Morphological polymorphism and rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence variation inArmeria(Plumbaginaceae) from south-eastern France

Abstract

The Armeria populations (Plumbaginaceae) scattered along the south-eastern French coastline are small and often endangered by habitat destruction. Because their taxonomic status remains unclear, we conducted a molecular and phenetic analysis to test for the existence of different taxa and to set conservation priorities. Multivariate analysis of morphometric data demonstrated that the majority of coastal populations are similar to inland populations of Armeria arenaria subsp. bupleuroides. However, discriminant analysis isolated two distinct populations. One of these has a morphology intermediate between the narrow endemic Armeria belgenciensis and A. arenaria subsp. bupleuroides. However, rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences display no fixed variation, even between highly remote populations. We discuss these results in the light of recurrent hybridization in Armeria, and propose the description of two new subspecies of Armeria arenaria (subsp. pradetensis and subsp. peirescii) located in the Var department.

Integrative Taxonomy of Armeria arenaria (Plumbaginaceae), with a Special Focus on the Putative Subspecies Endemic to the Apennines

“…Italian arenarioid populations are also phylogenetically more closely related to LL than to FB in the plastid tree (Figure S6). The possible occurrence in Italy of other subspecies occurring in Southern France can be excluded based on the comparison of our data with those published by Baumel et al [72], Tison et al [73], and Tison et De Foucault [74] (data not shown).…”

“…To further investigate the morphological variation within arenarioid plants, we carried out a pairwise comparison using univariate statistical analyses on single characters Figure 2 shows that the highest number of pairwise differences (94) was found between FB and all the other arenarioid populations. The population that shows the second most number of differences is PS (72).…”

“…Figure 2 shows that the highest number of pairwise differences (94) was found between FB and all the other arenarioid populations. The population that shows the second most number of differences is PS (72).…”

Functional Trait-Based Screening of Zn-Pb Tolerant Wild Plant Species at an Abandoned Mine Site in Gard (France) for Rehabilitation of Mediterranean Metal-Contaminated Soils

“…& Gren.) Greuter & Burdet Plumbaginaceae Fibrous root system Not known Sandy and rocky soils He S Population-specific Zn tolerance [ 48 ] Asparagus acutifolius L. Asparagaceae Rhizome AM [ 26 ] Dry sand arid oils He CS Population-specific Zn tolerance [ 20 ] Asplenium ruta-muraria L. Aspleniaceae Rhizome AM + NM [ 26 ] Cliffs, rocks He CS Population-specific Zn tolerance [ 49 ] Biscutella laevigata L. Brassicaceae Fibrous root system NM [ 26 ]/AM [ 27 , 28 ] Rocky soils He SR Species-wide Zn tolerance [ 8 ], Tl-, Cd-hyperaccumulator [ 50 ] Brachypodium phoenicoides (L.) Roem. & Schult Poaceae Rhizome AM [ 2...…”