Thymus webbianus Rouy (Lamiaceae) is an endemic plant known from only two populations located in the Natural Park “Penyal d'Ifac” (Calp), and in the Natural Park of Serra Gelada (Benidorm-Alfàs del Pi) in Spain. At the Spanish state level, it has been listed as "Critically Endangered", and "Vulnerable" in the Valencian Region. Moreover, its taxonomic position remains unclear, and further research on this species is needed. Therefore, this work was aimed to characterize the chemical composition in volatiles from four subpopulations located in the Natural Park “Penyal d’Ifach” through HS-SPME-GC-MS. An overall of 53 compounds were identified in these samples. Three major compounds (representing more than 5 % in peak area) were identified in all samples: β-caryophyllene (S1= 9.23 ± 0.19, S2= 6.29 ± 0.20, S3= 11.25 ± 0.74, and S4= 11.26 ± 0.34), D-limonene, (S1=5.01 ± 0.21, S2= 7.95 ± 0.34, S3= 10.54 ± 1.17, and S4= 9.22 ± 0.51), and bicyclogermacrene (S1= 5.21 ± 0.19, S2= 7.24 ± 0.79, S3= 7.07 ± 0.4, and S4= 5.37 ± 0.43). The other compounds were presented in lower amounts, and/or in a more reduced number of samples. The richness in β-caryophyllene, D-limonene, and bicyclogermacrene might be used as a marker, to separate T. webbianus from T. vulgaris. Also, the lack of thymol (a widespread terpene within the genus Thymus) could be characteristic of T. webbianus. However, given the large amount of chemotypes described for T. vulgaris this idea has to be treated with caution, and further studies on the phytochemistry of T. webbianus (including samples from T. vulgaris in the nearby, as well as samples from the natural hybrid T. ×valentinus) should be performed in order to clarify whether the chemical profile may be useful for the taxonomical arrangement of the species, and to clarify its conservation status.
Thanks for your question. I answer one by one all them:
What is Spain doing in order to stop Thymus webbianus from driving extinction?
So far, the main (and most important/needed) measures are: 1) its inclusion in a Natural Protected Area (Natural Park and Plant Microreserves), and 2) a basic follow-up of its population dynamics. The first one ensure its survival in the short- medium-term. The second one, helps to understand in what level of "emergency" we are. However, we lack (practically) all scientific research on its Biology (including its taxonomical position, which would be the very basic and first think to have clear). Therefore, it would be advisable that, scientific community, clarify its taxonomy in the context of the genus Thymus, seed dormancy, and germination physiology, ecology (including pollination, very important! as one of the problems is the high level of hybridization, and introgression with other Thymus) as well as physiology under in vitro conditions in order to design accurate protocols for plant propagation, and restoration. In this regard, our research group has applied for public funding on its ex situ conservation, as this plant could be a candidate for future recovery plans, and all the scientific information above stated is capital for a good restoration, reinforcement, and, recovery plan of species.
Any economic value in this species?
We did not find ethonobotanical records of this taxon, what makes us think that this plant has not traditional uses. However, this does not mean that the plant has no properties/potential economic value because rare plants are not normally found in ethnobotanical inventories as they are difficult to find, not accessible for the most of population who keeps this valuable knowledge, etc. In any case, it is a Thymus species, whith a strong scent, and a diverse, and rich chemical profile (for more details, check the results that we obtained). Most likely, this "cocktail" of natural products (identified in our research) can offer a wide array of bioactivities with interests in the Economic sectors. However, in order to state its economic potential, a deeper knowledge on its chemical composition, and variability, the bioactivity profile of its extracts, and possible elicitation through tissue culture, is needed. As a final consideration (and, in my opinion) the (economic) valorisation of this taxon could be positive for its conservation status as society understands that "important things" that need protection are "useful things".
Hope these answers serve.
Jorge.
