DIVERSITY OF ANGIOSPERM CLIMBER SPECIES IN RAJSHAHI REGION, BANGLADESH

Rony Rani, A.K.M. Rafiul Islam and A.H.M. Mahbubur Rahman Plant Taxonomy Laboratory, Department of Botany, Faculty of Life and Earth Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History Received: 10 September 2019 Final Accepted: 12 October 2019 Published: November 2019

Diversity angiosperm climber species in Rajshahi region, Bangladesh was carried out from January 2015 to November 2019. An extensive floristic survey an angiosperm climbers and collection have been made throughout the study area. A total of 88 species belonging to 55genera under 25 families were recorded. Distribution of angiosperm plant species in the families shows variation. The family Cucurbitaceae is represented by 27 species. Fabaceae is represented by 12 species. Convolvulaceae is represented by 9 species. A single species is represented by 13 families while 2 to 4 species is represented by 9 families. Out of 88 species, 53.40% species was common and 46.59% was rare species in the study area. For each species scientific name, local name, family, flowering and fruiting time and status of occurrence are provided with specimen citation.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….... Introduction:-
The flowering plants (angiosperms), also known as Angiospermae Lindl or Magnoliophyta, are the most diverse group of land plants. Angiosperms are seed-producing plants like the gymnosperms and can be distinguished from the gymnosperms by a series of synapomorphies (derived characteristics). These characteristics include flowers, endosperm within the seeds, and the production of fruits that contain the seeds. Etymologically, angiosperm means a plant that produces seeds within an enclosure; they are fruiting plants, although more commonly referred to as flowering plants. The ancestors of flowering plants diverged from gymnosperms around 245-202 million years ago, and the first flowering plants known to exist are from 160 million years ago. They diversified enormously during the Lower Cretaceous and became widespread around 120 million years ago, but replaced conifers as the dominant trees only around 60-100 million years ago (Lindley, 1830).
A vine is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent (that is, climbing) stems, lianas or runners. The word vine can also refer to such stems or runners themselves, for instance, when used in wicker work. In parts of the world (including the British Isles), the term "vine" usually applies exclusively to grapevines (Vitis), while the term "climber" is used for all climbing plants. (Lesley, 1993).
Vines widely differ in size, form and evolutionary origin. Darwin classified climbing groups based on their climbing method. He classified five classes of vines -twining plants, leaf climbers, tendril bearers, root climbers and hook climbers.

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Vines are unique in that they have multiple evolutionary origins and a wide range of phenotypic plasticity. They usually reside in tropical locations and have the unique ability to climb. Vines are able to grow in both deep shade and full sun due to their wide range of phenotypic plasticity. This climbing action prevents shading by neighbors and allows the vine to grow out of reach of herbivores. The environment where a vine can grow successfully is determined by the climbing mechanism of a vine and how far it can spread across supports. There are many theories supporting the idea that photosynthetic responses are closely related to climbing mechanisms.
Temperate twining vines, which twist tightly around supports, are typically poorly adapted for climbing beneath closed canopies due to their smaller support diameter and shade intolerance. In contrast, tendril vines usually grow on the forest floor and onto trees until they reach the surface of the canopy, suggesting that they have greater physiological plasticity. It has also been suggested that twining vines revolving growth is mediated by changes in turgor pressure mediated by volume changes in the epidermal cells of the bending zone.
Climbing vines possess many unique characteristics in response to changes in their environments. Climbing vines can induce chemical defenses and modify their biomass allocation in response to herbivores. In particular, the twisting vine C. arvensis increases its twining in response to herbivore-associated leaf damage, which may lead to reduced future herbivory. Additionally, the tendrils of perennial vine Cayratia japonica are more like to coil around nearby non-self plants than nearby self-plants in natural and experimental settings. This demonstrates the vine's ability to self-discriminate, which has only been previously documented in roots (Ernesto, 2005).

Materials and Methods:-Study Area:
Rajshahi region, located in between 24°03' and 24°15' north latitudes and in between 89°00' and 89°11' east longitudes. It is bounded by Ishwardi and Natore sadar on the south, Noldanga and Atrai upazilas on the east, Naogaon sadar and Manda upazilas on the north, Nachole and Chapai Nawabganj upazilas on the west. Soil texure was determined by hydrometer method and soil P H was measured in a 1:2.5. Soil water suspension measured by glass clatrode P H meter. This is the best soil for the growth of various plants. The study area has tropical monsoon climate. It is characterized hot humid summers and generally mild winters and rainfall. The summer season commerce early in the March with the cessation of the Northerly wind. The winter season (November-January) which is cool and little rainfall; summer season (June-October) which is warm and no rainfall. The maximum monthly temperature can reach up to 37.78°C during April and minimum monthly temperature 7.78°C during January (BPC, 2001).

Survey method:
The work is based on fresh materials collected during one hundred and twenty one visits to Rajshahi region, Bangladesh from January 2015 to November 2019 to cover the seasonal variations. A total of 88 species belonging to 55 genera under 25 families were recorded. The visits covered all types of habitats, particular river bank, slope, village grove, fruit gardens and roadsides of the study area. Each trip lasted for eight days. Plant parts with either flower of fruits collected using traditional herbarium techniques to make voucher specimens for documentation and voucher specimens have been preserved at Herbarium of Rajshahi University (HRU).

Results and Discussion:-
Diversity angiosperm climber species in Rajshahi region, Bangladesh was carried out from January 2015 to November 2019. An extensive floristic survey an angiosperm climbers and collection have been made throughout the study area. A total of 88 species belonging to 55 genera under 25 families were recorded. Distribution of angiosperm plant species in the families shows variation. The family Cucurbitaceae is represented by 27 species. Fabaceae is represented by 12 species. Convolvulaceae is represented by 9 species (Fig.2). A single species is represented by 13 families while 2 to 4 species is represented by 9 families (Table 1). For each species scientific name, local name, family, flowering and fruiting time and are provided with citation of specimens. Out of 88 species, 53.40% species was common and 46.59% was rare species in the study area. (Fig.1). . So far the information available, no published data recorded on the angiosperm climber species in the Rajshahi region of Bangladesh. The present study will be also help in identifying the major angiosperm climbers for future investigation.