Search

Highlights • Segregation of genetic lines from N & S due to the local processes is visible. • Re-colonization of glacial areas in Central Europe from local refugia. • Eastern Europe is a contact of genetic lines from Central & Southern Europe. Abstract Phylogeographic studies of grassland plants with broad Eurasian ranges point to the importance of northern refuges in shaping genetic patterns in populations across species distribution ranges in Central Europe. Carlina acanthifolia subsp. utzka is a common inhabitant of xerothermic sites in Central European dry grasslands. The aim of this study was to test hypotheses regarding some of the main phylogeographical patterns proposed for European grassland plants, in particular the locations of glacial refugia, the re-colonization routes, and genetic affinities between Southern, Eastern and Central European populations. We analyzed the genetic diversity of Carlina acanthifolia subsp. utzka based on distribution-wide sampling of 39 populations (Southern, Central and Eastern Europe) and compiled data obtained using different markers (AFLP, cpDNA, ETS region). The results for AFLP and the ETS region split the populations into two groups: from Central and Eastern Europe with the northern part of the Balkan Peninsula; and from its southern part. The segregation visible both in the distribution of particular haplotypes and in the variation level of the southern group of populations (AFLP) points to local processes that were taking place independently in the northern and the southern parts of the range. Populations from the southern part of the range have likely served as the core of the Central European part during their colonization, while re-colonization of glacial areas in Central Europe took place from local refugia in the central and western parts of Eastern Europe. The southern areas did not participate in this process. The observed variation of the frequency of haplotypes indicates that Eastern Europe populations dominant in the northern Balkan Peninsula got in contact with those from Central Europe. On the other hand, the presence of a separate line of haplotypes and ribotypes in populations from the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula indicates the absence of continuous connectivity of these areas with disjunct areas in Central Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phylogeographical analysis of Ranunculus platanifolius, a typical European subalpine tall-herb species, indicates the existence of two main genetic lineages based on amplified fragment length polymorphism ( AFLP) markers. One group comprises populations from the Balkan Peninsula and the south-eastern Carpathians and the other includes the remaining part of the range of the species, encompassing the western Carpathians, Sudetes, Alps, Pyrenees and Scandinavia. The main phylogeographical break observed in this species runs across the Carpathians and separates the main parts of this range (western and south-eastern Carpathians), supporting a distinct glacial history of populations in these areas. The high genetic similarity of the Balkan Peninsula and south-eastern Carpathian populations could indicate a common glacial refugium for these contemporarily isolated areas of species distribution. The western and northern part of the species range displays an additional weak differentiation into regional phylogeographical groups, which could have been shaped by isolation in glacial refugia or even by a postglacial isolation. The observed weak phylogeographical structure could also be linked with ecological requirements, allowing survival along streams in relatively low, forested mountain ranges. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and intense human activity are exacerbating changes in species' ranges. While the rapid spread of invasive alien species is well documented worldwide, the phenomenon of the spread of native species is poorly understood. To explain the problem of rapidly spreading species in the changing world, it is necessary to understand their ecology, genetic diversity and habitat limitation. The aim of our study was to analyze the ecological requirements and genetic diversity in the population of the macrophyte Trapa natans s. l., an invasive alien species in North America but native in Europe and Asia. We investigated the populations in its native range (Central and Northeastern Europe), where the species is defined as rare or extinct. We found the occurrence of T. natans in Northeastern Europe aquatic habitats where, up to now, it was described as an extinct species. The results of our environmental studies showed that the species has a wide range of tolerance to habitat conditions and lives in medium to highly nutrient-rich water with low and high salinity. Using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) analysis, we revealed high genetic variability within populations with relatively limited differentiation between populations. We showed that some populations are highly diverse (possibly refugia; Central Europe) and others are homogeneous (new sites, commercial reintroduction; Northeastern Europe). Conservation status of T. natans in its native range should be reconsidered, as the species has spread rapidly in recent decades and could be detrimental to aquatic habitats. The conclusion is that expansion/invasion can start from small populations, but under favorable conditions these populations spread rapidly. The introduction of species (even native) should be done carefully, if at all, as uncontrolled introduction to new locations, e.g. private ponds, could be the start of dispersal (native habitats) or invasion (non-native area)., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)