Abstract |
Endemism and hybridization in Mediterranean ecosystems were studied through analysis of
spatial distribution patterns of the three species of genus Phlomis and their hybrids in Crete, as well as
comparative analysis of hybridization in Crete and other, non-Mediterranean, floras. The creation of
distribution maps, through Bayesian mathematical modeling and the use of five environmental factors
(altitude, mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, geological substrate and habitat type)
took place so as to produce maps considering the expected distribution of the species and hybrids, but
also maps approximating the observed distribution. Comparison of the two map types resulted in the
emerging of certain patterns. The endemic Phlomis lanata showed the highest similarity between its
observed and expected distribution, while Phlomis cretica and the three hybrids were characterized by
high dissimilarities. The study of the spatial patterns of hybridization also yielded interesting results,
since for two of the three hybrids the spatial distribution does not seem to follow the form of zones, as is
proposed in the bibliography. Finally, the analysis of hybridization in Crete showed that the majority of
hybridizing species do not fit into any of the sympatric, parapatric or allopatric categories, while the
frequency of hybridization is lower than that of other floras. This might support the secondary role of
hybridization in speciation processes in the Mediterranean region.
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