The phylogenetic affinities of Pellaea connectens, a rare endemic Chinese fern

Abstract

Using DNA sequences from five chloroplast makers (rbcL/ trnL–trnF/ rps4/ rps4–trnS/ trnG–trnR), we addressed the phylogenetic affinities of Pellaea connectens, a rare endemic Chinese cheilanthoid fern belonging to Pteridaceae. Our results confirmed that the species was a member of the newly segregated genus Argyrochosma, which was formerly considered as native to America, showing that the treatment of Pellaea connectens by Ching nor Tryon & Lugardon was supported. Moreover, its morphology, distribution, ecology, co-existing species, as well voucher specimens were also presented in this paper.