Genetic diversity and morphological variability in the Balkan endemic<i>C</i><i>ampanula secundiflora s.l.</i>(Campanulaceae)

Abstract

We reconstructed the relationships among populations of Campanula secundiflora s.l. and closely related and geographically close populations of C. austroadriatica and C. versicolor. Based on analyses of microsatellite DNA data, the investigated populations have high overall genetic diversity and abundant allelic variation over seven investigated loci. Bayesian model-based clustering identified four clearly differentiated genetic groups of populations. The genetic differentiation was reflected by morphological differentiation, allowing us to propose a new taxonomic treatment of the constituents of C. secundiflora s.l. The populations distributed in south-western Serbia and north-eastern Montenegro were included in C. secundiflora. A new species, Campanula montenegrina sp. nov., distributed in the continental part of Montenegro and the northern part of Albania is described.