Phylogenetic relationships within the fern genus Hymenophyllum s. l. (Hymenophyllaceae, Filicopsida):: contribution of morphology and cytology

The phylogenetic relationships of Hymenophyllum and its segregate genera Cardiomanes, Hymenoglossum, Rosenstockia, Serpyllopsis and Microtrichomanes are addressed, using 31 morphological characters of the sporophyte and one cytological character. As expected, this study reveals considerable morphological heterogeneity within the genus sensu lato, but several apomorphic changes allow support for some clades. Four unresolved taxa, Cardiomanes, Hymenoglossum, Diplophyllum and Mecodium pro parte are probably the most basal elements in Hymenophyllum. The analysis also suggests the polyphyly of Mecodium, and two unexpected associations: Sphaerocionium together with Microtrichomanes; and a broad clade composed of subg. Hymenophyllum, Hemicyatheon and Craspedophyllum, genera Rosenstockia and Serpyllopsis, and subsect. Leptocionium and Amphipterum. These associations appear justified by morphological, cytological or geographical data, and most of them are in agreement with preliminary molecular results. (C) 2003 Academie des sciences. Published by Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.