Determination of threatening ecological and genetic factors for some endemic plant species distributed in Erzincan

Onosma discedens Hauskkn. & Bornm. (Boraginaceae), Teucrium leucophyllum Montbret & Aucher ex Bentham (Lamiaceae), Verbascum calycosum Hauskkn. ex Murb. (Scrophulariaceae) and Verbascum alyssifolium Boiss. (Scrophulariaceae) are rare endemic plant species having considerably narrow distribution in Erzincan region. The first 3 species were recorded as extinct (EX) in Turkish Plants Red Data Book, however, they have been collected from their original localities during the field works in this region. To date, no studies intended for conservation of these species available. In this study, genetic diversity levels of O. discedens, T. leucophyllum, V. calycosum and V. alyssifolium were estimated by using ISSR markers. In addition, with extensive field work in this region, new localities for these species were searched. The number of healthy seeds for each species were designated and germination success of these seeds under laboratory conditions and in their natural habitats were investigated. Besides, soil characteristics of the species localities, and soil-plant relations were determined. This study provides crucial data to clarify genetic and ecological factors that may have posed extinction risks for O. discedens, T. leucophyllum V. calycosum and V. alyssifolium, and also to make suggestions for the conservation of these species.