Phylogenetic data reveal a surprising origin of Euphorbia orphanidis (Euphorbiaceae) and environmental modeling suggests that microtopology limits its distribution to small patches in Mt. Parnassus (Greece)
The Mediterranean Basin is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, harboring 25,000 plant species, of which 60% are endemic. Some of them have narrow distributions, such as Euphorbia orphanidis, which is only known from alpine screes on Mt. Parnassos in Greece. Its exact distribution in this...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1116496/full |
| _version_ | 1797904916973355008 |
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| author | Felix Faltner Johannes Wessely Božo Frajman |
| author_facet | Felix Faltner Johannes Wessely Božo Frajman |
| author_sort | Felix Faltner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Mediterranean Basin is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, harboring 25,000 plant species, of which 60% are endemic. Some of them have narrow distributions, such as Euphorbia orphanidis, which is only known from alpine screes on Mt. Parnassos in Greece. Its exact distribution in this mountain was, however, poorly known, and its phylogenetic origin was also unclear. We performed extensive field work in Mt. Parnassos and could register E. orphanidis only in five patches of limestone screes in the eastern part of this mountain range, emphasizing its very narrow distribution, which is likely limited by topography influencing water availability as indicated by environmental modeling. We also registered 31 accompanying species and thus characterized its habitat. Using nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and plastid ndhF–trnL and trnT–trnF sequences, we show that it belongs to E. sect. Patellares, despite not having connate raylet leaves typical for this section, and not to E. sect. Pithyusa as previously suggested. The relationships among the species of E. sect. Patellares are poorly resolved, suggesting their simultaneous divergence that dated to the late Pliocene, which coincided with the establishment of the Mediterranean climate. The relative genome size of E. orphanidis is in the range of that for the other members of E. sect. Patellares, suggesting that it is diploid. Finally, we performed multivariate morphological analyses to generate a comprehensive description of E. orphanidis. Based on its narrow distribution and the anticipated negative impact of global warming, we consider this species endangered. Our study demonstrates how microrelief can limit the distribution of plants in topographically heterogeneous mountain environments and likely plays an important, yet neglected, role in shaping the distribution patterns of plants in the Mediterranean Basin. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T09:56:38Z |
| format | Article |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T09:56:38Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
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| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-7180464f3ca14b2ea21cf2deb53488bf2023-02-16T12:19:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2023-02-011410.3389/fpls.2023.11164961116496Phylogenetic data reveal a surprising origin of Euphorbia orphanidis (Euphorbiaceae) and environmental modeling suggests that microtopology limits its distribution to small patches in Mt. Parnassus (Greece)Felix Faltner0Johannes Wessely1Božo Frajman2Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck/Universität Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Rennweg, Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Botany, University of Innsbruck/Universität Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse, Innsbruck, AustriaThe Mediterranean Basin is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, harboring 25,000 plant species, of which 60% are endemic. Some of them have narrow distributions, such as Euphorbia orphanidis, which is only known from alpine screes on Mt. Parnassos in Greece. Its exact distribution in this mountain was, however, poorly known, and its phylogenetic origin was also unclear. We performed extensive field work in Mt. Parnassos and could register E. orphanidis only in five patches of limestone screes in the eastern part of this mountain range, emphasizing its very narrow distribution, which is likely limited by topography influencing water availability as indicated by environmental modeling. We also registered 31 accompanying species and thus characterized its habitat. Using nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and plastid ndhF–trnL and trnT–trnF sequences, we show that it belongs to E. sect. Patellares, despite not having connate raylet leaves typical for this section, and not to E. sect. Pithyusa as previously suggested. The relationships among the species of E. sect. Patellares are poorly resolved, suggesting their simultaneous divergence that dated to the late Pliocene, which coincided with the establishment of the Mediterranean climate. The relative genome size of E. orphanidis is in the range of that for the other members of E. sect. Patellares, suggesting that it is diploid. Finally, we performed multivariate morphological analyses to generate a comprehensive description of E. orphanidis. Based on its narrow distribution and the anticipated negative impact of global warming, we consider this species endangered. Our study demonstrates how microrelief can limit the distribution of plants in topographically heterogeneous mountain environments and likely plays an important, yet neglected, role in shaping the distribution patterns of plants in the Mediterranean Basin.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1116496/fullendemismendangered speciesenvironmental modellingMediterranean basinmorphometryphylogeny |
| spellingShingle | Felix Faltner Johannes Wessely Božo Frajman Phylogenetic data reveal a surprising origin of Euphorbia orphanidis (Euphorbiaceae) and environmental modeling suggests that microtopology limits its distribution to small patches in Mt. Parnassus (Greece) Frontiers in Plant Science endemism endangered species environmental modelling Mediterranean basin morphometry phylogeny |
| title | Phylogenetic data reveal a surprising origin of Euphorbia orphanidis (Euphorbiaceae) and environmental modeling suggests that microtopology limits its distribution to small patches in Mt. Parnassus (Greece) |
| title_full | Phylogenetic data reveal a surprising origin of Euphorbia orphanidis (Euphorbiaceae) and environmental modeling suggests that microtopology limits its distribution to small patches in Mt. Parnassus (Greece) |
| title_fullStr | Phylogenetic data reveal a surprising origin of Euphorbia orphanidis (Euphorbiaceae) and environmental modeling suggests that microtopology limits its distribution to small patches in Mt. Parnassus (Greece) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Phylogenetic data reveal a surprising origin of Euphorbia orphanidis (Euphorbiaceae) and environmental modeling suggests that microtopology limits its distribution to small patches in Mt. Parnassus (Greece) |
| title_short | Phylogenetic data reveal a surprising origin of Euphorbia orphanidis (Euphorbiaceae) and environmental modeling suggests that microtopology limits its distribution to small patches in Mt. Parnassus (Greece) |
| title_sort | phylogenetic data reveal a surprising origin of euphorbia orphanidis euphorbiaceae and environmental modeling suggests that microtopology limits its distribution to small patches in mt parnassus greece |
| topic | endemism endangered species environmental modelling Mediterranean basin morphometry phylogeny |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1116496/full |
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