1,721,419 research outputs found
A taxonomic revision of the Siler montanum group (Apiaceae) in Italy and the Balkan Peninsula
Full text linkAbstract: A morphometric-based taxonomic revision of the Siler montanum group (Apiaceae) from Italy and the Balkan Peninsula was carried out. Multivariate and univariate analyses were performed on 47 morphological characters including seven ratios, and based on the study of 328 dried herbarium specimens. According to our results, the characters employed in the study revealed their suitability as key characters for the examined taxa. A taxonomic treatment was presented and a new diagnostic key to the S. montanum group is also provided for Italy and Balkan Peninsula. Ten taxa were recognized within the group, and among them three new subspecies were described: S. montanum subsp. apuanum, S. montanum subsp. corrasianum and S. montanum subsp. ogliastrinum. Furthermore, three new combinations were proposed: S. zernyi subsp. laeve, S. zernyi subsp. ochridanum and S. montanum subsp. stabianum. Six names were lectotypified: Laserpitium garganicum var. balcanicum, L. garganicum var. laeve, L. garganicum var. scabrum, L. siculum var. stabianum, L. siler var. ovalifolium and Ligusticum garganicum. Occurrences were confirmed for Siler zernyi subsp. zernyi in Greece and S. zernyi subsp. laeve in North Macedonia. Occurrences were excluded for S. montanum subsp. garganicum in Greece and North Macedonia and S. montanum subsp. siculum in C and S Italy. Citation: Conti F., Bartolucci F., Bacchetta G., Pennesi R., Lakušić D. & Niketić M. 2021: A taxonomic revision of the Siler montanum group (Apiaceae) in Italy and the Balkan Peninsula.-Willdenowia 51: 321-347. Version of record first published online on 16 November 2021 ahead of inclusion in December 2021 issue
(1189-1190). Genista monspessulana (L.) L. Johnson, Genista corsica (Loisel.) DC. In: Kamari, G. & al. (eds.), Mediterranean Chromosome number reports -10.
No full textUnderstanding long-distance seed dispersal by sea currents: first results of experi ments on Juniperus, Daucus, Ferula and Pancratium spp. from the Mediterranean Basin
No full textTo increase their evolutionary success, plants developed several adaptations
to spread as widely and quickly as possible. Among them, the dispersal
by water or hydrochory is a widely recognized but often overlooked
effective syndrome; if propagules are also saltwater resistant, these can
be dispersed through sea currents and break the barriers of insularity.
The Mediterranean Basin, and especially islands, are natural laboratories
of sea hydrochory (thalassochory) as main or complementary syndrome.
We performed experiments with dispersal units of four genera native to
the Mediterranean (Juniperus, Daucus, Ferula and Pancratium) including
species differing in their distribution and possible dispersal ability:
the coastal Juniperus macrocarpa, Daucus rouyi, Ferula arrigonii and
Pancratium maritimum vs. the preferably inland J. turbinata and J.
oxycedrus, F. communis and D. carota; and the endemic inland P. illyricum.
We tested their period of dispersal units’ buoyancy and seed
viability after floating to hypothesize their colonization distances. Our
preliminary results suggest that some species show specific thalassochory
syndrome while others could be dispersed by sea, although they probably
evolved primarily for other dispersal types. Pancratium maritimum
shows synchrony in floatability and vitality, suggesting a strong interconnection
between the two traits. The congeneric P. illyricum shows
poor floating ability and resistance to saltwater, which might explain its
limited distribution. The genera Daucus and Ferula showed as well poor floating ability, but they can germinate after seawater exposition. Differently,
all Juniperus species –all spread through insular and continental
Mediterranean territories– show a less floatability than P. maritimum,
while their viability remains high even after sinking, confirming that Juniperus
species are particularly adapted to other dispersal types, such
as endozoochory, although they are occasionally or stochastically able
to be long dispersed by sea. This study contributes to explaining the
overlooked but potentially crucial ability of vascular plants to colonize
Mediterranean coastal ecosystems
Germination data of four Mediterranean species of coastal sand dunes
Full text linkThe present work gathers new germination assays of four Mediterranean species of coastal sand dunes. The studied species are: Anthemis maritima L. subsp. maritima, Crucianella maritima L., Eryngium maritimum L. and Thinopyrum junceum (L.) Á.Löve. Seeds were collected at the time of natural seed dispersal in two sites in the South of Sardinia. The germination tests were carried out at the Sardinian Germplasm Bank (BG-SAR). Our results show a high germination capability and germination rate for the tested plant species
Mediterranean Taxus baccata woodlands in Sardinia: a characterization of the EU priority habitat 9580
No full textThe results of a field investigation on the structure and species composition of Taxus baccata L. forests in Sardinia (Italy) is given. The species, that occupies a wide range of altitudes from 50 to 1,550 m a.s.l., but prefers to live from 800 to 1200 m a.s.l., was found to be the dominating tree in mesophylous forests, here described as new associations: 1) Cyclamino repandi-Taxetum baccatae ass. nova, at the top of Sardinian mountains, with 4 subassociations corresponding to local variation of geological substratum; 2) Polysticho setiferi-Taxetum baccatae ass. nova, at intermediate altitudes, near streams, in northern slopes of central Sardinian mountains. Moreover, in contact with mountain oak forests, the new sub-associations Saniculo europaeae-Quercetum ilicis taxetosum baccatae subass. nova and Glechomo sardoae-Quercetum congestae taxetosum baccatae subass. nova have been described. The multivariate analysis of plant assemblages showed a significant separation among the four different communities. Contrary to previous studies, our findings support the evidence for the presence of pure or yew-dominated woods in Sardinia. In particular, the Cyclamino repandi-Taxetum baccatae, has a relic character and a great biogeographic importance. The scattered distribution of the two habitats suitable for the yew in Sardinia can be considered the main current ecological trait that plays a fundamental role in the process of population isolation. To preserve the existing Mediterranean yew woods, we recommend not only measures directed to the species conservation, but also actions that should accomplish the phytocoenotic diversity highlighted by this investigation
Gone with the waves: the role of sea currents as key dispersal mechanism for Mediterranean coastal and inland plant species
Full text linkThalassochory, 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
Knowledge gaps and challenges for conservation of Mediterranean wetlands: Evidence from a comprehensive inventory and literature analysis for Sardinia
Full text linkWetlands are some of the most important ecosystems on Earth. They play a key role in mitigating climate change-related events and filtering polluted water, and provide habitats for a wide range of species. Despite their importance, and numerous regulations that support their conservation, wetlands continue to be destroyed. Recent reports have indicated a progressive decline in ecological character of remaining wetlands. This research reviews and extends the present status of wetland knowledge in Sardinia, the second largest Mediterranean island. For the first time, Sardinian wetlands were comprehensively mapped using satellite images and field validation. Impacts were also assessed. Trends in literature published about Sardinian wetlands since 1900 were then analysed, mainly according to the location(s) and topic(s) studied. In total, 2,501 Sardinian wetland sites were identified. The most common impacts observed in the field were vegetative degradation and water pollution. Of these wetlands, 2,274 have never been the subject of a research paper. Despite recent increases in publication rates, there was a lack of even basic knowledge about many wetlands, especially smaller ones. Larger wetlands have been studied from a range of viewpoints. In the light of these results, suggestions for improved awareness, effective management and conservation of Mediterranean wetlands were established. Future work should be directed to filling gaps in basic information, and to improvements in research and conservation, which might include multidisciplinary approaches in support of more comprehensive conservation management plans
"(1189-1190) Genista monspessulana (L.) L. Johnson, Genista corsica (Loisel.) DC.". Mediterranean chromosome number reports -10.
No full text(1744-1748) Genista desoleana Vals., Genista toluensis Vals., Genista salzmannii DC. var. salzmannii, Genista salzmannii DC. var. lobelioides (Gamisans) Gamisans & Jeanmonod, Genista pichisermolliana Vals. In: Kamari, G. & al. (eds.), Mediterranean Chromosome number reports -21.
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