J. Phytol. Res. 33(1):25-31, 2020 ISSN 0970-5767

FLORISTIC ANALYSISOF FERN AND FERN-ALLIES FROM TODGARH-RAOLI WILD LIFE SANCTUARY RAJASTHAN, INDIA

R. P. KANTHER1* and DILIP GENA2 1 Department of Botany, Govt. College Anta-325202, India 2Department of Botany, SPC Government College, Ajmer *Corresponding author E-mail:[email protected]

Fern and fern-allies of Todgarh-Raoli Wild Life Sanctuary is very limited due to the extreme and largely arid and dry climate, which is characteristic feature of the Rajasthan. Fern and fern-allies are small but significant element occurring quite frequent in this Sanctuary. Systematic survey from all localities of fern and fern-allies in this sanctuary has revealed the occurrence of09 taxa belonging to 06 genera and 05 families. Actiniopteris radiata (Sw.) Link, Marsilea minuta L., Azolla pinnata R. Br. subspp. Asiatica and Adiantum incisum Forssk. arewidely distributed throughout the sanctuary. This sanctuary is also represented by Adiantum capillus-veneris L., Adiantump hilippense L., Marsilea aegyptiaca Willd. and Cheilanthes farinose (Forssk.) Kaulf.in scattered habitat under shaded moisture and in rock crevices. A check list of fern and fern-allies along with its distributions in the Todgarh-Raoli Wild Life Sanctuary and its adjoining area has been investigated in this paper. Increasing exploitation of natural resources resulted in depletion of these important Pteridophytes. RET, species were discussed and common household conservational techniques adapted by tribals and rural peoples of this region have also been discussed in this paper.

Key words: Fern and fern-allies, Local conservational strategies, Todgarh-Raoli Wild Life Sanctuary.

Introduction group whose members are predominant, The Aravalli ranges which is one of the though not all shade and moisture loving oldest mountain range of the world, plants is represented in the state by 21 divides the Rajasthan into two genera and 42 species in vegetational segments like xerophytic and Rajasthan9,13,16,19,31.So far as Pteridophytic mesic. Todgarh Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary flora of Todgarh-Raoli wild life sanctuary located in central position of Aravalli is concerned, no work has been taken up range.The sanctuary is also an ecotone of by any of the earlier workers except a both vegetational segments. Despite the brief report of Cheilanthes quite hostile climatic condition of this fasinosa28,Pteridophytes of Todgarh-Raoli region ferns and fern-allies form a small wildlife sanctuary, Pteridophytic flora and but significant component of the the ferns and fern-allies of Todgarh-Raoli vegetation.According to earlier wildlife sanctuary21-26.Considering this pteridologist Mount Abu was regarded to aspect the present work has been be the only fern and fern-allies locality in investigated mainly Identification, habit, Rajasthan6,29. The Pteridophytic flora of habitat, Phytodiversity, enumeration and various localities of Rajasthan has been Phenology of the fern and fern-allies studied and published by many workers1- occurring in this sanctuary. Increasing 10,15-16,21-26,30-31. As current known this exploitation of natural resources resulted

25 26 Kanther & Gena in depletion in these important taxa offern Material and Methods and fern-allies. The erosion of plant The present paper is based on the Phyto- biodiversity is a matter of global concern. diversity and Survey of fern and fern-allies One by one the building blocks of entire in different parts of Todgarh-Raoli wild ecosystem are disappearing. The 2008 life sanctuary Rajasthan. All the localities IUCN Red Data list shows that in India have been visited time to time throughout hundreds of fern and fern-allies are under the year and mainly during monsoon the list of threatened and at the risk of period. The Botanical excursions were extinction. Some RET, species were undertaken from time to time. Rainy discussed and common household season (i.e. from July to October each conservational techniques adapted by year) is the best time to visit as many tribals and rural peoples of this region places for the study habit and habitats of have been discussed in this paper. ferns and fern-allies. Every locality of the Study Area entire areas was extensively covered. All Rajasthan state is situated in between localities were visited corresponding to 2303’ and 30012’ N latitude and 6903’ and seasonal variation round the year. 78012’ E longitude. The Aravalli ranges Topography of the Sanctuary comprises of which is one the oldest mountain range of hilly rocky and deciduous forest. the world, divides the Rajasthan into two Therefore the vegetation was much vegetational segments like xerophytic and diversified. Collection trips were arranged mesic. Todgarh-Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary in such a way to cover all the habitats of located in central position of Aravalli enlists all fern species occurring in this range. Xerophytic and mesic vegetation sanctuary. occurs as mixed formation in this Efforts were made to identify the fern and Sanctuary.The sanctuary isalso an ecotone fern-allies plants from fresh materials and of both vegetational segments. Naturally common name in use by local people. The variations in Pteridophytic flora are species were identified with the help of represented in this region.It is bounded on “An illustrated fern flora of the West- the north by Ajmer district, on the south by Himalaya” 27Vols. I & II. Udaipur district, on the east by Results and discussion Rajshamand district and on the west by Out of 09 genera of fern and fern- Pali district(Text- Fig. 1). alliesdistributed in the various localities of Todgarh-Raoli wild life sanctuary 04 genera namely Actiniopteris, Cheilanthe, Salvinia and Azolla are representing by single species each. Marsilea is represented by two species while Adiantum is represented by three species. The majority of fern genera represented in single species in the sanctuary. We have frequently observed that the population densities as well as number of individuals of Marsilea aegyptiaca, Adiantum philippense and Cheilanthe sfarinose species fall in the category of RET and many fern taxa are gradually decreasing at an alarming rate. A checklist of all fern taxa distributed in Todgarh-Raoli wild life Fig. 1: Location of Todgarh-Raoli Wildlife sanctuary, Rajasthan has been provided Sanctuary in Table-01. J. Phytol. Res. 33(1):25-31, 2020 27

Table-01: A checklist of fern and fern-allies from various localities in Todgarh-Raoli wild life sanctuary and its adjoining regions with descriptions about distributions. Families and species within families are arranged alphabetically. Nomenclature is followed according to Fraser-Jekins14.

S. Name of family Name of Name of fern species Name of surveyed localities and No. Genus Distributions. 1. Adiantaceae Actiniopteri Actiniopteris radiata (Sw) -Most widely xerophytic fern found almost s Link Link. throughout sanctuary. -NearDudhaleshwar-Mahadev. -Near Bheel- beri, KhambliGhat. -Near Kachabalivillege. AdiantumL Adiantum incisum Forssk. -One of the most widely distributed fern of Aravalli range and also in throughout the sanctuary. -On the way of DudhaleshwarMahadev, Raoli lake. -Ghoram- Ghat and Behind the Forest guest house. Adiantum capillus-veneris -Quit common especially under moist region L. Near DudhaleshwarMahadev. -Near Bheel-beri waterfalls KhambliGhat, Ghoram- Ghat. Adiantum philippense L. It found in the localities like Bheel-beri waterfall, KhambliGhat. - Ghoram- Ghat in the sanctuary. 2. Cheilanthaceae Cheilanthe Cheilanthe sfarinosa -Various localities of the sanctuary, near Kaulf. (Forssk.) Kaulf. Todgarh area hills. -In the crevices of rock toward the way of Todgarh town. 3. Marsileacea Marsilea L Marsilea minutaLinn -Widely distributed water fern various localities of the sanctuary, Near Negaria pond, Near Barakhan, Jassakhera pond and Ghoram- Ghat. Marsilea aegyptiacaWilld Water fern found inGugia pond and ditches near Bara Khera pond. 4. Salviniaceae Salvinia Salvinia molesta Mitch. Commonly occur on stagnant water bodies Seg. throughout the sanctuary 5. Azollaceae Azolla Lam Azolla pinnata R. Br. Widely distributed Free floating fern of ponds subsp. asiatica invarious localities of the sanctuary like Bara –Khera pond, Raoli lake area, Barakhan pond area, Negaria stream area.

An enumeration of fern and fern- Rhizome short-creeping, scaly and allieswith descriptions about hairy,hairs dark brown,unicellur,Scales distributions from various localities in brown bicolour (central region black, Todgarh-Raoli wild life sanctuary and margins light-coloured), margin entires, its adjoining regions. Families and apex long acuminate. Stipes 4-10 cm species within families are arranged long.lanceolate, apex with a terminal alphabetically. Nomenclature is glandular cell, margin entire. The followed according Fraser-Jekins14. structure of the stipe and the branching 1. Actiniopterisradiata (Swartz) Link, of the lamina clearly separate from other Adiantaceae : Genus Actiniopteris members of family. Link Ecology: Terrestrial or lithophytes along One of the most widely distributed fully exposed roadside. xerophytic fern of this sanctuary. Grows 2. Adiantumcapillus-veneris on old walls and in rock Linn.Adiantaceae : Genus crevices.(Bir&Verma 1963, Mital 1969, Adiantum Linn. Bhardwajaet al 1978). 28 Kanther & Gena

A very common fern found occurring in distributedthroughout Aravalli range and plains under moist and shady habitats of this sanctuary also.(Mital 1969, this sanctuary (Mital 1969, Bhardwajaet Bhardwaja et al,1978). al 1978). Rhizome short, erect, thick, apex scaly, Rhizome long creeping, thin, diameter scales dark brown, lanveolate, margin 0.1 to 0.2 cm, scaly dark brown, 0.2 cm entire, the thin herbaceous fronds long linear lanceolate, margin entire, generally without farina. Upper surface apex acuminate,Petiolate flabellate “ dark green glabrous. fan- Ecology: Rare along partially exposed shaped”.Upper outer margin often 6. Marsileaaegyptiaca Willd irregularly lobed. Marsileacea : Genus Marsilea Ecology: Rare species, terrestrial along First reported by Gupta & Bhardwaja partially shaded (1957, 1958) and Gupta (1962) from 3. AdiantumincisumForssk., Jodhpur. Quit widely distributed near Adiantaceae : Genus Adiantum pond margins in western Rajasthan and One of the most widely distributed fern also present in the sanctuary. of Aravalli as well as in Todgarh Raoli Rhizome long creeping, thin, glabrous wild life Sanctuary. (Mital 1969, but apex hairy. Stipes arise in two dorsal Bhardwajaet al, 1978). rows on the rhizome, the length Small plants with erect scaly rhizome, depending on the depth of water, lamina lamina simply pinnate, densely hairy quadrified, cruciform, divided in two pinnae present. Densely scaly, scales four pinnae. Margin entire or crenate, brown, linear lanveolate, margin entire, Ecology: Aquatic and amphibians apex acuminate.Upper margin deeply 7. Marsilea minuta Linn lobed, veins forked free, sori marginal, Marsileacea: GenusMarsilea oblong or reniform, indusiate. One of the most widely distributed and Ecology: Terrestrial or lithophytes along common species of this water fern. fully exposed roadside. Grow along the margins of ponds, lakes 4. AdiantumphilippenseLinn. and streams during rainy season almost Adiantaceae : Genus Adiantum throughout the state and also in the A common fern species of moist and sanctuary. (Gupta 1962, Bir&Verma shady habitats of this sanctuary 1963, Mital 1969). (Bir&Verma 1963, Mital 1969, Rhizome long creeping, thin, glabrous Bhardwajaet al 1978). but apex hairy.Stipes 2-5 cm distant on Small plants, rhizome erect or sub-erect, rhizome.Base faintly connate, greenish, thick, apex scaly, scales brown, linear thin.Pinne 1-2 cm long,0.5 -1.5 cm lanveolate, margin entire, apex acute, broad. Margin entire. Stipes black-brown, clustered towards Ecology: Aquatic and amphibians rhizome. Rachis with a broad terminal 8. Salvinia molesta Mitchell. pinna or sometime extended and then Salviniaceae :Genus Salvinia with a apical vegetative bud. Lamina A common floating fern species of pinnate.Fronds fan-shaped, Rajasthan (Vyas, 1964), and also found glabrous,herbaceous, Ecology: Rare in the sanctuary. species, terrestrial along partially shaded Ecology: Aquatic 5. Cheilanthe sfarsinosa(Forssk.) 9. Azolla pinnata R. Brown Kaulf. Azollaceae: Genus Azolla Lam. Cheilanthaceae: Genus A quite common free floating fern of Cheilanthes ponds throughout Rajasthan (Mital One of the most common xerophytic 1969, Bhardwajaet al, 1977). fern of Rajasthan.Widely Ecology: Aquatic J. Phytol. Res. 33(1):25-31, 2020 29

From table -02 it is evident that 1. Common to East Himalayan region Pteridophytes of Todgarh Raoli wild life 2. Common to West Himalayan region sanctuary, Rajasthan shows their 3. Common to Upper Gangetic region affinities to those of other parts of India 4. Common to Central Indian region as follows given in below text fig -02. 5. Common to South Indian region

Table-02: Regional analysis of fern and fern-allies fromTodgarh- Raoli wildlife sanctuary, Rajasthan with other important regions of ferns localities in India (+ Species present, - Species absent ) S. Name of species East Himalayas West Himalayas Upper Central South No (Todgarh Raoli Region) Gangetic India India 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1. Actiniopterisradiata + + + + + 2. Adiantumcapillus-veneris + + + + + 3. Adiantumincisum + + + + + 4. Adiantumphilippense + + - + + 5. Cheilanthesfasinosa + + + + + 6. Marsileaaegyptiaca + + - - - 7. Marsileaminuta - - + + + 8. Salviniamolesta - - + + + 9. Azollapinnata - - + + - TOTAL 06 06 07 08 07

Fig. -02: Regional analyses of fern and fern-allies occurring in Todgarh-Raoli wild life sanctuary indicate relationship to those other parts of India.

78% 55% Common to East Himalayan region 55% Common to West Himalayan region 88% Common to Upper 78% Gangetic region Common to Central Indian region

The erosion of plant biodiversity is a and veterinary ailments, thus they co- matter of global concern. One by one the relate it with god or spiritual power or building blocks of entire ecosystem are religious ethics. The plants growing disappearing. The 2008 IUCN Red Data around them form an integral part of list shows that in India hundreds of fern their culture and customs. and fern-allies are under the list of It is our duty to recognize and support threatened and at the risk of extinction., the conservational strategies adopted by Adiantum philippense and Cheilanthe tribal and rural people by the term of sfasinosa species fall in the category of faith, myths, taboos, tradition, religious RET in this area. aspect, sacred grove etc. Conservation of The life of tribal people and rural threatened fern and fern-allies is the communities are closely interwoven with responsibility of each and everyone’s. their environment and local flora. It We are needed to increase awareness becomes the integrated parts of their among tribals and rural communities in culture and custom and folklore. These ecological sensitive area. A large number of fern and fern-allies Fern and fern-allies form a significant are being used by tribal to cure human sometimes dominant component of 30 Kanther & Gena biosphere. 09 taxa belonging to 06 Gena C B 1978, New localities for genera and o5 families were recorded leptosporangiate fern in Rajasthan, from various localities from Todgarh- India. J Bombay Nat. Hist. Raoli wild life sanctuary. The preceding Soc.75533- 535. data clearly indicate that fern and fern- 2. Bhardwaja T N, Gena C B and allies have an important component of Yadav A K 1984, Ecological and ecosystem of the sanctuary. Actiniopteris phyto-geographical studies of the radiate, Adiantum incisum, and A. Pteridophytic flora of Rajasthan. capillus-veneris are found growing more Journal of the Indian Botanical or less frequently throughout the Society 63 34-39. sanctuary in crevices of rocks at low as 3. Bhardwaja T N, Gena C B well as higher altitude. These species are andVerma S 1987, Status survey of popular among the tribals due to its Pteridophytic flora of Rajasthan considerable medicinal value and is used with special reference to endangered for curing various skin diseases. fern and fern allies.Indian fern J. Collectors totally uproot the plants with 447-52. their rhizome, these species grows 4. Bir S S 1987a, Pteridophytic flora of during the rainy season by their India: Rare and endangered elements persisting rhizome. It was found from and their conservation. Indian fern J our survey that Adiantum incisum, A. 4 95-101. capillus-veneris, Azolla pinnata subsp. 5. Bir S S 1987b, Pteridology in India. asiatica, and Marsilea minuta occurs Indian fern J.4 104-150 frequently at various localities but 6. Bir S SandVerma S C 1963, Ferns of Adiantum philippense is of ‘At Risk’ Mt. Abu. Res.Bull. (N.S.) Panjab status while Cheilanthes fasinosa species University, Chandigarh 14187-202. fall in the category of RET in this area 7. Bohra D R, Singh R and Sharma B and it is restricted in particular area only D 1980, Survey on the Pteridophytic Marsilea aegyptiaca is rare and it found flora of Rajasthan. Geobios7 334- only at found in Gugia pond and ditches 336. near Bara Khera pond in the sanctuary. 8. Chandra S, Fraser-Jenkins C R, Two species of free floating water fern Kumari A andSrivastava S 2008, A Salvinia molesta and Azolla pinnata summary of the status of the subsp. asiatica are found growing threatened Pteridophytes of India. abundantly in various ponds, ditches and Taiwania53 170-209. stagnant water bodies in the sanctuary. It 9. Chaudhary B L andDulawat C S was also observed that Azolla pinnata 2006, Distribution of fern and fern- subsp. asiatica is used as fodder for allies in Sitamata Wild Life animals by local people. Conservational Sanctuary, Rajasthan, India. Indian strategies adopted by tribals by the term fern J. 23 75-82. of religious aspect may be fruitful in 10. Chaudhary B L andKhichi Y S 2006, long time. Ferns of Kumbhalgarh Wild life Acknowledgemens sanctuary in Rajasthan, India. Indian The authors express their sincere thanks fern J.23 83-91. to well-known pteridologist and former 11. Dixit R D 2000, Conspectus of vice-chancellor and my Ph. D. guide Dr. Pteridophytic Diversity in India. C. B. Gena and also special thanks to Indian J TradKnowled. Vol. 17 77- UGCfor providing financial support 91. through MRP. 12. Dixit R Dand Singh S 2004, References Enumeration of rare, endangered and 1. Bhardwaja T N, Yadav A K and endemic Pteridophytes from Central J. Phytol. Res. 33(1):25-31, 2020 31

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