Identification of three independent fern gametophytes and Hymenophyllum wrightii f. serratum from Korea based on molecular data

Abstract

Colonies of three independent gametophytes (one that is filamentous and two that are ribbon-like) without sporophytes occur in Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, Gyeongsang-do, and Jeju-do, Korea. They have a moss-like appearance at first sight, with tiny plantlets and gemmae, and grow in cool, shaded, relatively deep dint places of large rocks, such as the small caves in high mountains, close to valleys. The gametophytes were identified based on morphological and molecular data by chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequence data (rbcL, rps4 gene and rps4-trnS intergenic spacer). Here, rbcL, rps4 gene and rps4-trnS intergenic spacer data of one independent gametophyte distributed in Korea have the same morphology, DNA sequence and monophyletic group as Crepidomanes intricatum from the eastern United States. They also share the same cpDNA data with Crepidomanes schmidtianum recently reported from Korea. The other independent gametophyte should be Hymenophyllum wrightii based on cpDNA data. The last one was presumed to be Pleurosoriopsis makinoi based on molecular data. The taxonomic status was confirmed to be the forma of Hymenophyllum wrightii through a revision of Hymenophyllum wrightii f. serratum based on molecular data.