Juniperus navicularis - a study of Portuguese population structure and fitness

  • Mário Rui Castro Departamento de Biologia, Escola de Ciência e Tecnologia, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora, Núcleo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal
  • Anabela Ferreira Belo Departamento de Biologia, Escola de Ciência e Tecnologia, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora, Núcleo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal
  • Anabela Afonso Departamento de Matemática, Escola de Ciência e Tecnologia, CIMA_UE, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora, Ap. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal
  • M. Amely Zavattieri Departamento de Biologia, Escola de Ciência e Tecnologia, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora, Núcleo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5209/LAZAROA.47929
Keywords: clonal growth, Cupressaceae, endemic endangered species, fragmented population, population structure, seed viability

Abstract

Juniperus navicularis Gand. is a dioecious endemic conifer that constitutes the understory of seaside pine forests in Portugal, areas currently threatened by increasing urban expansion. The aim of this study is to assess the conservation status of previously known populations of this species located on its core area of distribution. The study was performed in south-west coast of Portugal. Three populations varying in size and pine density were analyzed. Number of individuals, population density, spatial distribution and individual characteristics of junipers were estimated. Female cone, seed characteristics and seed viability were also evaluated. Results suggest that J. navicularis populations are vulnerable because seminal recruitment is scarce, what may lead to a reduction of genetic variability due solely to vegetative propagation. This vulnerability seems to be strongly determined by climatic constraints toward increasing aridity. Ratio between male and female shrubs did not differ from 1:1 in any population. Deviations from 1:1 between mature and non-mature plants were found in all populations, denoting population ageing. Very low seed viability was observed. A major part of described Juniperus navicularis populations have disappeared through direct habitat loss to urban development, loss of fitness in drier and warmer locations and low seed viability. This study is the first to address J. navicularis conservation, and represents a valuable first step toward this species preservation.

 

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Author Biographies

Mário Rui Castro, Departamento de Biologia, Escola de Ciência e Tecnologia, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora, Núcleo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal
MÁRIO RUI CASTRO is a conservation biologist undertaking PHD in Biomedicine. He is currently developing work in ethnopharmacology, looking for sources of new antitumor and antineurodegenerative drugs from endemic and autochthonous plants.
Anabela Ferreira Belo, Departamento de Biologia, Escola de Ciência e Tecnologia, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora, Núcleo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal
ANABELA BELO carries out conservation biology research with a particular interest in plant endemism. She is currently working on the safeguard of Mediterranean Temporary Ponds.
Anabela Afonso, Departamento de Matemática, Escola de Ciência e Tecnologia, CIMA_UE, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora, Ap. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal
ANABELA AFONSO has a particular interest in sampling biological populations, biostatistics and data analysis.
M. Amely Zavattieri, Departamento de Biologia, Escola de Ciência e Tecnologia, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora, Núcleo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal
AMELY ZAVATTIERI has a PhD in Plant Biotechnology. The main area of research is mass propagation by somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis of woody Mediterranean plants. She also investigates in vitro mycorrhization technology (with ectomycorrhiza) and chemical signals between plants and fungi before physical contact.
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Published
2016-07-19
How to Cite
Castro M. R., Belo A. F., Afonso A. y Zavattieri M. A. (2016). Juniperus navicularis - a study of Portuguese population structure and fitness. Lazaroa, 37, 31-41. https://doi.org/10.5209/LAZAROA.47929
Issue
Vol. 37 (2016)
Section
Articles

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