Phytolith spectra of the monotypic grass Danthonidium gammiei (Bhide) Hubb. in Hook. (Danthonioideae) from Northern Western Ghats, India: Taxonomic and environmental significance of its distinctive Bilobates

Grass Silica Short Cell Phytoliths (GSSCPs) are regarded as a potential adjunctive tool for grass subfamily identification owing to their definite morphology and affinity towards certain grass subfamilies. In the present study phytolith spectra of the monotypic genus Danthonidium gammiei (Bhide) Hubb. in Hook., collected from northern Western Ghats, Maharashtra is studied in detail for the first time. This grass profusely produces Bilobates along with other GSSCPs and Elongate types. A thorough study is undertaken to find out potential of the Danthonidium gammiei Bilobates in distinguishing this grass from other major Bilobate producing grass sub-families like Panicoideae and Aristidoideae. The possible relationship between Bilobates specific for Danthonidium gammiei and the intensity of rainfall in northern Western Ghats is also discussed here. Statistical analyses (PCA, CA, and CCA) also establish the potential of Bilobate phytoliths in identifying Danthonioideae subfamily and discriminating different rainfall zones of the region.