Diversity of Pteridophytes in Nipani Taluk, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Considering diverse ecological and topographical conditions, Nipani Taluk is close to the Eastern ranges of Western Ghats. Adi Hill and Stavanidhi Ranges are the extended branches of the Western Ghats. An attempt was undertaken to enumerate the ferns from Nipani Taluk to fill the gap of a valid document of the ferns from the study area. During the study, 14 species from 9 different genera of 6 different families were recorded. The distribution of some species is found to be unique from Adi Hill and Stavanidhi Ranges. The study revealed that the number of species from family Pteridaceae was the highest, common to both the ranges followed by family Ophioglossaceae, Marsileaceae, Lomariopsidaceae, Salviniaceae and Polypodiaceae. Adiantum philippense L. was dominantly found in both the studied areas, while Adiantum incisum Forssk. and Actiniopteris radiata (Sw.) Link are less dominant. Whereas Microsorum membranaceum (D. Don) Ching is least populated and found very rarely at both the study area.