Diverse yet endangered: pollen dispersal and mating system reveal inbreeding in a narrow endemic plant

AbstractThe plant Mollinedia stenophylla Perkins (Monimiaceae) is endemic to southern Brazil and, until 2015, had not been seen for 122 years. We located a single population of the species on the margin of a watercourse in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro state. We describe the location of the species, comment on its morphology, ecology and conservation, assess its conservation status, propose conservation measures, and discuss the potential value of local action plans for this and other narrow endemic plant species. Mollinedia stenophylla has whorled leaves, clonal reproduction and a low height, unusual traits in the genus Mollinedia. Using the IUCN Red List criteria we assess the species as Critically Endangered. This example highlights the importance of investing time in plant surveys and taxonomy, especially in megadiverse countries such as Brazil.

Download Full-text

Restricted gene flow within the morphologically complex species Persoonia mollis (Proteaceae): contrasting evidence from the mating system and pollen dispersal

Heredity ◽

10.1038/hdy.1994.113 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 73 (2) ◽

pp. 142-154 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Siegfried L Krauss

Keyword(s):

Gene Flow ◽

Mating System ◽

Pollen Dispersal ◽

Restricted Gene Flow ◽

Complex Species

Download Full-text

Functional ecology of a narrow endemic plant and a widespread congener from semiarid Spain

Journal of Arid Environments ◽

10.1016/j.jaridenv.2009.03.009 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 73 (9) ◽

pp. 784-794 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

S. Matesanz ◽

F. Valladares ◽

A. Escudero

Keyword(s):

Functional Ecology ◽

Endemic Plant ◽

Narrow Endemic

Download Full-text

Experiments on the introduction of a rare, endangered, narrow-endemic plant Rosa iliensis chrshan. in the conditions of the steppe zone of Zailiysky Alatau

Experimental biology ◽

10.26577/10.26577/eb.2020.v84.i3.03 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 84 (3) ◽

Author(s):

A. Zh. Childibayeva ◽

A. A. Ametov

Keyword(s):

Steppe Zone ◽

Endemic Plant ◽

Narrow Endemic

Download Full-text

Genetic diversity and structure of the narrow endemic Seseli farrenyi (Apiaceae): implications for translocation

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.10521 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. e10521

Author(s):

Núria Garcia-Jacas ◽

Jèssica Requena ◽

Sergi Massó ◽

Roser Vilatersana ◽

Cèsar Blanché ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Population Decline ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Endemic Plant ◽

Genetic Lineages ◽

Narrow Endemic ◽

Management Measures ◽

Genetic Diversity And Structure ◽

Nw Mediterranean

Seseli farrenyi (Apiaceae) is an extremely narrow endemic plant, which is considered as one of the species of most conservation concern in Catalonia (NW Mediterranean Basin). Given the accelerated fragmentation and reduction of population size (of over 90%), the environmental agency of Catalonia is currently preparing a recovery plan that includes reinforcements of the extant populations. The present study is aimed at providing the necessary knowledge to carry out genetically-informed translocations, by using microsatellites as genetic markers. Fourteen microsatellites have been specifically developed for S. farrenyi, of which nine have been used. Besides the extant natural populations, the three ex situ collections that are known to exist of this species have also been studied, as they would be the donor sources for translocation activities. Our main finding is that levels of genetic diversity in the natural populations of S. farrenyi are still high (He = 0.605), most likely as a result of a predominantly outcrossing mating system in combination with the limited time elapsed since the population decline. However, population fragmentation is showing the first genetic signs, as the values of genetic differentiation are relatively high, and two well-differentiated genetic lineages have been found even in such a narrow geographic range. These genetic results provide important information when designing conservation management measures.

Download Full-text