Molecular biogeography and genetic diversity of Pulsatilla vernalis (L.) Miller (Ranunculaceae) – a new project

Abstract

Pulsatilla vernalis is a distinct, endemic to Europe species having a very special geographic distribution. This particular pattern was even defined as «Pulsatilla vernalis type». It is a high mountain species living in isolated areas of European mountains' alpine and subnival zones (mainly Alps, Pyrenees, western Carpathians). On the other hand however, this plant appears also in very different ecological conditions, in the lowlands of Central Europe and Southern Scandinavia (entering the boreal zone but not expanding farther to its northern part ). On the basis of a morphological study, four varieties were distinguished, differentiating the populations from various parts of geographic range. Three of these varieties allow to observe some spatial distributive sequence, repeated in two isolated areas: Central Europe and Southern Scandinavia. Var. alpina is present in the mountains of both areas, while var. vernalis and
bigostiana in the lowlands. The fourth variety , var. pyrenaica, occupies isolated areas of Pyrenean chain.