A classification for extant ferns

TLDR

The authors present a revised classification of extant ferns emphasizing ordinal and familial ranks and summarizing included genera. The classification is based on recent phylogenetic hypotheses from morphological and molecular data, and the authors provide alphabetical lists of accepted genera, families, orders, and higher taxa. The new system recognizes four monophyletic classes, 11 orders, and 37 families (32 strongly supported), introduces the new family Cibotiaceae Korall, and notes tentative placements for some Polypodiales genera.

Abstract

Abstract We present a revised classification for extant ferns, with emphasis on ordinal and familial ranks, and a synopsis of included genera. Our classification reflects recently published phylogenetic hypotheses based on both morphological and molecular data. Within our new classification, we recognize four monophyletic classes, 11 monophyletic orders, and 37 families, 32 of which are strongly supported as monophyletic. One new family, Cibotiaceae Korall, is described. The phylogenetic affinities of a few genera in the order Polypodiales are unclear and their familial placements are therefore tentative. Alphabetical lists of accepted genera (including common synonyms), families, orders, and taxa of higher rank are provided.