Sonia Bernardos

Cytotaxonomic study of some taxa of the subtribe Orchidinae (Orchidoideae, Orchidaceae) from the Iberian Peninsula

Chromosome numbers in 29 populations belonging to 21 species of Orchidinae from the Iberian Peninsula have been counted. For four Iberian endemic species, Anacamptis coriophora subsp. carpetana, Dactylorhiza caramulensis, Orchis tenera, and Serapias perez-chiscanoi, the number of chromosomes is reported here for the first time. For another three, Anacamptis champagneuxii, Himantoglossum hircinum, and Orchis langei, this number has been established in Iberian representatives. Moreover, new ploidy levels have been obtained for Anacamptis champagneuxii and Dactylorhiza sambucina. Some taxonomic, phylogenetic, and phytogeographic comments are made for several species or groups of species from the Western Mediterranean region.

Taxonomic composition and ecological characteristics of the endemic flora of the lower Duero Basin (Iberian Peninsula)

Abstract The taxonomical composition and an analysis of four ecological characteristics of the 46 endemic species occurring in the lower Duero Basin (CW Iberian Peninsula) have been made. A comparative analysis of the results reveals that this endemic flora does not comply with the general patterns previously observed in other floras. Predominant life forms are hemicryptophytes (43%) and chamaephytes (22%). As far seed-dispersal is concerned, 54% of the endemic species lack any noteworthy adaptative feature. 89% of the endemic species are pollinated by animals (mostly by insects) and only 1 species is dioecious. Following binary classification of the above characteristics have been used to plot statistically significant associations.

The plant communities of the Rumici indurati-Dianthion lusitani alliance in the Lusitan Duriensean biogeographical sector (NE Portugal and CW Spain).

Abstract The rupicolous vegetation of the alliance Rumici indurati-Dianthion lusitani in the central-western Iberian Peninsula is analysed using the methods of the Zürich-Montpellier school. This paper provides phytosociological tables and biogeographical, ecological and floristic data for this alliance. Two new syntaxa are also described: Rumici indurati-Anarrhinetum durimini and Phagnalo saxatilis-Antirrhinetum lopesianii. These Lusitan Duriensean phytocenoses are compared with those of other biogeographical sectors of the Iberian Peninsula using numerical analysis.

Phylogenetic relationships of Mediterranean Neottieae and Orchideae (Orchidaceae) inferred from nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences

Abstract Sequence data for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA were collected from 27 terrestrial Mediterranean orchid species. These data were included in parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) analyses. Tree topologies from the parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses were largely congruent. Both topologies shows that Neottieae are strongly supported as monophyletic (MP = 100% and ML = 86%). Within Orchideae, Dactylorhiza + Orchis + Neotinea are sister groups; the Himantoglossum + Anacamptis clase is well delimited by the cytological synapomorphy of n = 18, in both parsimony and maximum likelihood analysis; Serapias is monophyletic according to molecular evidence, though it does not exist unequivocal distinction between the tetraploid S. lingua and the remaining diploid species; section Pseudophrys of genus Ophrys is isolated, showing unequivocal morphological (type of labellum and pollination) and karyological (tetraploid species with 2n = 72) cohesion.

Karyological and taxonomical notes on three species of the genusEpipactis (Neottioideae, Orchidaceae) in the central-western Iberian Peninsula

Studies on the karyotypes and chromosome numbers of species ofEpipactis from the central-western Iberian Peninsula show that the species harbour enormous chromosome variability, have very asymmetric karyotypes and possess extraordinary diversity of aneuploidy. This paper provides the first report of a chromosome number forE. fageticola (2n=36, 40 + 0–2 B), as well as the first counts for Portuguese populations ofE. helleborine (2n=18, 32, 38) and first counts for Iberian populations ofE. tremolsii (n=20, 30, 2n=16, 24, 32, 34, 36, 38 + 1B, 40 + 1B, 52, 60). Among populations ofE. tremolsii there is a significant differentiation in ecology and somatic chromosome number, suggesting that there may be two different taxa in the region studied. Chromosomes are large to small, ranging in length from 10.8 μm to 1.8 μm. Karyotype asymmetry is of type 3C inE. fageticola andE. tremolsii and 2C inE. helleborine andE. tremolsii.

Biostatistical studies of northeastern Portuguese populations of the Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz and E. tremolsii Pau species groups (Orchidaceae)

Abstract Multivariate methods using morphological characteristics, 16 vegetative and 19 floral, were applied to the study of six northeastern Portuguese and two central-western Spanish allogamous Epipactis populations representing one taxon of the E. helleborine group and probably three of the E. tremolsii group. The study mainly focussed on the latter group because of its complexity. Despite earlier confusion in their identification, E. lusitanica and E. tremolsii are well defined and clearly separable in these territories. The results suggest a new member of the latter group should be recognised, though this question has not been completely resolved and further investigation is required before confirmation can be made.

Taxonomy, morphometric circumscription and karyology of the Mediterranean African representatives of Ophrys sect. Pseudophrys (Orchidaceae)

Abstract Ophrys sect. Pseudophrys shows a pronounced morphological variation, especially in Mediterranean Africa, a centre of radiation of this section. In Tunisia, different authors recognize between 9 and 13 species (and 5 subspecies). A multivariate analysis was performed in order to study the polymorphisms of eight critical species of Ophrys sect. Pseudophrys represented in Tunisia (O. africana, O. aspea, O. battandieri, O. eleonorae, O. gazella, O. numida, O. subfusca and O. vallesiana). The variation in 20 floral characters (including 5 ratios) were evaluated in 332 live plants belonging to 20 populations of the mentioned Tunisian representatives of sect. Pseudophrys. Two additional labellum characters were measured for the populations belonging to O. subfusca group (namely O. aspea, O. battandieri, O. numida and O. subfusca). In order to distinguish the different species, and identify characters defining their circumscription, we carried out detailed morphological analyses on two different data sets of sect. Pseudophrys, one consisting of all the currently recognized species, and another consisting of all the populations belonging to the controversial O. subfusca group. In order to summarize the overall morphological variation among Pseudophrys, a principal components analysis (PCA) and a cluster analysis of populations were conducted. To test the separation of population groups resulting from the PCA and cluster analyses, a canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) was conducted. The most discriminating characters are presented in the form of boxplots. Due to extensive overlapping in even the most distinguishing characters, it is not possible to accept O. africana as a distinct species from O. gazella, or O. numida as distinct from O. subfusca. Cytological data and chromosome counts are reported for the first time for eight Tunisian members of sect. Pseudophrys. All of the analysed species are diploids with 2n = 36 chromosomes. Neither polyploids nor aneuploids were detected. A key to the accepted species is provided.

Conservation status of the threatened Iberian Peninsula narrow endemic Antirrhinum lopesianum Rothm. (Scrophulariaceae)

Abstract Antirrhinum lopesianum Rothm. is a narrow endemic of the Lusitan Duriensean biogeographical sector (central western Spain and north-eastern Portugal). The species is listed as threatened in several Spanish documents, although it does not figure as such in any Portuguese document. This paper provides a detailed study of its distribution, estimates of the sizes of its populations, the threats it faces, and its current conservation status. The total number of individuals thought to exist is only 768, distributed along the valley of the River Duero on the Spanish – Portuguese border (562, 71.2%), and in the Portuguese Sabor River valley (206, 26.8%). The main threat to the species is loss of habitat: about one third of the Iberian populations can be considered threatened; one population containing 37.6% of all these plants (289) is severely threatened. To determine the Area of Occupancy and the Extent of Occurrence, an exhaustive bibliographical survey was carried out, and herbarium specimens deposited in several institutions were revised. It is, therefore, classifiable as Critically Endangered in Portugal and Endangered in Spain.

Novedades y comentarios para la orquidoflora centro-occidental ibérica

Se aportan datos floristicos, taxonomicos, corologicos y fitosociologicos acerca de 8 orquideas de la flora centro-occidental iberica, en concreto procedentes de Salamanca (Espana) y Tras-Os-Montes (Portugal). Dos de ellas significan nuevas citas para la flora del norte de Portugal, y las restantes representan novedades centro-occidentales, provinciales, o ampliaciones de su area de distribucion. Asimismo se aportan recuentos cromosomicos para varias especies, efectuadas por primera vez con material peninsular.

Phytogeochemical, geographical and vulnerability study of the Paleosubtropical element Notholaena marantae subsp. marantae (Sinopteridaceae) at the western edge of its range

Serpentine outcrops are distinct from their background geological context, as they are often isolated from one another, and provide a home to a significant number of rare or endemic taxa. The aim of this study was to assess the Portuguese populations of one such taxon, Notholaena marantae subsp. marantae, including information on its biogeography, habitat, geographical range and conservation status. A detailed study was also made of the endemic association Notholaenetum marantae, a member of the Phagnalo saxatilis-Cheilanthion maderensis alliance, a type of vegetation included in the EU Habitats Directive 92/43/ECC. The distribution of Notholaena marantae was highly fragmented, with two sites accounting for over 50% of the total number of individuals recorded. The presence of N. marantae is associated with that of ultramafic rocks, which show specific geochemical features. The conservation status of the species is a cause for concern. We propose that the species be considered ‘vulnerable’ according to the criteria of the IUCN (2001), and that areas where its populations grow be protected. This study confirms the endemic status of N. marantae subsp. marantae in Portugal and the importance of the conservation of its serpentine habitats.