The section Atlanticae of the genus &lt;i&gt;Luzula&lt;/i&gt; (Juncaceae)

A Romo,A Boratyński

doi:10.3989/collectbot.2011.v30.005

Abstract

The section Atlanticae of the genus Luzula (Juncaceae).- Luzula atlantica Braun-Blanq. and Luzula tibestica (Quezel) Zarhan ex Romo & Boratynski are the only representatives of the section Atlanticae Kirschner of the genus Luzula . Luzula atlantica is an endemic plant from the High Atlas Mountains and Luzula tibestica is endemic to the Tibesti massif. Both taxa are studied from a nomenclatural, morphological, chorological and biogeographical point of view. These taxa, owing to their low dispersion capacity, have probably diversified in situ.

Highlights

The presence of closely-related vascular plant taxa in isolated mountainous zones has drawn the attention of the biogeographers (Quézel, 1978, 1981, 2002; Quézel & Médail, 2003) and has become a challenge when facing theories of long distance dispersion and/or vicariance
In the case of Luzula DC., for Mediterranean Maghreb region, it is represented by five taxa, each one inhabiting distinct mountainous zones (Maire, 1957)
One is found in the SaharoArabian region, and five are present in Sub-Saharan Africa (Klopper et al, 2006). This type of present distribution causes us to reconsider the role of the Saharo-Arabian region, and its possible function as a great barrier for long-distance dispersal on the one hand, and on the other, the protagonism of the great massifs that dot the SaharoArabian region from the highlands of Ethiopia, the Nuba Mountains, Jbel Marra, Tibesti Massif, Ain and Hoggar Massif across to the Atlas range, in vicariance processes

Summary

Introduction

The presence of closely-related vascular plant taxa in isolated mountainous zones has drawn the attention of the biogeographers (Quézel, 1978, 1981, 2002; Quézel & Médail, 2003) and has become a challenge when facing theories of long distance dispersion and/or vicariance. In the case of Luzula DC., for Mediterranean Maghreb region, it is represented by five taxa, each one inhabiting distinct mountainous zones (Maire, 1957). What can the study of the Atlanticae section of the genus Luzula contribute to this end?

Results

Conclusion