Distributional modelling and parsimony analysis of endemicity of Senecio in the Mediterranean-type climate area of Central Chile

Aim: Floristic blocks and areas of endemism resulting from a parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) using raw floristic data versus data generated from distributional modelling for 130 species in the genus Senecio Tourn. ex L. distributed in the Mediterranean-type climate area of Central Chile were compared, and the results were used to identify conservation priorities for the flora of the region. Location: Central Chile, between 30° and 38° S. Methods: Using herbarium records, a species x area matrix consisting of presence/absence data was constructed from a 0.5° x 0.5° grid. Distributional modelling techniques incorporating vegetation formations, elevation and the contagion index were used to interpolate floristic composition of poorly known areas. Parsimony analysis of endemicity was used to identify floristic blocks and areas of endemism. Results Using the number of most parsimonious trees as an index, distributional modelling greatly optimized the results of the PAE analysis. Thr