Sandro Bogdanović

Molecular phylogeny of the Campanula pyramidalis species complex (Campanulaceae) inferred from chloroplast and nuclear non-coding sequences and its taxonomic implications

The Campanula pyramidalis complex is a group of closely related taxa with a distribution across the Balkans, from the Gulf of Trieste in the north to the Peloponnese Peninsula in the south, with small disjunct parts of the range in the south Apennines. Although 21 taxa were described within this complex, only three, C. pyramidalis, C. versicolor, and C. secundiflora, have been generally accepted in recent synoptical taxonomic treatments. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of three non-coding chloroplast regions (psbA-trnH, psbZ-trnfM, trnG-trnS) as well as of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (nrITS), lend strong support to the recognition of several lineages which only partially correspond to generally accepted taxonomic concepts. Molecular data presented in this study showed that C. pyramidalis is a polyphyletic assemblage that segregates into three distinct lineages, one of which is described here as a new species, C. austroadriatica sp. nov. The lectotype of C. pyramidalis, redefined in a strict sense, is designated. Neither C. versicolor nor C. secundiflora were found to be strictly monophyletic, but their monophyly could not be rejected. Morphological and biogeographical implications are discussed.

Plant species diversity of Adriatic islands: An introductory survey

Abstract The European Mediterranean region is one of the worlds major centres of biodiversity. Research on plant species diversity in this region has neglected the area along the eastern part of the Adriatic basin in comparison to the other Mediterranean areas. The main aim of this study was to focus on this neglected area, by supplying data which is at present lacking in order to discuss the species-area relationship (SAR), floristic richness and endemism of the Adriatic islands and coast. Floristic data for 106 Croatian islands collected by different authors were integrated, systematised and presented in a form usable by other researchers worldwide. The Power (Arrhenius) function was used for modelling (by non-linear regression) the SAR. Residuals around the regression curve (as indicators of floristic diversity without the influence of island area) were calculated for each island. The proportion of endemics in the total island flora varies from 0% up to 28.6%, and 17.5% for narrow endemics. Floristic richness of the broader region was estimated (on the basis of SAR extrapolation) on 1807 species for all Croatian islands, and on 2797 species for the entire Mediterranean area in Croatia.

Disentangling relationships among the diploid members of the intricate genus Knautia (Caprifoliaceae, Dipsacoideae)

The genus Knautia (Caprifoliaceae, Dipsacoideae) encompasses 40-60 species mainly distributed in western Eurasia, with highest species diversity in the Alps and the Balkan Peninsula. It is traditionally regarded as one of the taxonomically most challenging European genera due to the widespread occurrence of polyploidy, the high incidence of hybridisation and the maintenance of morphologically intermediate forms. A prerequisite for assessing the complex spatiotemporal diversification of a polyploid group is a comprehensive hypothesis of the phylogenetic relationships among its diploid members. To this end, DNA sequence data (nrDNA ITS and plastid petN(ycf6)-psbM) combined with AFLP fingerprinting were performed on 148 diploid populations belonging to 35 taxa. Phylogenies obtained by maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses were used to test the monophyly of the genus and its three sections Trichera, Tricheroides and Knautia, to provide insights into its evolutionary history and to test previous hypotheses of inter- and intrasectional classification. Both nuclear and chloroplast datasets support the monophyly of Knautia and its three sections, with ambiguous placement of K. cf. degenii. The majority of species belong to the nearly exclusively perennial section Trichera (x=10). Within section Trichera all markers revealed largely unresolved phylogenetic relationships suggesting rapid radiation and recent range expansion. In addition, extensive sharing of plastid haplotypes across taxa and wide geographic ranges of plastid haplotypes and ribotype groups were observed. The molecular data are partly at odds with the traditional informal grouping of taxa within section Trichera. Whereas the traditional groups of K. dinarica, K. drymeia and K. montana can be maintained, the new, smaller and well supported Midzorensis and Pancicii Groups as well as the SW European Group are separated from the heterogeneous traditional K. longifolia group. The former groups of K. arvensis, K. dalmatica, K. fleischmannii and K. velutina are clearly polyphyletic. Their diploid members have to be rearranged into the Xerophytic Group, the Carinthiaca Group, and the Northern and Southern Arvensis Groups. The annual sections Tricheroides (x=10) and Knautia (x=8) with only a few taxa are resolved in the ITS and plastid trees on long branches as early diverging lineages within the genus.

A New Autumn-Flowering Species of Allium (Alliaceae) from Croatia

Here we describe Allium telmatum Bogdanović, Brullo, Giusso & Salmeri, a new species of Allium sect. Codonoprasum from North Dalmatia (Croatia). Its chromosome number (2n = 32), karyotype, leaf anatomy, ecology and taxonomical relationships are examined. Several features, such as phenology (flowering in autumn), occurrence in coastal salt marshes, tetraploid chromosome number, and morphology, indicate that it is most closely related to the Tyrrhenian species Allium savii. On the basis of our herbarium survey, we present here a distribution map of the autumn-flowering species of Allium sect. Codonoprasum in the Mediterranean area.

Campanula Skanderbegii: Molecular and Morphological Evidence of a New Campanula Species (Campanulaceae) Endemic to Albania

Abstract A new species of Campanula from Central Albania, named C. skanderbegii, belonging to isophyllous Campanula ser. Garganicae is illustrated and described. Morphologically and phylogenetically it is well differentiated from other species of this series. It is morphologically similar to C. portenschlagiana from Central Dalmatia (Croatia) based on corolla shape. Phylogenetic analyses, maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference, based on nuclear ITS and chloroplast trnL—trnF data support C. skanderbegii as a clearly distinct taxon within the isophyllous species of Campanula. A distribution map for C. skanderbegii and a key to all species of Campanula ser. Garganicae are provided. Because of its rarity and highly restricted distribution, C. skanderbegii should be included in the IUCN red list as a critically endangered species.

Campanula aureliana (Campanulaceae), a new species from Albania

Campanula is a species-rich genus with high variability of the morphological traits, controversial taxonomic treatments within the Mediterranean basin as a species diversity center. One of the monophyletic groups in the genus is the Campanula series Garganicae Trinajstić distributed in the amphi-Adriatic and Ionian region. The group as currently delimited encompasses 11 taxa, mostly with highly restricted distributional ranges. In the present study plants previously named as Campanula garganica Ten. var. albanica Markgr. are described and illustrated as an isophyllous species from central Albania, for which name Campanula aureliana Bogdanović, Rešetnik, Brullo & Shuka is proposed. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ITS and chloroplast trnL–trnF data support C. aureliana as a clearly distinct taxon within the Campanula ser. Garganicae. Its description is given, and diagnostic morphological and SEM seed micromorphological characters of closely related species are compared and discussed. Morphologically C. aureliana shows close affinity with C. fenestrellata Feer, mainly for the habit, shape and size of the corolla, but differs in a lot of significant features. Information on the ecology and conservation status of the newly described species is presented.

Syntaxonomy of Arundo stands along the eastern Adriatic coast

Based on the diagnostic morphological characters of the Arundo taxa, and after both field and herbarium observation, three species (A. micrantha, A. plinii and A. donax) were found along the eastern Adriatic coast. Altogether, 50 phytocoenological relevés from Arundo stands were collected in Croatia, Montenegro and Albania between 2010 and 2013. Three associations with a predominance of Arundo species were determined: Arundinetum plinianae, Arundinetum micranthae and Arundini donacis–Convolvuletum sepium. Among them, Arundinetum micranthae is described and proposed as a new association, belonging to the Artemisietea vulgaris class. It occurs frequently along the coastal belt between the cities of Split and Dubrovnik in South Croatia. The syntaxonomy of the associations is discussed and comparison with similar communities from Italy is made. The vegetation and floristic structure of the associations is discussed as a potential basis for biodiversity conservation programmes and for evaluating the state of these ecosystems in the future.

Aegilops uniaristata Vis. (Poaceae): typification and occurrence in Croatia

Abstract After 88 years, occurrence of Aegilops uniaristata Vis. (Poaceae) in Croatian flora was confirmed and its distribution is supplemented by new localities. It has been confirmed and its distribution supplemented by new localities. Populations of a few specimens were found in southern Istria, in the vicinity of the small town of Bale, in the village of Krnica and on the Rt Kamenjak promontory, growing within dry Mediterranean grasslands. Based on herbarium revision a lectotype from Visiani’s collection in herbarium PAD and an epitype from the herbarium W were designated.

Taxonomic revision of the genus Fumana (Cistaceae) in Croatia

Abstract Taxonomic and herbarium revision of the genus Fumana (Dunal) Spach (Cistaceae) coupled with field surveys in Croatia yielded several interesting new data. Two overlooked and poorly known species, Fumana scoparia Pomel and Fumana laevis (Cav.) Pau, are confirmed for Croatian flora. The existence of Fumana ericoides (Cav.) Gand. has not been confirmed and all actual Croatian populations are ascribable to morphologically closely related Fumana ericifolia Wallr. Particular attention is paid to the confusion between the two taxa in the Mediterranean flora, and morphological features for their distinction are specified. Consequently, seven taxa are currently regarded as being present in Croatia: Fumana arabica (L.) Spach, F. ericifolia Wallr., Fumana laevipes (L.) Spach, F. laevis (Cav.) Pau, Fumana procumbens (Dunal) Gren. et Godr., F. scoparia Pomel and Fumana thymifolia (L.) Spach ex Webb. Each taxon is described and diagnostic characters, such as the indumentum type and seed morphology are given. An identification key, original line drawing for F. scoparia and distribution maps for all species of the genus Fumana occurring in Croatia are provided.

Taxonomic notes on Puccinellia teyberi (Poaceae), a critical species of Croatian flora

Puccinellia teyberi Hayek (Poaceae) is a critical species of the Croatian flora, described for the first time as Atropis rupestris Teyber from two small islets of central Adriatic Sea. Nomenclature, lectotypification, morphology, karyology, leaf anatomy, palynology, ecology and conservation status of this taxon are examined. According to these data, it must be treated as a distinct species, taxonomically related to P. convoluta and P. festuciformis. Besides, it represents a neoendemic apomictic species, confined to rocky costal places and having a punctiform distribution.