Phytogeographical classification of the Aegean Islands (afterRechinger 1948)

– – Flora and vegetation of Flora and vegetation of Karpathos – Karpathos –

Local plant endemism and Local plant endemism and phytogeographical peculiaritiesphytogeographical peculiarities

There is sufficient geological evidence that Karpathos has been isolated as an island at least since 5 million years.

In this period a number of plant species evolved which are actually confined in distribution to their area of speciation, so-called endemic plants, not occurring elsewhere in the world.

Carlström in Willdenowia 15: 378. 1986

Species evolution driven by isolation: The case of annual Campanula in the S Aegean.

– – Flora and vegetation of Flora and vegetation of Karpathos – Karpathos –

Local plant endemism and Local plant endemism and phytogeographical peculiaritiesphytogeographical peculiarities

Some plant species have exclusively survived on the islands of the Karpathos group, sheltered by insular isolation against competition of aggressive species from adjacent areas.

This happened during the Ice Ages (i.e. the geological period called the Pleistocene) when the level of the Mediterranean Sea was lowered for approximately 120 m and most of the present W and E Aegean islands became connected to their adjacent mainlands making immigration of continental species possible.

In Karpathos, like in Kriti, old relict plant species could survive under insular isolation, being protected then from competition of aggressive continental invaders.

Lowering of the sealevel in the Aegean for c. 120 m during the Pleistocene

“Continentalisation“ of the East Aegean Islands

Continued insular isolation of the Karpathos group

(after Greuter 1970)

Rechinger‘s „Cycladian window“ (from Runemark 1969)

Centaurea raphanina, a facultative chasmophyte of calcareous rocks

[Karpathos, Arkassa, 1984]

Distribution of Centaurea raphanina in the Aegean, substantiating „Rechinger‘s line“

Runemark 1969

Flora Europaea, 1.

Tutin & al. 1964

„ Rechinger´s line “

– – Flora and vegetation of Flora and vegetation of Karpathos – Karpathos –

List of endemics on Karpathos, Saria, and Kasos:List of endemics on Karpathos, Saria, and Kasos:•Campanula carpatha•Campanula pinatzii•Carthamus rechingeri•Dianthus fruticosus subsp. carpathus•Erysimum candicum subsp. carpathum•Limonium carpathum•Nigella carpatha•Ophrys aegaea•Ophrys helios•Origanum vetteri•Phlomis pichleri•Ricotia isatoides•Silene ammophila subsp. carpatha•Silene insularis•Teucrium gracile

– – Flora and vegetation of Flora and vegetation of Karpathos – Karpathos –

List of endemics on Karpathos, Saria, and Kasos:List of endemics on Karpathos, Saria, and Kasos:•Campanula carpatha•Campanula pinatzii•Carthamus rechingeri•Dianthus fruticosus subsp. carpathus•Erysimum candicum subsp. carpathum•Limonium carpathum•Nigella carpatha•Ophrys aegaea•Ophrys helios•Origanum vetteri•Phlomis pichleri•Ricotia isatoides•Silene ammophila subsp. carpatha•Silene insularis•Teucrium gracile

Pinatzi‘s bellflower (Campanula pinatzii), endemic to the island of Karpathos

[Karpathos, Spoa, 1984]