Karyo-geographical analysis of Armenian flora

Abstract

Approximately 3,800 species of vascular plants have been registered in the flora of Armenia, of which 789 chromosome numbers are known. Additionally, many species have several cytoraces in Armenia (a total of 898 cytoraces were recorded). These species were analysed from a phytogeographical point of view. Their distribution by floristic regions of the republic, altitudinal zones, and vegetation type has been revealed. Geographical elements were established based on general distribution. As a result of the analysis, it was found that Armenian flora was formed over a long period, starting from the Tertiary period, and is composed of nearly equal proportions of migrants from the Boreal and Ancient Mediterranean sub-kingdoms, and species formed on the Armenian Highlands and on the Greater Caucasus. A significant percentage of endemics (mainly neoendemics) indicate that the territory of Armenia is also an arena of intensive formation and speciation. At the same time, a large karyological diversity among species whose distribution is confined to the Ancient Mediterranean or its several parts, including the Armeno-Iranian province, indicates that speciation took place in these territories. The “northern root” species, Boreal and Caucasian, came to Armenia mainly in the form of karyologically stable cytoraces.