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Filogeografija Balkanskega polotoka – dva primera iz rodu 
Veronica (Plantaginaceae)
Phylogeography on the Balkan Peninsula – two examples from 
Veronica (Plantaginaceae)
k a t h a r i N a b a r D y
1
, P e t e r Sc h ö N S W e t t e r
1
, d i r k c. al B a c h
2
, M a n F r e d . a. Fi S c h e r
3
1
  Department of Biogeography, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Wien, 
Austria; katharina.bardy@univie.ac.at
2
  Institute for Special Botany, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Bentzelweg 9, 
55099 Mainz, Germany
3
  Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Vienna, 
Rennweg 14, 1030 Wien, Austria
The Balkan Peninsula is one of the hotspots of biodiversity in Europe with more than 
6500 species of native seed plants; presuming because of its role as a refugial area during 
the Pleistocene ice ages. Despite being a source for the recolonization of Europe, the Balkan 
Peninsula was a place for continuous diversification and formation of new species further 
enhancing its richness in endemic species. 
Up to now, our knowledge of the phylogeographic history of plant species of the Balkan 
Peninsula is predominantly based on the study of trees. However, most of its species 
richness is due to herbaceous perennials such as the genus Veronica. 
The already available phylogenetic framework of the genus Veronica makes it an 
excellent model taxon for our study. We focus on species from two different subgenera: 
subgenus Pseudolysimachium ( V. barrelieri, V. orchidea and V. spicata) – occurring on 
grasslands – and subgenus Chamaedrys (V. chamaedrys agg.) – mainly inhabiting forests. 
Using genome size estimation, AFLP fingerprints and cpDNA markers we address the 
following main questions: 
1) Do molecular and genome size data confirm the current taxonomy?
2) Which geographical patterns do the genetic entities exhibit on the Balkan 
Peninsula?
3) What is the origin of the polyploids?
The analysis for the subgenus Chamaedrys reveals that the diploid species form 
distinct genetic entities whereas the tetraploid V. cham. subsp. chamaedrys is polymorphic, 
phenetically as well as genetically, and has probably originated more than once via 
autopolyploidization. The three species analyzed from the subgenus Pseudolysimachium 
show a partly congruent genetic pattern compared to phenology but appear to hybridize 
over large areas or are currently evolving.
k a t h a r i N a b a r D y : Filogeografija Balkanskega polotoka…