Eleven New Species in the Grammitid Fern Genus Melpomene (Polypodiaceae)

2008·20.5 MB·English

by  Marcus Lehnert

New
Grammitid Genus
Eleven Species in the Fern
Melpomene
(Polypodiaceae)
Marcus
Lehnert
ssenschaften, Abt. Systematische Botanik, Georg-
D-37073 Germany
Karspiile Gottingen,
3 2,
—
Abstract. Based on extensive studies of grammitid ferns (Polypodiaceae) in the field and as
new
specimens in various herbaria, eleven species in the genus Melpomene are recognized from
Melpomene
the Neotropics: albicans, M. caput-gorgonis, M. M. huancabambensis, M.
flagellata,
vulcanica. All are restricted to the Andes except for M. personata, which also extends to
Mesoamerica and the Caribbean. The morphology and distribution of all species are illustrated.
Words.—
Andes, Caribbean, grammitid Melpomene, Mesoamerica
ki-:\ ferns,
The Melpomene
genus belongs the grammitid which form
to ferns, a
monophyletic
clade within the Polypodiaceae (Schneider et al, 2004) and
-
comprise about 750 species (Parris, 2005) with a pantropical southern
temperate Melpomene was
distribution (Parris, 1990, 2003). established as a
genus on
solely morphological characters (Smith and Moran, 1992) but was
later supported as a natural monophyletic group in molecular analyses (Ranker
et al, 2004; Lehnert et al, in print) that also confirmed some exclusions from
and
additions to the genus (Smith, 1995; Leon and Smith, Because
2003). of
its
young
taxonomical genus
age, the has never been revised whole.
as a Partial
revisions are available for Mexico (Mickel and Smith, Mesomamerica
2004),
(Moran and
Riba, 1995), and Brazil (Labiak and Prado, 2005), but these areas
belong
to the periphery of the total range of the genus, where a restricted
assemblage and
of species morphological emphasis caused by
genetic
drift
may
lead to an easier distinction of species. The majority specimens come
of
m
from Andean
the where
region, the genus occurs 200-5200 and
displays
at
the greatest morphological
diversity.
In order to revise the whole genus, a total of 2100 collections from following
AAU,
herbaria were examined: BM, BHCB,
COL, COLO, CUZ, GOET,
B, C,
K,
LOJA, LPB, P, QCA, QCNE, RB, SP, TUR, UC, US, USM. Among them
S,
are
251 specimens by
collected the author in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and
him
Argentina, giving
further insight about putative between
correlations
and
ecological conditions morphological As
plasticity. suspected from
previous studies on grammitid
ferns (Labiak, 2000; Rojas, 2001; Leon and
.owentor, Rosenstein
NEW
LEHNERT: OF MELPOMENE
SPECIES
215
Melpomene
Smith, were
2004), several taxa in indentified as yet undescribed
species.
Most
of the following species have been collected prior to this study but
were
not recognized something new.
as Instead, their morphological
were
differences dismissed
as intraspecific variability or aberrations. In
this
study was observed some widespread have morpholo-
that species
a great
it
high answer wide
gical plasticity, reflecting a potential to a array of ecological
Good examples Melpomene
factors. are moniliformis (Lagasca Sw.) A.
ex. R.
Sm. & Moran and M. A. Sm. & Moran, whose
R. C. flabelliformis (Poir.) R. R. C.
distributions cover almost the whole range of the genus, the species
latter
being the sole representative of the genus in the Paleotropics. They inhabit
many
and
different types of habitats consequently vary in size enormously,
which
often correlated with a change of the proportions of the segments and
is
number
Opposed
in the of cells across the scale bases. to this, specialized
species have to respond to a smaller amplitude of biotic and abiotic factors and
consequently should display a lower morphological variability. In respect to
the absolute ranges of the morphological variability, this leads to an apparent
incongruence among The
the species descriptions presented here. reasons for
comments
the respective recognition of a species are given in the following the
descriptions.
Terminology Grammitid with
follows that of Lellinger (2002). ferns are beset
two indument and homologous
types of laminar that are distinct not part of a
series. The term "seta" has often been applied to the darkened hairs that
stiff,
frequently occur in grammitid ferns and also in Melpomene (Smith and Moran,
1992; Labiak and Prado, 2005). The same treatments used the term "hairs" for
the paler, often branched trichomes found mainly on young petioles and
Melpomene. However,
rachises in find that the so-called "setae" are
I
developed within Melpomene, sometimes representing species
differently
autapomorphies and sometimes growth conditions. For
reflecting different
& Moran
example, the "setae" of M. firma Sm.) A. R. Sm. R. C. are usually
(J.
would more
quite short and patent, for which the term "acicular hairs" be
many
M. and related species, the
fitting (Lellinger, 2002). In flabelliformis
"setae" are sometimes flaccid and twisted, often occurring with properly
developed straight and rigid) "setae". Such flaccid trichomes are better
(i.e.,
term
described as "ciliform hairs" (Lellinger, 2002). For the rigid "setae," the
used
Furthermore, Latin
"setiform hairs" available (Lellinger, 2002). in
is
which
would (Steam,
diagnoses, the term "seta" translate as "bristle" 2004), is
Melpomene
found
a notably different structure (Lellinger, 2002) that not in
is
and
or other grammitid genera. will use the terms "ciliform," "setiform,"
I
"acicular hairs" describe the simple pluricellular trichomes that are usually
to
dark red in color with acute and "clavate hairs" for the minute, simple
tips,
and
and branched, pluricellular hairs that are pale in color bear clavate cells at
been
their apices or along their length. This second type of hairs has referred to
homologous
as "glandular" 2005) and they appear to be to the secretive
(Parris,
gland-bearing branched hairs of Zygophlebia (Bishop, 1989), but a secretive
Melpomene The same
was so can be
nature not observed in the hairs of far.
AMERICAN VOLUME NUMBER
FERN JOURNAL:
216 98 4
(2008)
Melpomene
stated for the "glands" that occur on the scale apices of species.
all
They
are thin walled cells that are arranged singly or as pluricellular papillae
branched and
or clavate hairs at the tips rarely also along the margins of the
rhizomes scales, strongly resembling the clavate hairs of the fronds. They are
here simply referred to as apical and marginal Scales are only found on
cells.
the rhizomes and sometimes on the petiolar bases.
The
dimensions of the segments are measured with the midveins cardinal
as
which assumed
points, are as medial lines in the central parts of the segments
between
the sori they are obscure. Segment length measured along the
if
is
midvein from segment tip to rachis; segment width taken as the orthogonal
is
line at half of the length. The dimensions are more useful the width taken
if is
in the central part of the segments because segments
deltate are usually
strongly decurrent onto the rachises in their proximal half and width taken
may
here vary
considerably.
TYPE.—
Lehnert, nov. BOLIVIA. Santa
sp. Cruz: Prov.
i
km
Comarapa,
Caballero, de
ca. 1 Siberia hacia Torecillos, 17 49'S,
64 40'W, 2650 m, 18 Mar 2003, Lehnert 714 (holotype GOET; isotypes
LPB,
UC). 7A.
Figs.
1,
A
Melpomene
personata
laminis abaxialiter albicantibus, a M. youngii
Leon &
Sm.
(Stolze) B. A. R. pilis pluribus in soris confertis praestans.
Plants predominantly
epiphytic growing moss
or epilithic, in layers.
mm
Rhizomes
moderately
to short-creeping, horizontal 1A), 0.8-1.2
(Fig.
diam., sometimes with mm)
short branches (5-10 held Fronds
at right angles.
cm
to 23 long, erect (Fig. 1A) or patent, inserted onto the rhizome acute
at
angles, but often held at nearly right angles to the rhizome, closely arranged
mm)
(internodes 2-5 but not caespitose X
(Fig. 1A). Scales 3.0-5.0(-7.5) (0.3-)
mm,
0.6-0.8(-1.0) (i2-)16-20(-22)
wide,
cells lanceolate, clathrate (Fig. IB),
brown
dark brown,
to strongly iridescent, bases cordate broadly
to cordate, tips
acute
to short-attenuate; apical cells 3-8, in a nodding cluster or palmate
mm
mm
arrangement
(Fig. 1C). Petioles (24-)35-85
long, 0.5-0.8 thick,
marginate from
the laminar most
bases, parts terete, glabrous to glabrescent
mm
with brown
dark
setiform
hairs 0.75-1.2 long simple and
(Fig. ID);
branched mm)
clavate hairs (0.1-0.3 of and young
crosiers fronds often persist
mm
in older fronds. Laminae firm-chartaceous, 120-75 X 18-35
to 4/5
(2/3 to
of frond
length), narrow-elliptic
to elliptic (widest in the middle),
rarely
obovate
(widest above
the middle), cuneate somewhat
or tapering
bases,
at
acute
to attenuate
at tips (Fig. 1A); surfaces abaxially whitish white, often
to
yellow when
or ochre
dried, usually eliminated with
treated alcohol.
if
Rachises dark brown
to black, planar and slightly sunken between segments
adaxially
(Fig. IF), hemispherically
protruding
abaxially with few
(Fig. IE), to
many
branched
clavate on
hairs
like petioles, otherwise glabrous with
or
mm
scattered acicular Segments X
hairs. 9.0-16.0
to
1.2-2.6(-3.0) (6-8 times
longer than broad), weakly
ascending
flat, (80-70
equilateral bases or
at
),
weakly
decurrent
basiscopically,
fully adnate,
linear-oblong
to long-deltate,
NEW
LEHNERT: SPECIES OF
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i't
VOLUME NUMBER
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL:
218 98 4 (2008)
the tips obtuse or short-acute; midveins not visible, or obscurely so abaxially in
dried specimens (Fig. IE, F), without hairs; proximal 1-7 segment pairs
markedly smaller than subsequent segments, sometimes the lowermost 1-4
segment pairs auriculiform; stomata sometimes visible as rusty red dots;
segment margins without hairs; hydathodes present (Fig. IF). Sori 2-8(-9)
mm
pairs per segment, with 4-10 dark-castaneous setiform hairs 0.5-0.8 long
(Fig. IE).
The name
refers to the white wax-like deposit on the abaxial laminae (Latin,
=
albicans being white).
Melpomene
albicans grows cloud and moist montane
in elfin forests, forests,
m
1500-3400 and
forests at in Bolivia eastern Brazil (Fig. 7 A).
There are only a few other species of Melpomene with whitish abaxial
Among
Melpomene
laminar surfaces. these, youngii differs from M. albicans in
being almost completely glabrous (rarely 1-2 hairs present in some sori vs. 4-
10 hairs in sori, petioles glabrous to glabrescent with few hairs in M. albicans)
and more Melpomene &
the strongly ascending segments;
sodiroi (Christ
Sm. & Moran
Rosenst.) A. matches M.
R. R. C. albicans in the hair distribution,
but has gibbose segments with the deeply sunken laminae
sori slightly to
(vs.
planar with M. and
superficial sori in albicans) larger scales (on average 6.0-
9.0 X 1.0-1.2 mm, 24-30 wide 3.0-5.0 X 0.6-0.8 mm, 16-20
cells vs. cells
wide) with
characteristically long tapering acute
tips (vs. to short-attenuate).
Melpomene
erecta V. Morton) A. Sm. & Moran, which only
(C. R. R. C. rarely
mm
has white laminar
surfaces, has thicker rhizomes diam.
(to 2.4 vs. to
mm
1.6 diam. in M. albicans) and wider scales (on average 38-60 16-
cells vs.
20
cells across base).
Melpomene
albicans belongs complex comprising M. M.
to a personata,
peruviana (Desv.) A. R. Sm. & R. C. Moran, M. sodiroi, and M. youngii, which
have
horizontally creeping rhizomes, and
all relatively dark, lanceolate scales,
downward
predominantly Melpomene
pointed
fronds. albicans the only
is
complex when
species in the that has patent fronds growing
epiphytically
or
even when
strongly ascending fronds growning have
epilithically. All
relatively long setiform/ciliform hairs in the except M. where
sori for youngii,
the hairs are usually lacking and
or relatively short sparse (up per
to 2 hairs
Melpomene
sorus). personata and M. peruviana from M.
differ albicans in their
green laminae (vs. with a white wax-like layer abaxially), and they often have
setiform/ciliform hairs along the midveins and sometimes
along
single hairs
the segment margins, which are always absent M. Melpomene
in albicans.
peruviana sometimes
has whitish green laminae
but
lacks a wax-like layer.
Additionally, M. peruviana on much
average smaller than M. and
is albicans
M. cm
personata
(2.5-10.0(-17.5)
17.5-25.0
vs. to cm), tends form dense
to
cushions
tufts or (vs. single plants or loose groups), and grows predominantly
epilithic in drier or cooler habitats than the other two
species (mostly
epiphytic in elfin forests and wet montane
forests).
The specimens Melpomene
of albicans from
Brazil are less variable in size
than the Bolivian specimens. They
are smaller on average and have
shorter
petioles; Ribas et al. 3080 (UC) has also rather densely hairy The
petioles.
.
NEW
LEHNERT: OF MELPOMENE
SPECIES
219
more
Brazilian plants are easily confused with M. xiphopteroides (Liebm.) A.
Sm. & Moran Andean
than
R. R. C. the population because the white laminar
developed and
layers are less the scales are smaller, and thus closer the
to
morphological spectrum M.
of xiphopteroides. However, even weakly
hairy
plants of M. xiphopteroides have more on
setiform/ciliform hairs the rachises
than M. which
albicans, in the rachises are usually glabrous.
Additional specimens examined.—BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Alto Caparao, Parque Nacional do
&
Caparao, along trail to Pico da Bandeira. 2600 m. ca. 20 31'S, 41 53'W, 21 Mar 1999, Salino
Morals 4538 (UC). Parana: Curitiba, Serra Ibitiraque, Morro Camapua (Mun. Campina Grande do
Mar
Sul). 25 [)8'S, 49 04'W, 02 2000, Ribas et 3080 (UC). Rio de Janeiro: Theresopolis,
al. ca.
22 25'S, ca. 42 58'W, Oct 1929, Brade 9094 (NY); boundary between municfpio de Teresopolis and
Municipio de Petropolis, Serra dos Orgaos National Park. ca. 5 km S\V of city of Teresopolis,
&
Nov
22°27-28'S, 43°01-02'W, 30 1965, Eiten Eiten 7168 (US).
BOLIVIA. Cochabamba: Prov. Ayopaya, San Cristobal, climbing along the trail that leads to San
Miguel, 16 39'S, 6643'W, 3100 m, 06 Jun 2002, Jimenez 1107B (GOET, LPB, UC); Prov. Carrasco,
I.
on the way from Comarapa to Siberia, 17 50'S, 64 42'W, 3000 m, 22 Jan 2000, Jimenez 283 (LPB,
I.
km
UC); 10 from Siberia to Comarapa, 17 48'S, 64 42'W, 2600 m, 20 Oct 1996, Kessler 9164
et
al.
km
May
(LPB, UC); Prov. Carrasco, 10 Cocapata-Cotacajes, 16 38'S, 66 41'W, 3000 m, 09 1997,
Kessler et al. 9401 (GOET, LPB, UC); road Cochabamba-Villa Tunari, below Corani, 17 10.58'S,
Nov
65 53.67'W, 2700 m, 26 2002, Lehnert 512 (GOET, LPB, UC); road Cochabamba-Villa Tunari,
below Nov
Corani, 17 10.58'S, 65 53.67'W, 2700 m, 26 2002, Lehnert 514 (GOET, LPB, UC); Prov.
km
Chapare, Cochabamba 54 hacia Villa Tunari, 2750 m, 30 Apr 1979, Beck 1424a (LPB). La Paz:
km N
Choquetanga
crosses the Rio Ocsalla, 10 of Choquetanga, 16 45'S, 67 17'W, 3400 m,
trail
07 Sep 1991, Lewis 39952 (LPB); comunidad Choquetanga-Wichupampa, Serranias de Lulini
NW
N
km km
Mar
13 al de Choquetanga, 2-3 al del cerro Lulini. L6 45'S, 67 20'W, 3290 m, 17
2
1994, Salinas 2783 (US); Prov. Nor Yungas, Coscapa, on prehispanic trail Sillutinkara. L6 S
1
'
&
67 53'W, 3100-3300 m, 07 Jan 2001, Jimenez Vidaurre 526 (LPB, UC), 559 (GOET, LPB, UC);
I.
Unduavi, trench to the Valle de Coscapa, 16 17'S, 67 51'W, 3350 m, 04 Feb 2003, Lehnert 599, 601,
602 (GOET, LPB, UC). Santa Cruz: Prov. Caballero, Comarapa, between Torecillos and Siberia,
17°49.65'S, 64°40.14'W, 2600-2700 m, 18 Mar 2003, Lehnert 696, 707 (GOET, LPB, UC); from
km
Mar
Siberia 4 to the E, small laguna on the ridge (Laguna Tinque?), 2600 m, 18 2003, Lehnert
km
717 (GOET, LPB, UC); by small lake summit of pass ca 4 E of Siberia, 2800 m, 04 Jan 2000,
at
Wood
Goyder 15792
Sr (LPB).
Melpomene TYPE.—
BOLIVIA. La
caput-gorgonis Lehnert, nov. Paz: Prov.
sp.
Nor Yungas, 3200 m, 16 67 51'W, 25
Cotapata, detras del gasolinero, 17'S,
GOET,
Sep 2002, Lehnert 367 (holotype: LPB; isotypes: UC). Figs. 7B.
2,
A
squamarum
Melpomene
apicibus
brevioribus,
flabelliformi petiolis
latioribus (3-4 vs. 1-2 cellulis latis), cellulis apicalibus creberioribus, absentia
pilorum
inter soros
differt.
moss
Plants predominantly epiphytic, growing in layers, rarely epilithic.
mm
Rhizomes moderately short-creeping, horizontal (Fig. 2A), 1.0-1.5
to
diam. Fronds to 35-42 cm, arching to pendent, inserted onto the rhizomes at
1-4 mm). Scales X
right angles 2A), closely arranged (internodes to 6.5
(Fig.
mm, auburn brown,
0.8-1.0 (18-)20-26(-32) wide, clathrate, to strongly
cells
with obtuse truncate
iridescent, broadly cordate to pseudopeltate, to tips
numerous,
ending in rows of 3-4 cells (Fig. 2B); apical cells sitting clustered
mm mm
on wide 15-50(-70) long, 0.6-0.8(-1.0)
the Petioles
tips (Fig. 2C).
VOLUME NUMBER
N 98
:.\L:
4
Melpomene
Fig. 2. caput-g( habil [Kessler 1192, GOET); B. scale [Lehnert 868, GOET);
C. detail of scale apices (//me LPB); D. petiole, upper part adaxially [Lehnert 868, GOET);
,
segment
E. adaxially (Lehnei segment
IET); F. fertile abaxially [Lehnert GOET).
868,
NEW
LEHNERT: OF MELPOMENE
SPECIES
221
thick, decurrently marginate from the laminar with brown
bases,
flaccid
mm)
ciliform hairs (1.0-2.0 on both sides simple and branched
(Fig. 2D),
clavate hairs of crosiers and young fronds sometimes
persistent in older
fronds, but generally Laminae
glabrescent. firm-chartaceous, rarely coriaceous
X mm,
[Lehnert 300(-350) 14-22
781), to narrow-elliptic (broadest in the
middle), decurrent at bases, acute to attenuate sometimes caudate
at tips,
(Fig. 2A). Rachises dark brown, and slightly sunken between segments
flat,
weakly
adaxially (Fig. 2E), hemispherically protruding abaxially
(Fig. 2F),
glabrous except the proximal with on
for part, ciliform hairs as petioles.
mm
Segments X
4.5-9.0(-12.0)
3.2-3.8(-5.0) (1.5-3 times longer than broad),
weakly
ascending (80-70 oblong
to lunate, equilateral bases or weakly
at
),
basiscopically decurrent, fully adnate, the tips obtuse to round (Fig. 2E, F);
midveins
not visible, or obscurely so abaxially (Fig. 2F), especially in dried
specimens; proximal markedly
pairs smaller than the central segments
(Fig. 2A), inequilateral bases, basalmost auriculiform Lehnert
at
(e.g., 368),
but never trapezoid; rarely few ciliform hairs scattered along the segment
margins; hydathodes present (Fig. 2E). Sori 2-4 pairs per segment, with 3-10
mm
and
receptacular circumsoral ciliform hairs 1.0-1.5 long
(Fig. 2F).
The name numerous
on
refers to the apical cells the scale tips; these cells
resemble the head of Medusa, one of the Gorgons in Greek mythology, which
=
had
snakes instead of hair (Latin, caput head).
Melpomene
caput-gorgonis grows wet montane and
in forests elfin forests at
m
2680-3200
southern Peru and
in Bolivia
(Fig. 7B).
The most
distinguishing feature of this species the broad scales with the
is
abundant No Melpomene
apical papillae. other species of has scale apices that
Melpomene
provide a base for papillae several cells wide. flabelliformis can be
distinguished from M. caput-gorgonis by distant fronds and glabrous or
its
glabrescent petioles fronds close and petioles persistently hairy in M.
(vs.
Melpomene more and
caput-gorgonis). generally slender in habit
flagellata
is
mm
most laminae wide 22 mm), rhizomes
features, to 9(-16) (vs. to
i.e.,
and and
thinner ascending, petiole scales narrower, hairs in the sori longer.
Melpomene which
grows with M. paradoxa, can be
caput-gorgonis together
distinguished by glabrescent petioles and shorter segments; the
longer,
its
whereas M.
latter species also forms patches with the fronds erect to arching
pendent
caput-gorgonis grows with arching fronds.
solitary to
Additional examined.—PERU. Cuzco: Abra de Chaupimayo, Haci<
specimens
2700 m, Sep 1932, Sties 1945 (CUZ).
BOLIVIA. La Paz: Prov. Franz Tamayo, PN-ANMI Madidi, trail Keara-Mojos, below Chunkani,
&
2870 m, 14 6857'W, 08 Nov 2001, Jimenez Gallegos 917 (LPB, UC); Prov. Larecaja, toll
'38'S,
I.
Williams 1154 (NY); Prov. Nor Yungas, Estacion
,
« m, Dec
to the Coscap.i :*U00 12 1997, Kesslei
et al. 1871 (LPB); 2 km from Chuspipata to Coroico, 16 22'S, 67 49'W, 2900 m, 19 Sep 1997
Kessleret 11921 (GOET, LPB, UC); Cotapata, behind the gas station. 16 17'S. 67 51 \Y. 3150-
al.
3200 m, 25 Sep 2002, Lehnert 367, 368, 369, 372, 373, 386, 392 (GOET, LPB, UC); Chuspipata-
VOLUME NUMBER
AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL:
222 98 4 (2008)
km
Sacramento, 16 18'S, 67 49'W, 2680 m, 10 Nov 2002, Lehnert 496a (GOET, LPB, UC); 1.2 E de
Cotapata-Santa Barbara, to the Chuspipata electricity station, 16 17'S, 67 50'W, 3200 m, 02
trail
May
Feb 2003, Lrluurt 586 (GOET. LPB. UC): Chuspipata. old trail to l.'nduavi, 3200 m, 07 2003,
Lehnert 781 (GOET, LPB, UC).
TYPE—
Melpomene
BOLIVIA. La Nor
flagellata Lehnert, nov. Paz: Prov.
sp.
N
Uchumachi
Yungas, side of Cerro above Coroico, 16 12'S, 67°45'W,
&
2350 m, 14 1989, Kessler Kelschebach 107 (holotype LPB; isotype
Jul
GOET).
Figs. 7C.
3,
mm
A
Melpomene
mm),
moniliformi longioribus (1.0-2.0 0.5-1.0
pilis vs.
creberioribus in petiolis sorisque, rhizomatibus ascendentibus horizonta-
(vs.
reptantibus) apicibusque segmentorum partim semper
liter truncatis
(vs.
obtusis vel rotundis)
differt.
Plants predominantly growing moss sometimes
epiphytic,
in layers,
Rhizomes
epilithic. erect or ascending, short to moderately long (Fig. 3A),
mm
cm
0.8-1. 0(-l. diam. Fronds to 38 long, erect, inserted onto the rhizome
5)
at acute angles, closely arranged (internodes 1-5 mm), but not caespitose
mm,
X
(Fig. 3A). Scales 3.0-5.0 0.5-0.6 12-16(-20) cells wide, clathrate
brown
dark brown,
(Fig. 3B), to strongly iridescent, cordate pseudopeltate,
to
acute attenuate
to at tips (Fig. 3C); apical cells 3-8, as furcate hairs or
mm
palmately
arranged. Petioles 15-60(-75) long 3A), (0.4-)0.5-0.6(-0.8)
(Fig.
mm
thick, decurrently marginate from the laminar most
bases, parts terete
mm
many
with brown, and
(Fig. 3C), setiform ciliform hairs 1.0-2.0 long
(Fig. 3C), simple and branched clavate hairs of crosiers and young fronds
sometimes persistent in older fronds. Laminae firm-chartaceous, 150-320 X 4-
mm,
9(-16) linear to narrow-elliptic (broadest in the middle), long-decurrent
at
base, acute to attenuate Rachises dark brown planar and
at tip. to black,
sunken between
slightly segments
adaxially, hemispherically protruding
abaxially (Fig. 3D), glabrous or glabrescent with branched clavate hairs
distally, usually sparsely to densely hairy basally on both sides with ciliform
mm
and
setiform hairs like on the petioles. Segments 1.8-3.0(4.0) X 1.4-3.0
(1-2 times longer than broad), ascending (80-55), fully adnate, inequilateral
at
bases, basiscopically decurrent, most segments lunate to deltate with the tips
obtuse
truncate sometimes
to segments with
(Fig. 3E), distal short-oblong
round
tips (Fig. 3D); proximal segment pairs markedly smaller than the central
segments,
trapezoid with
truncate tips, often auriculiform; midveins not
visible (Figs. 3D, E), or obscurely so abaxially in dried specimens; segments
glabrous except
for hairs in margins without hydathodes
sori; hairs; present.
mm
2-4
Sori pairs per segment, with (3-)12-20
hairs 1.2-1.8 long 3D,
(Figs. E),
some
rarely sori of a frond without
hairs.
The name
narrow
refers to the laminae with long curved which
are
tips,
reminiscent whips
of
(Latin, flagellum).
Melpomene
flagellata occurs in elfin forests and moist montane
forests at
m
1950-3300
in eastern Peru and Bolivia
(Fig. 7C).
The
segment shape Melpomene
of between
flagellata varies strongly
rounded
trapezoid
to in small segments
to deltate or short-oblong in larger
&
GOET];
Kelschebach
Melpomene [Kessler 107, B.
A.
flagellata:
t
&
GOET);
Kelschebach
GOET); apices [Kessler 107, D. petiole,
C. detail ;ale
GOET); oblong segments abaxially. sporangia
upper part nert 517, E.
part, right
truncate segments abaxially, sporanj d
,PB); F. il
{