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Filippo Rizzo

  • Biodiversity Journal, 12 (1): 0091-0120

    Filippo Rizzo
    The distribution of Pteridophytes (ferns and lycophytes) in Sicily
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.1.91.120

    ABSTRACT
    In this study, an updated list of Sicilian ferns and lycophytes is presented, with ecological information and an in-depth analysis on provincial distribution. The Pteridophytes present in Sicily are 58 (including species and subspecies), 6 Lycopodiopsida and 52 Polypodiopsida, including 4 allochthonous naturalized taxa (Azolla cristata, Azolla filiculoides, Cyrtomium falcatum and Nephrolepis cordifolia). There are also 4 further uncertain taxa (Asplenium trichomanes subsp. pachyrachis, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris cambrensis subsp. insubrica and Polypodium vulgare). The largest family is that of Aspleniaceae, which contains the larger genus Asplenium. With regard to the distribution, the province of Palermo has the largest number of taxa, followed by the provinces of Messina, Catania and Trapani. Overall, the ferns are unevenly distributed, with the Northern provinces having a higher number of taxa.