Three New Species of Ferns (Pteridophyta) from Mesoamerica

In this research three new species of ferns of the Polypodiales Order are described: Ctenitis leonii A. Rojas, Elaphoglossum karinae A. Rojas and Pecluma celaquensis A. Rojas. Ctenitis leonii is characterized by its apical stipe scales marginally erose to ciliate, blade surfaces with two types of hairs present in both surfaces, ones 0.7 - 1.5 mm long and not glandular, the others 0.3 - 0.5 mm long and glandular and indusia are absent. Elaphoglossum karinae differs from Elaphoglossum dissitifrons Mickel by shorter rhizome, longer and relatively narrower rhizome scales, they lanceolate to linear-lanceolate and blackish costal scales. Pecluma celaquensis is similar to Polypodium martensii Mett., but differs by its thinner rhizome, smaller rhizome scales and these with a crown of brown cilia at the attaching point, relatively shorter stipe with longer hairs and these commonly no glandular, scaly rachis and it with longer and denser hairs, inframedial sori and glabrous sporangia.

Novelties in <i>Campyloneurum</i>(Polypodiaceae) from Mesoamerica

Three new species are described and another is recognized in Campyloneurum. Two species occur in Mexico to El Salvador and the others two are present in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. The new species are Campyloneurum acutum A. Rojas, C. leoniae A. Rojas and C. madrense A. Rojas. The first species differs from C. xalapense by broader rhizome scales, acute to attenuate blade apex, commonly two series of areoles between parallel veins, commonly one sori per areole and hydathodes absent or few evident. Campyloneurum leoniae differs from C. irregulare by more compact and non-pruinose rhizomes, thinner stipes, relatively broader, thinner and more opaque laminae, and distribution at lower elevations. Campyloneurum madrense is different to C. angustifolium because it has narrower and darker rhizome scales with denticulate margin, long scales cells and distributed at lower elevations. Finally, Campylonerum pittieri is here recognized as valid species and it differs from the similar C. amphostenon by longer rhizomes with appressed scales that have a patent, long acuminate apices, relative broader laminae, veins evident and distribution at higher elevations.

Four New Species and Additional Distributions of <i>Elaphoglossum</i>Section <i>Elaphoglossum</i>(Dryopteridaceae) from the Neotropics

Four new species of Elaphoglossum sect. Elaphoglossum are described: E. Amparoanum A. Rojas, E. Chocoense A. Rojas, E. Fayorum A. Rojas and E. Luciae A. Rojas. The first species is related to E. Variolatum Mickel, but differs from it by having rhizome scales bicolorous and long ciliate margin. The second species is different to E. moranii Mickel by having narrower rhizome, shorter stipe, elliptic blade, attenuate blade base, shorter fertile fronds with blackish costa and present at lower altitudinal distribution. After that, the third species differs from E. lingua (C. Presl) Brack. by pale rhizome scales with long ciliate margin, shorter fronds and blade scales denser and lighter. Finally, the fourth species is related to E. atrosquamatum Mickel, but with relative longer fronds and broader blade. The geographical distributions of E. guatemalense (Klotzsch) T. Moore, E. longicrure Christ, E. minutum (Pohl ex Fée) T. Moore and E. nicaragüense A. Rojas are expanded.

Five New Species of <i>Diplazium</i>Sw. (Athyriaceae) from Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Colombia

Five new species are described in the genus Diplazium Sw. from Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Colombia, as results of studies in the Neotropical ferns. The new species are Diplazium chirripoense A. Rojas, Diplazium cornutum A. Rojas, Diplazium crassirhizoma A. Rojas, Diplazium lustrosum A. Rojas and Diplazium rodriguezii A. Rojas. The first species is related to D. skutchii Lellinger, but differs from it by having glabrous stipe, glabrous blade abaxially, hyaline and entire indusia, and distributed and higher elevations. The second species is different to D. diplazioides (Klotzsch et H. Karst.) Alston by having densely scaly stipe, rachis and costa, relative bigger pinnae and entire to erose indusia. After that, the third species differs from D. werckleanum Christ by thicker rhizome, bigger rhizome scales and blade with 1 - 2 buds at apex. Consecutively, the fourth species differs from D. lindbergii (Mett.) H. Christ by thinner rhizome, shorter fronds, longer stipe, smaller blade, less pinnae pairs, shiny laminar tissue and veins 3 - 5 pairs per segment. Finally, the fifth species is related to D. tungurahuae (Sodiro) C. Chr., but with abaxially glabrous rachis and costae, pinnules 4 - 5 times longer than wide and entire, costules adaxially without wings, veins abaxially glabrous and reticulate along costae and between pinnate veins.