Checklist and Assessment of Pteridophytes in Amai Manabilang, Lanao Del Sur, Philippines

Abstract

The species of ferns and lycophytes in Municipality of Amai Manabilang are documented here in a checklist, along with information on their morphological characteristics, and conservation status. A series of field surveys in two barangays in Amai Manabilang determined the lycophytes and ferns, namely Frankfort and Sumugot. A total of 56 species were recorded, belonging to 18 families and 36 genera. Of these species, 50 are ferns and 6 are lycophytes. The highest number of species was observed in Sumugot (42 species) followed by Frankfort (26 species). Thirty-one species are terrestrial, 19 are epiphytes, 1 tree fern and 5 species have more than one growth form. The number of species is approximately about 5% and 9% of the total number of pteridophytes species in the Philippines and Mindanao, respectively.

Full text

Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation 20: 111-120, 2023 ISSN 1823 3902
E-ISSN 2550-1909
Research Article
Checklist and Assessment of Pteridophytes in Amai
Manabilang, Lanao Del Sur, Philippines
Jay Ann L. Bada*, David John D. Bierneza, Fulgent P. Coritico, Victor B. Amoroso
Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines, Musuan, Maramag,
Bukidnon 8710, Philippines.
*Corresponding author: jayannbada2@gmail.com
Received 13 February 2023|Reviewed 01 August 2023|Accepted 09 September 2023|Published 15 October 2023
Doi: https://10.51200/jtbc.v20i.4650
Abstract
The species of ferns and lycophytes in Municipality of Amai Manabilang are
documented here in a checklist, along with information on their morphological
characteristics, and conservation status. A series of field surveys in two barangays
in Amai Manabilang determined the lycophytes and ferns, namely Frankfort and
Sumugot. A total of 56 species were recorded, belonging to 18 families and 36
genera. Of these species, 50 are ferns and 6 are lycophytes. The highest number of
species was observed in Sumugot (42 species) followed by Frankfort (26 species).
Thirty-one species are terrestrial, 19 are epiphytes, 1 tree fern and 5 species have
more than one growth form. The number of species is approximately about 5% and
9% of the total number of pteridophytes species in the Philippines and Mindanao,
respectively.
Keywords: Amai Manabilang; Frankfort; Sumugot; transect walk; pteridophytes
Introduction
Ferns and fern allies are collectively called ‘pteridophytes’ (Smith et al., 2006)
because of their shared life cycle as spore-dispersing vascular plants (Amoroso
et al., 2016) dating back to 360 million years. The Philippine archipelago has an
estimated 1,100 ferns and lycophytes spread across 154 genera and 34 families
(Coritico et al., 2020; Amoroso et al., 2016). Furthermore, 202 species are
reported as threatened (Fernando et al., 2008) and 266 species are endemic
(Pelser et al., 2011).
With coordinates of 7°47′07″N 124°40′56″E, Frankfort has the highest elevation
of 900 masl, and 7° 45' 12” N, 124° 38' 24” E, Sumugot has the highest elevation
of 1,200 masl and is one of the remaining forest ecosystems in Lanao del Sur. So
far, there are no studies about the flora and fauna in Amai Manabilang. The
absence of research is of significant value to the current study as it impedes a

Bada et al.
112
comprehensive understanding of the biodiversity and ecological dynamics of the
area.
This study seeks to provide foundational information for the area by conducting
an inventory of ferns and lycophytes found in the municipality of Amai
Manabilang through a checklist, classifying and identifying their diagnostic
morphological characters, and assessing the conservation status of these ferns
and lycophytes found in the area. This is the first documented study of ferns
and lycophytes in Lanao del Sur. Providing essential baseline data for future
research and conservation efforts in the area.
Materials and Methods
Species inventory
An inventory of ferns and lycophytes was conducted through a series of transect
walks (1200-1900 m) from base to the highest point of Sumugot, (1200 masl)
and Frankfort, (900 masl) from October to November 2021. Another field
inventory was conducted from March to April 2022.
Collection, Processing, and Identification of Specimens
A minimum of two fertile fronds of each species were collected by using pruning
shears. Small ferns were collected by uprooting the whole plant, removing the
soil, and pressing the plant intact. For the tree ferns, each entire frond was
collected and cut into five parts: the leaf apex, middle pinna, lower pinna, basal
pinna, and stipe (Amoroso et al., 2016).
All specimens were processed using the wet method (Hodge 1947) "wet method"
is a technique used to preserve plant specimens by storing them in a liquid
solution (denature alcohol or formalin) to maintain their physical features and
enable accurate study and documentation of their characteristics in botanical
research. The specimens are the first collections of ferns and lycophytes in the
area as no collections for herbarium vouchers have been done in the past.
Species identification was performed by referring to the following monographs,
floras, and other publications: the book of Smith (2006), Co’s Digital Flora of
the Philippines (2013), and Copeland’s Fern Flora of the Philippines
(1958-1961).

Pteridophytes in Amai Manabilang, Lanao Del Sur, Philippines
113
Assessment of Conservation Status
The conservation status of the species is recorded based on the National List of
Threatened Plants of the Philippines (DENRDAO 2017), and using the criteria of
the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN 2021). This information
can form the basis for government agencies that set the environmental policies
of DENR and local government units (LGUs) to monitor and protect threatened
and endemic species, both in the forest area and its surroundings.
Results and Discussion
Species Richness
Fifty-six species, belonging to 36 genera and 18 families, were documented. Of
these, 50 are ferns and 6 are lycophytes. The families with the highest number
of species are Polypodiaceae & Pteridaceae (10 species), Thelypteridaceae (6),
Aspleniaceae (4), and Nephrolepidaceae & Tectariaceae (3), the rest have less
than 2 families. The lycophytes were represented by Lycopodiaceae and
Selaginellaceae with 1 and 5 species, respectively (Table 1 & 2). These are also
Legend:
Study Sites
Figure 1. Location Map showing the two selected areas in Amai Manabilang, Lanao del
Sur, Philippines.

Bada et al.
114
the families which have the largest number of species in the country. (Salgado
1990). This family is also common and widely distributed in Mindanao (Amoroso
et al. 2009, 2012, and 2015).
Table 1. A total number of genera and species of ferns and lycophytes were recorded from
Amai Manabilang.
Family
Number. of Genera
Number of Species
Aspleniaceae
2
4
Athyriaceae
2
2
Blechnaceae
2
2
Cyatheaceae
1
1
Dryopteridaceae
2
2
Gleicheniaceae
1
1
Hymenophyllaceae
1
1
Hypodematiaceae
1
1
Lindsaeaceae
1
1
Lycopodiaceae
1
1
Lygodiaceae
1
1
Marattiaceae
2
2
Nephrolepidaceae
1
3
Polypodiaceae
7
10
Pteridaceae
4
10
Selaginellaceae
1
5
Tectariaceae
1
3
Thelypteridaceae
5
6
TOTAL
36
56
Table 2. Checklist and conservation status of ferns and lycophytes found in Amai
Manabilang, Lanao del Sur.
Family/Species
Collection
number
Growth form
Aspleniaceae
Asplenium affine Sw.
Asplenium persicifolium J.Sm. ex Mett
Asplenium sp.
Hymenasplenium excisum (C.Presl) S.Linds.
60/63
37 / 35
29
17
TE
EP
EP
EP
Athyriaceae
Diplazium sp.
Deparia petersenii (Kunze) M.Kato
24
71/86
TE
TE
Blechnaceae
Austroblechnum patersonii (R.Br.) Gasper & V.A.O.
Dittrich
Blechnopsis orientalis (L.) C.Presl
46
48
TE
TE
Cyatheaceae
Sphaeropteris glauca (Blume) R.M.Tryon
08/106
AR
Dryopteridaceae
Bolbitis heteroclita (C.Presl)
Dryopteris sp.
19/27
40
TE/LI
TE
Gleicheniaceae
Dicranopteris linearis (Burm.) Underw.
21/49
TE
Hymenophyllaceae
Vandenboschia auriculata (Blume)
35/50
EP

Pteridophytes in Amai Manabilang, Lanao Del Sur, Philippines
115
Hypodematiaceae
Leucostegia immersa (Wall.) C.Presl
30/10
TE
Lindsaeaceae
Odontosoria chinensis (L.) J.Sm.
09
TE
Lycopodiaceae
Palhinhaea cernua (L.) Vasc. & Franco
45
TE
Lygodiaceae
Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw.
03
TE
Marattiaceae
Angiopteris evecta (G.Forst.) Hoffm.
Ptisana sylvatica (Blume) Murdock
18
16
TE
TE
Nephrolepidaceae
Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C.Presl
Nephrolepis biserrata (Sw.) Schott
Nephrolepis falcata (Cav.) C.Chr.
05/42
23/97
44
TE/EP
TE
EP
Polypodiaceae
Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J.Sm.
Drynaria rigidula (Sw.) Bedd.
Microsorum punctatum (L.) Copel.
Lepisorus zippelii (Blume) C.F.Zhao
Goniophlebium persicifolium (Desv.) Bedd
Goniophlebium pseudoconnatum (Copel.) Copel.
Phymatosorus scolopendria (Burm.f.) Pic.Serm.
Pyrrosia longifolia (Burm.f.) C.V.Morton
Pyrrosia piloselloides (L.) M.G.Price
Prosaptia sp.
20
43
41/61
28
62
15
38/70
47
67
34
EP
EP
EP
EP
EP
EP
EP
EP
EP
EP
Pteridaceae
Adiantum philippense L.
Antrophyum callifolium Blume
Antrophyum plantagineum (Cav.) Kaulf.
Antrophyum sp.
Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) Link
Pteris biaurita L.
Pteris ensiformis Burm.f.
Pteris mertensioides Willd.
Pteris tripartita Sw.
Pteris sp.
94
39
32
95
02
11
90
99
64/89
51
TE
EP
EP
EP
TE
TE
EP
TE
TE
TE
Selaginellaceae
Selaginella biformis A.Braun ex Kuhn
Selaginella delicatula (Desv.) Alston
Selaginella involvens (Sw.) Spring
Selaginella sp. 1
Selaginella sp. 2
04
06
31
07
26
TE/LI
TE
TE/LI
TE
TE/LI
Tectariaceae
Tectaria melanocaulos (Blume) Copel.
Tectaria sp. 1
Tectaria sp. 2
72
36
22
TE
TE
TE
Thelypteridaceae
Abacopteris nitida (Holttum) S.E.Fawc. & A.R.Sm.
Christella dentata (Forssk.) Brownsey & Jermy
Cyclosorus terminans (J. Sm. ex Hook.) KH Shing
Cyclosorus unitus (L.) Ching
Macrothelypteris polypodioides (Hook.) Holttum
Strophocaulon unitum (L.) S.E.Fawc. & A.R.Sm.
25/87
01/14
12
13
38/74
78
TE
TE
TE
TE
TE
TE
(LEGEND: Growth forms: AR – arborescent; EP – epiphytic; LI – lithophytic; TE – terrestrial)

Bada et al.
116
The species richness estimate in Amai Manabilang is comparable to that of the
Mount Agad-Agad, Lanao del Norte, and Kampo Uno, Katipunan, Davao-Arakan
Valley Road, North Cotabato. It is higher than that of the gold-mine areas in
Tumpagon, Cagayan De Oro City, Adams in the area of Northern Luzon and
University of Mindanao, Matina Campus of Davao City. However, it is evidently
lower than Mt. Hamiguitan, and (CEDAR) at Impalutao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon
Province (Table 3). Several factors may affect species richness in the Philippines
such as the size of the area sampled, climatic conditions, soil type, and
geographic location (Amoroso et al. 2009; 2016). Human activities such as the
conversion of forests to agricultural or industrial lands, as well as pollution, have
an impact on species richness. With the increase in land use and natural
resources, many of these threatened taxa are expected to become even rarer,
more susceptible, and endangered, and in some cases, local extinction, as a
result of disturbance or imbalance in their tightly constrained ecosystems
(Chandra et al., 2008).
During the 2000s and up to the present, a significant portion of the region's land
has been subjected to a traditional farming practice known as 'kaingin.' This
practice involves the clearing of land through vegetation cutting, burning, and
cultivation. However, it has raised environmental concerns due to deforestation
and soil degradation. The rapid conversion of forest lands into agricultural areas
has further resulted in the disappearance of the lowland forest.A combination
of factors such as population growth, agricultural activities, developing tourism,
and potential forest conversions pose a significant threat not only to the flora
but also to the entire biodiversity of the area (Chandra et al., 2008).
Table 3. Total number of ferns and lycophytes in different locations in the Philippines.
Location
Total Number
of Species
References
Gold-mined areas in Tumpagon, Cagayan
De Oro City
36
Ascaño II et al., 2016
Adams, Northern Luzon
47
Magtoto & Austria,
2017
University of Mindanao, Matina Campus,
Davao City
28
Morales, 2018
Kampo Uno, Katipunan, Davao-Arakan
Valley Road, North Cotabato
60
Abas, 2017a
Mount Agad-Agad, Lanao del Norte
56
Coritico et al., 2020
Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife
Sanctuary, Davao Oriental
74
Amoroso et al., 2018
(CEDAR) at Impalutao, Impasug-ong,
Bukidnon
87
Abas 2017b

Pteridophytes in Amai Manabilang, Lanao Del Sur, Philippines
117
Growth form and Assessment
Majority of the ferns and lycophytes are terrestrial (31 species, 55.36 %),
followed by epiphytes (19 species, 33.93 %), and arborscent (1 species, 1.79 %)
(Tree fern) and other species were observed to have more than one growth form
(5 species, 8.92 %). The growth form showed that the ferns and lycophytes in
the area are mostly terrestrial and epiphytes. Some species like Bolbitis
heteroclita (C.Presl), Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C.Presl can be terrestrial and
epiphytes on trees, while Selaginella biformis A.Braunm, Selaginella sp. and
Selaginella involvens (Sw.) Spring can also grow terrestrially and lithophytes.
The outcome was predictable given that two-thirds of the pteridophytes were
A
B
.
C
.
F
.
I
.
H
.
E
.
G
.
D
.
Figure 2
.
Some ferns and lycophytes: A.) Antrophyum callifolium Blume, B.) Tectaria sp.
C.) Abacopteris nitida (Holttum) S.E.Fawc. & A.R.Sm., D.) Asplenium persicifolium J.Sm.
ex Mett., E.) Bolbitis heteroclita (C .Presl) Ching, F.) Vanden boschia auriculata (Blume)
Copel., G.) Leucostegia i mmersa (Wall.) C.Presl, H.) Selaginella involvens (Sw.) Spring, I.)
Antrophyum plantagineum (Cav.) Kaul f.

Bada et al.
118
terrestrial and one-third were epiphytes (Schuettpelz and Pryer, 2009).
Sphaeropteris glauca (Blume) R.M.Tryon is the only species recorded from
Sumugot as endangered and Angiopteris evecta (G.Forst.) Hoffm. is the only
species found in Frankfort and is considered a threatened species. (Table 2). All
documented species of ferns and lycophytes are broadly distributed in different
countries.
Conclusion
Municipality of Amai Manabilang is home to 56 species of ferns and lycophytes
belonging to 36 genera and 18 families. Species richness of ferns and lycophytes
in the area is estimated to be 5% of the total number of pteridophyte species in
the Philippines and nearly 9% of the total number in Mindanao Island. The
preferred habitats of the ferns and lycophytes are recorded, with 31 species
being terrestrial, followed by 19 species which are epiphytes, and 1 arborescent.
There is presence of endangered species, such as Sphaeropteris glauca, in
Sumugot and Frankfort. Other threatened species, Angiopteris evecta, found in
Frankfort reinforces the urgency for local governments to take immediate
measures to preserve and protect the remaining forest fragments, ensuring the
long-term conservation of these invaluable species.
Acknowledgements
Financial support for this research is from the Department of Science and
Technology – Strand. The researchers would like to extend their gratitude to the
people who helped in this research. Aurfeli D. Nietes for guiding in the
preliminary identification. The barangay captain of Sumugot and Frankfort and
local guide for the assistance. To William Delfinado for the accommodation of
the researchers while on the study site.

Pteridophytes in Amai Manabilang, Lanao Del Sur, Philippines
119
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