Biogeographical patterns in the Rubiaceae of Flora Iranica

A biogeographical analysis of the Angiosperm family Rubiaceae in S.W. Aisa is presented. This analysis is based on the treatment of 20 genera with 152 species and numerous subspecies in vol. 176 of “Flora Iranica” and other relevant literature. In the territory of this flora 32.9% of the Rubiaceae species are endemic. According to their center of distribution all species of the family are placed into phytogeographical groups: Oriental-Turanian (54.6%), Hyrcanian + temperate Eurasian + N. Hemisphere (18.4%), Himalayan and Sino-Japanese (9.9%), Mediterranean (9.2%) and Paleotropic and Saharo-Sindian (7.9%). Relevant biogeographical problems, aspects of morphological and ecological diversification as well as questions of evolution, phylogeny and taxonomy are discussed in greater detail in the following chapters: Paleotropical and Himalayan relationships, old and recent links with the Mediterranean, the Oriental-Turanian region as a center of diversification, the Hyrcanian Province and contacts with the N. Hemisphere.