Origin of the invasive Arundo donax (Poaceae): a trans-Asian expedition in herbaria.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The hypothesis of an ancient introduction, i.e. archaeophyte origin, is one of the most challenging questions in phylogeography. Arundo donax (Poaceae) is currently considered to be one of the worst invasive species globally, but it has also been widely utilzed by man across Eurasia for millennia. Despite a lack of phylogenetic data, recent literature has often speculated on its introduction to the Mediterranean region.

Methods

This study tests the hypothesis of its ancient introduction from Asia to the Mediterranean by using plastid DNA sequencing and morphometric analysis on 127 herbarium specimens collected across sub-tropical Eurasia. In addition, a bioclimatic species distribution model calibrated on 1221 Mediterranean localities was used to identify

SUBMITTER: Hardion L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4204670 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature