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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2026)

Diversity and ecological differentiation between endemic species of the order Salvia

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.14068
Submitted
11 February 2026
Published
24-09-2026 — Updated on 30-09-2026
Versions

Abstract

This study assesses the ecological differentiation, potential distribution and conservation significance of two Central Asian endemic species, Salvia submutica Botsch. & Vved. and Salvia tianschanica Makhm. A total of more than 50 georeferenced occurrence records were compiled from field surveys, herbarium collections and online databases, including the global biodiversity information facility (GBIF) and Plantarium. Ecological niche modelling (ENM) was performed using the MaxEnt algorithm based on selected bioclimatic variables and elevation data. The results revealed clear ecological differences between the two species. Salvia submutica is characterised by a narrow ecological niche, with suitable habitats mainly restricted to semi-arid rocky foothills of the Nuratau range, indicating a high degree of habitat specialisation. In
contrast, S. tianschanica exhibited broader climatic tolerance and a wider potential distribution across the western Tien Shan, reflecting higher ecological plasticity. Model performance was high for both species, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values indicating strong predictive accuracy. Precipitation-related variables were identified as the main factors influencing species distribution, particularly for S. tianschanica which is associated with more humid and climatically stable environments. These results suggest distinct ecological strategies and adaptive responses to environmental gradients. These findings highlight the contrasting ecological strategies of the two taxa and emphasise the importance of ENM in understanding species distribution patterns and informing conservation priorities in Central Asia.

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