Cheilanthes ecuadorensis: A new species of Cheilanthes s.s. (Pteridaceae) from northern South America

<p>Ongoing research on the taxonomically complex genus <i>Cheilanthes</i> (Pteridaceae; Cheilanthoideae) has resulted in the identification of a new species from Loja Province in Ecuador—<b><i>Cheilanthes ecuadorensis</i></b>,<b><i> </i></b>described and illustrated herein. Originally collected in 1988 and identified as <i>C. cf. rufopunctata</i>, <i>C. ecuadorensis</i> is clearly distinct from that species<i> </i>in having pubescent adaxial blade surfaces and narrow, poorly-differentiated false indusia. Among the South American species currently included in <i>Cheilanthes, C. ecuadorensis</i> is superficially most similar to <i>C. pilosa</i>. However, our molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that <i>C. ecuadorensis</i> is sister to <i>C. micropteris</i>, the morphologically disparate generitype of <i>Cheilanthes</i>. Here we examine the phylogenetic relationships, morphology, cytogenetics, and geography of these four South American <i>Cheilanthes</i> species in a study that, once again, highlights the importance of herbaria in the process of new species discovery.</p>