Odontarrhena stridii (Brassicaceae), a new Nickel-hyperaccumulating species from mainland Greece

Abstract

Odontarrhena is a taxonomically difficult genus of the tribe Alysseae, including a number of critical species complexes in the Balkan Peninsula. One of these is O. baldaccii, which was previously included in the inconsistent taxon Alyssum fallacinum but recently shown to be distinct from it. In this paper, we analyzed the still uncertain taxonomic circumscription of O. baldaccii by a comparative analysis of the population from the type locality in Crete and other populations from mainland Greece, which were previously attributed to A. fallacinum or dubitatively included in O. baldaccii s.l. The results supported the separation of these mainland populations in a new distinct species, here described as Odontarrhena stridii, sp. nov. Plant habit, leaf shape and size and silicle shape were the major distinguishing morphological characters. Molecular data also suggested divergence between the two groups of populations, while supporting their phylogenetic affinity. The two species are diploid schizo-endemics with 2n = 16, allopatric distribution and specialization for serpentine soils. Shoot Ni concentrations well above 1000 µg g −1 dry weight were confirmed for the Cretan population of O. baldaccii and found for the first time in two populations of O. stridii, which is therefore a new hyperaccumulating species of the Balkan Mediterranean flora. An updated key to the Greek Odontarrhena taxa is provided.

Trichome Biomineralization and Soil Chemistry in Brassicaceae from Mediterranean Ultramafic and Calcareous Soils

“…In addition, mature seeds were collected from 2 Ni-hyperaccumulator species of Bornmuellera from Greece and from 4 species of Odontarrhena (incl. 2 Ni-accumulators) from Greece and Italy, including the recently described endemic O. stridii [ 45 ]. These seeds were used to raise plants at the Botanische Gärten der Universität Bonn, Germany.…”

“…ex Nyár.) Španiel * [ 45 ] Greece, Crete, Gonies L. Cecchi & F. Selvi, FI-055544 Serpentine Odontarrhena bertolonii (Desv.) Jord.…”

“…& Balansa) Španiel, Al-Shehbaz, D.A.German & Marhold Greece, Crete, Lefka Ori D. Tsanoudakis 1484, FI-058645 Limestone Odontarrhena heldreichii (Hausskn.) Španiel, Al-Shehbaz, D.A.German & Marhold * [ 45 , 54 ] Greece, Epirus, Katara Pass F. Selvi & I. Bettarini, FI-055797 Serpentine Odontarrhena moravensis (F.K.Mey.) L.Cecchi & Selvi * [ 25 ] Albania, Korcë, Mt.…”

“…glabra (Nyár.) L.Cecchi & Selvi * [ 25 ] Albania, Krujë, Qafe Shtamë L.Cecchi & F. Selvi, FI-053598 Serpentine Odontarrhena stridii L.Cecchi, Španiel & Selvi * [ 45 ] Greece, Thessaly, Kedros F. Selvi & I. Bettarini, FI-055800 Serpentine Odontarrhena tavolarae (Briq.) L.Cecchi & Selvi Italy, Sardinia, Tavolara L. Cecchi & I. Colzi, Herb.…”

Polyploidy in Odontarrhena bertolonii (Brassicaceae) in relation to seed germination performance and plant phenotype, with taxonomic implications

“…Measurements of silicle and seed size, including wing, were taken at a Nikon stereomicroscope and a Dino-Lite & Dino-Eye digital microscope connected to a DinoCapture 2.0 software vs. 1.5.38B. These selected characters are of taxonomic relevance in Odontarrhena and were already used in morphometric analyses of Mediterranean species of the genus (Cecchi et al 2013(Cecchi et al , 2020.…”