Details zur Publikation |
| Kategorie | Textpublikation |
| Referenztyp | Zeitschriften |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.ppees.2026.125938 |
Lizenz  |
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| Titel (primär) | Population genetics, reproductive ecology, and conservation of the declining annual Omphalodes scorpioides |
| Autor | Vörös, W.A.; Durka, W.
; Michalski, S.G.; Rosche, C.; Träger, S.; Hensen, I.; Karimiyeganeh, F.; Lehnert, M. |
| Quelle | Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics |
| Erscheinungsjahr | 2026 |
| Department | BZF; iDiv |
| Band/Volume | 71 |
| Seite von | art. 125938 |
| Sprache | englisch |
| Topic | T5 Future Landscapes |
| Supplements | Supplement 1 |
| Keywords | Climate; Endangered plant species; Herbarium specimens; Peripheral populations; Plant performance traits; Seed germination |
| Abstract | To conserve threatened species effectively, it is necessary to integrate ecological and population genetic data, identify drivers of population decline, and define protection priorities. We studied the rare and endangered annual plant species Omphalodes scorpioides at its northwestern range margin in central Germany. Genetic diversity, germination ecology, and environmental associations were assessed across multiple populations and years. We found strong genetic variation among populations (39.7%), and significant isolation by distance, yet consistently moderate within-population genetic diversity (mean uHe = 0.23, mean FIS = −0.23). Low variation in genetic diversity between years suggests genetic stability despite annual fluctuations in population size. In the laboratory, seed germination was low (5.6%), with seed viability declining rapidly during storage. No germination occurred in the soil seed bank samples over two years, indicating that recruitment may require specific or disturbed environmental conditions. Population size was not related to genetic diversity or environmental factors. Larger populations showed a higher reproductive performance but produced smaller seeds, whereas vegetative performance was associated with environmental conditions. An assessment of herbarium specimens revealed a phenological deceleration over the last 200 years, accompanied by a reduction in leaf area, both of which may result from increasing environmental stress over time. Our results highlight the ecological vulnerability of O. scorpioides, whose survival is closely linked to narrow environmental niches. Successful conservation measures require maintaining habitat quality and conditions that promote recruitment to ensure the long-term survival of peripheral populations. |
| Vörös, W.A., Durka, W., Michalski, S.G., Rosche, C., Träger, S., Hensen, I., Karimiyeganeh, F., Lehnert, M. (2026): Population genetics, reproductive ecology, and conservation of the declining annual Omphalodes scorpioides Perspect. Plant Ecol. Evol. Syst. 71 , art. 125938 10.1016/j.ppees.2026.125938 |
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