Diversity of Selaginella in the Province of Banten, Western Java

Abstract

Setyawan AD. 2015. Diversity of Selaginella in the Province of Banten, Western Java. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1: 1810-1816. Selaginella is one of the lycophyte genera commonly found in humid tropical habitats because water availability is essential for growth and fertilization. Banten Province, located in the western part of Java Island, Indonesia, possesses diverse landscapes ranging from coastal lowlands and agricultural areas to humid hills and lower montane forests that potentially support various Selaginella species. This study aimed to identify the diversity of Selaginella in Banten Province, western Java, Indonesia. Field exploration was conducted from April to May 2013 in Lebak, Pandeglang, Serang, and Cilegon regions at elevations ranging from 0 to 1000 m asl. Representative specimens were collected as herbarium materials and living collections, and additional observations were conducted on herbarium specimens preserved at Herbarium Bogoriense (BO). A total of 88 herbarium specimens were collected from 47 sampling localities. Ten species of Selaginella were successfully identified, namely S. alutacea, S. ascendens, S. biformis, S. ciliaris, S. intermedia, S. involvens, S. ornata, S. plana, S. subalpina, and S. willdenowii. Most species were found in humid habitats such as riverbanks, irrigation canals, rocky slopes, shaded cliffs, and secondary forests. Selaginella ciliaris and S. plana were the most common and widely distributed species in the study area, particularly in disturbed habitats and agricultural landscapes. The present study provides additional floristic information on the diversity and distribution of Selaginella in western Java, Indonesia.