Diversity, taxonomy, and history of the tropical fern genus Didymoglossum Desv. (Hymenophyllaceae, Polypodiidae) in Africa

The fern genus Didymoglossum (Hymenophyllaceae) is not so diverse in Africa with seven species at most. However, its local taxonomy is surprisingly still strongly debated, in particular within the Didymoglossum erosum complex interpreted either as a single polymorphic species or as a group of at least three distinct but morphologically very close taxa (D. erosum, Didymoglossum chamaedrys, and Didymoglossum benlii). Investigating these taxonomic issues and more generally the diversity of the genus in Africa and its origin, we conducted a complete anatomo-morphological analysis coupled with a molecular phylogenetic work based on rbcL. Our results support the recognition of all seven species, including Didymoglossum robinsonii that is likely distinct from the Neotropical Didymoglossum reptans to which the African populations were traditionally attributed. We here propose new characters and a novel key to distinguish the seven African species which also include Didymoglossum ballardianum, Didymoglossum lenormandii, and Didymoglossum liberiense. Once the taxonomy is clarified with respect to the distinct evolutionary lineages evidenced, the biogeographic history of the genus in Africa is discussed based on a divergence time estimation and the reconstruction of the ancestral geographic areas. These analyses reveal a Mesozoic (Cretaceous) vicariance event within Didymoglossum which is the second one hypothesized for the family Hymenophyllaceae.

Automated summary

The diversity of the fern genus Didymoglossum in Africa is not high, with at most seven species. However, there is still a strong debate about its local taxonomy, particularly regarding the Didymoglossum erosum complex. Our study uses anatomical, morphological, and molecular analyses to support the recognition of all seven species and propose new characters and a key to distinguish them. We also discuss the biogeographic history of the genus in Africa based on divergence time estimation and ancestral geographic area reconstruction.