Hotbeds of diversity in the dwarf succulent genus Conophytum N.E.Br. (Aizoaceae, Ruschioideae, Rushieae): floral and genetic diversity in species-rich communities

A range of floral traits across four geographically separate species-rich communities of the dwarf succulent Conophytum N.E. Br. (Aizoaceae), a highly threatened genus in South Africa, have been examined. In each community, individual species can be both partitioned and grouped on the basis of phylogenetic relatedness, floral characteristics, anthesis and phenology. Differences in the seasonality of flowering are relatively uncommon, while differences in anthesis are prevalent across the genus and a feature of each community. Within both nocturnal and diurnal flowering species, variation in floral structure, colour or pollen structure serve to separate the majority of species. Together, this suggests that separation of pollination systems is a key factor in maintaining community structure and species diversity. Given the high threat status of many species in the genus, species-rich patches could present an opportunity for future conservation strategies, where these complex communities rather than individual species are prioritised for conservation to preserve genetic and species diversity.