Molecular Phylogeny of Davalliaceae and Implications for Generic Classification

Abstract

A molecular phylogenetic analysis using the sequences of atpB, rbcL, accD, atpB-rbcL spacer, and rbcL-accD spacer was made for Davalliaceae with a focus on four systematically uncertain and nomenclaturally influential species. The result shows that Davalliaceae comprises six clades. Davallia plumosa is sister to Scyphularia pentaphylla and S. pycnocarpa. Scyphularia triphylla is sister to a clade comprising other Scyphularia, Davallia plumosa, D. solida, and related species, indicating that imparipinnate leaves are derived twice within the clade. Humata heterophylla is sister to the H. polypodioides group, one of two groups of Humata, in which Davallia corniculata is nested. Paradavallodes multidentatum is nested in Araiostegia + Davallodes, which is a polymorphic basal clade. African Davallia chaerophylloides is allied to an Asian and Pacific group comprising D. denticulata and related species.