Germination patterns along a salinity gradient of closely-related halophytes in sympatry

Sympatric closely-related species co-occur within heterogeneous environments by occupying separate ecological niches as result of adaptive differentiation. Soil salinity is one the most relevant drivers leading plant zonation in salt marshes, where germination a critical stage life cycle many halophytes. Salinity influence on patterns was evaluated for six sympatric Limonium (L. admirable, L. caesium, cossonianum, delicatulum, supinum and tobarrense), which grow under arid environmental conditions an inland marsh from southeastern Spain. Experiments were conducted to determine effects different salinities (0–6% NaCl) seed 12 h light at 25 °C dark 20 °C. Best obtained non-saline conditions, delayed significantly reduced increasing levels all studied taxa. The variables related final percentage, mean time recovery directly influenced salinity. Seeds recovered their capacity after transferring seeds saline solutions distilled water, especially those previously treated high conditions. Our results suggest that successful establishment communities depends strategy implies rapid velocity when soil decreases. Two syndromes based percentage have been found. Hence, these strategies would favour adaptation favorable shaping asssembly habitat.