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Malekmohammadi M, Koutroumpa K, Crespo MB, Domina G, Korotkova N, Akhani H, von Mering S, Borsch T, Berendsohn WG. A taxonomic backbone for the Plumbaginaceae (Caryophyllales). PHYTOKEYS 2024; 243:67-103. [PMID: 38947553 PMCID: PMC11211657 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.243.122784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
A taxonomic backbone of the Plumbaginaceae is presented and the current state of knowledge on phylogenetic relationships and taxon limits is reviewed as a basis for the accepted taxon concepts. In total, 4,476 scientific names and designations are treated of which 30 are not in the family Plumbaginaceae. The Plumbaginaceae are subdivided in three tribes with 26 genera and 1,179 accepted species. Two subgenera, 17 sections, two subsections and 187 infraspecific taxa are accepted. At the species and infraspecific level 2,782 synonyms were assigned to accepted taxa, whereas 194 names were excluded from the core checklist (i.e., unplaced taxa, infrageneric subdivisions with still uncertain application, names of verified uncertain application, invalid horticultural names, excluded names from other families, other excluded designations, and unresolved names). The EDIT Platform for Cybertaxonomy was utilized as the tool to compile and manage the names and further taxonomic data under explicit taxon concepts. Secundum references are given in case taxon concepts were taken from the literature, whereas this study serves as reference for newly circumscribed taxa. The family's division into the tribes Aegialitideae, Limonieae, and Plumbagineae departs from earlier two-subfamily classifications, prompted by recent phylogenetic findings that challenge the subfamilial affinity of Aegialitis. The genus Acantholimon was extended to include Gladiolimon, as currently available phylogenetic and morphological data support this merger. In Limonium, all accepted species could be assigned to sections and subsections or the "Mediterranean lineage", respectively, making use of the phylogenetic distribution of their morphological characters and states. A new combination and/or status is proposed for Dyerophytumsocotranum, Limoniumthymoides, Limonium×fraternum, Limonium×rossmaessleri, and Limoniumsect.Jovibarba. Special attention is given to nomenclatural issues, particularly for Staticenomenambiguum to resolve the names under accepted names. The use of artificial groupings like "aggregates", "complexes" and "species groups" in alpha-taxonomic treatments is discussed. The taxonomic backbone will receive continued updates and through the Caryophyllales Taxonomic Expert Network, it contributes the treatment of the Plumbaginaceae for the World Flora Online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Malekmohammadi
- Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 6-8, 14195 Berlin, GermanyFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
- Halophytes and C4 Plants Research Laboratory, Department of Plant Sciences, School of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14155-6455, Tehran, Iran
University of TehranTehranIran
| | - Konstantina Koutroumpa
- Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 6-8, 14195 Berlin, GermanyFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Manuel B. Crespo
- Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales y Recursos Naturales (dCARN), Universidad de Alicante, Apdo. 99, 03080 Alicante, SpainUniversidad de AlicanteAlicanteSpain
| | - Gianniantonio Domina
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, bldg. 4, 90128, Palermo, ItalyUniversity of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Nadja Korotkova
- Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 6-8, 14195 Berlin, GermanyFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Hossein Akhani
- Halophytes and C4 Plants Research Laboratory, Department of Plant Sciences, School of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14155-6455, Tehran, Iran
University of TehranTehranIran
| | - Sabine von Mering
- Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 6-8, 14195 Berlin, GermanyFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
- Current address: Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, GermanyMuseum für NaturkundeBerlinGermany
| | - Thomas Borsch
- Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 6-8, 14195 Berlin, GermanyFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Walter G. Berendsohn
- Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 6-8, 14195 Berlin, GermanyFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
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Fernández-Palacios JM, Otto R, Capelo J, Caujapé-Castells J, de Nascimento L, Duarte MC, Elias RB, García-Verdugo C, Menezes de Sequeira M, Médail F, Naranjo-Cigala A, Patiño J, Price J, Romeiras MM, Sánchez-Pinto L, Whittaker RJ. In defence of the entity of Macaronesia as a biogeographical region. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 38888215 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Since its coinage ca. 1850 AD by Philip Barker Webb, the biogeographical region of Macaronesia, consisting of the North Atlantic volcanic archipelagos of the Azores, Madeira with the tiny Selvagens, the Canaries and Cabo Verde, and for some authors different continental coastal strips, has been under dispute. Herein, after a brief introduction on the terminology and purpose of regionalism, we recover the origins of the Macaronesia name, concept and geographical adscription, as well as its biogeographical implications and how different authors have positioned themselves, using distinct terrestrial or marine floristic and/or faunistic taxa distributions and relationships for accepting or rejecting the existence of this biogeographical region. Four main issues related to Macaronesia are thoroughly discussed: (i) its independence from the Mediterranean phytogeographical region; (ii) discrepancies according to different taxa analysed; (iii) its geographical limits and the role of the continental enclave(s), and, (iv) the validity of the phytogeographical region level. We conclude that Macaronesia has its own identity and a sound phytogeographical foundation, and that this is mainly based on three different floristic components that are shared by the Macaronesian core (Madeira and the Canaries) and the outermost archipelagos (Azores and Cabo Verde). These floristic components are: (i) the Palaeotropical-Tethyan Geoflora, formerly much more widely distributed in Europe and North Africa and currently restricted to the three northern archipelagos (the Azores, Madeira and the Canaries); (ii) the African Rand Flora, still extant in the coastal margins of Africa and Arabia, and present in the southern archipelagos (Madeira, the Canaries and Cabo Verde), and (iii) the Macaronesian neoendemic floristic component, represented in all the archipelagos, a result of allopatric diversification promoted by isolation of Mediterranean ancestors that manage to colonize Central Macaronesia and, from there, the outer archipelagos. Finally, a differentiating floristic component recently colonized the different archipelagos from the nearest continental coast, providing them with different biogeographic flavours.
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Affiliation(s)
- José María Fernández-Palacios
- Grupo de Ecología y Biogeografía Insular, Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal e Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, s/n. Campus de Anchieta, Apartado 456, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Código postal 38200, Spain
| | - Rüdiger Otto
- Grupo de Ecología y Biogeografía Insular, Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal e Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, s/n. Campus de Anchieta, Apartado 456, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Código postal 38200, Spain
| | - Jorge Capelo
- Herbarium, National Institute of Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Avenida da República, Quinta do Marquês, Oeiras, 2780-157, Portugal
- LEAF Research Centre - Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, University of Lisbon, Tapada de Ajuda, Lisbon, 1349-017, Portugal
| | - Juli Caujapé-Castells
- Departamento de Biodiversidad Molecular y Banco de ADN, Jardín Botánico Canario 'Viera y Clavijo' - Unidad Asociada de I+D+i al CSIC, Cabildo de Gran Canaria, Carretera del Dragonal Km 7 (GC-310), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Spain
| | - Lea de Nascimento
- Grupo de Ecología y Biogeografía Insular, Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal e Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, s/n. Campus de Anchieta, Apartado 456, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Código postal 38200, Spain
| | - Maria Cristina Duarte
- cE3c - Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Change & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisbon, 1749-016, Portugal
| | - Rui B Elias
- Azorean Biodiversity Group, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Universidade dos Açores, Angra do Heroismo, 9700-042, Portugal
| | - Carlos García-Verdugo
- Departamento de Botánica, Universidad de Granada, Facultad de Ciencias, Avenida de Fuente Nueva, s/n, Beiro, Granada, 18071, Spain
| | - Miguel Menezes de Sequeira
- Madeira Botanical Group (GBM), Universidade da Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, Funchal, 9020-105, Portugal
| | - Frédéric Médail
- Institut méditerranéen de biodiversité et d'écologie marine et continentale (IMBE), Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Univ, CNRS, IRD. Campus Aix, Technopôle de l'Environnement Arbois-Méditerranée, Aix-en-Provence cedex 4, 13545, France
| | - Agustín Naranjo-Cigala
- Departamento de Geografía, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, c/ Pérez del Toro, 1, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35004, Spain
| | - Jairo Patiño
- Island Ecology and Evolution Research Group, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA-CSIC), Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, 3, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38206, Spain
- Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, s/n. Facultad de Farmacia. Apartado 456, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Código postal 38206, Spain
| | - Jonathan Price
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Hawaii at Hilo, 200 W. Kāwili St, Hilo, HI, 96720-4091, USA
| | - Maria M Romeiras
- LEAF Research Centre - Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, University of Lisbon, Tapada de Ajuda, Lisbon, 1349-017, Portugal
- cE3c - Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Change & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisbon, 1749-016, Portugal
| | - Lázaro Sánchez-Pinto
- Museo de Ciencias Naturales, c/ Fuente Morales, 1, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38003, Spain
| | - Robert J Whittaker
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QY, UK
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, Building 3, 2nd FL, Copenhagen, DK-2100, Denmark
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Keller B, Alther B, Jiménez A, Koutroumpa K, Mora-Carrera E, Conti E. Island plants with newly discovered reproductive traits have higher capacity for uniparental reproduction, supporting Baker's law. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11392. [PMID: 38762587 PMCID: PMC11102434 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62065-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Uniparental reproduction is advantageous when lack of mates limits outcrossing opportunities in plants. Baker's law predicts an enrichment of uniparental reproduction in habitats colonized via long-distance dispersal, such as volcanic islands. To test it, we analyzed reproductive traits at multiple hierarchical levels and compared seed-set after selfing and crossing experiments in both island and mainland populations of Limonium lobatum, a widespread species that Baker assumed to be self-incompatible because it had been described as pollen-stigma dimorphic, i.e., characterized by floral morphs differing in pollen-surface morphology and stigma-papillae shape that are typically self-incompatible. We discovered new types and combinations of pollen and stigma traits hitherto unknown in the literature on pollen-stigma dimorphism and a lack of correspondence between such combinations and pollen compatibility. Contrary to previous reports, we conclude that Limonium lobatum comprises both self-compatible and self-incompatible plants characterized by both known and previously undescribed combinations of reproductive traits. Most importantly, plants with novel combinations are overrepresented on islands, selfed seed-set is higher in islands than the mainland, and insular plants with novel pollen-stigma trait-combinations disproportionally contribute to uniparental reproduction on islands. Our results thus support Baker's law, connecting research on reproductive and island biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Keller
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Barbara Alther
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ares Jiménez
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Konstantina Koutroumpa
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin (BGBM), Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Emiliano Mora-Carrera
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Conti
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Cuena-Lombraña A, Fois M, Bacchetta G. Gone with the waves: the role of sea currents as key dispersal mechanism for Mediterranean coastal and inland plant species. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2024. [PMID: 38743610 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Thalassochory, the dispersal of propagules through marine currents, is a key long-distance dispersal (LDD) mechanism with implications for global biogeography and particularly for island colonization. The propagules of coastal plant species are generally assumed to be better adapted for sea dispersal than those of inland plants, but this hypothesis remains largely untested. We conducted experiments on four genera (Juniperus, Daucus, Ferula, and Pancratium) and compared traits among nine species with different habitats and distributions. Our results showed that Juniperus spp. and P. maritimum have strong thalassochorous potential within the Mediterranean Basin. Interestingly, we did not find a clear association on the thalassochorous potential of coastal versus inland species within all the tested genera, apart from P. maritimum compared with the endemic inland P. illyricum. These findings suggest that thalassochory may be a more common dispersal mechanism than previously assumed. The apparently weak link of dispersal syndrome with species ecology broadens the possibility of dispersal by the sea also for inland plants, although considered to be poorly salt-tolerant. Moreover, our results reveal significant differences in sea dispersal between endemic and widespread species, but do not rule out an important role of thalassochory in shaping the distribution patterns of archipelago endemic flora. The presented method is largely replicable and could be used for further studies with a larger set of species to better delineate trends of sea dispersal syndrome among species with different ecology or dispersal traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Cuena-Lombraña
- Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB) - Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - M Fois
- Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB) - Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - G Bacchetta
- Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB) - Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Martín-Hernanz S, Albaladejo RG, Lavergne S, Rubio E, Marín-Rodulfo M, Arroyo J, Aparicio A. Strong conservatism of floral morphology during the rapid diversification of the genus Helianthemum. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2023; 110:e16155. [PMID: 36912727 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.16155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Divergence of floral morphology and breeding systems are often expected to be linked to angiosperm diversification and environmental niche divergence. However, available evidence for such relationships is not generalizable due to different taxonomic, geographical and time scales. The Palearctic genus Helianthemum shows the highest diversity of the family Cistaceae in terms of breeding systems, floral traits, and environmental conditions as a result of three recent evolutionary radiations since the Late Miocene. Here, we investigated the tempo and mode of evolution of floral morphology in the genus and its link with species diversification and environmental niche divergence. METHODS We quantified 18 floral traits from 83 taxa and applied phylogenetic comparative methods using a robust phylogenetic framework based on genotyping-by-sequencing data. RESULTS We found three different floral morphologies, putatively related to three different breeding systems: type I, characterized by small flowers without herkogamy and low pollen to ovule ratio; type II, represented by large flowers with approach herkogamy and intermediate pollen to ovule ratio; and type III, featured by small flowers with reverse herkogamy and the highest pollen to ovule ratio. Each morphology has been highly conserved across each radiation and has evolved independently of species diversification and ecological niche divergence. CONCLUSIONS The combined results of trait, niche, and species diversification ultimately recovered a pattern of potentially non-adaptive radiations in Helianthemum and highlight the idea that evolutionary radiations can be decoupled from floral morphology evolution even in lineages that diversified in heterogeneous environments as the Mediterranean Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Martín-Hernanz
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3DS, UK
| | - Rafael G Albaladejo
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Sébastien Lavergne
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine (LECA), FR-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Encarnación Rubio
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Macarena Marín-Rodulfo
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Departamento de Botánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Juan Arroyo
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Abelardo Aparicio
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
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Iamonico D, De Castro O, Di Iorio E, Nicolella G, Iberite M. Taxonomy Complexity of Some Tyrrhenian Endemic Limonium Species Belonging to L. multiforme Group (Plumbaginaceae): New Insights from Molecular and Morphometric Analyses. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:3163. [PMID: 36432891 PMCID: PMC9693374 DOI: 10.3390/plants11223163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The delimitation of Limonium taxa is highly complicated due to hybridization, polyploidy, and apomixis. Many "microspecies" were described and aggregated into groups, most of which are still poorly known from both molecular and morphological points of view. The aim of this study is to investigate four endemic species from the Tyrrhenian coast of central Italy and the Ponziane Archipelago belonging to the L. multiforme group (L. amynclaeum, L. circaei, L. pandatariae, and L. pontium) by means of molecular and morphometric analyses. Molecular data by sequencing ITS and three plastid markers and morphometric data highlight new information about the taxonomy of these taxa so as to reduce them into a single specific entity. In fact, the better taxonomic choice is to consider the populations studied as part of a single species, i.e., Limonium pontium. Three subspecies are recognized, i.e., subsp. pontium [= L. circaei = L. amynclaeum; from Circeo to Gianola localities (excluding Terracina) and from islands Ponza, Palmarola, Zannone, and Santo Stefano], subsp. pandatariae comb. et stat. nov. (from island of Ventotene), and subsp. terracinense subsp. nov. (from Terracina).
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Affiliation(s)
- Duilio Iamonico
- Department of Environmental Biology, University of Rome Sapienza, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Olga De Castro
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Botanical Garden, via Foria 223, 80139 Naples, Italy
- DNATech Srl, Spin-Off Company of the University of Naples Federico II, Botanical Garden, via Foria 223, 80139 Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuela Di Iorio
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Botanical Garden, via Foria 223, 80139 Naples, Italy
| | - Gianluca Nicolella
- Department of Environmental Biology, University of Rome Sapienza, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Iberite
- Department of Environmental Biology, University of Rome Sapienza, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Fois M, Farris E, Calvia G, Campus G, Fenu G, Porceddu M, Bacchetta G. The Endemic Vascular Flora of Sardinia: A Dynamic Checklist with an Overview of Biogeography and Conservation Status. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:plants11050601. [PMID: 35270071 PMCID: PMC8912449 DOI: 10.3390/plants11050601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The vascular flora of Sardinia has been investigated for more than 250 years, with particular attention to the endemic component due to their phylogeographic and conservation interest. However, continuous changes in the floristic composition through natural processes, anthropogenic drivers or modified taxonomical attributions require constant updating. We checked all available literature, web sources, field, and unpublished data from the authors and acknowledged external experts to compile an updated checklist of vascular plants endemic to Sardinia. Life and chorological forms as well as the conservation status of the updated taxa list were reported. Sardinia hosts 341 taxa (15% of the total native flora) endemic to the Tyrrhenian Islands and other limited continental territories; 195 of these (8% of the total native flora) are exclusive to Sardinia. Asteraceae (50 taxa) and Plumbaginaceae (42 taxa) are the most representative families, while the most frequent life forms are hemicryptophytes (118 taxa) and chamaephytes (106 taxa). The global conservation status, available for 201 taxa, indicates that most endemics are under the 'Critically Endangered' (25 taxa), 'Endangered' (31 taxa), or 'Least Concern' (90 taxa) IUCN categories. This research provides an updated basis for future biosystematics, taxonomic, biogeographical, and ecological studies and in supporting more integrated and efficient policy tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Fois
- Centre for the Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Viale S. Ignazio da Laconi 11-13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; (M.F.); (G.C.); (G.F.); (M.P.); (G.B.)
| | - Emmanuele Farris
- Department of Chemistry and Farmacy, University of Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giacomo Calvia
- Centre for the Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Viale S. Ignazio da Laconi 11-13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; (M.F.); (G.C.); (G.F.); (M.P.); (G.B.)
| | - Giuliano Campus
- Independent Researcher, Via G. Rossini 69, 09045 Quartu Sant’Elena, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Fenu
- Centre for the Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Viale S. Ignazio da Laconi 11-13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; (M.F.); (G.C.); (G.F.); (M.P.); (G.B.)
| | - Marco Porceddu
- Centre for the Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Viale S. Ignazio da Laconi 11-13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; (M.F.); (G.C.); (G.F.); (M.P.); (G.B.)
- Sardinian Germplasm Bank (BG-SAR), Hortus Botanicus Karalitanus (HBK), University of Cagliari, Viale S. Ignazio da Laconi, 9-11, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Bacchetta
- Centre for the Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Viale S. Ignazio da Laconi 11-13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; (M.F.); (G.C.); (G.F.); (M.P.); (G.B.)
- Sardinian Germplasm Bank (BG-SAR), Hortus Botanicus Karalitanus (HBK), University of Cagliari, Viale S. Ignazio da Laconi, 9-11, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
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Strumia S, Santangelo A, Galise TR, Cozzolino S, Cafasso D. Hopping or Jumping on the Cliffs: The Unusual Phylogeographical and Demographic Structure of an Extremely Narrow Endemic Mediterranean Plant. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:737111. [PMID: 34858447 PMCID: PMC8631297 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.737111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Several past and recent climatic and geological events have greatly influenced the current distribution of coastal species around the Mediterranean Basin. As a consequence, the reconstruction of the distributional history of these species is challenging. In this study, we used both chloroplast and nuclear SNPs to assess the levels of genetic differentiation, contemporary/historical levels of gene flow, and demographic history for the three only known (one mainland and two insular) populations of Eokochia saxicola, a rare Mediterranean coastal rocky halophyte. Plastid genome analysis revealed very low intraspecific haplotype variation and partial admixture among Capri and Palinuro populations with at least two independent colonization events for the Strombolicchio islet. Nuclear SNPs variation consistently identified three distinct genetic clusters corresponding to our sampling localities. Furthermore, strong genetic isolation was confirmed by both historical and contemporary levels of migration among the three populations. The DIYABC analysis identified two introductions temporally separated from Palinuro to Capri (ca.25 Mya) and subsequently to Strombolicchio (ca.09 Mya) as the most likely hypothesis for the current distribution of E. saxicola. Regardless of their small population sizes, all study sites supported high-genetic diversity maintained by outcrossing and random mating between individuals owing largely to wind pollination, an exclusive trait among Mediterranean narrow endemics. In conclusion, the patterns observed confirm that some Mediterranean endemics are not necessarily "evolutionary dead-ends" but rather represent species that have extensive demographic stability and a strong evolutionary legacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Strumia
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Donata Cafasso
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Martín-Hernanz S, Albaladejo RG, Lavergne S, Rubio E, Grall A, Aparicio A. Biogeographic history and environmental niche evolution in the palearctic genus Helianthemum (Cistaceae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2021; 163:107238. [PMID: 34197899 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The biogeographic history and the degree of environmental niche conservatism provide essential clues to decipher the underlying macroevolutionary processes of species diversification and to understand contemporary patterns of biodiversity. The genus Helianthemum constitutes an excellent case study to investigate the impact of the geo-climatic changes and the environmental niche shifts on the origins of plant species diversity in the Mediterranean hotspot. It is a palearctic species-rich lineage with c. 140 species and subspecies mostly belonging to three distinct evolutionary radiations, almost confined to the Mediterranean region and occurring across varied environmental conditions. In this work, we studied the ample and rapid diversification of the genus Helianthemum across its whole distribution range by performing phylogenetic reconstructions of ancestral ranges and environmental niche evolution. We observed a striking synchrony of biogeographic movements with niche shifts between the three major clades of the genus Helianthemum, likely related to the geo-climatic events occurred in the Mediterranean Basin since the Upper Miocene. In particular, Late Miocene and Early Pliocene were dominated by episodes of range expansions, the Late Pliocene by range contraction and vicariance events, and Pleistocene by most intense environmental niche shifts and in-situ diversification. Our study also provides evidence for four main environmental niches in Helianthemum (i.e., Mediterranean, subdesert, humid-montane and subtropical-insular) and a tendency toward environmental niche conservatism within different subclades, with few niche shifts mostly occurring from Mediterranean ancestors. The relative longer time spent in Mediterranean areas by the ancestors of Helianthemum suggests that the larger species diversity observed in the Mediterranean (i.e. Northern Africa and Southern Europe) may have been generated by a time-for-speciation effect reinforced by environmental niche conservatism. Overall, our work highlights the role of the Mediterranean Basin as a 'cradle of diversity' and an 'evolutionary hub', facilitating the environmental transitions and determining the building up of a global plant biodiversity hotspot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Martín-Hernanz
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Rafael G Albaladejo
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Sébastien Lavergne
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine (LECA), CNRS - Université Grenoble Alpes - Université Savoie Mont Blanc, FR-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Encarnación Rubio
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Aurélie Grall
- Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Abelardo Aparicio
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
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Extinction Risk Assessment of the Greek Endemic Flora. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10030195. [PMID: 33806693 PMCID: PMC7999807 DOI: 10.3390/biology10030195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary This study assesses for the first time all the vascular endemic plant taxa of Greece, according to their decline and rarity. Phylogenetic analysis and its spatial overview highlight areas for conservation prioritization. Several of the Greek endemics are threatened with extinction and fourteen of them need to be prioritized, due to their evolutionary distinctiveness. This assessment could act as the baseline and supporting tool for conservation actions, decision- and policy-making for biodiversity, while highlighting the need for a new Red Data Book for the Greek flora. Abstract Human-induced biodiversity decline has been on the rise for the past 250 years, due to various causes. What is equally troubling, is that we are unaware which plants are threatened and where they occur. Thus, we are far from reaching Aichi Biodiversity Target 2, i.e., assessing the extinction risk of most species. To that end, based on an extensive occurrence dataset, we performed an extinction risk assessment according to the IUCN Criteria A and B for all the endemic plant taxa occurring in Greece, one of the most biodiverse countries in Europe, in a phylogenetically-informed framework and identified the areas needing conservation prioritization. Several of the Greek endemics are threatened with extinction and fourteen endemics need to be prioritized, as they are evolutionary distinct and globally endangered. Mt. Gramos is identified as the most important conservation hotspot in Greece. However, a significant portion of the identified conservation hotspots is not included in any designated Greek protected area, meaning that the Greek protected areas network might need to be at least partially redesigned. In the Anthropocene era, where climate and land-use change are projected to alter biodiversity patterns and may force many species to extinction, our assessment provides the baseline for future conservation research, ecosystem services maintenance, and might prove crucial for the timely, systematic and effective aversion of plant extinctions in Greece.
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