Reinstatement of Loxogramme dictyopteris, based on phylogenetic evidence, for the New Zealand endemic fern, Anarthropteris lanceolata (Polypodiaceae, Polypodiidae)

Abstract

Phylogenetic relationships of the New Zealand endemic Anarthropteris lanceolata are inferred from DNA sequences of four chloroplast genome regions, rbcL, rps4, rps4–trnS IGS, and trnL–F IGS. In addition to a broad collection of polygrammoid ferns, the sampling includes two species of the genus Dictymia, five species of the genus Loxogramme, and one sample of the monotypic genus Anarthropteris. The latter is found to be nested within Loxogramme, and we reinstate it here as Loxogramme dictyopteris, to replace Anarthropteris lanceolata. These findings are not in conflict with morphological evidence. Phylogenetic evidence implies an isolation of L. dictyopteris from its closest relatives in Malesia. The five other species of Loxogramme included in this study fall either into an Asiatic-Malesian clade or in an Afro-Madagascan-Neotropical clade.