean provinces), the South American transition zone (Puna, Monte, Comechingones and Cuyan High Andean provinces) and the Andean region (Patagonian, Maule, Valdivian Forest, Magellanic Forest, Falkland Islands and Magellanic Moorland provinces). In order to facilitate future biogeographic analyses, we provide a file of this biogeographical regionalisation in vector format using the World Geodetic Survey 1984.

Typification of names of South American taxa related to Woodsia montevidensis (Woodsiaceae).

A revision of the nomenclature of six South American taxa related to Woodsia is presented, as a part of a taxonomic revision of the genus in South America. Lectotypes are selected for Cheilanthes crenata, Woodsia crenata var. pallidipes, Woodsia incisa, Woodsia montevidensis var. fuscipes and the second step lectotypification for Dicksonia montevidensis and Woodsia peruviana, based on the analysis of their protologues and original herbarium material. All names are currently synonyms of Woodsia montevidensis. Physematium incisum (Gillies ex Hook. & Grev.) Kunze constitutes an illegitimate name and Physematium cumingianum is considered as nomen inquirendum.

[Morphology and anatomy of caulinar axes, lycophylls and sporangia of Phlegmariurus phylicifolius: a contribution to the systematics of Neotropical Lycopodiaceae]. / Morfología y anatomía de ejes caulinares, licofilos y esporangios de Phlegmariurus phylicifolius: un aporte a la sistemática de las Lycopodiaceae neotropicales.

Phlegmariurus is the only genus of Lycopodiaceae with the species grouped in 22 informal groups. Species level relationships within Phlegmariurus are poorly understood and their circumscriptions require a thorough molecular and morphological review. A detailed study of morphology and anatomy of caulinar axes, lycophylls and sporangia of Phlegmariurus phylicifolius was carried out in order to contribute to the elucidation of species circumscription in the informal group Phlegmariurus phlegmaria. Small pieces of caulinar axes bearing trophophylls, sporophylls and sporangia were fixed, dehydrated, Histowax (paraffin) embedded, sectioned in a rotatory microtome, and stained using the common Safranin O-Fast Green technique; handmade cross sections were also made and stained with the same technique. P. phylicifolius includes slender, pendulous plants up to 40cm long. Shoots heterophyllous, in the basal divisions ca. 10-20(-25) mm in diameter including the trophophylls, then abruptly constricted to (1-) 1.5-2(-2.5) mm in diameter including the imbricate, reduced sporophylls. Trophophylls are borne in alternating whorls of three, or decussate, subdecussate, or alternate, widely spaced in alternate leaved caulinar axes portions, perpendicular to the caulinar axes to falcately ascending, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, with flat to slightly revolute margins. Each lycophyll is supplied by a single central vascular bundle, connected to a protoxylem pole in the stele. At the site of leaf-trace departure, no leaf (lycophyll) gap is present. Caulinar axes excluding leaves 0.7-1.2 mm thick at the base, upward tapering to ca. 0.5 mm. Caulinar axes present unistratified epidermis and endodermis, the cortex is characterized by the presence of a trabecular structure of lisigenous origin formed in the parenchimatous tissue next to the endodermis. The vascular tissue occupies the central part of the caulinar axes, forming a plectostele ofsubradiate organization, with five poles ofprotoxylem. The epidermal cells present sinuous anticlinal walls; invaginations in the inner side of external periclinal wall of the epidermal cells could be probably adaptive morphological feature of a water deficient environment. Leaves of constricted terminal divi- sions are decussate, or subdecussate, continuously or discontinuously sporangiate, appressed, abaxially rounded to carinate, widely lanceolate to widely ovate or subcordate, acute to mucronate or cuspidate, shorter than the sporangia. Each sporangium originates from a group of epidermal cells, axilar to the sporophylls. The cell walls of epidermal cell of the sporangia are Huperzioideae type. The morphological studies of trophophylls contribute to confirm the differences between P. phylicifolius and P. subulatus.

Morfología y anatomía de ejes caulinares, licofilos y esporangios de Phlegmariurus phylicifolius: un aporte a la sistemática de las Lycopodiaceae neotropicales / Morphology and anatomy of caulinar axes, lycophylls and sporangia of Phlegmariurus phylicifolius: a contribution to the systematics of Neotropical Lycopodiaceae

Phlegmariurus is the only genus of Lycopodiaceae with the species grouped in 22 informal groups. Species level relationships within Phlegmariurus are poorly understood and their circumscriptions require a thorough molecular and morphological review. A detailed study of morphology and anatomy of caulinar axes, lycophylls and sporangia of Phlegmariurus phylicifolius was carried out in order to contribute to the elucidation of species circumscription in the informal group Phlegmariurus phlegmaria. Small pieces of caulinar axes bearing trophophylls, sporophylls and sporangia were fixed, dehydrated, Histowax (paraffin) embedded, sectioned in a rotatory microtome, and stained using the common Safranin O-Fast Green technique; handmade cross sections were also made and stained with the same technique. P. phylicifolius includes slender, pendulous plants up to 40cm long. Shoots heterophyllous, in the basal divisions ca. 10-20(-25)mm in diameter including the trophophylls, then abruptly constricted to (l-) 1.5-2(-2.5)mm in diameter including the imbricate, reduced sporophylls. Trophophylls are borne in alternating whorls of three, or decussate, subdecussate, or alternate, widely spaced in alternate leaved caulinar axes portions, perpendicular to the caulinar axes to falcately ascending, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, with flat to slightly revolute margins. Each lycophyll is supplied by a single central vascular bundle, connected to a protoxylem pole in the stele. At the site of leaf-trace departure, no leaf (lycophyll) gap is present. Caulinar axes excluding leaves 0.7-1.2mm thick at the base, upward tapering to ca. 0.5mm. Caulinar axes present unistratified epidermis and endodermis, the cortex is characterized by the presence of a trabecular structure of lisigenous origin formed in the parenchimatous tissue next to the endodermis. The vascular tissue occupies the central part of the caulinar axes, forming a plectostele of subradiate organization, with five poles of protoxylem. The epidermal cells present sinuous anticlinal walls; invaginations in the inner side of external periclinal wall of the epidermal cells could be probably adaptive morphological feature of a water deficient environment. Leaves of constricted terminal divisions are decussate, or subdecussate, continuously or discontinuously sporangiate, appressed, abaxially rounded to carinate, widely lanceolate to widely ovate or subcordate, acute to mucronate or cuspidate, shorter than the sporangia. Each sporangium originates from a group of epidermal cells, axilar to the sporophylls. The cell walls of epidermal cell of the sporangia are Huperzioideae type. The morphological studies of trophophylls contribute to confirm the differences between P. phylicifolius and P. subulatus. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (3): 1217-1227. Epub 2014 September 01.

Phlegmariurus es el único género de Lycopodiaceae con las especies reunidas en 22 grupos informales. Las relaciones a nivel de especie dentro de Phlegmariurus están pobremente estudiadas y la circunscripción de las mismas requiere profundos exámenes moleculares y morfológicos. Se ha llevado a cabo un estudio detallado de la morfología y la anatomía de ejes caulinares, licofilos y esporangios de P. phylicifolius, con el fin de contribuir al esclarecimiento en la delimitación de las especies en el grupo Phlegmariurus phlegmaria. Segmentos de ejes caulinares con trofofilos, esporofilos y esporangios fueron fijados, deshidratados, incluidos en Histowax (parafina), cortados con un micrótomo rotatorio y coloreados usando la técnica tradicional Safranina O-Verde Rápido; además se hicieron cortes a mano alzada y se colorearon con la misma técnica. P. phylicifolius incluye plantas colgantes y péndulas de hasta 40cm de longitud. Los ejes son heterofilos, de aproximadamente 10-20(-25)mm de diámetro en las divisiones basales incluyendo los trofofilos, luego abruptamente reducidos a (l-) 1.5-2(-2.5)mm de diámetro incluyendo los esporofilos reducidos e imbricados. Los trofofilos están dispuestos en anillos alternantes de a tres, o decusados, subdecusados o alternos, dispuestos en forma espaciada en los ejes caulinares, perpendiculares al tallo hasta falcadamente ascendentes, lanceolados a lineal-lanceolados, con márgenes lisos o levemente revolutos. Cada licofilo está provisto de un haz vascular simple y central, conectado a un polo de protoxilema de la estela y sin laguna foliar. Los tallos poseen un ancho de 0.7-1.2mm en la base, excluyendo los licofilos, estrechándose hasta cerca de 0.5mm hacia el ápice. Los ejes caulinares presentan una epidermis uniestratificada y endodermis, la corteza se caracteriza por la presencia de una estructura trabecular de origen lisígeno formada en el tejido parenquimático próximo a la endodermis. El tejido vascular ocupa la parte central del eje caulinar, formando una plectostela de organización subradiada, con cinco polos de protoxilema. Las células epidérmicas presentan paredes anticlinales sinuosas; las invaginaciones en la cara interna de la pared periclinal externa podrían ser probablemente un característica morfológica adaptativa a un ambiente con períodos de sequía. Las hojas de las porciones apicales son decusadas o subdecusadas, con esporangio de disposición continua o discontinua, adpresas, abaxialmente redondeadas a carinadas, ampliamente lanceoladas a ovadas o subcordadas, ápice agudo a mucronado o cuspidado, más corto que el esporangio. Cada esporangio se origina de un grupo de células epidérmicas, en la axila de los esporofilos con el eje caulinar. Las paredes celulares de las células epidérmicas del esporangio son de tipo Huperzioideae. El estudio de la morfología de los trofofilos contribuye a confirmar las diferencias entre P. phylicifolius y P. subulatus.