Cumulative germination fractions of the desert and Mediterranean florets of different position in a spikelet (1^st and 2^nd position in a spikelet from the bottom to the top) grown in a greenhouse in two soil types over three consecutive years.

<p>In each of the three consecutive years seeds received five irrigation treatments equivalent of 15, 20, 25, 30 and 40</p

Left. Each year germination fraction in intact vs. disintegrated spikelets.

<p>A disintegrated spikelet was considered germinated in a given year if at least one of its dissected florets germinated. Right. Cumulative proportion of germinated florets of different position in a spikelet over three consecutive years.</p

Floret position within <i>A. sterilis</i> spikelet (numbers denote floret order from the basal to the uppermost) and a scheme of two experimental soil seed banks (one with intact spikelets and another one with detached florets).

<p>In the experiment 1998–2000 trays with intact spikelets of M and D origin (grey and white color, respectively) were reciprocally introduced at the M and D sites. In the experiment 2005–2007 trays with both intact and detached florets of M and D origin were introduced at the location of origin.</p

Israeli Oncocyclus irises: Phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history

Oncocyclus is a large group of bearded irises with poorly known phylogeny and evolutionary history. In Israel, Iris sect. Oncocyclus comprises eight species belonging to three aggregates. We used a combination of approaches to resolve the phylogenetic relationships of these species and indicate the evolutionary forces responsible for their origin. We sequenced the whole chloroplast genomes of species and integrated a phylogenetic tree with results of genetic (AFLP) divergence, degree of reproductive isolation, and species distribution modeling. Our findings suggest that quantitative and even qualitative morphological characters, such as flower color, are unreliable diagnostic traits for Oncocyclus taxonomy; that some recognized species comprise more than one species; and that group evolution did not involve the origin of distinct flower aggregates. A lack of pre-zygotic reproductive isolation agrees with the very low variability of the Oncocyclus plastome, suggesting that Israeli Oncocyclus species are very young. Homoploid hybridization followed or preceded by long periods of geographic isolation, and local selection likely contributed to speciation in Oncocyclus. In the group evolutionary history, importance of homoploid hybridization and local selection differed among species, but limited gene flow played a crucial role for all species. </p

<i>Iris atrofusca</i> genetic and phenotypic variation, the role of habitat-specific selection in this variation structuring, and conservation implications using <i>quasi in situ</i> guidelines

<p>Knowing the extent and structure of genetic variation in an endangered species is essential for establishing efficient conservation practices. However, the proper use of this information requires understanding the role of habitat-specific selection in genetic structuring. We present a study of population differentiation in an endangered species that utilizes guidelines of recently a proposed <i>quasi in situ</i> conservation approach, i.e. taking into account the scale and spatial pattern of local adaptation since if local adaptation is important, the introduced genotypes must be matched to the local biotic/abiotic conditions. Following this approach, we examined the extent and structure of genetic (AFLP) and phenotypic variation and tested for adaptive significance of this variation in critically endangered <i>Iris atrofusca</i> growing in Israel and Jordan. From these results we propose a sampling design that would (i) preserve species adaptive potential and (ii) insure environmental match of the plant material for relocation, reintroduction or enhancement.</p

Quantitative trait experiment data

Quantitative trait experiment dat

Selection experiment data

Selection experiment dat

The broad-sense trait heritability (<i>H</i>²) and among population and between micro-habitat structuring of genetic variation (<i>Q</i>_<i>ST</i>) for 11 quantitative traits.

<p>Trait abbreviations: TH tiller height, DAW days to awning, DMT days to maturation, NSP number of spikelet/spike, SWT individual spikelet weight, AWL awn length, FLL flag leaf length, FLW flag leaf width, PLL penultimate leaf length, PLW penultimate leaf width.</p><p>The broad-sense trait heritability (<i>H</i>²) and among population and between micro-habitat structuring of genetic variation (<i>Q</i>_<i>ST</i>) for 11 quantitative traits.</p

Effect of population origin on seed germination, plant survival and fecundity at the four introduction sites in the year of planting.

<p>Bars represent mean values (±SE). Likelihood ratio tests were used to compare the fit of the full model including effects of plant origin and block to the reduced model with block effect only. Test deviance values are provided with the significance level. *** p < 0.001, * p < 0.05, ns not significant.</p

Estimates of growth rate of experimental populations of different origin per introduction site one and four years after introduction.

<p>Estimates of growth rate of experimental populations of different origin per introduction site one and four years after introduction.</p