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ABSTRACT
The pteridophyte account of Flora Iranica (ed. K.H. Rechinger) is still not published. The Caspian forests provide suitable habitats for the growth of many ferns and fern allies in Iran. In semi-arid and mountainous areas of Iran, mesophilous plants are restricted to rock crevices, waterfall proximity, stream banks and lake shores. Based o...
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... E, 1000-1100 m, forest opening dominated by Pteridium aquilinum, 30.6.1995 Pteridium aquilinum is the most widespread species among Iranian ferns, occurring as a ruderal along the borders of the Hyrcanian forests. In disturbed places, forest margins and deforested areas, it can form very dense stands with almost no other associated species (Fig. 50A). The occurrence of this species in the W of Iran is interesting. Based on observations by M. Eskandari, the area looks dry and hardly suitable for such a moisture-loving plant. New collections are needed to confirm the ocurrence of this species in western parts of Iran. ...
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This study was aimed to document the floristic attributes of the pteridophytes of District Tor Ghar; Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Total 41 species distributed in 20 genera and 10 families were recognized. Dryopteridaceae was the
largest family with 12 species (29.26%). Second and third large family is Pteridaceae and Thelypteridaceae with 10 (24.3...
Citations
... Synopsis of Osmunda (royal ferns; Osmundaceae) • 9 with some additional records from literature (Tutin et al. 1964, Schelpe and Anthony 1986, Moe and Saetersdal 1995, Lobin et al. 1998, Landi and Angiolini 2008, Khoshravesh et al. 2010, Gdula et al. 2014, which represent important range extensions (Fig. 4). ...
We present an overview of the morphology, biogeography, and ecology of the fern genus Osmunda (i.e. without previously included taxa of Claytosmunda, Osmundastrum, and Plenasium), with a focus on the American O. spectabilis Willd. and Old World O. regalis L. While genetic data supports the separation of these taxa, commonly used morphologic characters to distinguish between O. regalis and O. spectabilis (maximum frond size; pinnae sessile vs. stalked; pinnules opposite vs. alternate; general pinnule proportions) are not infallible. We recorded morphometric differences among and between O. regalis and O. spectabilis and correlated these with spatio-environmental gradients. Our work provides an updated taxonomic overview with full synonymy and diagnostic key of Osmunda. We preliminarily recognize six informal subtaxa in O. regalis (‘regalis’, ‘abyssinica’, ‘huegeliana’, ‘longifolia’, ‘transvaalensis’, ‘obtusifolia’) and three in O. spectabilis (‘spectabilis’, ‘palustris’, ‘piresii’) that separate in a morphological traits-based principal component analysis. The morphotaxa appeared geographically structured and their distribution showed significant correlations with elevation, mean annual precipitation, annual mean temperature, and temperature seasonality. The taxonomic rank and validity of the proposed subtaxa has to be tested through a large-scale sampling, e.g. with comparative cp/nr genomic and cytogenetic analyses. Such future analyses may help to ascertain whether the observed morphologic peculiarities are conditioned solely by abiotic factors (which would allow addressing them as forms) or are manifested in the genome.
... Specimens of both species were mounted and deposited in the herbarium of department of Forestry, College of Agriculture at University of Mosul. The specimens were identified depending upon the keys and description mentioned in: 1 -Khoshravesh, (2009) and the web site (Azolla in Flora of North America @ efloras.org.) for the fern. 2-Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (2007) and Warrington (2001) for the flowering plant. ...
... Specimens of both species were mounted and deposited in the herbarium of department of Forestry, College of Agriculture at University of Mosul. The specimens were identified depending upon the keys and description mentioned in: 1 -Khoshravesh, (2009) and the web site (Azolla in Flora of North America @ efloras.org.) for the fern. 2-Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (2007) and Warrington (2001) for the flowering plant. ...
AThe present research is a scientific documentation of a
historical environmental event, which is the invasion of two
species of non-native (exotic) aquatic plants for the Tigris River
flowing in Mosul city center near Al-Dandan water purification
plant. One of them is Azolla filiculoides Lam., a fern belonging
to the family Salviniaceae, the other being Hydrilla verticellata
(L. f.) Royle, a monocotyledons plant belonging to the family
Hydrocharitaceae. The most important morphological
characteristics of both species’ vegetative parts enable their
identification. Morphological examination of H. verticellata leaf,
revealed that it is monoecious biotype like that found in the states
of America which are located in the northern latitudes, and not
dioecious like the type found in southern latitudes states. It is
recommend from the relevant specialists to monitor these two
species and study the possibility of their conversion to invasive
plants, It is also recommended from them to studying their
impacts on the aquatic life of the river. Aim of the present study
is to document the invasion of two alien hydrophytes to Tigris
river that flow within Mosul city, North of Iraq..rticle information Article history:
... Within the Caucasus, Adiantum capillus-veneris possesses more localities merely in Georgia (Ketskhoveli 1971;Fischer et al. 2018), while there are only several isolated stands in Azerbaijan (Ganja-Dashkasan Region; Verdiyeva 2020), Armenia (Fayvush and Aleksanyan 2016) and the Black Sea coast of the Russian Caucasus (Litvinskaya 2004). Its Caucasian distribution continues eastwards to the Hyrcanian refugium (Talysh Mts. in Azerbaijan, N Iran), where the species is more common (Kariagin 1950;Khoshravesh et al. 2009) and towards Central Asia (Nowak et al. 2015). In Georgia, Adiantum capillus-veneris is reported from six floristic regions (Ketskhoveli 1971;Fischer et al. 2018), five in the Colchic (W) part of the national territory (regions Abkhazia, Samegrelo, Racha-Lechkhumi, Imereti and Adjara) and one in E Georgia (Kartli region -Tbilisi city). ...
https://rdcu.be/dhEmw
Relict vegetation of water-splashed petrifying rocks with calcareous tufa formation dominated by the fern Adiantum capillus-veneris and wetland bryophytes (phytosociological class Adiantetea) was investigated in Georgia, Caucasus biodiversity hotspot. The study brings the first phytosociological data on this scarce community in the Caucasus based on a novel dataset of vegetation plot records. A classification analysis revealed two main vegetation communities. They are represented by the Caucasian community recorded in the Mtkvari River valley inside the Tbilisi city (E Georgia) and the Colchic community developed under the humid, warm-temperate climate of Colchis (W Georgia), one of the key refugia of Tertiary flora across W Eurasia. To compare newly recorded vegetation types and so far described associations of the Adiantetea class, we used a broader dataset of the analogous communities reported from Europe and surroundings. It associated the Caucasian community with the pan-Mediterranean association Eucladio-Adiantetum. It was characterized by subhalophytes (e.g. Samolus valerandi), Eucladium verticillatum as a dominant bryophyte, and the absence of relict or endemic vascular plant species. The Colchic community represented a previously undescribed community. Therefore, we designated a new association Saxifrago
cymbalariae-Adiantetum capilli-veneris delineated by the characteristic species of the Colchic-Caucasian territory (e.g. Hedera colchica, Saxifraga cymbalaria) and Palustriella commutata as the dominant bryophyte. Both associations belong
to the Mediterranean-Atlantic alliance Adiantion. Described communities require conservation attention for their rarity, refugial character and presence of relict and endemic species. Modifications of the hydrological regime and construction
activities are among their most important potential threats.
... Numerous fern species grow in the Hyrcanian region (see for example Khoshravesh et al., 2009), some of which such as Dryopteris filix-mas and Athyrium filix-femina grow vigorously and sometimes aggressively in the clearings and therefore can be indicative of natural or humaninduced disturbance. However, as these ferns prefer also wet, and as for Dryopteris even nutrient-rich sites (Bjune et al., 2009), wetland margins are ideal for their expansion. ...
... P. aquilinum occurs throughout Mazandaran Province in central and northern Iran. Although it is a native species in this region, it dominates large tracts of land and is a seriously problematic invasive species, especially after disturbance (Khoshravesh et al. 2010;Amouzgar et al. 2020). Our previous study (Amouzgar et al. 2020) aimed to assess the relationship between P. aquilinum performance (above-ground biomass, density, and cover) and a range of environmental factors (both physical and chemical soil properties, climate types, topographies and land-uses) in northern Iran. ...
Pteridium aquilinum is one of the most widespread, invasive species in the world, frequently invading disturbed land where it often reduces biodiversity, crop yield, and economic value. Most research on P. aquilinum has been conducted in temperate climates, with limited information available on the spread of the species in areas with semi-arid or Mediterranean climates. Here, we present a regional assessment of the growth of P. aquilinum in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. P. aquilinum frond and rhizome growth was assessed at 15 sites covering its regional geographic range and a range of elevations, climate types, soil properties and land-uses. Frond phenological change over the growing season was also measured at three sites at different elevations. Results showed that P. aquilinum invasion is not restricted by land-use, elevation, and climate type. P. aquilinum produced 23–42 fronds m−2 with a height of between 78 and 275 cm and 4 to 21 t ha−1 frond biomass and 1.3–18 t ha−1 rhizome biomass. Sites at high elevation had the greatest dormant bud number indicating a potentially greater resistance to control treatment. A novel result was that P. aquilinum biomass produced a bimodal response for soil carbon, nitrogen and pH, but soil phosphorus produced greatest biomass at low concentrations. Phenological analysis of fronds showed a site-dependent, non-linear, sigmoidal pattern for biomass and frond height; asymptotes for frond biomass and frond height reached 1700 g m−2 and 110 cm and became stable after 170 and 180 Julian days, respectively. The phenological results indicate that treatments targeting fronds to control P. aquilinum invasion should be applied after 180 Julian days when maximum transfer of resources from fronds to rhizomes occur. These results provide for the first-time information on the spread of P. aquilinum in northern Iran from a growth and phenological perspective of both fronds and rhizomes and indicate that any human changes in natural ecosystems up to an elevation of 2100 m could facilitate further invasion.
... The absence of sufficient light, moisture, and suitable soil, as well as a weak root system (Asadi and Ghasemi 2007;Sadati et al. 2010;Asadi and Mirzaie-Nodoushan 2011), has decreased the regeneration of natural populations of P. caspica. In addition, local anthropogenic activities such as dense urbanization, dam construction, afforestation, and reforestation, and the plain forest clearance for agricultural purposes, have disturbed natural habitats of P. caspica (Jalili and Jamzad 1999;Khoshravesh et al. 2009;Akhani et al. 2010;Sagheb-Talebi et al. 2013 Leroy et al. 2011). Accordingly, this species is listed in the Red data book of Iran with the Endangered (EN) category (Jalili and Jamzad 1999). ...
... Since prehistoric times, lowland areas near the Caspian Sea have been very attractive for humans. Human pressure grew stronger over time and natural habitats of P. caspica were turned into crop fields or destroyed by deforestation and buildings and roads (Jalili and Jamzad 1999;Khoshravesh et al. 2009;Akhani et al. 2010;Sagheb-Talebi et al. 2013). Earlier widespread forests, which were dominated by Alnus and P. caspica are now destroyed (Hamzeh'ee et al. 2008). ...
The Hyrcanian Forests in Northern Iran, listed as a UNESCO's World Heritage Site, contains the last remnants of an ancient, widespread Tertiary broad-leaved forest. Little research, however, has examined the consequences of climate change on the distribution patterns of the rich endemic flora of this ecoregion. Climate change can be a major, and undesirable, threat to the various species of the Hyrcanian Forests ecoregion. Therefore, determining suitable habitats for the endemic species from this ecoregion is crucial for their conservation. Populus caspica Bornm, for example, is one of the endemic species of this area. We used the current locations of natural populations of P. caspica to predict the potential habitat range of this species by applying MAXENT algorithm for the present, past (Last Glacial Maximum-Holocene Optimum), and future (2070s) climatic conditions. Our results suggest that the range of the natural habitat of P. caspica expanded during the Holocene, and the present range is wider than that of the past (about 6 ka BP) ages. Climate changes, however, will negatively impact the future habitat range of this species, reducing suitable range by up to 63.46% in the Hyrcanian forests, and only 36.54% of the stable habitats will be retained. These findings can be used to develop an effective conservation strategy for the future. Our models suggest a common priority area in the Eastern part of the Hyrcanian Forests, where the populations of P. caspica are at high risk and should be taken under special protection.
... Hybridization and allopolyploidy are common throughout the family in Asia including intergeneric hybrids, and hybrids within and between sections of Athyrium (Kurihara & al., 1996;Park & Kato, 2003;Kuo & al., 2016). For example, the Japanese flora alone is thought to include 74 interspecific hybrids occurring between 109 species of Athyrium (Kurata & Nakaike, 1990Iwatsuki, 1992;Terada & Takamiya, 2006). In comparison, the North American A. filix-femina s.l. is characterized by geographically distinct but inter-fertile homoploid populations (Kelloff & al., 2002;Sciarretta & al., 2005). ...
... When several species co-occurred, we separately recorded the cover for each species. The nomenclature for ferns, mosses and liverworts follows those provided by Iwatsuki (1992), Iwatsuki (2004), and Katagiri & Furuki (2018), respectively. In addition to the species richness and cover, the forms of epiphytic bryophytes (life forms) were also recorded based on the classification of Bates (1998). ...
Habitat changes caused by large deer populations can affect epiphytes on trees through altered microenvironments. We hypothesized that the effect of deer activities on epiphytes differs according to the host tree species and the type of management strategy. To test this hypothesis, the changes in epiphyte diversity were examined on Mt. Odaigahara (Japan), where debarking by Sika deer (Cervus nippon) has caused forests in the eastern part (Picea trees) to decline and the tree trunks have been wrapped with wire mesh to protect them from debarking. In contrast, the forests in the western part (Fagus or Symplocos trees) were less influenced by deer debarking and wire mesh has not been used for protection. A comparison of epiphyte diversity between 1983 and 2008 revealed that the species richness and cover of epiphytes on Picea trees significantly decreased with decreasing dominance of bryophytes with hygrophilous morphological characteristics (hygrophilous life forms). The significant decrease can be explained by both increased drought stress due to tree dieback by deer debarking and metal poisoning from the wire mesh used for tree protection. In contrast, species richness of epiphytes on Fagus trees increased while the cover decreased significantly. These changes may be associated with the drought stress due to the loss of vegetation caused by deer herbivory, which facilitates the new establishment of xerophilous species while decreasing the total epiphyte cover. Unlike epiphytes on Picea and Fagus trees, those on Symplocos trees showed the smallest change between 1983 and 2008. Given that the lowest dominance of hygrophilous life forms was observed on Symplocos trees in 1983, the forest interior could have been drier; hence, drought stress resulting from loss of vegetation by deer herbivory may exert less influence on the epiphytes. Based on these results, the response of epiphytes to deer activities varies according to the host tree species and the presence of protective wire mesh. These differences should be considered when evaluating the influence of deer on epiphyte diversity, and appropriate measures should be implemented for their conservation.
... nipponicum (Kunze) Á. Löve & D.Löve), based largely on cytotaxonomic data (i.e., chromosome counts) (though information from additional Asian species was not considered according to Nakato, 1987). Furthermore, some of the species of Struthiopteris (for example, S. spicant, S. niponica, and S. castanea) show a high level of phenotypic plasticity (Tagawa, 1936;Löve & Löve, 1966, 1968Iwatsuki, 1992), which has resulted in the description of numerous ecological forms and varieties (up to 22 in the case of S. spicant; see Löve & Löve, 1968). Up to now, no completely sampled phylogenetic analysis for Struthiopteris has been conducted and only some species have been included in more general phylogenetic studies of the Blechnaceae. ...
The family Blechnaceae is a moderately sized leptosporangiate fern lineage, with 24 genera and around 250 species. Struthiopteris accommodates small to medium‐sized, dimorphic, pinnate species. It is composed of six northern species: S. spicant is distributed in western parts of Europe and North America; S. fallax is endemic to Iceland; S. niponica, S. amabilis and S. castanea are endemic to Japan, and S. hancockii occurs in Japan and Taiwan. Due to the lack of a global review and to its highly interesting geographical distribution, this genus merits further study to clarify its taxonomy, species relationships, and distributional pattern. The present study aims to achieve the following goals: (a) identify and describe morphological characters supporting the taxonomy of Struthiopteris; (b) reconstruct a complete phylogeny for the genus; (c) study the biogeographical history of Struthiopteris at a global scale. The morphological study involved the observation of characters ranging from rhizome scales to spores over 164 individuals. Phylogenies were constructed applying ML and BI techniques over 51 newly produced sequences of three chloroplast markers (rbcL, trnL‐trnF, psbA‐trnH), using the species Blechnidium melanopus and Brainea insignis as closest relatives. For the molecular dating and historical biogeography analyses, we estimated and compared ancestral ranges under several models. Most of the morphological characters led us to discern two groups of species: the S. spicant group (S. spicant, S. fallax, and S. castanea) and the S. niponica group (the remaining species). In our molecular phylogeny, the supposed sister genus Blechnidium always appeared as nested within Struthiopteris, rendering this genus non‐monophyletic. The two groups identified by the morphology appeared as monophyletic clades within Struthiopteris, with the clade S. spicant more closely related to Blechnidium than to the clade S. niponica. For all these reasons, we propose to rescue the now‐disused genus Spicantopsis for the species belonging to the S. niponica group: indeed, this genus was created c. 100 years ago to reunite the same species S. amabilis, S. niponica, and S. hancockii. Our results suggest that all members of this group of genera (Blechnidium, Struthiopteris, Spicantopsis) emerged in East Asia about 85 mya, at a time when Japan was still part of the mainland. It appears that, for most of their history, the members of these genera have been confined to East Asia, with one dispersal to the Americas by an ancestor within Struthiopteris s.str., and additional dispersals to India and the Philippines by Blechnidium melanopus.
