Plant Diversity of Central Asia

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About the journal

PDCA is an international journal having a geographical focus on Central Asia and devoted to the taxonomy, biogeography and evolution of fungi and plants, including fossils. Plant population and community ecology, plant-animal interactions and conservation biology are also welcome. Descriptive taxonomic papers should normally constitute a comprehensive treatment of a group. Papers on individual species and especially nomenclatural papers must contain significant new information of broad interest.
In addition to this, we have an Open Access Policy

Current issue

Volume 2, Issue 1
January 2023

Latest Articles & Monographs

Monograph The genus Iris L. s. l. (Iridaceae) in the Mountains of Central Asia biodiversity hotspot Authors: Alexander Sennikov, Furkat Khassanov, Elyor Ortikov, Mamura Kurbonaliyeva, Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev doi: 10.54981/PDCA/vol2_iss1/a1 License： Key words: Central Asia, identification key, Iris, Juno, typification Download PDF Preview abstract Abstract The novel, phylogeny-based classification of Iris s.l. in the Mountains of Central Asia biodiversity hotspot has been developed. Fifty seven species are accepted and classified into 14 sections. The majority of accepted species (38) belong to the juno irises, which have a centre of their diversity in Central Asia and are represented by 2 sections; the largest I. sect. Juno is subdivided into 10 species groups, whereas I. sect. Physocaulon is subdivided into 2 subsections, each with 2 aggregates. The analysis of the geographical pattern of species richness revealed two areas of exceptionally high Iris species richness: Tian-Shan (14 species) and Hissar Mts. (21 species). A morphological description, sample photograph, geographical distribution, ecological data, point distribution maps, list of specimens and photographs examined, synonymy and nomenclatural type are provided for each species. A new identification key is compiled, based on morphology and phylogenetic relationships. Iris alberti Regel is reported for the first time from Uzbekistan. Four new combinations, Iris sect. Sclerosiphon (Nevski) Sennikov & F.O.Khass., I. subsect. Drepanophyllae (Rodion.) Sennikov, I. subsect. Rosenbachianae (Rodion.) Sennikov and I. parvula (Vved.) Sennikov, are established. The name I. kopetdagensis Vved. is validated with a type and description in English. Iris suworowii Regel is restored as the priority name for I. lineata Foster. Iris popovii Vved. is treated as a synonym of I. baldshuanica O.Fedtsch. & B.Fedtsch., I. pskemensis Rukšāns as a synonym of I. kolpakowskiana Regel, I. hoogiana Dykes as a synonym of I. darwasica Regel, and Iridodictyum kopetdaghense Kurbanov is reduced to a synonym of Iris reticulata M.Bieb. Iris almaatensis Pavlov is removed from synonyms of I. subdecolorata Vved. and considered a yellow form of I. kuschakewiczii B.Fedtsch. The nomenclature of I. sect. Regelia (Foster) Foster, I. parvula (Vved.) Sennikov and I. sogdiana Bunge is corrected. The names I. sect. Regelia (Foster) Foster, I. alberti Regel, I. bloudowii Ledeb., I. halophila Pall., I. hoogiana Dykes, I. lineata Foster, I. regelii Maxim. ex Regel, I. scariosa Willd. ex Link, I. sogdiana Bunge, I. stolonifera Maxim., I. suworowii Regel, I. tenuifolia Pall., I. tenuifolia var. thianschanica Maxim. ex Regel and I. vaga Foster are lectotypified, whereas I. suworowii is also epitypified.
Research Article What determines the distribution of Tulipa species in Uzbekistan Authors: Temur Asatulloev, Davron Dekhkonov, Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev doi: 10.54981/PDCA/vol1_iss2/a5 License： Key words: geospatial analysis, species richness, species range, species distribution modeling Download PDF Preview abstract Abstract Although the distribution of Tulipa species in Uzbekistan is well documented, there is no clear understanding of the importance of three classes of environmental variables, climate, soil type, and topography, as determinants of their distribution. We mapped the richness of Tulipa species in Uzbekistan, and conducted species distribution modeling to analyze the contribution of climate, soil type, and topography, to their predicted suitable ranges. The relationship between Tulipa species richness and altitude is best described by a hump-shaped curve, with a majority of the Tulipa species occurring at the altitude range of 700-2200 m. The climate was a major determinant of species distribution for the majority of the analyzed species, however, topography (slope angle and aspect) was equally or even more important for T. tschimganica, T. borszczowii, T. butkovii, T. carinata, T. affinis, T. micheliana, T. sogdiana and T. korolkowii. Soil was an important factor only for T. uzbekistanica, T. butkovii and T. lanata. The conservation implications of these results are discussed.
Research Article Genus Eremurus (Asphodelaceae) in the flora of Uzbekistan Authors: Dilmurod Makhmudjanov, Inom Juramurodov, Mamura Kurbonalieva, Ziyoviddin Yusupov, Davron Dekhkonov, Tao Deng, Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev, Hang Sun doi: 10.54981/PDCA/vol1_iss2/a4 License： Key words: cladistic analysis; Central Asia; synopsis; taxonomy; morphology; Ammolirion; Henningia Download PDF Preview abstract Abstract In this study, 13 morphological characters in 32 species of Eremurus (Asphodelaceae) from Uzbekistan were examined and subjected to cladistic analysis. In the consensus tree, species from subgenus Eremurus clustered together, but did not form a distinct clade sister to Henningia. The subrotate flowers, tepals with one abaxial nerve, and short stamens were found to be ancestral character states in Eremurus. Based on the morphological traits analyzed, a new key to identify the species of Eremurus in Uzbekistan is provided. The main synonyms, nomenclatural types, descriptions, ecological data, distribution and photos are also given for each taxon. Eremurus korolkowii and E. baissunensis are considered nonsynonymous with E. anisopterus and E. luteus, respectively.
Research Article Complete chloroplast genomes of ten species from subgenus Allium (Allium, Amaryllidaceae) Authors: Abdukhalimkhon Munavvarov, Ziyoviddin Yusupov, Ibrokhimjon Ergashov, Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev, Tao Deng, Hang Sun doi: 10.54981/PDCA/vol1_iss2/a3 License： Key words: phylogeny; plastome; nucleotide polymorphism; pseudogene Download PDF Preview abstract Abstract Subgenus Allium is the largest group within the genus Allium (Amaryllidaceae) which detailed phylogenetic classification is still missing despite intensive phylogenetic research. Reconstruction of the subgenus phylogeny is impossible without proper coverage of the subgenus members representing Central Asia, one of the centers of genus (and subgenus) diversity. We sequenced whole chloroplast genomes of 10 species from subgenus Allium, mainly from Central Asia, which, together with 7 species available at NCBI provided us with a representative subgenus sampling for making inferences about the whole plastome-based phylogeny of subgenus Allium. The phylogenetic relationships among the representatives of subgenus Allium in our phylogenetic tree not only contradicted the current sectional classification within a subgenus, but even doubted the validity of the current subgenera recognized in genus Allium. The detected numerous mismatches between the species positions in the phylogenetic tree and the current species taxonomic position may suggest that the importance of the morphological traits used previously for defining sections in subgenus Allium needs reconsideration. Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism in the studied genomes identified the genes ycf1, ndhF, rpoC2, matK and ndhD as the most variable regions (number of SNPs ? 30).
Research Article Species Distribution Modeling - a conservation tool with a wide spectrum of applications in Central Asia Authors: Sergei Volis doi: 10.54981/PDCA/vol1_iss2/a2 License： Key words: conservation planning; reserve design, reintroduction, restoration; threatened species Download PDF Preview abstract Abstract The goal of this paper was to review and illustrate the utility of SDM for solving conservation problems. Using real-world examples, I show a variety of uses for SDM, and then review the existing and potential applications of SDM for plant conservation in Central Asia. Central Asia is the region with a high number of endemic species that have narrow habitat specialization and very restricted ranges. Many of these species are red-listed and known from only a few or a single location. Any plans for their recovery must be based on the estimates of their area of occupancy and critical habitat, as well as the knowledge of their habitat requirements and potential range. SDM can be used for obtaining this information. The predicted ranges then can be used for species translocations, identification of biodiversity and endemism hotspots and reserve design.