Phytogeography of South Padre Island, Texas

Authors

Robert I. Lonard, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Frank W. Judd, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-14-1980

Abstract

The phytogeographic affinities of the native flora of South Padre Island, Texas, are analyzed and the probable dispersal agent(s) for each species identified. The native flora consists of 99 species and 44% of the species also occur on the adjacent Texas mainland; 28% of the native species have tropical affinities. Only three species have probably dispersed from the island to the mainland. Two species may be endemic to Padre Island and the Tamaulipan barrier islands. Most of the tropical species have reached the island by oceanic drift, but birds are the most important dispersal agent for the native species. Man is responsible for the introduction of 117 species.

Comments

The Southwestern Naturalist © 1980 Southwestern Association of Naturalists

Recommended Citation

Lonard, Robert I., and Frank W. Judd. “Phytogeography of South Padre Island, Texas.” The Southwestern Naturalist, vol. 25, no. 3, 1980, pp. 313–22. https://doi.org/10.2307/3670687

Publication Title

The Southwestern Naturalist

DOI

10.2307/3670687