RUHUNA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE Vol 13 (2): 150-166, December 2022 eISSN: 2536-8400 Faculty of Science http://doi.org/10.4038/rjs.v13i2.122 University of Ruhuna Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna Sri Lanka 150 Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo, Southern Philippines Lilibeth V. Rufila1, Fulgent P. Coritico1,2*, Hannah P. Lumista1,2, Florfe M. Acma1,2, Noe P. Mendez1,2, Joevina C. Nobleza1,2 and Victor B. Amoroso1,2 1Center for Biodiversity Research and Extension in Mindanao (CEBREM), Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Maramag, 8714 Bukidnon, Philippines 2Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Maramag, 8714 Bukidnon, Philippines *Correspondence: cfulgent@cmu.edu.ph, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3876-6610 Received: 27th April 2022, Revised: 20th November 2022, Accepted: 20th December 2022 Abstract: This research was carried out to study the diversity and assess the conservation status and endemism of ferns and lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo, Datu Salumay, Southern Philippines. Repeated transect walks were done with 20 sampling plots delineated on the site. Specimens were collected, identified, and assessed for their conservation status and endemism. Data gathered were analyzed employing the Shannon-Weiner Index. The inventory revealed 215 species (202 species of ferns and 13 species of lycophytes) belonging to 74 genera and 23 families. Polypodiaceae, Aspleniaceae, Hymenophyllaceae, and Pteridaceae were the species-rich families collected. Asplenium nidus L., Pneumatopteris costata (Brackenr.) Holttum, and Asplenium thunbergii Kunze obtained the highest species importance values. Mt. Malambo has a diversity value of H’=1.83 which is higher compared to other mountains in Mindanao. This study reports 20 Philippine endemic and 19 threatened species of ferns and lycophytes in the area. Of these, one is critically endangered, 11 are endangered, five are vulnerable, and two are other threatened species. The presence of many threatened and endemic species in the area implies that high priority should be addressed in protecting and conserving these species of ferns and lycophytes in Mt. Malambo. Keywords: Diversity assessment, inventory, montane forest, pteridophytes, threatened species 1 Introduction The ferns and lycophytes (monilophytes) in the Philippines consist of ca. 1,100 species distributed in 154 genera and 34 families. Species richness is continuously increasing as a result of discoveries of new species and new species records in the Philippines (Smith et al. 2008, Barcelona et al. 2013, Amoroso et al. 2019). With the highest https://rjs.ruh.ac.lk/index.php/rjs/index http://doi.org/10.4038/rjs.v13i2.122 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3876-6610 L.V. Rufila et al. Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo Ruhuna Journal of Science Vol 13 (2): 150-166, December 2022 151 elevation of 1,354 m above sea level (masl) and classified as a montane forest located at 07°29’87’N and 125°15’22’E, Mt. Malambo is one of the remaining forested mountains in Datu Salumay, Marilog District but continuously faces anthropogenic disturbances, such as the conversion of forestland into residential and mountain resorts, agriculture for high-value-crops, and overharvesting of plants for ornamentals, food, and handicraft materials for livelihood or household consumption. These anthropogenic activities coupled with accessibility, the rate of forest decline in Mt. Malambo is fast resulting in a loss of biodiversity. An inventory for ferns and lycophytes has not been done in many places in the Philippines, particularly on the island of Mindanao. Therefore, an inventory of ferns and lycophytes is needed, including their diversity and assessment as a basis to protect and conserve the remaining biodiversity of Mt. Malambo. This study aimed to prepare an inventory, including diversity, conservation status, and assessment of ferns and lycophytes in Mt. Malambo, Datu Salumay, Southern Philippines. 2 Material and Methods 2.1 Study site The research proposal was presented to the local government officials and to the members of the Matigsalug-Manobo Tribal Council for Elders City of Davao, Inc. (MAMATRIPCEDI) in Mt. Malambo, Marilog District for their information, and a Prior Informed Consent (PIC) was obtained from them after. The PIC was used as a supporting document to obtain the gratuitous permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as a requirement to conduct the study. The study site is located in the lower montane rainforest having clay and loam subrates at an elevation of 1,345 masl (Acma et al. 2021). 2.2 Species inventory and abundance The inventory of ferns and lycophytes in Mt. Malambo, Datu Salumay, Marilog District in Davao, Philippines (Figure 1, 2) was conducted through repeated transect walks and the establishment of sampling plots. Twenty sampling plots of 20 x 20 m (Figure 1c, red dots) were established inside the forest of Mt. Malambo. The total number of individuals in all plots was counted to determine their abundance. 2.3 Specimen collection, processing and identification At least four fertile fronds were collected for each species using pruning shears and a trimming cutter. Small ferns and lycophytes (ca. 4–20 in.) were collected by uprooting L.V. Rufila et al. Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo Ruhuna Journal of Science Vol 13 (2): 150-166, December 2022 152 the whole plant, removing the earthy matter, and pressing the specimens. For the epiphytic ferns and lycophytes, the whole plants were detached to the trunk and the earthy matter or barks were removed. For tree ferns, each entire frond was collected and cut into five parts: leaf apex, middle pinna, lower pinna, basal pinna and stipe. All specimens were processed using the wet method (Hodge 1974). Fig 1. Study Site. A) Map of the Philippines, B) Mt. Malambo in the island of Mindanao, C) Close-up view of Mt. Malambo and sampling area, D) Sampling plots (red marks) and transect walks (white line). Identification of the specimens was done using fresh materials from the field and compared to some Floras, monographs, field guides, scientific journal articles, such as Copeland (1958–1961), Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines of Pelser et al. (2011 onwards), and digitized plant specimens available in the Global Plants on Journal L.V. Rufila et al. Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo Ruhuna Journal of Science Vol 13 (2): 150-166, December 2022 153 Storage (JSTOR). The classification system used was based on the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group (PPG I 2016). These specimens were then processed and included in the prepared voucher specimens. All specimens were accessioned and deposited at the Central Mindanao University. Fig 2. Panoramic view of Mt. Malambo with montane vegetation. 2.4 Assessment of conservation status and endemism Assessment of conservation status and endemism of the species was based on the recently published book of Philippine threatened plants (Fernando et al., 2022) which follows the criteria of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This information is important because it serves as a basis for governmental agencies like the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Local Government Units (LGUs) which formulate policies and guidelines for monitoring and protecting the threatened and endemic species. 2.5 Species Importance Value (SIV) and diversity values Species richness of ferns and lycophytes was estimated by determining the number of species. Calculation for frequency, relative frequency, density, relative density and Importance Value Index (IVI) were derived from Curtis & McIntosh (1951). SIV or ni = RD + RF + Rdom where, RD is relative density, RF is relative frequency, and Rdom is relative dominance. The diversity values were computed using the Shannon-Weiner index (H’) (Shannon and Weiner 1963) by, L.V. Rufila et al. Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo Ruhuna Journal of Science Vol 13 (2): 150-166, December 2022 154 H = -∑ [ni /N] ln [ni/N] where, ni = number of individuals of each species, N = total number of individuals, ln = the natural log of the number. 3 Results and Discussion 3.1 Species richness Repeated transect walks and sampling plots in Mt. Malambo revealed 215 species from 23 families and 74 genera of ferns and lycophytes (Table 1; Figure 3). Table 1. Total number of families, genera and species of ferns and lycophytes in Mt. Malambo, Datu Salumay, Marilog District. Family Number of genera Number of species LYCOPHYTES Lycopodiaceae 2 5 Selaginellaceae 1 8 FERNS Aspleniaceae 1 21 Athyriaceae 4 18 Blechnaceae 1 1 Cyatheaceae 2 6 Davalliaceae 2 8 Dennstaedtiaceae 4 5 Dicksoniaceae 2 2 Dryopteridaceae 5 15 Gleicheniaceae 3 5 Hymenophyllaceae 6 19 Hypodematiaceae 1 1 Lindsaeaceae 3 10 Marattiaceae 1 1 Nephrolepidaceae 1 5 Oleandraceae 1 3 Ophioglossaceae 3 3 Polypodiaceae 16 38 Pteridaceae 5 17 Tectariaceae 4 9 Thelypteridaceae 7 15 TOTAL 74 215 L.V. Rufila et al. Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo Ruhuna Journal of Science Vol 13 (2): 150-166, December 2022 155 Of these, 202 species are ferns and 13 are lycophytes. The species richness is ca. 20.8% of the total number of ferns and lycophytes in the Philippines and ca. 34.0% of the total number recorded in Mindanao Island (Amoroso et al., 2011). Polypodiaceae (32 species) obtained the highest number of species, followed by Aspleniaceae (21 species), Hymenophyllaceae (19 species), Athyriaceae (18 species), Pteridaceae (17 species), and Dryopteridaceae and Thelypteridaceae (both with 15 species). These families have the highest number of species in the entire country (Salgado 1990). Data on species richness in Mt. Malambo was comparatively higher compared to the previous works of Amoroso et al. (1996) in the Marilog forest which documented 183 species of ferns and lycophytes and Coritico et al. (2020) in Mt. Tago Range in Bukidnon with 203 species, Silverio et al. 2021 in Mt. Sinaka, North Cotabato with 163 species, Amoroso et al. (2016) in Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental with 152 species (14.1% compared to the total number of species in the Philippines), Gonzales (2000) in Mt. Matutum with 188 species (17.1%), and Silverio (2014) in Mt. Apo with 106 species (9.6%). The high species richness in Mt. Malambo may be due to its high elevation intact forest and the extensive inventory of ferns and lycophytes in the said area (Sosanika et al. 2022). However, the species richness of ferns and lycophytes in Mt. Malambo is relatively lower than the number of species found in Mt. Kitanglad, Bukidnon with 439 species (39.9%) (Amoroso et al. 2011) and Mt. Malindang in Misamis Occidental with 371 species (33.7%) (Rufila 2016). The high species richness in these mountain forests is due to the presence of diverse habitats, such as the humid lower montane forest. Mt. Malindang Range and Mt. Kitanglad possess several vegetation types, viz., mossy forest, montane forest, dipterocarp forest, almaciga forest, mixed dipterocarp forest, lowland dipterocarp forest, plantation forest and agroecosystem (Amoroso et al. 2006; Amoroso et al. 2012). Several factors may affect the species richness of local montane forests in the Philippines, including the size of the area sampled, climate conditions, soil type, and geographic location (Kessler 2010). Species richness is also affected by some anthropogenic disturbances, such as the conversion of forests to agricultural or industrial lands and pollution (Amoroso et al. 2016). These factors are more likely to affect the variability of species richness reported in the studies on mountains in Mindanao, Philippines. Table 2. Species checklist of ferns and lycophytes in Mt. Malambo, Datu Salumay, Marilog District, Philippines. FERNS Aspleniaceae 1. Asplenium affine Sw. 2. A. apoense Copel.* 3. A. caudatum G Forst. 4. A. crinicaule Hance 5. A. cymbifolium Christ L.V. Rufila et al. Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo Ruhuna Journal of Science Vol 13 (2): 150-166, December 2022 156 Table 2 continued. Aspleniaceae 6. A. excisum C.Presl 7. A. lobulatum Mett. 8. A. longissimum Blume. 9. A. nigrescens Blume 10. A. nidus L. 11. A. normale D. Don 12. A. persicifolium J.Sm. ex Mett. 13. A. phyllitidis D. Don. 14. A. polyodon G. Forst. 15. A. rhizophyllum L. 16. A. subnormale Copel. 17. A. tenerum G Forst. 18. A. thunbergii Kunze 19. A. unilaterale Lam. 20. A. vittaeforme Cav. 21. Asplenium sp. Blechnaceae 22. Blechnopsis orientalis (L.) C.Presl Athyriaceae 23. Athyrium brevipinnulum Copel. 24. A. elmeri Copel. 25. A. puncticaule (Blume) Moore. 26. Cornopteris decurrenti-alata (Hook.) Nakai. 27. Deparia confluens (Kunze) M.Kato. 28. D. lancea (Thunb.) Fraser-Jenkins 29. D. petersenii (Kunze) M.Kato. 30. Diplazium altum (Copel.) C.Chr. 31. D. cordifolium Blume 32. D. costulisorum (Copel.) C.Chr. 33. D. davaoense Copel.* 34. D. dilatatum Blume 35. D. esculentum (Retz.) Sw. 36. D. forbesii (Baker) C.Chr. 37. D. geophilum (Copel.) Alderw. 38. D. melanopodium Fée* 39. D. oligosorum Copel. 40. D. pallidum (Blume) Moore 41. D. sorzogonense (C.Presl) C.Presl Cyatheaceae 43. Alsophila commutata Mett. 44. A. fuliginosa Christ* 45. A. loheri Christ 46. Sphaeropteris elmeri (Copel.) R.M.Tryon 47. S. glauca (Blume) R.M. Tryon 48. S. tripinnata (Copel) R.M. Tryon Davalliaceae 49. Davallia denticulata (NL Burm.) Mett., ex Kuhn 50. D. hymenophylloides (Blume) Kuhn 51. D. embolostegia Copel. L.V. Rufila et al. Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo Ruhuna Journal of Science Vol 13 (2): 150-166, December 2022 157 Table 2. Continued. Davalliaceae 52. D. pubescens C.W.Chen 53. D. repens (L.f.) Kuhn/ Humata repens (L.f.) Diels 54. D. solida (Forst.) Sw. 55. D. trichomanoides Blume. 56. D. wagneriana Copel. Dennstaedtiaceae 57. Dennstaedtia hooveri Christ. 58. Histiopteris incisa (Thunb.) J.Sm. 59. Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn 60. Microlepia protracta Copel.* 61. M. speluncae (L.) T.Moore. Dicksoniaceae 62. Calochlaena javanica (Blume) M.D.Turner & R.A.White 63. Dicksonia mollis Holttum Dryopteridaceae 64. Arachniodes aristata (Forster) Tindale 65. Bolbitis heteroclita (C.Presl) Ching. 66. Dryopteris formosana (Christ) C.Chr. 67. D. nodosa (C.Presl) Li Bing Zhang 68. D. pseudocaenopteris (Kunze) Li Bing Zhang 69. D. purpurascens (Blume) Christ. 70. D. sparsa (Don) Kuntze. 71. Dryopteris sp. 72. Elaphoglossum blumeanum (Fée) J.Sm. 73. E. callifolium (Bl.) Moore. 74. E. latifolium (Sw.) J. Sm. 75. E. luzonicum Copel.* 76. E. petiolatum (Sw.) Urb. 77. Polystichum elmeri Copel.* 78. P. nudum Copel.* Gleicheniaceae 79. Dicranopteris curranii Copel. 80. D. linearis (Burm.) Underw. 81. Diplopterygium longissimum (Blume) Nakai 82. Sticherus loheri (Christ) Copel.* 83. S. truncatus (Willd.) Nakai Hymenophyllaceae 84. Abrodictyum setaceum (Bosch) Ebihara & K.Iwats 85. A. obscurum (Blume) Ebihara & K.Iwats. 86. Callistopteris apiifolia (C Presl) Copel. 87. Cephalomanes extravagans Copel. 88. Crepidomanes bipunctatum (Poir.) Copel. 89. C. brevipes (C. Presl) Copel. 90. Hymenophyllum acanthoides (Bosch) Rosenst. 91. H. angulosum Christ 92. H. badium Hook. & Grev. 93. H. denticulatum Sw. 94. H. digitatum (Sw.) Fosberg 95. H. emarginatum Sw. L.V. Rufila et al. Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo Ruhuna Journal of Science Vol 13 (2): 150-166, December 2022 158 Table 2. Continued. Hymenophyllaceae 96. H. fimbriatum J.Sm. 97. H. nitidulum (Bosch) Ebihara & K.Iwats. 98. H. pallidum (Blume) Ebihara & K. Iwats. 99. H. paniculiflorum C.Presl 100. H. polyanthos (Sw.) Sw. 101. H. productum Kunze 102. Vandenboschia maxima (Blume) Copel. Hypodematiaceae 103. Leucostegia truncata (D.Don) Fraser-Jenk Lindsaeaceae 104. Lindsaea adiantoides J.Sm. 105. L. apoensis Copel.* 106. L. fissa Copel.* 107. L. lucida Blume 108. L. pulchella (J.Sm.) Mett. ex Kuhn. 109. L. repens (Bory) Thwaites 110. L. rigida J.Sm. ex Hook. 111. Odontosoria chinensis (L.) J.Sm. 112. Tapeinidium luzonicum (Hook.) Kramer 113. T. pinnatum (Cav.) C.Chr. Marattiaceae 114. Angiopteris evecta (G.Forst.) Hoffm. Nephrolepidaceae 115. Nephrolepis bisserrata (Sw.) Schott. 116. N. cordifolia (L.) Presl. 117. N. exaltata (L.) Schott. 118. N. falcata (Cav.) C. Chr. 119. N. hirsutula (G Forst.) C. Presl Oleandraceae 120. Oleandra maquilingensis Copel.* 121. O. neriiformis Cav. 122. O. nitida (Copel.) Copel.* Ophioglossaceae 123. Botrychium daucifolium Wall. ex Hook. & Grev. 124. Ophioderma pendulum C.Presl 125. Ophioglossum ramosii Copel.* 126. O. reticulatum L. Polypodiaceae 127. Aglaomorpha cornucopia (Copel.) Roos* 128. A. descensa (Copel.) Hovenkamp & S.Linds. 129. A. heraclea (Kunze) Copel. 130. A. splendens (Hook. & Bauer) Copel. 131. A. sparsisora (Desv.) Hovenkamp & S. Linds. 132. A. quercifolia (L.) Hovenkamp & S. Linds. 133. Calymmodon gracilis (Fée) Copel. 134. Dasygrammitis mollicoma (Nees & Blume) Parris 135. Goniophlebium persicifolium (Desv.) Bedd. 136. G. pseudoconnatum (Copel.) Copel.* 137. G. subauriculatum (Blume) C.Presl L.V. Rufila et al. Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo Ruhuna Journal of Science Vol 13 (2): 150-166, December 2022 159 Table 2. continued. Polypodiaceae 138. Lecanopteris deparioides (Cesati) Baker 139. Lemmaphyllum accedens (Blume) Donk 140. Lepisorus mucronatus (Fée) Li Wang 141. L. platyrhynchos (Kunze) Li Wang 142. L. spicatus (L.f.) Li Wang 143. Leptochilus sp. 144. Loxogramme scolopendrioides (Gaudich.) C.V.Morton 145. Microsorum commutatum (Blume) Copel. 146. M. congratifolium (Alderw.) Holttum 147. M. insigne (Blume) Copel. 148. M. monstrosum (Copel.) Copel. 149. M. musifolium (Blume) Copel. 150. M. phanerophlebium (Copel.) Copel. 151. Oreogrammitis reinwardtii (Blume) Parris 152. Platycerium grande (Fée) Kunze* 153. Prosaptia celebica (Blume) Tagawa & K Iwats 154. P. contigua (Forst.) C.Presl 155. P. nutans (Blume) Mett. 156. P. obliquata (Blume) Mett. 157. Pyrrosia adnascens (Sw.) Ching. 158. P. sphaerotricha (Mett.) Ching. 159. Selliguea albidosquamata (Blume) Parris 160. S. taeniata (Sw.) Parris 161. S. triloba (Houtt.) M.G.Price 162. Scleroglossum pusillum (Blume) Alderw. Pteridaceae 163. Antrophyum plantagineum (Cav.) Kaulf. 164. Haplopteris alternans (Copel.) S.Linds. & C.W.Chen 165. H. ensiformis (Sw.) E.H. Crane 166. H. elongata (Sw.) E.H. Crane 167. H. scolopendrina (Bory) E.H. Crane 168. Pteris blumeana J Agardh. 169. P. longipinnula Wall. ex J Agardh. 170. P. mertensioides Willd. 171. P. oppositipinnata Fée. 172. P. pacifica Hieron. 173. P. schlechteri Brause. 174. P. tripartita Sw. 175. P. vittata L. 176. Syngramma alismifolia (C.Presl) J.Sm. 177. S. wallichii (Hook.) Bedd. 178. Vaginularia paradoxa (Fee) Mett. 179. V. trichoidea (J.Sm.) Fée Tectariaceae 180. Ctenitis submarginalis (Langsdorff & Fischer) Ching 181. Pleocnemia irregularis (C.Presl) Holttum 182. P. leuzeana (Gaudich.) C.Presl 183. P. macrodonta (C.Presl) Holttum 184. Pteridrys syrmatica (Willd.) C.Chr. & Ching. L.V. Rufila et al. Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo Ruhuna Journal of Science Vol 13 (2): 150-166, December 2022 160 Table 2. continued. Tectariaceae 185. Tectaria angulata (Willd.) Copel. 186. T. athyriosora M.G.Price. 187. T. decurrens (C.Presl) Copel. 188. T. griffithii (Baker) C.Chr. Thelypteridaceae 189. Chingia ferox (Blume) Holttum. 190. Christella dentata (Forssk.) Brownsey & Jermy. 191. C. hispidula (Decne.) Holttum. 192. C. parasitica (L.) Lév. 193. Coryphopteris pubirachis (Baker) Holttum var. philippinensis Holttum* 194. Plesioneuron savaiense (Baker) Holttum 195. Pneumatopteris costata (Brackenr.) Holttum 196. P. laevis (Mett.) Holttum* 197. P. nitidula (C.Presl) Holttum* 198. Pronephrium amphitrichum Holttum* 199. P. clemensiae (Copel.) Holttum* 200. Sphaerostephanos heterocarpus (Blume) Holttum 201. S. polycarpus (Blume) Copel. 202. S. unitus (L.) Holttum LYCOPHYTES Lycopodiaceae 203. Phlegmariurus nummularifolius (Blume) Ching 204. P. pinifolius (Trevis.) Kiew 205. P. salvinioides (Herter) Ching 206. P. squarrosus (G.Forst.) Á.Löve & D.Löve 207. Palhinhaea cernua (L.) Vasc. & Franco Selaginellaceae 208. Selaginella aristata Spring, Bull. 209. S. cupressina (Willd.) Spring 210. S. delicatula (Desv.) Alston 211. S. eschscholzii Hieron. 212. S. flagellifera Hieron 212. S. intermedia (Blume) Spring 214. S. involvens (Sw.) Spring 215. S. ornata (Hook. & Grev.) Spring Legend: Asterisk (*) after the scientific names indicates that the particular species is endemic to the Philippines. 3.2 Species Importance Values (SIV) The five species of ferns that obtained the highest SIV include Asplenium nidus L., A. thunbergii Kunze, Lindsaea fissa Copel., Davallia hymenophylloides (Blume) Kuhn, Oleandra neriiformis Cav., and Hymenophyllum polyanthos (Sw.) Sw. (Table 3). Among these species, A. nidus and D. hymenophylloides are the most frequently L.V. Rufila et al. Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo Ruhuna Journal of Science Vol 13 (2): 150-166, December 2022 161 collected species. These species ultimately play an important role in regulating the ecological stability of the forest ecosystem. Some ferns with higher SIV conform to the reports of Amoroso et al. (2015) and Amoroso et al. (2018) revealing Nephrolepis hirsutula (G Forst.) C. Presl and Asplenium spp. as the species with high SIV in the montane forest of Mt. Kitanglad, Bukidnon and Mt. Apo, North Cotabato. Fig 3. Some ferns and lycophytes in Mt. Malambo, Datu Salumay, Southern Philippines. A) Lindsaea apoensis Copel., B) Lindsaea fissa Copel., C) Lindsaea pulchella (J.Sm.) Mett. ex Kuhn., D) Sphaeropteris glauca (Blume) R.M.Tryon, E) Angiopteris palmiformis (Cav.) C.Chr., F) Oleandra neriiformis Cav., G) Botrychium daucifolium Wall. ex Hook. & Grev., H) Ophioderma pendula C.Presl, I) Phlegmariurus salvinioides (Herter) Ching, J) Phlegmariurus squarrosus (G.Forst.) Á.Löve & D.Löve, K) Palhinhaea cernua (L.) Vasc. & Franco, L) Selaginella involvens (Sw.) Spring. L.V. Rufila et al. Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo Ruhuna Journal of Science Vol 13 (2): 150-166, December 2022 162 3.3 Diversity value Mt. Malambo is classified as a montane forest based on the apparent change in forest structure and floristic composition. The ferns and lycophytes in the area have a diversity value of H’=1.83 which closely resembles that of the montane forests of Mt. Malindang with H’=1.80 (Rufila 2016). Also, the montane forest of Mt. Kitanglad (Amoroso et al. 2011) and Mt. Apo (Silverio 2014) showed the highest diversity values for pteridophytes. The diversity value is relatively higher compared to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park in Negros Oriental with H’=1.41 (Amoroso et al. 2018) and Mt. Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental with H’=1.01 (Amoroso et al. 2015). This suggests that the montane forest is the most diverse vegetation for the ferns and lycophytes. Fern and lycophyte diversity is much higher in mid-elevation of the mountain, usually in the montane forests. This pattern of distribution is affected by different abiotic factors, such as climate and edaphic features. Adean tropical forests also revealed that elevational richness patterns for ferns and lycophytes are symmetrically hump-shaped and overall richness is virtually equal along most of the tropical latitudinal gradient (Salazar et al. 2013). Mehltreter et al. (2018) also mentioned that fern diversity is highest in the mid-elevation with utmost richness and diversity and lesser in the lower and higher elevations. In addition, the peak of fern species richness at mid-elevations has often been interpreted as reflecting the ambient conditions of a balanced climate without extremes, such as drought at low elevations and frost at high elevations (Bhattarai et al. 2004; Krömer 2007; Kluge et al. 2008; Kessler et al. 2011). In addition, it has often been linked to an optimal combination of high humidity, rainfall, and moderate temperatures at mid-elevations (Lauer et al. 1996). Table 3. Ferns and lycophytes with highest species importance value (SIV) in Mt. Malambo, Datu Salumay, Southern, Philippines. Species (%) 1. Asplenium nidus L. 17.98 2. Pneumatopteris costata (Brackenr.) Holttum 11.54 3. Asplenium thunbergii Kunze 11.53 4. Davallia hymenophylloides (Blume) Kuhn 11.21 5. Lindsaea fissa Copel. 10.43 6. Oleandra neriiformis Cav. 9.94 7. Dryopteris nodosa (C.Presl) Li Bing Zhang 9.58 8. Polystichum elmeri Copel. 8.90 9. Nephrolepis hirsutula (G Forst.) C. Presl 7.94 10. Selaginella involvens (Sw.) Spring 7.76 3.4 Endemism and conservation status A total of 20 Philippine endemic species of ferns are recorded in Mt. Malambo. These species include A. apoense Copel., D. davaoense Copel., D. melanopodium Fée, L.V. Rufila et al. Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo Ruhuna Journal of Science Vol 13 (2): 150-166, December 2022 163 Alsophila fuliginosa Christ, Microlepia protracta Copel., Elaphoglossum luzonicum Copel., Polystichum elmeri Copel., P. nudum Copel., Sticherus loheri (Christ) Copel., Lindsaea apoensis Copel., L. fissa Copel., Oleandra maquilingensis Copel., O. nitida (Copel.) Copel. Ophioglossum ramosii Copel., Aglaomorpha cornucopia (Copel.) Roos, Goniophlebium pseudoconnatum (Copel.) Copel., Coryphopteris pubirachis (Baker) Holttum, Pneumatopteris laevis (Mett.) Holttum, P. nitidula (C. Presl) Holttum, Pronephrium amphitrichum Holttum and P. clemensiae (Copel.) Holttum (Table 2). Among the 215 species of ferns and lycophytes, 19 species were recorded as threatened. Of these threatened species, one is critically endangered, 11 are endangered, five are vulnerable and two are other threatened species (Table 4). Furthermore, of the 24 threatened species, three are Philippine endemics namely: A. cornucopia, M. protracta and P. grande. Local assessment revealed that there are 37 species classified as very abundant, 21 are abundant, and 76 are rare. Local assessment of the Mindanao endemic species is rare except for Ophioglossum ramosii. Table 4. Conservation status and endemism of ferns and lycophytes in Mt. Malambo, Datu Salumay, Marilog District. Species Conservation Status 1. Aglaomorpha cornucopia (Copel.) M.C. Roos Vulnerable 2. Aglaomorpha heraclea (Kunze) Copel Vulnerable 3. Aglaomorpha splendens (Hook. & Bauer) Copel. Vulnerable 4. Alsophila fuliginosa (H. Christ) Copel. Endangered 5. Asplenium vittiforme Cav. Vulnerable 6. Davallia embolostegia Copel. Other threatened Species 7. Davallia solida (Forst.) Sw. Other Threatened Species 8. Dicksonia mollis Holttum Endangered 9. Diplazium costulisorum (Copel.) C.Chr. Endangered 10. Lecanopteris deparioides (Cesati) Baker Endangered 11. Lepisorus platyrhynchos (Kunze) Li Wang Endangered 12. Microlepia protracta Copel. Endangered 13. Ophioderma pendula C.Presl Endangered 14. Phlegmariurus salvinioides (Herter) Ching Endangered 15. Phlegmariurus squarrosus (G.Forst.) Á.Löve & D.Löve Endangered 16. Platycerium grande (Fée) Kunze Critically Endangered 17. Polystichum nudum Copel. Endangered 18. Sphaeropteris elmeri (Copel.) R.M. Tryon Vulnerable 19. Sphaeropteris glauca (Blume) R.M. Tryon Endangered Ten (10) endangered species were recorded inside the sampling plots, viz., D. mollis, L. platyrhynchos, A. fuliginosa, S. glauca, P. nudum, O. pendulum, D. costulisorum, P. squarrosa, and P. salvinioides. These threatened species were also documented on different protected areas in Mindanao Island (Coritico & Amoroso 2020; Amoroso et al. 2018). Other endangered species were seen along the trail from the foot of the mountain to the peak of Mt. Malambo. Furthermore, P. grande, a highly priced L.V. Rufila et al. Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. Malambo Ruhuna Journal of Science Vol 13 (2): 150-166, December 2022 164 ornamental plant, was recorded while doing the repeated transect walks. P. grande is a Mindanao Island endemic species and may become extinct in the wild if no conservation measures are adopted in the area. Alombro (1999) documented the endangered Tmesipteris zamorarum Gruezo and Amoroso in the area. However, present exploration revealed the absence of this endangered fern species together with Phlegmariurus banayanicus (Herter) A.R.Field & Bostck. The absence of T. zamorarum could be due to the loss of its only habitat, which are the tree ferns (Alsophila spp. and Sphaeropteris spp.). Tree ferns are widely collected and sold commercially as a potting medium to grow other plants and as posts. Mt. Malambo and its vicinity show a high number of threatened and endemic species; therefore, high priority should be given to the protection of these species by the local stakeholders. Regulation on the collection and the need to propagate the economically important species should be addressed. Further, data from this research can be used as a sound basis in the formulation of policies that are effective for the conservation and protection of the whole Mt. Malambo. 4 Conclusions and Recommendations Mt. Malambo in Barangay Datu Salumay, Marilog District is home to 215 species of ferns and lycophytes belonging to 74 genera and 23 families. The species richness of this group of flora is ca. 23% of the total number of species in the Philippines and ca. 39% compared with the total number of species in Mindanao. Mt. Malambo has a diversity value of H’=1.83, which is higher compared to the other mountains in Mindanao Island. Twenty endemic species and 24 species are threatened. Of these, one species is critically endangered, 12 species are endangered, seven species are vulnerable and four are other threatened species. The high species richness and high diversity of ferns and lycophytes in Mt. Malambo represent a significant floral resource of the Philippines but should be protected and conserved by the stakeholders since some species are placed in the threatened category. Acknowledgements This research was supported by CHED - DARE TO (Commission on Higher Education - Discovery-Applied Research and Extension for Trans/Inter-disciplinary Opportunities) research grant. The gratuitous permit from DENR Region XI and logistic support from the Marilog District stakeholders, Matigsalug-Manobo Tribal People Council of Elders Davao, Inc. (MAMATRIPCEDI), and the Central Mindanao University (CMU) are gratefully acknowledged. Comments from anonymous reviewers are acknowledged. L.V. Rufila et al. Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes in the Mt. 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