Diversity of pteridophytes in Phu Kradueng National Park, Loei province

Abstract

Phu Kradueng National Park, Loei province, is the place that has richness species of pteridophytes which 24 families, 62 genera and 147 species have been reported in Flora of Thailand since 1989. This study aimed to investigate the diversity of pteridophytes in Phu Kradueng National Park from December 2014 to February 2016. We collected samples along the nature trails at 260 - 1,316 meters above sea level (mASL). A total of 288 samples were identified into 26 families, 60 genera and 138 species. Among these, 2 families, 4 genera and 16 species were lycophytes and 24 families, 56 genera and 122 species were monilophytes. The most common family was Polypodiaceae with 25 species. Pteridaceae was the second most common family with 18 species. Among these, three species, e.g., Asplenium siamense Tagawa & K. Iwats., Dryopteris rheophila Mitsuta ex Darnaedi, Elaphoglossum dumrongii Tagawa & K. Iwats. and Selliguea trisecta (Baker) Fraser-Jenk. were endemic to Thailand. Moreover, Selaginella sp., Asplenium sp. and Oleandra sp. were founded as new records to Thailand and may be new species to science.