The occurrence of Trichomanes godmanii (Hymenophyllaceae) on Welfia georgii (Arecaceae) at the La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica

MORAN, R. C.; VIDAL-RUSSELL, R.

AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL

Año: 2004 vol. 94 p. 70 - 76

0002-8444

Field observations suggested that the epiphytic fern Trichomanes godmanii occurred more frequently and abundantly on the trunks of the palm Welfia georgii than on the trunks of dicotyledonous trees. We tested this observation statistically by randomly selecting 25 individuals of W. georgii and the nearest dicotyledonous tree of similar dbh, for a total of 50 trunks. For each trunk up to a height of three meters, we recorded the presence or absence of T. godmanii and, if present, we visually estimated percent cover using a ranked scale. We found that the fern occurred more frequently and abundantly on the palm than on dicotylendonous trees. No relationship was found between the diameter of the trunks and vegetative cover. This is one of the few host-specific preferences recorded among epiphytic ferns. We cannot fully explain why the fern occurs more frequently and abundantly on the trunks of Welfia georgii instead of dicot trees, but the fern's adhesive hairs on its rhizomes and petioles probably help attachment to the smooth trunk of the palm.