A phylogenetic and morphological study of the Tectaria fuscipes group (Tectariaceae), with description of a new species

<p>The fern species <em>Tectaria</em> <em>fuscipes</em> and morphologically similar species, which are common in tropical and subtropical mainland Asia, constitute a taxonomically confusing group. To better understand species boundaries and relationships within <em>the T</em>. <em>fuscipes</em> group, we conducted phylogenetic analyses of five plastid regions and morphological observations of herbarium specimens and living plants. As a result, we produced a generally well-resolved phylogeny of the <em>T</em>. <em>fuscipes</em> group and morphologically similar species in Asia. The phylogenetic analyses supported the <em>T</em>. <em>fuscipes</em> group including <em>T</em>. <em>dissecta</em>, <em>T</em>. <em>fuscipes</em>, <em>T</em>. <em>ingens</em>, <em>T</em>. <em>paradoxa</em>, <em>T</em>. <em>setulosa</em>, <em>T</em>. <em>subfuscipes</em>, <em>T</em>. <em>subsageniacea</em> and a new species, but excluding <em>T</em>. <em>kusukusensis</em>. However, <em>T</em>. <em>fuscipes</em>, <em>T</em>. <em>subfuscipes</em> and <em>T</em>. <em>subsageniacea</em> are almost indistinguishable in morphology, which form a complex characterized by the black linear-lanceolate stipe scales. The new species found in southern China and Vietnam is described here as <em>T</em>. <em>fungii</em>. It is similar to the <em>T</em>. <em>fuscipes</em> complex and <em>T</em>. <em>kusukusensis</em>, but differs from the former mainly by its brown-castaneous lanceolate stipe scales and from the latter by having nearly hairless laminae (versus frond axes abaxially bearing copious hairs). </p>