Asian relationships of the flora of the European Alps

作者：Kadereit Joachim W^*; Licht Wolfgang; Uhink Christian H

来源：Plant Ecology & Diversity, 2008, 1(2): 171-U60.

DOI：10.1080/17550870802328751

Background: It has long been recognised that the Alps have strong biogeographical links to Asia.
Aims: We investigate here whether the two areas are connected either through southern (mountain chains between the Alps and the Himalayas) or through northern regions.
Methods: We compiled the geographical distribution of plant genera growing both in the Alps and the Himalayas, and outside these two regions. This compilation was used to search for molecular phylogenetic literature which was screened for area relationships informative for our purposes.
Results: Of 933 genera growing in the Alps, 653 were considered further. Of the 429 genera growing in the Alps and the Himalayas, 218 grow in both northern and southern intervening areas, 203 only in southern intervening areas, three only in northern intervening areas, and five in the Alps and Himalayas but not in between. Epimedium, Primula sect. Auricula and Scopolia can be considered examples for a northern connection. Brachypodium, Poaceae subtribe Loliinae, Bupleurum, Doronicum and Atropa are examples for a southern connection. In the latter group centres of diversity are clearly located in the Mediterranean area and occurrences further east appear to be derived.
Conclusions: Although our database is very narrow, we predict that ideas about the biogeographical composition of the flora of the Alps made by several early authors will be confirmed. It will be found to contain a northern element originating from Asia via a northern connection, and a southern element originating from the Mediterranean area or southwest Asia.

• 出版日期2008