Three new hybrids of Ophioglossum (Ophioglossaceae) from Monte Pisano, Tuscany (Central Italy)

Abstract

Based on general morphology, spore measurements and ornamentation (scanning electron microscope), genome size estimation, and molecular systematics (trnL-trnF IGS), we show the extreme systematic complexity within the European representatives of the genus Ophioglossum. In particular, three hybrids from Tuscany are described: the tetraploid O. × pierinii Peruzzi, Magrini, Marchetti & Viane, seen as the hybrid between diploid O. lusitanicum L. and hexaploid O. azoricum C.Presl; the tetraploid O. × giovanninii Peruzzi, Pierini, Magrini, Marchetti & Viane, seen as the homoploid hybrid between tetraploid O. vulgatum L. and tetraploid O. × pierinii Peruzzi, Magrini, Marchetti & Viane; the pentaploid O. × pseudoazoricum Peruzzi, Pierini, Magrini, Marchetti & Viane, seen as the hybrid between hexaploid O. azoricum C.Presl and tetraploid O. vulgatum L. All the three new taxa grow in different localities in the Monte Pisano mountain range.

Keywords::

• Flow-cytometry
• genome size
• hybridization
• Ophioglossidae
• Ophioglossum
• Psilotopsida
• SEM
• taxonomy
• trnL-trnF IGS

Acknowledgements

Teresa Maria Monaco is gratefully acknowledged for help in molecular laboratory activities during a stage activity. Many thanks are due to Henri Michaud for providing material of O. cfr. azoricum from southern France, and to Mr Guy Van der Kinderen (Ghent University) for most of the raw flow cytometry analyses.

Additional information

Funding

Financial support of the University of Pisa (“Fondi di Ateneo” EX60%) is gratefully acknowledged.