Tectaria dissecta (G. Forst.) Lellinger (1968: 156)

Duan, Yi-Fan & Zhang, Li-Bing, 2015, Notes on the fern flora of Fiji: Synonymization of Ctenitis minima and Dryopteris waiwaiensis with Tectaria dissecta (Tectariaceae) and Deparia boryana (Athyriaceae), respectively, Phytotaxa 218 (2), pp. 197-199 : 197

Tectaria dissecta (G. Forst.) Lellinger (1968: 156) .

Basionym:— Polypodium dissectum Forster (1786: 81) .

Type:—Pacific Islands, G. Foster s.n. (holotype BM-001048435!, isotypes BM-001048415!, K-000636101!).

Heterotypic synonym: — Ctenitis minima Brownlie (1977: 303) . Type:— FIJI. Viti Levu Tailevu: Hills east of Wainimbuka River, in vicinity of Wailotua, 100–150 m, 27 April 1953, A. C. Smith 7240 (holotype US-00135265!, isotypes K-000636084!, MICH-1190186!).

Taxonomic notes: —The generic assignment of Ctenitis minima Brownlie has been unclear for a long time since its publication (NMNS 2008, Brownsey & Perrie 2011), although Holttum (1985) suggested that it might belong to Tectaria . Holttum (1985) did not transfer it to Tectaria , partly because there was an earlier homonym T. minima Underwood (1906: 199) . After examining the type material and additional specimens of related names, we found that C. minima is a heterotypic synonym of T. dissecta (G. Forst.) Lellinger. The latter is widely distributed in China (Taiwan), India, SE Asia to Polynesia, and Fiji ( Xing et al. 2013).

As noted by Holttum (1988), the type material of Polypodium dissectum Forster (1786: 81) is deposited at BM and K. Here the sheet BM-001048435 is recognized as the holotype, on which “441 Polypodium dissectum ” (“441” is the species number of this name in the protologue) and “G. Forster’s Herbarium” can be seen.

Additional specimens examined: –– COOK ISLANDS. Maungatea Mt., 9 June 1929, H. E. Parks & S. T. Parks 22230 ( NY). SAMOA. Ofu: on rocky cliff, slope back of Ofu village, 30 m, 25 November 1939, T. G Yuncker 9478 ( NY). Tau: Luma, 25 ft., 13 July 1938, W. Harris 347 ( NY). Tau: 700 ft., 27 July 1938, W. Harris 383 ( NY). Tau: on mist bank along Luma-Faleasa trail, 45–50 m, 30 September 1979, T. G. Yuncker 9137 ( NY). NIUE ISLAND. On rotten log in forest, 6 mile east of Alofi, 65 m, 20 January 1940, T. G. Yuncker 9765 ( BISH, NY).