Leontodon albanicus subsp. acroceraunicus (Asteraceae, Cichorieae): A New Subspecies from Southern Albania
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Some plants belonging to the Leontodon sect. Asterothrix were collected from southern Albania. They were compared with the closest taxon (L. albanicus s.str.) from morphological and molecular (AFLPseq fingerprinting) points of view. Uni- and multivariate statistical analyses of morphological data revealed distinctive discontinuities—especially in terms of the characteristics of the indumentum–that are paralleled by separation into two genetic clusters in AFLPseq fingerprinting. Following an integrated taxonomic approach based on morphological, genetic, and geographical sources of evidence, we show that the newly discovered population should be regarded as a new subspecies named Leontodon albanicus subsp. acroceraunicus. The new taxon is described and illustrated, and its relationship with L. albanicus subsp. albanicus is also discussed. We have no data to assess conservation status according to IUCN categories and criteria; however, considering that it is probably limited to the Acroceraunian Mountains, it deserves particular conservation interest.
Source: Biology
Authors: Fabio Conti, Luca Bracchetti, Marco Dorfner, Nadine Benda, Christoph Oberprieler
Institutions: Università di Camerino, University of Regensburg
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,258
OpenAlex ID: W4408124778