Phylogeny, character evolution, and systematics of the fern family Ophioglossaceae based on Sanger sequence data, plastomes, and morphology

Adder's tongue ferns or Ophioglossaceae are best known among evolutionary biologists and botanists for their highest chromosome count of any known organisms, the presence of sporophores, and simple morphology. Previous studies recovered and strongly supported the monophyly of the family and the two multi-generic subfamilies, Botrychioideae and Ophioglossoideae, but the relationships among these and two other subfamilies (Helminthostachyoideae and Mankyuoideae) are not well resolved preventing us from understanding the character evolution. The monophyly of and the relationships in the species-rich genus, Ophioglossum, have not well been understood. In this study, new phylogenetic trees are reconstructed based on four datasets: Sanger sequences of eight plastid markers of 184 accessions, 22 plastomes (12 are new), 29 morphological characters, and combined Sanger and morphological data. Our major results include: (1) the relationships among the four subfamilies are well resolved and strongly supported in Bayesian and parsimony analyses based on plastomes: Mankyua is sister to the rest, followed by Ophioglossoideae which are sister to Helminthostachys + Botrychioideae; (2) Sanger data, plastomes, and combined Sanger and morphological data recovered and strongly supported the monophyly of Ophioglossum in its current circumscription (sensu lato; s.l.) in Bayesian and/or parsimony analyses; (3) within Ophioglossum s.l., four deeply diverged clades are identified and the relationships among the four clades are well resolved; (4) evolution of 34 morphological characters is analyzed in the context of the new phylogeny, among which shape of rhizomes, germination time of spores, shape of early gametophytes, and a number of other characters are found to contain interesting phylogenetic signal; and (5) based on the new phylogeny and character evolution, we propose a new classification of Ophioglossaceae in which the currently circumscribed Ophioglossum is divided into four genera including three new ones: Goswamia, Haukia, and Whittieria considering their molecular, morphological, ecological, and biogeographical distinctiveness.

Automated summary

This study examines the evolutionary biology and morphology of Adder's tongue ferns. Using different datasets and constructing a new phylogenetic tree, the relationships among subfamilies, the monophyly of Ophioglossum, and a new classification of Ophioglossaceae are determined. Additionally, the evolution of certain morphological characters is analyzed.