CHECKLIST OF PTERIDOPHYTES IN RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Asikiye Ibiye^1,a, Blessing Okpakirite Green^1,b, Mercy Gospel Ajuru^1,c,*

¹Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author
ajurumercygospel@yahoo.com
a: ORCID 0009-0006-6044-5257, c: ORCID 0000-0002-4525-320X

ABSTRACT

Pteridophytes are a group of primitive vascular plants; the adult phase is the sporophyte phase. It shows differentiation into adventitious roots, stems and leaves. Pteridophytes include Ferns, horsetails, and lycophytes (clubmosses, spikemosses, and quillworts). This study aimed to provide a checklist of Pteridophytes found in Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria. Different species of Pteridophyte samples were sited and freshly collected around the metropolis of Rivers State University. They were taken to the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology Laboratory in polythene bags with tags, and were identified and authenticated by Dr. M.G. Ajuru, a Plant Taxonomist of the Department. The checklist conducted showed that Ten (10) species of Pteridophytes were found distributed into eight (8) genera and five (5) families. The most abundant family was the Polypodiaceae (4), followed by Nephrolepiaceae (2), Pteridaceae (2), Tectariaceae (1) and Lycopodiaceae (1). The most frequent species recorded was P. superbum (22), followed by M. mauritiana (20), P. scolopendria (11), N. biserrata (10), N. exaltata (6), P. calomelanos (6), A. orientalis (4), P. vittata (4), P. bifurcatum (3), L. clavatum. In conclusion, most of the Pteridophytes found were in the Polypodiaceace family, followed by Pteridiaceae, Nephrolepdiaceae, Tectariaceae. Lycopodiaceae families. They were majorly seen growing on trees including the club mosses, only a few species grew on rocks and the soil.

Keywords: Checklist, Ferns, Pteridophytes, Rivers State, University