Integrative Taxonomy of Diplazium Sw. (Athyriaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia: Insights from Morphological and Spore Ornamentation Data

Nur Aliah; Haja Maideen; Nurul Nadhirah

doi:10.55230/mabjournal.v54i4.3579

Authors

Nur Aliah
aliahkhaduwi@ukm.edu.my
Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Haja Maideen Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Nurul Nadhirah Glama-Lemi Biotechnology Research Centre Universiti Malaya, KM 16, 71660 Kuala Klawang, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Keywords:

Diplazium, morphology, Peninsular Malaysia, spore ornamentation, taxonomy

Abstract

The genus Diplazium Sw. (Athyriaceae) exhibits significant morphological diversity and complex taxonomy in Peninsular Malaysia. Building upon previously published anatomical and molecular phylogenetic data, this study integrates detailed morphological traits and novel spore ornamentation analyses to provide a comprehensive regional taxonomic assessment. Morphological data were collected from field and herbarium specimens, while spore surface ornamentation was examined using scanning electron microscopy on selected species representing key subclades identified through combined molecular datasets (plastid markers: rbcL, atpB, atpA, trnL-F; nuclear marker: ITS) as well as anatomical datasets from previous studies. Phylogenetic analyses based on these previously published molecular and anatomical data robustly support the monophyly of Diplazium species in Peninsular Malaysia. Morphological traits alone were insufficient to fully resolve species boundaries due to overlaps with related genera such as Athyrium, Deparia, and Cornopteris. Spore ornamentation revealed five distinct micro-morphological patterns that provide additional diagnostic characters, enhancing species delimitation and complementing classical morphological and molecular approaches. A dichotomous key to the Diplazium species of Peninsular Malaysia is also provided in supplementary material. This study presents an integrative taxonomic framework for Diplazium in Peninsular Malaysia by combining previously published molecular and anatomical phylogenies with new spore micromorphological data. The addition of spore ornamentation as supplementary evidence strengthens taxonomic resolution and supports future floristic, conservation, and evolutionary research in this biodiversity hotspot.

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