Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Review Articles

Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024)

Diversity and Chorotype Analysis of the Pteridophytes of Zimbabwe

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.3052
Submitted
29 October 2023
Published
16-02-2024 — Updated on 01-04-2024
Versions

Abstract

In the current investigation, an attempt has been made to document the floristic diversity and chorotype analysis of Pteridophytes growing in Zimbabwe. Previously published literature and online sources were consulted to confirm the nomenclature, precise locations, chorotype, stages of invasion, and conservation status of the Pteridophytes in Zimbabwe. The updated list of Pteridophyte taxa confirms that there are 297 taxa belonging to 83 genera and 19 families. The largest family is Aspleniaceae, with 78 taxa (26.26%), followed by Polypodiaceae and Pteridaceace with 67 taxa (22.56%) and 54 taxa (18.18%), respectively. The largest genus is Asplenium L., with 46 taxa (15.49%), followed by Hemionitis L. with 22 taxa (7.41%), Ophioglossum L. (16 taxa, 5.39%), Thelypteris Schmidel (14 taxa, 4.71%), and Elaphoglossum Schott ex J.Sm. (12 taxa, 4.04%). A total of 20 taxa (6.73%) are threatened with extinction, emphasizing the need for detailed knowledge of the nomenclature, conservation status, and distribution of Pteridophytes taxa in Zimbabwe. Research focusing on the diversity, ecology, and conservation status of Pteridophytes is imperative for biodiversity conservation, as they are an important component of natural ecosystems adapted to different habitats. Therefore, future studies on Pteridophytes in Zimbabwe should explore how the lack of floristic data on the plant group can hinder ecological research.

References

  1. Thomas BA, Cleal CJ. Pteridophytes as primary colonisers after catastrophic events through geological time and in recent history. Palaeobiod Palaeoenviron. 2022;102:59-71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12549-021-00492-1
  2. Wolf PG, Schneider H, Ranker TA. Geographic distribution of homosporous ferns: Does dispersal obscure evidence of vicariance? J Biogeogr. 2001;28:263-70. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2699.2001.00531.x
  3. Qian H, Zhang J, Jiang MC. Global patterns of fern species diversity: An evaluation of fern data in GBIF. Plant Divers. 2022;44:135-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2021.10.001.
  4. Sharpe JM, Mehltreter K, Walker LR. Ecological importance of ferns. In: Mehltreter K, Walker LR, Sharpe JM(eds) Fern ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 2010; pp. 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbO9780511844898.002
  5. Akinsoji A, Agboola OO, Adeonipekun PA, Oyebanji OO, Adeniyi TA, Ajibode MO. Occurrence and distribution of Pteridophytes in parts of Lagos and Osun states. Ife J Sci. 2016;18(2):447-53.
  6. Anderson OR. Ecophysiology and adaptability of terrestrial ferns: Perspectives in a changing global climate. In: Nowicki L, Kowalska A, editors., Ferns: Ecology, importance to humans and threats. Nova Scientific Publishers, New York. 2018;pp. 1-55.
  7. Crouch NR, Klopper RR, Burrows JE, Burrows SM. Ferns of Southern Africa: A comprehensive guide. Struik Nature, Cape Town. 2011.
  8. Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group (PPGI). A community-derived classification for extant lycophytes and ferns. J Syst Evol. 2016;54(6):563-603. https://doi. org/10.1111/jse.12229
  9. Phoutthavong K, Nakamura A, Cheng X, Cao M. Differences in pteridophyte diversity between limestone forests and non-limestone forests in the monsoonal tropics of southwestern China. Plant Ecol. 2019;220:917-34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-019-00963-8
  10. Jones EJ, Kraaij T, Guerbois C, Moodley D. An assessment of the invasion status of terrestrial alien ferns (Polypodiophyta) in South Africa. S Afr J Bot. 2020;131:64-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2020.02.008
  11. Page CN. Ecological strategies in fern evolution: A neopteridological overview. Rev Palaeobot Palynol. 2002;119(1-2):1-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0034-6667(01)00127-0
  12. Walker LR, Mehltreter K, Sharpe JM. Current and future directions in fern ecology. In: Mehltreter K, Walker LR, Sharpe JM (eds) Fern ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 2010;pp. 360-78. https://doi:10.1017/CBO9780511844898.011
  13. Jackson EF, Echlin HL, Jackson CR. Changes in the phyllosphere community of the resurrection fern, Polypodium polypodioides, associated with rainfall and wetting: Changes in the phyllosphere community of the resurrection fern. FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 2006;58(2):236-46. https://doi:10.1111/j.1574-6941.2006.00152.x
  14. World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC). Global biodiversity: Status of the earth’s living resources. Chapman and Hall, London. 1992.
  15. Jones EJ, Kraaij T, Fritz H, Moodley D. A global assessment of terrestrial alien ferns (Polypodiophyta): Species’ traits as drivers of naturalization and invasion. Biol Invasions. 2019;21:861-73: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-018-1866-1
  16. Robinson R, Sheffield E, Sharpe J. Problem ferns: Their impact and management. In: Mehltreter K, Walker LR, Sharpe JM, editors., Fern Ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 2010;pp. 255-322. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511844898.009
  17. Abotsi KE, Bose R, Adjossou K, Deblauwe V, Rouhan G, Segla KN et al. Ecological drivers of pteridophyte diversity and distribution in Togo (West Africa). Ecol Indicat. 2020;105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105741
  18. Chipika JT, Kowero G. Deforestation of woodlands in communal areas of Zimbabwe: Is it due to agricultural policies? Agric Ecosyst Environ. 2000;79:175-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8809(99)00156-5
  19. Matsvange D, Sagonda R, Kaundikiza M. The role of communities in sustainable land and forest management: The case of Nyanga, Zvimba and Guruve districts of Zimbabwe. Jàmbá J Disaster Risk Stud. 2016;8(3):a281. https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v8i3.281
  20. Zvobgo L, Tsoka J. Deforestation rate and causes in Upper Manyame Sub-Catchment, Zimbabwe: Implications on achieving national climate change mitigation targets. Trees For People. 2021;5:100090. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2021.100090
  21. Mataruse PT, Nyikahadzoi K, Fallot A. Smallholder farmers' perceptions of the natural and anthropogenic drivers of deforestation and forest degradation: A case study of Murehwa, Zimbabwe. Transact Royal Soc S Afr. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/0035919X.2022.2152507
  22. Schelpe EACLE. Pteridophyta. In: Exell AW, Launert E, editors., Flora Zambesiaca. Crown Agents for Overseas Governments and Administrations, London. 1970;pp. 1-254.
  23. Burrows JE, Burrows SM. A checklist of the pteridophytes of Zimbabwe. S Afr J Bot. 1983;49:193-212.
  24. Jacobsen WBG. The ferns and fern allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Pretoria. 1983.
  25. Jacobsen WBG, Jacobsen NHG. Comparison of the pteridophyte floras of Southern and Eastern Africa, with special reference to high-altitude species. Bull du Jardin Bot Nat de Belg. 1989;59:261-317. https://doi.org/10.2307/3668347
  26. Burrows JE. Southern African ferns and fern allies. Frandsen, Sandton. 1990.
  27. Goldblatt P, Manning J. Cape plants: A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute of South Africa, Pretoria. 2000.
  28. Roux JP. Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta: An enumeration of the Pteridophyta of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa (including the Marion Island group), Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 13. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. 2001.
  29. Roux JP. Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. 2009.
  30. Manning J, Goldblatt P. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The core Cape Flora. Strelitzia 29, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. 2012.
  31. Snijman DA. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The extra Cape Flora. Strelitzia 30. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. 2013.
  32. Retief E, Meyer NL. Plants of the Free State: Inventory and identification guide. Strelitzia 38. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. 2017.
  33. Bredenkamp CL. A flora of the Eastern Cape province Volume 1. Strelitzia 41. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. 2019.
  34. Thiers B. Index herbariorum: A global directory of public herbaria and associated staff. New York Botanical Garden’s Virtual Herbarium. 2023. Available from: http://sweetgum.nybg.org/ih/, accessed on 13 September 2023.
  35. POWO. Plants of the World Online. 2024. Available from: http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/, accessed on 18 September 2023.
  36. Richardson DM, Pyšek P, Rejmánek M, Barbour MG, Panetta FD, West CJ. Naturalization and invasion of alien plants: Concepts and definitions. Divers Distrib. 2000;6:93-107. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1472-4642.2000.00083.x
  37. Richardson DM, Pyšek P. Naturalization of introduced plants: Ecological drivers of biogeographical patterns. New Phytol. 2012;196:383-96. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04292.x
  38. Pope GV, Pope DG. Collecting localities in the flora Zambesiaca area. Flora Zambesiaca Management Committee, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond. 1998.
  39. Christenhusz MJM, Byng JW. The number of known plants species in the world and its annual increase. Phytotaxa. 2016;261(3):201-17. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.261.3.1
  40. Yañez A, Gutiérrez DG, Ponce MM. Weedy ferns (Polypodiopsida) in Argentina: diversity, distribution and impact on human activities and ecosystems. An Acad Bras Cienc. 2020;92(1):e20180983. https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765202020180983
  41. Maroyi A. A preliminary checklist of naturalized and introduced plants in Zimbabwe. Kirkia. 2006;18:177-247.
  42. Maroyi A. The casual, naturalised and invasive alien flora of Zimbabwe based on herbarium and literature records. Koedoe. 2012. https://doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v54i1.1054.
  43. Maroyi A. Data on introduced plants in Zimbabwe: Floristic changes and patterns of collection based on historical herbarium records. Data Brief. 2017;15:348-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2017.09.046
  44. Pryer KM. Phylogeny of marsileaceous ferns and relationships of the fossil Hydropteris pinnata reconsidered. Int J Plant Sci. 1999;160(5):931-54. https://doi.org/10.1086/314177.
  45. Xu Z, Deng M. Marsileaceae. In: Xu Z, Zhou G, editors., Identification and control of common weeds: Volume 2. Springer, Dordrecht. 2017;pp. 95-97. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1157-7_16
  46. Aros-Mualin D, Flexas J, Galbier F, Kessler M. Exploring the ecological relevance and variability of circadian regulation in Marsileaceae. Amer Fern J. 2022;112(4):303-19. https://doi.org/10.1640/0002-8444-112.4.303
  47. Xu Z, Deng M. Salviniaceae. In: Xu Z, Zhou G, editors. Identification and control of common weeds: Volume 2. Springer, Dordrecht. 2017;pp. 99-103. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1157-7_17
  48. De Benedetti F, Zamaloa MC, Gandolfo MA, Cúneo NR. The South American and Antarctic peninsula fossil record of Salviniales (water ferns): Its implication for understanding their evolution and past distribution. Review Palaeobot Palynol. 2021;295:104521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.revpalbo.2021.104521
  49. Hyde MA, Wursten BT, Ballings P, Palgrave CM. Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Ceratopteris thalictroides (L.) Brongn. 2024. Available from: https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=148300, accessed on 6 September 2023
  50. Mapaura A, Timberlake JR. Zimbabwe. In: Golding JS, editor. Southern Africa plant Red Data Lists. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 14. SABONET, Pretoria. 2002; pp. 157-82.
  51. Darbyshire I, Timberlake J, Osborne J, Rokni S, Matimele H, Langa C et al. The endemic plants of Mozambique: diversity and conservation status. Phyto Keys. 2019;136:45-96. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.136.39020

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.