Phenetic and geographic pattern of Aconitum sect. Napellus (Ranunculaceae) in the Eastern Carpathians - a numerical approach

Abstract

<em>Aconitum</em> sect. <em>Napellus</em> in the Eastern Carpathians was explored with the use of methods of numerical taxonomy*. The taxon consists of <em>A. bucovinense</em> Zapał. pro hybr., <em>A.firmum</em> Rchb. subsp. <em>firmum</em>, <em>A. firmum</em> subsp. <em>fissurae</em> Nyarady, <em>A. fimum</em> nsubsp.<em>fussianum</em> Starmuhl (<em>A.firmum</em> subsp. <em>firmum</em> x subsp. <em>f'issurae</em>), <em>A.</em> x <em>nanum</em> (Baumg.) Simonk. (<em>A. bucovinense</em> x <em>A. firmum</em>) and a hybrid <em>A. firmum</em> x <em>A.</em> x <em>nanum</em>. The taxi form phenetic continuum in a character hyperspace and their delimitation bases on a few traits, hitherto neglected, e.g. type of hairiness and flower morphology. A key is provided to identify taxa at all ranks within the supplemented of sect. <em>Napellus</em>. There is a regional pattern of particular OTUs distribution, which show local morphological uniqueness within a taxon. The phenomenon was inquired using the concept of "centers of phenetic coherence" (CPC) based on overall morphological similarity. The CPC may be interpreteted as regions of neoendemism and/or may reflect a post-glacial migratory route. High-mountain flora of the Western Bieszczady Mts. (sect. Napelus as its example) has features of neoendemism (schizoendemism), being most probably a result of geographical vicarism.