A synopsis of the Neotropical species of Sticherus (Gleicheniaceae), with descriptions of nine new species Author Gonzales, Jasivia Herbario Nacional de Bolivia, Casilla 10077, La Paz, Bolivia. Systematic Botany, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, CH- 8008 Zurich, Switzerland. E-mail: michael. kessler @ systbot. uzh. ch Author Kessler, Michael text Phytotaxa 2011 2011-12-31 31 1 54 journal article 6085 10.11646/phytotaxa.31.1.1 2185a8cf-c15c-448b-b8c0-6055976408ed 1179-3163 4894648 Sticherus arachnoideus Østergaard & Øllgaard (2001:121) Type: — ECUADOR . Zamora-Chinchipe : Río Sabanilla , at hydroelectric plant 1.5 km W . of Sabanilla , 1800 m , Øllgaard 100745 ( holotype AAU !, isotypes NY !, UC !, US !). Distribution and ecology: —Locally common in the Andes of Colombia ( Caldas ) and southwestern Ecuador ( Loja , Morona-Santiago , Zamora-Chinchipe ) at 1300–2700 m . Probably also occurs in Venezuela . S. arachnoideus can be found growing in montane forests, clearings, on ridges, and along roadsides, often forming mixed colonies with S. tomentosus . Notes:— A little-known species that is recognized by the linear, ultimate branches with uniform segments, and by lacking segments and bearing simple aphlebiae on the 1 st and the 2 nd branches. The abaxial surfaces have dense, whitish indument, especially on the branches, where the scales overlap. The scale pattern is similar to that of S. antillensis but the scales of S. arachnoideus are generally more translucent with more numerous, delicate, and bear longer marginal cilia. Another difference between these two is the relative length and segment disposition of the branches. In S. arachnoideus , the basal two branches lack segments and are of roughly similar length, whereas in S. antillensis they are pectinate (at least the 2 nd branch) and the 2 nd branch is conspicuously longer than the 1 st , and may even approach the length of the distal branch.