The present study describes the chemical composition of the essential oil of different plant parts of Devrra tortuosa; in vivo and in vitro biological activities of plant extract and essential oils. Apiol was found to be the major component of the oil (between 65.73% and 74.41%). The best antioxidant activities were observed for the oil of flowers (IC50 = 175 μg/ml). The samples of stems and roots exhibit lower antioxidant activity (IC50 = 201 μg/ml and 182 μg/ml, respectively). The values of IC50 showed that the extracts of methanol exhibit the highest antioxidants activities (IC50 = 64.8 102 μg/ml). EOs showed excellent antifungal activity against yeasts with low azole susceptibilities (i.e. Malassezia spp. and Candida krusei). The MIC values of oils varied between 2.85 mg/mL and 27 mg/mL. The obtained results also showed that the plant extracts inhibited the germination and the shoot and root growth of Triticum æstivum seedlings.

The genetic diversity within and among nine natural populations of Thymus hirtus Willd. subsp. algeriensis (Boiss. et Reut.) Murb. from different geographical and bioclimatic zones were assessed using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA data. A total of 154 bands were generated from seven selected primers. 141 bands were polymorphic (P=91.56%). The genetic diversity within a population based on Shannon's index which was high (H' pop =0.307) and varied according to bioclimatic zones. A high genetic differentiation among populations (G ST =0.335 and ST =0.296) was revealed, suggesting a population isolation and a low level of gene flow among them. The major proportion of the variation was attributable to individual differences within populations. The genetic structure is in accordance with geography distances. The Neighbour-joining tree based on Nei's and Li's genetic distance among individuals showed that individuals from each population clustered together. The UPGMA dendrogram based on ST values revealed three clusters each of them includes populations closuring to their geographical origin. The high genetic structure of populations resulted from genetic drift caused both by the habitat fragmentation and the low size of most populations. The in situ conservation should interest all populations. The ex situ conservation should be based on the collection of seeds rather within than among populations because of the maximum of variation was revealed within populations.

Mountains of Anatolia are one of the main Mediterranean biodiversity hotspots and their richness in endemic species amounts for 30% of the flora. Two main factors may account for this high diversity: the complex orography and its role as refugia during past glaciations. We have investigated seven narrow endemics of Centaurea subsection Phalolepis from Anatolia by means of microsatellites and ecological niche modelling (ENM), in order to analyse genetic polymorphisms and getting insights into their speciation. Despite being narrow endemics, all the studied species show moderate to high SSR genetic diversity. Populations are genetically isolated, but exchange of genes probably occurred at glacial maxima (likely through the Anatolian mountain arches as suggested by the ENM). The lack of correlation between genetic clusters and (morpho) species is interpreted as a result of allopatric diversification on the basis of a shared gene pool. As suggested in a former study in Greece, post-glacial isolation in mountains would be the main driver of diversification in these plants; mountains of Anatolia would have acted as plant refugia, allowing the maintenance of high genetic diversity. Ancient gene flow between taxa that became sympatric during glaciations may also have contributed to the high levels of genetic diversity.