Lycophyte Species Research Articles

Importance of habit and environmental characteristics in shaping patterns of richness and range size of ferns and lycophytes in the Atlantic Forest.

Ferns and lycophytes, the two spore-bearing lineages of vascular plants, share a unique life cycle, and because of several morpho-ecophysiological similarities, are usually investigated as a unit, but they may have distinct ecological and environmental responses. Understanding the diversity and distribution patterns of ferns and lycophytes separately is essential for designing effective conservation strategies. We assessed species richness and range sizes using range-diversity analyses and investigated environmental (climatic, edaphic) and ecological (endemism, habit diversity, specialization) predictors of these range and richness metrics using generalized linear models. The central region of the Atlantic Forest primarily contained areas with fern and lycophyte species with high richness and small ranges; the northern and southern extremes of the forest had species with low richness and larger ranges. Fern richness was associated with a combination of environmental and ecological variables; lycophyte richness was associated only with ecological variables. Range sizes were positively related to habit diversity for both ferns and lycophytes, but the effect of environmental variables differed between the two lineages. Critical areas were primarily not within protected areas. Fern range sizes and richness were influenced by a combination of ecological and environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation, and soil variables; only ecological variables influenced lycophyte richness and range sizes. The effects of these factors must be considered separately for the two lineages due to their different responses to stressors. Conservation efforts should increase in the species-rich-low-range areas that are outside protected areas to protect these low-range species.

The Carboniferous Gondwanan lycophyte Bumbudendron, revisited

The type material of Bumbudendron is reviewed in the light of current knowledge about fossil lycophytes. The bark is characterized having cushions with an infrafoliar bladder and a ligule. The variation in leaf bases and leaf scars and their presence may not only depend on the plant’s age or position on the stem, but also the plant’s preservation. The diagnosis of the genus is emended to include the presence of a ligule and a ligule pit in sterile and fertile leaves, the presence or absence of a preserved leaf scar, and variations in size and shape of the cushions resulting from preservation. Bumbudendron nitidum is here regarded as a synonym of B. millanii, the latter name having priority. In this concept, genus Bumbudendron comprises five species: B. paganzianum and B. millanii (Carboniferous of Argentina and Brazil), B. versiforme (Carboniferous and Lower Permian of Argentina and Uruguay), B. patagonicum (Permian of Argentina), and B. peruvianum (Lower Carboniferous of Peru). A review of the species of lycophytes from India, Niger, Ghana, and Egypt is suggested to determine whether they are assignable to Bumbudendron, and thus to define the geographic range of this genus.

Helechos y licofitas del Área Natural Protegida “Paisaje Protegido Cerro Mbororé” (Misiones, Argentina).

Background and aims: In this work, the ferns and lycophytes of the Paisaje Protegido Cerro Mbororé, Oberá, Misiones, Argentina are studied. The phytogeographic importance of the area is discussed, since it is located in the transition between the District of the Mixed Forests and the District of the Fields, in the Amazonian Domain from the country. M&M: The collected materials were deposited in the LP, BA, and SLP herbaria. For the identification of species, the Flora Argentina and local floras were used. The photographs taken in the field were uploaded to the iNarulatist platform. The herbarium specimens studied are mentioned in this section. Results: The study area has 32 species of ferns (nine families) and one species of lycophytes. The most diverse family is Pteridaceae, with six genera and 13 species, followed by Polypodiaceae, with three genera and four species. Four well-defined environments with particular associations of species are identified: the top of the hill, the high-altitude lagoon, the north slope and the south slope. Conclusions: The environmental heterogeneity, product of the steep relief, and the transitional position of the area, generate a complex community of ferns and lycophytes with an important environmental value, which must be protected from the danger of the advance of the agricultural frontier and forestry exploitation.

Rapid DNA barcoding‐based fern and lycophyte inventories of protected areas—A pilot study to introduce a simple but effective protocol

AbstractRecording inventories of species conserved in protected areas is a key step to evaluate the effectiveness of Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM‐GBF) targets, such as the expansion of protected areas. The application of DNA barcoding facilitates the rapid production of enables to obtain rapid inventories with reduced reliance on taxon experts. These inventories aim not only to confirm existing records but also to minimize gaps in our knowledge of the distribution and taxonomy of species targeted for conservation through the implementation of protected areas. This pilot study introduces a simplified DNA barcoding pipeline as a reliable tool for recording fern and lycophyte species occurring in protected areas. The pipeline emphasizes limited and/or short training requirements, reducing the input required from taxon experts and maximizing shared benefits between conservationists and taxonomists. Despite using a single DNA barcoding region, 78% of the accessions were unambiguously identified to the species level. This applied approach not only confirmed previous records but also identified several previously overlooked species, either as newly recorded species conserved in the protected area or as species new to science. The pilot project effectively documented known species diversity and identified gaps in our taxonomic knowledge by discovering previously unknown and locally rare taxa. This rapid assessment enhances productive exchanges between conservation practitioners and taxon experts, with substantial benefits for both parties.

Patterns in Genome-Wide Codon Usage Bias in Representative Species of Lycophytes and Ferns.

The latest research shows that ferns and lycophytes have distinct evolutionary lineages. The codon usage patterns of lycophytes and ferns have not yet been documented. To investigate the gene expression profiles across various plant lineages with respect to codon usage, analyze the disparities and determinants of gene evolution in primitive plant species, and identify appropriate exogenous gene expression platforms, the whole-genome sequences of four distinct species were retrieved from the NCBI database. The findings indicated that Ceratopteris richardii, Adiantum capillus-veneris, and Selaginella moellendorffii exhibited an elevated A/U content in their codon base composition and a tendency to end with A/U. Additionally, S. capillus-veneris had more C/G in its codons and a tendency to end with C/G. The ENC values derived from both ENC-plot and ENC-ratio analyses deviated significantly from the standard curves, suggesting that the codon usage preferences of these four species were primarily influenced by genetic mutations and natural selection, with natural selection exerting a more prominent influence. This finding was further supported by PR2-Plot, neutrality plot analysis, and COA. A combination of RSCU and ENC values was used as a reference criterion to rank the codons and further identify the optimal codons. The study identified 24 high-frequency codons in C. richardii, A. capillus-veneris, and Diphasiastrum complanatum, with no shared optimal codons among the four species. Arabidopsis thaliana and Ginkgo biloba exhibited similar codon preferences to the three species, except for S. moellendorffii. This research offers a theoretical framework at the genomic codon level for investigating the phylogenetic relationships between lycophytes and ferns, shedding light on gene codon optimization and its implications for genetic engineering in breeding.

Updated typification of the Tasmanian pteridophytes described by Labillardière in his Novae Hollandiae plantarum specimen of 1806

AbstractWe present updated type information on the Tasmanian species of ferns and lycophytes described by Labillardière in his Novae Hollandiae plantarum specimen of 1806. Among the 13 names introduced, we list a total of 80 specimens with type status (13 lectotypes and 67 isolectotypes), mainly from FI, which houses Labillardière's herbarium (and the main set of plants) in FI‐W, but also from B (including B‐W), BM, F, G, GH, K, L, LE, MEL, P (including P‐JU), PRC, RB, and WAG. Another nine specimens are cited as probable isolectotypes, since they lack confident label data. Four lectotypifications and one second‐step lectotypification are newly proposed. Some specimens previously regarded as “holotypes” are better referred to as inadvertently chosen lectotypes. We show evidence that Lindsaea lanceolata Labill. (= L. ensifolia Sw. subsp. ensifolia), although originally described from Tasmania, was probably mislabeled, and the specimen was actually from Amboyna (= Ambon), Indonesia. We provide an Appendix with links to online images of nearly all type specimens.

Extraordinary preservation of gene collinearity over three hundred million years revealed in homosporous lycophytes

Homosporous lycophytes (Lycopodiaceae) are a deeply diverged lineage in the plant tree of life, having split from heterosporous lycophytes (Selaginella and Isoetes) ~400 Mya. Compared to the heterosporous lineage, Lycopodiaceae has markedly larger genome sizes and remains the last major plant clade for which no chromosome-level assembly has been available. Here, we present chromosomal genome assemblies for two homosporous lycophyte species, the allotetraploid Huperzia asiatica and the diploid Diphasiastrum complanatum. Remarkably, despite that the two species diverged ~350 Mya, around 30% of the genes are still in syntenic blocks. Furthermore, both genomes had undergone independent whole genome duplications, and the resulting intragenomic syntenies have likewise been preserved relatively well. Such slow genome evolution over deep time is in stark contrast to heterosporous lycophytes and is correlated with a decelerated rate of nucleotide substitution. Together, the genomes of H. asiatica and D. complanatum not only fill a crucial gap in the plant genomic landscape but also highlight a potentially meaningful genomic contrast between homosporous and heterosporous species.

Diversity and distribution of ferns and clubmosses in the eastern canyons of Isalo National Park, Madagascar

Background and aims – In contrast to the flowering plants, the pteridophyte flora of Madagascar is still understudied. While several studies have been published on the eastern and central parts of the island, there are currently few works dedicated to the pteridophytes of southwestern Madagascar. The aim of this work is to increase the knowledge of the pteridophyte flora of the Isalo massif in southwestern Madagascar. It presents a checklist of Isalo’s pteridophytes and an analysis of the diversity and distribution patterns of pteridophyte communities across ecological gradients in the eastern canyons of Isalo. Material and methods – Eighty plots were placed in six canyons. In each plot, pteridophyte species abundance was inventoried, as well as several ecological and geomorphological variables. A census in the field and observations on specimens in herbaria were carried to make a checklist of all the pteridophyte species known for Isalo. Statistical analysis was carried out to understand the pteridophyte diversity and distribution patterns in the Isalo’s canyons: (1) exploratory analysis (FAMD and HCPC) highlights the general patterns of ecological gradients, (2) a rarefaction curve was used to compare species diversity, and (3) co-inertia analysis investigated the relationship between ecological gradient and pteridophyte communities. Key results – In total, 60 species of ferns and lycophytes have been recorded in the massif, including ten endemic species to Madagascar and 11 species reported for the first time in the Isalo massif. Species diversity is especially high in the northern canyons (Anjofo, Andramanero, Antsifotra) in contrast to the middle (Maki and Rats) and southern (Namaza) canyons. Fern distribution patterns were correlated to a combination of environmental factors, highlighting species-specific ecological preferences.

Licófitas e samambaias de um ecótono Amazonia-Cerrado no estado do Maranhão, Nordeste do Brasil: chave de identificação de lista anotada dos táxons

Abstract We present a key to identify and an annotated list of lycophytes and ferns of the Immediate Geographical Region of São Luís, Maranhão State, which has ecotonal characteristics of Amazonian Forest, Cerrado, and Coastal Vegetation. Specimens were collected monthly between April 2020 and September 2022 in the 13 municipalities of this region. A total of 64 species were identified, including 61 species of ferns, in 18 families and 38 genera, and three species of lycophytes, in two genera and one family. The most representative families were Pteridaceae (18 species) and Polypodiaceae (nine species). The most recorded substrate of occurrence was terrestrial with 35 species (54.6%), followed by epiphytic with 15 species (23.4%), aquatic with four species (6.2%), rupicolous with three species (4.6%), and hemiepiphytic with two species (3.1%). Five species (7.8%) had more than one life form. This study expands the knowledge about the geographic distribution of fern and lycophyte species in the central region of Northern Maranhão, in Northeastern Brazil, which until now had several sampling gaps. Maranhão has a diversity that is still poorly reported and known compared to other states in South and Southeast Brazil. Therefore, floristic surveys are essential to increase what is known about the flora, especially in areas under anthropic pressure and places with few collections, such as the ecotonal areas in Maranhão.

Conhecimento atual das samambaias e licófitas no estado de Sergipe, nordeste do Brasil

Abstract Brazil has one of the greatest diversity of ferns and lycophytes in the world, especially in its humid forests. The knowledge about these plants in the 27 federative units is uneven and can potentially hamper conservation actions aimed at them. In the state of Sergipe, collections of these groups have been sporadic and about 50 species have been cataloged so far, a low number when compared to other states. This study aimed to compile the species of ferns and lycophytes occurring in Sergipe based on herbaria materials and recent samples collected. Therefore, specimens from herbaria were accessed, together with online databases, as well as 13 botanical expeditions were carried out in three areas. Our study recorded of 20 families, 44 genera and 86 species (75 ferns and 11 lycophytes), with eight new records for the state. The most representative families were Pteridaceae (21 spp.), Polypodiaceae (12), Anemiaceae (nine) and Selaginellaceae (eight). The genera Adiantum L. (eight spp.), Anemia Sw. (nine spp.) and Selaginella P.Beauv. (eight spp.) had the highest number of species. The study shows that efforts like these are extremely necessary and may eventually indicate the extent to which the richness of ferns and lycophytes in Sergipe is underestimated, also promoting researches in this area of Botany.

Prodromus of a fern flora of Bolivia. XLII. Update I.

We here provide a taxonomic and nomenclatural update of the Prodromus of the Bolivian fern flora published between 2017 and 2019. We describe one new species (Elaphoglossum neglectum F.B.Matos & R.C.Moran), provide four new combinations (Argyrochosma flavens (Sw.) A.R.Sm. & M.Kessler, Ceradenia werffii (L.E.Bishop) A.R.Sm. & M.Kessler, Enterosora dudleyi (L.E.Bishop) A.R.Sm. & M.Kessler, Phlegmariurus aristei (Nessel) B.Øllg.), report 13 new species records for Bolivia, delete 4 species from the Bolivian list, and update the names of 17 species previously known from Bolivia. With these new records and species, the number of fern and lycophyte species known from Bolivia increases by 10 to 1210.

The complete chloroplast genome of an Arctic lycophyte, Huperzia arctica (Tolm.) Sipliv. 1973 (Lycopodiaceae)

Huperzia arctica (Tolm.) Sipliv. 1973 is a lycophyte species belonging to the Lycopodiaceae family, which is widely distributed in the Arctic region of Svalbard, Norway. To determine its taxonomic position, we sequenced the chloroplast genome of H. arctica. The complete chloroplast genome of H. arctica is 153,956 bp in length with 122 annotated genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 31 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. To evaluate its evolutionary position, we performed phylogenetic analysis using 36 conserved orthologous protein-coding gene sequences from the chloroplast genomes of H. arctica and publicly available data from other Lycopodiaceae. H. arctica formed a monophyletic group with four other Huperzia species: H. lucidula, H. serrata, H. crispata, and H. javanica. However, it appeared as a separate species with a highly supported bootstrap value.

Checklist and Assessment of Pteridophytes in Amai Manabilang, Lanao Del Sur, Philippines

The species of ferns and lycophytes in Municipality of Amai Manabilang are documented here in a checklist, along with information on their morphological characteristics, and conservation status. A series of field surveys in two barangays in Amai Manabilang determined the lycophytes and ferns, namely Frankfort and Sumugot. A total of 56 species were recorded, belonging to 18 families and 36 genera. Of these species, 50 are ferns and 6 are lycophytes. The highest number of species was observed in Sumugot (42 species) followed by Frankfort (26 species). Thirty-one species are terrestrial, 19 are epiphytes, 1 tree fern and 5 species have more than one growth form. The number of species is approximately about 5% and 9% of the total number of pteridophytes species in the Philippines and Mindanao, respectively.

New age, stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental interpretation of the Loma de los Piojos Formation (San Juan Province, Argentina) based on new palynologic and stratigraphic information

A physical stratigraphic study of the Loma de los Piojos Formation (LPF) and related units at the homonymous locality (5 km north of Jachal city, San Juan Province, Argentina) was carried out. The first palynologic result is presented herein from the shale beds of the Loma de los Piojos Formation, just below the deposits bearing floral remains of the Frenguellia eximia–Nothorhacopteris kellaybelenensis–Cordaicarpus cesarii (FNC) informal zone of Balseiro et al. (Serpukhovian sensu lato). The Loma de los Piojos does not have an exposed base, and the Guandacol Formation (late Serpukhovian–early Pennsylvanian) overlies it. Also, the field work analysis allowed the association of LPF shales with the last depositional sequence of the recently defined and underlying Don Buenaventura Formation, of late Mississippian–earliest Pennsylvanian age. The four fertile samples obtained from the shale beds of the LPF yielded 45 species of terrestrial plants. Monosaccate pollen grains (Cannanoropollis janakii, Cannanoropollis mehtae, Circumplicatipollis plicatus, Crucisaccites monoletus) represent the Cordaitalean and Coniferalean that varied in their frequency c. 25 % in the lower two samples to 34 % and 7 % in the other two. Spore species of lycophytes dominate in all samples (ca. 50–80 %) along with other spores that appeared in the late Serpukhovian–Bashkirian subzone A of the Raistrickia densa–Convolutispora muriornata Palynozone (DMZ). However, in the lowest sample the key spore Spelaeotriletes ybertii and a well-preserved specimen of the striate bisaccate pollen Illinites unicus allowed the correlation with the late Bashkirian–Moscovian Subzone B of DMZ. Therefore, the informal floral zone Frenguellia eximia–Nothorhacopteris kellaybelenensis–Cordaicarpus cesarii is here reallocated to the Nothorhacopteris–Botrychiopsis–Ginkgophyllum (NBG) Zone, which is relevant in the global context of the evolution of the plant groups involved. This dark shale section would correspond to a warmer interval during which the maximum flooding zone was dated c. 320 Ma locally at the Huaco section (also close to Jachal city), also documented across the Paganzo Basin up to the Paraná Basin in Brazil. The three Late Paleozoic mentioned units were deposited within the largest incised valley complex of this region based on the amount of preserved depositional sequences (7), thickness (>1 km), and time span (from Late Mississippian to lower Pennsylvanian). This complex stratigraphic succession formed within a large paleovalley probably acted as a trunk drainage system connecting depositional areas from the continental interior with coastal areas of the Gondwanan continental western margin.

Floristic similarity of lycophytes and ferns in the Amazonia/Cerrado transition zone in the central region of northern Maranhão state, Brazil

Floristic similarity studies make it possible to compare species richness between different phytophysiognomies and to assess whether species are typical of a phytophysiognomies or if they are common to two or more phytophysiognomies. The Immediate Geographic Region of São Luís (IGR), in the central region of northern Maranhão, is characterized by the presence of Amazonia, Cerrado, and coastal vegetation phytophysiognomies. The objectives of this work were to verify if the fern and lycophyte species in the IGR are similar to those in another Amazonia and Cerrado phytophysiognomies in Maranhão and Brazil. Sixty-three species of lycophytes and ferns were identified, with a predominance of individuals in the families Pteridaceae and Polypodiaceae. A similarity analysis indicated the study area has a greater affinity with the Amazonia. This is the first floristic similarity study that emphasizes ferns and lycophytes in Maranhão. However, the scarcity of floristic surveys in Maranhão and other ecotonal areas in Brazil hindered a more complex analysis of the floristic similarity of these phytophysiognomies.

A metabarcoding protocol targeting two DNA regions to analyze root-associated fungal communities in ferns and lycophytes.

Detailed studies of the fungi associated with lycophytes and ferns provide crucial insights into the early evolution of land plants. However, most investigations to date have assessed fern-fungus interactions based only on visual root inspection. In the present research, we establish and evaluate a metabarcoding protocol to analyze the fungal communities associated with fern and lycophyte roots. We used two primer pairs focused on the ITS rRNA region to screen the general fungal communities, and the 18S rRNA to target Glomeromycota fungi (i.e., arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi). To test these approaches, we collected and processed roots from 12 phylogenetically distant fern and lycophyte species. We found marked compositional differences between the ITS and 18S data sets. While the ITS data set demonstrated the dominance of orders Glomerales (phylum Glomeromycota), Pleosporales, and Helotiales (both in phylum Ascomycota), the 18S data set revealed the greatest diversity of Glomeromycota. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination suggested an important geographical effect in sample similarities. The ITS-based approach is a reliable and effective method to analyze the fungal communities associated with fern and lycophyte roots. The 18S approach is more appropriate for studies focused on the detailed screening of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

Anthropogenic Stone Walls are an Important Habitat for Rare Ferns and Lycophytes in Japan

This study aimed to demonstrate that stone walls are habitats for rare ferns and lycophytes in Japan. A survey on 47 Red Data Books (RDBs) published in each prefecture in Japan, revealed the descriptions of 47 fern and lycophyte species (equivalent to 6.5% of all native species of ferns and lycophytes in Japan) designated as near threatened or above in the RDBs and growing on stone walls in Japan. Eleven of these species were listed in the prefectural RDBs as well as in the national RDB of Japan. Overall, 40 species (85.1%) had a preferred original habitat of cliffs or rocky outcrops, and 24 species (51.1%) preferred the forest floor. The high number of identified species that prefer cliffs or rocky outcrops supports the Urban Cliff Hypothesis, which states that man-made structures such as urban buildings and walls serve as alternatives to cliffs, rocky outcrops, or screes as alternative habitat. However, in previous domestic studies that documented fern and lycophyte species growing in established hardscapes in Japan, the most frequently occurring species were mostly weedy or ruderal. As there are few studies on the composition of species growing on stone walls in Japan, more studies must investigate this aspect as well as examining the variation in species composition because of the differences in species pools, climatic conditions, or geological background.

Light, rather than circadian rhythm, regulates gas exchange in ferns and lycophytes.

Circadian regulation plays a vital role in optimizing plant responses to the environment. However, while circadian regulation has been extensively studied in angiosperms, very little is known for lycophytes and ferns, leaving a gap in our understanding of the evolution of circadian rhythms across the plant kingdom. Here, we investigated circadian regulation in gas exchange through stomatal conductance and photosynthetic efficiency in a phylogenetically broad panel of 21 species of lycophytes and ferns over a 46 h period under constant light and a selected few under more natural conditions with day-night cycles. No rhythm was detected under constant light for either lycophytes or ferns, except for two semi-aquatic species of the family Marsileaceae (Marsilea azorica and Regnellidium diphyllum), which showed rhythms in stomatal conductance. Furthermore, these results indicated the presence of a light-driven stomatal control for ferns and lycophytes, with a possible passive fine-tuning through leaf water status adjustments. These findings support previous evidence for the fundamentally different regulation of gas exchange in lycophytes and ferns compared to angiosperms, and they suggest the presence of alternative stomatal regulations in Marsileaceae, an aquatic family already well known for numerous other distinctive physiological traits. Overall, our study provides evidence for heterogeneous circadian regulation across plant lineages, highlighting the importance of broad taxonomic scope in comparative plant physiology studies.

Diversity and distribution of ferns and lycophytes in areas of restinga sandy coastal plain in south of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract Ferns and lycophytes are plants often overlooked in most floristic inventories, leading to considerable gaps in the knowledge of their diversity and geographic distribution. To address this issue, we conducted a study aimed at reducing these gaps for the restingas of Santa Catarina, south Brazil. This involved conducting a series of field works in strategic sites within the municipality of Laguna, representing all three main restingas phytophysiognomies (herbaceous/subshrubby, shrubby, and arboreal), across different abiotic conditions and conservation degrees. Two species of lycophytes (one family) and 31 ferns (14 families) were recorded in the restingas of Laguna, almost three-quarters of the diversity reported for the restingas of the state of Santa Catarina. Besides, 11 of these species are mentioned here for the first time for Santa Catarina restingas. These numbers were obtained through extensive field surveys, but considering the area of restinga remnants, some of which are still relatively unexplored, it is plausible that the diversity of ferns and lycophytes in Laguna may be even greater. These findings reinforce the need to carry out floristic surveys aimed at ferns and lycophytes in the different phytophysiognomies of the restinga, because only with an increase of sampling effort, considering the environmental heterogeneity, it will be possible to better estimate the diversity of these and other plant groups. This study also provides important data for the management and conservation of the restingas, which are among the ecosystems historically most impacted by human activities.

Exploring the diversity of ferns and lycophytes in the Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro

Abstract The Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (JBRJ) has an arboretum with 58 hectares of green space, including thematic collections. The ex situ collection of ferns and lycophytes is in two greenhouses: Mestre Valentim and the Shade Greenhouse of Horto Florestal. Although the JBRJ Arboretum is a cultivated area, it is adjacent to Parque Nacional da Tijuca (PNT), which is a fragment of the Atlantic Forest that may influence the flora in the garden. Specimens were collected and identified between 2020 and 2023 from all areas of the JBRJ, including the greenhouses. There are 101 species of ferns and lycophytes that belong to 47 genera and 24 families. Pteridaceae (21%) and Polypodiaceae (19%) are the most species-rich families. The collections in the Mestre Valentim and Shade greenhouses comprise 70 species, 35 genera, and 20 families. Five cultivated species are at risk of extinction: Adiantum mynsseniae, Dicksonia sellowiana, Anemia blechnoides, Doryopteris rediviva, and Pteris congesta. Most of the species inventoried in the JBRJ collection are native to Brazilian ecosystems (70%), including 10 endemic species. A list of species found in the JBRJ, with information about the location, distribution range, vouchers and type of occurrence (collection or spontaneous), is provided.