Abstract
The genus Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae) consists of about 100 carnivorous species, also known as butterworts. Eleven taxa are endemic to Italy, which represents a biodiversity hotspot for butterworts in Europe. The aim of our study was to provide a phylogenetic framework for the Italian endemics, in order to: a) investigate the relationships between species in this group; b) evaluate their actual taxonomic value. To achieve this, we analysed all the taxa endemic to Italy, along with several other species, by means of ITS nrDNA analysis. Our results clarify the relationships between Italian endemics and other Pinguicula taxa identifying a basal polytomy defined by five clades. All of the Italian endemics (with the exception of P. lavalvae) fall within a single large clade, which includes P. vulgaris and allied species. Among them, P. poldinii represents the most isolated lineage. Other taxa show strong molecular similarities and form a single subclade, although their taxonomic ranks can be retained. Pinguicula lattanziae sp. nov., seemingly endemic to Liguria (NW Italy), is also described.
Highlights
IntroductionThe genus Pinguicula L. (butterworts; Lentibulariaceae—Lamiales) includes about 100 species [1]
The genus Pinguicula L. includes about 100 species [1]
Most of the European species grow in moist rocky habitat, with a few exceptions thriving in bogs or damp meadows (e.g. P. corsica Bern. & Gren. ex Gren. & Godr. or P. lusitanica L.), all species require a humid environment [4]
Summary
The genus Pinguicula L. (butterworts; Lentibulariaceae—Lamiales) includes about 100 species [1]. (butterworts; Lentibulariaceae—Lamiales) includes about 100 species [1]. The geographic range of Pinguicula has two main areas of diversity, one in the Holarctic and the other in the Neotropic floristic kingdoms [3]. Endemic Species Complex of Italian Pinguicula few species cover a large geographic range (e.g. P_vulgaris L. or P. alpina L.), while many others are endemic to more restricted areas (e.g. P_balcanica Casper in the Balkans) or narrow endemics (e.g. P_sehuensis Bacch., Cannas & Peruzzi in a single mountain of Sardinia). Most of the European species grow in moist rocky habitat, with a few exceptions thriving in bogs or damp meadows P. lusitanica L.), all species require a humid environment [4] Most of the European species grow in moist rocky habitat, with a few exceptions thriving in bogs or damp meadows (e.g. P. corsica Bern. & Gren. ex Gren. & Godr. or P. lusitanica L.), all species require a humid environment [4]
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