engleski

The challenge of subspecies delimitation in <i> Dianthus sylvestris</i> Wulfen s.l. on the Balkan Peninsula: Integrative approach to taxonomy

Balkan Peninsula is one of the diversity centres for the morphologically highly variable and taxonomically inconsistently treated Dianthus sylvestris Wulfen. The current taxonomic concept provided in the Flora Europaea is based on names published by Hayek in 1924. One of the overall aims of our comprehensive study combining phylogeographic methods (RADseq), morphometry, environmental niche analyses and genome size estimates, is to explore the intraspecific relationships within the Balkan populations of D. sylvestris, and to provide the revised taxonomy. Our results suggest two morphological entities, the north-western and the south-eastern group of populations, distinct by the epicalyx scales shape, calyx length and petal denticulation. These entities correspond to the two identified genetic clusters, with the split occurring around the Neretva River valley. The genetic structure does not support current taxonomy, except for D. sylvestris subsp. tergestinus (Rchb.) Hayek. Given that the type specimen of D. sylvestris subsp. nodosus (Tausch) Hayek is not known, and its diagnostic character, puberulent lower part of the stem, turned out to be variable within the population level, we suggest leaving this form of variability within D. sylvestris s.l. without taxonomic designation. The holotypes of two south Balkan subspecies, D. sylvestris subsp. alboroseus F.K. Mey. and D. sylvestris subsp. kozjakensis Micevski, are highly similar and based on our results they belong in the same morphometric and genetic clusters. Several populations from the southeastern group show morphologically intermediate forms between D. sylvestris subsp. alboroseus and D. sylvestris subsp. bertisceus Rech. f. and cannot be clearly assigned to subspecies. Finally, D. sylvestris subsp. bertisceus showed the greatest genetic admixture, as well as problematic morphological distinction, especially when populations from the Alps are considered.

taxonomy ; morphometrics ; over-splitting ; Balkan Peninsula

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