Lastreopsis kermadecensis, a new fern species from Raoul Island in the Kermadec Islands, New Zealand, with notes on L. pacifica

Abstract

It has long been thought that a potentially distinct species of Lastreopsis occurs on Raoul Island in the Kermadec Islands, and it is here described as L. kermadecensis Perrie et Brownsey sp. nov. It has been allied with L. glabella or L. pacifica, but is morphologically most similar to L. smithiana from eastern Australia, sharing similar indumentum, gland and rhizome characteristics. Lastreopsis kermadecensis differs from L. smithiana in having less-divided fronds with fewer catadromous primary pinnae, some clathrate scales on the stipes, larger spores and in being tetraploid. Its conservation status has previously been rated as At Risk/Naturally Uncommon _{IE, OL}. Additionally, notes are provided on the circumscription of L. pacifica, particularly with regard to Samoan material which may be distinct.

Keywords:

• Kermadec Islands
• Lastreopsis kermadecensis
• L. pacifica
• L. smithiana
• new species
• Raoul Island
• polyploidy
• taxonomy
• New Zealand Flora

Acknowledgements

We thank relevant staff of AK, BISH, BRI, CHR, NSW and WELT for facilitating the loan of material; Brian Murray and Peter de Lange for allowing use of their unpublished chromosome count for Lastreopsis kermadecensis; Barbara Parris for the Latin diagnosis; Heather Driscoll for investigating the indusia of UC holdings of L. pacifica; Peter Bostock (BRI) for comments on L. smithiana; Auckland Museum for allowing publication of specimen images; Maureen Young and Peter de Lange for field investigations of the rhizome of L. kermadecensis; Peter de Lange for comments on a draft manuscript, particularly with respect to habitat and conservation status; and referees for comments that improved the manuscript. This research was supported by the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science and Technology through the Defining New Zealand's Land Biota OBI.

Notes

Supplementary data available at www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/0028825X.2011.640336 Supplementary File 1: List of the specimens examined of Lastreopsis calantha, L. pacifica and L. smithiana.