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An analysis of the current status and future prospects of Sri Lankan pteridophytes towards a new dimension

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Abstract

Sri Lankan pteridophytes are important on a global and regional scale, because of the isolation of the flora in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lankan pteridophytes have been collected and studied since 1674. However, adequate attention has not been given to all aspects of the study of Sri Lanka’s pteridophytes over the last century. The current knowledge is limited to species descriptions and locality checklists based on rapid surveys, and limited information on the ecological and conservation aspects of specific species or groups. Here, we try to critically review all past and current relevant literature to understand the present status and future perspectives of our knowledge. We intend to streamline the future research and conservation priorities of this untapped gene pool in the Indian subcontinent. We realize that the country needs a systematic survey across the island to estimate the number of taxa, with special regard to endemics. We also need to understand the pattern and impact of species distribution. We need to combine the identification of hotspots and more sensitive areas with the assessment of the conservation status of each taxon. This will support the drawing up of conservation guidelines and their implementation. Apart from the analysis of diversity and of ecological assessments, priority must be given to clarify the phylogenetic relationship and biogeographic history of Sri Lankan species. Moreover, pteridophytes need to be included in the country’s research agenda for the general advancement of research on pteridophytes on the global level.

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Acknowledgement

This work was undertaken as part of the research agreement (Diversity and evolution of Sri Lankan pteridophytes in a global context) signed by the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, Missouri Botanical Garden, USA, and Kunming Institute of Botany, China. Authors are grateful to Dr. B.S. Parris, Fern Research Foundation, New Zealand and Dr. Monika Shaffer-fehre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew for their constructive comments. Authors are acknowledged to curator of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, New Zealand for providing images of Davallia trichomanoides. We are grateful to Mr R.M.S.R. Chamara, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya for the preparation of distribution maps.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, 20400, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    Ranil Rajapaksha & Gamini Pushpakumara

  2. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd, 63110, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Li-Bing Zhang

  3. National Institute of Fundemental Studies, Hantane Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka

    Siril Wijesundara

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  1. Ranil Rajapaksha
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RR – research conceptualization, investigation and data/ information collection, data analysis and interpretation, manuscript writing; LZ – investigation and data/ information collection, manuscript writing and editing; GP – data/ information collection, data analysis and interpretation, manuscript writing and editing; SW – data/ information collection, data analysis and interpretation, revised the manuscript. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Rajapaksha, R., Zhang, LB., Pushpakumara, G. et al. An analysis of the current status and future prospects of Sri Lankan pteridophytes towards a new dimension. Biologia 77, 3333–3351 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-022-01139-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-022-01139-y

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