MONILOPHYTES OF SOUTH AMERICA ✅

UPDATED IN 04.03.2024

Via Home et al. (Freie University, Berlin), the tree of Lycophytes and Monilophytes are sucessive sisters of Gymnosperms and Angiosperms. A checklist of all Lycophytes and Monilophytes is available in World Ferns (SEE).

LYCOPHYTES + MONILOPHYTES

12 largest world diversities are China (1,973 | 644 endemics), Colombia (1,748 | 198 endemics), Ecuador (1,533 | 191 endemics), Brazil (1,421 | 508 endemic), New Guinea (1,350 | 572 endemics), Peru (1,292 | 139 endemics), Venezuela (1,262 | 138 endemics), Bolivia (1,196 | 141 endemics), Costa Rica (1,172 | 114 endemics), Borneo (1,083 | 247 endemics), India (1,052 | 66 endemics) and Mexico (1,053 | 200 endemics), by World Ferns (SEE).

Largest amounts of endemic species are China (644), New Guinea (572), Brazil (508), Madagascar (386), Borneo (265), Philippines (247), Mexico (200) and Colombia (198). 

National endemics includes genera only in Mexico (Baja, Baja California region), Papua New Guinea (Rheopteris), China (Trichoneuron and Cleistoblechnum), Australia (Howeogrammitis, Lord Howe), Indonesia (Xyropteris, Borneo and Sumatra), U.S.A. (Sadleria, Adenophorus and Hoiokula, all in Hawaii), New Zealand (Loxsoma, Icarus), Colombia (Luisma, Risaralda), New Caledonia (Stromatopteris, Grammitastrum, Thalassogrammitis), Philippines (Podosorus, Isabela: San Mariano, Barangay Disulap), Chile (Thyrsopteris, Juan Fernandes), South Korea (Mankyua, Cheju Is.) and South Africa (Rhizoglossum, W-Cape Prov., N-Cape Prov.).

COMPARATIONS

Monilophytes has 11 orders, 48 families and 365 genera worldwide. 42 families in New World, 36 in Brazil. New World includes 198 genera in Monilophytes, being 147 in Brazil and 51 absents. Families absent in New World: Matoniaceae, Dipteridaceae, Cystodiaceae, Hypodematiaceae, Rhachidosoraceae and Davalliaceae.

New World families absents in Brazil (with New World distribution): Thyrsopteridaceae (Juan Fernandes, Chile), Cibotiaceae (Mexico to Nicaragua), Loxsomataceae (Costa Rica, Colombia to Bolivia), Diplaziopsidaceae (U.S.A./Canada), Arthropteridaceae (Juan Fernandes, Chile) and Onocleaceae (Canada to Guatemala). Except chilean endemic Thyrsopteridaceae and Onocleaceae, all families are disjunctly distributed.

NEW WORLD GENERA ABSENT IN BRAZIL

All except Cyatheales and Polypodiales: 34 genera in New World, 28 in Brazil and six absents: Botrychium (AR, CH), Marattia (MX, AMC), Claytosmunda (CAN, USA), Crepidomanes (MX, AMC, CL, VZ, EC, PR, BL, CAR), Diplopterygium (MX, AMC, CL, VZ, EC, PR, BL, CAR) and Microschizaea (AR, CH).

Cyatheales: 12 genera in New World, 9 in Brazil and 3 absents: Thyrsopteris (CH), Cibotium (MX, AMC) and Loxsomopsis (AMC, CL, EC, PR, BL), all nationally disjuncts.

Polypodiales: 152 genera in New World, 110 in Brazil and 42 absents: Odontosoria (MX, AMC, CAR, CL), Sphenomeris (USA, MX, AMC, CAR, CL), Homalosurus (CN, USA), Arthopteris (CH), Gymnocarpium (CN, USA), Woodsia (CN, USA), Deparia (USA), Ephemeropteris (MX, AMC, CL, VZ, EC), Matteuccia (CN, USA), Onoclea (CN, USA), Onocleopsis (MX, AMC), Loxogramme (MX, AMC), Platycerium (OW, PR, BL), Synammia (AR, CH), Adetogramma (EC, PR, BL, AR), Lomaphlebia (CB, JM), Ascogrammitis (MX, AMC, CAR, GU, VZ, CL, EC, PR, BL), Galactodenia (MX, AMC, CAR, VZ, CL, EC, PR, BL), Luisma (CL), Notogrammitis (OW, AR, CH), Maxonia (AMC, CAR, USA, CL, EC), Polystichopsis (CAR, VZ), Atalopteris (CAR), Phegopteris (OW, USA), Thelypteris (OW, USA, CN, MX, CB, PR), Coryphopteris (OW, CN, USA), Oreopteris (OW, CAN, USA), Leptogramma (OW, U.S.A., MX, AMC), Cryptogramma (OW, CN, USA, AR, CH), Llavea (MX, AMC), Scoliosurus (MX, AMC), Baja (MX), Bommeria (USA, MX, AMC), Myriopteris (USA, MX, AMC, CAR, CL, VZ, EC, PR, BL, AR, CH), Astrolepis (USA, MX, AMC, CAR, CL, VZ, EC, PR, BL, AR, CH), Mildella (OW, MX, AMC, CAR, EC), Notholaena (USA, MX, AMC, CL, VZ, EC, PR, BL, AR, CH), Cheiloplecton (MX, AMC), Pentagramma (USA, MX), Aleuritopteris (OW, MX, AMC, CL, EC, PR, BL), Gaga (MX, AMC, CL, VZ, EC, PR, AR) and Aspidotis (CN, USA, MX).

MEXICAN GENERA ABSENT IN BRAZIL

All except Cyatheales and Polypodiales: Marattia (MX, AMC), Crepidomanes (MX, AMC, CL, VZ, EC, PR, BL, CAR) and Diplopterygium (MX, AMC, CL, VZ, EC, PR, BL, CAR).

Cyatheales: Cibotium (MX, AMC).

Polypodiales: Odontosoria (MX, AMC, CAR, CL), Sphenomeris (USA, MX, AMC, CAR, CL), Ephemeropteris (MX, AMC, CL, VZ, EC), Onocleopsis (MX, AMC), Loxogramme (MX, AMC), Ascogrammitis (MX, AMC, CAR, GU, VZ, CL, EC, PR, BL), Galactodenia (MX, AMC, CAR, VZ, CL, EC, PR, BL), Thelypteris (OW, USA, CN, MX, CB, PR), Leptogramma (OW, U.S.A., MX, AMC), Llavea (MX, AMC), Scoliosurus (MX, AMC), Baja (MX), Bommeria (USA, MX, AMC), Myriopteris (USA, MX, AMC, CAR, CL, VZ, EC, PR, BL, AR, CH), Astrolepis (USA, MX, AMC, CAR, CL, VZ, EC, PR, BL, AR, CH), Mildella (OW, MX, AMC, CAR, EC), Notholaena (USA, MX, AMC, CL, VZ, EC, PR, BL, AR, CH), Cheiloplecton (MX, AMC), Pentagramma (USA, MX), Aleuritopteris (OW, MX, AMC, CL, EC, PR, BL), Gaga (MX, AMC, CL, VZ, EC, PR, AR) and Aspidotis (CN, USA, MX).

COLOMBIAN GENERA ABSENT IN BRAZIL

All except Cyatheales and Polypodiales: Crepidomanes (MX, AMC, CL, VZ, EC, PR, BL, CAR) and Diplopterygium (MX, AMC, CL, VZ, EC, PR, BL, CAR).

Cyatheales: Loxsomopsis (AMC, CL, EC, PR, BL).

Polypodiales: Odontosoria (MX, AMC, CAR, CL), Sphenomeris (USA, MX, AMC, CAR, CL), Ephemeropteris (MX, AMC, CL, VZ, EC), Ascogrammitis (MX, AMC, CAR, GU, VZ, CL, EC, PR, BL), Galactodenia (MX, AMC, CAR, VZ, CL, EC, PR, BL), Luisma (CL), Maxonia (AMC, CAR, USA, CL, EC), Myriopteris (USA, MX, AMC, CAR, CL, VZ, EC, PR, BL, AR, CH), Astrolepis (USA, MX, AMC, CAR, CL, VZ, EC, PR, BL, AR, CH), Notholaena (USA, MX, AMC, CL, VZ, EC, PR, BL, AR, CH), Aleuritopteris (OW, MX, AMC, CL, EC, PR, BL) and Gaga (MX, AMC, CL, VZ, EC, PR, AR).

COLOMBIAN ADVANTAGES AGAINST BRAZIL BY GENERA (NUMBER OF SPECIES MORE THAN BRAZIL) 

All except Cyatheales and Polypodiales: Hymenophyllum (22), Danaea (16), Sticherus (15), Trichomanes (6), Didymoglossum (2), Equisetum (1), Sceptridium (1), Psilotum (1), Polyphlebium (1), Lygodium (1) - 66 spp.

Cyatheales: Cyathea (72), Alsophila (5), Dicksonia (2) and Sphaeropteris (2) - 81 spp.

Polypodiales: Elaphoglossum (84), Jamesonia (31), Diplazium (31), Amauropelta (18), Parablechnum (12), Dennstaedtia (11), Tectaria (10), Lellingeria (10), Melpomene (9), Pteris (8), Pityrogramma (8), Alansmia (8), Meniscium (7), Radiovittaria (7), Campyloneurum (7), Serpocaulon (7), Stigmatopteris (6), Polybotrya (5), Mycopteris (4), Niphidium (4), Polystichum (4), Terpsichore (4), Megalastrum (4), Hymenasplenium (3), Steiropteris (3), Bolbitis (3), Hypolepis (3), Lomariopsis (3), Lomaridium (2), Pecluma (2), Polytaenium (2), Pleopeltis (2), Austroblechnum (2), Lomariocycas (2), Enterosora (2), Pellaea (2), Athyrium (1), Didymochlaena (1), Hypoderris (1), Grammitis (1), Mickelia (1), Dryopteris (1) -  336 spp.

TAXONOMY OF MONILOPHYTES

1. EQUISETALES ‣ only a single family.

1.1 Equisetaceae (World Ferns) ‣ only one genus. 

Equisetum L ‣ 17 spp. and 26 hybrids. 4 spp. in Mexico (all in subg. Hypochaete), 3 in Colombia (in subg. Hypochaete and subg. Paramochaete) and two in Brazil (E. bogotense, E. giganteum).

2. OPHIOGLOSSALES (World Ferns) ‣ only a single family.

2.1 Ophioglossaceae ‣ New World outsiders: Mankyua B.Y.Sun, M.H.Kim & C.H.Kim (1, Korea), Rhizoglossum C.Presl. (1, South Africa), Ophioderma (Blume) Endl. (6, Africa to Japan, up to Pacific Islands), Helminthostachys Kaulf. (1, Asia to Australia), Japanobotrychum Masam. (2, Africa, Asia) and Sahashia Zhang & Zhang (1, Asia). Mexico has (5/)13 spp., Colombia (4/)7 and Brazil only (4/)6. Zhang & Zhang (Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2022) broken Ophioglossum in four genera, three news, Goswamia, Haukia, and Whittieria.

OPHIOGLOSSOIDEAE

Cheiroglossa C.Presl. Two spp., one from Madagascar to Mauritius, one widely in New World from U.S.A. to Argentina and Caribbean.

Ophioglossum L. 51 spp., almost worldwide. 7 in Mexico, Brazil and Colombia 3 each.

BOTRYCHIOIDEAE

Botrychium Sw. 36 spp., Holarctic, two spp. to Mexico, one temperate South America (Argentina and Chile).

Botrypus Michx. Only one spp., widely distributed worldwide, inc. U.S.A., Mexico, Colombia and Brazil. 

Sceptridium Lyon. 23 spp., worldwide. Two in Mexico and Colombia, only one in Brazil.

3. PSILOTALES (World Ferns) ‣ only a single family.

3.1 Psilotaceae ‣ two genera. New World outsider: Tmesipteris Bernh. (16, Central & E Malesia to S. Pacific).

Psilotum Sw. ‣ two spp., both in New World, P. nudum (L.) P. Beauv. in North America, Mexico, Central America, West Indies, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela, Guianas, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil and Cono Sur, and P. complanatum Sw. from Mexico, Central America, West Indies and Colombia.

4. MARATTIALES (World Ferns) ‣ (6/) 180 spp. in a single family.

4.1 Marattiaceae ‣ New World outsiders: Angiopteris Hoffm. (53, W Indian Ocean, tropical & subtropical Asia to Pacific), Christensenia Maxon (1, S. Central China to tropical Asia) and Ptisana Murdock (37, tropical & subtropical Old World to Pacific). 33 spp. in Colombia, 18 in Brazil and 7 in Mexico.

Danaea Sm. ‣ 79 spp., Mexico to S Brazil. Mexico has 4 spp. (none endemics), Colombia has 32 (10 endemics) and Brazil has only 16 (5 endemics).

Eupodium J.Sm. ‣ 4 spp., one in Panamá to Argentina, one in Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Caribbean, and two endemics to Brazil.

Marattia Sw. ‣ 6 spp., one in Hawai, 4 from Mexico (3) to Central America, and one in Caribbean.

5. OSMUNDALES (World Ferns) ‣ (6/)23 spp. in a single family, Osmudaceae.

5.1 Osmundaceae ‣ New World outsiders: Leptopteris C.Presl (6, Maluku to SW Pacific), Plenasium C.Presl (4, Asia) and Todea Willd. (2, Africa, New Guinea to Australasia). 

Claytosmunda (Y.Yatabe, N.Murak. & K.Iwats.) Metzgar & Rouhan ‣ a single sp., from Canada, U.S.A., Asia.

Osmunda L. ‣ 9 spp., 7 in Old World, O. spectabilis Willd. from Canada to Uruguay and Caribbean, and O. bradei endemic to dry savanas in C Brazil.

Osmundastrum C.Presl ‣ only one sp., O. cinnamomeum (L.) C.Presl, from temp. Asia to Indo-China and Canada to Argentina and Caribbean.

6. HYMENOPHYLLALES (World Ferns) ‣ (9/)557 spp. New World outsiders: Cephalomanes C.Presl (5, Old World) and Callistopteris Copel. (5, Old World, Hawaii).

6.1 Hymenophyllaceae ‣ two genera; 131 spp. in Colombia, 99 in Brazil, 47 in Mexico. 

Hymenophyllum Sm. 303 spp., pantropical, mostly neotropical. 62 spp. in Colombia, 40 in Brazil, 22 in Mexico.

Abrodictyum C.Presl. 31 spp., tropics, mostly Old World, only few New World. Brazil and Colombia two species each, Mexico only one.

Trichomanes L. 75 spp., mostly neotropics, but 5 trop. Africa, Madagascar and Indian Ocean, one in Malesia. Colombia has 43 spp., Brazil 37 and Mexico only 8.

Polyphlebium Copel. 16 spp., southern temperate and mountain forests of low altitudes. 5 spp. in Colombia, 4 in Brazil and two in Mexico.

Didymoglossum Desv. 52 spp., pantropical. 15 spp. in Colombia, 13 in Brazil and 11 in Mexico.

Crepidomanes (C.Presl) C.Presl. 44 spp., paleotropical and Pacific, only one New World, C. pyxidiferum (L.) Dubuisson & Ebihara, from Mexico to Venezuela, also in Bolivia and Caribbean.

Vandenboschia Copel. 26 spp., pantropical. Brazil and Colombia 3 spp. each, Mexico two.

7. GLEICHENIALES (World Ferns) ‣ three families and 9 genera, inc. the unqiue two families in Monilophytes absents in New World.

7.1 Gleicheniaceae ‣ (7/)156 spp. New World outsiders: Gleichenia Sm. (15, Rwanda to S. Africa, W Indian Ocean, Amsterdam Island, Indo-China to SW Pacific), Rouxopteris Hong M.Liu. (1, Madagascar and Reunion) and Stromatopteris Mett. (1, New Caledonia). 33 spp. in Colombia, 20 in Brazil and 7 in Mexico.

Dicranopteris Bernh. ‣ 27 spp., tropics and subtropics, 5 in Brazil (two endemics), only two in Colombia and one in Mexico.

Diplopterygium (Diels) Nakai ‣ 21 spp., tropical & subtropical Asia to Pacific, one in New World, D. bancroftii (Hook.) A.R.Sm., from Mexico to Venezuela and Bolivia, Caribbean, absent in Brazil.

Gleichenella Ching ‣ only one sp., G. pectinata (Willd.) Ching, from Mexico to Guianas, Uruguay and Caribbean, absent in Argentina and Chile.

Sticherus C.Presl ‣ 90 spp., Tanzania to S. Africa, W Indian Ocean, tropical & subtropical Asia to Pacific, 55 from Mexico to southen South America, Caribbean. 29 spp. in Colombia, 14 in Brazil and 4 in Mexico.

7.2 Matoniaceae ‣ two genera, absent in New World: Matonia R.Br. (2, Thailand to New Guinea) and Phanerosorus Copel. (2, Borneo, Maluku, New Guinea).

7.3 Dipteridaceae ‣ two genera, absent in New World: Cheiropleuria C.Presl. (3, S China and temp. E Asia to Indo-China and New Guinea) and Dipteris Reinw. (8, Tibet to Taiwan and NE Australia, also Pacific Islands). 

8. SCHIZAEALES ‣ three families and 5 genera. 81 sp. in Brazil, 27 in Mexico and 28 in Colombia.

8.1 Schizaeaceae ‣ (3/)39 spp.

Actinostachys Wall. ‣ 17 spp., tropical & subtropical America, W Indian Ocean to W Pacific. Three spp. in New World, two in Brazil and Colombia, one in Mexico. 

 

Microschizaea C.F.Reed. 7 spp., six from Malesia, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific (one up to southern Argentina and Chile), and one in Zimbabue and South Africa.

Schizaea Sm. ‣ 15 spp., E Canada to tropical & S. South America, St. Helena, Tanzania to S. Africa, W Indian Ocean, tropical & subtropical Asia to Pacific. 7 spp. in Brazil, 6 in Colombia, two in Mexico.

8.2 Lygodiaceae ‣ a single genus. 

 

Lygodium Sw. ‣ 29 spp., subcosmopolitan; 7 spp. in New World, Colombia and Mexico three each, Brazil only two.

 

8.3 Anemiaceae ‣ four genera. 

 

Anemia Sw. ‣ 118 spp., New World, Africa, Madagascar and India. 69 spp. in Brazil, 21 in Mexico and 17 in Colombia.

9. SALVINIALES ‣ two families and 5 genera, all occur in Brazil. 

9.1 Marsileaceae ‣ three genera. 8 spp. in Mexico, Brazil and Colombia 6 each. 

Marsilea L. ‣ 49 spp., cosmopolitan, 11 in New World. 7 spp. in Mexico, 4 in Colombia and Brazil each.

Pilularia L. ‣ 7 spp., two endemics to South Africa, one endemic to Ethiopia, one in Australia and New Zealand, two from Europe to C Asia, and P. americana A.Braun from U.S.A. to NW Mexico, Colombia to Venezuela, Bolivia to S. Brazil and S South America. 

Regnellidium Lindm. ‣ only one sp., R. diphyllum Lindm., S Brazil to NE Argentina and Uruguay.

9.2 Salviniaceae ‣ (2/)17 spp. 10 spp. in Brazil, 6 in Colombia and 4 in Mexico. 

Azolla Lam. ‣ 6 spp., tropical & subtropical Old World, Canada to Tristan da Cunha, 5 in New World, three in Brazil and Colombia each, two in Mexico.

Salvinia Ség. ‣ 11 spp., Mexico to Cono Sur, Africa, Eurasia, 10 in New World. 7 spp. in Brazil, 3 in Colombia and two in Mexico.

10. CYATHEALES (World Ferns) ‣ eight families, (13/)785 spp. Both Polypodiales and Cyatheales differ from other ferns in having a photoreceptor called a neochrome, which allows them to perform photosynthesis better in low-light conditions, such as in the shadows on the forest floor. The common ancestor of the two groups appears to have derived the neochrome via horizontal gene transfer from a hornwort. 

10.1 Thyrsopteridaceae ‣ a single genus.

Thyrsopteris Kunze ‣ only one sp., T. elegans Kunze, endemic to Juan Fernández Is. in Chile.

10.2 Loxsomataceae ‣ two genera. New World outsider: Loxsoma (1, New Zealand).

Loxsomopsis Christ ‣ only one sp., L. pearcei Maxon, Costa Rica, and Colombia to Bolivia.

10.3 Culcitaceae ‣ a single genus.

Culcita C.Presl ‣ two spp., C. coniifolia (Hook.) Maxon from S. Mexico to Bolivia and SE Brazil, and C. macrocarpa C.Presl from Macaronesia, N Portugal to NW & S. Spain. 

10.4 Plagiogyriaceae ‣ a single genus.

Plagiogyria (Kunze) Mett. ‣ 12 spp., 11 from Kuril Islands to tropical Asia, one in Mexico to tropical America, inc. Colombia and Brazil.

10.5 Cibotiaceae ‣ a single genus.

Cibotium Kaulf. ‣ nine in E Asia and two from Mexico (one endemic) to Nicaragua (POWO).

10.6 Metaxyaceae ‣ a single genus.

Metaxya C.Presl ‣ 6 spp. from Belize to center Brazil. Colombia and Brazil 4 spp. each.

10.7 Dicksoniaceae ‣ (3/)39 spp. New World outsiders: Calochlaena (Maxon) M.D.Turner & R.A.White (5, Malesia to SW Pacific).

Dicksonia L'Hér. ‣ 32 spp. from Malesia to SW Pacific, Mexico to S. tropical America, St. Helena. 8 in New World, 3 in Colombia, Brazil and Mexico one each. 

 

Lophosoria C.Presl ‣ two spp., L. quadripinnata (J.F.Gmel.) C.Chr. from Caribbean, Mexico to Bolivia, also in SE Brazil and Cono Sur, and L. quesadae A.Rojas endemic to Costa Rica.

10.8 Cyatheaceae ‣ (4/)714 spp. All genera in South America.

Alsophila R.Br. ‣ 249 spp., 44 in New World, 8 in Colombia, 3 in Brazil, only two in Mexico.

Cyathea Sm. ‣ 315 spp., Mexico to tropical America, New Guinea to S. Pacific., c. 290 in New World, 126 spp. in Colombia, 54 in Brazil, and only 11 in Mexico. 

Gymnosphaera Blume ‣ 46 spp., mainly Old World, except by G. capensis (L.f.) S.Y.Dong from SE & S. Brazil, Tanzania to southern Africa, and G. salvinii (Hook.) S.Y.Dong from Mexico (Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas) to Nicaragua, disjunct in SE Brazil (Minas Gerais). 

Sphaeropteris Bernh. ‣ 104 spp. from Mexico to Venezuela and Bolivia, Caribbean, Nepal to S. China and S. Pacific. 6 in New World, 3 in Colombia, Mexico and Brazil one each.

11. POLYPODIALES ‣ 26 families. Polypodiales are unique in bearing sporangia with a vertical annulus interrupted by the stalk and stomium. Both Polypodiales and Cyatheales differ from other ferns in having a photoreceptor called a neochrome, which allows them to perform photosynthesis better in low-light conditions, such as in the shadows on the forest floor. The common ancestor of the two groups appears to have derived the neochrome via horizontal gene transfer from a hornwort. 

CURRENT PHYLOGENY OF POLIPODIALES (WIKIPEDIA)

11.1 Saccolomataceae (World Ferns) ‣ (2/)21 spp. New World outsiders: Orthiopteris Copel. (tropical Asia and W-Pacific (8), one in Madagascar). 4 spp. in Brazil, 3 in Colombia and 2 in Mexico.

Saccoloma Kaulf ‣ 17 spp., tropical America. 9 spp. in Brazil, 5 in Colombia, only two in Mexico.

11.2 Cystodiaceae (World Ferns) ‣ a single genus and species, exclusive from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

11.3 Lindsaeaceae (World Ferns) ‣ (7/)255 spp. New World outsiders: Nesolindsaea (2, Seychelles, Sri Lanka to Malesia), Osmolindsaea (7, S tropical Africa, Madagascar, tropical & subtropical Asia), Tapeinidium (19, Indo-China to Nansei-shoto and Pacific), Xyropteris K.U.Kramer (1, endemic to Indonesia in Borneo and Sumatra). 37 spp. in Brazil, 31 in Colombia and 11 in Mexico. 

Lindsaea Dryand. ex Sm. ‣ 188 spp., cosmopolitan, 65 in New World. 37 spp. in Brazil, 26 in Colombia and only 8 in Mexico.

Odontosoria (C.Presl) Fée ‣ 35 spp., 22 in Uganda to S. tropical Africa, W Indian Ocean, tropical & subtropical Asia, Hawaiian Islands, 13 in Mexico (2) to Colombia (3) and Caribbean.

Sphenomeris Maxon ‣ 3 spp., one in S. Florida to Caribbean, Mexico (Chiapas), and two endemics to Colombia.

11.4 Lonchitidaceae (World Ferns) ‣ a single genus.

Lonchitis L. ‣ two spp., L. hirsuta L. from Mexico to SE Brazil, and L. occidentalis Baker in tropical Africa and Madagascar.

11.5 Pteridaceae (World Ferns) ‣ 61 genera. Outsiders in New World: Actiniopteris Link (5, Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Iran to Myanmar), Antrophyopsis (Benedict) Schuettp. (4, Africa, Indian Ocean), Antrophyum Kaulf. (39, tropical & subtropical Old World to Pacific), Austrogramme E.Fourn. (6, Philippines to New Caledonia), Calciphilopteris Yesilyurt & H.Schneid. (4, tropical Asia to S-China and N-Australia), Cerosora (Baker) Domin (4, S. DR Congo to S. Africa, W Indian Ocean, Himalaya to S. China and W Malesia), Coniogramme Fée (22, tropical Africa, E Russia to New Guinea and Pakistan), Cosentinia Tod. (1, Macaronesia, Medit. to W Himalaya and NE tropical Africa), Haplopteris C.Presl (41, tropical & subtropical Old World to Pacific), Mickelopteris Fraser-Jenk. (1, Asia), Oeosporangium Vis. (28, Old World), Onychium Kaulf. (11, NE tropical Africa, tropical & subtropical Asia to N Australia), Paragymnopteris K.H.Shing (6, Old World), Rheopteris Alston (1, Papua New Guinea), Syngramma J.Sm. (16, Indo-China to W Pacific), Taenitis Willd. ex Schkuhr (16, Hainan to tropical Asia and W Pacific) and Vaginularia Fée (6, Taiwan and Sumatra to Queensland).

Acrostichum L. ‣ 3 spp., two in New World, both very widely distributed, inc. Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.

Adiantopsis Fée ‣ 33 spp., New World. 13 spp. in Brazil, 4 in Colombia, two in Mexico.

Adiantum L. ‣ cosmopolitan, 242 spp., 151 in New World. 66 spp. in Brazil, 42 in Colombia and 36 in Mexico.

Aleuritopteris Fée ‣ 43 spp., mostly China, India, Indochina, three in Africa, one in Neotropics, inc. Mexico and Colombia, absent in Brazil.

Ananthacorus Underw. & Maxon ‣ only one sp., A. angustifolius (Sw.) Underw. & Maxon, from Mexico to SE Brazil and Caribbean, inc. Colombia.

Anogramma Link ‣ 3 spp., one from Brazil and adjacent Cono Sur, one in Indian region, another subcosmopolitan (inc. Brazil, Mexico and Colombia).

Argyrochosma (J.Sm.) Windham ‣ 19 spp., New World, China. 12 spp. in Mexico, 3 in Brazil, one in Colombia.

Aspidotis (Nutt. ex Hook.) Copel. ‣ 4 spp., Canada to Mexico.

Astrolepis D.M.Benham & Windham ‣ 8 spp., New World. All in Mexico, one in Colombia, absent in Brazil.

Baja Windham & L.O.George ‣ a single species, endemic to Baja California region in NW Mexico.

Bommeria E.Fourn. ‣ 5 spp., U.S.A. to Nicaragua.

Ceratopteris Brongn. ‣ 8 spp., 3 in New World, all widely in Old and New World. Brazil, Colombia and Mexico two each.

Cheilanthes Sw. (Cheilanthes s.s. + C. bolborrhiza - micropteis group - spinoff 26 spp.). 89 spp., North and tropical America, some tropical Africa, Australia. 9 spp. in Brazil, 5 in Mexico, two in Colombia.

Cheiloplecton Fée ‣ a single species, Mexico to Honduras.

Cryptogramma R.Br. ‣ 9 spp., subarctic & temperate Northern Hemisphere, 4 in North America, one in southern Argentina and Chile.

Doryopteris J.Sm. (Doryopteris Old World + Doryopteris New World block 1 + Doryopteris block 2) ‣ 38 spp., Tropical America, S-India, Malesia, Africa, Madagascar, Australia, S-Pacific. Block 1 includes 5 spp. from Africa and Madagascar. Block 2 includes 4 spp. in Guyana region from Venezuela to Suriname and N Brazil (2 in region), and two endemics to SE & S Brazil. Block 3 includes 27 spp., widely in over range of genus, 17 in Brazil, 3 in Colombia and two in Mexico.

Gaga Pryer, Fay W.Li & Windham ‣ 19 spp., SW U.S.A., Mexico and Central America to Argentina. 17 spp. in Mexico, 4 in Colombia, absent in Brazil.

Gastoniella Li Bing Zhang & Liang Zhang ‣ 3 spp., one in Ascension, one endemic to Mexico, and G. chaerophylla (Desv.) Li Bing Zhang & Liang Zhang from Mexico to Argentina and Brazil, also in Caribbean, absent in Colombia.

Hecistopteris J.Sm. ‣ 3 spp., SW Mexico (1) to S Brazil (2); also in Colombia.

Hemionitis L. ‣ 6 spp., tropical America. Brazil and Mexico 4 spp. each, two in Colombia.

Jamesonia Hook. & Grev. ‣ 61 spp., tropical Andes (usually on high mountains), locally Mexico, Costa Rica, SE Brazil, one in Tristan da Cunha. 40 spp. in Colombia, 9 in Brazil, 5 in Mexico.

Llavea Lag. ‣ only one sp. from Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica.

Lytoneuron (Klotzsch) Yesilyurt ‣ 17 spp., South America. All species from Brazil, one up to N South America excluding Colombia, and two up to W & SW South America up to Ecuador in northern.

Mildella Trevis ‣ 4 spp., Mexico (2), Central America, Caribbean and Ecuador, subtropical Asia.

Mineirella Ponce & Scataglini ‣ 5 spp., South America. 4 spp. in Brazil, only one in Colombia.

Myriopteris Fée ‣ 43 spp., North America to Chile and Caribbean, mostly Mexico, one in southern Africa. 34 spp. in Mexico, 6 in Colombia, absent in Brazil.

Notholaena R.Br. ‣ 33 spp., New World. 28 spp. in Mexico, one in Colombia, absent in Brazil.

Ormopteris J.Sm. ‣ 5 spp. from Brazil, one up to Venezuela and Bolivia.

Pellaea Link ‣ 50 spp., SW-USA, Mexico, to Galapagos and Haiti, South Africa, few east to India, China and New Zealand, N-Spain. 15 spp. in Mexico, 4 in Colombia, only two in Brazil.

Pentagramma Yatsk., Windham & E.Wollenw ‣ 5 spp., U.S.A. to NW Mexico.

Pityrogramma Link ‣ 25 spp., tropical & subtropical America, E Central & E tropical Africa to Malawi, Madagascar. 12 spp. in Colombia, Brazil and Mexico 4 each.

Polytaenium Desv. ‣ 13 spp., Mexico to Argentina and Caribbean. 7 spp. in Colombia, Brazil and Mexico 5 each.

Pteris L. ‣ 341 spp., cosmopolitan, 77 in New World. 28 spp. in Colombia, 20 in Brazil and 18 in Mexico.

Pterozonium Fée ‣ 14 spp., Costa Rica to Peru and N Brazil, mainly in venezuelan tepuis. 3 spp. in Brazil, two in Colombia.

Radiovittaria (Benedict) E.H.Crane ‣ 10 spp., SE Mexico to S Brazil and Caribbean. 9 spp. in Colombia, two in Brazil, only one in Mexico.

Scoliosorus T.Moore ‣ only one sp. from Mexico to Panamá.

Trachyteris ‣ 4 spp., two from Ecuador to Argentina and Paraguay, one in Brazil, another in Madagascar.

Tryonia Schuettp., J.Prado & A.T.Cochran ‣ 5 spp., one endemic to Colombia and 4 in Brazil, one up to Uruguay.

Vittaria Sm. ‣ 7 spp., New World and Africa. Brazil and Mexico three spp. each, two in Colombia.

11.6 Dennstaedtiaceae (World Ferns) ‣ 11 genera, all in New World except Monachosorum Kunze (4, C-Himalaya and Yunnan to Honshu, Taiwan to Philippines and Borneo, New Guinea). 

Blotiella R.M.Tryon ‣ 21 spp., B. lindeniana (Hook.) R.M. Tryon from Costa Rica to Venezuela and Bolivia, SE & S Brazil, Caribbean, remaining 20 in tropical & S. Africa to W Indian Ocean.

Dennstaedtia Bernh. ‣ 55 spp., mostly tropical, c. 24 in New World. 15 in Colombia, six in Mexico, only 4 in Brazil. 

Histiopteris (J.Agardh) J.Sm. ‣ 12 spp. from tropics of Old World, with H. incisa (Thunb.) J.Sm. also in tropical America (inc. Mexico, Colombia and Brazil).

Hiya H.Shang ‣ 4 spp., Malesia (2), SW-Pacific (1), tropical America (H. nigrescens (Hook.) H.Shang, Mexico to Brazil and Caribbean).

Hypolepis Bernh. ‣ 69 spp., tropics & subtropics to Tristan da Cunha, 52 in New World. 14 spp. in Colombia, 12 in Brazil and 9 in Mexico.

Microlepia C.Presl ‣ 51 spp., tropical & subtropical Old World to Pacific, with M. speluncae (L.) T. Moore collected also in Cuba, Jamaica, Franch Guiana, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina.

Mucura L.A.Triana & Sundue ‣ two spp. in New World, both simultaneously in Mexico, Colombia and Brazil.

Paesia A.St.-Hil. ‣ 12 spp., 9 from Taiwan, Malesia to S. Pacific and 3 from Costa Rica to SE Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica. Brazil and Colombia one each, absent in Mexico.

Pteridium Gled. ex Scop. ‣ 4 spp., cosmopolitan, three very widespread (all in Mexico; Brazil and Colombia two each), one from India to Australia.

11.7 CYSTOPTERIDACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ three genera. New World outsider: Acystopteris Nakai (3, Himalaya to Japan and Malesia).

Cystopteris Bernh. ‣ 23 spp., worldwide, mountains in tropics. 15 spp. in New World, 4 in Mexico, two in Brazil, absent in Colombia.

Gymnocarpium Newman ‣ 9 spp., north temperate to New Guinea, fully absent in America Latina.

11.8 RHACHIDOSORACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ a single genus, absent in New World: Rhachidosorus Ching (8, Asia).

11.9 DIPLAZIOPSIDACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ two genera. New World outsider: Diplaziopsis C.Chr. (3, Asia).

Homalosorus Small ex Pic.Serm. ‣ a single species, from U.S.A. and Canada.

11.10 PTERIDRYACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ (4/) 26 spp. New World outsiders: Malaifilix Li Bing Zhang & Schuettp. (1, Malesia region), Polydictyum C.Presl (4, Asia to Pacific) and Pteridrys C.Chr. & Ching (22, India to New Guinea).

Draconopteris Li Bing Zhang & Liang Zhang ‣ two spp., two spp., one in Malesia region, another in Nicaragua to Bolivia and N Brazil.

11.11 ARTHROPTERIDACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ a single genus.

Arthropteris J.Sm. ‣ 13 spp., paleotropical to south-temperate, mostly tropical Africa and Madagascar, two in Malesia, four in Australia, not in mainland New World, but one in Juan Fernandez Islands is., Chile.

11.12 ASPLENIACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ two genera, both in New World.

Asplenium L. ‣ 768 spp., 257 in New World. 84 spp. in Mexico, 74 in Brazil and 73 in Colombia.

Hymenasplenium Hayata ‣ 67 spp., 57 in Old World tropics and 10 in New World. 9 spp. in Colombia, 6 in Brazil and 4 in Mexico.

11.13 THELYPTERIDACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ 42 genera. New World outsiders: Abacopteris Fée (14, continental SE-Asia, Malesia, Australia, Africa), Amblovenatum J.P.Roux (7, Africa and Asia), Ampelopteris Kunze (1, Asia, Africa), Chingia Holttum (25, SE Asia to Australia), Cyclogramma Tagawa (9, N-India to S-China, Taiwan, Philippines), Glaphyropteridopsis Ching (11, E Asia), Grypothrix (Holttum) S.E.Fawc. & A.R.Sm. (14, Indochina, Malesia to S-China and Australia), Hoiokula S.E.Fawc. & A.R.Sm. (2, Hawaii), Macrothelypteris (H.Itô) Ching (9, tropical/subtropical Asia, Malesia, Queensland, Pacific, Africa), Menisciopsis (Holttum) S.E.Fawc. & A.R.Sm. (7, Himalaya, Malesia, Pacific, Hawaii), Menisorus Alston (5, Africa), Mesophlebion Holttum (17, SE Asia), Mesopteris Ching (6, E Asia), Metathelypteris (H.Itô) Ching (17, E-Asia south to Malesia, Solomon Isl., Sri Lanka, Africa, Fernando Póo, São Tomé, South Africa), Pakau S.E.Fawc. & A.R.Sm. (1, Australia, New Zealand), Plesioneuron (Holttum) Holttum (60, Malesia, Pacific islands to Tahiti), Pneumatopteris Nakai (31, Asia to Pacific), Pronephrium C.Presl (40, tropical Asia, few Madagascar, Australia, Pacific), Pseudocyclosorus Ching (13, tropical Africa, India and Himalaya, China, SE-Asia, Philippines), Pseudophegopteris Ching (24, tropical Africa (and St. Helena, Sao Tome), Indian Ocean, S-China and Himalaya, through Malesia to Fiji and Hawaii), Reholttumia S.E.Fawc. & A.R.Sm. (29, SE Asia, some Pacific, Australasia), Sphaerostephanos J.Sm. (192, Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands), Stegnogramma Blume (7, Asia), Strophocaulon S.E.Fawc. & A.R.Sm. (2, Indian Ocean, Malesia, N-Australia, Oceania) and Trigonospora Holttum (7, tropical Asia).

Amauropelta Kunze ‣ 239 spp., Neotropics, few Nearctic, Pacific, trop. Africa and Indian Ocean. 49 spp. in Colombia, 31 in Brazil and 25 in Mexico.

Christella H.Lév. ‣ 71 spp., mostly restricted to the Old World tropics and subtropics, from Africa through India and southeast Asia, China, Japan, and Malesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia, three in New World, all of these in Brazil and Colombia, two in Mexico.

Coryphopteris Holttum ‣ 70, mostly Malesia, to Melanesia and Polynesia, S-Himalayas, some to S-Russia, one single species in North America.

Cyclosorus Link ‣ three spp., two in Africa, one pantropical, inc. Brazil, Mexico and Colombia.

Goniopteris C.Presl. ‣ 135 spp., Neotropics. 40 spp. in Brazil, 25 in Mexico and 21 in Colombia.

Leptogramma J.Sm. ‣ 29 spp., mostly Himalayas (S-China) to Japan and Malesia, one in South Africa, one in Europe, two in New World, one in SE U.S.A., another from Mexico to Panama.

Meniscium Schreb. ‣ 25 spp., Neotropics. 19 spp. in Colombia, 12 in Brazil and 5 in Mexico.

Oreopteris Holub ‣ 3 spp., Asia, Europe, one in Canada and U.S.A.

Pelazoneuron (Holttum) A.R.Sm. & S.E.Fawc. ‣ 19 spp., New World. 12 spp. in Mexico, 5 in Colombia and 3 in Brazil.

Phegopteris (C.Presl) Fée ‣ 6 spp., North-temperate Asia, Europe and North America. Absent in Mexico.

Steiropteris (C.Chr.) Pic.Serm. ‣ 28 spp., Neotropics. 12 spp. in Colombia, 9 in Brazil, only one in Mexico.

Thelypteris Schmidel ‣ two spp., one in Africa, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and China to Australia, New Zealand and Argentina, another in Eurasia, Canadá, U.S.A., Mexico, Cuba and Peru.

11.14 WOODSIACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ two genera.

Physematium Kaulf. ‣ 20 spp., North America (subgen. Woodsiopsis), New World and southern Africa/Madagascar (subgen. Physematium), C-Asia to E-Asia (subgen. Cheilanthopsis). 8 spp. in Mexico, Brazil and Colombia one each.

Woodsia R.Br. ‣ 28 spp., North-temperate holarctic, few China and Taiwan (subgen. Eriosorus). Three spp. in U.S.A., absent in Mexico, Brazil and Colombia.

11.15 ONOCLEACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ four genera. New World outsider: Pentarhizidium Hayata (1, China, Nepal, India).

Matteuccia Tod. ‣ two spp., one in Eurasia, another from Alaska to U.S.A.

Onocleopsis F.Ballard ‣ a single species from Mexico to Guatemala.

Onoclea L. ‣ a single species from E Asia, Canada and U.S.A.

11.16 BLECHNACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ 26 genera. New World outsiders: Blechnidium T.Moore (1, China and Taiwan to NE-India), Blechnopsis C.Presl (2, Asia to Pacific), Brainea J.Sm. (1, tropical Asia), Diploblechnum Hayata (6, Malesia, Australia, Pacific), Doodia R.Br. (19, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific to Hawaii), Cleistoblechnum Gasper & Salino (1, China, inc. Taiwan), Icarus Gasper & Salino (1, New Zealand), Oceaniopteris Gasper & Salino (8, Malesia, W-Pacific, Australia), Sadleria Kaulf. (6, Hawaii), Spicantopsis Nakai (3, Asia) and Stenochlaena J.Sm. (6, India to NE-Australia, east to W-Pacific, tropical Africa).

Anchistea C.Presl ‣ only one sp., Canada, U.S.A., Cuba.

Austroblechnum Gasper & V.A.O.Dittrich ‣ 34 spp., tropical to south-tropical, many in temperate South America, Pacific and New Zealand, few trop. America (north to Mexico and Caribbean), Madagascar, Malesia. 9 spp. in Colombia, 7 in Brazil, 5 in Mexico.

Blechnum L. ‣ 23 spp., mostly neotropical, few southern Africa. 12 spp. in Brazil, 7 in Colombia and 5 in Mexico.

Cranfillia Gasper & V.A.O.Dittrich ‣ 23 spp., Malesia (4), many Pacific and Neotropics (4). Two spp. in Brazil, one in Colombia, absent in Mexico.

Lomaria Willd. ‣ 7 spp., Brazil, Ecuador, New Caledonia, Australia and New Zealand one endemic each, one in Peru to Bolivia, another in southern Africa.

Lomaridium C.Presl ‣ 16 spp., Neotropics, tropical E-Africa, Madagascar, one in Australasia. 4 spp. in Colombia, Brazil and Mexico two each.

Lomariocycas J.Sm. ‣ 17 spp., Neotropics, Africa, Madagascar. 4 spp. in Colombia, two in Brazil, absent in Mexico.

Lorinseria C.Presl ‣ only one sp., Canada and U.S.A.

Neoblechnum Gasper & V.A.O.Dittrich ‣ a single species, in tropical Africa and Neotropica, inc. Mexico, Brazil and Colombia.

Parablechnum C.Presl ‣ 71 spp., pantropical. 18 spp. in Colombia, 6 in Brazil, 3 in Mexico.

Salpichlaena Hook. ‣ 4 spp., Central to South Ameria. All spp. in Brazil, three in Colombia, absent in Mexico.

Struthiopteris Scop. ‣ 3 spp., holartic to E Asia, one in Canada and U.S.A.

Telmatoblechnum Perrie, D.J.Ohlsen & Brownsey ‣ two spp., one from tropical Asia and Australia, another in New World, inc. Mexico, Brazil and Colombia.

Woodwardia Sm. ‣ 13 spp., widespread in northern hemisphere, south to Costa Rica, W-Indonesia, mainly E-Asia, New World. 4 spp. in Mexico, absent in Brazil and Colombia.

11.17 ATHYRIACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ nine genera. New World outsiders: Anisocampium C.Presl (4, E-Asia, S-Himalaya and Indochina, one to Sri Lanka and Malesia), Cornopteris Nakai (13, China, E-Asia, N-tropical. Asia), Pseudathyrium Newman (1, Europa, W-Asia).

Athyrium Roth ‣ 174 spp., worldwide, mostly northern hemisphere, many in China (over 100), several in tropical Africa and Madagascar, few in the New World (19). Three spp. in Mexico, two in Colombia, only one in Brazil.

Deparia Hook. & Grev. ‣ 78 spp., mostly China, some tropical Asia, Pacific, few Madagascar, three in U.S.A.

Diplazium Sw. ‣ 480 spp., cosmopolitan, 100 spp. in tropical America, ca. 80 in China. 54 spp. in Colombia, 27 in Mexico, 23 in Brazil.

Ephemeropteris R.C.Moran & Sundue ‣ three spp., Mexico (all) to Venezuela and Ecuador. Only one in South America.

11.18 HYPODEMATIACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ two genera, absent in New World: Hypodematium Kunze (16, Africa to Malesia) and Leucostegia C.Presl (3, Asia to Pacific).

11.19 DIDYMOCHLAENACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ a single genus.

Didymochlaena Desv. ‣ 22 spp., six in New World. Three spp. in Colombia, two in Brazil, only one in Mexico.

11.20 DRYOPTERIDACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ 27 genera. New World outsiders: Arthrobotrya J.Sm. (3, Australia and New Zealand), Cyrtomium C.Presl (39, Asia and Africa), Lastreopsis Ching (21, Asia to Pacific), Lomagramma J.Sm. (18, Asia to Pacific), Pleocnemia C.Presl (20, NE-India, SE-China, Taiwan through Malesia to Samoa), Teratophyllum Mett. ex Kuhn (10, tropical Asia) and Trichoneuron Ching (1, China).

Arachniodes Blume ‣ 71 spp., tropics/subtropics to Russian Far East. Two spp. in Colombia, Mexico and Brazil one each.

Atalopteris Maxon ‣3 spp., Cuba, Hispaniola and Jamaica.

Bolbitis Schott ‣ 67 spp., tropics and subtropics, 11 in New World. Colombia and Mexico 5 each, only two in Brazil.

Ctenitis (C.Chr.) C.Chr. ‣ 144 spp., tropica and subtropics, 55 spp. in New World. 20 spp. in Mexico, 19 in Brazil, 7 in Colombia.

Cyclodium C.Presl ‣ 13 spp., Panamá to Argentina and Brazil. 7 spp. in Brazil, 6 in Colombia, absent in Mexico.

Dryopteris Adans. ‣ 347 spp., cosmopolitan, only 22 in New World. 14 spp. in Mexico, 4 in Colombia and 3 in Brazil.

Elaphoglossum Schott ex J.Sm. ‣ 763 spp., tropics & subtropics to southern South America and Subantarctic Islands. 585 spp. in New World. 188 spp. in Colombia, 104 in Brazil, 72 in Mexico.

Maxonia C.Chr. ‣ only one sp., M. apiifolia (Sw.) C.Chr., Central America to Ecuador, Florida, Cuba, Jamaica.

Megalastrum Holttum ‣ 103 spp., Mexico to southern South America, Subantarctic Islands, tropical & S. Africa, W Indian Ocean, 85 spp. in New World. 22 spp. in Colombia, 18 in Brazil, 8 in Mexico.

Mickelia R.C.Moran, Labiak & Sundue ‣ 10 spp., tropical America and Caribbean. 7 spp. in Colombia, 6 in Brazil, 3 in Mexico.

Olfersia Raddi ‣ 4 spp., tropical America. Brazil and Colombia three spp. each, only one in Mexico.

Parapolystichum (Keyserl.) Ching ‣ 30 spp., tropics. 5 spp. in New World. Brazil, Colombia and Mexico two spp. each.

Phanerophlebia C.Presl ‣ 10 spp., U.S.A. to Venezuela, Haiti, Brazil. 8 spp. in Mexico, Colombia and Brazil one each.

Polybotrya Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. ‣ 39 spp., Neotropics, mostly Andes and SE-Brazil. 19 spp. in Colombia, 14 in Brazil, two in Mexico.

Polystichopsis (J.Sm.) Holttum ‣ 7 spp., Caribbean, one up to Venezuela.

Polystichum Roth ‣ 415 spp., cosmopolitan, 104 spp. in New World. 17 spp. in Mexico, 12 in Colombia and 8 in Brazil.

Rumohra Raddi ‣ 11 spp., Zimbabwe to South Africa, W Indian Ocean, New Guinea to Australasia, South America, Caribbean, Florida. 4 spp. in New World, 3 in Brazil, only one in Colombia, absent in Mexico.

Stigmatopteris C.Chr. ‣ 26 spp., tropical America, Caribbean. 14 spp. in Colombia, 8 in Brazil, two in Mexico.

11.21 LOMARIOPSIDACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ four genera. New World outsider: Dryopolystichum Copel. (1, New Guinea to Solomon Isl.).

Cyclopeltis J.Sm. ‣ 7 spp., 6 in Hainan, Indo-China to NW Pacific, and C. semicordata (Sw.) J.Sm. from S. Mexico to northern South America and Caribbean, inc. Brazil.

Dracoglossum Christenh. ‣ two spp., Guatemala to Bolivia and Venezuela. Brazil and Colombia one species each.

Lomariopsis Fée ‣ 51 spp in tropics and subtropics, 15 in New World. 7 spp. in Colombia, 4 in Brazil, 3 in Mexico.

11.22 NEPHROLEPIDACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ a single genus.

Nephrolepis Schott ‣ 29 spp., tropics and subtropics. 16 spp. in New World. 9 spp. in Brazil, 7 in Colombia and 6 in Mexico.

11.23 TECTARIACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ three genera, all in New World.

Hypoderris R.Br. ‣ three spp., Caribbean, Central America, Andes from N-Venezuela to Bolivia. Two spp. in Colombia, one in Brazil, absent in Mexico.

Tectaria Cav. ‣ 271 spp., pantropical and south-temperate, New World. 17 spp. in Colombia, 7 in Brazil and Mexico each.

Triplophyllum Holttum ‣ 27 spp., 11 in Nicaragua to Brazil, Caribbean, 16 from Senegal to Madagascar. 7 spp. in Brazil, 5 in Colombia, absent in Mexico.

11.24 OLEANDRACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ a single genus.

Oleandra Cav. ‣ 30 spp., tropical America, Africa, Madagascar, east to Sri Lanka, Himalayas and S-China south to Malaysia, east to Philippines, New Guinea and Queensland, through the Pacific. 14 spp. in New World, 8 in Brazil, 4 in Colombia, only one in Mexico.

11.25 DAVALLIACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ two genera, both absents in New World: Davallia Sm. (mostly tropical and subtropical Asia, some Pacific and Australia, few in Canary Isl. and tropical Africa) and Davallodes (Copel.) Copel. (mainland C Asia to India and China).

11.26 POLYPODIACEAE (World Ferns) ‣ 70 genera. New World outsiders: Acrosorus Copel. (9, SE-Asia to Polynesia), Adenophorus Gaudich (11, Hawaii), Aenigmatogrammitis Parris (2, Moluccas, Australia), Archigrammitis Parris (7, Borneo and Pacific islands), Boonkerdia Li Bing Zhang, Pollawatn, X.M.Zhou & Liang Zhang (3, SE Asia), Bosmania Testo (3, Madagascar, Japan and India to Sulawesi), Calligrammitis Parris, Sundue, Li Bing Zhang, X.M.Zhou & Ralf Knapp (2, Taiwan; Sri Lanka to New Guinea), Calymmodon C.Presl (60, mostly Borneo and New Guinea, also Sri Lanka, SE-Asia to Australia and Polynesia, Taiwan), Chrysogrammitis Parris (2, tropical Asia), Ctenopterella Parris (10, Old World), Dasygrammitis Parris (8, tropical Asia, Pacific), Devolia Li Bing Zhang, X.M.Zhou, Jian Jun Yang & Ralf Knapp (1, China, Japan), Dictymia J.Sm. (2, E-Australia to Fiji and New Caledonia), Drynaria (Bory) J.Sm. (33, Africa, trop. Asia to NE Australia), Glabrigrammitis Li Bing Zhang, X.M.Zhou, Jian Jun Yang & Parris (2, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, SE Asia to Vanuatu), Goniophlebium (Blume) C.Presl (32, Hokkaido and India to Australia), Grammitastrum (E.Fourn.) Parris, Sundue, Li Bing Zhang & X.M.Zhou (1, New Caledonia), Hovenkampia Li Bing Zhang & X.M.Zhou (3, Sudan and Guinea to South Africa), Howeogrammitis Parris (1, Lord Howe, Australia), Lecanopteris Reinw. (24, Vietnam to Australia and Vanuatu), Lepisorus (J.Sm.) Ching (95, China, E- and tropical Asia, one in Hawaii, few Africa, Madagascar and W-Pacific), Leptochilus Kaulf. (37, India to Hokkaido and New Guinea), Microsorum Link (42, paleotropical, extending to E Australia and New Zealand, eastward to Pacific, west to trop. Africa), Micropopypodium Hayata (3, China, Indochina, S-Himalaya to Philippines), Nanogrammitis Parris, Li Bing Zhang, X.M.Zhou & Liang Zhang (7, E-Africa, Madagascar, Seychelles, Mascarenes), Oreogrammitis Copel. (191, Asia, Pacific, Australia), Oxygrammitis Parris & Sundue (2, Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea), Pleurosoriopsis Fomin (1, Russia to C China and Japan), Podosorus Holttum (1, Philippines), Prosaptia C.Presl (72, Asia), Pyrrosia Mirb. (63, Cameroon to Uganda and S. tropical Africa, W Indian Ocean, Mongolia to tropical Asia and Pacific), Rouhania Li Bing Zhang, X.M.Zhou, Jian Jun Yang & Liang Zhang (7, Africa and Madagascar), Scleroglossum Alderw. (10, tropical Asia and Australia), Selliguea Bory (124, India to Hokkaido and Australia), Tomophyllum (E.Fourn.) Parris (37, tropical Asia to China, Australia, W-Pacific.), Thalassogrammitis Parris, Sundue, Li Bing Zhang & X.M.Zhou (1, New Caledonia), Thylacopteris Kunze ex J.Sm. (3, Philippines and Sumatra to New Guinea) and Xiphopterella Parris (14, tropical Asia).

Adetogramma T.E.Almeida ‣ a single species from Ecuador to N Argentina.

Alansmia M.Kessler, Moguel, Sundue & Labiak ‣ 24 spp., mostly Neotropics, two in Africa. 14 spp. in Colombia, 6 in Brazil, 5 in Mexico.

Ascogrammitis Sundue ‣ 18 spp., Neotropics. Six spp. in Colombia, one in Mexico, absent in Brazil.

Campyloneurum C.Presl ‣ 76 spp., Mexico to Argentina, Caribbean and Florida, 29 spp. in Colombia, 22 in Brazil and 11 in Mexico.

Ceradenia L.E.Bishop. ‣ 77 spp. 25 spp. in Colombia, 9 in Brazil and 5 in Mexico.

Cochlidium Kaulf. ‣ 17 spp., Neotropics, 1 to Africa and Indian Ocean. 7 spp. in Brazil, 5 in Colombia, three in Mexico.

Enterosora Baker. ‣ 28 spp., Neotropics, tropical Africa, Madagascar and Mascarenes. 5 spp. in Colombia, 3 in Brazil and only two in Mexico.

Galactodenia Sundue & Labiak ‣ 5 spp., Neotropics. Colombia and Mexico one each, absent in Brazil.

Grammitis Sw. ‣ 28 spp. (26 Grammitis p.p., two Grammitis from Lord Howe), tropics. 4 spp. in Colombia, 3 in Brazil, absent in Mexico.

Lellingeria A.R.Sm. & R.C.Moran ‣ 52 spp., Neotropics. 19 spp. in Colombia, 9 in Brazil and two in Mexico.

Leucotrichum Labiak. 6 spp., Neotropics (5), and one in Madagascar. Two spp. in Brazil (both endemics), Colombia and Mexico one each.

Lomaphlebia J.Sm. ‣ two spp., Jamaica and Cuba one each.

Loxogramme (Blume) C.Presl ‣ 39 spp., Guinea to Hokkaido, South Africa and New Guinea, L. mexicana (Fée) C. Chr. from Mexico to Panamá.

Luisma M.T.Murillo & A.R.Sm. ‣ a single species, endemic to Colombia (Risaralda).

Microgramma C.Presl ‣ 35 spp., tropical & subtropical America, tropical & S. Africa, W Indian Ocean, India. 32 spp. in New World, 18 spp. in Brazil, 15 in Colombia and six in Mexico.

Melpomene A.R.Sm. & R.C.Moran ‣ 30 spp., Neotropics one extending to tropical Africa. 17 spp. in Colombia, 11 in Mexico and 8 in Brazil.

Moranopteris R.Y.Hirai & J.Prado ‣ 32 spp., tropical America, one in Madagascar. 13 spp. in Colombia, 9 in Brazil and three in Mexico.

Mycopteris Sundue ‣ 18 spp., Neotropics. 7 spp. in Colombia, Brazil and Mexico three each.

Niphidium J.Sm. ‣ 11 spp., tropical America. 6 spp. in Colombia, two in Brazil, one in Mexico.

Notogrammitis Parris ‣ 12 spp., Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Antarctic islands, three in Argentina and Chile.

Parrisia Shalisko & Sundue ‣ two spp., one from Mexico to Brazil, another in Tanzania, Madagascar and La Reunion.

Pecluma M.G.Price ‣ 48 spp., Mexico to N Argentina, Caribbean and Florida; 23 spp. in Colombia, 21 in Brazil and 15 in Mexico.

Phlebodium (R.Br.) J.Sm. ‣ 3 spp., Mexico and U.S.A. to Argentina and Caribbean, all in Brazil and in Colombia, two in Mexico.

Platycerium Desv. ‣ 17 spp., 6-9 spp. Africa/Madagascar, 7-10 from India and China to Australia, P. andinum Baker in Peru to Bolivia.

Pleopeltis Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. ‣ 97 spp., mostly neotropical, very few in Africa, Madagascar and India. 35 spp. in Mexico, 21 in Colombia and 19 in Brazil.

Polypodium L. ‣ 51 spp., New World, Marocco to Japan, southern Africa. 22 spp. in Mexico, 4 in Colombia, 3 in Brazil.

Serpocaulon A.R.Sm. ‣ 44 spp., Mexico to Argentina, Caribbean, Florida. 26 in Colombia, 19 in Brazil and 4 in Mexico.

Stenogrammitiss Labiak ‣ 25 spp., Neotropics, Africa, Hawaii, Pacific. 5 spp. in Brazil, 4 in Mexico, 3 in Colombia.

Synammia C.Presl ‣ 3 spp., Argentina, Chile, Juan Fernandez.

Terpsichore A.R.Sm. ‣ 16 spp., tropical America. 7 spp. in Colombia, 3 in Brazil and only one in Mexico.