Abstract
© Cambridge University Press 2008 and Cambridge University Press 2009. Introduction
As a consequence of employing DNA sequence data and phylogenetic approaches, unprecedented
progress has been made in recent years toward a full understanding of the fern tree
of life. At the broadest level, molecular phylogenetic analyses have helped to elucidate
which of the so-called “fern allies” are indeed ferns, and which are only distantly
related (Nickrent et al., 2000; Pryer et al., 2001a; Wikström and Pryer, 2005; Qiu
et al., 2006). Slightly more focused analyses have revealed the composition of, and
relationships among, the major extant fern clades (Hasebe et al., 1995; Wolf, 1997;
Pryer et al., 2004b; Schneider et al., 2004c; Schuettpelz et al., 2006; Schuettpelz
and Pryer, 2007). A plethora of analyses, at an even finer scale, has uncovered some
of the most detailed associations (numerous references cited below). Together, these
studies have helped to answer many long-standing questions in fern systematics. In
this chapter, a brief synopsis of vascular plant relationships - as currently understood
- is initially provided to place ferns within a broader phylogenetic framework. This
is followed by an overview of fern phylogeny, with most attention devoted to the leptosporangiate
clade that accounts for the bulk of extant fern diversity. Discussion of finer scale
relationships is generally avoided; instead, the reader is directed to the relevant
literature, where more detailed information can be found.
Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1017/CBO9780511541827.016