Abstract Detail

Systematics Section / ASPT

Feodorova, T.A [1].

The origin and the distribution of the mountainous-xerophyte endemics and the desert halophytes of Anabasis (Chenopodiaceae) in the Older Mediterranean region.

The history and the morphological transformation of the Anabasis representatives are tied to Tertiary-Quaternary orogenic processes and the aridisation of climate of the Older Mediterranean region. The genus Anabasis came into existence, probably, on the south shore of the epicontinental see Tethys in the Saharo-Arabian province. Originally, the genus included annual halosucculents. Novadays, this group includes A. annua, A. setifera , which are part of the Setifera section. When Tethys receded in the middle and upper Cretaceous time, the Anabasis spesies spread over the East in the Irano-Turanian province. The orogenic process of Alpino-Hymalaian belt created new ecotopes - mountain gypsum stony deserts (hammadas) and clain places. The section Adenophora originated from the Central-Asian branch of the section Setifera (A. micradena), the tertiary remains of which are found on the Middle Asian territory. This process was also connected with Tertiary Quaternary Mountain Building. This section is spread over the gypsum pebble-cobble of the Tien-Shan, Kashgaria and Soongaria foothills. The section Adenophora includes sclerophytic hemishrubs only. New species and new hybrids beloning to the sections Brachylepis and Anabasis are actively coming into existence in the salt and the sandy deserts of the tertiary basin of Tethys. More arid conditions have essentially mofified morphological features of the species of Brachylepis and Anabasis sections. Some species of this sections (A. salsa, A. aphylla), existing on spacious areas, are actively spreading and forming vicarious series in the Saharo-Arabian, Irano-Turanian and Central ana Middle Asian province of the Older Mediterranean region. The future combination of morphological and molecular data analysis will help to fully understand the evolution of the Anabasis and the role saline, sandy and gypsum-stony soils in it.

1 - Lomonosov Moscow State University, Higher Plants, Leninskie Gory, Biology Faculty, Moscow, 119899, Russia

Keywords:
Anabasis
Chenopodiaceae
systematics.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 32-91
Location: Special Event Center (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004
Time: 12:30 PM
Abstract ID:569