Abstract
The present paper analyzed 239 endemic genera in 67 families in the flora of seed plants in China. The results showed that there are five families containing more than ten endemic genera, namely, Gesneriaceae (27), which hereafter refers to the number of endemic genera in China, Composite (20), Labiatae (12), Cruciferae (11), and Umbelliferae (10), 15 families with two endemic genera, and another 30 families with only one endemic genus. Four monotypic families (Ginkgoaceae, Davidiaceae, Eucommiaceae and Acanthochlamydaceae) are the most ancient, relict and characteristic in the flora of seed plants in China. Based on integrative data of systematics, fossil history, and morphological and molecular evidence of these genera, their origin, evolution and relationships were discussed. In gymnosperms, all endemic genera are relicts of the Arctic-Tertiary flora, having earlier evolutionary history, and can be traced back to the Cretaceous or to the Jurassic and even earlier. In angiosperms, the endemic genera are mostly relicts, and are represented in all lineages in the “Eight-Class System of Classification of Angiosperms”, and endemism can be found in almost every evolutionary stage of extant angiosperms. The relict genera once occupied huge areas in the northern hemisphere in the Tertiary or the late Cretaceous, while neo-endemism mostly originated in the late Tertiary. They came from Arctic-Tertiary, Paleo-tropical-Tertiary and Tethys-Tertiary florisitic elements, and the blend of the three elements with many genera of autochthonous origin. The endemism was formed when some dispersal routes such as the North Atlantic Land Bridge, and the Bering Bridge became discontinuous during the Tertiary, as well as the climate change and glaciations in the late Tertiary and the Quaternary. Therefore, the late Tertiary is the starting point of extant endemism of the flora in China.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Al-Shehbaz I, Yue J P, Sun H (2004). Shangrilaia (Brassicaceae), a new genus from China. Novon, 14(3): 271–274
Antonio SALATINO Salatino A, Salatino M L F, Mello-Silva R, van Sluys M A, Giannasi D E, Price R (2001). Phylogenet icinference in Velloziaceae using chloroplast TrnL-F sequences. Syst Bot, 26(1): 92–103
Axelrod D I (1976). History of the Coniferous Forests, California and Nevada. Berkeley: University of California Press, 70
Axelrod D I (1986). Cenozoic history of some western American pines. Ann Missouri Bot Gard, 73: 565–641
Behnke H-D, Treutlein J, Wink M, Kramer K, Schneider C, Kao P C (2000). Systematics and evolution of Velloziaceae, with special reference to sieve-element plastids and rubcL sequence data. Bot J Linn Soc, 134: 93–129
Bobrov A C, Melikian A P, Romanov M S (2004). Seed morphology and anatomy of Austrotaxus spicata (Taxaceae) and its systematic position. Bot J Linn Soc, 145: 437–443
Cantino P D (1992). Evidence for a polyphyletic origin of the Labiatae. Ann Missouri Bot Gard, 79: 361–379
Chaney R W (1951). A revision of fossil Sequoia and Taxodium in western North America based on the recent discovery of Metasequoia. Trans Am Philos Sco NS, 40: 171–263
Chen Z D, Manchester S R, Sun H Y (1999). Phylogeny and evolution of the Betulaceae as inferred from DNA sequences, morphology and paleobotany. Amer J Bot, 86(8): 1168–1181
Chen Z D (1999). Phylogeny and Phytogeography of the Betulaceae [A]. In: Lu Anmin, ed. The Geography of Spermatophytic Families and Genera. Beijing: Science Press, 236–258 (in Chinese)
Cheng Y C, Nicolson R G, Tripp K, Chaw S M (2000). Phylogeny of Taxaceae and Cephalotaxaceae genera inferred from chloroplast matK gene and nuclear rDNA ITS region. Mol Phylogen Evol, 14(3): 353–365
Davis C C, Charles D B, Sarach M, Michael J D (2002). Laurasian migration explains Gondwanan disjunctions: evidence from Malpighiaceae. PNAS, 99(10): 6833–6837
Delaubenfels D J, Adema F (1998). A taxonomic revision of the genera Cycas and Epicycas Gen. Nov. (Cycadaceae). Blumea, 43: 351–400
Deng M B, Wei H T, Wang X Q (1992). Shaniodendron, a new genus of Hamamelidaceae from China. Acta Phytotax Sin, 30(1): 57–61
Endress P K (1989). Phylogenetic relationships in the Hamamelidoideae. In: Crane P R, Blackmore S, eds. Evolution, Systematics and Fossil History of the Hamamelidae, 1: Introduction and “lower” Hamamelidae. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 227–248
Eriksson T, Donoghue M J (1997). Phylogenetic relationships of Sambucus and Adoxa (Adoxoideae, Adoxaceae) based on nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences and preliminary morphological data. Syst Bot, 22(3): 555–573
Farjon (1990). Pinaceae. Germany: Koleltz Scientific Book
Ferguson K K (1967). On the phytogeography of conbiferales in the European Cenozoic. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclim Palaeoecol, 3(1): 73–110
Florin R (1963). The distribution of conifer and taxad genera in time and space. Acta Horti Berg, 20: 121–132
Fritsch P W (1996). Isozyme analysis of intercontinental disjuncts within Styrax (Styracaceae): Implications for the Madrean-Tethyan hypothesis. Amer J Bot, 83: 342–355
Fritsch P W (2001). Phylogeny and biogeography of the flowering plant genus Styrax (Styracaceae) based on chloroplast DNA restriction sites and DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region. Mol Phylogen Evol, 19(3): 387–408
Gadek P A, Alpers D L, Heslewood M M, Quinn C J (2000). Relationships within Cupressaceae sensu lato: A combined morphological and molecular approach. Amer J Bot, 87(7): 1044–1057
Gao B C (1998). Confirmation of Acanthochlamydaceae, a new proposed monocotyledons family and its systematic position. Acta Bot Yunnan, 20(1): 23–31 (in Chinese)
Gregor H J (1978). Die Miozanen Fruchtund Samenfloren der oberpfalzer Braunkohle I. Funde aus dem sandigen Zwischenmittelm. Palaeontographica, 167(B): 8–103
Guan Z T (1996). The Ancient Plant Geography of Cycas, the Cycas Plant in China. Chengdu: Si Chuan Technology Press, 159–181 (in Chinese)
Guo S X (2000). Evolution, palaeobiogeography and paleoecology of Eucommiaceae. Paleobotanist, 49: 65–83
Hao R M (1997). On the area 12 types of the Chinese endemic genera of seed plants. Acta Phytotax Sin, 35(6): 500–510 (in Chinese)
Hedge I C (1976). A systematic and geographical survey of the Old World Cruciferae. In: Vaughan J G et al., eds. The Biologyand Chemistry of the Cruciferae. London, New York: San Francisco A Subsidiary of Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers, 1–45
Hoare A L, Knapp S (1997). A phylogenetic conspectus of the tribe Hyoscyameae (Solanaceae). Bull Natural History Museum (Botany Series), 27: 11–29
Hong D Y (1999). The geography of the campanulaceae on the distribution centres. In: Lu Anmin, ed. The Geography of Spermatophytic Families and Genera. Beijing: Science Press, 516–529
Hu Y F, Chen Z D, Chen C J (1999). Discoveries of some fossils of cycad reproductive organs from China and their significance to the origin of cycads. In: Chen C J (ed.) Biology and Conservatrion of Cycads. In: Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Cycad Biology. International Academic Publishers, 135–141
Huang S M (1999). Systematic position and geographical distribution of styracaceae. In: Lu Anmin. The Geography of Spermatophytic Families and Genera. Beijing: Science Press, 319–331 (in Chinese)
Kao P C, Kubitzki K (1998). Acanthochlaydaceae. In: Kubitzki K ed. The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants Springer, III: 55–58
Kubitzk K, Krutzsch W (1996). Origins of East and South East Asian Plant Diversity. In: Zhang A L, Wu S G, eds. Floristic Characteristics and Diversity of East Asian Plants. Beijing: China Higher Education Press, 25–27
Kusumi J, Yoshimaru H, Tachida H, Tsumura Y (2000). Phylogenetic relationships in Taxodiaceae and Cupressaceae sensu stricto based on matK gene, chlL gene, trnL-trnF IGS region, and trnL intron sequences. Amer J Bot, 87(10): 1480–1488
Lepage B A, Basinger J F (1995). Evolutionary history of the genus Pseuydolarix Gordon (Piaceae). Int J Plant Sci, 156: 910–950
Li H L (1953). A reclassification of Libocedrus and Cupressaceae. J Arn Arb, 34: 17–36
Li J H, Bogle A L, Klein A S (1999a). Plylogenetic relationship in the Hamamelidaceae: Evidence from the nucleotide sequences of theplastid gene matK. Plant Syst Evol, 218: 205–219
Li J H, Bogle A L, Klein A S (1999b). Phylogenetic relationships of the Hamamelidaceae inferred from sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of nudear ribosomal DNA. 86(7): 1027–1037
Li J H, Bogle A L, Klein A S, Pan K Y (1997). Close relationship between Shaniodendron and Parrotia (Hamamelidaceae), evidence from ITS sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Acta Phytotax Sin, 35(6): 481–493
Li J H, Davis C C, Donoghue M J, Kelley S. Del Tredici P (2001a). Phylogenetic relationships of Torreya (Taxaceae) inferred from sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS region. Harv Pap Bot, 6(1): 275–281
Li J H, Davis C C, Tredici P D, Donoghue M J (2001b). Phylogeny and biogeography of Taxus (Taxaceae) inferred from sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Harv Pap Bot, 6(1): 267–274
Li L C (1989). Studies on the cytotaxonomy and systematic evolution of Taxodiaceae Warming. Acta Bot Yunnan, 11(2): 113–131
Li N (1999). Studies on the geographic distribution, origin and dispersal of the family pinaceae lindl. In: Lu Anmin, ed. The Geography of Spermatophytic Families and Genera. Beijing: Science Press, 17–39
Li X W, Fang G S (1997). A new record genus in Yunnan. J Southwest Forest Coll, 17(1): 10–11 (in Chinese)
Li Z Y (1999). The geographical distribution of the subfamily cyrtandroideae endl.emend.burtt (Gesneriaceae). In: Lu Anmin, ed. The Geography of Spermatophytic Families and Genera. Beijing: Science Press, 497–515 (in Chinese)
Li Z Y, Wang Y Z (2004). Plants of Gesneriaceae in China. Zhengzhou: Henan Science and Technology Publishing House (in Chinese)
Liang H X, Wu Z Y (1999). On the taxonomic system, phylogeny and distribution in adoxaceae. In: Lu Anmin, The Geography of Spermatophytic Families and Genera. Beijing: Science Press, 487–496 (in Chinese)
Liang H X (1995). On the evolution and distribution in Saururaceae. Acta Bot Yunnan, 17(3): 255–267 (in Chinese)
Lin YR (1993). On the primary study of the systematics and floristics of Compositae. Bull Bot Res, 13(2): 152–201
Liu J Q, Chen Z D, Lu A M (2000). The phylogenetic relationships of an endemic genus Sinadoxa in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Evidence from ITS sequence analysis. Acta Bot Sin, 42(6): 656–658 (in Chinese)
Liu T S, Su H J (1983). Biosystematic studies of Taiwania and numerical evaluations of the systematics of Taxodiaceae. Taipei: Taiwan Museum
Liu Y S, Basinger J F (2000). Fossil Cathaya (Pinaceae) pollen from the Canadian High Arctic. Int J Plant Sci, 161(5): 829–847
Lu A M, Zhang Z Y (1986). Studies of the subtribe Hyoscyaminae in China. In: D’Arcy WG, ed. Solanaceae: Biology and Systematics. New York: Columbia University Press, 56–78
Mai D H (1983). Palaeogeographic extension in Europe of the present Asiatic genus Rehderodendron Hu (Styracaceae). Comphrend Acad Sci Paris Ser, II: 125–130
Manchester S R (1999). Biogeographical relationships of North American Tertiary floras. Ann Missouri Bot Gard, 86: 742–522
Manchester S R, Chen Z D (1998). A new genus of Coryloideae (Betulaceae) from the Paleocene of North America. Int J Plant Sci, 159(3): 522–532
Manchester S R, Tiffney B H (2001). Integration of paleobotanical and neobotanical data in the assessment of phytogeographic history of holarctic angiosperm clades. Int J Plant Sci, 162 (supple.): S19–S27
Manos P S, Stone D E (2001). Evolution, phylogeny, and systematics of the Juglandaceae. Ann Missouri Bot Gard, 88(2): 231–269
McClain A M, Manchester S R (2001). Dipteronia (Sapindaceae) from the Tertiary of North America and implications for the phytogeographic history of Aceroideae. Amer J Bot, 88(7): 1316–1325
Mclver E E (1992). Fossil Fokienia (Cupressaceae) from Paleocene of Alberta, Canada. Can J Bot, 70: 742–749
Mclver E E, Basinger J F (1990). Fossil seed cones of Fokienia (Cupressaceae) from the Paleocene Ravenscrag formation of Sakatchewan, Canada. Can J Bot, 68: 1609–1618
Meng S W, Douglas A W, Li Z D (2003). Phylogeny of Saururaceae on Morphology and five regions from Three Plants Genomes. Ann Missouri Bot Gard, 592–602
Miller C N (1975). Early evolution in the Pinaceae. Rev Palaeobot Palybol, 21: 101–117
Oxelman B, Lidén M (1995). The position of Circaeaster-evidence from nuclear ribosomal DNA. Pl Syst Evol, 9 (Supple): 189–193
Peng F, She M L (1991). The discussion on the origin and systemic position of Dickinsia. Bull Nan Bot Gard Mem Sun Yat Sen, 23–30 (in Chinese)
Peng Y L, Sun H, Gu Z J (2002). Cytological study on Nouelia and Leucomeris (Compositae). Acta Bot Yunnan, 24(1): 82–86 (in Chinese)
Prince L M, Parks C R (2001). Phylogenetic relationships of Theaceae inferred from chloroplast DNA sequence data. Amer J Bot, 88(12): 2309–2320
Pyck N, Smets E (2000). A search for the phylogenetic position of the seven-son flower (Heptacodium, Dispacles): Combing molecular and morphological evidence. Pl Syst Evol, 225: 185–199
Qian H (2001). A comparison of generic endemism of vascular plants between East Asia and North America. Int J Plant Sci, 162(1): 191–199
Qian H (2002). Floristic relationship between East Asia and North America: Test of Gray’s Hypothesis. Amer Nat, 160(3): 317–332
Steven R M, Crane P R, Golvneva, (1999). An extinct genus with affinites to extant Davidia and Camptoheca (Cornales) from the Paleocene of North American and Eastern Asia. Int J Plant Sci, 160(1): 188–207
Sun G (1998). In search of the first flower, a jurassic angiosperm archaefrutus from Northeast China. Science, 282(5934): 1601–1771
Sun G (2002). Archaefructaceae, a new basal angiosperm family. Science, 296: 899–904
Sun H, Li Z M (2003). Qinghai-Tibet Plateau uplift and its impact on Tethlys Flora. Adv Earth Sci, 19(6): 852–862 (in Chinese)
Takhtajan A (1969). Flowering Plants Origin and Dispersal. Oliver & Boyd: Edinburgh, 165–203
Tang Y C, Xiang Q Y (1989). A reclassification of the genus Clemathoclethra (Actinidaceae) and further note on the methodology of plant taxonomy. Acta Phytotax Sin, 27(2): 81–95
Tao J R (2000). The Development and Evolvement of the Plant Flora from the late Cretaceous Period to Cenozoic in China. Beijing: Technology Press, 189 (in Chinese)
Tiffney B H, Manchester S R (2001). The use of geological and paleontological evidence in evaluating plant phylogeographic hypotheses in northern hemisphere Tertiary. Int J Plant Sci, 162(6 suppl.): S3–S17
Tiffney B H (1985). Perspectives on the origin of the floristic similarity between East Asia and eastern North America. J Arn Arb, 66(1): 73–94
Tralau V H (1965). Halesia cf Carolina L (Styracaceae) in oberen pliozan von Weilerswist in Westdeutschland. Bot Hot, 118(2): 170–176
Tu T Y, Sun H, Gu Z J (2005). Cytological studies on the Sino-Himalayan endemic Anisodus and four related genera from the tribe Hyoscyameae (Solanaceae) and their systematic and evolutionary implications. Bot J Linn Soc, 147: 457–468
Wagstaff S J, Hickerson L, Spangler R (1998). Phylogeny in Labiatae s 1, inferred from cpDNA sequences. Pl Syst Evol, 209: 265–274
Wang D Y (1996). Taxonomy of Cycas in China. In: Wang F X, Liang H B, eds. Cycads in China [M]. Guangzhou: Guangdong Science and Technology Press, 19–32
Wang D Y (2001). On geographical distribution of Cycadaceae. Adv Plant Sci, 4: 45–56
Wang H S (1989). A study on the origin of Spermatophytic genera endemic to China. Acta Bot Yunnan, 11(1): 1–16 (in Chinese)
Wang H S, Zhang Y L (1994). The biodiversity and characters of Spermatophytic genera endemic to China. Acta Bot Yunnan, 16(3): 209–220 (in Chinese)
Wang X Q, Shu Y Q (2000). Chloroplast matK gene phylogeny of Taxaceae and Cepalotaxaceae, with additional reference to the systematic position of Nageia. Acta Phytotax Sin, 38(3): 201–210 (in Chinese)
Wen J (2001). Evolution of East Asian-eastern North American biogeographic disjunctions: A few additional issues. Int J Plant Sci, 162(6 suppl.): S117–S122
Wen J, Frodin D G (2001). Metapanax, a new genus of Araliaceae from China and Vietnam. Brittonia, 53(1): 116–121
Wen J (1999). Evolution of East Asian and eastern North American disjunct distributions in flowering plants. Ann Rev Ecol Syst, 30: 421–455
Wen J, Plunkett G M, Mitchell A D, Wagsta S J (2001). The evolution of Araliaceae: A phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Syst Bot, 26(1): 144–167
Wolfe J A (1975). Some aspects of plant geography of the northern hemisphere during the Late Cretaceous and Tertiary. Ann Missouri Bot Gard, 62: 264–279
Wu C Y, Chen S C (2004). Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae Tomus 1. Beijing: Science Press (in Chinese)
Wu C Y, Li H W (1982). On the evolution and distribution in Labiatae. Acta Bot Yunnan, 4(2): 97–118 (in Chinese)
Wu Z Y (1988). Hengduan Mmountains flora and her significance. J Jap Bot, 63(9): 1–15
Wu Z Y (1991). The areal-types of Chinese genera of seed plants. Acta Bot Yunnan, IV(Supp.): 1–139 (in Chinese)
Wu Z Y, Li D Z (2000). Yunnanopila—a primitive new genus of Opiliaceae from Yunnan plateau, China and its biogeographic significance. Acta Bot Yunnan, 22(3): 248–250 (in Chinese)
Wu Z Y, Lu A M, Tan Y C, Chen Z D, Li D Z (2002). Synopsis of a new “polyphyletic-polychronic-polytopic” system of the angiosperms. Acta Phytotax Sin, 40(4): 289–322 (in Chinese)
Wu Z Y, Tang Y C, Chen Z D, Cheng Z D, Li D Z (2003). The Families and Genera of Angiosperms in China, A Comprehensive Analysis. Beijing: Science Press (in Chinese)
Wu Z Y, Wu S G (1996). A proposal for a new floristic kingdom (Realm)—The E. Asiatic Kingdom, its delineation and characteristics. In: Zhang A L, Wu S G eds. Floristic Characteristics and Diversity of East Asian Plants, Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Floristic Characteristics and Diveristy of East Asian Plants. Beijing: China Higher Education Press, 3–42 (in Chinese)
Wu Z Y, Zhou Z K, Li D Z, Peng H Sun H (2003). The area-types of the World families of seed plants. Acta Bot Yunnan, 25(3): 245–257 (in Chinese)
Xu R, Zhu J, Chen H (1979). Baoding Plant Groups in Late Trias in China. Beijing: Technology Press (in Chinese)
Yang S X, Min T L (1995). Studies on the systematic position of genera Pyrenaria, Tutcheria, Parapyrenaria of family Theaceae. Acta Bot Yunnan, 17(2): 192–196 (in Chinese)
Ying J S (1989). Aerography of the Gymnosperms of China (1)—distribution of the Pinaceae of China. Acta Phytotax Sin, 27(1): 27–38 (in Chinese)
Ying J S (1996). Areography of the endemic genrea of seed plants in China. Acta Phytotax Sin, 34(5): 479–485 (in Chinese)
Yu Y F (1999). Origin, evolution and distribution of the Taxodiaceae. In: Lu Anmin, ed. The Geography of Spermatophytic Families and Genera. Beijing: Science Press, 40–62 (in Chinese)
Zhang Z Y, Lu A M (1999). Hamamelidaceae: Geographic distribution, fossil history and origin. In: Lu Anmin, ed. The Geography of Spermatophytic Families and Genera [M]. Beijing: Science Press, 196–217
Zhang Z Y, Zhou Z K, Gu Z J (2002). Karyomorphology of Heptacodium (Carpifoliaceae s. str.) and its phylogenetic implications. Taxon, 51: 499–505
Zheng M (1984). The floristic relationship between eastern China and Japan. Acta Phytotax Sin, 22(1): 1–5 (in Chinese)
Zhou Z K, Arata M (2005). Fossil history of some endemic seed plants of East Asia and its phytogeographical significance. Acta Bot Yunnan, 27(5): 449–470 (in Chinese)
Zhou Z K, Crepet W, Nixon K (2001). The earliest fossil evidence of the Hamamelidaceae: Late Cretaceous (Turonian) inflorescence and fruits of Altingioideae. Amer J Bot, 88(5): 753–766
Zhou Z Y (2003). Mesozoic Ginkgoaleans: Phylogeny, classification and evolutionary trends. Acta Bot Yunnan, 25(4): 377–396
Zhou Z Y, Sheng S L (2003). The missing link of Ginkgo evolution. Nature, 423: 821–822
Zhu J N, Du X M (1981). A new cycad — Primocycas chinensis Gen. et sp. nov. Discovers from the Lower Permian in Shanxi, China and its significance. Acta Bot Sin, 23(5): 401–404 (in Chinese)
Zhu J N, Zhang X S, Ma J (1994). A new genus and species—Cycadostrobilus paleozoicus Zhu of Cycadaceae from the Permian of China. Acta Phytotax Sin, 32(4): 340–344 (in Chinese)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
__________
Translated from Acta Botanica Yunnanica, 2005, 27(6): 577–604 [译自: 云南植物研究]
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wu, Z., Sun, H., Zhou, Z. et al. Origin and differentiation of endemism in the flora of China. Front. Biol. China 2, 125–143 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11515-007-0020-8
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11515-007-0020-8