Classification, diversity, and distribution of Chilean Asteraceae: implications for biogeography and conservation

Abstract

This paper provides a synopsis of the Chilean Asteraceae genera according to the most recent classification. Asteraceae is the richest family within the native Chilean flora, with a total of 121 genera and c. 863 species, currently classified in 18 tribes. The genera are distributed along the whole latitudinal gradient in Chile, with a centre of richness at 33°–34° S. Almost one‐third of the genera show small to medium‐small ranges of distribution, while two‐thirds have medium‐large to large latitudinal ranges of distribution. Of the 115 mainland genera, 46% have their main distribution in the central Mediterranean zone between 27°–37° S. Also of the mainland genera, 53% occupy both coastal and Andean environments, while 33% can be considered as strictly Andean and 20% as strictly coastal genera. The biogeographical analysis of relationships allows the distinction of several floristic elements and generalized tracks: the most marked floristic element is the Neotropical, followed by the antitropical and the endemic element. The biogeographical analysis provides important insights into the origin and evolution of the Chilean Asteraceae flora. The presence of many localized and endemic taxa has direct conservation implications.

Late Cenozoic diversification of the austral genusLagenophora(Astereae, Asteraceae)

“…Studies on Antarctic Nothofagaceae (Francis & Hill, 1996) during the Pliocene suggested a low prostrate habit, more similar to shrubs growing today along exposed parts of the treeline on Isla Navarino in southernmost Chile. Nowadays, beech forests in southern South America are restricted to median to high elevations (up to 2000 m) in the southernmost Andes from c. 33°S to the southernmost extremes of Argentina and Chile (McQueen, 1976;Luebert & Pliscoff, 2006;Moreira-Muñoz & Muñoz-Schick, 2007). The reconstruction of the historical biogeography of Lagenophora, as presented here, in the frame of the apparent association of this genus with the southern cool-temperate beech forest, could contribute to our understanding of the spatio-temporal patterns of the austral biota.…”

“…Notably, only a few genera of Asteraceae occur in Australia, New Zealand and southern South America, occasionally extending to Asia (Allan, 1961;Moreira-Muñoz & Muñoz-Schick, 2007;Ezcurra, Baccala & Wardle, 2008). One such genus is Lagenophora Cass.…”

“…The lack of a pappus in Lagenophora has intrigued researchers (Cabrera, 1966;Carlquist, 1967;Heads, 1999;Moreira-Muñoz, 2007;Moreira-Muñoz & Muñoz-Schick, 2007) and has stimulated controversial discussions about its trans-Pacific distribution. Alternative scenarios have been suggested for austral members of Asteraceae that lack a pappus.…”

Vascular plant assemblages of ephemeral wetland vegetation along the Mediterranean-temperate gradient in Chile

“…These diagnostic species are only missing in the plots from the island of Chiloé and from Argentina. Lasthenia kunthii is widespread southwards (Moreira-Muñoz & Muñoz-Schick 2007) and occurs also in ephemeral wetlands in Patagonia (San Martín et al 2013). FIGURA 4.…”

“…Vernal pools offer a habitat to native annuals, many of them endemic in Chile (Arroyo et al 1990). Additionally, many of these annual species belong to mono-specific genera, such as the Asteraceae Blennosperma, Centipeda, Lasthenia, Micropsis and Microseris (Moreira-Muñoz & Muñoz- Schick 2007, Moreira-Muñoz 2011. The distribution and ecology of vernal pool plant species is poorly known (Alvarez et al , 2012b).…”