Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes of Sungai Chiling, Hulu Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract

A total of 42 taxa consisting of six lycophytes and 36 taxa monilophytes in 28 genera and 22 families were reported for Sungai Chiling, Selangor. This figure represents 6.49% of the 647 taxa of ferns in Peninsular Malaysia. Selaginellaceae and Polypodiaceae were the largest families, with five taxa recorded, while the smallest families, each represented by one species, included Adiantaceae, Aspleniaceae, Athyriaceae, Davalliaceae, Dennstaedtiaceae, Gleicheniaceae, Lindsaeaceae,Lycopodiaceae, Matoniaceae, Nephrolepidaceae, and Schizaeaceae. Most fern species were found along trails to the riverbank and on the ground such as Schizaea dichotoma. Only a few species, such as Dicranopteris linearis and Matonia pectinata were recorded in limestone trail areas due to their adaptability to dry and barren environments. Several epiphytic species, including Platycerium coronarium, Asplenium nidus, and the genus Ctenopterella, which was a new record to Selangor, were documented. Major conclusions emphasize the importance of these forests as biodiversity hotspots, underscoring the need for targeted conservation efforts to preserve their unique fern flora.