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We evaluated the environmental adaptability of Lavandula multifida L., a plant species presents in the Western Mediterranean Basin with a threatened peripheral population in Southern Italy. Germination capacity, activities of some hydrolyzing enzymes associated with germination and antioxidative pathway of Calabrian L. multifida were quantified in comparison with a Spanish core population. The Calabrian population showed a lower germination ability and it can be related to the small size of the population and associated inbreeding depression. Difference between two populations in enzymatic assays and antioxidative pattern during germination and early seedling development may in part explain a different ability of these two populations to respond to external cues and a diverse environmental adaptability. The study on germination strategies of isolated populations is important to define possible programmes to preserve genetic biodiversity of autochthon plants populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TheHelichrysumoccurrences spread over Hyblaean area (Sicily) are characterized by an unusual richness of morphotype variants which ancestral origin is still unclear. Morphological and genetic variability of seven populations attributable to six taxonomic entities (Helichrysum archimedeum,H. stoechassubsp.conglobatum,H. stoechassubsp.barrelieri,H. hyblaeum,H. pendulumandH. nebrodense) was examined, in order to highlight their relationships within theHelichrysumsect. Stoechadina. Morphological analysis showed a clear isolation of populations referred toH. pendulum,H. nebrodenseandH. stoechassubsp.conglobatum. Whereas, genetic structure profiling, with 21 ISSRs, displayed a strong genetic relationship withinH. stoechasandH. archimedeumaccessions, where the latter exhibited evident genetic similarity withH. hyblaeum. Analysis ofrbcLcpDNA fragment allowed to identify a shared haplotype betweenH. stoechasandH. rupestrespecies, while, through the construction of haplotype network based ontrnL-F/rpl32region, the sampled accessions were properly differentiated as confirmed by the cpDNA consensus network. These results confirmed the high affinity ofH. archimedeumwith otherH. stoechaspopulations and the closer relationship ofH. hyblaeumtoH. stoechasrespect toH. rupestre. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study is aimed at (1) producing a complete and updated inventory of the endemic vascular flora of Peloritani Mountains, (2) defining the geographical limits of Peloritani, regarded here as a biogeographical district and (3) highlighting possible paleogeographic connections with other Mediterranean lands. The heterogeneity analysis of the endemic flora was performed by means of contingency tables, through the χ2test. The endemic flora of this area consists of 129 specific and infraspecifictaxa, of which 15 are restricted to the Peloritani Mountains. The analysis of habitats revealed that endemic taxa are most abundant on cliffs, rangelands, woods and garrigues. A large number of surveyedtaxaare endemic to central-southern Italy and Sicily, while the number of endemictaxain common with Calabria, Etna and Aeolian Islands turned out to be rather low, in spite of the geographical proximity. The endemic flora of Peloritani allows to emphasize palaeogeographical relationships not only with the neighbouring Mediterranean territories, but also with currently remote ones, such as southern Spain, Sardinia and Corsica. The phytogeographical framework substantiates the hypothesis that the Peloritani floristic district coincides with the limit given to Peloritani Mountains by structural geologists. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We conduct a study of the dry forest in areas of scant rainfall in the Dominican Republic; these are sites with particular endemic habitats, as the samples reveal a high rate of local and insular endemic species, with 84 (24.85%) endemisms. This work covers dry forests rich in coarse spiny plants and includes a statistical (multivariate analysis), phytosociological and catenal study of the vegetation. We analyse the floristic composition, ecology, distribution and richness in endemisms of each association. The bioclimatic analysis reveals the different thermotypes and ombrotypes on the island, and locates the proposed plant associations in the infra- and thermotropical thermotypes, and in the arid, semiarid and dry ombrotypes. As a result of this phytosociological analysis, we propose the new allianceHarrio nashii–Acacion skleroxylaeand four plant associations:Harrisio nashii–Prosopidetum juliflorae, Crotono poitaei–Erythroxyletum rotundifolii,Lonchocarpo pycnophylli–Cylindropuntietum caribaeaeandNeoabbottio paniculatae–Guaiacetum officinali; these associations connect catenally with the subhumid forest and mangrove swamps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After a general outline on the syntaxonomical framework of the classPegano harmalae-Salsoletea vermiculataeBr.-Bl. & O. Bolos 1958, the occurrence of this vegetation in the Italian territory is examined. In Italy, this vegetation is mostly found on clayish or marly substrata, particularly if slightly enriched with nitrates and chlorides. With reference to the Rivas-Martínez bioclimatic classification, the Italian stands have an infra- to thermo-Mediterranean thermotype (marginally up to the meso-Mediterranean one) with dry or arid ombrotype. In particular, this vegetation is well represented in Sicily, while in Sardinia and along the Italian Peninsula, it progressively becomes more rare and localized. Altogether, 21 associations are recognized, 11 of which are described here for the first time. The surveyed associations are ascribed to the following alliances:Salsolo oppositifoliae-Suaedionmollis(linked to less disturbed and more thermo-xeric habitats) andArtemision arborescentis(more disturbed and less thermo-xeric habitats). Finally, some conservation issues are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]