Conservation biology of Asperula daphneola (Rubiaceae) in Western Turkey

A. daphneola O.Schwarz (Rubiaceae) was originally recorded from a single location on Nif Mountain(Kemalpaþa) in western Turkey. This study was carried out from 2001 to 2004 to investigate the causes of this endemicspecies’ restricted distribution. To that end, the environmental conditions and reproductive biology of the species werestudied. As a result of field investigations, 4 additional locations were identified. These 5 localities (the peak of NifMountain, Alaca Mountain, Ayrýca Mountain, Bölme Hill, and another locality west of Nif Mountain) encompass anarea of 2.5 km2. The total number of individuals in these localities was estimated to be 7956. The species had been declaredas vulnerable (Vu) according to the 1994 IUCN categories. Our studies led us to recommend it as critically endangered(CR) B2ab(ii)+(iii), according to the 2001 IUCN categories. Our study of its pollination ecology demonstrated that A.daphneola is strictly autogamous and that the timing of pollen viability and stigma receptivity are synchronous. Theseed/ovule ratio was calculated as 1:1. The seed/ovule ratio and observed low seed germination percentage could be theresult of autogamy. Autogamy is contributing to the decline of this species’ population.