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Photosynthetic pathways inChenopodiaceae from Africa, Asia and Europe with their ecological, phytogeographical and taxonomical importance

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Abstract

Photosynthetic pathways are reported for 305 species ofChenopodiaceae from Africa, Asia and Europe. Ecological characteristics, phytogeography and life forms of all species are given, and their correlation with relevant CO2-fixation types are discussed. 205 species (67.2%) exhibit the C4-pathway and 100 species (32.8%) the C3-pathway of CO2-fixation. Most of the C4 species are of Irano-Turanian origin. The diversity of C4 species of the Irano-Turanian phytochoria, with very harsh winters, are interpreted by the active period of Chenopods in summer. There is a close relationship between some special morphotypes and respective photosynthetic type. Halophytes and xerophytes with articulated stems and stem succulents ofAnabasis-type are exclusively C4. Leaf succulent halophytes and xerohalophytes are predominantly C4. Hygrohalophytes with leaf or stem succulence are often C3. Probably many C4 Salsoleae have been evolved in the Afroasiatic arid zone after the climatic changes of the Miocene. Among them there is a high proportion of annuals that have a younger origin. There is some evidence that the present Chenopods of the subfamily “Salsoloideae” may have their ancient stock in NW Africa. We found close taxonomic relationships between photosynthetic pathways and infrageneric classification in genera with both types of C3 and C4, likeAtriplex andSuaeda.

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  1. Institut für Systematische Botanik, Universität München, Menzinger Strasse 67, D-80638, München, Germany

    Hossein Akhani

  2. Institut für Hydrologie, GSF-Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit, Postfach 1129, D-85758, Oberschleißheim, Germany

    Peter Trimborn

  3. Institut für Botanik und Mikrobiologie, Technischen Universität München, Lehrstuhl für Botanik, Arcisstrasse 21, D-80290, München, Germany

    Herbert Ziegler

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  1. Hossein Akhani
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Dedicated to emer. Univ.-Prof. DrFriedrich Ehrendorfer, Wien, on the occasion of his 70th birthday

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Akhani, H., Trimborn, P. & Ziegler, H. Photosynthetic pathways inChenopodiaceae from Africa, Asia and Europe with their ecological, phytogeographical and taxonomical importance. Pl Syst Evol 206, 187–221 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987948

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