Adaptive morpho-anatomical traits of Euphorbia yaroslavii populations in the Zailiysky Alatau, Kazakhstan
Article Sidebar
Abstract Views: 0
File Views: 0
Main Article Content
Abstract
Abstract. Turgara Z, Ametov A, Kenesbay A, Imanova E, Sypabekkyzy G, Osmonali B. 2026. Adaptive morpho-anatomical traits of Euphorbia yaroslavii populations in the Zailiysky Alatau, Kazakhstan. Biodiversitas 27 (6): d270604. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d270604. Euphorbia yaroslavii is a narrow-range endemic of the northern Tien Shan, restricted to foothill steppe and clayey habitats of the Zailiysky Alatau, Kazakhstan and is insufficiently studied in terms of morphological and anatomical variability. This study aimed to evaluate interpopulation variation in morphological, anatomical, and seed micromorphological traits of E. yaroslavii under contrasting ecological conditions. Three spatially isolated populations were analyzed using a comparative approach that included morphometric measurements of vegetative and generative organs, anatomical investigation of leaf, stem, and root structures, and scanning electron microscopy of seed surfaces. The results showed pronounced interpopulation differentiation mainly in vegetative morphology and anatomical structure. The greatest variability was recorded in leaf thickness, mesophyll organization, and development of conductive tissues, reflecting habitat-related environmental differences. In contrast, generative traits, including cyathium and seed dimensions, were relatively stable. ANOVA confirmed significant differences (p<0.05) in most vegetative and anatomical parameters, whereas reproductive traits showed no significant differences. Correlation analysis revealed coordinated variation among structural traits of different organs. Population differentiation in E. yaroslavii is primarily expressed in vegetative and anatomical features, while reproductive traits remain stable. These findings provide a quantitative framework for understanding adaptive variation and support population-based conservation strategies for this endemic species.
Article Details
Issue
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
Abdildanov DS, Vesselova PV, Kudabayeva GM, Osmonali BB, Skaptsov MV, Friesen N. 2025. Endemic of Kazakhstan Allium lehmannianum Merckl. Ex Bunge and its position within the genus Allium. Plants 14 (7): 1113. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14071113.
Aldassugurova C, Ultanbekova G, Ametov A, Aksoy A, Kulymbet K, Akhmetova A, Nazarbekova S, Childibayeva A, Bazarbayeva T, Mukanova G, Baibotayeva A. 2025. Agrochemical compositions of soils and rhizosphere microorganisms of Rosa potentilliflora Chrshan. et M. Pop. in eastern and central part of Zailiyskiy Alatau. Ecol Process 14: 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13717-025-00634-9.
Baitenov MS. 2001. Flora of Kazakhstan. Family Complex of Flora. Science Publishing, Almaty, Kazakhstan. [Russian]
Bazarov B, Rajamuradov Z, Safin M, Rajabov A, Khayitov D, Kuziev M, Aminjonov S, Ismayilova M, Kudratov J, Khujabekov M, Khaydarov D. 2023. The productivity, chemical composition and nutritional value of pastures dominated by Artemisia diffusa and Cousinia resinosa in arid lands of southwestern Uzbekistan. Biodiversitas 24 (7): 3916-3923. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d240730.
Begenov AB, Ametov AA, Eszhanova BE, Abidkulova KT, Satybaldieva GK, Tynybekov BM, Baimurzaev NB, Childebayeva AZ, Nurmakhanova AS. 2015. Methodological Guidelines for Conducting Educational Practice in Botany. Kazakh University, Almaty. [Kazakhstan]
Bolaji AO, Olojede CB, Famurewa AA, Faluyi JO. 2014. Morphological and cytological studies of Euphorbia hyssopifolia L. and Euphorbia heterophylla L. from Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Niger J Genet 28 (2): 15-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nigjg.2015.06.003.
Ghosh P, Ghosh C, Das S, Das C, Mandal S, Chatterjee S. 2019. Botanical description, phytochemical constituents and pharmacological properties of Euphorbia hirta Linn: A review. Intl J Health Sci Res 9 (3): 273-286.
Horn JW, Xi Z, Riina R, Peirson JA, Yang Y, Dorsey BL, Berry PE, Davis CC, Wurdack KJ. 2014. Evolutionary bursts in Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) are linked with photosynthetic pathway. Evolution 68 (12): 3485-3504. https://doi.org/10.1111/evo.12534.
Islamgulova A, Osmonali B, Skaptsov M, Koltunova A, Permitina V, Imanalinova A. 2025. Habitats, plant diversity, morphology, anatomy, and molecular phylogeny of Xylosalsola chiwensis (Popov) Akhani & Roalson. Plants 14 (15): 2279. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14152279.
Karabalayeva D, Kurmanbayeva M, Kulymbet K, Kusmangazinov A, Zhumagul M, Anatoliy R, Saken M, Kuanyshbayeva M, Alzhanova B. 2025. Influence of soil characteristics on the distribution and evolution of Trollius dschungaricus Regel populations in the Northern Tien Shan, Kazakhstan. J Ecol Eng 26 (10): 450-459. https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/207416.
Kenesbay A, Kurmantayeva A, Sitpayeva G, Shmakov A, Koltunova A, Kulymbet K. 2025. Assessment of Cousinia mindshelkensis populations (Asteraceae) at the Karatau Ridge, South Kazakhstan. Biodiversitas 26 (12): 6174-6187. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d261219.
Kokoreva II, Otradnyh II, Sjedina IA. 2017. Number and age structure of populations of rare view of dairy Yaroslava (Euphorbia yaroslavii Poljak.) in anthropogenic load. Curr Sci 1: 14-20. [Russian]
Kubentayev SA, Alibekov DT, Perezhogin YV, Lazkov GA, Kupriyanov AN, Ebel AL, Izbastina KS, Borodulina OV, Kubentayeva BB. 2024. Revised checklist of endemic vascular plants of Kazakhstan. PhytoKeys 238: 241-279. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.238.114475.
Kubentayev SA, Khasenova АЕ, Imanbayeva АА, Alibekov DT. 2022. Morphology of seeds of rare and endemic plants of Kazakhstan. Fundam Exp Biol 107 (3): 92-98. https://doi.org/10.31489/2022bmg3/92-98.
Kulymbet K, Mukhitdinov N, Kubentayev S, Tynybayeva K, Tastanbekova A, Kurmanbayeva M, Gafforov Y, Kaparbay R, Zhumagul M. 2023. The current state of the cenopopulations of Adonis tianschanica (Adolf) Lipsch. (Ranunculaceae) in Southeast Kazakhstan. Biodiversitas 24 (8): 4359-4372. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d240817.
Moustafa M, Mostafa O, Al-Shahrani D, Alrumman S. 2016. An application of genetics-chemicals constituents to the relatedness of three Euphorbia species. Biologia 71: 1240-1249. https://doi.org/10.1515/biolog-2016-0148.
Osmonali BB, Vesselova PV, Kudabayeva GM, Ussen S, Abdildanov DS, Friesen N. 2025. Contributions to the flora of Kazakhstan, genera Arthrophytum and Haloxylon. Plant Syst Evol 311: 6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-024-01926-x.
Pahlevani AH, Feulner M, Weig A, Liede-Schumann S. 2017. Molecular and morphological studies disentangle species complex in Euphorbia sect. Esula (Euphorbiaceae) from Iran, including two new species. Plant Syst Evol 303: 139-164. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-016-1358-7.
POWO [Plants of the World Online]. 2026. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. https://powo.science.kew.org/. [04 June 2026]
QGIS Development Team. 2024. QGIS Geographic Information System. Open Source Geospatial Foundation. https://qgis.org.
Ramos MB, Diniz FC, de Almeida HA, de Almeida GR, Pinto AS, Meave JA, de F. Lopes S. 2020. The role of edaphic factors on plant species richness and diversity along altitudinal gradients in the Brazilian semi-arid region. J Trop Ecol 36 (5): 199-212. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467420000115.
Riina R, Peirson JA, Geltman DV, Molero J, Frajman B, Pahlevani A, Barres L, Morawetz JJ, Salmaki Y, Zarre S, Kryukov A, Bruyns PV, Berry PE. 2013. A worldwide molecular phylogeny and classification of the leafy spurges, Euphorbia subgenus Esula (Euphorbiaceae). Taxon 62 (2): 316-342. https://doi.org/10.12705/622.3.
Ruzin SE. 1999. Plant Microtechnique and Microscopy. Oxford University Press, New York.
Sumbembayev A, Lagus O, Danilova A, Aimenova Z, Seilkhan A, Takiyeva Z, Rewicz A, Nowak S. 2025a. Seed morphology of Allium L. endemic species from section Schoenoprasum (Amaryllidaceae) in eastern Kazakhstan. Biology 14 (9): 1230. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14091230.
Sumbembayev AA, Lagus O, Danilova AN, Rewicz A, Nowak S. 2025b. Morphometric parameters of seeds as a practical method for identifying rare species of the genus Tulipa L. (Liliaceae) from East Kazakhstan region. PhytoKeys 251: 67-86. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.251.133890.
Sumbembayev AA, Lagus OA, Nowak S. 2023. Seed morphometry of Rheum L. (Polygonaceae) species from Kazakhstan and its implications in taxonomy and species identification. Biodiversitas 24 (9): 4677-4692. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d240908.
Tleuberlina O, Daulbayeva A, Stamkulova K, Kenesbay A, Satbaeva G, Mamurova A, Yedilova A, Kairanova G, Kenzhebayeva Z, Otegenova A, Mukash A, Toregeldiyeva A, Demzhanova G, Urnesh N, Kairanova A. 2026. Soil morphological, chemical and salinity characteristics of Capparis herbacea Willd. populations in Southern Kazakhstan. EQA Intl J Environ Quality 72: 15-27. https://doi.org/10.60923/issn.2281-4485/22936.
Turgara Z, Ametov A, Kulymbet K, Childibayeva A, Nazarbekova S, Ryskali T, Erezhetova U, Tastanbekova A. 2025. Soil properties drive population abundance of the rare, endemic Euphorbia yaroslavii in the Zailiyskiy Alatau, Kazakhstan. Biodiversitas 26 (11): 5881-5890. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d261144.
Tynybekov B, Imanaliyeva M, Kuatbayev A, Satybaldiyeva G, Boribay E, Kulymbet K, Umirbayeva Z, Mamytova N, Bekbossyn N, Kurmanbay U, Sadyrova G, Toktar M, Nazarbekova S, Abdullayeva B, Nurmahanova A. 2024. Adaptation features of Gentiana tianschanica Rupr. populations to environmental factors in Kazakhstan. ES Energy Environ 26: 1361. https://doi.org/10.30919/esee1361.
Zhang K, Fan W, Huang Z, Chen D, Yao Z, Li Y, Yang Y, Qiu D. 2019. Transcriptome analysis identifies novel responses and potential regulatory genes involved in 12-deoxyphorbol-13-phenylacetate biosynthesis of Euphorbia resinifera. Ind Crops Prod 135: 138-145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2019.04.030.