Melpomene xiphopteroides ( Liebmann 1849: 196 ) Smith & Moran (1992: 431)

Krömer, Thorsten, Acebey, Amparo R. & Smith, Alan R., 2013, Taxonomic update, distribution and conservation status of grammitid ferns (Polypodiaceae, Polypodiopsida) in Veracruz State, Mexico, Phytotaxa 82 (1), pp. 29-44 : 35

11. Melpomene xiphopteroides ( Liebmann 1849: 196) Smith & Moran (1992: 431)

Distribution: — Mexico (Chis, DF, Gro, Méx, Oax, Ver), Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil.

Representative specimens from Veracruz: —Atzalan: T. Krömer et al. 3404, 3537 (MEXU, SEL, UC). Coatepec: E. Lyonnet 541200020 (MEXU). Xalapa?: Endlich 1687 (B). Mecayapan: T. Krömer & E. Otto 2836 (EBT, MEXU, UC, XAL). San Andrés Tuxtla: T. Krömer & A. Acebey 2433 (EBT, MEXU, SEL, UC, XAL). Tatahuicapan de Juárez (until 1997 part of Mecayapan): T. Krömer et al. 3665 (MEXU, UC). Tenampa?: C.A. Purpus 213 ( US). Totutla?: F.M. Liebmann s.n. (C). Tlalnelhuayocan: T. Krömer et al. 3851, 3938 (MEXU, UC, XAL).

Ecology: — Epiphytic; in Los Tuxtlas and central Veracruz in montane rain forests between 1100–1670 m .

Conservation status: — Least Concern ( LC) in Veracruz. Known from 10 recent collections made in small natural forest fragments in central Veracruz (not protected), and at the upper slopes of Santa Marta and San Martín Tuxtla volcanoes, which are somewhat protected because they form part of the nuclear zones of the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve . However, their montane rain forest habitat in Veracruz is still under high anthropogenic pressure, especially in the central region. Specimens examined: 6; TK collections: 10 .