engleski

Cyt. div. and gen. size variation in Festuca varia complex (Poaceae) in s. Europe

Festuca L. is the most species rich and highly diverse genus of grasses. Festuca species are perennial and dominate nearly worldwide in various types of dry, steppe, mountain and alpine grasslands or meadows, with some species also growing in forests, while some are cultivated as crops or ornamentals. Recent phylogenetic studies revealed two main evolutionary lineages corresponding to broad-leaved and fine-leaved species. Within fine-leaved fescues, the earliest diverging group is F. sect. Eskia, known also as F. varia complex, which includes approximately 20 species. The taxonomic complexity of the group is especially evident on Balkan Peninsula, from where several narrowly endemic taxa and a number of lower taxonomic entities have been described. The aim of the present study is to explore genome size variation and the incidence of polyploidy within the representatives of F. varia complex on Balkan and Apennine Peninsulas based on comprehensive geographic sampling. Our relative genome size measurements conducted with flow cytometry revealed that the majority of populations is diploid (2n=14) and they are distributed across most of the distribution area. Tetraploids are more restricted and were found in southern Dinarides, whereas hexaploids were found only on Pirin in Bulgaria. Our detailed screening of cytotype diversity and genome size variation in F. varia complex will contribute to the integrative approach including also phylogenomic and morphological analyses in order to resolve relationships in this intricate group.

Cytot. divers., Festuca varia, flow cytometry, relat. geno. siz.

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