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The impact of copper and cobalt orebodies upon the evolution of some plant species from Upper Shaba, Zaïre

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Abstract

The flora of the copper-cobalt ores of Upper Shaba, Zaïre, comprises some 220 taxa including 42 endemics. The origin of this flora is examined and an assessment has been made of its relationship with the flora of the high plateaux steppe-savannah (dilunguan flora). A first group consists of undifferentiated species limited to these two floras. A second group comprises cupriphilous taxa derived from closely-related and widely distributed species observed on the high plateaux and elsewhere. A third group consists of closely-related species or ecotypes confined to the areas. In theSilene burchelli complex (Caryophyllaceae) there is a gradual transition from the widespreadS. burchelli var.angustifolia on the high plateaux to a newly discoveredS. burchelli ecotype from a cupriferous outcrop at Luita, and toS. cobalticola from highly mineralized copper-cobalt deposits at Mindigi. This ecophyletic series provides a gradient of morphological anatomical, and physiological changes whose end members are distinct species. The subject of palaeoendemism and neoendemism in relation to metallophytes of Upper Shaba is also discussed. Colonisation of metalliferous soils by elements of the non-mineralised high plateau is believed to be a neoendemic process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Botanique et Écologie, Université de Lubumbashi, Zaïre

    F. Malaisse & E. Colonval-Elenkov

  2. Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    R. R. Brooks

Authors
  1. F. Malaisse
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  2. E. Colonval-Elenkov
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  3. R. R. Brooks
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Malaisse, F., Colonval-Elenkov, E. & Brooks, R.R. The impact of copper and cobalt orebodies upon the evolution of some plant species from Upper Shaba, Zaïre. Pl Syst Evol 142, 207–221 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00985899

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