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Hybridization seems to play an important role in speciation of Gagea Salisb., a genus which is characterised by polyploid taxa lines and in which diploids (2 n = 24) appear only to be common in basal sections. Hybrid detection was applied utilising direct and cloning nrDNA ITS data (ITS1, 5.8S rDNA, ITS2) combined with neighbour and ribotype networks and discussed in connection with previously published cpDNA, morphological and karyological data of the authors. We have evidence of the hybrid origin of taxa within the section Gagea ( G. pomeranica, G. megapolitana) and the monophyletic clade of sections Didymobulbos and Fistulosae ( G. microfistulosa, G. polidorii, G. cf. bohemica). Morphologically and karyologically differentiated Gagea megapolitana and G. pomeranica, adapted to synanthropic habitats, represent both hybrids of G. pratensis × G. lutea. Gagea microfistulosa represents a hybrid of G. villosa × G. fragifera; Gagea polidorii could represent the reverse hybrid. G. glacialis is also closely related to the latter complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All known Italian Gagea species (23) representing seven out of 14 sections were included in this study. Morphological, molecular and combined data support the basal position of G. trinervia ( Anthericoides). According to the molecular data, the sections Anthericoides, Lloydia, Gagea, Minimae and Spathaceae are very well supported; representatives of the sections Didymobulbos and Fistulosae clustered together in the same clade. In this clade, several near-related species groups (series) were recognised. According to 35 morpho-anatomical, ontogenetic and karyological data the section Gagea forms a well-defined monophyletic clade. Within this clade G. tisoniana, G. pusilla and G. cfr. paczoskii are near related. The position of the critical putative hybrid taxa G. luberonensis and G. polidorii is discussed. New series Solenarium (Dulac) Peruzzi and Tison, Occidentales (A. Terracc.) Peruzzi and Tison and Saxatiles (A. Terracc.) Peruzzi and Tison are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]