University of Guilan Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences 1735-3033 24 3 2026 07 01 Biodiversity, ecological distribution and sustainable use of species of the genus Macrotomia (Arnebia) 829 836 9794 10.22124/cjes.2026.9794 EN Rakhat Pernebekova Faculty of Postgraduate Medical Education, Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Turkestan, Kazakhstan Aray Kirgizbayeva Kazakh National Medical University named after S.D. Asfendiyarov, Almaty, Kazakhstan Galiya Zhakipbekova South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent, Kazakhstan Kulpan Orynbasarova South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent, Kazakhstan Arailym Abilova South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent, Kazakhstan Roza Mamykova Faculty of Natural Sciences, Zhanibekov University, Department of Biology, Shymkent, Kazakhstan Khalima Sartayeva Faculty of Natural Sciences, Zhanibekov University, Department of Biology, Shymkent, Kazakhstan Gulzhakhan Utegenova Faculty of Natural Sciences, Zhanibekov University, Department of Biology, Shymkent, Kazakhstan Journal Article 2026 07 29 The <em>Macrotomia</em> (<em>Arnebia</em>) genus of the family Arnebiaceae occupies a unique position in traditional medicine and the pharmaceutical industry owing to its ability to accumulate biologically active naphthoquinone compounds, particularly shikonin. However, information on the biodiversity, ecology, population status, and medicinal potential of these species in southern Kazakhstan remains limited. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the morphology, ecology, population characteristics, and medicinal significance of <em>Macrotomia ugamensis</em> and <em>Macrotomia euchroma</em> in natural populations of the Tolebi, Kazygurt, and Tulkibas districts of the Turkistan Region, Republic of Kazakhstan, during 2025. Morphological characteristics, population parameters, soil physicochemical properties, and climatic conditions were investigated through field surveys conducted at 15 sampling sites using transects and permanent plots. Naphthoquinone compounds were extracted and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results demonstrated that <em>M. ugamensis</em> is confined to mountainous habitats above 1900 m a.s.l., characterized by mean annual temperatures below 9 °C and annual precipitation exceeding 350 mm, whereas <em>M. euchroma</em> predominates in warmer and drier foothill and plain ecosystems with temperatures above 13 °C. The total naphthoquinone content of <em>M. ugamensis</em> (15.7 mg/g extract) was significantly higher than that of <em>M. euchroma</em> (<em>p</em> < 0.001), and shikonin concentration was strongly positively correlated with altitude (<em>r</em> = 0.95). Populations of <em>M. euchroma</em> were sparse and fragmented, with densities below one individual per square meter in several surveyed locations. These findings indicate that the contrasting ecological requirements of the two species necessitate species-specific conservation strategies, while their declining populations highlight the importance of cultivation and ex situ conservation to ensure sustainable utilization. https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9794_ddce03549bb7867bf749222ff8c01720.pdf