A STUDY ON PTERIDOPHYTE FLORA OF ADUKKAM HILLS OF SOUTHERN WESTERN GHATS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CYTOLOGICAL AND ETHNOMEDICINAL ASPECTS The Thesis submitted to the Madurai Kamaraj University for the Partial fulfillment of the Degree of the Doctor of Philosophy in BOTANY By P.POUNRAJ (Reg. No. F9405) Under the Supervision of Dr.K. SURESH., M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D., MADURAI KAMARAJ UNIVERSITY (University with Potential for Excellence) MADURAI-625 021, INDIA NOVEMBER 2019 Name of the Canditate: P.Pounraj A STUDY ON PTERIDOPHYTE FLORA OF ADUKKAM HILLS OF SOUTHERN WESTERN GHATS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CYTOLOGICAL AND ETHNOMEDICINAL ASPECTS INTRODUCTION Pteridophytes (ferns and Lycophytes) are non-flowering cryptogams that reproduce by formation of spores. They are primitive vascular plants dominated the earth during carboniferous period. Although angiosperms and gymnosperms are the dominant plants of earth today, lycophytes and ferns are still an important component of the plant community in the forest ecosystem. There are numerous records of fossil lycophytes and ferns throughout the world, including India (Agrawal & Danai, 2017). Since water is essential for fertilization, they first diversified in the humid areas, especially in tropical regions and spread to the other parts of the world (Skog, 2001). During the course of evolution, a large number of species in this plant group have become extinct, but a good number of species gradually evolved into the modern Pteridophytes. The actual number of species of Pteridophytes on the earth is not known, but total explored species until the early years of this century are 13025 (Baillie et al., 2004). In India more than 1100 species of Pteridophytes were reported (Fraser-Jenkins, 2012). In India, out of total 108,276 identified species of microorganism, plants and animals, producers, consumers and decomposers constitute 29.6%, 58.4% and 22.0% respectively. India is a very important biodiversity center with over 167 important cultivated plant species and some domesticated animals. Out of the 18 Hot spots in the world, India has two, i.e. Eastern Himalayan region and Western Ghats. Both the areas contain 5332 endemic species of higher plants (3500 plus 1600 respectively), mammals, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies. The Western Ghats comprises about 320 species of Pteridophytes with more species diversity in the southern part. The major families of pteridophytes found in the Western Ghats are Pteridaceae, Aspleniaceae, Thelypteridaceae, Polypodiaceae, Selaginellaceae, etc. Whereas on the generic level, maximum diversity is observed in the genus Selaginella, Asplenium, Pteris, Deparia, Diplazium, etc. The Western Ghats also harbors endemic species like Polystichum manickamii, Cyathea nilgiriensis, Bolbitis semicordata, Selaginella radicata, etc. The habitat of the pteridophytes consists of microclimatic conditions with special preference for moist and shady places and a minor disturbance in their microclimate conditions can lead to loss of large number of species. However, deforestation and increasing man made activities have caused the elimination of the habitats which is posing a serious threat to the pteridophytes of Western Ghats and many endangered pteridophytes like Psilotum nudum, Tectaria zeylanica, Lindsaea malabarica, Cheilanthes rufa, etc. The tribal and local communities of Adukkam hills have appreciable knowledge about various kinds of uses of common and wild plant species. In that area, some common Pteridophytes are administered in the primary health care system (mostly by the Paliyar tribal community). The lack of knowledge on utility of Pteridophytes compared to angiosperms could be benefit to the occurrence of most of these plants in undisturbed, evergreen forests or mountains or rocky places, which are often inaccessible to the local peoples. With this background the present study mainly aims to re-explore and to make monitoring of the pteridophytes of the Adukkam Hills of the Western Ghats after quarter century from the publication of Pteridophyte book by Manickam and Irudayaraj (1992). Objectives : To make intense field survey to study the diversity and ecology of Pteridophytes of Adukkam Hills. To study the cytology of ferns of Adukkam Hills. To make ethno-medicinal survey on Pteridophytes of Adukkam Hills. To identify rare and endangered Pteridophytes on the Western Ghats by Threat Value analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Floristic study: An extensive and intensive field study was carried out between 2015 to 2019. The collected and preserved specimens were identified using keys and description from taxonomic literature with the help of floras such as Manickam and Irudayaraj (1992) and Khullar (1994). The identified plant specimens were then confirmed with the herbaria of Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Southern Circle,Coimbatore, India. In the present study the recent community -derived classification of extant lycophytes and ferns by Schneider et al (2016) has been followed. Cytological study: For cytological studies young sporophylls for meiosis and crosiers with young leaf tips for mitosis were fixed in Carynoy’s fluid (Absolute Alcohol: Chloroform: Acetic Acid 6:3:1). To observe both mitotic and meiotic chromosomes the routine Acetocarmine squash technique was followed. For cytological and micromorphological observations Lawrence Myo binocular digital research Microscope was used. Each and every photomicrographs are provided with measurement scale. Ethnomedicinal Survey: The fieldwork in the tribal settlements of Adukkam Hills was commenced from July 2015 to March 2018. They were consulted to gather ethnobotanical information suggested by Jain (1987). The information was collected through questionnaire, interviews and discussion among the tribal people in their local language, Tamil. The questionnaire allowed descriptive responses on the plant prescribed, such as part of the plant used, medicinal uses, detailed information about mode of preparation (i.e., decoction, paste, powder and juice),form of usage either fresh or dried and method of application. Classification: The “Community - derived classification for extant lycophytes and ferns” developed by the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group has been followed in the present study. In the present study the recent community -derived classification of extant lycophytes and ferns by Schneider et al (2016) has been followed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION With the aims to study the taxonomy, cytology and ethnobotany of lycophytes and ferns from the Adukkam Hills of the Western Ghats, South India, intense field studies were carried out in different seasons from 2015 to 2019. After completing the first phase of taxonomical studies during the first year, cytological studies were carried out during 2015-2019. Ethnobotanical study was also carried out during the first phase along with the taxonomical studies. The survey of Pteridophytes from Adukkam Hills, shows the presence of 59 species under 38 genera. Manickam (1986) reported 135 species under 64 genera from whole area of Palni Hills. Thus the present study on Pteridophyte flora of Adukkam Hills, which is a small part of Palni Hills, shows the presence of 59 % genera and 44% species of entire Palni Hills. The dominant family is Pteridaceae with the presence of 15 species under eight genera (Sub family Pteridoideae – 6 sp., Sub family Vittarioideae – 5 species and Cheilanthoideae – 4 species) followed by Aspleniaceae (6 species under one genus) and Dryopteridaceae (5 species under three genera). Manickam (1986) has not collected several ferns from Palni Hills from where Bir and Vasudeva (1971) have reported several ferns. Adiantum philippense L. which was not reported by Manickam (1986) has been encountered in the present study from Adukkam Hills. Dr. F. M. Jarrett commented, in the book of Manickam (1986), that A. philippense L. not otherwise recorded from Palnis but possible. Out of 59 species of Pteridophytes from Adukkam Hills, Marsilea minuta L. is the only aquatic species and all the other 58 species are terrestrials, lithophytes or epiphytes. The following four species are lithophytes: Selaginella wightii Hieron, Aleuritopteris wollenweberi Fraser-Jenk, Doryopteris concolor (Langsd.et Fish.) Kuhn, Mickelopteris cordata (Roxb. ex Hook. &Grev.) Fraser-Jenk and the following eight species are lithophytes or epiphytes: Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C. Presl, Pyrrosia lanceolata (L.) Farwell, Pyrrosia heterophylla(L.) M. Price, Pyrrosia porosa (C. Presl) Hovenkamp, Aglaomorpha quercifolia(L.) Hovenkamp& S. Linds, Lepisorus nudus (Hook.) Ching, Leptochilus decurrens Blume, Microsorum punctatum (L.) Copel.) Among 59 species of Pteridophytes of the present study, Angiopteris helferiana C. Presl Cyathea nilgirensis Holtt and Diplazium polypodioides Bl. are larger ferns with more than a meter long fronds. Others are small or medium sized plants. Among the 59 species, one species namely Cythea nilgirensis is endemic to south India but it is least concerned category of IUCN (Irudayaraj 2011 ). Three species namely Selaginella wightii, Cheilanthes opposita and Pteris confusa are confined to South India and Sri Lanka (Manickam &Irudayaraj 1992, Fraser Jenkins et al.) The species of the present study, Cyrtomium micropterum, has been reported as a solitary or gregarious species in dense riparian forests of Palni Hills (Manickam 1986). Globally this species is a rare one with the occurrence in Africa and South India (Fraser-Jenkins et al. 2018). Out of 59 species of Pteridophytes collected