1. Bridging mountains and seas : genomic and plastid data evidence for two migration routes of Drypis spinosa across the Adriatic–Ionian regionPeter Glasnović, Ivan Radosavljević, Sara Laura Šarančić, Damjan Mitić, Boštjan Surina, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Aim Amphi–Adriatic–Ionian plant taxa, distributed on both the Balkan and Apennine peninsulas, exemplify one of the many diversity patterns characteristic of the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot. To better understand these patterns, we examined the genetic and morphological variability, as well as the present day and Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) potential distribution of a scree-dwelling plant endemic to the study region. Location Amphi–Adriatic–Ionian region within the Mediterranean basin. Taxon Drypis spinosa L. (Caryophyllaceae). Methods Population genomics and phylogeographic patterns were investigated by analysing single–nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and plastid DNA markers. Morphometric techniques were additionally used to assess taxonomic relationships. Environmental niche modelling (ENM) was applied to evaluate potential occurrences under present-day and LGM conditions. Results Genetic data revealed concordant patterns of genetic diversity, indicating that the mountainous areas of the western Balkans harbour the highest genetic variability in D. spinosa. Historical connections were detected among populations from the Kvarner area, the central and southern Apennines, and the Scardo–Pindic Mountains. Neither molecular nor morphological analyses supported the historically proposed lower-rank taxonomic distinctions. ENM suggests a substantial increase in favourable conditions during the LGM compared to the present day. Main Conclusions Our findings indicate two primary links between the Balkan Peninsula and the Apennines: one spanning the northern and central Adriatic Sea, involving populations from the Kvarner area and the central Dinaric Alps, and another connecting the Scardo–Pindic Mountains across the Ionian Sea. This reveals a biogeographical pattern not previously documented in plants with an Amphi–Adriatic–Ionian distribution.
Keywords: Amphi–Adriatic–Ionian distribution, environmental niche modelling, genomics, Mediterranean, morphometrics, phylogeography, plastid DNA
Published in RUP: 25.05.2026; Views: 166; Downloads: 7
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2. Shifting tin imports into the broader Eastern Mediterranean region during the Bronze and Early Iron Ages (ca. 2000-900 BC)Wayne Powell, K. Aslihan Yener, Cemal Pulak, Ryan Mathur, Gojko Barjamovic, Boris Kavur, Martina Blečić Kavur, Nicola Ialongo, David Gilman Romano, Jay Stephens, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Lacking substantial local tin deposits after 2000 BC, the Eastern Mediterranean depended on the importation of large quantities of tin from extraneous sources. Situated roughly equidistant (ca. 3000 km) between the large tin deposits of Western Europe and Central Asia, both localities have been proposed as potential sources of tin metal used in Eastern Mediterranean bronze production. However, such speculation must be substantiated. Herein, we assert that the application of a central-tendency-based approach to the comparison of tin isotope analyses of artifact assemblages with those of tin ores is an effective approach to differentiating between Central Asian and European tin sources in both pure tin metal and tin alloys. We apply the TIA approach to the reinterpretation of existing tin isotope analyses of tin ingots and introduce a large body of new evidence drawn from tin isotopes analysis of ancient (2000-900 BC) bronze artifacts from the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, Tell Atchana in the Amuq Valley of Turkey, the eastern part of the northern Adriatic/Istria and Kvarner (Croatia), Egypt and Peloponnese, Greece. A general chronological trend from high δSn in artifacts dating to 2000-1600 BC to moderate values in the Early Iron Age (1100-900 BC) indicate a gradual shift from tin dominated by Central Asian imports to tin derived from European deposits. These changes in the movement of tin are mirrored in other traceable commodities such as Baltic amber and glass.
Keywords: Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, Bronze Age, Iron Age, tin
Published in RUP: 20.02.2026; Views: 558; Downloads: 9
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3. First EST-SSRs of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don (Asteraceae) revealed insights into the genetic diversity and population structure in CorsicaPetra Gabrovšek, Matjaž Hladnik, Dunja Bandelj, Zala Jenko Pražnikar, Saša Kenig, Félix Tomi, Marc Gibernau, Slavko Brana, Alenka Baruca Arbeiter, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don (Asteraceae) is a valuable medicinal and aromatic plant native to a variety of habitats across the Mediterranean region. However, genetic studies of this morphologically diverse species have been limited by the scarcity of species-specific DNA markers. To address this limitation, we generated the first de novo transcriptome assembly comprising 24,806 transcripts from young shoots containing leaves and flowers, developed EST-SSR markers, and evaluated their utility in population genetic analysis. Seventy-eight primer pairs were designed, of which 23 showed successful amplification, polymorphism, and transferability to Helichrysum litoreum Guss. and Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench. A subset of 12 EST-SSRs was used to genotype 270 individuals from 12 natural populations of H. italicum in Corsica (France), along with one outgroup population from Croatia. The polymorphic information content ranged from 0.250 to 0.796, and Shannon’s information index ranged from 0.588 to 1.843, indicating the markers’ suitability for popu- lation genetic studies. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that 15% of the total genetic variation was attributable to differences among populations. Discriminant analysis of principal components and Bayesian clustering in STRUCTURE identified distinct popu- lation clusters corresponding to geographic locations. Notably, the southernmost coastal populations were clearly differentiated from the others.
Keywords: Helichrysum italicum, immortelle, de novo transcriptome, genic microsatellite markers, EST-SSRs, population study, Corsica, Mediterranean Basin
Published in RUP: 17.12.2025; Views: 787; Downloads: 9
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4. Plants in danger : floral and other plant traits as drivers of vulnerability in Mediterranean countriesAmparo Lázaro, Anastasia Stefanaki, Martha Charitonidou, Joana Cursach, Maria Panitsa, Ioannis Bazos, Rosa Ranalli, Mauro Fois, Marta Galloni, Gianluigi Bacchetta, Živa Fišer, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Plants with complex floral morphologies are adapted to be pollinated by restricted pollinator assemblages and may suffer pollinator limitation. Understanding how floral traits and other variables relate to plant vulnerability can provide a powerful tool for predicting the conservation status and prioritizing the assessment of plants with scarce field data. Using circa 3000 records of rare and threatened (sensu IUCN) entomophilous plant taxa from seven Mediterranean countries, we evaluated how six floral traits and other eight intrinsic and extrinsic variables were related to plant vulnerability (less vs. more threatened plants). Besides, we analyzed 29 experts' opinions regarding the floral traits most related to floral complexity. Floral shape, reproductive unit, and flowering duration were good vulnerability indicators. Taxa with lip- and flag-shaped flowers were the most threatened, which agrees with the opinion of experts who considered lip- and flag-shaped flowers to have more complex morphologies. Also, plants with cylindrical inflorescences or solitary flowers were more threatened than those with flat-spherical inflorescences; and longer flowering durations reduced the probability of being threatened. Regarding extrinsic variables, coastal and freshwater habitats, i.e. habitats heavily impacted by human activities, had the highest percentage of highly threatened taxa. Yet, plant vulnerability decreased with maximum elevation and total distribution range. These results may serve as a basis for managers and practitioners when field data are scarce or unavailable, so that, depending on their traits, species could be provisionally listed in Red Lists as deserving priority for assessment to ascertain conservation status and actions.
Keywords: floral complexity, floral shape, flowering duration, functional reproductive unit, plant conservation, red data books, threatened Mediterranean vascular flora
Published in RUP: 02.12.2025; Views: 623; Downloads: 4
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9. Diatom diversity on the skin of frozen historic loggerhead sea turtle specimensLucija Kanjer, Roksana Majewska, Bart Van de Vijver, Romana Gračan, Bojan Lazar, Sunčica Bosak, 2020, original scientific article Keywords: epibionts, diatoms, marine turtles, Mediterranean
Published in RUP: 18.10.2021; Views: 2849; Downloads: 41
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