Updated checklist of the Umbelliferae of Middle Asia and Kazakhstan: nomenclature, synonymy, typification, distribution

Abstract

The region of Middle Asia and Kazakhstan with 107 genera, 459 species and 204 endemic species is one of essential Umbelliferae diversity centers not only in Asia, but also in the world. The biggest Umbelliferae genera in the region are Ferula (100 species), Seseli (49), Elwendia (19), Bupleurum (18), Elaeosticta (18), Prangos (16), Semenovia (16). The diversity of the family by country is as follows: Kazakhstan (82 genera – 211 species – 28 endemic species), Uzbekistan (68 – 200 – 18, respectively), Kyrgyzstan (65 – 192 – 29), Tajikistan (65 – 176 – 20), and Turkmenistan (51 – 122 – 9). The latter differs considerably from other countries of the region not only in lesser diversity, but also in generic and specific sets, approaching the features of Iranian Umbelliferae. The distribution of species was described with regard to provinces of all five countries. The list of endemic species for each country was compiled on the basis of field, herbarium and published data. There are 16 endemic genera in Middle Asia and Kazakhstan, including Astomatopsis, Autumnalia, Fergania, Kafirnigania, Karatavia, Komarovia, Kuramosciadium, Lipskya, Mogoltavia, Paulita, Pilopleura, Schtschurowskia, Sclerotiaria, Sphaenolobium, Sphaerosciadium, and Tschulaktavia, 6 other genera being subendemics. Across the region the important border between Middle Asian (eastern part of SW Asian floristic province of the Mediterranean type) and Central Asian phytochoria passes; the former being considerably richer in the Umbelliferae than the latter.