4. Molecular a-taxonomy of Asplenium nidus
65
ecological information is sometimes a better strategy for a-taxonomy than trying to
find morphological discontinuity, at least for morphologically simple ferns such as
the A. nidus complex.
We are also examining intraspecific variations of rbeL sequences in other distantly related fern groups, such as Stegnogramma pozoi (Thelypteridaceae), Osmunda einnamomea, Os. claytoniana (Osmundaceae), Ophioglossum pendulum,
Op. petiolatum (Ophioglossaceae) and Cheiropleuria bieuspis (Cheiropleuriaceae)
(unpublished data except for S. pozoi: Yatabe et al. 1998). In each species, we
found a large amount of rbeL sequence variation. Thus, it is highly probable that
the same strategy as we used for A. nidus complex can be applicable for various fern
groups. Our method might be useful for fern a-taxonomy in general.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by a grant from The New Technology Development Foundation and by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) from the Japan Society for
the Promotion of Science to NM. This work was also supported by a grant from the
Japan Bio-industry Association for KI and NM, especially for the collection of
plant materials from Indonesia. We thank Mr. U. Hapid, Mr. Bayu Adjie, Ms.
Julisasi Tri Hadiah, Mr. Esti Endah Ariyanti, Bogor Botanical Gardens, Dr. M. Ito,
Chiba University and the staff members of Indonesian Institute of Science and Mt.
Halimun National Park for their kind assistance in our field work and collection of
plant materials. We also thank Ms. K. Matsuda for her assistance in the sequencing
experiments. We arc grateful to Dr. N. Fukuoka, Shoei Junior College, for his
instruction in using the fishing pole to collect epiphytic materials, and Mr. K. Hirai
(University of Tokyo) and Ms. Y. Shibao (Kyoto University) for their cultivation of
our plant materials in their green houses.
References
Copeland EB (1929) The Oriental genera of Polypodiaceae. Univ Calif Publ Bot 16:45-128
Doyle JJ, Doyle JL (1987) A rapid DNA isolation procedure for small quantities of fresh leaf
material. Phytochem Bull 19:11-15
Rasebe M, Oumori T, Nakazawa M, Sano T, Kato M, Iwatsuki K (1994) rbeL gene sequences provide new evidence for the evolutionary lineages of leptosporangiate ferns.
Proc NatI Acad Sci USA 91:5730-5734
Rolttum RE (1974) Asplenium Linn., sect. Thamnopteris Presl. Gardens' Bull Singapore
27:143-154
Murakami N (1995) Systematics and evolutionary biology of the fern genus Hymenasplenium
(Aspleniaceae). J Plant Res 108:257-268
Murakami N, Moran RC (1993) Monograph of the Neotropical species of Asplenium sect.
Hymenasplenium (Aspleniaceae). Ann Missouri Bot Gard 80:1-38
65
ecological information is sometimes a better strategy for a-taxonomy than trying to
find morphological discontinuity, at least for morphologically simple ferns such as
the A. nidus complex.
We are also examining intraspecific variations of rbeL sequences in other distantly related fern groups, such as Stegnogramma pozoi (Thelypteridaceae), Osmunda einnamomea, Os. claytoniana (Osmundaceae), Ophioglossum pendulum,
Op. petiolatum (Ophioglossaceae) and Cheiropleuria bieuspis (Cheiropleuriaceae)
(unpublished data except for S. pozoi: Yatabe et al. 1998). In each species, we
found a large amount of rbeL sequence variation. Thus, it is highly probable that
the same strategy as we used for A. nidus complex can be applicable for various fern
groups. Our method might be useful for fern a-taxonomy in general.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by a grant from The New Technology Development Foundation and by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) from the Japan Society for
the Promotion of Science to NM. This work was also supported by a grant from the
Japan Bio-industry Association for KI and NM, especially for the collection of
plant materials from Indonesia. We thank Mr. U. Hapid, Mr. Bayu Adjie, Ms.
Julisasi Tri Hadiah, Mr. Esti Endah Ariyanti, Bogor Botanical Gardens, Dr. M. Ito,
Chiba University and the staff members of Indonesian Institute of Science and Mt.
Halimun National Park for their kind assistance in our field work and collection of
plant materials. We also thank Ms. K. Matsuda for her assistance in the sequencing
experiments. We arc grateful to Dr. N. Fukuoka, Shoei Junior College, for his
instruction in using the fishing pole to collect epiphytic materials, and Mr. K. Hirai
(University of Tokyo) and Ms. Y. Shibao (Kyoto University) for their cultivation of
our plant materials in their green houses.
References
Copeland EB (1929) The Oriental genera of Polypodiaceae. Univ Calif Publ Bot 16:45-128
Doyle JJ, Doyle JL (1987) A rapid DNA isolation procedure for small quantities of fresh leaf
material. Phytochem Bull 19:11-15
Rasebe M, Oumori T, Nakazawa M, Sano T, Kato M, Iwatsuki K (1994) rbeL gene sequences provide new evidence for the evolutionary lineages of leptosporangiate ferns.
Proc NatI Acad Sci USA 91:5730-5734
Rolttum RE (1974) Asplenium Linn., sect. Thamnopteris Presl. Gardens' Bull Singapore
27:143-154
Murakami N (1995) Systematics and evolutionary biology of the fern genus Hymenasplenium
(Aspleniaceae). J Plant Res 108:257-268
Murakami N, Moran RC (1993) Monograph of the Neotropical species of Asplenium sect.
Hymenasplenium (Aspleniaceae). Ann Missouri Bot Gard 80:1-38