Classification and typification of Australian lycophytes and ferns based on Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification PPG I

A comprehensive update of the classification and typification of Australian lycophytes and ferns reveals significant advancements since the 1998 Flora of Australia, incorporating Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group I standards. The study introduces 8 new nomenclatural combinations and 85 lectotypifications, identifying 208 endemic species—with Queensland showcasing the highest diversity and endemism. Lord Howe Island stands out for its exceptional concentration of species and endemics per unit area. Contrary to prior classifications, no fern or lycophyte genera are now considered wholly endemic to Australia, highlighting diverse links with Africa, Asia, and Oceania, particularly with Asia-Oceania regions.

Field, A. R. (2020). Classification and typification of Australian lycophytes and ferns based on Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification PPG I. Australian Systematic Botany, 33(1), 1–102. https://doi.org/10.1071/sb18011