What explains the high island endemicity of Philippine Rafflesia? A species distribution modeling analysis of three threatened parasitic plant species and their hosts

Premise Rafflesia are rare holoparasitic plants. In the Philippines, all but one species are found only on single islands. This study aimed to better understand the factors contributing to this distribution pattern. Specifically, we sought to determine whether narrow environmental tolerances of host and/or parasite species might explain their island endemicity. Methods We used Maxent species distribution modeling to identify areas with suitable habitat for R. lagascae, R. lobata, and R. speciosa and their Tetrastigma host species. These analyses were carried out for current climate conditions as well as two future climate change scenarios. Key results Whereas species distribution models indicated suitable environmental conditions for the Tetrastigma host species in many parts of the Philippines, considerably fewer areas have suitable conditions for the three Rafflesia species. Some of these areas are found on islands from which they have not been reported. All three species will face significant threats as a result of climate change. Conclusions Our results suggest that limited inter-island dispersal abilities and/or specific environmental requirements are likely responsible for the current pattern of island endemicity of the three Rafflesia species, rather than the environmental requirements of their Tetrastigma host species.

• Publication year

  2023

• Venue

  bioRxiv

• Publication date

  2023-09-23

• Fields of study

  Biology, Medicine, Environmental Science

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1101/2023.07.10.548437PMID 38059662
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

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