Abstract
Background: The dwarf succulent genus Conophytum N.E.Br. is one of the most species rich in the Aizoceae. The genus is most closely associated with a region of high floral endemism and biodiversity, the Succulent Karoo biome in south-western Africa.Objectives: To examine the distribution of Conophytum in south-western Namibia and in the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa.Method: A database comprising 2798 locality records representing all known species and subspecies of the genus Conophytum has been constructed.Results: The genus is primarily restricted to the arid winter-rainfall region of the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa and south-western Namibia, within the Greater Cape Floristic Region. Whilst taxa are found across all the main biomes in the region (the Succulent Karoo, Nama Karoo, Desert and Fynbos biomes), 94% of Conophytum taxa are found only in the Succulent Karoo biome and predominantly (88% of taxa) within South Africa. Endemism within specific bioregions is a feature of the genus and ~60% of taxa are endemic to the Succulent Karoo. Approximately 28% of all taxa could be considered point endemics. Whilst the genus has a relatively wide geographical range, we identify a pronounced centre of endemism in the southern Richtersveld.Conclusion: The genus Conophytum can be used as a good botanical model for studying patterns of diversity and speciation in the Succulent Karoo biome, the effects of climate change on dwarf succulents, and for informing conservation planning efforts.
Highlights
The environmental conditions in south-western Africa have resulted in a unique flora well adapted to those conditions
The distribution of the genus Conophytum in southern Africa is shown in Figures 2a and 2b
The extent of the genus can be considered by examining the number of individual locality records per Quarter Degree Square (QDS)
Summary
The environmental conditions in south-western Africa have resulted in a unique flora well adapted to those conditions. Within the Aizoceae, a high degree of speciation is evident, no more so than in the miniature or dwarf succulent genus Conophytum, with 165 recognised taxa of which 108 are recognised at the species level (Hammer & Young in press). The miniaturisation of growth form in leaf succulents (as seen in Conophytum) is an adaptation unique to the region and most evident in the Succulent Karoo biome (Desmet & Cowling 1999a). The dwarf succulent genus Conophytum N.E.Br. is one of the most species rich in the Aizoceae. The genus is most closely associated with a region of high floral endemism and biodiversity, the Succulent Karoo biome in south-western Africa
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