Patterns and traits of the endemic plants of Greece

Greece is characterized by high plant diversity (5800 species) and endemism (15.6%). This study attempts a first overall assessment of the taxonomy, distribution, traits and conservation status of the Greek endemic plants. The endemic species belong to 56 families and 242 genera. Most of the endemic plants have a narrow geographical and altitudinal distribution range. The southern floristic regions are richer in endemic species. The species area relationships for endemics (EARs) for island and continental floristic regions explain over 50% of the variation in number of species and are characterized by steep curves. Analysis of the distributional pattern of the endemics by similarity coefficients offers useful insights into the palaeogeography and biogeography of Greece. The endemic species occur at all altitudes, but the altitudinal distribution shows a predominance of local endemics at 0–600 m in the island regions and in higher zones in the continental regions. The life form spectra show a predominance of hemicryptophytes and chamaephytes. This trait seems indicative of their habitat and adaptive strategy and may be related to speciation processes. The overview of the conservation status of the Greek endemics indicates that over 40% of the taxa are threatened or near threatened. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 162 , 130–422.     

Differentiation patterns in the E. MediterraneanScutellaria rubicunda group (Lamiaceae)

Strict sterility barriers where found between theScutellaria populations on Sicily and the Greek populations. The material from Samos is separated by a strict sterility barrier from the other Greek populations. In contrast, the populations on mainland Greece and adjacent islands are all ± interfertile. Three species are recognized,S. rubicunda Hornem., endemic to Sicily, andS. brevibracteata subsp.icarica, endemic to Samos and Ikaria. All other populations are referred toS. rupestris with eight subspecies, most of which are endemic to one island or to one mountain. Three new subspecies are described, viz. subsp.rechingeri and subsp.olympica, endemic to mt Vourinos and mt Olympus in North Greece, respectively, and subsp.caroli-henrici, native to the Malea peninsula of Peloponnisos. The phytogeographical connections and genetic differentiation within and between populations are discussed.Dedicated to Prof. DrK. H. Rechinger on the occasion of his 80th birthday.     

Endemic species of grasses in Mexico: a phytogeographic approach

The Poaceae family includes approximately 700 genera and 10000 species, and Mexico is considered one of its most important centers of diversity and endemism. A total of 256 taxa (including 16 subspecific taxonomic units), belonging to 65 genera, are endemic to Mexico. Some of them are close relatives of important crops, while others are used in different ways all over the country. The aim of this paper is to discuss the distribution patterns at state level of the Mexican endemic species of Poaceae. Using cluster strategies, the states are classified according to their floristic similarities. Later, hotspots of endemism are identified, in order to discuss their role in conservation strategies. To evaluate the importance of each state in the conservation of the Mexican endemic Poaceae, two iterative complementarity methods were also used. Our results show that the largest concentration of endemic taxa occurs in a few states, such as Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacán, Durango, Oaxaca, Veracruz, San Luis Potosi, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Puebla, and Coahuila. The results also show that there are some patterns in the relationship to its endemism that seem to reflect important diversification trends in the family. Accordingly, 31% of the grass genera of Mexico have at least one endemic species, and 16.7% of the genera have only one endemic species. In contrast, six genera contribute 47.2% of the total number of grass endemics in Mexico. The Chloridoideae contributes 42.9% of the total grass endemic species of Mexico, whereas the Panicoideae includes 24.6%, and the Pooideae 19.8%. Thus, these three subfamilies contribute about 87% of the species endemism. On the basis of the habitat and distribution patterns of these subfamilies, two main areas of endemicity can be identified. The first area is located in warm habitats, whereas the second is related to temperate and high regions. The cluster analyses indicate the occurrence of four state groups whose phytogeographical explanation is discussed on the basis of a floristic regionalization of Mexico. The results also indicate the need to establish a relatively high number of sites and states for the conservation of 256 endemic taxa. The elevated number of sites required to conserve the Mexican endemic Poaceae is mainly due to the fact that many taxa have a restricted distribution pattern. On the basis of the patterns obtained, a few proposals are presented for undertaking the establishment of conservation priorities of these taxa.     

Floristic composition and endemism pattern of vascular plants in Ethiopia and Eritrea

Traditional attempts to delineate floristic regions are typically based on the qualitative analysis of species distribution, often ignoring the phylogenetic relationships among their taxa. Ethiopia and Eritrea are in the Horn of Africa, known as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. We quantitatively classified the flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea into meaningful geographical units by analyzing the taxonomic and phylogenetic β‐diversity at genera, total species, and endemic species levels at a scale of 0.5° × 0.5° grid cells. Hierarchical clustering was used to quantitatively delimitate the flora and analysis of similarities was used to test the significant difference between the derived groups in taxonomic composition and phylogenetic relatedness. In total, two floristic subprovinces, five floristic districts, and 13 floristic subdistricts, as well as three centers of species endemism associated with three floristic subdistricts were identified. Our results also showed that the species diversity, endemism, and turnover of the highlands in Ethiopia and Eritrea were much higher than the lowlands, indicating that the floristic differences are closely related to the topography of the East African Rift. In this study, we provided a scientific framework for the composition and relationships of the floristic units in the Horn of Africa, and similarly provided a scientific basis for better conservation of the diversity in this region.     

Geographical and ecological differentiation in Greek Fagus forest vegetation

Question: Which are the gradients of floristic differentiation in Greek beech (Fagus sylvatica) forests? Which is the role of geographical and ecological factors in this differentiation? Location: Beech forests of the plant geographical regions Northeast, North Central and East Central Greece. Methods: A total of 1404 published and unpublished phytoso‐ciological relevés were used in the analyses. TWINSPAN and DCA were applied to classify and ordinate the relevés. Altitude, Indicator Values of relevés and their X and Y coordinates were used in a posteriori interpretation of the ordination axes. Kendall's correlation coefficients were calculated between DCA relevé scores and explanatory variables. Multiple linear regression was used to partition the variation explained by the first two DCA axes, between the geographical and the ecological variables. Results: Classification resulted in 14 vegetation units defined by species composition. Two types of gradients, ecological and geographical, were revealed by the DCA of all releves. The partition of the variation accounted for by the first and second DCA axis was attributed mainly to ecological and geographical variables, respectively. Conclusions: Beech forests of northeast and Central Greece show phytogeographical differences, while ecologically similar vegetation units occur in both regions. A west‐east gradient is revealed in Greek beech forest vegetation. The extent of the study area, its position along regional gradients and the comprehensiveness of the data set that is analysed determine the types of the gradients which can be revealed in a vegetation study.     

Disturbance,seeds, restoration,and the importance of experiments and long‐term observations: the Editors' Award for 2005

Question: Can the geographic patterning of endemic plant species inform reserve selection in a region of high endemism? Location: The Southeastern Coastal Plain of North America, focusing primarily on the imperiled longleaf pine (Pinus palustris P. Miller) ecosystem. Methods: We documented the high level of plant endemism in the region, and characterized the endemic taxa into distributional subregions. Results: A total of 1630 plant taxa are endemic to the Coastal Plain, a large proportion of which are endemic to phytogeographical subregions within the Coastal Plain, with particularly large numbers of narrow endemics occurring in the East Gulf Coastal Plain and Florida Peninsula. Conclusions: This pattern of local endemism presents challenges in conserving the full biota of the region: a reserve system focusing on few and large conservation areas has theoretical benefits for long‐term management and viability, but will fail to capture many local endemics. We propose that the dispersed distribution of endemic species will require a mixture of large core reserves and smaller satellite reserves.     

Endemism in the Flora of China—Studies on the Endemic Genera

China, under highly varied ecological conditions resulted from wide latitudinal and altitudinal ranges and from the adequate precipitation, has developed a very rich flora of great diversity. As far as flowering plants are concerned, there are 2980 genera, 214 of which, belonging to 64 families, are endemic. Among these endemic genera, there are 9 genera of taxads and conifers, 19 genera of monocots and others of dicots. Of the approximately 129 herbaceous endemic genera in the Chinese flora as a whole, about 22 (17%) are annual and 107 (83%) are biennial or perennial. In the present paper the ecological distribution, the nature of endemic genera and the centers of endemism are discussed. 1. Three types of endemic genera are distinguished, neoendemics, palaeoendemics and active epibiotics, The endemic genera in the flora of China are, for the most part, considered to be very old ones, and most of them are of temperate nature. 2. the degree of endemism in our 22 floristic regions is shown in Figure 1. The areas richest in endemic genera in the Chinese flora as a whole are the 13, 16 and 17 regions. The poorest are the 2, 4, 9 and 10 regions, and no one in the 1 and 3 regions These results on floristic richness are of general applicability. As shown in table 1, the difference in the degree of endemism among the seven Chinese floristic subkingdoms are most pronounced. 101 endemic genera are known to occur in one subkingdom, 72 to occur in two subkingdoms, and 3 to occur in four subkingdoms, only one genus widely distributed in five subkingdoms. However, there is no genus occurring in seven subkingdoms. The difference in the degree of endemism in each subkingdom reveals that the distribution of endemic genera is not well-distributed in the Chinese flora as a whole. Analysis of the vertical distribution of the 200 endemic genera of the Chinese flora bears out that there is no evident increase in endemism as a whole with altitude. 3. Three centers of endemism are found (Fig. 2). These are as follows: a). Eastern Sichuan-western Hubei center. b). Southeastern Yunnan-western Guangxi center. c). Western Sichuan-northwestern Yunnan center. The degree of endemism andcharacters of endemic genera in each center are discussed.     

一些东亚特有种子植物的化石历史及其植物地理学意义

特有植物在植物区系地理的研究中有重要意义,不同等级的特有植物往往成为不同等级植物区系分区的重要依据。查明东亚特有植物的地史渊源对于揭示东亚植物区的特征与性质,理解中国植物区系及东亚植物发生和演变都有重要的意义。本文在现有资料的基础上,分析总结了东亚植物区系中有化石记录的银杏科、杜仲科、连香树科、大血藤科和昆栏树科等5个特有科,水杉等21个特有属的化石历史。从这些特有植物化石历史的分析可以发现,东亚植物的特有植物从来源上可以分为北极-第三纪,北热带,和就地起源等3种类型,特有植物的来源表明东亚植物区系是一个来源复杂的植物区系。尽管各种特有类群的地质历史各不相同,但是都经历了从广布到分布区逐步缩小,最后形成特有的过程。大部分特有类群形成特有的时间是在上新世末到第四纪初。根据特有类群划分区系等级的原则,东亚现代植物区系最终形成的时间应该是上新世末到第四纪初。     

巴豆藤(Craspedolobium schochii)分布区的变化及其中国特有属性质的再论证

特有性是植物区系研究中的重要指标,中国植物区系中的中国特有属对于中国大陆腹地的类群而言是相对稳定的,但对于分布于云南的类群则需要具体分析。巴豆藤（Craspeddobium schochii）分布区发生变化的例子说明对周边国家的植物区系调查仍然不够深入、彻底,在这样的情况下,某些类群的特有概念会有时效的限制,同样,其他一些类似属的分析也支持这样的判断。如何更好地分析此类情况,需要加强同周边国家的科技合作,加大植物区系调查的力度。     

Contribution to the phytogeography of kashmir himalaya I.Ranunculaceae andPaeoniaceae

The affinities and endemism of Kashmir HimalayaRanunculaceae andPaeoniceae reveal some interesting distribution patterns in some taxa. Isoflor maps, revealing the affinities ofAconitum, Aquilegia, Delphinium andRanunculus, are given. A high degree of endemism exists in the study area. About 41% of the total taxa show restricted distribution which is discussed. The floristic relationships of the wides show close links with Central Asia than any other phytogeographical unit. The significance of altitudinal amplitude of some taxa vis-a-vis their distribution pattern is discussed.     

Diversity and phytogeography of vascular epiphytes in a tropical–subtropical transition island,Taiwan

We present the first checklist of vascular epiphytes in Taiwan, based on herbarium specimens, literature records, and field observations. Epiphyte phytogeography was analyzed using Takhtajan's modified division in floristic regions. We ascertain the presence of 336 species of vascular epiphytes (24 families, 105 genera) in Taiwan. Pteridophytes contribute most species (171 species), followed by orchids (120 species). Epiphytes contribute 8% to Taiwanese floristic diversity and epiphyte endemism is near 21.3%. The extensive mountain system is probably the most effective driver for epiphyte diversification and endemicity in Taiwan. Phytogeographically, Taiwanese epiphytes exhibit equal affinity to the Malesian region, southern China and Indo-China and Eastern Asiatic regions. However, some species have a disjunctive distribution between Taiwan and SW China and/or E Himalaya, presumably related to low habitat similarity with adjacent China and/or the legacy of Late Quaternary climate change. Vascular epiphyte distribution patterns corroborate the phytogeographical separation of the island of Lanyu from the main island of Taiwan along Kanto's Neo-Wallace Line.     

青藏高原特有种子植物区系特征及多样性分布格局

青藏高原拥有丰富的种子植物, 但对该地区特有植物的区系特征以及多样性还鲜有报道。本文通过植物志(书)以及在线数据库, 整理了只分布于青藏高原地区的种子植物名录及其地理分布, 分析了它们的科属特征、区系成分以及多样性空间分布格局。结果表明: 青藏高原共有特有种子植物3,764种, 隶属113科519属, 多数为草本植物(76.3%); 包含100种以上的科有菊科、毛茛科、列当科等15个, 属有马先蒿属(Pedicularis)、杜鹃花属(Rhododendron)、紫堇属(Corydalis)等7个; 从属的区系成分来看, 温带成分占主导(67.5%)。青藏高原特有植物多样性格局呈现从高原东南部向西北部逐渐递减的趋势, 其中东喜马拉雅-横断山脉的物种多样性非常丰富, 而且多数物种分布在高原的中海拔地带。理解青藏高原特有物种的特征及多样性格局对探讨高原植物区系的演化历史和物种保护有重要启示。     

云南罗平多依河景区苔藓植物区系研究

为了解云南罗平多依河景区的苔藓植物多样性和区系特征,对该区苔藓植物进行了调查,并对其区系地理成分进行了统计分析。结果表明,该区有苔藓植物34科59属116种(含变种和亚种),其优势科、属均反映了该苔藓区系以温带成分为主,并有部分热带亚热带成分。苔藓区系的地理成分复杂,以北温带分布型(27.03%)、热带亚洲分布型(25.23%)、东亚分布型(19.82%)和中国特有分布型(10.81%)占优势;以热带成分、北方温带成分和东亚成分为主导,分别占34.23%、35.14%和30.63%;反映了该苔藓植物区系温热并存且具有较高特有性的特征。与邻近13个地区的苔藓区系进行对比分析,多依河苔藓植物区系的物种丰富度较高(排第8位),与贵阳香纸沟的亲缘关系最近,这与两地相近的地理位置、海拔高度,以及相同的喀斯特河谷环境是分不开的。     

贡嘎山典型植被地上生物量与碳储量研究

采用典型样地调查和异速生长模型相结合的方法,测定了贡嘎山东坡垂直带谱上常绿与落叶阔叶混交林、针阔叶混交林、亚高山暗针叶林、高山灌丛4种典型植被类型的地上部分生物量与碳储量.结果表明,(1)随着海拔的升高,植被地上生物量呈先上升后下降的趋势,其生物量分别为:常绿与落叶阔叶混交林233.49 t/hm2、针阔叶混交林524.55 t/hm2、暗针叶林415.81 t/hm2、高山灌丛20.86 t/hm2,而相应的单株树木平均地上生物量分别为320.11 kg、1 140.78 kg、623.15 kg、11.89 kg,显示出与植被垂直带生物量相一致的变化趋势.(2)不同树木器官的含碳率中,以叶片的平均含碳率(48.25％)最高,依次为树枝(4 6.29％)、树干(4 4.65％);海拔从低到高的4个垂直带植被碳储量分别为103.60 t/hm2、245.26 t/hm2、192.99 t/hm2、9.82 t/hm2.研究认为,年平均降水量与地上生物量显著相关,是影响贡嘎山植被垂直带地上生物量分异的重要气候因子.     

巴音布鲁克大尤尔都斯盆地野生种子植物区系研究

基于野外实地调查,采集植物标本鉴定并结合相关文献资料整理,构建新疆巴音布鲁克大尤尔都斯盆地野生种子植物名录,在此基础上对该地区野生种子植物区系进行研究.结果表明:(1)巴音布鲁克大尤尔都斯盆地共有野生种子植物60科261属770种.(2)优势科有禾本科、菊科、豆科、石竹科、蔷薇科、十字花科、莎草科、毛茛科等11个科,表征科有豆科、龙胆科、石竹科、禾本科4个科.(3)区系地理成分以温带分布型为主,其中在科级水平上,温带分布型所属科共有30科,占到总科数(不含世界广布科)的88.24％;在属级水平上,温带性质分布型的属有220属,占总属数(不含世界广布属)的97.78％;同时该地区植物物种与地中海、中亚、西亚交流相对较多,而与东亚和热带交流很少.(1)本地区无中国特有属,但有中国特有种55个,其中新疆特有种32个.     

Climatic determinism in phytogeographic regionalization: A test from the Irano-Turanian region,SW and Central Asia

This study investigates the role of climate in determining phytogeographic regions, focusing particularly on the Irano-Turanian floristic region in SW and Central Asia. A set of simple climatic variables and bioclimatic indices were used to prepare climate-space scatter plots and climate diagrams. The climate data were also subjected to multivariate analyses (PCA and Regression tree) in order to develop a bioclimatic characterization of the Irano-Turanian region in comparison with the adjacent Mediterranean, Saharo-Sindian, Euro-Siberian, and Central-Asiatic regions. Phytogeographic regions of SW and Central Asia display distinct bioclimatic spaces with small overlaps. The Irano-Turanian region is differentiated from surrounding regions by continentality, winter temperature, and precipitation seasonality. Continentality is the most important bioclimatic factor in differentiating it from the Mediterranean and Saharo-Sindian regions and is responsible for floristic differences among sub-regions of the Irano-Turanian region. In our case study, the Irano-Turanian region is a nearly independent bioclimatic unit, distinct from its surrounding regions. Hence, it is suggested that the term “Irano-Turanian bioclimate” be used to describe the climate of most of the continental Middle East and Central Asia. Among different sub-regions, the west-central part of this floristic region (“IT2 sub-region”) is a major center of speciation and endemism. Our case study demonstrates that climate is a primary determinant of phytogeographic regionalization. Although modern climate and topography are strong control parameters on the floristic composition and geographical delimitation of the Irano-Turanian region, the complex paleogeographic and paleoclimatic history of SW Asia has also influenced the Tertiary and Quaternary evolution of the Irano-Turanian flora, with additional impacts by the long-lasting historic and present land-use in this region. Many Irano-Turanian montane species are threatened by global warming, and particular conservation measures are needed to protect the Irano-Turanian flora in all sub-regions.     

粉条儿菜属(肺筋草科)的地理分布及其物种多样性和分化中心

粉条儿菜属(AletrisL.)隶属于肺筋草科,全世界有23种1变种,东亚有18种1变种,北美东南部有5种,为典型的东亚-北美间断分布的属.本文在种(变种)的水平上,研究了粉条儿菜属的地理分布及其分布中心和多样化中心,并对其起源和分化以及现代洲际间断分布格局的成因进行了分析.结果表明,(1)中国共分布有粉条儿菜属植物15种1变种,而广义的横断山地区集中分布有13种1变种,是东亚粉条儿菜属植物分布最为集中的地区,而且包含该属植物各个进化阶段的代表.因此,广义的横断山地区是粉条儿菜属在东亚的分布中心和多样化中心.(2)根据粉条儿菜属及其近缘属的分布格局推测,该属可能在不晚于第三纪早期,起源于古北大陆.东亚和北美的粉条儿菜属植物形态区别明显,应该是隔离分化的结果.(3)该属植物可能曾经广布于北半球,后来地质、气候以及冰川等因素的变化,导致该属在一些地区灭绝,而仅存于东亚和北美东南部.(4)尽管横断山及其周边地区是东亚粉条儿菜属的多样化中心,但该地区很可能并不是粉条儿菜属最早的分化中心,因横断山地区周边的一些特有种可能是在晚近的时期形成的新特有种;另外,东亚粉条儿菜属一些原始的种类主要分布于我国中东部到日本一带.所以,中国中东部到日本一带可能是粉条儿菜属早期的分化中心.     

Modelling the geographic distributions of endemic genera in the eastern Central Asian desert

This study simulates the distributions of 13 endemic and near‐endemic genera (Ammopiptanthus, Sympegma, Iljinia, Elachanthemum, Potaninia, Tugarinovia, Kaschgaria, Sarcozygium, Timouria, Zollikoferia, Stilpnolepis, Synstemon and Tetraena) to indicate areas of plant diversity and conservation importance within the eastern Central Asian desert, and to identify the determinant environmental variables contributing to the spatial distribution patterns. Using known distribution localities and 14 environmental variables, the Maxent and Domain species distribution models were employed to map the patterns of geographic distribution. The power of predictability of the models was tested using the receiver operating characteristic method and the jackknife validation approach, according to the different number of species localities available. The estimated richness and the superimposed potential distributions of 13 genera were used to indicate endemic patterns of distribution. The comparison of Maxent and Domain further identified previously unknown areas of endemism and described the distribution for each taxon. Both observed species occurrence and the species occurrence predicted from the Maxent indicated that the eastern Alashan of Inner Mongolia is the most noticeable endemic area, and the northwestern and northern Tarim Basin of Xinjiang is the secondary center of plant diversity. These regions were then prioritized for conservation importance. Potential evapotranspiration ratio and precipitation seasonality played important roles in driving the observed patterns of endemic distribution.     

鄂西后河自然保护区蕨类植物区系地理研究

初步探讨了后河自然保护区蕨类植物区系地理特点,结果表明：本区系蕨类植物种类非常丰富,起源十分古老,亚热带成分占居主导地位,温带成分的比例高,组成本区系各成分来源不同,发展极不平衡,鳞毛蕨科,水龙骨科,蹄盖蕨科拥有大量属种,显现出复杂性,优势性特色;本区系中国特有种占较大比重,与我国西南区相似率最高,可能处于我国蕨类植物的川东－鄂西特有现象中心,并支持了秦仁昌在中国蕨类植物地理分区中将鄂西划为西南区     

The Tenebrionidae of California: A Time Sensitive Snapshot Assessment

Due to a diversity of habitats and its geologic history, the US state of California hosts a spectacular assemblage of darkling beetle species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). In addition to being part of the California Floristic Province, one of 34 global biodiversity hotspots identified by Conservation International, California also has additional areas which are parts of the Great Basin, Mojave, and Sonoran deserts. California is divided into nine floristic regions. Each region is assessed in terms of faunal composition and endemism. A “snapshot” of our present knowledge of the Tenebrionidae indicates that 447 currently recognized species, representing 108 genera, occur in California of which one hundred and ninety are endemic. California is compared to other nearby regions in diversity and endemism. An analysis of currently valid species vs a more realistic species account based on unpublished records of likely synonyms and known species yet to be described in the scientific literature is presented. The California Floristic Region, rather than other more arid parts of California, has the highest number of total and endemic species. Because of their high diversity and endemism, tenebrionids could potentially provide a valuable tool for monitoring the environment for conservation purposes.