The Discovery That Excited the World of Science in the Mountains of Izmir

Izmir’s unique navel discovery: Understanding the nature and ecosystem of Umbilicus choripetalus

The story that started on the top of a mountain turned into a transgressive reality with the emergence of a new plant species rising from the depths of the volcanic soil of the Ovacık Plateau in İzmir’s Ödemiş district. With morphologically sharp ends and subtle differences in DNA codes, scientists agree that this species is a new part called Umbilicus choripetalus. The fact that this plant, which takes its Turkish name from the unique ecosystem of Izmir, is seen as endemic within its family, brings the need for protection of Türkiye’s flora to the agenda again. The scientific processes underlying the discovery are revealed today, along with field studies, laboratory analyzes and long-term conservation strategies.

This species, called Izmir navel grass, shows what kind of background the vegetal habitat has evolved in the volcanic areas where it is native only. Throughout this process, morphological characteristics, especially the end-to-end distribution of the petals, and the unique genetic structure documented by DNA analysis, distinguish it from similar species. These differences arise as a result of interactions with the microclimate, mineral structure and soil chemistry of the region.

Ekspanse: Interdisciplinary team and field processes

Behind this discovery, there is a team that has literally drawn the field with field studies. Herbarium and analytical studies carried out at the Ege University Botanical Garden confirmed the morphological and genetic uniqueness of this species. Prof. Dr. By combining field data with laboratory data, the team led by Hasan Yıldırım presented unique evidence of a new break within the navel family. From Hacettepe University, Dr. Barış Özüdogru and Dr. Ilgın Deniz Can has documented the originality of this species with the genetic analyzes they conducted. During field studies, Assoc. Dr. Experts such as Mehmet Maruf Balos and Musa Geçit provided critical support in sample collection and ecological observations.

Analyzes carried out in the laboratory revealed the correlation between morphological features and DNA codes. These correlations contain concrete indicators that distinguish the species from other navel species. Volcanic structures, microhabitats and precipitation regimes in the region created selective pressure for Umbilicus choripetalus, strengthening the unique evolutionary path of the species.

Extensive divergence: Uniqueness in morphology and genetics.

The most distinctive morphological feature of this species is that the petals are separated all the way to the bottom and the differential structure it carries. At the same time, DNA analyzes show significant genetic divergence compared to related species. Close relatives are Umbilicus tropaeolifolius, seen in Mardin, and Umbilicus paniculiformis in Africa; However, this new species of Izmir has followed a different path in the process of evolutionary development. These differences are read as net results of geographical isolation and habitat differences.

The combination of physical morphology and molecular data strengthens the position of this species within the navel family. The separation of petals shapes the survival strategy of the species by triggering different interactions in pollination and reproduction dynamics.

A new and endemic part of Türkiye’s flora: Increasing biological richness

While the navel family includes a total of 16 species worldwide, 7 species were previously detected within the borders of Türkiye. With this new species found in Izmir, the number of species in the Turkish flora increased to 8. The most critical point is that this new species is endemic only in Turkey and is not found in any other natural environment. This shows that Izmir’s ecosystem has a special set of endemism and is considered an important milestone on the country’s biodiversity map.

Endemic species play a critical role in the stability and adaptation capacity of ecosystems. In this context, it is of great importance to protect the natural habitat even when the Izmir umbilical cord is faced with regional mining activities. Endemic species also provide memorable examples for education and scientific research; These species serve as natural laboratories for how species respond to environmental changes.

Conservation and sustainability: Strategies and steps

Population studies conducted after the discovery show that the Izmir navel contains only approximately 550 individuals and is concentrated in limited areas. This number suggests that the species may be at risk close to the vulnerable or endangered categories on the IUCN red list. Yıldırım and his team underline that protecting the habitats in the region is key.

The main objectives of conservation policies can be summarized as follows: – Habitat protection: Protecting areas critical for navel grass from mining and destructive activities. – Monitoring biodiversity: Long-term monitoring of changes in habitats and monitoring population dynamism. – Sustainable use: Ensuring balance in scientific research or ecotourism plans, taking into account ecological balances. – Preservation of genetic richness: Keeping individuals in safe positions and evaluating reproduction strategies to preserve genetic diversity in the population as much as possible. – Public awareness and education: Awareness studies on the importance of endemic species and conservation methods for local communities, decision makers and visitors.

Specific threats include mines and quarries and environmental pressures. These pressures may lead to the loss of genetic richness of navy bluegrass and similar species. Experts state that it is necessary to develop plans to protect habitat integrity by acting in cooperation with the communities living in the region and local governments. In this context, improving protected areas stands out as the most important step to ensure the sustainability of biological diversity.

Future scientific and ecological needs

A number of strategies should be implemented to preserve the scientific value of Umbilicus choripetalus. Among them:

• Periodic recording of population changes through long-term monitoring programmes;
• Creating ecological corridors that strengthen habitat connections;
• Expansion of genetic studies to understand potential fallout and dispersion routes of Izmir navy blueberry;
• Implementation of education and awareness programs for local communities;
• Strengthening legal protection statuses and preparing applicable management plans.

These building blocks serve to protect the biological richness of not only Izmir but also Türkiye. The discovery of new species can also be seen as an opportunity to understand how ecosystems function. Scientists agree that this discovery is an important step towards understanding the biological past and future of the region.