engleski

Morphological and ecological variability of the <i>Dianthus sylvestris</i> complex (Caryophyllaceae) on the Balkan Peninsula

Wide-range species often exhibit morphological variability that is mostly shaped by ecological and evolutionary processes, and the resulting diversity is frequently reflected in infraspecific taxonomy. The Dianthus sylvestris complex on the Balkan Peninsula encompasses six subspecies: Dianthus sylvestris subsp. alboroseus, subsp. bertisceus, subsp. kozjakensis, subsp. nodosus, subsp. sylvestris and subsp. tergestinus. Their identification is challenging due to great morphological variability between subspecies and complex patterns of variation with respect to ecological preferences. Here, 97 populations of D. sylvestris were evaluated regarding the variability of 27 morphological characters, and 20 environmental variables were used to identify patterns of morphological variability along environmental gradients. Number and shape of epicalyx scales, calyx length and petal denticulation turned out to capture the greatest extent of morphological variability between populations. Dianthus sylvestris subsp. nodosus, subsp. sylvestris and subsp. tergestinus have similar morphologies and share parts of their geographic distributions and cannot be clearly differentiated using morphological characters. However, a different flowering period differentiates subsp. tergestinus. By quantitatively assessing niche overlap, equivalency and similarity of the subspecies, our results indicate that niche similarity is more common than divergence. Environment, rather than geography, plays a potentially more important role in shaping the morphological variability of this complex.

Balkan Peninsula, morphometrics, environmental niche

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