Insights into Biological and Ecological Features of Four Rare and Endemic Plants from the Northern Tian Shan (Kazakhstan)
This study presents an integrative investigation of four rare and threatened plant species—<i>Taraxacum kok-saghyz</i> L.E. Rodin, <i>Astragalus rubtzovii</i> Boriss., <i>Schmalhausenia nidulans</i> (Regel) Petr., and <i>Rheum wittrockii</i> Lundstr.—n...
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2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/15/2305 |
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| author | Gulbanu Sadyrova Aisha Taskuzhina Alexandr Pozharskiy Kuralai Orazbekova Kirill Yanin Nazym Kerimbek Saule Zhamilova Gulzhanat Kamiyeva Ainur Tanybaeva Dilyara Gritsenko |
| author_facet | Gulbanu Sadyrova Aisha Taskuzhina Alexandr Pozharskiy Kuralai Orazbekova Kirill Yanin Nazym Kerimbek Saule Zhamilova Gulzhanat Kamiyeva Ainur Tanybaeva Dilyara Gritsenko |
| author_sort | Gulbanu Sadyrova |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study presents an integrative investigation of four rare and threatened plant species—<i>Taraxacum kok-saghyz</i> L.E. Rodin, <i>Astragalus rubtzovii</i> Boriss., <i>Schmalhausenia nidulans</i> (Regel) Petr., and <i>Rheum wittrockii</i> Lundstr.—native to the Ile Alatau and Ketmen ridges of the Northern Tian Shan in Kazakhstan. Combining chloroplast genome sequencing, geobotanical surveys, and anatomical and population structure analyses, we aimed to assess the ecological adaptation, genetic distinctiveness, and conservation status of these species. Field surveys revealed that population structures varied across species, with <i>T. kok-saghyz</i> and <i>S. nidulans</i> dominated by mature vegetative and generative individuals, while <i>A. rubtzovii</i> and <i>R. wittrockii</i> exhibited stable age spectra marked by reproductive maturity and ongoing recruitment. Chloroplast genome assemblies revealed characteristic patterns of plastid evolution, including structural conservation in <i>S. nidulans</i> and <i>R. wittrockii</i>, and a reduced inverted repeat region in <i>A. rubtzovii</i>, consistent with its placement in the IR-lacking clade of Fabaceae. Morphological and anatomical traits reflected habitat-specific adaptations such as tomentose surfaces, thickened epidermis, and efficient vascular systems. Despite these adaptations, anthropogenic pressures including overgrazing and habitat degradation pose significant risks to population viability. Our findings underscore the need for targeted conservation measures, continuous monitoring, and habitat management to ensure the long-term survival of these ecologically and genetically valuable endemic species. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7524dc448fb74dceb64b14b931a9e12d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-7524dc448fb74dceb64b14b931a9e12d2025-08-20T03:36:22ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-07-011415230510.3390/plants14152305Insights into Biological and Ecological Features of Four Rare and Endemic Plants from the Northern Tian Shan (Kazakhstan)Gulbanu Sadyrova0Aisha Taskuzhina1Alexandr Pozharskiy2Kuralai Orazbekova3Kirill Yanin4Nazym Kerimbek5Saule Zhamilova6Gulzhanat Kamiyeva7Ainur Tanybaeva8Dilyara Gritsenko9Faculty of Geography and Environmental Management, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, KazakhstanLaboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Almaty 050040, KazakhstanLaboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Almaty 050040, KazakhstanInstitute of Geography and Water Security, Almaty 050010, KazakhstanLaboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Almaty 050040, KazakhstanLaboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Almaty 050040, KazakhstanFaculty of Natural Sciences and Geography, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty 050010, KazakhstanFaculty of Natural Sciences and Geography, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty 050010, KazakhstanFaculty of Geography and Environmental Management, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, KazakhstanLaboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Almaty 050040, KazakhstanThis study presents an integrative investigation of four rare and threatened plant species—<i>Taraxacum kok-saghyz</i> L.E. Rodin, <i>Astragalus rubtzovii</i> Boriss., <i>Schmalhausenia nidulans</i> (Regel) Petr., and <i>Rheum wittrockii</i> Lundstr.—native to the Ile Alatau and Ketmen ridges of the Northern Tian Shan in Kazakhstan. Combining chloroplast genome sequencing, geobotanical surveys, and anatomical and population structure analyses, we aimed to assess the ecological adaptation, genetic distinctiveness, and conservation status of these species. Field surveys revealed that population structures varied across species, with <i>T. kok-saghyz</i> and <i>S. nidulans</i> dominated by mature vegetative and generative individuals, while <i>A. rubtzovii</i> and <i>R. wittrockii</i> exhibited stable age spectra marked by reproductive maturity and ongoing recruitment. Chloroplast genome assemblies revealed characteristic patterns of plastid evolution, including structural conservation in <i>S. nidulans</i> and <i>R. wittrockii</i>, and a reduced inverted repeat region in <i>A. rubtzovii</i>, consistent with its placement in the IR-lacking clade of Fabaceae. Morphological and anatomical traits reflected habitat-specific adaptations such as tomentose surfaces, thickened epidermis, and efficient vascular systems. Despite these adaptations, anthropogenic pressures including overgrazing and habitat degradation pose significant risks to population viability. Our findings underscore the need for targeted conservation measures, continuous monitoring, and habitat management to ensure the long-term survival of these ecologically and genetically valuable endemic species.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/15/2305threatened specieschloroplast genome<i>Taraxacum kok-saghyz</i><i>Astragalus rubtzovii</i><i>Schmalhausenia nidulans</i><i>Rheum wittrockii</i> |
| spellingShingle | Gulbanu Sadyrova Aisha Taskuzhina Alexandr Pozharskiy Kuralai Orazbekova Kirill Yanin Nazym Kerimbek Saule Zhamilova Gulzhanat Kamiyeva Ainur Tanybaeva Dilyara Gritsenko Insights into Biological and Ecological Features of Four Rare and Endemic Plants from the Northern Tian Shan (Kazakhstan) Plants threatened species chloroplast genome <i>Taraxacum kok-saghyz</i> <i>Astragalus rubtzovii</i> <i>Schmalhausenia nidulans</i> <i>Rheum wittrockii</i> |
| title | Insights into Biological and Ecological Features of Four Rare and Endemic Plants from the Northern Tian Shan (Kazakhstan) |
| title_full | Insights into Biological and Ecological Features of Four Rare and Endemic Plants from the Northern Tian Shan (Kazakhstan) |
| title_fullStr | Insights into Biological and Ecological Features of Four Rare and Endemic Plants from the Northern Tian Shan (Kazakhstan) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Insights into Biological and Ecological Features of Four Rare and Endemic Plants from the Northern Tian Shan (Kazakhstan) |
| title_short | Insights into Biological and Ecological Features of Four Rare and Endemic Plants from the Northern Tian Shan (Kazakhstan) |
| title_sort | insights into biological and ecological features of four rare and endemic plants from the northern tian shan kazakhstan |
| topic | threatened species chloroplast genome <i>Taraxacum kok-saghyz</i> <i>Astragalus rubtzovii</i> <i>Schmalhausenia nidulans</i> <i>Rheum wittrockii</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/15/2305 |
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