Diversity and Biological Spectrum of Family Asteraceae in Oman

Abstract

Life-forms spectra characterises the climatological adaptability of the biological flora, reflecting
the adaptive functions as phenotypic variations at ecological and evolutionary levels. Changing
environmental conditions, specifically in water stressed arid desert biomes, may affect the adaptive
capacities of these biological forms and may endure shifts in spectrum or even range contractions. Oman
being an arid desert and against the background of continues loss of biodiversity amidst climatic change
further Asteraceae being the 3rd most contributive family to the unique flora of Sultanate of Oman, an
analyses of spatial distribution patterns of Asteraceae species and their diversity is crucial for conserving the
biota across this region. The present study was thus initiated to analyse the diversity, ecological ranges,
biological spectrum, and habit of Asteraceae in various physiognomies distributed along the latitudinal
gradients, across the broad geographical extent of the country. The results demonstrated that Asteraceae
family is represented by 131 species spread through 59 genera found across various physiognomies,
established due considerable topographical and geological diversity found in the Country. Further the
species diversity is not evenly distributed in Oman, as the highest Asteraceae species pool being associated
with sea facing south slopes of the Al Qara massif in Dhofar province, which is a special niche carved under
influence of tropical south west monsoon climate. The analysis of biological spectrum revealed a dominant
Chamae –therophytic representation and a high degree of endemism observed across Asteraceae, as 9
species from the family are strictly endemic to Oman. Many medicinal attributes are associated with this
family as 25 species have documented traditional medicinal uses associated with them. From the results of
the study it is concluded that Asteraceae is an important family of the unique flora of arid land of Oman and
this family is highly adaptable to the harsh prevailing climate and dominance of chamae-therophytic
spectrum of life-forms exemplifies an arid phytoclimate for the region.