Main
Session.
Abstract
Mediterranean
floras represent highly
complex assemblages of species
of different biogeographical
origins. This originality
can be explained by complex
interaction between historical
biogeography patterns and
unique ecological processes.
The huge plant diversity
and levels of endemicity
located in hotspots are
in great part related to
the contrasted historical
biogeography of the Mediterranean
region.
Recent insights of paleoecology
and phylogeography indicate
the importance of past events
(notably Messinian salinity
crisis and glacial episodes)
in shaping this massive
and unique Mediterranean
plant biodiversity. Researches
combining genetics and biogeography
underline also that evolutionary
patterns are much more complex
in the Mediterranean region
than in temperate Europe.
The objectives of this session
are to confront the evolutionary
history of different Mediterranean
taxa in order to evaluate
the respective influence
of diverse sources of complexity,
from an ecological and biogeographical
point of view. A related
topic consists to examine
why biodiversity hotspots
constitute significant areas
for the local persistence
of plants and a reservoir
of unique genetic diversity
and if hotspots act also
as key areas of evolutionary
novelty for Mediterranean
plant species.
Key
words: Mediterranean
floras, biogeography, evolution,
palaeoecology and phylogeography.
