A revised classification of Chinese Davalliaceae based on new evidence from molecular phylogenetics and morphological characteristics

PLoS One. 2018 Nov 1;13(11):e0206345. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206345. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Although the phylogenetic framework of Davalliaceae is known, the classification of Chinese Davalliaceae is still controversial. In this study, a molecular phylogenetic tree of 60 accessions, including 29 species produced in China, was constructed using five plastid DNA markers-atpB, atpB-rbcL, rbcL, rbcL-accD, and accD. New data on studied specimens, field investigations, and scanning electron microscopy analysis of leaf epidermis and spores were used to reclassify Chinese Davalliaceae. The taxonomic position of Davallia canariensis was confirmed based on new evidence and a new key to sections of Chinese Davalliaceae was proposed. The taxonomically controversial genus Paradavallodes was confirmed as a polyphyletic group, and it was assigned to Davallia sect. Trogostolon and Davallia sect. Davallodes. Further, species endemic to China were delimited, 21 species were admitted to six sections of Davallia, two new combinations were proposed, two new synonyms were defined and a new key to Chinese species of Davalliaceae was presented.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • China
  • DNA, Plant / analysis
  • DNA, Plant / genetics
  • Genetic Markers*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Leaves / anatomy & histology
  • Plant Leaves / ultrastructure
  • Plastids / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods
  • Tracheophyta / anatomy & histology*
  • Tracheophyta / classification*
  • Tracheophyta / genetics*
  • Tracheophyta / ultrastructure

Substances

  • DNA, Plant
  • Genetic Markers

Grants and funding

This work was funded by the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences (2013229), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30800056), and Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province (2015A020220011), all to FGW.