Molecular aspects in systematics of “Gentiana” sect. “Calathianae” Froel.

Based on results from six different molecular studies and cytology, a taxonomic revision of Gentiana Sect. Calathianae Froel. is proposed. The revised section comprises two subsections: Subsect. Calathianae with three taxa having relatively low chromosome numbers, G. nivalis L. and G. utriculosa L. (annuals), and G. pumila Jacq. (perennial); and Subsect. Vernae (Tzevelev) Haemmerli stat. nov. with nine species and seven subspecies including G. verna L. (with two subspecies, G. verna subsp. verna, and G. verna subsp. delphinensis Kunz), G. tergestina Beck (with three subspecies, G. tergestina subsp. tergestina, G. tergestina subsp. balcanica Haemmerli, and G. tergestina subsp. pontica Haemmerli), G. sierrae Briquet, G. schleicheri Kunz, G. rostanii Reuter, G. bavarica L. (with two subspecies, G. bavarica subsp. bavarica , and G. bavarica L. subsp. subacaulis Müller), G. terglouensis Hacq., G. brachyphylla Vill., and G. orbicularis Schur . These results provide indications into the biogeography of the section. While several taxa such as G. pumila Hacq., G. bavarica L. subsp. subacaulis Müller, G. rostanii Reuter or G. verna L. subsp. delphinensis Kunz, G. terglouensis Hacq. or G. schleicheri Kunz are restricted to the Alpine chain, others occur on different European Mountain ranges (G. utriculosa L., G. sierrae Briq. and G. brachyphylla Vill.), but only few taxa also grow outside Europe (G. nivalis L., G. verna L, G. tergestina Beck and G. penetii Romo). Two species are not represented at all within the Alps: G. penetii Romo from Atlas Mts. and G. tergestina Beck including its subspecies from Dinaric Alps eastward, throughout minor Asia to the Altai Mts. Most taxa are limited to only a limited distribution area or to only one or few mountain ranges. Widespread taxa are the annual G. nivalis L. and the perennials G. verna L. s.str. and G. tergestina Beck s.l.

Thèse de doctorat : Université de Neuchâtel, 2007 ; Th.1969