Abstract Athyrium decurtatum var. platense (= Thelypteris decurtata subsp. platensis) is transferred to the genus Amauropelta and raised to the species level based on morphological, palynological and geographical evidences. This fern species is endemic to the Delta of Paraná district, belonging to the Esteros del Iberá biogeographic province in the Southern Cone of South America.

Resumo Athyrium decurtatum var. platense (= Thelypteris decurtata subsp. platensis) é transferida para o gênero Amauropelta e elevada ao nível de espécie com base em estudos morfológicos, palinológicos e geográficos. Esta espécie é endêmica do distrito Delta do Paraná, pertencendo à província biogeográfica dos Esteros del Iberá, no Cone Sul da América do Sul.

Abstract The spore morphology and wall ultrastructure of 12 species of Ctenitis from Southern Cone of America were studied using light microscope, scanning and transmission electron microscope. The study was carried out with herbarium material from Argentine and Brazilian institutions. Equatorial diameters, polar diameters and laesura length were measured. The spores are monolete with echinate or folded ornamentation. In the echinate type, the spines are conical, with broad base and attenuate apex. In the rugate type, the folds are inflated, linear, sinuous, subglobose or handle-shape. The perispore surface is scabrate, rugulate, microverrucose or psilate. Stratification and ultrastructure in the species analyzed are very similar. The exospore is smooth and two-layered in section. Simple and branched channels are observed mainly in the outer exospore. The perispore is composed of two layers, the inner one forms the ornamentation and the outer covers all the outer and inner surfaces. Immature spores were found in all samples of C. fenestralis. The characteristics of the studied spores like macro-ornamentation, color and fold length provide relevant information to differentiate some species or groups of species within the genus.

Abstract The recovery of soil spores is a strategy to strengthen in decline or disappeared populations from natural environments. In this work, we analyzed 25 soil samples extracted from a patch of gallery forest in an “albardón” of Punta Lara Reserve, Buenos Aires. The samples were distributed in 50 Petri dishes, 25 exposed to controlled temperature and light and another 25 kept in darkness. To contribute to the identification of gametophytes and sporophytes, spores of the local species were cultured in vitro. In 18 months of trial, the appearance of gametophytes and sporophytes was observed, in a greater proportion those belonging to a dominant species in the community: Doryopteris concolor. Numerous gametophytes and sporophytes from Gastoniella chaerophylla were also obtained, a taxon not found in the “albardón” for two years. The germination index (GI) was estimated and the morphological characteristics of the gametophytes and sporophytes were recorded. This is the first contribution to the knowledge of the spore banks in Argentina, in a protected area where several threats put at risk the survival of native species. The bases to implement methods of ex situ and in situ conservation of native ferns are provided.

Resumen La recuperación de esporas del suelo es una estrategia para reforzar poblaciones en disminución o desaparecidas de los ambientes naturales. En este trabajo se analizaron 25 muestras de tierra extraídas de un parche de selva en galería en un albardón de la Reserva Punta Lara, Buenos Aires. Las muestras fueron distribuidas en 50 cápsulas de Petri, 25 expuestas a temperatura y luz controladas y otras 25 mantenidas en oscuridad. Para contribuir a la identificación de los gametofitos y esporofitos se cultivaron in vitro esporas de las especies del lugar. En 18 meses de ensayo se observó la aparición de gametofitos y esporofitos, en mayor proporción los pertenecientes a una especie dominante en la comunidad: Doryopteris concolor. Se obtuvieron además numerosos gametofitos y esporofitos de Gastoniella chaerophylla, un taxón no encontrado en el albardón desde hace dos años. Se estimó el índice de germinación (IG) y se registraron las características morfológicas de los gametofitos y esporofitos. Esta es la primera contribución al conocimiento de los bancos de esporas en Argentina, en un área protegida donde diversas amenazas ponen en riesgo la supervivencia de especies nativas. Se brindan las bases para implementar métodos de conservación ex situ e in situ de los helechos nativos.

Resumen Pleopeltis macrocarpa y Microgramma mortoniana son dos helechos epífitos de la familia Polypodiaceae hallados con baja frecuencia en la Reserva Natural Punta Lara (Buenos Aires, Argentina). El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la morfogénesis de gametófitos epífitos para fortalecer poblaciones vulnerables y contribuir a su conservación. Se recolectaron hojas fértiles. Las esporas se sembraron en placas de Petri con medio de cultivo Dyer. Las esporas se caracterizaron por ser monoletes, elipsoidales, amarillentas y con ornamentación verrucosa. La germinación fue del tipo Vittaria y el desarrollo del gametofito es del tipo Drynaria. El esporofito de P. macrocarpa surgió a los 500 días y el de M. mortoniana a los 120. El patrón de germinación, el desarrollo del gametofito, el glóbulo lipídico en la célula protálica y los pelos unicelulares capitados en el margen podrían considerarse en la sistemática del grupo. La demora en la formación de esporofitos a través de la reproducción sexual, permite inferir que el éxito de su propagación estaría sujeto a la reproducción vegetativa.

Abstract The Punta Lara Natural Reserve is located on the riverside of the La Plata River in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is the Southernmost relict in the world of subtropical riparian forest. The epiphytic ferns studied in this work belong to the Polypodiaceae family: Microgramma mortoniana and Pleopeltis macrocarpa. Plant communities are subject to high levels of anthropization and introduction of exotic species. The goals of this work are to provide information on the morphogenesis of epiphytic gametophytes and to extend knowledge of their life cycles, contributing to their conservation. Sowing was carried out in Dyer medium. In both species the spores are monolete, ellipsoidal, yellowish and with verrucate sculpture. The equatorial diameter is 60-61 μm, the polar diameter is 39-42 μm. The germination is the Vittaria type; in M. mortoniana occurs at 20 days, while in P. macrocarpa occurs at six days. The filaments are uniseriate of 3-6 cells in length. The gametophyte development is Drynaria type. The cordated form is given after 40 days. In M. mortoniana, buds originated after 40 days. In P. macrocarpa, after 120 days, clathrate trichomes scale-like appear mainly on the margins of the gametophyte. The gametangia are typical of leptosporangiate ferns. The sporophyte of M. mortoniana emerged after 120 days and that of P. macrocarpa arose after 500 days, its blades are simple, spatulate and unicellular and multicellular branching hairs were observed. The germination pattern, gametophyte development, the presence of a lipid globule in the prothalic cell and the formation of unicellular capitated hairs are relevant characters that could be considered for systematic group. The delay in the formation of sporophytes through sexual reproduction, allows us to infer that the success of their establishment in situ would be given by the vegetative reproduction through creeping rhizomes and buds of gametophytes. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(3): 1078-1089. Epub 2018 September 01.

Diversity of ferns and lycophytes from Calilegua National Park, Jujuy Province Argentina. The biogeographic province of the "Yungas" is considered by the UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. In this zone, Calilegua National Park is one of the "cores" of the Yungas, where ferns and lycophytes grow as epiphytic, terrestrial or saxicoulous in different environments. The aim of this study is to make known the ferns and lycophytes that inhabit in Calilegua National Park, in order to provide information on Yungas biodiversity. For this purpose, 5 field trips were performed during december-May 2007-2011. Voucher specimens were deposited in the following herbaria: JUA, LP and RCV. Other herbaria and specific bibliography were also consulted. According to this study 103 taxa (species and varieties) of ferns and lycophytes inhabit in Calilegua National Park, grouped in 18 families and 43 genera. Six species are first recorded for the Province of Jujuy. Nomenclatural updates and keys for taxa identification are also given.

La provincia biogeográfica de las Yungas es considerada por la UNESCO como una de las Reservas de la Biosfera. El Parque Nacional Calilegua es uno de los "core" de estas Yungas, donde los helechos y licofitas crecen en diferentes ambientes como epifitos, terrestres o saxicolas. El objetivo de este trabajo es dar a conocer los helechos y licofitas que habitan en el Parque Nacional Calilegua, con el fin de contribuir a la información sobre la biodiversidad en las Yungas y aportar a su conservación. El estudio se realizó teniendo en cuenta el material colectado en viajes de campo por diferentes zonas del Parque, durante los meses de diciembre a mayo de los años 2007 a 2011. Asimismo, se consultaron distintos herbarios nacionales y bibliografía específica. Se registraron en el PN Calilegua un total de 103 taxones (especies y variedades) de helechos y licofitas, agrupados en 18 familias y 43 géneros. Se dan a conocer seis nuevas citas para la provincia de Jujuy y se presentan actualizaciones nomenclaturales y claves para la identificación de los taxa registrados.

Palynological study in Asplenium species (Aspleniaceae) from Argentina. The genus Asplenium L. is represented in Argentina by about 38 species, being its habit terrestrial, saxicolous or ephiphytic. In this contribution we complete the palynological study of the genus in this country. The material was processed according to standard techniques for observation under light and scanning electron microscopes. The spores are monolete, the wall formed by the homogeneous exospore, with smooth surface, and the camerate and folded perispore. Two types of folds, winged and ridged, are registered. A variability in the density of the perforations in the outer layer of the perispore, and the margin and sculptural elements of the folds and in the areas between them, are also observed. Spores of analyzed taxa are described and illustrated with pictures using scanning electron microscope.

El género Asplenium L. se halla representado en Argentina por cerca de 38 especies, siendo su hábito terrestre, saxícola o epífito. En la presente contribución se completa el estudio palinológico del género en este país. El material fue procesado de acuerdo a técnicas clásicas para su observación con microscopios óptico y electrónico de barrido. Las esporas son monoletes, la pared está conformada por el exosporio homogéneo de superficie lisa, y el perisporio camerado y plegado. Se distinguen dos tipos de pliegues: alados y lomados y se observa variabilidad en cuanto a la densidad de las perforaciones del estrato externo del perisporio, a los tipos de margen y los elementos esculturales de los pliegues y a las áreas entre pliegues. Se describen las esporas de los taxa estudiados y se ilustran con fotografías al microscopio electrónico de barrido.

The aim of this study was to reveal the ferns and allied groups that inhabit at San Luis Province, Argentina. For this purpose different herbaria were consulted and a field trip was performed. In this province, a low diversity of species (42) in comparison to a relatively high diversity of genera (20) is registered. The more representative genera are Cheilanthes (8 taxa) and Blechnum (6 taxa). Six taxa are registered for the first time in San Luis. In this province Pteridophytes grow mainly at Sierras of San Luis and Comechingones, showing Andean-Pampasican (39 taxa), Southern-Brazilian (22 taxa) and Austral (9 taxa) floristic influences. The iconography, geographical distribution and ecology of each taxon are also given.

El objetivo de este estudio es dar conocer los helechos y grupos emparentados que habitan en la Provincia de San Luis (Argentina). Para ello se consultaron distintos herbarios y se realizó un viaje de campana. En esta provincia se registra una relativamente baja diversidad específica (42 taxones) comparada con una alta diversidad genérica (20 géneros). Los géneros mejor representados son Cheilanthes (8 taxones) y Blechnum (6 taxones). Se dan a conocer 6 nuevas citas para la provincia. Las Pteridofitas se encuentra principalmente en las Sierras de San Luis y Comechingones, observándose una influencia florística andino-pampeana (39 taxa), austro-brasilena (22 taxa) y austral (9 taxa). Se presentan iconografías, distribución geográfica y características ecológicas de cada taxón.