Cheilanthes

Kessler, Michael, Smith, Alan R., Øllgaard, Benjamin, Matos, Fernando B. & Moran, Robbin C., 2023, Prodromus of a fern flora of Bolivia. XLII. Update I., Phytotaxa 630 (3), pp. 183-210 : 202

Cheilanthes

Kessler et al. (2017) listed 14 species of Cheilanthes for Bolivia, including C. rufopunctata from central Peru and Bolivia. Recently, Ponce et al. (2023) studied Cheilanthes volcanensis de la Sota , an overlooked species from northwest Argentina that is closely related to C. rufopunctata , admittedly quite variable. The two taxa are sister to each in the phylogeny provided by Ponce et al., and with fewer genetic differences in any other species-pair in their tree.According to them, the two species differ only in what we consider to be minor morphological details, including: non-lignified root parenchyma in C. volcanensis (vs. lignified); 3-layered root pericycle (vs. 1- or 2-layered); ovate-triangular, long-attenuate rhizome scales (vs. subulate, short-attenuate); different petiole cross-section; membranaceous leaf texture (vs. chartaceous); and hyaline lamina hairs (vs. reddish). However, Ponce et al. (2023) only studied a single specimen of C. rufopunctata , limiting their understanding of the variability within that species. Ponce et al. (2023) also mentioned the occurrence of C. volcanensis for Bolivia, although without providing a specimen citation. Upon inquiry, M. Ponce (pers. comm.) informed us that the record is based on J. Steinbach 3956 ( Bolivia, Cochabamba, Prov. Tortora, Bucona, 2200 m, quebrada húmeda, 29.03.1920, NY). We have been unable to study this specimen but have revisited specimens of C. rufopunctata at UC. Based on the variation we see within that species (with UC specimens exhibiting a combination of characters), we are unable to confirm consistent differences between the two species. Pending further study, we do not include C. volcanensis in the Bolivian flora.