Altitudinal Distribution of the Hemiparasitic Loranthaceae in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Abulfaith, H. A.; Emara, H. A.

doi:10.2307/2388430

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Although previous studies have demonstrated that landscape‐scale patterns of mistletoe distribution were associated with elevation, perhaps reflecting physiological limits to the mistletoe's range (Aukema 2001; see also Abulfaith & Emara 1988), the landscape‐scale patterns identified at BRT are not associated with elevation. Instead, our results provide some evidence that forest fires influence mistletoe distribution at the larger landscape scale.…”

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confidence: 99%

The Spatial Distribution of Mistletoe in a Southern Indian Tropical Forest at Multiple Scales

2010

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Taxillus tomentosus is a mistletoe of significant management concern in southern India. This mistletoe affects the productivity of several nontimber forest products, most significantly Amla (Phyllanthus emblica and Phyllanthus indofischeri), whose fruits provide an important source of income for indigenous forest communities. Management interventions are required to secure the continued viability of Amla and thereby its role in livelihoods. To enhance the scientific basis for management, we characterized the distribution of T. tomentosus at three scales, examined potential mechanisms underlying this distribution, and compared both with those documented in other habitats. Mistletoes were aggregated at all three scales: on individual trees, within forest plots of 500 m 2 , and at scales of 3-4 km. Seed deposition patterns provide an initial distribution 'template' that largely determines patterns at tree and plot scales. This initial pattern is subsequently altered as variation in host suitability and mistletoe mortality from forest fires influence establishment success and postestablishment survival. Local prevalence of infection contributed most to infection spread, and areas of high infection prevalence are highlighted as appropriate foci for management intervention. Although novel underlying mechanisms and variation in the scale of aggregation have been identified, mistletoe distribution in a tropical forest appears to be shaped by similar forces as those documented previously in temperate systems.

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The Spatial Distribution of Mistletoe in a Southern Indian Tropical Forest at Multiple Scales

2010

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“…There are six species of Loranthaceae in Saudi Arabia (Abulfaith and Emara 1988): Tapinanthus globiferus (A.Rich. ), Oncocalyx glabratus (Engl.…”

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Diversity in pollen grain characteristics and its importance in distinguishing Loranthaceae Juss. species grown in Saudi Arabia

Al-Juhani,

Thagafi

2024

Biosci. J.

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Members of the Loranthaceae family are considered parasitic, and mistletoe negatively affects the growth and productivity of host trees. Loranthaceae has several complicated taxonomic issues. Six species of Loranthaceae grow naturally in Saudi Arabia, but these species have not been well studied. The aim of this work was to evaluate the importance of morpho-palynological characters as a taxonomic tool in the identification of Loranthaceae species growing in Saudi Arabia. The discriminatory power of these characteristics was evaluated using different statistical analysis methods. The descriptive characteristics of pollen polar and equatorial views and colpus type are useful for describing the species, and the presence of three colpus patterns was detected among the study samples: syn-(3)-, demisyn-(3)-, and zono-(3)-colpate. The quantitative characteristics, specifically, the equatorial diameter and P/E ratio, are the most useful and can be used to classify species within clusters based on their affiliation with genera, species, and subtribes Emelianthinae and Tapinanthinae. This study confirmed that pollen grain characteristics can be used as a taxonomical tool to identify Loranthaceae species. This information will aid in determining parasitic species that infect trees and could be useful for strengthening efforts in weed management.

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“…These publications barely mention the distribution and host range of parasitic vascular plants in this region. A few studies [23,24] have been conducted, but they do not address the ecology and diversity of all parasitic plants and their host plants that are present throughout the country. Consequently, this work gives an in-depth investigation on the distribution and diversity of parasitic plants and their host range of flowering plants in the Al-Baha region.…”

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confidence: 99%

Ecology and Diversity of Angiosperm Parasites and Their Host Plants along Elevation Gradient in Al-Baha Region, Saudi Arabia

Al-Robai

2023

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The ecology and diversity of flowering parasitic plants and their hosts are poorly investigated and usually ignored in Saudi Arabian plant communities. Therefore, this work aimed at assessing the ecology and diversity of parasitic plants and their hosts along an elevation gradient in the Al-Baha region (1300–2400 m.a.s.l.). Different quantitative vegetation parameters were applied to analyze the collected data. Eight parasitic plants from six genera and four families were identified along the gradient, with 67% of them being zoochorously dispersed species. They accounted for approximately 23.5% (8 out of 34) of those found throughout Saudi Arabia. Perennials, stem hemiparasites, and biregional taxa accounted for around 62.5% of the total parasites, whereas indigenous species accounted for 75%. The dominant family of parasitic species was Loranthaceae (50%), and Phragmanthera austroarabica A.G.Mill. & J.A.Nyberg was the most important species (IVI = 107.28). Orobanche cernua Loefl. and Loranthella deflersii (Tiegh.) S.Blanco & C.E.Wetzel were restricted to the dry zone (low elevation) only, while the other parasites were distributed across the surveyed region. Twenty-three host plants were identified throughout the study region. About 83% of them were phanerophytes and bioregional plants, with 91% being perennial species. The prevalent host plant family across all sites was Fabaceae, with Nicotina glauca Graham being the most important host species (IVI = 32.44%). P. austroarabica and Plicosepalus curviflorus Tiegh. preferred Vachellias as host plants, while Vachellia flava (Forssk.) Kyal. & Boatwr. was the heavily infected host by P. austroarabica. P. austroarabica had a broad spectrum of host range (13 host plants), while O. cernua had a very narrow host range (only Rumex nervosus Vahl). Individual parasite and host species were markedly more abundant in the wet zone than in the low-altitude dry zone. Further research is needed to fully understand such distinctive groups of plants and their negative and positive ecological consequences on plant biodiversity and natural ecosystems.

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Altitudinal Distribution of the Hemiparasitic Loranthaceae in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

The Spatial Distribution of Mistletoe in a Southern Indian Tropical Forest at Multiple Scales

The Spatial Distribution of Mistletoe in a Southern Indian Tropical Forest at Multiple Scales

Diversity in pollen grain characteristics and its importance in distinguishing Loranthaceae Juss. species grown in Saudi Arabia

Ecology and Diversity of Angiosperm Parasites and Their Host Plants along Elevation Gradient in Al-Baha Region, Saudi Arabia

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