Phylogeny and Taxonomy of the Coral Reef Maidenhair Fern Adiantum capillus‐veneris subsp. lanyuanum (Pteridaceae) in East Asia

Abstract

Adiantum capillus‐veneris is a species with a worldwide distribution, exhibiting considerable morphological variation, with several infraspecific names applied. Among these infraspecific taxa, A. capillus‐veneris subspecies lanyuanum can be easily distinguished from typical A. capillus‐veneris by its small and 1‐pinnate fronds. This form has been recorded from a few insular populations in Taiwan and Japan, typically inhabiting moist and shaded coral reef cliffs. A chloroplast DNA phylogeny further demonstrates that collections of subsp. lanyuanum across different populations formed a well‐supported clade, and also provides evidence of its genetic distinctiveness and differentiation. Further examination of herbarium specimens and field observations found that, in addition to frond morphology, the rhizome scale differences are also useful for distinguishing the two taxa. As a consequence, A. capillus‐veneris subsp. lanyuanum comb. nov. is proposed as the appropriate taxonomic designation of this taxa and a neotype is designated.

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