New data on the southern Iberian serpentinophyte flora (Andalusia, Spain)

Abstract

This work updates the existing list of obligate endemic serpentinophytes of the southern Iberian Peninsula. Serpentine ecosystems are developed on ultramafic outcrops which, although rare, have a worldwide distribution. The highly evolved and specialized flora that manages to inhabit these harsh ecosystems includes a very specialized and highly evolved group of plants known as serpentinophytes. Serpentinophytes are linked exclusively or almost exclusively to serpentine ecosystems. The existing list of obligate serpentinophytes (obligate endemics) which exist in the serpentine ecosystems of the southern Iberian Peninsula (Spain) consists of 22 taxa. New fieldwork has been done resulting in the description of new soil endemics and the discovery of new populations of this specialized flora. Consequently, bibliographical sources, databases such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), and existing herbarium sheets have been revised. Crepis bermejana and Galatella malacitana have been added to the list and are proposed to be evaluated as threatened. Teucrium reverchonii has been excluded from the list. Euphorbia flavicoma subsp. bermejense and Armeria villosa subsp. serpentinicola required changes in nomenclature. These nomenclatural changes imply changes in population allocations. The revised list is composed of 23 obligate serpentinophyte taxa. Future conservation measures may include a complete Iberian (including Portugal) serpentinophytes checklist and corresponding revisions of States' legislation and Red Lists.

Teucrium chlorocephalum Čelak. (= T. reverchonii Willk.), un endemismo andaluz poco conocido: Distribución y conservación

“…Por último, se volvió a resolver esta confusión en Pérez Latorre et al (2018), gracias a la revisión llevada a cabo por uno de los autores de la presente nota (FCS) del material de herbario identificado como T. reverchonii y T. haenseleri y depositado en el herbario MGC. En esa revisión se constató que todas las plantas recolectadas sobre peridotitas pertenecian a T. haenseleri.…”

Phenological patterns in Mediterranean south Iberian serpentine flora

“…Successional vegetation dynamics as fire or grazing generates shrublands, as the serpentine Halimium plant community (Digitali laciniatae-Halimietum atriplicifolii) and the serpentine Cistus populifolius plant community (Genisto lanuginosae-Cistetum populifolii). It is within these shrub communities where most serpentine endemisms (serpentinophytes) are found (Pérez-Latorre et al 2013, 2018. A plot was established on each bioclimatic belt (thermo-and mesomediterranean, Fig.…”

“…In order to differentiate between the serpentine and nonserpentine flora, taxa were classified (Table 2), according to their adaptation to grow in serpentine substrate, into serpentinophytes (Pérez-Latorre et al 2013, 2018 and allies (magnesicolous according to Mota et al 2008); both types were separated from non-serpentinophytes (plants that live in the same serpentine ecosystem but are edaphic-indifferent or that can also live in other types of soil; Blanca et al 2011).…”

“…Table 2. Studies taxa in LP and HP with degree of affinity for serpentine soil according to Pérez-Latorre et al (2013, 2018. O = obligate; P = preferential; Sub = subserpentinophyte; NS = not serpentinophyte; M = magnesicolous (Mota et al 2008).…”

“…In our study, despite differences in interannual rainfall and the difference in plot altitude, not very strong altitudinal differences in phenology among the sampled species were found (a delay of a month) and there were practically no interannual differences. Some factors may have masked phenological differences due to altitude or the annual Pérez-Latorre et al (2013, 2018 as the magnesicolous-related taxa according to Mota et al (2008). Non-serpentinophytes (NS) have a wider ecological distribution range according to Blanca et al (2011), % sp.…”