Journal of Applied Biological Sciences 9 (2): 01-06, 2015 ISSN: 1307-1130, E-ISSN: 2146-0108 Taxonomic and Ecologic Properties of the Endangered Iris pamphylica (Iridaceae) Endemic to S.W. Anatolia İsmail Gökhan DENIZ1* Candan AYKURT2 Mehmet Ali BAŞARAN3 1Dept. of Biology Edu, Faculty Education, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey 2Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Art & Science, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey 3South-West Anatolia Forest Research Institute, Antalya, Turkey *Corresponding author: Received: March 23, 2015 Email: [email protected] Accepted: May 08, 2015 Abstract In this research, the morphological, anatomical, palynological, karyological and ecological properties of the locally endemic Iris pamphylica Hedge, which were collected or observed between 2008 and 2014 in different localities of the Manavgat, Alanya and Akseki districts of Antalya province were examined. After field studies, a detailed morphological description was prepared with morphological observations and measurements carried out on bulbs, leaves, falls and standards of this rare endemic species. The species was recorded in new areas and at different altitudes. The seed morphology and polen grains of I. pamphylica were examined using SEM techniques. Karyotypic ideogram and microphotographs of somatic metaphases were also obtained. To establish ecological preferences of I. pamphylica, certain parameters including distributions, habitat types, soil analyses and flowering times were studied and evaluated. Keywords: Antalya, Conservation, Ecology, Iris, Taxonomy. INTRODUCTION distribution areas and descriptions of the species have been revised. Endangered species, like Iris pamphylica located in or nearby settlements were prioritized. In this In terms of rich plant biodiversity, Antalya is one of investigation, during conservation studies, the taxonomic Turkey's richest provinces. Even considering the ecological and ecologic characteristics of I. pamphylica were richness of our country as a whole, Antalya has an examined and recorded in order to provide opportunity for important role with its rare species and ecological habitat further studies in the future. diversity. The presence of sudden altitude changes within short distances, climatic variations from coastal to inland areas, as well as variable topography ensure rich diversity MATERIALS AND METHODS of species. Antalya province is home to 773 of the country’s endemic plant taxa. 244 of them are best In this research, morphological, anatomical, described as locally endemic as they are found only in the palynological, karyolojical and ecological properties of the Antalya region. One of the important geophyte family of rare endemic Iris pamphylica Hedge which were collected Antalya flora is Iridaceae with it's 19 endemic taxa, 4 of or observed between the years of 2008 and 2014 from them belonging to Iris. different localities of Manavgat, Alanya, Gündogmuş and Iris L. is one of the largest genus of the Iridaceae Akseki districts of Antalya province were investigated. The family and in the world, comprises over 300 species. detailed morphological description was prepared with Distributed in the Northern Hemisphere [1], Iris species morphological observations and measurements carried out have been used as ornamental plants in parks and gardens on bulb, leaves, falls and standards during the field studies. since ancient times,due to the very beautiful and colorful Collected specimens were dried in accordance with flowers [2]. Totally 55 taxa of the genus Iris (46 species, 5 standard techniques and deposited in Akdeniz University's subspecies, 3 variety, 1 hybrid) distribute in Turkey, of Herbarium (AKDU). Deposited root, leaves, scape and which 23 are endemic [3]. I. pamphylica, a rare endemic flower parts preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol or fresh species found in South-west Anatolia (Turkey), was first materials were used for the anatomical studies. Cross and collected by Davis and O. Polunin in 1956. The species is surface sections taken from the materials were examined located in subg. Hermodactyloides and no closely related to under optical microscope and photographed. any other species in the subgenus [4]. Seed morphology and polen grains of I. pamphylica Sadly, despite rich biodiversity, and as a result of were examined using SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) various factors in Antalya, about 60 of the locally endemic techniques. For SEM study, the seeds and pollens were taxa are endangered. When distribution data gathered from covered with gold and mounted on stubs. The field studies of the endangered species were collated, it was microphotographs were taken with a Zeiss LEO-1430 clear that some species required urgent active conservation. Scanning Electron Microscope. LM studies measured the The volume of studies intended to identify endangered long axis (LA), short axis (SA), exine and intine thickness. plants, carried out by the authors, have increased in recent The measured pollen diameters were based on 50 samples. years. Through these studies, threat catagorisation, In order to examine the exine sculptures and seed coat in İ. G. Deniz et al / JABS, 9 (2): 01-06, 2015 2 detail, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also used. long, 2 mm wide at the base and up to 11mm wide towards For SEM study, pollens were first treated with 70% the apex, apex obtuse or slightly emerginate, dark purple to alcohol, and then dried before mounting on stubs and dark brown towards the apex and dark purple veins evident, covered with gold. Pollen shapes and ornamentation were yellow with dark-spotted towards the base, adaxial surface identified according to relevant literature [5, 6, 7]. minutely papillate. Style branches 42–45 x 3 mm For karyological study, the squash preparation method (including style crests), yellow with dark brown-spotted; was used for the chromosome study of this species. Root style crests 9–12 x 3 mm, veins evident; stigmatic lip 0.5 x tips were pretreated in α-monobromonaphthalene at 4°C 1.5–2 mm, clearly narrower than style branch. Stamens 23– overnight and then washed with distilled water and finally 24 mm long; filament 12–13 x 1 mm, pale yellow with dark fixed in Carnoy’s solution (3:1 absolute ethanol: glacial brown spotted; anther 11–13 x 2 mm, creamy white. acetic acid) for a minimum of 5 hours. The root tips were Capsule oblong-eliptic, c. 25–37 x 10–14 mm, beak c. 1 cm hydrolysed for 12 minutes in 1N HCl at 60°C, stained using long, many seeded. Seeds turbinate to subglobose, 3.1-5.2 – the standard Feulgen technique and squashes were 2.1-3.2 mm, with caruncle at apex and funicular prepared. Slides were made permanent with Entellan. protuberance at the base. The rafe is often inconspicuous, Slides were examined under an Nikon E200 microscope sometimes appears as a flat or raised area of the testa where with photographic camera. The ideograms were drawn the epdermal cells are elongated along the longitudinal axis from mitotic metaphase. The nomenclature used for the of the seed. Caruncle coat surface microstructure with description of chromosome morphology is that proposed by reticulate colliculate. Seed surface irregularly rugose, walls Levan [8]. undulate (Fig. 2). Without harming the populations in nature, a certain number of individuals were transferred to the Botanic Garden of Akdeniz University in order to protect the generation of the species. A few plant samples were collected and dried according to the herbarium techniques and archived in the Akdeniz University Herbarium (AKDU). To demonstrate the ecological preferences of I. pamphylica, certain parameters including their distributions, habitat types and flowering times were studied and evaluated. Five soil samples were taken from the exact locations where plants were established, and analysed in the soil analysis laboratories of the Western Mediterranean Forestry Research Institute. All soil samples were taken from 0–20 cm depth as demonstrated by Jackson [9], and then air dried and passed through a 2 mm sieve. The physical and chemical properties of soil samples were analyzed, and data concerning the habitat, elevation, aspect, slope and vegetation were recorded during the field studies. Geographic information system GlobalMapper and Google Earth Pro software, digital elevation maps and 1/25000 raster maps were made use of. These maps are Figure 1. General appearances of flower (a), habit (b), capsule (c) O27a3, O27b4, O27d2 and O27c1. The 3D Analyst module and habitat (d) characters of Iris pamphylica of the program was used for the creation of incline and elevation maps. The coordinates of the individuals were transferred onto the maps by using the relevant modules of the program. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Morphological features Iris pamphylica Hedge, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 23:557 (1961). (Fig. 1). Description Plant 15–25 cm tall at flowering time. Bulba 25–33 x 18–22 mm, ovoid, reticulate-fibrose, producing few smail bulblets (4–13 x 7–10 mm). Leaves 1–2, 15–45 x 0.2–0.25 cm at anthesis, elongating later to 80 cm, 4-angled, linear, Figure 2. SEM microphotographs of the seed (a), caruncle (b) and glaucous, scabridulous at margins. Bracts and bracteoles seed surfaces (c, d) of I. pamphylica. almost equal, 5–6 cm long, closely sheating perianth tube, ventricose, green, herbaceous, membranous at apex and I. pamphylica shows distinctive morphological margins, acute. Flowers solitary, bicolored, dark brown to characters and according to Mathew, is not closely related blue; perianth tube 2–2.5 cm long. Outer tepals (falls) to any other species in the Hermodactyloides subgenus [4]. lanceolate, dark purple veins evident on the claw and limb, It is easily recognisable by its flower colours, short periant adaxial surface minutely papillate; claw 25–26 x 3–3.5 mm, tube and fruiting characters. For this reason, it has not been yellow with black-spotted, longer than limb; limb 11–15 x compared with the relative species in the present study. The 8–11 mm, mucronate or acuminate at apex, dark purple to literature of examination with SEM on the seed surface of dark brown.