Efisio Mattana

Ex situ conservation of the most threatened endemic species of Sardinia (Italy)

Efisio and one of his subjects of study, Aquilegia nugorensis (Image: E. Mattana)

“I have recently completely a PhD with the University of Cagliari, Sardinia (Italy), and my research program was on ex situ conservation of the most threatened endemic species of Sardinia. In particular, I carried out comparative studies of seed biology and germination ecophysiology for Aquilegia gr. vulgaris L., Centranthus amazonum Fridl. & A. Raynal, Lamyropsis microcephala (Moris) Dittrich & Greuter, Polygala gr. sardoa Chodat, and Rhamnus persicifolia Moris.

The aims of these studies were to provide new data on germination ecology for these previously unstudied species that need urgent conservation measures, and identify differences in seed biology with their congeneric widespread relatives that might contribute to explain, respectively, their rarity and commonness.

I carried out the experimental program both at Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank and at the Sardinian Germplasm Bank (BG-SAR) - University of Cagliari under the supervision of Dr Matthew Daws (SCD, Kew). My University supervisor was Prof Gianluigi Bacchetta. I greatly enjoyed the combination of work in the field, lab and glasshouse and the experience of working at the MSBP, with so many seed specialists.”