Asplenium serratifolium (Aspleniaceae), a new fern species from central Vietnam, is described and illustrated. The new species is characterized by plants 10–18 cm tall, laminae pinnatipartite, lobe margins entire or with shallow teeth, and veins simple or forked. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on five plastid markers (atpB, rbcL, rps4, rps4-trnS, and trnL-F) indicate that the new species is closely related to A. ensiforme.

The transition zone from the tropics to the subtropics in Mexico is an outstanding and poorly explored area of biotic overlap, and as such very interesting to evaluate how species richness patterns change in the latitudinal context. In order to assess alpha diversity patterns of ferns in this zone, we analyzed changes in their assemblages along an elevational gradient from 300 m to 3,000 m in the Sierra de Juárez, Oaxaca, and compared the results with similar studies conducted in Central and South America. We report the most detailed plot-based elevational gradient study on ferns in the region and provide detailed data on species abundances and elevational ranges. In 121 plots of 20 × 20 m, we found 195 fern species, with the highest species numbers recorded at mid-elevations (1,100–2,200 m) and lower richness at both gradient extremes. This hump-shaped pattern was mainly driven by epiphytes, which contributed about 40% to the total species richness and had wider elevational ranges than terrestrial species, which contributed 38% to the total richness, and were more or less constant at low to mid elevations about 2,500 m, followed by a gradual decline. Overall, richness per plot was low compared to other elevational gradients within the tropics closer to the Equator. This decline of species richness towards the subtropics and temperate regions appears to be rather abrupt within Central America, but additional data are needed to close the remaining gap of knowledge between Costa Rica and Mexico.

Ferns form a part of vegetable consumption in many communities across the globe. Their popularity is rising because of their high nutritional content such as vitamin C, protein, and iron. Given that the nutritive value of different wild edible ferns has not been explored comprehensively, the present study was carried out. Six different species of wild edible ferns viz. Diplazium esculentum, Dryopteris cochleata, Diplazium spectabile, Diplazium dilatatum, Tectaria coadunata, and Diplazium maximum were analyzed for dietary nutrients and multi-elemental profiling. The highest moisture content (89.83%) and highest vitamin C content (25.38 mg g⁻¹⁰⁰) was found in Diplazium maximum.The highest protein was found in Tectaria coadunata (12.10%), which was much higher compared to many common commercial vegetables. Fat content was highest in Dryopteris cochleata (0.40%), whereas fiber content was found to be maximum in Diplazium esculentum (5.05%) and ash content was highest in Diplazium spectabile (1.57%). The mineral analysis of these ferns showed that they are good suppliers of sodium (0.46– 3.56 mg g⁻¹⁰⁰), magnesium (6.42– 13.39 mg g⁻¹⁰⁰), and iron (10.36– 16.35 mg g⁻¹⁰⁰). Most of the toxic and heavy metals were found to be within permissible limits. However, some of the fern species collected from certain regions had higher levels of these metals. Based on the present study on dietary nutrients and elemental profile, these edible ferns could be popularized for commercial cultivation. Further, research work could be conducted for standardizing practices and, because of anticipated climate changes, these ferns could add diversity in the world food basket.

Previous hypotheses on the evolutionary affinities of the eastern North American fern species most recently recognized as Parathelypteris simulata have included hybrid origin from North American progenitors and disjunctions with east Asian species. Recent phylogenetic evidence indicates that Parathelypteris sensu Ching is not monophyletic and that its species belong to two distinct clades, each of which includes members of other widely recognized genera: one of these clades includes the type of Parathelypteris, and the second includes southeast Asian and Pacific species of the more recently recognized genus Coryphopteris along with some temperate Asian species of Parathelypteris. Newly generated rbcL data representing the North American taxon Parathelypteris simulata places it in the Coryphopteris clade, as well. In consideration of ecological and phylogenetic evidence, the new combination Coryphopteris simulata is proposed.