No abstract

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.

The European Mediterranean region is one of the world's 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.

The inheritance of phenotypic, genetic and epigenetic traits in hybridization events is difficult to predict, as numerous evolutionary, ecological, and genetic factors can play a crucial role in the process of hybridization. In the middle Adriatic island of Vis, we investigated hybridization between Salvia officinalis and S . fruticosa at morphological, genetic and epigenetic levels. SSR results revealed that hybrid individuals were characterized by diploid set of chromosomes suggesting homoploid hybridization. A well-defined group that mostly comprised of F 1 generation individuals was detected. For the majority of analysed morphological characteristics, hybrids were placed in-between parental taxa, while at the same time, values of different genetic parameters were mostly higher in hybrids than in parental species. The results revealed a high contrast in the levels of phenotypic variability and epigenetic excitation between parental taxa. Environmental niche modelling confirmed that in the studied location S . officinalis experiences optimal climatological conditions, while S . fruticosa struggles with unsuitable conditions. Very low levels of gene flow between the parental species were detected. In addition, contrasting levels of epigenetic excitation in the studied groups clearly demonstrated the importance of an epigenetic response to an altered environment and confirmed the trans-generational nature of the epigenetic changes.

Species with wide ranges often exhibit morphological variability that is mostly shaped by ecological and evolutionary processes, and the resulting diversity is frequently reflected in intraspecific taxonomy. Dianthus sylvestris in the Balkan Peninsula encompasses six subspecies (D. sylvestris subspp. alboroseus, bertisceus, kozjakensis, nodosus, sylvestris and tergestinus), the identification of which is problematic due to a great morphological variability and complex patterns of environmental variation. To explore morphological variation of described subspecies and to investigate how their morphology varies in relation to environmental variations across their geographical distribution, we evaluated 97 populations of D. sylvestris for variability in 25 morphological characters and 20 environmental variables. Number and shape of epicalyx scales, calyx length and petal denticulation captured the greatest extent of morphological variability between populations. Morphometric analyses revealed a continuous variability in quantitative morphological characters and an absence of clear morphological differentiation between the investigated subspecies. However, two main morphologically distinct entities, the north-western Balkan populations and the south-eastern Balkan populations, were identified and they were split approximately along the Neretva River valley. In addition, our results indicate that environment, rather than geography, plays a potentially more important role in shaping the morphological variability of this taxon. Overall, our results do not support the recognition of the described subspecies or the currently accepted taxonomic concept, instead pointing to a continuous morphological variability of D. sylvestris in the Balkan Peninsula.