Abstract
For the taxonomic revision of the problematic species Ceratopteris thalictroides, molecular analyses and crossing tests were conducted for 16 sources in the world. An analysis of allozyme composition of five enzymes revealed the presence of three intraspecific entities, which were called the south type, the north type, and the third type. An analysis of the nucleotide sequences of chloroplast DNA also distinguished the same entities. Crossing tests showed that the south type was completely cross-sterile with the other two types, and that the other two were considerably cross-sterile with each other. These results suggest that the three entities should be regarded as different biological species. Although the south type and the other two meet in several regions, complete cross-sterility between them seems to sustain their genetic distinctiveness in spite of occasional crossing. The results from the present study suggest that widely distributed fern species are apt to comprise several cryptic species.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: August 1, 2001 / Accepted: November 1, 2001
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Masuyama, S., Yatabe, Y., Murakami, N. et al. Cryptic species in the fern Ceratopteris thalictroides (L.) Brongn. (Parkeriaceae). I. Molecular analyses and crossing tests. J Plant Res 115, 0087–0097 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s102650200013
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s102650200013