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).