Article
Plant Sciences
Moises Guardiola, Llorenc Saez
Summary: This study calculated taxonomic and phylogenetic metrics for the endemic flora of the Balearic Islands and identified spatial patterns and environmental factors that explain the endemism. Hotspots of species and phylogenetic endemism were identified, and gaps in the protected areas were highlighted. This study demonstrates the importance of considering both taxonomic and phylogenetic information in conservation planning.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jia-hua Cai, Yu-min Shui, Xiao-fei Song, Lei Wu
Summary: The name Spiradiclis elliptica Y.M.Shui & W.H.Chen is validly published in this article, following the guidelines of ICN Article 39.1. Detailed morphological characteristics and an illustration are provided for taxonomic identification. This new species is distinguished by its persistent stipules, which are ovate to ovate-oblong and 7-10 mm long, as well as oblong to ovate-oblong, white or sometimes pink bracts with rounded apices. The conservation status of this species is assessed as Least Concern (LC) according to the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.
Article
Plant Sciences
Aron Cadiz-Veliz, Barbara Palma-villalobos, Alejandro E. Villarroel, Melica Munoz-schick
Summary: Adiantum viscosum is a newly discovered fern species that can be found solely in the sclerophyllous forest of Central Chile. It shares similarities with A. gertrudis and A. glanduliferum, but stands out due to the presence of capitate and glandular trichomes throughout the plant, which exude a sticky and aromatic resin.
Article
Plant Sciences
Alejandro E. Villarroel, Kora Menegoz, Carlos Le Quesne, Ricardo Moreno-Gonzalez
Summary: The study describes a newly discovered species, Valeriana praecipitis, which is found only in the Nuble Region of Central Chile. It provides a detailed description, insights into its habitat and ecology, distribution map, illustration, and a table for distinguishing it from another species, V. philippiana. The species is categorized as Endangered (EN) according to IUCN.
Article
Zoology
Alexey A. Kotov, Petr G. Garibian, Anna N. Neretina, Federico Marrone
Summary: This study redescribes the Mediterranean endemic water flea species Daphnia chevreuxi and briefly discusses its distribution and ecology. The research confirms that this species is primarily found in temporary ponds in the central Mediterranean area, while populations from the eastern Balkans and the Middle East require further study to determine their actual identity. The study concludes that although the Cladocera in the Mediterranean area have been well-studied, it is necessary to explore other regions in Eurasia in order to better understand the diversity and distribution of this group.
Article
Plant Sciences
Arthur De Souza Soares, Jose Floriano Barea Pastore, Guilherme Medeiros Antar, Raymond Mervyn Harley
Summary: Hyptis is a genus with about 151 species belonging to subtribe Hyptidinae, a monophyletic and predominantly Neotropical group from Lamiaceae. It has undergone a series of taxonomic changes, especially sectional, since the early 19th century. A recent reestablishment as subsection Hyptis sect. Eriosphaeria subsect. Pachyphyllae consists of four species, all endemic to the Chapada dos Veadeiros region in Goias state, Brazil, with a novelty reported in this study.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Weizhao Yang, Nathalie Feiner, Catarina Pinho, Geoffrey M. While, Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou, D. James Harris, Daniele Salvi, Tobias Uller
Summary: The Mediterranean wall lizards have a complex evolutionary history, featuring early separation into distinct clades and a period of diversification around 6.5-4.0 MYA. Genetic exchange has been a pervasive feature, leading to mosaic genomes and resulting in the rise of several endemic species.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marusa Skubic, Eliska Zaveska, Bozo Frajman
Summary: The Mediterranean Basin is considered a Global Biodiversity Hotspot, but its diversity is unevenly distributed, with the Ligurian Alps in Italy having a high number of endemic species. A disjunct population of the Italian endemic Euphorbia barrelieri was found at the foot of the Ligurian Alps. Through various methods, researchers determined that these populations are tetraploid and have originated from a combination of E. barrelieri and E. nicaeensis. This study highlights the importance of polyploidization in plant diversification, emphasizes the biodiversity value of the Ligurian Alps, and underscores the significance of integrative taxonomic approaches in uncovering hidden diversity.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Daniel Real
Summary: Tedera is a Mediterranean perennial herbaceous forage legume that can be grazed during the out-of-growing-season in Western Australia. The best performance of Lanza(R) tedera cultivar is achieved when it is sown just before or early after the start of the rainy season, at a depth of 2 cm, with a sowing rate of 15 kg/ha, and at a row spacing of 22 cm.
Article
Plant Sciences
Patrizia Panzeca, Angelo Troia, Paolo Madonia
Summary: The study demonstrates the importance of Mediterranean farm ponds in the conservation of aquatic flora biodiversity, particularly at a regional level. Despite being artificial and relatively poor habitats, these ponds host interesting species and provide valuable information for the preservation of local biodiversity.
Article
Plant Sciences
Annette Patzelt, Michael Pinter, Mario Martinez-Azorin
Summary: A new species of Vera-duthiea from the Dhofar province of Oman is fully described, including information on its taxonomic relationships, biology, habitat, and distribution. An assessment of its conservation status is also provided.
Article
Plant Sciences
Nicolas Lavandero, Ludovica Santilli, Fernanda Perez
Summary: A new species of Calceolaria sect. Cheiloncos endemic to central Chile is described in this study, with a comparison made with morphologically similar species. The new species is only known from a specific area in central Chile and is considered Critically Endangered.
Article
Plant Sciences
Teresa Mouga, Susana Mendes, Ines Franco, Ana Isabel Fagundes, Nuno Oliveira, Paulo Crisostomo, Lurdes Morais, Clelia Afonso
Summary: The Berlengas archipelago is a UNESCO world heritage site and the only known habitat of Armeria berlengensis. Conservation efforts, including exclusion areas to protect the plants from threats like invasive species and gulls, have led to an increase in the population size and changes in the size structure of A. berlengensis. Concerns over the low seed production rate of the species highlight the need for continued conservation efforts.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shukherdorj Baasanmunkh, Magsar Urgamal, Batlai Oyuntsetseg, Alisa Grabovskaya-Borodina, Khurelpurev Oyundelger, Zagarjav Tsegmed, Vanjil Gundegmaa, Alexey A. Kechaykin, Andrey I. Pyak, Li Qing Zhao, Hyeok Jae Choi
Summary: The study updated the checklist of vascular plants endemic to Mongolia, revealing that most endemic species are distributed in western and central Mongolia, with high species richness in the Mongolian Altai, Khangai, Dzungarian Gobi, and Gobi Altai phytogeographical regions.
Article
Plant Sciences
Manuel Tiburtini, Gianluigi Bacchetta, Marco Sarigu, Salvatore Cambria, Paolo Caputo, Daniele De Luca, Gianniantonio Domina, Alessia Turini, Lorenzo Peruzzi
Summary: An integrative approach was used to resolve the complex taxonomy and systematics of the genus Armeria in Sardinia and Corsica. The study found that some taxa are no longer supported by new data, leading to a new taxonomic hypothesis that considers only five species endemic to the islands.
Article
Plant Sciences
Salvatore Brullo, Cristian Brullo, Salvatore Cambria, Vincenzo Ilardi, Giuseppe Siracusa, Gianpietro Giusso Del Galdo
Summary: Ephedra aurea, a newly described species from Sicily, shows close taxonomic relationships with Ephedra nebrodensis. Despite similarities in small size and scabrous-wrinkled internodes, distinct differences in various features allow for clear differentiation between the two species. The ecology, conservation status, and relationships with other Mediterranean species are also discussed.
Article
Ecology
Werner Ulrich, Thomas J. Matthews, Idoia Biurrun, Juan Antonio Campos, Patryk Czortek, Iwona Dembicz, Franz Essl, Goffredo Filibeck, Gian-Pietro Giusso del Galdo, Behlul Guler, Alireza Naqinezhad, Peter Torok, Juergen Dengler
Summary: Species abundance distributions (SADs) are important tools in ecological analysis, but empirical research on their scaling properties is lacking. This study fitted the Weibull distribution to grassland plant communities and found that the shape and scale parameters vary with environmental conditions.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Emanuele Del Guacchio, Gianmarco Tavilla, Gianpietro Giusso del Galdo, Salvatore Brullo, Charles Stirton
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Gianmarco Tavilla, Salvatore Cambria, Salvatore Brullo, Dario Azzaro, Gianpietro Giusso del Galdo
Article
Plant Sciences
Fabio Conti, Fabrizio Bartolucci, Sandro Bogdanovic, Adriano Stinca
Summary: The endemic taxon O. alba subsp. calcarea, previously known only in central Balkan, is discovered for the first time in Croatia. Through field investigations and herbarium research, its current distribution in Dalmatia on Mt Mosor is reported. Additionally, the name O. calcarea is typified based on a specimen traced in PR.
Article
Plant Sciences
Salvatore Brullo, Cristian Brullo, Salvatore Cambria, Vincenzo Ilardi, Giuseppe Siracusa, Pietro Minissale, Gianpietro Giusso Del Galdo
Summary: This paper describes and illustrates a new species named Ephedra strongylensis found in the islands of Stromboli and Strombolicchio in the Aeolian Archipelago, Sicily. The new species is morphologically distinct from other species in the Mediterranean, especially Ephedra aurea, but shows some similarities in terms of scabrous-wrinkled articles and not fragile nodes. However, significant differences in twig size and shape, leaves, male and female cones, ovules, seeds, fruiting strobili, and pollen grains can be used to differentiate this new species. The paper also provides information on the ecology, conservation status, and taxonomic considerations with other related Mediterranean species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Saverio Sciandrello, Salvatore Cambria, Gianpietro Giusso del Galdo, Pietro Minissale, Marta Puglisi, Gianmarco Tavilla, Valeria Tomaselli
Summary: In order to conserve endangered plant species, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of their habitats. Urtica rupestris Guss. (Urticaceae) is a rare endemic plant species found on shady cliffs in southern-eastern Sicily. Due to human activities, the natural habitats have been fragmented, leading to the decline and disappearance of several plant species. This study analyzes vegetation plots to characterize the floristic composition of the U. rupestris community, and proposes new risk status and habitat designation for its long-term conservation. The establishment of a new association, Urtico rupestris-Adiantetum capilli-veneris, is also described.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dario Lucic, Iva Pavlovic, Lidija Brkljacic, Sandro Bogdanovic, Vladimir Farkas, Andrea Cedilak, Lucia Nanic, Ivica Rubelj, Branka Salopek-Sondi
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the phenolic compounds and antioxidant and anticancer potential of traditional Croatian kale and wild cabbage extracts. The results showed that both plant species extracts are rich in phenolic compounds and exhibited significant antioxidant activity, as well as anti-cancer effects on HeLa cells. Wild cabbage contained more sinapic acid, while kale contained more kaempferol and quercetin. Both extracts inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells, but did not affect normal human skin fibroblasts.
Article
Plant Sciences
S. A. L. V. A. T. O. R. E. Brullo, C. R. I. S. T. I. A. N. Brullo, S. A. L. V. A. T. O. R. E. Cambria, P. I. E. T. R. O. Minissale, S. A. V. E. R. I. O. Sciandrello, G. I. U. S. E. P. P. E. Siracusa, G. I. A. N. M. A. R. C. O. Tavilla, V. A. L. E. R. I. A. Tomaselli, Gianpietro Giusso Del Galdo
Summary: Based on herbarium and field investigations, this study examines the taxonomic status of Solenopsis laurentia, a hygrophilous species of the Campanulaceae family, showing a Mediterranean distribution. Five subspecies were recognized based on morphological and nomenclatural studies conducted on living populations from various Italian localities. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, micromorphology analysis, taxonomical relationships, distribution, conservation status, and nomenclatural notes were provided for each subspecies.
Article
Plant Sciences
Salvatore Cambria, Dario Azzaro, Orazio Caldarella, Michele Aleo, Giuseppe Bazan, Riccardo Guarino, Giancarlo Torre, Antonia Egidia Cristaudo, Vincenzo Ilardi, Alfonso La Rosa, Valentina Lucia Astrid Laface, Fabio Luchino, Francesco Mascia, Pietro Minissale, Saverio Sciandrello, Luca Tosetto, Gianmarco Tavilla
Summary: This paper presents new data on the presence of 32 native and alien vascular species in Sicily, Italy, based on fieldwork and herbaria surveys. Several native species, including Aira multiculmis and Mentha longifolia, are reported for the first time or confirmed after many decades. The study also documents three native species that have been repeatedly observed in Sicily but were inexplicably omitted by recent checklists. Additionally, the paper reports the presence of 15 alien species new to Sicily, including Pyrus betulifolia, which is new to Europe.
Article
Plant Sciences
Valentina Lucia Astrid Laface, Carmelo Maria Musarella, Gianmarco Tavilla, Salvatore Cambria, Gina Maruca, Gianpietro Giusso del Galdo, Giovanni Spampinato
Summary: The taxonomic doubts regarding the two endemic species of Pimpinella in Italy, P. anisoides and P. gussonei, were clarified through the analysis of their carpological characters. Fourteen morphological traits were identified and analyzed using 40 mericarps. The results highlight the significance of 10 morphological traits in distinguishing between the two species, including fruit size, mericarp length, and cross-section area.
Article
Plant Sciences
Manuel Tiburtini, Gianluigi Bacchetta, Marco Sarigu, Salvatore Cambria, Paolo Caputo, Daniele De Luca, Gianniantonio Domina, Alessia Turini, Lorenzo Peruzzi
Summary: An integrative approach was used to resolve the complex taxonomy and systematics of the genus Armeria in Sardinia and Corsica. The study found that some taxa are no longer supported by new data, leading to a new taxonomic hypothesis that considers only five species endemic to the islands.
Article
Plant Sciences
Dolores Rita Agius, Maria Elizabeth Galea, Salvatore Cambria, Gianpietro Giusso Del Galdo, Salvatore Brullo
Summary: This article investigates the native species of the genus Limonium in the Maltese Islands. A new species was discovered through recent field surveys, which exhibits some morphological differences compared to the known species. Detailed illustrations, morphological descriptions, and other relevant information are provided for each species.
