[Botany • 2021] Dipteris shenzhenensis (Dipteridaceae) • A New Critically Endangered Species from Shenzhen, southern China

(F–H)  D. chinensis 

(A–C & line drawing) 

Dipteris shenzhenensis Y.H.Yan & Z.Y.Wei,

in Wei, Gu, Xia, Chen, ... et Yan,. 2021.

深圳双扇蕨 | DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.186.73739

Abstract

Dipteris shenzhenensis, a new species of ferns from Shenzhen, Guangdong, southern China, is identified and described. It closely resembles D. chinensis but possesses several unique traits, such as long rhizome scales, castaneous stipe, and abaxially pale fronds with two fan-shaped fronds connected by a broad wing. Molecular evidence showed that D. shenzhenensis is allied to D. conjugata, whereas it has morphologically significant differences (P < 0.05) on the basis of quantitative trait statistical analysis. Overall, the morphological evidence, taken together with the result of cpDNA indicated that D. shenzhenensis is a distinct species.

Keywords: fern, Gleicheniales, morphology, phylogeny, quantity traits, taxonomy

Dipteris shenzhenensis Y.H.Yan & Z.Y.Wei,

A habit B details of a lamina showing the venation and the distribution of sori C rhizome scale showing the profile and length 

(drawn by Zuo-Ying Wei & Li-Jun Chen, based on the type material at SZG).

Morphological features of Dipteris shenzhenensis Y.H.Yan & Z.Y.Wei (A–E) and D. chinensis (F–J).

A fan-shaped frond of D. shenzhenensis B the frond base with broad wing of D. shenzhenensis C rhizome of D. shenzhenensis D spore of D. shenzhenensis E rhizome scale of D. shenzhenensis

F fan-shaped frond of D. chinensis G the frond base without wing of D. chinensis H rhizome of D. chinensis I spore of D. chinensis J rhizome scale of D. chinensis.

 Dipteris shenzhenensis Y.H.Yan & Z.Y.Wei, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: The new species is similar to D. chinensis, but differs in rhizome scales being longer (6.8–8.0 mm vs. 3.74–4.00 mm), in the base and color of fronds (base with broad wings, abaxially pale vs. base without wings, abaxially green), and in stipe color (castaneous vs. stramineous to brown).

Distribution and habitat: So far only known from Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, southern China. It is distributed in Mt. Qiniangshan, growing on rocks at elevation of 70–200 m in evergreen broad-leaf forest.

Etymology: Dipteris shenzhenensis was discovered in the City of Shenzhen located in Guangdong Province, southern China. The specific epithet, therefore, is from this city name.

Chinese name: Shen-zhen-shuang-shan-jue (深圳双扇蕨).

Zuo-Ying Wei, Yu-Feng Gu, Zeng-Qiang Xia, Li-Jun Chen, Ting Wang, Shou-Zhou Zhang, Guo-Hua Zhao, Jian-Bing Chen, Jian-Guo Cao and Yue-Hong Yan. 2021. Dipteris shenzhenensis, A New Endangered Species of Dipteridaceae from Shenzhen, southern China. PhytoKeys. 186: 111-120.  DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.186.73739