Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 237-247 http://dx.doi.org/10.14719/pst.2016.3.2.220 237 ISSN: 2348-1900 Plant Science Today http://horizonepublishing.com/journals/index.php/PST Research Communication An updated checklist of Pteridophytes of district Mansehra, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa-Pakistan Alia Gul, 1 Jan Alam,1* Habib Ahmad2 and Muhammad Irfan1 1 Department of Botany, Hazara University, Mansehra-21300, Pakistan 2 Department of Genetics, Hazara University, Mansehra-21300, Pakistan Article history Received: 17 March 2016 Accepted: 20 April 2016 Published: 22 June 2016 © Alam et al. (2016) Special Section: New Frontiers in Cryptogamic Botany Abstract Critical examination of the pteridophytes of District Mansehra based on our own field surveys and previous literature as well revealed the occurrence of total 130 taxa distributed in 34 genera and 17 families. Of these, 23taxa are new records for the study area, while Polystichum obliquum (D. Don) T. Moore is reported for the first time for Pakistan. Nomenclatural reassessment of previously reported taxa suggests that 23 taxa are now synonyms. Habitatwise, 68 taxa are terrestrial, while 54 are epilithic, 5exist as epiphytes and the remaining 3 are aquatic. Section Editor Afroz Alam Keywords District Mansehra; Kashmir; Pakistan; Pteridophytes Publisher Horizon e-Publishing Group Corresponding Author Jan Alam janalamkuh@yahoo.com Gul, A., J. Alam, H. Ahmad and M. Irfan. 2016. An updated checklist of Pteridophytes of district Mansehra, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa-Pakistan. Plant Science Today 3(2): 237-247. http://dx.doi.org/10.14719/pst.2016.3.2.220 Introduction The floristic studies in Pakistan are still lagging. Most of the work has been done on angiosperms and awfully only sporadic work is available on lower plants especially cryptogams. Consequently, the pteridophyte flora of Pakistan is still somewhat unexplored. This study is an attempt to assess the pteridophytic diversity in Mansehra district. Prior to this attempt, very few workers have performed the diversity analysis in various potential regions of Pakistan especially, Mansehra District. Stewart (1972) was the first person who compiled a detailed checklist of ferns and fern allies for Pakistan and Horizon e-Publishing Group Kashmir. He reported 133 species, of which, 39 species were also listed from Mansehra district. Later on, a Japanese team became active in 19901991and collected ample material of lower plants from Pakistan. They especially focused the North Western Himalayan region. Their findings were published by Nakaike and Malik (1992, 1993). They provided a comprehensive list of 87 pteridophytes under 18 families and 30 genera. They also showed the occurrence of 62 taxa from District Mansehra. In the same years, Fraser-Jenkins (1991) studied the ferns and allies of the West Himalaya and reported 189 species in Pakistan. ISSN: 2348-1900 238 Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 237-247 Table 1.Check List of the Pteridophyte Taxa of Mansehra District Family Species Aspleniaceae Asplenium trichomanes x quadrivalencse D.E.Meyer 10703200m Mansehra: Between Shogran and Sari Hut; Sharan Forest, Kund; Sikyan, Near Nadi; Bela, Chanjal, Chattarplan. Aspleniaceae Asplenium adiantum nigrum L. 9002743m Mansehra: Kiwaie; Terrestrail on Nakaike, 1993 Kamal ban; Poonja, Oghi; mountain edges and Kagan; Siran Vy; Kund, on mountain slopes. near sharan Forest; Sikian, Near Nadi; Chattarplan; Sikian, near Nadi. Aspleniaceae Asplenium dalhousiae (Hook.) Ching 6702300m Mansehra: Between Shogran and Paprang; Kund, near Sharan Forest; Chanjal, Kot Gallah, Chattarplan. Epilithic on rock paths of villages. Nakaike, 1993 Aspleniaceae Asplenium nesii Christ 1600m Mansehra: Baffa, Sokar near Eidhgah. Epilithic on rock groove with rich loam. New Record Aspleniaceae Asplenium pekinense Hance 6091524m Mansehra: Damtaur, Munda gucha. Epilithic on rock, cliffs & fissures the edges of forests. New Record Aspleniaceae Asplenium rutamuraria L. 22002500m Mansehra: Kaghan; Rajwal;Naran. Epilithic on rock cliffs and fissures on the edges of forests. New Record Aspleniaceae Asplenium septentrionale (L.) Hoffim. 25103500m Mansehra: Between Shogran and Sari Hut. Epilithic on rock cliffs. Nakaike, 1993 Aspleniaceae Asplenium trychomanes L. 16003000m Mansehra: Saiful Maluke Epilithic on rock, lake, Naran; Paya, Sharan cliffs and fissures Forest; Between Shogran the edges of forests. and Paprang, Sharan Forest. Nakaike, 1993 Aspleniaceae Asplenium varians Wallich ex Hook. & Grev. 19702480m Mansehra: Between Epilithic on rock Shogran and Paprang; along mountain Between Shogran and paths. Sari Hut, Sharan Forest; Kund; Sikyan, Near Nadi; Naran ; Rajwal. R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 Aspleniaceae Asplenium punjabense Bir, FraserJenk. & Lovis 8501350m Mansehra: Kot Gallah, Near Poonja. Epilithic on rock cliffs and fissures on the edges of forests. Nakaike, 1993 Aspleniaceae Asplenium trichom anes- ramosum L. 3100m Mansehra: Saiful Maluke Lake. Epilithic on rock along mountain paths. Nakaike, 1993 22002500m Mansehra: Shogran and Paprang; Kund, near Sharan Forest; Sikyan near Nadi. Epilithic on rock, cliffs and fissures the edges of forests. R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 Mansehra: Bela, Chanjal. Epilithic on rock and paths of villages. R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 Aspleniaceae Asplenium yunnanense Franch. Altitude Distribution in the Area Habitat Syn: Asplenium fontanum L. Aspleniaceae Ceterach dalhousiae 550(Hk.) C.Chr. Syn: 3100m Asplenium dalhousiae Hook. Horizon e-Publishing Group Epilithic on rock, cliffs and fissures the edges of forests. Reference(s) Nakaike, 1993 ISSN: 2348-1900 Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 237-247 239 Table 1.Contd. Check List of the Pteridophyte Taxa of Mansehra District Aspleniaceae Ceterach officinarum Willd. Syn: Asplenium ceterach L. 5502000m Mansehra: Baffa; Khabal; Behind Dal Lake, Naran. Terrestrail on rather Nakaike, 1993 mountain village, dry edges paths and tracts. Athyriaceae Allantodia aspera (Blu me) Ching Syn: Diplazium polypodioides Blume 15002000m Mansehra: Kaghan; Kotli Bala; Bela; Banda Peran, Dhodial. Forest ground, canal banks. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Athyriaceae Allantodia squamigera (Mett.) Ching Syn. Diplazium squamigerum (Mett.) Hope 15242438m Mansehra: Donari Nallah. Terrestrial on forest ground. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Athyriaceae Athyrium attenuatum 2510(Wall. ex C.B. Clarke) 2800m Tagawa Mansehra: Between Shogran and Sari; Naran; Lalazar; Siri Paya, Naddi Bagla Forest. Terrestrial on mountain slopes. Nakaike, 1993 Athyriaceae Athyrium mackinnoni (Hope) C. Chr. 18002350m Mansehra: Shogran, Sari Hut; Shogran; Paprang; Sharan Forest; Sikyan, near Nadi. Terrestrial on mountain slopes and stream moist edges under forest. R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 Athyriaceae Cystopteris fragilis (L.) 1500Bernh 3500m Syn: Cystopteris dickieana R.Sim Mansehra: Sharan forest; Kund near Sharan forest; betwwen Shogran and Sari Hut; Shogran and Paprang. Terrestrial or Epilithic Nakaike, 1993 on rocks under big stones near stream water sheds. On mountain and on edges of forests. Mansehra: Kamalban Forest Terrestrial or on mountain slopes and on edges of forests. Athyriaceae Deparia macdonellii Bedd. 20002400m Mansehra: Jari, Manda chucha Peparia gabanica (Thunb.) M.Kato Athyriaceae Deparia shikkimensis (Ching) Nakaike et Malik Nakaike, 1993 New Record Nakaike, 1993 Mansehra: Saiful Maluke Lake. Terrestrial on mountain in open places of forests near small streams. Mansehra: Sikiyan near Nadi; Kamal ban forest. Terrestrial or on R.R.Stewart, 1972; mountain slopes &on Nakaike, 1993 edges of forests Mansehra: Sikyan near Nadi. Terrestrial on Banks along rivers. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Athyriaceae Diplazium frondusum C. Chr. Blechnaceae Woodwardia radicans Smith. Blechnaceae Woodwardia 1400m unigemmata (Makino) Nakai. Mansehra: Kiwaie Terrestrial on Banks along rivers sides forest. Nakaike, 1993 Dennstaediaceae Dennstaedtia wilfordii (Moore) Christ 24502800m Mansehra: Sharan forest; Batakundi; Nadi Bangla; Khabbal Terrestrial on slopes near small steams in forest. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Dennstaediaceae Microlepia strigosa (Thunb.) C. Presl 2000m Mansehra: Sharan Forest; Sikian, near Nadi. Terrestrial on rather R.R.Stewart, 1972; mountain village, dry Nakaike, 1993 edges paths and tracts. Dennstaediaceae Pteridium aquilinum ( L.) Kuhn 9142800m Mansehra: Shogran and Sari Hut, Paprang, Mansehra Naran, Shran Forest Forest ground, terrestrial Nakaike, 1993 in open places on hill sides on the edges of forest along mountain tracts, and on mountain slopes in forests. ISSN: 2348-1900 14001500m Horizon e-Publishing Group 240 Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 237-247 Table 1.Contd. Check List of the Pteridophyte Taxa of Mansehra District Dennstaediaceae Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum (Desv.) Underw. ex A. Heller.Syn: Pteridium latiasculum (Desv.) Hieron. Dryopteridaceae 20002800m Mansehra: Naran; Shogran. Terrestrial on mountain slopes, forest edges, open places along forests. New Record Cyrtomium 914caryotideum (Wall. ex 2133m Hook. & Grev.) C. Presl. Mansehra: Jabori; Behali; Sharan Forest. Forest ground along stream water shed edges. New Record Dryopteridaceae Cyrtomium falcatum (L. f.) C. Presl. 14001800m Mansehra: Jabori; Qalandarabad; Behali. Stream banks, rocky slopes. New Record Dryopteridaceae Cyrtomium macrophyllum ( Makino) Tagawa Syn: Cyrtomium muticum (Christ) Ching 15001970m Mansehra: Sikyan near Nadi. Terrestrial on banks along stream water shed and forest edges. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott 3100m Mansehra: Saiful Maluke Lake, Naran Terrestrial on mountain slopes in forests. Nakaike, 1993 Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris xmacdonelli FraserJenk. 1970m Hazara: Sikyan near Nadi. Terrestrial on mountain slopes in mixed forests. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris barbigera 3100m (Moore ex Hook) Kunz subsp. komarovii (Kossinsky) Fraser – Jenk. Mansehra: Saiful Maluke Lake, Naran. Terrestrial on mountain slopes in mixed forests. Nakaike, 1993 Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris blanfordii (C. Hope) C. Chr. 11071352m Mansehra: Kaghan; Shogran, Sari Hut; Sharan Forest; Llazar, Naran, Siri; Batakundi. Terrestrial or on Nakaike, 1993 mountain slopes &on edges of forests. Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris cochleata (Bach. Ham ex Don) C.Chr. 1100m Mansehra: Balakot. Terrestrial on mountain slopes in forests. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris juxtaposita Christ 2300m Mansehra: Sharan Forest. Terrestrial on mountain slopes in mixed forests. Nakaike, 1993 Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris nigropaleacea FraserJenk. 14002400m Mansehra: Between Shogran and Sari Hut; Shogran; Paprang, Sharan Forest; Kund near Sharan Forest; Kiwaie; Sikyan, near Nadi; Pagola , Chatarplain. Terrestrial on mountain edges in mixed forests. R.R.Stewart, 1972;Nakaike, 1993 Terrestrial on mountain slopes in mixed forests. Nakaike, 1993 Syn: Dryopteri spallida Foemin Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris radactopinnata Basu et Panigar. 2300m Mansehra: Sharan Forest. Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris ramosa (Hope) C.Chr. 15004150m Between: Shogran and Sari Terrestrial on mountain slopes in Hut; Shogran; Paprang, Sharan Forest; Kund near mixed forests. Sharan Forest; Sikyan, near Nadi; Pagola , Chatarplain; Lalazar, Naran. Horizon e-Publishing Group R.R.Stewart, 1972;Nakaike, 1993 ISSN: 2348-1900 Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 237-247 241 Table 1.Contd. Check List of the Pteridophyte Taxa of Mansehra District Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris 2350Mansehra: Sharan Forest. Terrestrial or on redactopinnata S.K. 2400m mountain slopes and Basu & Panigrahi on edges in mixed forests. Nakaike, 1993 Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris 3048serratodentata (Bedd.) 4876m Hayata Mansehra: Kaghan, Siful Maluke Lake. Epilithic on rock, crevices cliffs and fissures on rather open places. Nakaike, 1993 Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris sinofibrillosa Ching 15243352m Mansehra: Sharan, Kaghan. Terrestrial on mountain slopes in mixed forests. Nakaike, 1993 Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris stewartii Fraser-Jenk. 11002500m Mansehra: Betwwen Shogran and Sari Hut; Shogran; Kewaie; Batakundi, Naran; Paprang, Sharan Forest; Kund near Sharan Forest; Chatarplain; Kamalban. Terrestrial on mountain slopes in mixed forests. R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris yigongensis Ching 23502400m Mansehra: Sharan Forest. Terrestrial on mountain slopes in mixed forests. Nakaike, 1993 Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris juxtaposita Christ Syn: Dryopteris odontoloma (Moor) C.Chr. 15243048m Mansehra: Sharan Forest. Terrestrial on edges in mixed forests. Nakaike, 1993 Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris raddeana ( Fomin) Fomin Syn: Dryopteris pallida Fomin Moniteur Jard. 2000m Mansehra: Sharan Forest; Kawai; Poonja. Terrestrial on mountain slopes in mixed forests. R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 1970Dryopteris rosthornii (D 2300m iels) C. Chr. Syn: Dryopteris xanthomalas (Christ) C. Chr. Mansehra: Sharan Forest; Sikyan, near Nadi. Terrestrial on mountain slopes in forests. R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 Mansehra: Between Balakot and Mansehra. Epilithic on roks, mountain base and upto 3 meters high. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Mansehra: Dhodial Epilithic on rocky paths. Abbas, 2010 Mansehra: Siran Vy. Terrestrial on mountain slopes in mixed forests. R.R.Stewart, 1972 R.R.Stewart, 1972 Dryopteridaceae Dryopteridaceae Hypodematium crenatum (Forssk.) Kuhn Dryopteridaceae Lastrea ferruginnea Bedd. Dryopteridaceae Polystichum lachenense (Hk.) Bedd. Dryopteridaceae Polystichum discretum 1066(D.don) Diels. 1828m Mansehra: Lower Siran Vy; Terrestrial on Kaghan Vy. mountain slopes in mixed forests. Dryopteridaceae Polystichum lonchitis (L.) Roth 27433657m Mansehra: Kagan Vy; Batakundi, Jalkhad, lake Saifulmaluke road, Naran. Dryopteridaceae Polystichum luctuosum (Kunze) Moor syn: Polystichum tsussemens 1400m Mansehra: Kund near Terrestrial on banks Sharan Forest, Sikyan, near on the edges of forests. Nadi; Pagola, Chatarplain;Poonja. ISSN: 2348-1900 609.602133m 36574876m Terrestrial and R.R.Stewart, 1972; epilithic at the base of Nakaike, 1993 rocks, in rather open places under big stones walls. R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 Horizon e-Publishing Group 242 Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 237-247 Table 1.Contd. Check List of the Pteridophyte Taxa of Mansehra District Dryopteridaceae Polystichum neolobatum Nakai. 15002000 m Mansehra: Siran Vy. Terrestrial on mountain slopes in mixed forests. Dryopteridaceae Polystichum nigropaleaceum (Christ) Diels. 13713048m Mansehra: Kwai, Poonja; Sharan Forest. Terrestrial on New Record mountain slopes, in mixed forests, Sharan forest Mahandri. Dryopteridaceae Polystichum obliquum (D. Don) T. Moore 2400m Mansehra: Naran, Saiful Maluk lake road. Shogran, Siri Paya road. Epilithic under rocks big stones. Dryopteridaceae Polystichum piceopaleaceum Tagawa. 15002350m Mansehra: Shogran, Sari Terrestrial on Hut; Shogran and Paprang; mountain slopes, in Sharan Forest; Kund near mixed forests. Sharan Forest; Sikyan, near Nadi; Pagola, Kiwai ; Kamal Ban Forest; Chatarplain. R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 Dryopteridaceae Polystichum 2895prescotianum(Wall. ex 3962m Mett.) T. Moore Mansehra: Jabori; Manda Gucha Terrestrial on mountain slopes, in open places. New Record Dryopteridaceae Polystichum setiferum (Forssk.) Moor ex Woynar Mansehra: Siran Vy. Terrestrial on R.R.Stewart, 1972 woodland under thick forest ground. Dryopteridaceae Polystichum squarrusum (D.Don.) Fee. Mansehra: Kaghan Terrestrial on mountain slopes, under mixed forests. Dryopteridaceae Polystichum thomsonii 1981(Hk.f.) Bedd. 3810m Mansehra: Between Shogran and Sari hut; Sikyan near Nadi; Munda gucha; Siri. Epilithic on wet rocks R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 Near waterfalls, streams. Dryopteridaceae Polystichum wilsonii Christ 3100m Mansehra: Saiful Maluke Lake, Naran Epilithic on rocks on Nakaike, 1993 rock crevices in rather open places. Dryopteridaceae Polystichum yunnanense Christ 15002500m Mansehra: Jabori; Munda Gucha Terrestrial on New Record woodland under thick forest ground. Mansehra: Sharan Forest Terrestrial on mountain slopes, in open places. Nakaike, 1993 Dryopteridaceae 18282743m Polystichum 3048bakerianum (Atk. ex 3657m C.B. Clarke) Dielssyn: P. prescotianum var.bakerianum Wall. ex Moor. R.R.Stewart, 1972 New Record to Mansehra and Pakistan as well R.R.Stewart, 1972 Equisetaceae Equisetum arvense L. 13713657m Mansehra: Kund near Sharan Forest; Naran, Kaghan; Kamalban Forest. Terrestrial on dry river beds. R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 Equisetaceae Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. 4603657m Mansehra: Pagola, Kawai Terrestrial on mountain slopes, stream banks. R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 Equisetaceae Hippochaete debilis (Roxb. ex Vaucher) Ching Syn: Equisitum debile Roxb. ex Vaucher 15002000m Along Ephemeral canals. New Record Horizon e-Publishing Group Mansehra: Oghi ISSN: 2348-1900 Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 237-247 243 Table 1.Contd. Check List of the Pteridophyte Taxa of Mansehra District Lomariopsidaceae Nephrolepis auriculata (L.) Triamen 2000m Mansehra Potted (ornamental). New Record Lomariopsidaceae Nephrolepis biserrata(Sw.) Schott 1200m Mansehra Potted(ornamental). New Record Lomariopsidaceae Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) Presl 10001500m Mansehra Potted(ornamental). New Record Lomariopsidaceae Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott 10001200m Mansehra Potted(ornamental). New Record Lygodiaceae Lygodium scandense (L.) Sw. 1524m Mansehra: Baffa, along canal banks climbing on Populus trees Terrestrial along New Record canal banks, on broad leaves trees. Lygodiaceae Lygodium japonica (Thunb.) Sw. 1066m Mansehra: Baffa; Shinkiari. Terrestrial on New Record mountain under Rosa, Berberis. Marsiliaceae Marsilea minuta L. 6601550m Mansehra: Chattarplan; Kotli Bala. Canals banks. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Marsiliaceae Marsilea quadrifolia L. Mansehra: Makra base, Shogran Siri Paya. In Ponds. New Record Ophioglossaceae Botrychium lunaria (L.) Sw. Syn: Botrychium lunaria var. minganense (Vict.) Dole Terrestrial on mountain slopes, in mixed forests. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Ophioglossaceae Botrychium virginianum (L.) Sw. 3053962m Mansehra: Kaghan. 2194m 7272194m Mansehra: Kaghan; Shogran. Terrestrial on mountain slopes, in mixed forests. R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 24383657m Mansehra:Kagan Epilithic on rocks in rather open places. Nakaike, 1993 1524m Mansehra: Durra Nullah; Kaghan Nakial near Kotli, Epiphyte. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Mansehra: Above Chittarplain. Terrestrial under New Record stones base mountain. Syn: Botrypus virginianus (L.) Holb. Polypodiaceae Lepisorus clathratus (C.B. Clarke) Syn: Pleopiltis clathrata (Clarke) Bedd. Polypodiaceae Lepisorus nudus (Hook.) Ching Syn: Pleopiltis nuda Hook. Psilotaceae Psilotum nudum (Linnaeus) Palisot de Beauvois Pteridaceae Adiantum cappilusveneris L. 3810250m Mansehra: Changal, Kot Gala. Terrestrial on slopes Nakaike, 1993 paths under Chir Pine Forests. Pteridaceae Adiantum incism Forssk. 1524550m Mansehra: Changal; Balakot. Terrestrial on slopes, paths, near water channels. Pteridaceae Adiantum venustum D.Don 3657m Mansehra: Shogran; Paprang, Sharan Forest, Kund. Kund near Sharan Forest; Naran; Kaghan; Kamalban Forest; Kiwai; Siran Vy. Terrestrial on slopes, R.R.Stewart, 1972; paths under Chir Pine Nakaike, 1993 forests. ISSN: 2348-1900 R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 Horizon e-Publishing Group 244 Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 237-247 Table 1.Contd. Check List of the Pteridophyte Taxa of Mansehra District Pteridaceae Adiatum pedatum L. 18283048m Mansehra: Sharan Forest, Sharan; Kaghan. Found under thick Nakaike, 1993 Blue Chir pine forests on ground and edges. Pteridaceae Cheilanthes albomarginata C.B.Clarke 12192443m Mansehra: Balakot; Jabori ; Munda Gucha. Epilithic on rocks along mountain paths. Pteridaceae Cheilanthes pteridioides (Reich.) C. Chr. Mansehra: Dhodial. Epilithic on rocks Abbas, 2010 along mountain paths Pteridaceae Chelianthes acrostica (Bulbis) Todaro 480710m Pteridaceae Chelianthes ancepes Blanford Syn: Chelianthes farinosa Kaulf. Pteridaceae Chelianthes dalhousiae Hook. Pteridaceae Chelianthes formosana 1170Hayata in Matsum. et 1355m Hayata Mansehra: Between Epilithic on rocks Balakot and Mansehra city. along mountain paths. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Pteridaceae Chelianthes grisea Blanf. Mansehra Epilithic on rocks along mountain paths. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Pteridaceae Chelianthes subvillosa Hook. 15242743m Mansehra: Siran Vy. Epilithic on rocks along dry mountain paths. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Pteridaceae Coniogramme affins Wall.ex Hieron. 53311970m Mansehra: Sikian, near Nadi. Terrestrial or .on R.R.Stewart, 1972 mountain slopes &on edges of forests. Pteridaceae Cyptogrrama stelleri (Gmel.) Prantl 25003100m Mansehra: Siful Maluke Lake, Naran. Epilithic on rocks Nakaike, 1993 under big stones near stream water sheds. Pteridaceae Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw. 1060m Mansehra: Pagola, Mansehra. Terrestrial on forest ground. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Pteridaceae Mildella nitidula (Wall. ex Hook. ) Hall 1500m Mansehra: Sharan Forest. Epilithic on rocks along village paths and terrestrial on banks of brooks. Nakaike, 1993 Pteridaceae Onichium contagium 1828(Wall.) Hope (Unres) 2743m 1500m Mansehra: Between Shogran and Sari Hut; Shogran and Paprang; Sharan Forest, Kund. Mountain path moist edges and under shrubs. Nakaike, 1993 Pteridaceae Onichium japonicum (Thunb.) G.Kunz. Mansehra: Pagola Mountain path moist edges and under shrubs. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Pteridaceae Pellae nitidula Wall.ex 914Baker 2743m Mansehra: Shinkiari. Epilithic on rocks, mountain moist path edges. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Pteridaceae Pellaea calomelanos (SW.) Link Epilithic on rocks, mountain path dry edges. New Record Syn: Pellae hastatea (Thunb.) Prantl Horizon e-Publishing Group Epilithic on rocks along mountain paths. R.R.Stewart, 1972 6501170m Mansehra:Between Balakot Epilithic on rocks and Mansehra. along mountain paths. R.R.Stewart, 1972 21333657m Mansehra: Between Shogran and Sari Hut. Nakaike, 1993 10601828m 1371m Mansehra: Chanjal. New Record Mansehra: Baffa. Epilithic on rocks along mountain paths. ISSN: 2348-1900 Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 237-247 245 Table 1.Contd. Check List of the Pteridophyte Taxa of Mansehra District Pteridaceae Pteris cretica L. 6602438m Mansehra: Shogran and Paprang; Kund, Sharan; Sikyan, near Nadi; Mahandry, Poonja. Along water channels. R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 Pteridaceae Pteris excelsa Gaud. 20002500m Mansehra: Chamba eastward, Siran Vy. Stream moist edges under forest. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Pteridaceae Pteris quadrialata Willd. 20002500m Mansehra: Munda Gucha. Stream moist edges under forest New Record Pteridaceae Pteris stenophylla Wall. ex Hook. & Grev. 12002000m Mansehra: Siran valley. Terrestrial canals sides, near water shed of streams. New Record Pteridaceae Pteris vittata L. Syn: Pteris longifolia L. Below 15241060m Mansehra: Chanjal, Sharan Canals sides. Forest; Pagola. Ptridadeceae Adiantum myirosorum 2447m Bak. Mansehra: Sharan Forest. Found under thick R.R.Stewart, 1972; Blue, Chir Pine Nakaike, 1993 forests on ground and edges. Salviniaceae Azolla pinnata R.Br. 460m Mansehra:Jabori Rice paddies. Selaginellaceae Selaginella jaquomontii L. 5503500m Mansehra: Ogawain, Kund Epilithic on rocks near Sharan Forest; under dense forest or village paths Kamalban forest. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Selaginellaceae Selaginella 1188sanguinolenta (L.) 5943m Spring Syns:Selaginella sangu inolenta Liebm. ex Fourn. Selaginella sanguinole nta f. aitchisonii (Hier on.) Alston Selaginell .f. indica (Milde) Alston Mansehra: Jabori; Mu.nda Gucha; Balakot. Epilithic on rocks. R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 Selaginellaceae Selaginella 1828mchrysocaulos (Hook. & 2370 m Grev.) Spring Mansehra:Jabori; Munda Gucha; Balakot Epilithic on rocks and R.R.Stewart, 1972; mountain tracts and Nakaike, 1993 on mountain slopes in forests. Thelypteridaceae Ampelopteris prolifera (Retz.) Copel. 6001100m R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 New Record Mansehra: Shinkiari; Batal; Terrestrail along Kotli. canal banks. R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 Mansehra: Siran Vy and Garhi Habibullah. Epilithic on rocks. New Record Mansehra: Siran Range; Babusar Pass; Batakundi; Behsil, Naran. Epilithic on rocks base. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Syn: Thelypteris prolifera Voster Thelypteridaceae 1219.20 Christella dentata (For m ssk.) Syn: Thelypteris dentat (Forssk.) E.P. St. John Thelypteri daceae ISSN: 2348-1900 2500Cyclosorus subpubesce 4000m ns (Blume) Ching Syn: Thelypteris subpubescens (Blume) K. Iwats Horizon e-Publishing Group 246 Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 237-247 Table 1.Contd. Check List of the Pteridophyte Taxa of Mansehra District Thelypteridaceae Gymnocarpium 2000robertianum (Hoffm.) 2800m Newman Mansehra: Between Shogran and Sari Hut; Shogran and Paprang; Kund, Sharan Forest; Sharan Forest, Sikian, near Nadi. Epilithic on mountain Nakaike, 1993 bases, slopes, Terrestrial or con mountain slopes &on edges of forests, at base of rocks also. Thelypteridaceae 1524Gymnocarpium remote 3352m pinnatum (Hayata) Ching Mansehra: Batakundi and Bihsil, Naran Epilithic on rocks slopes edges New Record Syn: Thelypteris remotipinnata (Bonap.) Alston Thelypteridaceae Thelypteris erubescence 914.(Wall. ex Hook.) 1828m Ching Mansehra: Siran Vy. Epilithic on rocks, edges, near streams. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Thelypteridaceae Thelypteris levingei (Bak) Ching 12192438m Mansehra: Kaghan and Siran Vy. Terrestrial on slopes nearsmall steams in forest. R.R.Stewart, 1972 Thelypteridaceae Thelypteris palustris Schott 15242133m Mansehra: Kaghan Epilithic on rocks, Paths, near streams R.R.Stewart, 1972 Thelypteridaceae Thelypteris laterpens R.R.Stewart in Nasir & Ali 20002500m Mansehra: Siran and Kaghan. Epilithic on rocks, Paths, near streams. Nakaike, 1993 Thtlyptridaceae Phegopteris onnectilis (Michx) Watt 3100m Mansehra: Saiful Maluke road, Naran. Forest ground, Nakaike, 1993 terrestrial in open places on hill sides on the edges of forest along mountain tracts and on mountain slopes in forests. Thtlyptridaceae Psuedophegopteris levingie (Clarke) Ching 20002800m Mansehra: Between Shogran and Sari Hut; Shogran and Paprang; Kund, Sharan Forest, ;Paya;Kamalban; Batakundi, Naran. Terrestrial on the edges of forests and on mountain slopes along streams. Nakaike, 1993 Thtlyptridaceae Psuedophegopteris 2300levingie x pyrrhorachis 2700m Nakaike Mansehra: Sharan Forest. Terrestrial on the edges of forests and on mountain slopes along streams. Nakaike, 1993 Thtlyptridaceae Psuedophegopteris pyrrhorachis (Kunz) Ching 20002300m Mansehra: Shogran and Sari Hut; Shogran and Paprang; Kund, Sharan Forest. Terrestrial on the edges of forests and on mountain slopes along streams. Nakaike, 1993 Woodisiaceae Deparia allentodiodes (Bedd.)M.Katto. 24002700m Mansehra: Between Shogran and Sari Hut; Shogran and Paprang; Sharan Forest; Sikyan near Nadi. Terrestrial on mountain slopes in forests R.R.Stewart, 1972; Nakaike, 1993 Woodisiaceae Deparia macdonellii (Bedd.) M.Katto. 20002100m Mansehra: Sikyan near Nadi. Terrestrial on banks R.R.Stewart, 1972; along mountain tracts Nakaike, 1993 near streams shads. Woodisiaceae Deparia shikkimensis (Ching) Nakaike et Malik 23003100m Mansehra: Sharan forest; Saiful Maluke Lake. Terrestrial on Nakaike, 1993 mountain slopes in forests in open places and banks along forest tracts near streams sheds. Horizon e-Publishing Group ISSN: 2348-1900 Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 237-247 Later on, he further added 52 taxa (Fraser-Jankins, 2014). Therefore on the basis of earlier contributions overall 110 taxa have been reported from Mansehra District. In current study an attempt has been made to find out the present status of the pteridophytic diversity in Mansehra District based on previous efforts and current extensive field investigations during 2012-2015. The result has been presented in the form a checklist. Materials and Methods 1. Study Area Mansehra is situated between 34°-14' to 35°-11' N and, 72° 49' to 74° -08' E in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan with an about 4, 579 sq. km. The altitude varies from 400 m in the foot-hill regions to more than 4000 m high with thick snow covered peaks of Malaika Parbath. The District comprises of three tehsils: Balakot, Mansehra, Oghi (Anonymous, 1998). The district Manshera falls under Sino-Japanese Phytogeographical region of Pakistan. This zone is known as one of the botanically richest zones of the world (Ali and Qaiser, 1986). 2. Experimental Design Initially, a meticulous literature survey was carried out to obtain a comprehensive list of the taxa. In addition, many field trips were also made in various localities of the area in different seasons during 2013-15. In each trip, ferns were collected with suitable data. Collected specimens were properly mounted and identified with the help of various relevant flora. Smith's classification (2006) was used for ferns in order to follow different taxonomic ranks. Lycophytes were treated according to Christenhusz et al. (2011) proposed scheme. Current accepted nomenclature was confirmed though “The plant list” database (www.theplantlist.com). Results and Discussion Details about nomenclature, altitude, distribution and habitat have been provided in the Table 1. A critical examination reveals 134 taxa distributed in 34 genera and 17 families to the area. This figure meets about 53.6% of the total known taxa for Pakistan (i.e. 250 taxa). Dryopteridaceae is the largest family with 8 genera and 45 species, followed by Pteridaceae (8 genera, 25 species) and Thelypteridaceae (6 genera and 9 species). In the remaining families, less than 8 species for each family. For genera, Dryopteris is the largest genus with 17 species. Polystichum and Asplenium come to next with 16 and14 species respectively. total taxa, 23 are new records for Mansehra District viz., Asplenium nesii H. Christ, Asplenium pekinense Hance, Asplenium ruta-muraria L., Cyrtomium caryotideum (Wall. ex Hook. & Grev.) C. Presl, Cyrtomium falcatum (L. f.) C. Presl, Polystichum ISSN: 2348-1900 247 nigropaleaceum (Christ) Diels., Polystichum prescotianum (Wall. ex Mett.) T. Moore, Hippochaete debilis (Roxb. ex Vaucher) Ching, Lygodium scandense(L.) Sw. Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw., Ampelopteris prolifera (Retz.) Copel., Cheilanthes albomarginata C.B.Clarke, Deparia japonica (Thunb.) M. Kato, Pellaea calomelanos (Sw.) Link, Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum (Desv.) Underw. ex A. Heller., Pteris quadrialata Willd. Pteris stenophylla, Nephrolepis auriculata(L.) Triamen, Nephrolepis biserrata(Sw.) Schott, Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) Presland, Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott. Among new records, Polystichum obliquum (D. Don) T. Moore, member of Dryopteridaceae, is reported for the first time to Pakistan as well. Nomenclatural reassessment also suggests that names of previously reported 23 taxa are now synonyms and current accepted names are provided in the check list (Table 1). Habitat-wise, 70 taxa are terrestrial on forest edges, ground, open places, village paths and mountain tracts, while 54 taxa are epilithic on rocks fissures, crevecis, 7are taxa epiphytes on trees in thick forests of pines and 3other were aquatic in fresh waters and rice paddies only (Table 1). References Abbas, K. 2010. Palenological Characterization of Certain Ferns of Hazara Division Western HiamalayaPakistan. M.Sc. Thesis (un published).Department of Botany, Hazra University-Pakistan. Ali, S.I. & M. Qaiser 1986. A phytoeographical analysis of phanerogams of Pakistan and Kashmir. Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinb., 89 B: 89-101. Anonymous. 1998. District census report of Mansehra. Christenhusz M. J. M, Zhang X-C, Schneider H. 2011. A linear sequence ofextant lycophytes and ferns.Phytotaxa19: 7–54. Fraser-Jenkins C.R.1992. The Ferns and allies of the West Himalaya: some additions and corrections;http://dx.doi.org.110.5169/seals-70937 Fraser-Jenkins, C.R. 2014. Ferns and Allies of the farwest Indo-Himalaya (Afghanistan, Pakistan and Kashmir) and Iran-revised checklists, classification and phytogeography, Indian Fern J. 30(1-2): 161-191. Nakaike, T. & S. Malik. 1992. A list of Pteridophytes collected from Pakistan in 1990. Cryptogamic flora of Pakistan. National Science Museum, Tokyo 1: 261-316. Nakaike, T. and S. Malik. 1993. A List of Pteridophytes collected from Pakistan in 1991. In: Nakaike, T. and S. Malik 1993 (eds.). Crypt. Fl. of Pak. 1993. II: 317-359. Smith, A.R., Pryer, K.M., Schuettpelz, E., Korall, P., Schneider, H. & Wolf, P.G. 2006. A classification of extant ferns. Taxon 55: 705–731. Stewart, R.R. 1972. An Annotated Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of West Pakistan and Kashmir. In: Fl. of West Pak. pp: xv-xvii, 1-24. Horizon e-Publishing Group