Distribution of Doronicum clusii and D. stiriacum (Asteraceae) in the Alps and Carpathians

Abstract

In the course of a taxonomic revision of the Doronicum clusii agg. (Asteraceae), we present an updated and commented distribution map of D. clusii (All.) Tausch and D. stiriacum (Vill.) Dalla Torre from the Alps and Carpathians, completed with information on biogeography and taxonomy. We show that D. stiriacum was erroneously indicated for the Carpathians south and southeast of the Rodna Mountains in Romania and for the Western Alps. In the Western Carpathians, it has only been rarely mentioned for the Nízke Tatry (Lower Tatras) and the Belianske Tatry (Belá Tatras) in Slovakia.

Polyploidisation and Geographic Differentiation Drive Diversification in a European High Mountain Plant Group (Doronicum clusii Aggregate, Asteraceae)

“…4 – 6 ), D. stiriacum is genetically clearly separated from D. clusii s.s. and, therefore, should be treated at the species level. This is also justified by differences in morphology (thicker, coarse leaves that are densely villous on both sides, sparse glands on the involucrum, and villous corolla tubes in D. stiriacum versus tender leaves that are almost glabrous on the upper side, abundant glands on the involucrum and scape, and glabrous corolla tubes in D. clusii s.s.; S1 Appendix ), ploidy level (tetraploid versus diploid) and distribution range (eastern-most Alps and Carpathians versus Alps except for the eastern-most parts [ 59 , 114 ]).…”

“…The mode of polyploidization (auto‐ versus allopolyploidy) was not discussed by the authors studying karyology and morphology of D. stiriacum (e.g., [ 55 , 114 ]). The hypothesis of an autopolyploid origin from D. clusii s.s. (or an extinct diploid lineage) finds support in overall morphological and ecological similarities between the two species [ 59 , 114 ] and the lack of signal for mixed ancestry in the sequence data (Figs. 5 , 6 ).…”

“…The alternative hypothesis of an allopolyploid origin involving D. glaciale s.l. and D. clusii s.s. has not been considered previously, but would be in line with morphological traits resembling D. glaciale s.l., such as the thick, coarse leaves and the rare presence of stipitate glands on the basal leaves [ 59 , 114 , 116 ], as well as the presence of hybrids in contact areas (i.e., D. × bauhini ). Further evidence comes from the lack of monophyly of D. stiriacum in the ITS phylogeny ( Fig.…”

“…The monophyletic D. clusii aggregate comprises four geographically, ecologically and/or karyologically differentiated subalpine to subnival forbs restricted to the European mountain systems of the Alps and the Carpathians [ 49 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. They possess yellow, showy flower heads that are visited and pollinated by various Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera [ 60 , 61 ].…”

“…They possess yellow, showy flower heads that are visited and pollinated by various Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera [ 60 , 61 ]. These four taxa are grouped in two pairs [ 58 , 59 ] (summarized in Table 1 ; for more detailed descriptions see S1 Appendix ): (i) D. glaciale (Wulf.) Nyman subsp.…”