As taxonomists, we live in a new era characterized by the extensive application of molecular systematics, which has greatly improved our ability to recognize natural groups. Ferns and lycophytes represent two distinct evolutionary lineages, comprising over 12,000 species, approximately 345 genera, 53 families, 14 orders, and two classes. Our research focuses on the following areas: (1) exploring the diversity, phylogenetics, and historical biogeography of ferns and lycophytes in the Sino-Himalayan region and beyond; (2) investigating the phylogenies and circumscriptions of selected fern families and genera on a global scale. In our previous studies, we reconstructed the global phylogenies of significant genera and families such as Pteris, Tectaria, and Ophioglossaceae, leading to the establishment of natural classifications for Dryopteris, Polystichum, Pteris, Tectaria, Ophioglossaceae, and others. Additionally, we have published two new families, nine new genera, and a considerable number of new species. Our ongoing research includes: (1) revealing the species diversity of Leptochilus, unraveling the polyploidization and reticulate evolution within the genus, and identifying cryptic species; (2) studying the biogeography and evolution of the brake fern genus Pteris; (3) compiling checklists of ferns and lycophytes in various biodiversity hotspots.
Research Areas
fern taxonomy; systemtics and evolution; bodiversity of hotspots
Education
Experience
Work Experience
l August 2022 – present: Visiting scholar at Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
l October 2016 – 2022: Associate Scientist, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
l March 2015 – March 2016: Postdoc, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri,
l October 2013 – March 2015: Assistant Scientist, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Teaching Experience
l Graduate Teaching, Biogeography, 2021, (for Ph.D. students in Kunming Institute of Botany, 1.5 hr).
l Unofficial Teaching, how to identify plants especially ferns in the wild, 2008-present (for students or other people who are interested in knowing plants).
l Major Advisor: Yongling Qiu, Yunnan University. M.S. student, Fall 2019– present.
l Co-supervised/supervising eight graduate students/professor from Brunei, China, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Publications
Representative publications
1) Nie, L.-Y., Zhang, L., Liang, Z.-L., Pollawatn, R., Yan, Y.-H., Lu, N.T., Knapp, R., Wan, X., Cicuzza, D., Chen, X.-X., Chen, H.-F., Wang, A.-H., Liao, Y.-J., Wang, F.-G., & Zhang, L.-B. (2023). Phylogeny, character evolution, and biogeography of the fern genus Bolbitis (Dryopteridaceae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 178: 107633. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107633
2) Zhang, L., & Zhang, L.-B. (2022). Phylogeny, character evolution, and systematics of the fern family Ophioglossaceae based on Sanger sequence data, plastomes, and morphology. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution: 107512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107512
3) Zhang, L., Fan, X.-P., Petchsri, S., Zhou, L., Pollawatn, R., Zhang, X., Zhou, X.-M., Lu, N.T., Knapp, R., Chantanaorrapint, S., Limpanasittichai, P., Sun, H. , Gao, X.-F. & Zhang, L.-B. (2020). Evolutionary relationships of the ancient fern lineage the adder's tongues (Ophioglossaceae) with description of Sahashia gen. nov. Cladistics 36: 380–393. Https://doi.org/10.1111/cla.12408
4) Zhang, L., Zhou, X.-M., Liang, Z.-L., Fan, X.-P., Lu, N.T., Song, M.-S., Knapp, R., Gao, X.-F. , Sun, H. & Zhang, L.-B. (2020). Phylogeny and classification of the tribe Lepisoreae (Polypodiaceae; pteridophyta) with the description of a new genus, Ellipinema gen. nov., segregated from Lepisorus. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 148: 106803. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106803
5) Zhang, L., Lu, N.T., Zhou, X.-M., Chen, D.-K., Knapp, R., Zhou, L., Guo, L., Luong, T.T., Sun, H., Gao, X.-F. & Zhang, L.-B. (2019). A plastid phylogeny of the Old World fern genus Leptochilus (Polypodiaceae): Implications for cryptic speciation and progressive colonization from lower to higher latitudes. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 134: 311–322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2019.01.013
6) Zhang, L. & Zhang, L.-B. (2018). A classification of the fern genus Tectaria (Tectariaceae; Polypodiales). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 103: 188–199. https://doi.org/10.3417/2017007
7) Zhou, X.-M., Zhang, L., Lu, N.T., Gao, X.-F. & Zhang, L.-B. (2018). Pteridryaceae—A new fern family of Polypodiineae (Polypodiales) including taxonomic treatments. Journal of Systematics and Evolution 56: 148–173. https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.12305
8) Zhang, L. & Zhang, L.-B. (2018). Phylogeny and systematics of the brake fern genus Pteris (Pteridaceae) based on molecular (plastid and nuclear) and morphological evidence. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 118: 265–285. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2017.09.011
9) Zhang, L., Zhou, X.-M., Chen, D.-K., Schuettpelz, E., Knapp, R., Lu, N.T., Luong, T.T., Dang, M.T., Duan, Y.-F., He, H., Gao, X.-F. & Zhang, L.-B. (2017). A global phylogeny of the fern genus Tectaria (Tectariaceae: Polypodiales) based on plastid and nuclear markers identifies major evolutionary lineages and suggests repeated evolution of free venation from anastomosing venation. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 114: 295–333. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2017.05.020
10) Zhang, L., Zhou, X.-M., Lu, N.T. & Zhang, L.-B. (2017). Phylogeny of the fern subfamily Pteridoideae (Pteridaceae; Pteridophyta), with the description of a new genus: Gastoniella. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 109: 59–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2016.12.037
11) Zhang, L., Schuettpelz, E., Rothfels, C. J., Zhou, X.-M., Gao, X.-F. & Zhang, L.-B. (2016). Circumscription and phylogeny of the fern family Tectariaceae based on plastid and nuclear markers, with the description of two new genera: Draconopteris and Malaifilix (Tectariaceae). Taxon 65: 723–738. https://doi.org/10.12705/654.3
12) Zhang, L., Rothfels, C. J., Ebihara, A., Schuettpelz, E., Péchon, T. L., Kamau, P., He, H., Zhou, X.-M., Prado, J., Field, A., Yatskievych, G., Gao, X.-F. & Zhang, L.-B. (2015). A global plastid phylogeny of the brake fern genus Pteris (Pteridaceae) and related genera in the Pteridoideae. Cladistics 31: 406–423. https://doi.org/10.1111/cla.12094
13) Zhang, L.-B. & Zhang, L. (2015). Didymochlaenaceae: A new fern family of eupolypods I (Polypodiales). Taxon 64: 27–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.12705/641.4
14) Zhang, L.-B. & Zhang, L. (2012). The inclusion of Acrophorus, Diacalpe, Nothoperanema, and Peranema in Dryopteris: The molecular phylogeny, systematics, and nomenclature of Dryopteris subg. Nothoperanema (Dryopteridaceae). Taxon 61: 1199–1216.
Students
Graduate students (co-)supervised
· 2015–19: Xin-Mao Zhou, Ph.D., Chengdu Institute of Biology (CAS); Phylogeny and classification of Selaginella.
· 2016–20: Ngan Thi Lu, Ph.D., Chengdu Institute of Biology (CAS)/Vietnam National Museum of Nature; Phylogeny and classification of Arachniodes.
· 2019–21: Xue-Ping Fan, M.Sc., Chengdu Institute of Biology; Phylogeny and classification of Hypodematiaceae.
· 2020–23: Xia Wan, Chinese Ph.D., Chengdu Institute of Biology (CAS)/Missouri Botanical Garden; Biogeography of Tectariaceae.
· 2020–23: Yong-Ling Qiu, M.Sc., Yunnan University; Diversity of Athyriaceae and Dryopteridaceae in Medog of Tibet.
· 2020–23: Jian-Jun Yang, M.Sc., Yunnan University; Phylogeny of grammitid ferns.
Field experience
· Jun.–Jul. 2022, Tibet, China
· May 2022, Tibet, China
· Nov. 2021, Fujian, China
· Oct. 2021, Tibet, China
· Jul. 2021, Fujian, China
· Jun. 2021,
· Nov.–Dec. 2020, southeastern Yunnan, China
· Sept. 2020, western Yunnan, China
· Jun. 2020, southeastern Yunnan, China
· Aug.–Sept. 2019, southeastern Yunnan, China
· Jul. 2019, Thailand
· Apr.–May 2019, Laos
· Dec. 2018, Thailand
· Nov. 2018, Tibet, China
· Apr. 2018, southeastern Yunnan, China
· Nov.–Dec. 2017, central Nepal
· Oct. 2017, Medog, Xizang, China
· Feb. 2017, Laos
· Jul. 2016, western Sichuan, China
· Oct.–Dec. 2014, central Vietnam
· Nov.–Dec. 2013, northern Vietnam
· Dec. 2012, Guangdong & Hainan, China
· Aug. 2011, Yunnan, China
· Jul.–Dec. 2010, Chongqing, Guangdong, Hainan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Xizang, China
· Aug.–Dec. 2009, Sichuan, China