Unveiling Cryptic Fern Diversity in American lady ferns (Athyrium filix-femina)
Conference Year
January 2023
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.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
David Barrington
Graduate Student Mentors
Michael Sundue
Status
Graduate
Student College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Program/Major
Plant Biology
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Unveiling Cryptic Fern Diversity in American lady ferns (Athyrium filix-femina)
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.