XVI International Botanical Congess

Distributions of taxa can be explained by dispersal, or vicariance, or a combination thereof. Because fern spores are easily dispersed, distributions of taxa are often considered to be influenced more by migration than vicariance. However, several fern taxa show classical vicariance distributions. We review both published and new phylogenetic studies that shed light on the origins of fern distributions. We evaluate taxon characteristics (e.g., spore dispersal and longevity) that are associated with different geographic patterns. Vicariance patterns in ferns are often seen at lower phylogenetic levels (species) compared to angiosperms (more often disjunct at the genus level). This may be an artifact of research patterns in pteridology.