Elaphoglossum Schott. ex J. Sm. (Dryopteridaceae) do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil

Abstract

Elaphoglossum Schott. ex J. Sm. (Dryopteridaceae) is a pantropical genus geographically distributed along dense ombrophilous forests, semideciduous seasonal forests, and in alpine and rocky fields. Elaphoglossum species have great morphological variability, especially regarding vegetative characters. Such morphological complexity and the scarcity of studies on the nomenclature and taxonomy of the brazilian species may hinder their recongnition. Herein we present the taxonomy of the genus Elaphoglossum for the state of Minas Gerais, based on field observations and on the study of herborized material. Fifity species were accepted, amongst which four are new. The analyzed species are distributed in four sections: Lepidoglossa, Subulata, Elaphoglossum and Squamipedia. As for the patterns of geographic distribution, only one species, Elaphoglossum hybridum (Bory) Brack., is pantropical, while all other 49 are neotropical. Among the analyzed taxa, 15 are restricted to Brazil, being four of them endemic to Minas Gerais. New records for the state are presented; new binomials are indicated as synonyms and 15 lectotypifications are presented. The most relevant traits for the circumscription of Elaphoglossum species analyzed herein were the type and distribution of scales on the rhizome, petiole, costa and lamina, and relative size between fertile and sterile fronds. Identification keys, descriptions, illustrations, and geographical distribution maps were prepared for all species. Additionally, geographic distribution data were associated with the environment of occurrence of each species. The taxonomic and nomenclatural considerations that delimit and circumscribe the species were presented.