Unveiling Cryptic Fern Diversity in American lady ferns (Athyrium filix-femina)
Black, Bertrand
Black, Bertrand
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Abstract
Cryptic species present challenges for scientific identification and classification. These problems are particularly relevant for cryptic plants like ferns. Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth is a widespread terrestrial fern that has been the subject of enduring taxonomic debate resulting in the ambiguous circumscription of the American taxa. This study integrated molecular, morphological, and biogeographic datasets to resolve ongoing confusion regarding the classification of this species complex. The poorly understood relationships between Athyrium taxa in the Americas provides an ideal study system to explore the origins, frequency, and evolution of cryptic diversity at a transcontinental and across the tree of life.
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Graduate
Date
2023-01-01