Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity
Vol. 27 No. 2 (2026)

Taxonomic reassessment of the Selaginella flora of Java, Indonesia

AHMAD DWI SETYAWAN (Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Surakarta 57126, Central Java, Indonesia)
TATIK CHIKMAWATI (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institut Pertanian Bogor. Jl. Raya Dramaga, Bogor 16680, West Java, Indonesia)
MIFTAHUDIN MIFTAHUDIN (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institut Pertanian Bogor. Jl. Raya Dramaga, Bogor 16680, West Java, Indonesia)
SUTARNO SUTARNO (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java, Indonesia)
SUGIYARTO SUGIYARTO (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java, Indonesia)
SUNARTO SUNARTO (Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Surakarta 57126, Central Java, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
17 Mar 2026

Abstract

Abstract. Setyawan AD, Chikmawati T, Miftahudin, Sutarno, Sugiyarto, Sunarto. 2026. Taxonomic reassessment of the Selaginella flora of Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 27 (2): d270239. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d270239. Selaginella Beauv. is one of the most taxonomically complex lycophyte genera in tropical Asia, and species delimitation in Java has long been complicated by extensive morphological variation, nomenclatural inconsistency, and contrasting taxonomic interpretations. This study provides a comprehensive floristic and taxonomic reassessment of Selaginella in Java based on 1,962 occurrence records from field surveys and herbarium collections. Species diversity, distribution patterns, and taxonomic relationships were evaluated using comparative morphology, ecological evidence, herbarium examination, and contemporary nomenclatural standardization. A total of 21 species are recognized, including 19 native taxa and two introduced or naturalized species (S. kraussiana and S. uncinata). Updated diagnostic descriptions and identification keys are provided, and several problematic taxa are reassessed. Selaginella ascendens and S. springiana are interpreted within the S. intermedia complex, whereas S. caudata and S. caulescens are treated within the S. plana and S. involvens complexes, respectively. Several vegetative characters traditionally used for species delimitation, including branch flattening, foliage density, and leaf overlap, were found to be highly variable and environmentally responsive, whereas stem pubescence, aristate leaf apices, and certain growth-form characteristics remain more reliable for identification. Floristic comparisons indicate strong affinities between the Javan Selaginella flora and other regions of Sundaland, particularly Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia, together with secondary connections to Wallacea and the broader tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. The study provides an updated checklist, identification framework, and taxonomic baseline for future ecological, biogeographical, and evolutionary research on Asian Selaginella.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

biodiv

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology

Description

The Biodiversitas Journal was first published in 2000 by the Department of Biology, FMNS, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia, then in 2006 it was co-published by the Society for Indonesian Biodiversity and that department; since 2017 it was also hosted by Smujo. From 2003-2012 it was ...