PJB-2019-436
Climatic factors influencing geographical replacement in the desert genus Calligonum Sect. Medusa (Polygonaceae) in Xinjiang, China
Ying Feng, Zhibin Wen, Yan Li and Wenjun Li
Abstract
Calligonum Sect. Medusa is most diverse and widespread taxon in the Xinjiang region. The species are morphologically similar with close phylogenetic ties and occupy narrow geographic ranges, thus becoming geographical replacement species. Eleven Calligonum species fall into three geographical displacement distribution series: Calligonum jimunaicum, C. trifarium, C. ebinuricum and C. gobicum occur in northern Xinjiang; C. ruoqiangense and C. pumilum occur in the east; and C. kuerlese, C. roborowskii, C. yingisarium have a southern distribution. Their distribution follows a pattern of geographical displacement from north to east to south, where they overlap and replace each other in space. We used ANOVA and PCA to identify the climatic factors that influence geographical partitioning in Sect. Medusa and found the most important factors to be annual precipitation and annual temperature. The geographical transitioning observed in Sect. Medusa may be the result of adaptation to long-term aridity in the region. Selective pressures from rainfall and temperature may have prompted adaptation to increasingly arid conditions in Calligonum.
To Cite this article:
Feng, Y., Z. Wen, Y. Li and W. Li. 2021. Climatic factors influencing geographical replacement in the desert genus Calligonum Sect. Medusa (Polygonaceae) in Xinjiang, China. Pak. J. Bot., 53(4): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2021-4(4)
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