A multidisciplinary approach to the translocation of Primula palinuri Petagna, an Italian endemic species

This thesis focuses on the integrated conservation of Primula palinuri Petagna, a cliff-dwelling endemic species of southern Italy threatened by habitat loss and environmental stressors. Through a multidisciplinary approach combining genetic, ecological, and experimental studies, this work investigates the main biological and environmental factors influencing the species’ persistence. It supports the design of effective in situ and ex situ conservation actions. P. palinuri represents a key component of coastal biodiversity, whose presence is strongly influenced by habitat fragmentation processes, environmental stresses such as salinity and climatic fluctuations, and ecological interactions with soil and other ecosystem components. Previous studies have highlighted a limited integrated knowledge of the species’ biology, genetics, and ecology, thereby restricting targeted conservation efforts. By combining genetic data analysis, germination physiology, edaphic characterization, and ecological niche modeling, this work seeks to provide a solid multidisciplinary scientific basis to support future conservation and translocation activities, which are crucial to counteracting the decline of this emblematic Mediterranean species. First, the genetic analysis of P. palinuri populations allowed the assessment of intra- and inter-population genetic diversity and population structure. Results showed a moderate level of genetic diversity within populations, but a marked differentiation among populations indicative of strong habitat fragmentation. Some populations exhibited signs of inbreeding, suggesting a high risk of inbreeding depression that could compromise vitality and adaptive capacity. This fragmented genetic structure confirms the existence of distinct conservation units that must be carefully considered in the selection of donor populations. Proper identification of these units helps mitigate genetic erosion risks, ensuring that future translocation efforts can maintain or increase the genetic variability essential for the species’ long-term survival. Concurrently, the germination physiology of P. palinuri was investigated, focusing on the environmental factors affecting seed germination. Experiments conducted on different populations revealed that germination is influenced by multiple environmental factors. Alternating day/night temperatures significantly enhanced germination compared to constant temperatures, probably due to the small seed size of the species, as smaller seeds (