Aegilops triuncialis subsp. bozdagensis (Poaceae), a new subspecies from
South-Western Turkey
Evren CABİ*1, Burçin EKİCİ2, Musa DOĞAN3
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Namık Kemal University, 59030, Tekirdağ, Turkey.
of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture, Namık Kemal University, 59030, Tekirdağ, Turkey.
3Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey.
2Department
*Corresponding author: ecabi@nku.edu.tr
Abstract: A new subspecies Aegilops triuncialis L. subsp. bozdagensis Cabi & Doğan, is
described and illustrated. This new subspecies is confined to Denizli, Acıpayam, Bozdağ in
southwestern Anatolia. It differs from the other two subspecies of Ae. triuncialis subsp.
triuncialis and Ae. triuncialis subsp. persica, by its unawned glumes of the lateral spikelets.
Concerning the new subspecies, IUCN red list category, distribution map, notes on its
biogeography and ecology are given. An identification key of the subspecies of Ae. triuncialis
is also provided.
Keywords: Aegilops, Poaceae, New subspecies, Turkey.
Introduction
The genus Aegilops L. consists of ca. 25 species in the
world. It constitutes the primary and secondary gene pool
for cultivated wheats (van Slageren, 1994; Cabi, 2010).
Species in the genus are distributed in Southwest and
Central Asia and throughout the Mediterranean basin. A
primary center of diversity of the Aegilops is considered
to be the ‘Fertile Crescent’, because a larger number of
Aegilops species are found there than those in other areas
(van Slageren, 1994; Cabi, 2010).
In the Flora of Turkey, Davis (1985) reported 15
species. Subsequently, two Aegilops species have been
added from Turkey (Güner et al., 2000; Cabi, 2010; Cabi
& Doğan, 2009; 2012). Turkey is now one of the center of
diversity for Aegilops with 17 species (Cabi, 2010; Cabi
& Doğan, 2012).
In 2007, while conducting field work around Bozdağ,
Denizli-Acıpayam, we found an interesting Aegilops
population. The specimens were similar to Ae. triuncialis,
however, they were not matched with any previously
known Ae. triuncialis specimens. Therefore, to
accommodate them, new subspecies is described
2009 and collected a large number of specimens for
revising the genus Aegilops. In addition, population size,
phenological traits and ecological preferences of the
species in the genus were observed during the field
studies. Particular attention was paid to Aegilops
specimens collected from Bozdağ Mountain, Southwest
Anatolia (B2 Denizli sensu Davis, 1965) in 2007. Upon
closer examination and going through the Flora of Turkey
(Davis, 1985) and other relevant floras, such as Flora
Orientalis (Boissier, 1884), Flora of Syria, Palestine and
Sinai (Post, 1933), Flora of Iraq (Bor, 1968), Flora Iranica
(Bor, 1970) and the latest monographic treatment of van
Slageren (1994), these specimens were identified as a new
subspecies of Ae. triuncialis. All the authors of plant name
are given according to Brummit and Powell (1992).
Taxonomic treatment
Aegilops triuncialis L. susbp. bozdagensis Cabi & Dogan
subsp. nov. (Figs. 1C, 2E)
Aegilops triuncialis susbp. bozdagensis differs from
the other subspecies by having lateral spikelets without
any awns. Glumes have three teeth up to 0.5 cm, the
middle one is shorter than the others.
Type:-Turkey. Denizli: Bozdağ, Geyran yaylası,
roadsides, open forest, 1400-1650 m, 30.06.2009, E. Cabi
4050 (holotype GAZI, isotype ANK).
Materials and Methods
We carried out extensive field studies between 2006 and
56
Cabi et al.- Aegilops triuncialis subsp. bozdagensis, a new subspecies from Turkey
Figure 1. (A) Aegilops triuncialis subsp. triuncialis, (B) Ae. triuncialis subsp. persica and (C) Ae. triuncialis L. subsp. bozdagensis.
Figure 2. (A, B and C) Glume of Aegilops triuncialis subsp. triuncialis (D) Glume of Aegilops triuncialis subsp. persica and (E) Glume of Ae.
triuncialis subsp. bozdagensis.
Tufted annuals. Stem 20-25 cm (excl. spikes). Leaves
linear-lanceolate, 1.5-3 mm broad, pilose or glabrous.
Spike 3-5 cm, subcylindrical (excl. awns). Spikelets (3-)
4-5 (-7), all fertile, appearing ± superimposed on the
sinuate rachis, forming a regular though slight1y tapering
column, internodes c. as long as glumes; fruiting spike
shed as a unit. Vestigial spikelets 3 (rarely 2). Glumes of
lateral spikelets oblong, 6-10 mm, 1.5-2 × as long as
broad, subglabrous to antrorsely scabridulous or
pubescent, with pallid close-set veins; awns 2-3, 1-6 cm
setaceous or middle awn sometimes reduced to a tooth; at
least lowest lemma setaceous-awned, the others shortly
awned or spine-toothed. Uppermost spikelet with glumes
bearing 3 long setaceous awns overlapping awns of lateral
spikelets; lemma of florets bearing 3 setaceous awns
shorter than those of glumes, lateral pair much shorter
than middle awn.
Results and Discussion
Aegilops triuncialis (Fig. 1) is one of the most widespread
57
ACTA BIOLOGICA TURCICA 31(2): 56-61, 2018
Figure 3. Distribution map of Aegilops triuncialis subsp. triuncialis, Ae. triuncialis subsp. persica, Ae. triuncialis subsp. bozdagensis.
treated the varieties of van Slageren as subspecies rank
and only accepted two subspecies in Ae. triuncialis, as
Ae. triuncialis subsp. triuncialis and Ae. triuncialis subsp.
persica. This new subspecies, described here, differs from
other subspecies by having lateral spikelets without any
awns. Glumes have three teeth up to 0.5 cm, the middle
one being shorter than the others.
species of the genus and can easily adapt to a wide range
of habitats (van Slageren, 1994). Since its recognition by
Linneaus (1753), many infraspecific taxa have been
described under this species (Popova, 1923; Eig, 1928;
Zhukovsky, 1928; Hammer, 1980). Zhukovsky (1928)
recognized 6 subspecies under Ae. triuncialis, namely
subsp. brachyathera Boiss., subsp. caput-medusae Zhuk.,
subsp. fasicularis Zhuk., subsp. kotschyi Boiss. subsp.
persica (Boiss.) Zhuk. and subsp. typica Zhuk. In the Flora
of Turkey, Davis (1985) reported only typical subspecies
of Ae. triuncialis (Figs. 1A, 2A-C) and additionally
pointed out that subsp. persica (Boiss.) Zhuk. (Figs. 1B,
2D) might occur in eastern part of Turkey. Because subsp.
persica is known from Caucasia, N. Iraq, Iran and
Afghanistan. Subsequently, van Slageren (1994) proved
the presence of subsp. persica from Turkey.
Van Slageren (1994) in his last monographic study on
the genus stated that Ae. triuncialis varies greatly in some
characters, i.e. length of spike, number of spikelets and
length of glume awns, and recognized two
morphologically distinct subgroups ranked as variety
rather than subspecies. According to him, Ae. triuncialis
var. persica is characterized by having glumes of lateral
spikelets with 2 teeth or 1 tooth and 1 short awn only,
while var. triuncialis is characterized by having glumes of
lateral spikelets with 2-3 well developed awns. Afterward
Valdés and Scholz (2009) and Cabi and Doğan (2012)
Key to subspecies
1. Glumes of lateral spikelets unawned, with 3 teeth up to
0.5 cm long and the middle one is shorter than the
others………………………………..subsp. bozdagensis
1. Glumes of lateral spikelets distinctly 1-3 awned
2. Glume of lateral spikelets with 1 tooth and 1 short, up
to 1.5 cm long awn; apical glumes with a well-developed
central awn and 2 short lateral awns, or lateral awns
reduced to teeth………………………..….subsp. persica
2. Glumes of lateral spikelets with 2-3 well developed,
1.5– 6 cm long awns; apical glumes with a welldeveloped, central awn of 5-8 cm that is the longest awn
of the spike, and 1-3 cm long lateral
awns…………………………...…….....subsp. triuncialis
Conservation Status:-Ae. triuncialis subsp. bozdagensis is
only known from the type locality and its population size
and geographic range seem to be very small. The
estimated area of occupancy is less than 500 km2 with the
58
Cabi et al.- Aegilops triuncialis subsp. bozdagensis, a new subspecies from Turkey
25.06.08, E. Cabi 3526; B1 İzmir: Kemalpaşa, Nif
mountain foothills, screes, 620 m, 38°25.054'N
27°23.740'E 12.05.06, E. Cabi 485; İzmir: Hills above
Pınarbaşı, 500 m to Radio tower, 517 m, 01.06.08, E. Cabi
3141; Manisa, Turgutlu, 1 km to Çıkrıkçı, 129 m, screes,
38°28.933'N 27°48.607'E 12.05.06 E. Cabi 500; B2
Manisa: Salihli to Bozdağ, 240 m, 38°27.361'N
28°03.088'E 11.05.06, E. Cabi 464; Uşak Kışlayolu, 5 km
below from Gold mine, screes, 964 m, 38°28.159'N
29°09.027'E 11.05.06, E. Cabi 409; B3 Eskişehir: 20 km
to Eskişehir, screes, 930 m, 39°41.465'N 30°43.223'E
27.05.06, E. Cabi 701; Eskişehir to Sivrihisar, ~40 km to
Sivrihisar, calcerous slopes, 934 m, 39°34.639'N
30°55.630'E 31.05.06, E. Cabi 884; B4 Kırıkkale,
Kırıkkale to Kayseri, around cemetery, 690 m, 39°50'20''
N 33°28'35'' E 18.05.07, E. Cabi 2070 (with Ae.
biuncialis); Kırşehir: Kaman to Kırşehir, above Demirci
village, Kalkanlı mount. 1430 m, 39°17.567'N 33°56.859'
E, 10.06.08, E. Cabi 3226, Ankara to Kırşehir, Keskin to
Çelebi 5 km from Keskin, 993 m, 39°36.102' N 33°36.575'
E, 10.06.08, E. Cabi 3220; B5 Yozgat, 2-3 km from
Yozgat to Sivas, Muslubelen pass, 1400 m, 39°49.971'N
34°51.757'E, 12.07.05, E. Cabi 1554; Kayseri, Mucur to
Kayseri ~20 km, slopes and steps, 1103 m, 38°46'03''N
35°16'53''E, 18.05.07, E. Cabi 2073; Nevşehir: 12 km
from Nevşehir to Gülşehir, near historical sites, 950 m,
38°44'155''N 34°40.299'E, 29.05.08, E. Cabi 3063; B6
Sivas, Etyemez to Dürmepınar, around Dürmepınar, 1377
m, stony slopes, wet places, 38°58.646'N 37°25.981'E
01.07.06, E. Cabi 1344; Sivas, between Etyemez and
Dürmepınar, around Dürmepınar, 1377 m, stony slope,
wet places, 38°58.646'N 37°25.981'E, 01.07.06, E. Cabi
1348; B7 Tunceli, Perlek to Hozat, 1143 m, calcerous
slopes, 38° 55.588'N 39°14.805'E, 02.06.06, E. Cabi
1373; Malatya: Darende to Malatya, 27 km to Malatya,
roadsides, 912 m, 38°21'05''N 38°02'47''E 18.05.07, E.
Cabi 2083; Erzincan, Refahiye to İmranlı, 49 km before
İmranlı, exit of Refahiye, 1571 m, roadside, 39°57.73''N
38°46.073'E, 06.07.06, E. Cabi 1516; B8 Siirt: 6 km W.
of Bekirhan, 700 m, Watson et al. 1140!; B9 Van: S. shore
of Erçek G., 1900 m, D. 44266!; B9 Van, Erek Dağı,
Yedikilise village, 2178 m, 38°26.832'N 43°27.827'E,
29.07.08, E. Cabi 3734; C1 Izmir: c. 10 km N. of
Kuşadasi, 40 m, Sorger 65-9-60!; C2 Aydın: Eskiçine to
Muğla, 29 km to Yatağan, 154 m, roadsides, 37°30.691'N
28°05.834'E, 13.05.06, E. Cabi 559; C3 Antalya S.
outskirts of Isparta town centre, in vineyard with
number of mature individuals being less than 2500
(criteria B2 ab (i, iii) of IUCN 2012). Therefore, we
recommend that the threat category of Ae. triuncialis
subsp. bozdagensis should be regarded as Endangered
(EN).
Distribution and ecology:-Ae. triuncialis subsp.
bozdagensis is known in only South-western Turkey and
Mediterranean element (Fig. 3). It grows only at an
elevation ranging from 1400–1650 m. The vegetation in
this place is mainly formed by trees, herbaceous and
suffruticose plants including Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold,
Salvia chrysophylla Stapf, Centaurea sp., and Origanum
sp., Torillis sp., Jurinella sp., Euphorbia sp. Aegilops
triuncialis subsp. triuncialis is a widespread subspecies
and known from S. Europe & N. Africa, S.W. Asia,
Transcaucasia. It flowers between May and June and
grows at steppe, open meadow, faIlow fields, rocky
limestone slopes, waste places and etc. at an altitude of l1900 m. Aegilops triuncialis subsp. persica is known from
Turkey, Caucasia, N Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. It flowers
in May and grows at meadows and field margins at an
altitude of 400-700 m.
Examined specimens: - Aegilops triuncialis subsp.
triuncialis. Kırklareli: İğneada, seashore, 41°53.013'N
27°59.333'E, 29.05.06, E. Cabi 789; Tekirdağ: Gaziköy to
Kumbağ, 5 km to Kumbağ, open Quercus woods, 234 m,
40°50.472'N 27°26.101'E, 28.05.06, E. Cabi 760; Edirne:
Havsa, Hasköy, 167 m, roadsides, fallow fields,
41°40.829'N 27°06.208'E, 29.05.06, E. Cabi 785; Bursa:
Bursa to Mudanya, 3 km N. of Bademli, Holtz 00.285 &
Hanel!; Ankara: 10 km to Nallıhan from Mudurnu,
streamsides, 708 m, 40°14.463'N 31°20.663'E, 27.06.06,
E. Cabi 1223; Ankara, Çığır to Akçaören village, 946 m,
roadsides and field margins, 40°15.689'N 32°42.462'E,
27.06.06, E. Cabi 1159; Çankırı, Kalecik to Çankırı,
roadside, 791 m, 40°19'28.3''N 33°30'48.9''E 13.06.07, E.
Cabi 2356; Amasya: Amasya, 400-600 m, Bornm.
1889:470!; Amasya, Ladik to Taşova, Borabay
streamside, 598m, 40°47'58.3''N 36°12'51.0''E, 15.06.07,
E. Cabi 2339; Sivas, Gölova, Aşağıtepecik village,
limestone, soil slopes, 40°01'46.5''N 38°35'05.9''E
07.06.07, E. Cabi 2456; Erzurum, Erzurum to Oltu, 12 km
to Oltu, 1390 m, 40°28.517'N 41°58.697'E, 05.06.06, E.
Cabi 1496; Artvin: Ardanuç, Gevhernik castle, 582 m,
41°07.605'N, 42°03.397'E, roadsides, 25.06.08, E. Cabi
3543; Artvin: Ardanuç to Arevet (Torbalı village), near
Ekşiler village, slopes, 560 m, 41°06'142''N, 42°03'316''E,
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ACTA BIOLOGICA TURCICA 31(2): 56-61, 2018
Şanlıurfa, ~21-22 km to Urfa, field margins, 610 m,
37°09'39''N 39°01'10''E, 22.05.07, E. Cabi 2221;
Şanlıurfa to Viranşehir, 484 m, 37°09.635'N 39°00.689'
E, 14.05.08, E. Cabi 2943.
Taeniatherum sp., 950 m, 37°45'N, 30°33'E, 16.06.94,
RMN 4598; C4 Konya: Keskin, just before Köprülü
village, exit of Keskin, Çelebi road ~1 km, roadsides,
1132 m, 36°39.909'N 33°26.712'E, 09.06.06, E. Cabi 891;
C4 Karaman: Entrance of Ermenek, towards Anamur,
1279 m, calcerous rocks, roadsides, 36°37.151'N
32°55.333'E 15.06.06 E. Cabi 1132; C5 Niğde: Çamardı,
Aladağlar, N. of Çukurbağ village, 1613 m, steppe
37°47.601'N 35°03.792' E 14.06.06, E. Cabi 1039;
Mersin, Silifke, around Silifke castle, roadsides and
degraded steppe, 50-60 m, 36°22.373''N 33°54.921'E,
01.05.08, E. Cabi 2763; Adana, Pozantı, Gülek pass,
machie, 1149 m, 37°17.250'N 34°47.072'E, 14.06.06, E.
Cabi 1068; Adana, Kandilsırtı pass, Gülek to Pozantı,
1370 m, 37°17.176'N 34°44.231'E, 14.06.06, E. Cabi
1079; C6 Adana: Halbur plateau, Andırın to Goben,
Göksun road, roadsides, rocky slopes, 1444 m, 37°39.437'
N 36°26.622'E, 12.06.06, E. Cabi 1012; Adana: Zorkun to
Sarıüce district, roadsides and under the Pinus trees, 1300
m, 36°59.710'N 36°18.816'E, 12.06.06, E. Cabi 1026;
Kahramanmaraş: Çağlayan Cerit entrance, 965 m,
streamsides, 37°44.474'N 37°22.341'E, 11.06.06, E. Cabi
988; Kahramanmaraş; Nurhak, S. of Nurhak, on the
Umutlu village ~10 km, 1297 m, 37°55.082'N 37°20.612'
E, 11.06.06, E. Cabi 972; C7 Şanlıurfa: Ceylanpınar Farm
State, TUEM roadsides, 415 m, roadside and field
margins, 36°43.518'N 39°37.358'E, 23.04.07, E. Cabi
1861, Şanlıurfa: Ceylanpınar farm state Güzelyat area,
23.04.07, E. Cabi 1881; Viranşehir to Şanlıurfa, ~21-22
km before Şanlıurfa, field margins, ~610 m, 37°09'39''N
39°01'10''E, 22.05.07, E. Cabi 2221, Viranşehir to
Şanlıurfa, ~66 km before Şanlıurfa, fallow fields, 627 m,
37°13'34''N 39°26'21''E 22.05.07 E. Cabi 2218;
Viranşehir to Şanlıurfa, 62 km to Şanlıurfa, Before
Karakaş graveyard, 658 m, 37°13.515''N 39°23.325''E,
14.05.08, E. Cabi 2931; Viranşehir to Şanlıurfa, ~62 km
to Şanlıurfa, before Karakaş graveyard, 658 m, 37°13.515'
N 39°23.325'E, 14.05.08, E. Cabi 2935, C8 Mardin:
Gercüş-Savur, ~5-6 km to Gercüs, slopes and roadsides,
833 m, 37°34'52''N 41°20'01''E, 23.05.07, E. Cabi 2306b;
Savur to Sürgücü, 952 m, 37°32'58''N 40°53'29''E,
23.05.07, E. Cabi 2312.
- Aegilops triuncialis subsp. persica. C6 Gaziantep: Nizip
to Birecik, 446-450 m, 37°00.720'N 37°51.989'E,
12.05.08, E. Cabi 2880; C7 Şanlıurfa:Viranşehir, 22 km
from Şanlıurfa, field margins, 484 m, 37°09.635'N
39°00.689'E, 14.05.08, E. Cabi 2939; Viranşehir to
Acknowledgements
We wish to thank the curators of the following herbaria:
ANK, GAZI, HUB, ISTE, VANF, E, K, BM, for allowing
us to study their Aegilops collections, also many thanks to
the authorities of TIGEM Ceylanpınar State Farm for their
help during field excursions and the Scientific and
Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAKTBAG-105 T 171) for their financial assistance.
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