Systematic and Biogeographic overview of Lamiaceae in Turkey

Abstract

Lamiaceae is the third largest family based on the taxon number and fourth largest family based on the species number in Turkey.  The family has 48 genera and 782 taxa (603 species, 179 subspecies and varieties), 346 taxa (271 species, 75 subspecies and varieties) of which are endemic (ca. 44%) (data updated 1th February 2017) in the country. There are also 23 hybrid species, 19 of which are endemic (82%). The results proven that Turkey is one of the centers of diversity for Lamiaceae in the Old World. In addition, Turkey has about 10% of all Lamiaceae members in the World.

The largest five genera in the country based on the taxon number are Stachys (118 taxa), Salvia (107 taxa), Sideritis (54 taxa), Phlomis (53 taxa) and Teucrium (49 taxa). According to taxon number, five genera with the highest endemism ratio are Dorystaechas (1 taxon, 100%), Lophantus (1 taxon, 100%), Sideritis (54 taxa, 74%), Drymosiphon (9 taxa, 67%), and Marrubium (27 taxa, 63%). There are two monotypic genera in Turkey as Dorystaechas and Pentapleura. Turkey sits on the junction of three phytogeographic regions with highly diverse climate and the other ecologic features. Phytogeographic distribution of Turkish Lamiaceae taxa are 293 taxa in the Mediterranean (37.4%), 267 taxa in the Irano-Turanian (36.7%), 90 taxa in the Euro-Siberian (Circumboreal) phytogeographic region, and 112 taxa in Unknown or Multiregional (14.3%) phytogeographical elements. In the Mediterranean phytogeographic region 61% of the taxa, in the Irano-Turanian phytogeographic region 50% of the taxa, and in the Euro-Siberian (Circumboreal) phytogeographic region 13% of the taxa are endemic. Some endemic taxa are widely distributed in the country, so their phytogeograhic elements are not clearly defined, the endemism ratio of these taxa are 13%. In time, species of Lamiaceae genera are migrated from one phytogeographic region to another one and specialised in specific habitats in the country. Salvia, Stachys, Sideritis, Phlomis, Teucrium, Thymus, Nepeta, Scutellaria, Origanum and Marrubium are species rich genera in Turkey. Particulary, most of Old Wold species of Salvia, Stachys, Origanum, Marrubium, Ballota, Lamium and Drymosiphon naturally grow in Turkey. These genera have also quite high endemism ratio with Phlomis, Scutellaria, Thymus, Nepeta and Satureja. Due to high taxon number and endemism ratio, different habitats, climates and soil types, high altitutinal range and diverse pollinators, it is clear that Turkey is a very good example for evolution and speciation of Lamiaceae family in the Old World.