Abstract
The Maputaland Centre [MC] of endemism comprises the northernmost part of the Tongaland-Pondoland Regional Mosaic. With the exception of the narrow Lebombo Range which rises to an elevation of some 600 m, the area is a nearly flat, low-level, sandy coastal plain with a maximum elevation of about 150 m. The vegetation of the MC is exceptionally diverse, consisting of a mosaic of forest, savanna, grassland and swamps, largely determined by local edaphic conditions. About 2,500 species (but probably more) of vascular plants occur in the MC. Of these at least 203 species/infraspecific taxa and 3 genera (Brachychloa, Galpinia, Helichrysopsis) are endemic/nearendemic to the region, and are listed for the first time. The area is also outstanding for its faunistic diversity, which includes many endemics spread over the whole taxonomic spectrum. Biogeographic links of the MC are clearly with the more tropical parts of Africa, with many Afrotropical species reaching the southernmost limit of their range here.
Résumé
Le Centre d’endémisme du Maputaland comprend la partie la plus septentrionale de la Mosaïque régionale du Tongaland-Pondoland. A l’exception de l’étroite chaîne des Lebombo, qui s’élève à quelque 600 m d’altitude, la région se présente sous la forme d’une plaine côtière sablonneuse de basse altitude et pratiquement plate, dont l’altitude maximale plafonne à peu près à 150 m. La végétation y est exceptionnellement diversifiée, constituée d’une mosaïque de forêts, de savanes, de formations herbeuses et de marais, conditionnés en grande partie par l’édaphisme local. On y relève environ 2500 espèces (probablement davantage) de plantes vasculaires. Sur ce total, au moins 203 taxons spécifiques ou infraspécifiques, ainsi que 3 genres (Brachychloa, Galpinia, Helichrysopsis), sont endémiques ou subendémiques à la région et c’est la première fois qu’on en dresse l’inventaire. La région est remarquable également par sa diversité faunistique, avec de nombreuses espèces endémiques s’étalant dans l’entièreté du spectre taxonomique. Les liens biogéographiques du Centre d’endémisme du Maputaland avec les parties davantage tropicales de l’Afrique sont bien nets, nombre d’espèces afrotropicales atteignent ici la limite la plus méridionale de leur aire de distribution.
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Van Wyk, A.E. (1996). Biodiversity of the Maputaland Centre. In: van der Maesen, L.J.G., van der Burgt, X.M., van Medenbach de Rooy, J.M. (eds) The Biodiversity of African Plants. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0285-5_26
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0285-5_26
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