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<p>This study investigated the germination behavior of the endemic plant <i>Anthemis aetnensis</i> Spreng., a high-mountain species growing on Mt. Etna (Italy), the highest active volcano in Western Europe. Germination tests were conducted in growth chambers where we investigated the response of the achenes from four distinct populations of <i>A. aetnensis</i> under different fixed temperatures – 5, 10, 15 and 20&#xa0;°C – and photoperiod of 12/12&#xa0;h light–dark. All four populations of <i>A. aetnensis</i> showed that increasing temperatures favor higher final germination percentage (FGP), and lower mean germination time (MGT). These results further corroborate the existence of a “Mediterranean mountain germination syndrome”, which shows higher temperature optimum (c. 20&#xa0;°C) and makes species germinate more rapidly, in contrast to the species with “Mediterranean lowland germination syndrome”, characterized by slower germination and lower temperature optimum (c. 10–15&#xa0;°C). However, northern and southern populations of <i>A. aetnensis</i>, spatially separated by a huge volcanic valley, showed significantly different ranges of FGP, respectively 9.0–41.0% vs 61.0–84.0%, suggesting the existence of ecotypes but also possible ongoing processes of allopatric speciation. Genetic analyses should be particularly encouraged to support these hypotheses. The climate investigation across the <i>A. aetnensis</i> spatial range found temperature variations up to 2&#xa0;°C, and a decline of c. 100&#xa0;mm in rainfall over the period 1931–2020. CORINE Land Cover (CLC) analysis suggested an increasing anthropic pressure from privately own ornamental and domestic garden areas (CLC class 2.4.2., <i>complex cultivation patterns</i>). High intraspecific germination variability may help vulnerable species to cope with adverse environmental changes.</p>

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Mediterranean mountain germination syndrome: here the story of the endemic plant Anthemis aetnensis (Mt. Etna, Italy) facing climate and land-cover changes

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月4日

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  • Giuseppe Bonanno,
  • Vincenzo Veneziano

摘要

This study investigated the germination behavior of the endemic plant Anthemis aetnensis Spreng., a high-mountain species growing on Mt. Etna (Italy), the highest active volcano in Western Europe. Germination tests were conducted in growth chambers where we investigated the response of the achenes from four distinct populations of A. aetnensis under different fixed temperatures – 5, 10, 15 and 20 °C – and photoperiod of 12/12 h light–dark. All four populations of A. aetnensis showed that increasing temperatures favor higher final germination percentage (FGP), and lower mean germination time (MGT). These results further corroborate the existence of a “Mediterranean mountain germination syndrome”, which shows higher temperature optimum (c. 20 °C) and makes species germinate more rapidly, in contrast to the species with “Mediterranean lowland germination syndrome”, characterized by slower germination and lower temperature optimum (c. 10–15 °C). However, northern and southern populations of A. aetnensis, spatially separated by a huge volcanic valley, showed significantly different ranges of FGP, respectively 9.0–41.0% vs 61.0–84.0%, suggesting the existence of ecotypes but also possible ongoing processes of allopatric speciation. Genetic analyses should be particularly encouraged to support these hypotheses. The climate investigation across the A. aetnensis spatial range found temperature variations up to 2 °C, and a decline of c. 100 mm in rainfall over the period 1931–2020. CORINE Land Cover (CLC) analysis suggested an increasing anthropic pressure from privately own ornamental and domestic garden areas (CLC class 2.4.2., complex cultivation patterns). High intraspecific germination variability may help vulnerable species to cope with adverse environmental changes.