Goniopteris ×tico (Thelypteridaceae), a New Hybrid Fern from Costa Rica

Abstract

Abstract— Goniopteris ×tico, a new hybrid fern from La Selva Biological Station in Heredia Province, Costa Rica, is described based on morphology and analysis of target-capture DNA sequence data. The hybrid co-occurs with its two putative progenitors, Goniopteris mollis and Goniopteris nicaraguensis, and is readily recognizable by its intermediate leaf dissection and venation. It is also intermediate in pinnae size and shape, and presents irregularly lobed pinnae. Despite the broad overlap in the geographic distribution of its parental taxa, Goniopteris ×tico is only known from two collections from a single area of the La Selva Biological Station, highlighting the importance of close observation of ferns from even well-collected areas.