Orchidaceae in Puglia (Italy): Consistency, Distribution, and Conservation

Abstract

A study of the distribution of orchid species in Puglia, based on an analysis of 2084 bibliographic reports from 2000 to 2022, was carried out with the aim of revising and updating the information on the consistency of the Orchidaceae family in Puglia, with a special focus on assessing threatened species occurring inside and outside protected areas. The work presents a checklist of the Orchidaceae taxa (genera, species, and subspecies) found in the region, including observations on genera and species that present taxonomic challenges. A total of 113 taxa (i.e., species and subspecies), distributed across 16 genera, are listed in alphabetical order. The most representative genera were Ophrys (51 taxa), Serapias (15 taxa), and Epipactis (11 taxa). Additionally, 49 taxa (43.4%) were found to be endemic to Italy, with 21 of these, mostly belonging to the Ophrys genus, being exclusive to Puglia. Our study notes two different trends of distribution: a predominantly coastal distribution for orchid records located in southern Puglia (the Salento peninsula) and a more widespread distribution for the other provinces. Our study also shows that the greatest number of records locate orchids in protected areas with a positive correlation between their presence and habitats cited in Directive 92/43/EEC.

Genetic variation and structure of endemic and endangered wild celery (Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff.) quantified using novel microsatellite markers developed by next-generation sequencing

“…Recently, the conservation of indigenous and threatened species has attracted considerable attention globally ( Blyth et al., 2020 ; Coelho et al., 2020 ; Nzweundji et al., 2020 ; Perrino et al., 2022 ; Turco et al., 2023 ; Zhou et al., 2023 ). Investigations on the genetic diversity of vulnerable species by employing molecular markers have expanded in recent years because of their pivotal significance in planning for both in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures ( Aboukhalid et al., 2017 ; Movahedi et al., 2019 ; Amiri et al., 2021 ).…”

Floristic Studies in the Light of Biodiversity Knowledge and Conservation

“…In conclusion, it is possible to state with certainty that even today floristic studies are of great importance, especially in geographic areas in which the flora is not well known [ 18 ], in protected areas [ 19 ], and in biodiversity hotspots [ 20 ], but also in territories where the flora is well known [ 21 ], where these studies still contribute to the knowledge and conservation of biodiversity.…”