Table Of Content

A New Genus Asplenium Brazilian Species of the (Aspleniaceae) L. Fernando Matos B. Universidade Federal do Parana, Depto. de Botanica, CP. 19031, 81531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. [email protected] Lana Sylvestre S. Km Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Depto. de Botanica, BR-465. CEP 23890-000, 7, Seropedica, Brazil. [email protected] RJ, The asplenioid ferns, including the genus Asplenium and L. putative its make up one most among segregates, of the species-rich groups leptospo- rangiate ferns, comprising approximately 700 species, mainly with tropical distribution (Schneider et ai, 2004; Smith et al, 2006). According to Sylvestre and Windisch (2003), Brazil harbors about 70 species of Asplenium, representing nearly half of the diversity found in the Neotropics (close to 150 species, according to Tryon and Tryon, 1982). As the case with many is other fern genera [e.g., Moran, 1981; Moran et in press], the Serra do Mar al., mountains along the coast of southeastern Brazil play a very important role in the diversification of this group, presenting a high level of endemism. Recent botanical expeditions to these mountains, in the States of Bahia and Espi'rito new Santo, have revealed a species of the genus Asplenium, which we describe as follows: Asplenium truncorum & TYPE.— Matos, Labiak F. B. Sylvestre, nov. L. sp. RPPN BRAZIL. Camacan, Bahia: Serra Bonita, 15 23'25"S, 39 34'05"W, 920 m, 29 2008, Matos 1537 UPCB; Jul F. B. et (holotype: isotypes: al. CEPEC, NY, RB, 2A-C, F-G. SP). Figs. 1, Species Asplenia martiano minus C. Chr. similaris, differt laminis divisis, ad basin 1-pinnatis, petiolis laminis dimidio brevioribus habitu epiphytico. et Plants epiphytic. Rhizomes erect; scales 1.5-2 X 0.3-0.5 mm, lanceolate, atrocastaneous, clathrate, tips twisted and long attenuate, margins with AMERICAN VOLUME FERN JOURNAL: 9 AMERICAN FERN VOLUME NUMBER JOURNAL: 99 2 (2009) to long-attenuate, margins dentate; veins mostly simple except the proximal for which ones, are forked, readily visible on both vein ends expanded sides, mm adaxially. Sori 1-5(12) pairs per pinna, occasionally diplazioid; indusia 5 mm X long wide, membranaceous, 0.3 linear, firmly margins spores entire; reniform, monolete, with few and a large broad anastomosing ridges. Distribution and Ecology.—^sp/enium truncorum known only from the is montane moist forests of coastal Brazil, in the States of Bahia and Espi'rito m 750-950 Santo, above at sea level. This species seems to grow exclusively as a low-trunk epiphyte on tree ferns (Fig. A], especially Alsophila setosa 1, Kaulf. (Cyatheaceae). Conservation.— Despite of remarkable and its species richness exceptional concentration endemics, of the devastation of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest continues a very alarming Nowadays at considered one most rate. of the it is threatened biomes on with Earth, very fragmented a distribution along the Brazilian coast. Because has a narrow extent of occurrence it in this scenario, Asplenium truncorum lUCN meets the (lUCN, criteria 2001) of vulnerable species (VU: Bl + b a iii). Etymology.—The specific epithet "truncorum" was chosen due to habitat its preference for tree fern trunks. SW Paratypes.— BRAZIL. km Bahia: Almadina, do Serra Corcovado, ao de 9,8 N Coaracf na estrada para Almadina, Fazenda dai ate a Sao 14'42'21"S, Jose, 39=36'12"W, 750 m, 19 Apr 2007, Matos 1408 (CEPEC, UPCB); Camacan, et al. RPPN Serra Bonita, 15 23'30"S, 39 33'55"W, 835 m, Feb Thomas 2004, 1 et al. RPPN 13796 (CEPEC); Camacan, Serra Bonita, 15°23'30"S, 39°33'55"W, 835 m, Feb Matos RPPN 3 2005, et 305 (CEPEC, UPCB); Camacan, al. Serra Bonita, 15=23'30"S, 39 33'55"W, 835 m, 13 Feb 2005, Matos 446 (CEPEC, UPCB); et al. RPPN do Teimoso Jussari, Serra [750 m], 27 2005, Matos 806 (CEPEC, Jul et al. UPCB). Ako Espi'rito Santo: Santa Teresa, Sao Lourengo, da Cachoeira, 25 Si'tio Oct Demuneret MBML); 2000, 1477 (BHCB, Nova al. Santa Teresa, Lombardia, Reserva Augusto Biologica Ruschi [800 m], 27 2002, Vervloet 559 Jul et al. (BHCB, MBML); Nova Santa Teresa, Lombardia, Reserva Augusto Biologica Ruschi [800 m], 18 Dec 2002, Rose Pereira 20 (BHCB, MBML). Sr Asplenium truncorum can be recognized by rhizome, with erect stipes its ca. 1/3 to 1/2 of the lamina length, 1-pinnate or less divided lamina, non-conform and membranaceous apical pinnae, chartaceous to leaf texture. Superficially, it resembles Asplenium auriculatum Sw. and in habit, leaf dissection color. However, the latter can be easily recognized by the presence of prominent auricles in the acroscopic base of the pinnae that often overlap the rachis. Asplenium martianum Chr. probably one most C. is of the closely related species in Brazil, being distinct by its longer stipes (the same length as the lamina or longer), blades usually 2-pinnate base deeply at (or at least 1- and pinnate-pinatifid), preferentially Besides terrestrial habitat. that, their spores are quite distinct, with those of Asplenium martianum showing alate MATOS A NEW ET BRAZILIAN SPECIES OF ASPLENIUM AL.: and wings Asplenium folds echinulate (Fig. D-E). austrobrasiliense (Christ) 2, Maxon also seems to be related morphologically, differing mainly by its stipes with approximately the same length as the laminae. Asplenium which cariocanum Brade, ecologically similar in habitat, differs in having is fringed stem scales with pronounced dark teeth, pinnae with lobately serrate margins and nearly symmetric pinnae bases that are usually auriculate. Wm. The authors thank Andre M. Amorim (UESC) and Wayt Thomas (NYBG) supporting for field work in southern Bahia and studies at the NYBG, as part of the project "Flora of the montane NSF NGS CNPq forests in Southern Bahia, Brazil" (Beneficia Foundation, 9972116, 7785-05, and CNPq NSF was funded by 306878/2007-0 and 309415/2008-0) and (DEB also partially (Proc. n. diagnosis, Diana Carneiro for preparing the illustrations, and Judith Garrison Hanks for preparing SEM the images of the spores.