Research Article |
Corresponding author: Gerald M. Schneeweiss ( gerald.schneeweiss@univie.ac.at ) Academic editor: Pavel Stoev
© 2016 Christopher J. Dixon, Walter Gutermann, Peter Schönswetter, Gerald M. Schneeweiss.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Dixon CJ, Gutermann W, Schönswetter P, Schneeweiss GM (2016) Taxonomy and nomenclature of the polymorphic European high mountain species Androsace vitaliana (L.) Lapeyr. (Primulaceae). PhytoKeys 75: 93-106. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.75.10731
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Androsace vitaliana (syn. Vitaliana primuliflora; Primulaceae) has been subject to several taxonomic treatments, whose conclusions ranged from a single species with numerous infraspecific taxa to several species usually without infraspecific taxa. Here, following molecular investigation, several taxonomic changes are made. A single species with the following infraspecific taxa is recognized: subsp. vitaliana (Pyrenees), subsp. cinerea (south-western Alps), subsp. lepontina (Pennine Alps), subsp. sesleri (south-eastern Alps), subsp. praetutiana (Apennines) and subsp. assoana (Iberian Peninsula excluding the Pyrenees), the last of which is divided into the four allopatrically distributed varieties assoana, centriberica, flosjugorum and nevadensis. Contrary to some previous assertions, all taxa are allopatric and, especially for subspp. vitaliana, cinerea and lepontina, where clear diagnostic characters are lacking, they can best be determined by their geographic origin.
Androsace vitaliana , Bayesian species delimitation, European mountain ranges, nomenclature, typification, Vitaliana primuliflora
The infraspecific taxonomy of Androsace vitaliana (L.) Lapeyr. has been studied by several authors (
The first infraspecific taxa to be distinguished in A. vitaliana (under the name Gregoria Vitaliana—for the nomenclatural evaluation of the names that have been used and for full nomenclatural authorities, see “Nomenclature”) were the three varieties named by
In his taxonomic revision,
In the first molecular investigation of the species, using sequences from the nuclear ribosomal ITS region,
To further test the distinctness of the six major groups identified by
Model | Marginal likelihood | Bayes Factor |
---|---|---|
(i) Six lineages (Iberian Peninsula, Pyrenees, southwestern Alps, Pennine Alps, southeastern Alps, Apennines) | -2580.65 | − |
(ii) Five lineages (Iberian Peninsula, Pyrenees, southwestern plus Pennine Alps, southeastern Alps, Apennines) | -2745.68 | 330.05 |
(iii) Four lineages (Iberian Peninsula, Pyrenees, Alps, Apennines) | -2761.82 | 362.33 |
(iv) Three lineages (Iberian Peninsula, Pyrenees, Alps plus Apennines) | -2835.78 | 510.27 |
Previous taxonomic treatments range from a very elaborate infraspecific classification down to the level of subformae (
Three subspecies possess distinctive morphological features that allow them to be distinguished, at least to some extent, from other taxa: subsp. praetutiana (Apennines) has rounded leaf tips (also found in some populations of subsp. assoana, but these form dense cushions, and rarely in subsp. vitaliana:
This problem also applies to the varieties within subsp. assoana, which are difficult to distinguish from herbarium material without knowledge of the geographic origin as acknowledged by Kress in his latest contribution (
Androsace vitaliana (L.) Lapeyr., Hist. Pl. Pyrénées: 94. 1813 ≡ Primula vitaliana L., Sp. Pl.: 143. 1753 [basionym] ≡ Aretia vitaliana (L.) L., Syst. Veg. ed. 13: 162. 1774 ≡ Androsace lutea Lam., Fl. franç. 2: 258. 1778, nom. superfl. ≡ Primula sedifolia Salisb., Parad. Lond. 2: t. 107. 1807, nom. superfl. ≡ Androsace rugosa Clairv., Man. herbor. Suisse: 57. 1811, nom. superfl. ≡ Gregoria vitaliana (L.) Duby, Bot. Gall. ed. 2, 1: 383. 1828 ≡ Vitaliana primuliflora Bertol., Fl. Ital. 2: 368. 1835 ≡ Macrotybus luteus Dulac, Fl. Hautes-Pyrénées: 425. 1867, nom. superfl. ≡ Vitaliana gregorii Saccardo, Sto. lett. fl. venet.: 46. 1869, nom. superfl. ≡ Gregoria lutea St.-Lager in Ann. Soc. Bot. Lyon, 7: 144. 1880, nom. superfl. ≡ Douglasia vitaliana (L.) Pax in Engler & Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 4(1): 109. 1890. — Lectotype [designated by
The Linnaean basionym Primula vitaliana has been repeatedly typified (
One synonym of A. vitaliana given by both
Androsace vitaliana subsp. vitaliana
-Vitaliana primuliflora var. alpina f. occidentalis subf. genuina Chiarugi in Nuov. Giorn. Bot. Ital. 37: 337. 1930, nom. inval. (ICBN 24.3), p. p.
-Vitaliana primuliflora subsp. canescens O. Schwarz in Feddes Repert. 67: 24. 1963, nom. inval. (without type indication), p. p. (Pyrenean plants only)
-Vitaliana chionotricha O. Schwarz in Feddes Repert. 67: 24. 1963, p. p. (Pyrenean plants only; type excluded)
Distribution. Pyrenees.
Following the findings of
Androsace vitaliana subsp. cinerea (Sündermann) Kress in Hegi, Ill. Fl. Mitt.-Eur. 5 (3): 2248d. 1967 ≡ Gregoria vitaliana var. cinerea Sündermann in Allg. Bot. Z. 22: 59. 1916 [basionym] ≡ Gregoria vitaliana subsp. cinerea (Sündermann) Bornm. in Mitt. Thür. Bot. Ver. 37: 6, 1927 ≡ Gregoria vitaliana f. cinerea (Sündermann) Lüdi in Hegi, Ill. Fl. Mitt.-Eur. 5 (3): 1789, 1927 ≡ Vitaliana primuliflora subf. cinerea (Sündermann) Chiarugi in Nuov. Giorn. Bot. Ital. 37: 337, 1930 ≡ Vitaliana primuliflora subsp. cinerea (Sündermann) I. K. Ferguson in Taxon 18: 303, 1969 ≡ Vitaliana primuliflora var. cinerea (Sündermann) Vigo in Acta Bot. Barcinonensia 35: 435, 1983 — Type: none designated (described from Mercantour, south-western Alps)
= Vitaliana chionotricha O. Schwarz in Feddes Repert. 67: 24, 1963 — Type: In colle “Galibier” montium Delphinentium. Leg. Ozanon. 1858. (holotype:
-Gregoria vitaliana subsp. gaudini Sündermann ex Bornm. in Mitt. Thüring. Bot. Vereins 37: 6. 1927, nom. nud.
-Vitaliana primuliflora var. alpina f. occidentalis subf. genuina Chiarugi in Nuov. Giorn. Bot. Ital. 37: 337, 1930, nom. inval. p. p. (Alpine plants only)
Distribution. Alps south and west of Mont Blanc.
Since no material from the Savoyan or Graian Alps has been included by
Androsace vitaliana subsp. lepontina (Chiarugi) Dixon, Gutermann & Schneew. comb. nov. ≡ Vitaliana primuliflora var. alpina f. orientalis subf. lepontina Chiarugi in Nuov. Giorn. Bot. Ital. 37: 337, 1930 — Lectotype (here designated): Switzerland, Valais, “Seehorn a. d. Südseite d. Simplon. Gipfelregion”, Gneiss, 2450 m, leg. H. Handel-Mazzetti, 29.7.1906 (
-Vitaliana primuliflora subsp. canescens O. Schwarz in Feddes Repert. 67: 24, 1963. nom. inval. (without type indication: ICBN 40.1), p. p. (plants from “Penninische und Lepontinische Alpen” only)
Distribution. Alps from the Great St. Bernard Pass to the Simplon Pass (Swiss canton of Valais, Italian provinces of Verbano and Valle d’Aosta).
A taxon restricted to the Pennine Alps has previously been recognized only by
Androsace vitaliana subsp. praetutiana (Buser ex Sündermann) Kress in Hegi, Ill. Fl. Mitt.-Eur. 5 (3): 2248d, 1967 ≡ Gregoria vitaliana var. praetutiana Buser ex Sündermann in Allg. Bot. Z. 22: 59. 1916 [basionym] ≡ Gregoria vitaliana subsp. praetutiana (Buser ex Sündermann) Bornm. in Mitt. Thür. Bot. Ver. 37: 6. 1927 ≡ Gregoria vitaliana f. praetutiana (Buser ex Sündermann) Lüdi in Hegi, Ill. Fl. Mitt.-Eur. 5 (3): 1789. 1927 ≡ Vitaliana primuliflora var. praetutiana (Buser ex Sündermann) Chiarugi in Nuov. Giorn. Bot. Ital. 37: 337, 1930 ≡ Vitaliana primuliflora subsp. praetutiana (Buser ex Sündermann) I. K. Ferguson in Taxon 18: 303, 1969 — Neotype (here designated): Gran Sasso d’Italia. Traversa di Portella, nei pascoli, leg. U. Martinelli 19.8.1893 (
= Vitaliana obtusifolia O. Schwarz in Feddes Repert. 67: 26, 1963 — Type: Majella, Mte. Amaro, leg. H. Handel-Mazzetti (W).
Distribution. Mountains of Abruzzo: Corno Grande, Maiella and Sirente-Velino.
Androsace vitaliana subsp. sesleri (Buser ex Sündermann) Kress in Hegi, Ill. Fl. Mitt.-Eur. 5 (3): 2248d, 1967 ≡ Gregoria vitaliana var. sesleri Buser ex Sündermann in Allg. Bot. Z. 22: 59. 1916 [basionym] ≡ Gregoria vitaliana subsp. sesleri (Buser ex Sündermann) Bornm. in Mitt. Thür. Bot. Ver. 37: 6. 1927 ≡ Gregoria vitaliana f. sesleri (Buser ex Sündermann) Lüdi in Hegi, Ill. Fl. Mitt.-Eur. 5 (3): 1789. 1927 ≡ Vitaliana primuliflora subsp. sesleri (Buser ex Sündermann) Pignatti in Giorn. Bot. Ital. 111(1–2): 48. 1977 (1977) — Neotype (here designated): Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige: Trento, northern surroundings of Passo di San Pellegrino: little south of Pas de le Sele; 2485 m, 46°23'48’’ N, 11°45'50’’ E, leg. R. Flatscher & P. Schönswetter, 5.9.2010; cultivated in the Botanical Garden of the University of Innsbruck and prepared as herbarium sheet in spring 2011 (
= Vitaliana primuliflora var. alpina f. orientalis subf. tridentina Chiarugi in Nuov. Giorn. Bot. Ital. 37: 337, 1930
-Vitaliana primuliflora subsp. primuliflora sensu I. K. Ferguson in Taxon 18: 302, 1969.
Distribution. South-eastern Alps from the Bergamo Alps (Italy) to the Carnic Alps (Italy and a small area in Austria), chiefly the Italian Dolomites.
As was the case for subsp. praetutiana,
Androsace vitaliana subsp. assoana (Laínz) Kress in Phyton (Horn) 13: 221. 1969 ≡ Vitaliana primuliflora subsp. assoana Laínz in Bot. Inst. Edt. Astur. Supplem. Cienc. 10: 199, 1964 ≡ Androsace centriberica (Kress) Kress in Primulaceen-Studien 15: 2. 1999 — Type: Spain, Teruel, “Sierra de Jabalambre” [sic], “in solo petroso cacuminis”, 2020 m, leg. J. Borja 3.8.1960, in herb. Borja (holotype:
Distribution. Mountains of the Iberian Peninsula, excluding the Pyrenees.
Androsace vitaliana subsp. assoana var. assoana (Laínz) Kress in Primulaceen-Studien 13: 10. 1997 ≡ Vitaliana intermedia O. Schwarz in Feddes Repert. 67: 40. 1963 ≡ Vitaliana primuliflora subsp. assoana Laínz in Bot. Inst. Edt. Astur. Supplem. Cienc. 10: 199. 1964. ≡ Androsace centriberica subsp. assoana (Laínz) Kress in Primulaceen-Studien 15: 2. 1999 — Type: Spain, Teruel, “Sierra de Jabalambre” [sic], “in solo petroso cacuminis”, 2020 m, leg. J. Borja 3.8.1960 (holotype:
Distribution. Sierra de Javalambre.
Androsace vitaliana subsp. assoana var. flosjugorum (Kress) Dixon, Guterm. & Schneew. stat. nov. ≡ Androsace vitaliana subsp. flosjugorum Kress in Primulaceen-Studien 13: 9. 1997 — Type: Spain, Cantabria, Peña Prieta, “zwischen Alto de Cubil de Can und Alto del Tio Celestino”, 2200–2450 m, 8.6.1967. “In herb. Kress V41+”.
= Androsace centriberica subsp. maragatorum Kress in Primulaceen-Studien 15: 2. 1999 — Type: Spain, León, Montes de León, “vom Paß im OOSO von Peñalba de Santiago - (14 km sssö Ponferrada) auf der S-Seite - des Baches Santiago ca. 150 m abwärts - 1450–1300 m”, in herbario Kress.
Distribution. Cordillera Cantábrica and Montes de León.
Androsace vitaliana subsp. assoana var. centriberica Kress in Primulaceen-Studien 13: 10. 1997 ≡ Androsace vitaliana subsp. aurelii Luceño in Anales Jard. Bot. Madrid 56: 165. 1998 — Type: Spain, Ávila, Sierra de El Barco, cuerda de la Covacha del Losat, 30T TK 8056, 2300 m, en pastizales psicroxerófilos, 27.7.1983. Leg. M. Luceño, 260028 (MA).
≡ Androsace centriberica subsp. centriberica [per Kress in Primulaceen-Studien 15: 2. 1999]
Distribution. Sistema Central (Sierra de Gredos and probably also Sierra de Guadarrama).
This variety is found in the Sierra de Gredos and we assume on geographical grounds that this is also the taxon from the Sierra de Guadarrama, from where we have not seen any material.
Androsace vitaliana subsp. assoana var. nevadensis (Chiarugi) Kress in Primulaceen-Studien 13: 10. 1997 ≡ Vitaliana primuliflora var. nevadensis Chiarugi in Nuov. Giorn. Bot. Ital. 37: 338, 1930 [basionym] ≡ Androsace vitaliana subsp. nevadensis (Chiarugi) Luceño in Anales Jard. Bot. Madrid 56: 165. 1998 (1998) — Lectotype (here designated): Spain, Sierra Nevada, “région niveuse, au Picacho de Veleta”, 5.7.1851. J. Gay in E. Bourgeau, Plantes d’Espagne. Herbarium Webbianum, 120348 (
= Vitaliana congesta O. Schwarz in Feddes Repert. 67: 25, 1963 = Androsace congesta (O. Schwarz) Kress in Primulaceen-Studien 15: 2. 1999 — Type: Spain, Sierra Nevada, Cerro de Medio Dia, 2800 m, leg. Dürck (M).
Distribution. Sierra Nevada.
The basionym of this name,
We thank Lajos Somlyay and an anonymous reviewer for their helpful comments. We thank the herbaria of the University of Vienna (