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Giants invading the tropics: the oriental vessel fern, Angiopteris evecta (Marattiaceae)

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Abstract

The Oriental vessel fern, Angiopteris evecta (G.Forst.) Hoffm. (Marattiaceae), has its native range in the South Pacific. This species has been introduced into other localities since the 18th century and is now listed as an invasive species in several regions (Jamaica, Hawaii and Costa Rica). The purpose of our study is (1) to trace the distributional history of the species, and (2) to model its potential future range based on climatic conditions. The native range and the history of introduction are based on the existing literature and on 158 specimens from 15 herbaria, together with field observations. As there are taxonomic problems surrounding A. evecta, we limited our analysis to samples from the Pacific, most closely resembling the type from Tahiti. We modelled the potential range using GARP species distribution modelling with basic climatic variables, elevation, and location in relation to the coast. Analysis of past records shows that the species is able to colonise new ecosystems with relative ease. The modelling reveals that the species could be cultivated over a much wider range than where it currently is grown. The escape of cultivated plants into nature is probably due to distance from natural areas and is limited by local ecological factors, such as soil conditions or competitors. The predicted distribution in Asia and Madagascar is similar to the native distribution of the entire genus Angiopteris. It can therefore be assumed that most Angiopteris species have similar climatic preferences, and the absence of A. evecta in this predicted region may be due to dispersal limitation. In the Americas there is no native Angiopteris, but our climatic model predicts a vast potential habitat in tropical America; an invasion of A. evecta should be anticipated here in localities where the species is cultivated. Vessel ferns are known to alter the natural environment, which may reduce local biodiversity. Since A. evecta is not yet widely cultivated, it is advisable to restrict the trade and spread of the species and to discourage its cultivation as an ornamental. The global climate data available for modelling is however not detailed enough to predict the spread of A. evecta on a local or regional scale.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Luis Diego Gómez (OTS, Costa Rica), Zak Zahawi (Las Cruces, Costa Rica), George R. Proctor (Institute of Jamaica, Kingston), and Mónica Palacios-Rios (Xalapa, Mexico) for providing information on the history of introduction, and Hanna Tuomisto (Turku University, Finland), France Rakotondrainibe (Paris, France), Alan R. Smith (University of California, Berkeley), A. Townsend Peterson (University of Kansas) for advice, and Ellen Valle for correcting the language. Funding was provided by the Academy of Finland (through a grant to Hanna Tuomisto) and Synthesys.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Section Biodiversity, University of Turku, 20014, Turku, Finland

    Maarten J. M. Christenhusz

  2. Department of Geography, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, 00014, Helsinki, Finland

    Tuuli K. Toivonen

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  1. Maarten J. M. Christenhusz
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  2. Tuuli K. Toivonen
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Correspondence to Maarten J. M. Christenhusz.

Appendix 1

Appendix 1

List of specimens studied. Herbarium acronyms follow Holmgren and Holmgren (1998); obs. = observation. GBIF accession numbers are also provided. Latitudes and longitudes, in that order, are given in decimal degrees.

Australia: GBIF-30827 (CANB), −25.367, 153.117; GBIF-191319 (CANB), −12.733, 143.283; GBIF-42523 (CANB), −16.46, 145.31; GBIF-42625 (CANB), −16.33, 145.33; GBIF-42628 (CANB), −17.58, 145.83; GBIF-246999 (NSW) −16, 145.3; GBIF-247014 (NSW), −17.2, 145.9; GBIF-247015 (NSW), −16.7, 145.6; GBIF-247016 (NSW), −16, 145.3; GBIF-247017 (NSW), −28.3, 153.5; GBIF-416480 (NSW), −16.1, 145.3; GBIF-665124 (CANB), −12.46, 142.98; Kukkonen 10964 (H), −17, 145.7833. Cook Islands: J. C. Space (obs. 2002), −21.2333, −159.7667; St. John 15384 (US), −21.25, −159.75. Costa Rica: GBIF-237255 (CR) 8.79, −82.96; R. C. Moran (obs. 2006), 8.95, −83.0833; A. R. Smith (obs. 2006), 8.8333, −82.9667. Fiji: Degener 15488 (MT, US), −17.4, 178.1833; A. C. Smith 373 (US, P), −16.6667, 179.4167; A. C. Smith 4368 (US), −17.65, 177.5833; A. C. Smith 5893 (US), −17.6167, 177.9833; A. C. Smith s.n. (US), −17.6167, 178.0167; St. John 19445 (US), −12.5, 177.0667. French Polynesia: Aubert de la Rue s.n. (MT), −22.4333, −151.3333; Copeland 3512 (US), −17.56, −149.59; De Sloover 146 (P), −17.55, −149.82; Florence 2096 (US), −17.5833, −149.8167; Florence 3446 (L, US), −16.8333, −151.4167; Fosberg 11941 (US), −22.4333, −151.3333; Fosberg 15841 (US), −23.8667, −147.6833; Fosberg 61049 (US), −17.5833, −149.8167; Fosberg 63183 (P), −16.8333, −151.4167; Moore 362 (US), −16.5, −151.75; Setchell 7 (US), −17.5167, −149.4167; St. John 17301 (US), −16.8667, −151.3833; Tilden 336 (US), −17.65, −149.5667. Guam: Conover 542 (US), 13.44, 144.71; Grether 3721 (US), 13.44, 144.71; Tweyey s.n. (P), 13.4358, 144.7083. Hawaii: Annable 3279 (NY), 21.317, −157.8; Beck 1218 (NY), 22.07, −159.58; Funk (obs.), 20.8714, −156.365; Funk (obs.), 19.8099, −155.0943; Imoto and Bergfeld 03/31/92 (HVNP), 19.63, −155.1; Lyon (obs.), 21.337, −157.806; Medeiros (obs.), 20.7647, −156.009; Medeiros (obs.), 20.8614, −156.1517; Starr (obs.), 20.8714, −156.365; (obs.), 20.8714, −156.365; Wood (obs. 2006), 20.8, −156.9; http://www.botany.hawaii.edu (obs.), 20.705, −156.177; (obs.), 21.337, −157.806. Indonesia: Barclay s.n. (K, L, US), −3.7167, 128.2; Buysman 1726 (P), −6.23, 106.64; Gibbs 6259 (P), −2.5833, 140.75. Jamaica: Ammann 402 (UCWI), 18.02, −76.37; Ammann 38 (UCWI), 18.18, −76.84; Christenhusz 2992 (BM, IJ, L, TI, TUR, UC), 18.08, −76.72; Christenhusz 3111 (GOET, IJ, L, TI, TUR, U, UC), 18.15, −76.63; Christenhusz 3166 (IJ, TUR), 18.02, −76.37; Christenhusz 3188 (BR, IJ, L, P, TUR, UC), 18, −76.37; Christenhusz 3292 (IJ, TUR), 18.0466, −76.6143; Christenhusz (obs. 2004), 18.37, −77.08; Proctor 37129 (IJ), 18.035628, −76.391914; Proctor 51682 (IJ), 18, −76.27; Proctor 36381 (IJ), 18, −76.37; Rankin-Hatch s.n. (DUKE), 18.18, −76.84. Mariana Islands: Evans 2077 (US), 14.14, 145.2; Evans 2370 (US), 16.7097, 145.7836; Falanruw 1711 (US), 16.3578, 145.6661; Falanruw 1931 (US), 17.6017, 145.8383; Falanruw 6698 (US), 14.14, 145.2; Fosberg 31623 (US), 18.7675, 145.6672; Fosberg 31846 (US), 14.14, 145.2; Fosberg 58269 (US), 14.14, 145.2; Necker RS25 (US), 14.14, 145.2. Micronesia: Albert 3 (NY), 6.85, 158.29; Albert 75 (NY), 6.9, 158.27; Balick 3806 (NY), 6.971, 158.189; Balick 3960 (NY), 6.877, 158.274; Balick 3989 (NY), 6.846, 158.303; Balick 4115 (NY), 6.833, 158.3; Balick 4179 (NY), 6.95, 158.183; Dores 174 (NY), 6.915, 158.273; Ekiek 13 (NY), 6.927, 158.215; Falanruw 3532 (US), 5.333, 163.0319; Fosberg 46339 (IJ), 9.4611111, 138.065; Fosberg 58399 (US), 6.8, 158.2; Glassman 2310 (US), 6.9756, 158.1869; Hernandez LR25-462 (US), 5.3675, 162.9764; Sohn 55 (NY), 6.971, 158.189; St. John 21440 (US), 5.333, 163.0319; Trauernicht 95 (NY), 6.9833333, 158.18333; Wong 420 (US), 9.5406, 138.1344. New Caledonia: Balansa 80 (P), −22.2167, 166.4833; Balansa 800 (P), −21.4333, 165.6333; Baumann 10110 (P), −22.0667, 166.35; Debeaur s.n. (P), −22.2, 166.5; Denizot s.n. (P), −21.0333, 165.2; Foster 216 (P), −22.183, 166.533; Franc 20-13 (P), −22.1667, 166.5333; Franc s.n. ex herb. Rosenstock 120 (L, P, US), −22.1667, 166.5333; Franc s.n. ex herb. Rosenstock 142 (L, US), −22.2, 166.5; Franc s.n. ex herb. Rosenstock 142 (P), −22.0667, 166.35; GBIF-1573354 (MO), −22.183, 166.533; Germain s.n. (P), −22.6167, 167.5; McPherson 1683 (MO, TROPICOS), −22.11, 166.32; Munzinger 1305 (P), −21.6661, 166.2469; Schlechter 15052 (P), −22.2, 166.5; Thorne 28296 (P), −21.5667, 165.4667. Niue: Yuncker 9772 (BISH), −19.05, −169.87. Palau: Fosberg 32078 (US), 7.3408, 134.4964; Fosberg (obs., http://www.hear.org), 7.5, 134.5; Kanehira 550 (US), 7.4506, 134.6017. Papua New Guinea: Brass 23759 (US), −10.3667, 150.5; Brass 25985 (US), −6.1667, 141.1333; Brass 27175 (US), −9.55, 150.6167; Croft 61865 (US), −9.1667, 147.65; GBIF-6954 (NSW), −6.667, 147; GBIF-6955 (NSW), −2.458, 150.125; GBIF-6956 (NSW), −9.158, 147.675; GBIF-6957 (NSW), −4.975, 145.758; GBIF-6958 (NSW), −5.742, 145.325; GBIF-124572 (NSW), −7.25, 146.667; GBIF-124577 (NSW), −10.417, 150.15; GBIF-124580 (NSW), −6.767, 155.55; GBIF-124660 (NSW), −2.45, 150.117; GBIF-124681 (NSW), −9.15, 147.65; GBIF-124685 (NSW), −9.15, 147.667; GBIF-146578 (CANB), −6.76, 155.55; GBIF-358054 (CANB), −10.41, 150.15; GBIF-9005369 (CANB), −3.25, 151.98; Grether 4040 (P), −2.4167, 147.3667. Samoa: Betsche 1 (P), −13.84, −171.75; Christophersen 220 (US), −13.9, −171.75; Garber 579 (http://www.hear.org), −14.23, −169.454; Godeffroy 452 (P), −14.3, −170.7; Graeffe 256 (P), −13.612, −172.525; Safford 941 (US), −14.28, −170.7; Setchell 38 (US), −14.3, −170.7; Teraoka-Whitaker 356 (US), −14.2675, −170.5636; Vaupel 22 (IJ, P), −13.5333, −172.2667; Vaupel 22 (P), −13.85, −171.75; Whistler 7560 (US), −13.8, −171.85. Solomon Islands: Braithwaite 4180 (P), −10.5, 162.0167; Whitmore 1979 (US), −8.2667, 157.5. Tonga: Hürlimann 429 (http://www.hear.org), −15.85, −173.7118; J.S. Space (obs. 2002, http://www.hear.org), −21.1667, −175.1667; Sykes (obs. 1981, http://www.hear.org), −18.8, −174.65; Yuncker 15331 (http://www.hear.org), −21.63, −174.9344. Vanuatu: Braithwaite 2163 (P), −20.22, 169.8; Braithwaite 2497 (P), −15.1667, 166.85; Braithwaite 2591 (P), −16.25, 167.5; Pattison s.n. (P), −18.8, 169.1.

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Christenhusz, M.J.M., Toivonen, T.K. Giants invading the tropics: the oriental vessel fern, Angiopteris evecta (Marattiaceae). Biol Invasions 10, 1215–1228 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-007-9197-7

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