Multiple glacial refugia and complex postglacial range shifts of the obligatory woodland plant Polygonatum verticillatum (Convallariaceae)

The Role of the Hercynian Mountains of Central Europe in Shaping Plant Migration Patterns in the Pleistocene-A Review

The climatic changes that took place in Europe during the Quaternary period influenced plant habitats as well as their species and vegetation composition. In this article, biogeographical studies on Hercynian mountain plants that include data for the Alps, Carpathians, and European lowlands are reviewed in order to discuss the phylogeographical structure and divergence of the Hercynian populations from those in other European mountain ranges, Scandinavia, and lowlands. The analyzed studies show specific phylogeographical relations between the Hercynian mountains, Alps, Scandinavia, Carpathians, and European lowlands. The results also indicate that the genetic patterns of plant populations in the Hercynian Mountains may differ significantly in terms of origin. The main migration routes of species to the Hercynian ranges began in the Alps or Carpathians. Some species, such as Rubus chamaemorus L., Salix lapponum L., and Salix herbacea L., are glacial relics that may have arrived and settled in the Hercynian Mountains during the Ice Age and that survived in isolated habitats. The Hercynian Mountains are composed of various smaller mountain ranges and are a crossroads of migration routes from different parts of Europe; thus, intensive hybridization has occurred between the plant populations therein, which is indicated by the presence of several divergent genetic lines.

Novel SNP based analysis of genetic diversity in Polygonatum verticillatum Linn. across Indian Himalayas

Polygonatum verticillatum Linn. is an endangered medicinal herb from Himalayas whose rhizomes have recently been used to curate symptoms of COVID-19. During present investigation, a gene bank of P. verticillatum was established at High Altitude Herbal Garden of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun at Chakrata, at 2600 m amsl with germplasm collected from different states and union territory of India including Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir covering a wide range of geographical locations from an altitude of 1800 to 3600 m amsl. Genotyping by sequencing was applied to a set of 66 accessions of P. verticillatum to identify genome-wide high quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for analysis of genetic diversity. Neighbour-joining tree created from the distance matrix data grouped the genotypes into five distinct clusters. The results of principal coordinate analysis and Cluster analysis overlapped to identify Narkanda, Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) and Sunil village, Chamoli (Uttarakhand) as the regions with undisturbed, highly diverse natural populations of P. verticillatum. The species displayed little congruence in terms of genetic similarities with altitudinal range. This investigation is first of its kind on generation and utilization of SNPs to analyse genetic diversity in P. verticillatum with a very vivid sample collection across the entire Himalayan range in India.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03654-4.

Improving species delimitation for effective conservation: a case study in the endemic maple-leaf oak (Quercus acerifolia)

Species delimitation is challenging in lineages that exhibit both high plasticity and introgression. This challenge can be compounded by collection biases, which may downweight specimens morphologically intermediate between traditional species. Additionally, mismatch between named species and observable phenotypes can compromise species conservation. We studied the species boundaries of Quercus acerifolia, a tree endemic to Arkansas, U.S. We performed morphometric analyses of leaves and acorns from 527 field and 138 herbarium samples of Q. acerifolia and its close relatives, Q. shumardii and Q. rubra. We employed two novel approaches: sampling ex situ collections to detect phenotypic plasticity caused by environmental variation and comparing random field samples with historical herbarium samples to identify collection biases that might undermine species delimitation. To provide genetic evidence, we also performed molecular analyses on genome-wide SNPs. Quercus acerifolia shows distinctive morphological, ecological, and genomic characteristics, rejecting the hypothesis that Q. acerifolia is a phenotypic variant of Q. shumardii. We found mismatches between traditional taxonomy and phenotypic clusters. We detected underrepresentation of morphological intermediates in herbarium collections, which may bias species discovery and recognition. Rare species conservation requires considering and addressing taxonomic problems related to phenotypic plasticity, mismatch between taxonomy and morphological clusters, and collection biases.

What Hides in the Heights? The Case of the Iberian Endemism Bromus picoeuropeanus

Bromus picoeuropeanus is a recently described species belonging to a complex genus of grasses. It inhabits stony soils at heights ranging from 1600 to 2200 m in Picos de Europa (Cantabrian Mountains, northern Spain). This species is morphologically very similar to B. erectus, partially sharing its presumed distribution range. We aim to determine the relationship between these species and their altitudinal ranges in Picos de Europa and the Cantabrian Mountains by conducting phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear (ETS and ITS) and chloroplastic (trnL) markers. Phylogenetic trees were inferred by Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference. Haplotype networks were estimated based on the plastid marker. Although the ITS topologies could not generate exclusive clades for these species, the ETS analyses generated highly supported B. picoeuropeanus exclusive clades, which included locations outside its altitudinal putative range. The ETS-ITS and ETS-ITS-trnL topologies generated B. picoeuropeanus exclusive clades, whereas the trnL-based trees and haplotype networks were unable to discriminate B. erectus and B. picoeuropeanus. This evidence suggests that B. picoeuropeanus is a separate species with a larger distribution than previously thought, opening new questions regarding the evolution of B. erectus and other similar species in European mountainous systems. However, more information is needed regarding B. picoeuropeanus susceptibility to temperature rises.

Stability in the South, Turbulence Toward the North: Evolutionary History of Aurinia saxatilis (Brassicaceae) Revealed by Phylogenomic and Climatic Modelling Data

The Balkan Peninsula played an important role in the evolution of many Mediterranean plants and served as a major source for post-Pleistocene colonisation of central and northern Europe. Its complex geo-climatic history and environmental heterogeneity significantly influenced spatiotemporal diversification and resulted in intricate phylogeographic patterns. To explore the evolutionary dynamics and phylogeographic patterns within the widespread eastern Mediterranean and central European species Aurinia saxatilis, we used a combination of phylogenomic (restriction-site associated DNA sequencing, RADseq) and phylogenetic (sequences of the plastid marker ndhF) data as well as species distribution models generated for the present and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The inferred phylogenies retrieved three main geographically distinct lineages. The southern lineage is restricted to the eastern Mediterranean, where it is distributed throughout the Aegean area, the southern Balkan Peninsula, and the southern Apennine Peninsula, and corresponds to the species main distribution area during the LGM. The eastern lineage extends from the eastern Balkan Peninsula over the Carpathians to central Europe, while the central lineage occupies the central Balkan Peninsula. Molecular dating places the divergence among all the three lineages to the early to middle Pleistocene, indicating their long-term independent evolutionary trajectories. Our data revealed an early divergence and stable in situ persistence of the southernmost, eastern Mediterranean lineage, whereas the mainland, south-east European lineages experienced more complex and turbulent evolutionary dynamics triggered by Pleistocene climatic oscillations. Our data also support the existence of multiple glacial refugia in southeast Europe and highlight the central Balkan Peninsula not only as a cradle of lineage diversifications but also as a source of lineage dispersal. Finally, the extant genetic variation within A. saxatilis is congruent with the taxonomic separation of peripatric A. saxatilis subsp. saxatilis and A. saxatilis subsp. orientalis, whereas the taxonomic status of A. saxatilis subsp. megalocarpa remains doubtful.

Morphological, phytochemical and genetic diversity of threatened Polygonatum verticillatum (L.) All. populations of different altitudes and habitat types in Himalayan region

Polygonatum verticillatum (L.) All. is an important medicinal herb that belongs to the family Asparagaceae. The rhizome of the species is used in Chyavanprash preparation and several other ayurvedic formulations. Numerous active constituents like saponins, alkaloids, phytohormones, flavonoids, antioxidants, lysine, serine, aspartic acid, diosgenin, β-sitosterol, etc. have been reported from this species. In this study, morphological, phytochemical, antioxidant and genetic variations of 11 distant populations of P. verticillatum were measured. Considerably (P < 0.05) higher variations were recorded among different populations of P. verticillatum using morphological, phytochemical and genetic diversity parameters. AGFW (above ground fresh weights); flavonols, FRAP (Ferric ion reducing antioxidant power) and NO (Nitric Oxide scavenging activity) were recorded maximum in Kafni population. Similarly, a significantly higher above and below ground dry weight was recorded in Mayawati and Surmoli populations respectively. Maximum phenolic content, tannins, and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) activity were recorded in Milam population. A total of 165 individuals from 11 populations were assessed for genetic diversity using inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) marker. High genetic diversity (He = 0.35) was recorded in Himkhola and Surmoli populations while it was observed minimum (0.28) in the Mayawati population. Altitude showed a significant positive correlation with tannins (r = 0.674; P < 005) and DPPH (r = 0.820; P < 0.01). Phenol content exhibited a considerably positive relationship with He (r = 0.606; P < 0.05) and BGFW (r = 0.620; P < 0.05), flavonol displayed a positive correlation with Pp% (r = 0.606; P < 0.05). The population structure of P. verticillatum, exhibited that the optimal value of the K was 3 for its populations as determined by the ΔK statistic structure. Among populations, the amount of gene flow is higher (Nm = 1.717) among all sites. Hence, it can be concluded that P. verticillatum populations possess considerable variability in the collected populations. Likewise, the populations from Kafni, Satbunga and Himkhola with higher morphological, phytochemicals and genetic variability were prioritized and therefore recommended for cultivation and mass multiplication to meet the industrial demand for target species.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-021-01044-9.

Occurrence of apomictic conspecifics and ecological preferences rather than colonization history govern the geographic distribution of sexual Potentilla puberula

The geographic distribution of sexual-apomictic taxa (i.e., comprising individuals usually reproducing either sexually or asexually via seeds) is traditionally thought to be driven by their ecological preferences and colonization histories. Where sexuals and apomicts get into contact with each other, competitive and reproductive interactions can interfere with these factors, an aspect which hitherto received little attention in biogeographic studies. We disentangled and quantified the relative effects of the three factors on the distribution of tetraploid sexuals in Potentilla puberula in a latitudinal transect through the Eastern European Alps, in which they are codistributed with penta-, hepta-, and octoploid apomictic conspecifics. Effects were explored by means of binomial generalized linear regression models combining a single with a multiple predictor approach. Postglacial colonization history was inferred from population genetic variation (AFLPs and cpDNA) and quantified using a cost distance metric. The study was based on 235 populations, which were purely sexual, purely apomictic, or of mixed reproductive mode. The occurrence of apomicts explained most of the variation in the distribution of sexuals (31%). Specifically, the presence of sexual tetraploids was negatively related to the presence of each of the three apomictic cytotypes. Effects of ecological preferences were substantial too (7% and 12% of the total variation explained by ecological preferences alone, or jointly with apomicts' occurrence, respectively). In contrast, colonization history had negligible effects on the occurrence of sexuals. Taken together, our results highlight the potentially high impact of reproductive interactions on the geographic distribution of sexual and apomictic conspecifics and that resultant mutual exclusion interrelates to ecological differentiation, a situation potentially promoting their local coexistence.

Genetic Diversity and Range Dynamics of Helleborus odorus subsp. cyclophyllus under Different Climate Change Scenarios

Research Highlights: The effects of climate change on habitat loss, range shift and/or genetic impoverishment of mid-elevation plants has received less attention compared to alpine species. Moreover, genetic diversity patterns of mountain forest herbaceous species have scarcely been explored in the Balkans. In this context, our study is the first that aims to examine Helleborus odorus subsp. cyclophyllus, a medicinal plant endemic to the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula. Background and Objectives: We compare its genetic diversity and structure along the continuous mountain range of western Greece with the topographically less structured mountains of eastern Greece, and predict its present and future habitat suitability, using several environmental variables. Materials and Methods: Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers were used to genotype 80 individuals from 8 populations, covering almost the species’ entire distribution range in Greece. We investigated the factors shaping its genetic composition and driving its current and future distribution. Results: High gene diversity (0.2239–0.3319), moderate population differentiation (0.0317–0.3316) and increased gene flow (Nm = 1.3098) was detected. According to any GCM/RCP/climate database combination, Helleborus odorus subsp. cyclophyllus is projected to lose a significant portion of its current distribution by 2070 and follow a trend towards genetic homogenization. Conclusions: Populations exhibit in terms of genetic structure a west–east genetic split, which becomes more evident southwards. This is mainly due to geographic/topographic factors and their interplay with Quaternary climatic oscillations, and to environmental constraints, which may have a negative impact on the species’ future distribution and genetic composition. Pindos mountain range seems to buffer climate change effects and will probably continue to host several populations. On the other hand, peripheral populations have lower genetic diversity compared to central populations, but still hold significant evolutionary potential due to the private alleles they maintain.

Cross-continental phylogeography of two Holarctic Nymphalid butterflies, Boloria eunomia and Boloria selene

Pleistocene glaciations had significant effects on the distribution and evolution of species inhabiting the Holarctic region. Phylogeographic studies concerning the entire region are still rare. Here, we compared global phylogeographic patterns of one boreo-montane and one boreo-temperate butterflies with largely overlapping distribution ranges across the Northern Hemisphere, but with different levels of range fragmentation and food specialization. We reconstructed the global phylogeographic history of the boreo-montane specialist Boloria eunomia (n = 223) and of the boreo-temperate generalist Boloria selene (n = 106) based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers, and with species distribution modelling (SDM). According to the genetic structures obtained, both species show a Siberian origin and considerable split among populations from Nearctic and Palaearctic regions. According to SDMs and molecular data, both butterflies could inhabit vast areas during the moderate glacials. In the case of B. selene, high haplotype diversity and low geographic structure suggest long-lasting interconnected gene flow among populations. A stronger geographic structuring between populations was identified in the specialist B. eunomia, presumably due to the less widespread, heterogeneously distributed food resources, associated with cooler and more humid climatic conditions. Populations of both species show opposite patterns across major parts of North America and in the case of B. eunomia also across Asia. Our data underline the relevance to cover entire distribution ranges to reconstruct the correct phylogeographic history of species.

High cryptic diversity of bitterling fish in the southern West Palearctic

South-east Europe, along with the adjacent region of south-west Asia, is an important biodiversity hotspot with high local endemism largely contributed by contemporary continental lineages that retreated to southern refugia during colder Quaternary periods. We investigated the genetic diversity of the European bitterling fish (Rhodeus amarus) species complex (Cyprinidae) across its range in the western Palearctic, but with a particular emphasis in the region of Balkan, Pontic and Caspian refugia. We genotyped 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci and a partial sequence of mitochondrial gene cytochrome b (CYTB) for a set of 1,038 individuals from 60 populations. We used mtDNA sequences to infer phylogenetic relationships and historical demography, and microsatellite markers to describe fine-scale genetic variability and structure. Our mtDNA analysis revealed six well-supported lineages, with limited local co-occurrence. Two lineages are distributed throughout central and western Europe (lineages "A" and "B"), with two zones of secondary contact. Another two lineages were restricted to the Ponto-Aegean region of Greece (lineages "C" and "D") and the final two lineages were restricted south of the Caucasus mountains (lineage "E" from the Black Sea watershed and lineage "F" from the Caspian watershed). A signal of recent expansion was revealed in the two widespread lineages and the Ponto-Aegean lineage "C". The geographic distribution of clusters detected by nuclear microsatellites corresponded well with mitochondrial lineages and demonstrated finely sub-structured populations. A profound population structure suggested a significant role of genetic drift in differentiation among lineages. Lineage divergence in the Ponto-Aegean and Caspian regions are substantial, supporting the validity of two described endemic species (Rhodeus meridionalis as lineage "D" and Rhodeus colchicus as lineage "E") and invite taxonomic evaluation of the other two southern lineages (Thracean "C" and Caspian "F").

Phylogeography of Swertia perennis in Europe based on cpDNA markers

Background

Swertia perennis(Gentianaceae) is a perennial diploid and clonal plant species that is discontinuously distributed in peat bogs in the mountains of Europe, Asia and North America as well as in the lowlands of Europe. The current geographical dispersion of S. perennis is probably the result of quaternary climatic changes that have played an important role in determining the distribution of Swertia and other plant and animal species.

Methods

In this study we used molecular techniques and combined data from chloroplast DNA markers (trnLF region and trnH-psbA spacer) to elucidate the phylogeography of S. perennis in Europe. Plants were collected from 28 populations in different locations in the lowlands and mountainous areas of Europe (e.g., the Carpathians, Sudetes, Bohemian Forest and Alps). cDNA was analysed to detect the genetic relationship between specimens from different locations.

Results

A total of 20 haplotypes were identified across the dataset. They were characterised by a high level of genetic variability but showed a lack of phylogeographical structure. This pattern may be the result of repeated recolonization and expansion from several areas. Such genetic differentiation may also be attributed to the relatively long-term isolation of S. perennis in Pleistocene refugia in Europe, which resulted in independent separation of different cpDNA phylogenetic lineages and variation in the nucleotide composition of cpDNA.

Discussion

The lack of strong phylogeographical structure makes it impossible to indicate the centre of haplotype diversity; however, refugia located in the Carpathians, Sudetes or Alps are the most probable sites where S. perennis existed in Europe. This lack of structure may also indicate a high level of gene flow in times when the landscape and fen systems were not fragmented in numerous geographically-isolated populations. This makes it difficult to speculate about the relationships between Asiatic and European plant populations and the origin and distribution of this species in Europe. Today, it seems to be restricted due to the occurrence of plants which clearly reflects the genetic variability from the ancient period.

Glacial refugia and postglacial expansion of the alpine-prealpine plant species Polygala chamaebuxus

The shrubby milkwort (Polygala chamaebuxus L.) is widely distributed in the Alps, but occurs also in the lower mountain ranges of Central Europe such as the Franconian Jura or the Bohemian uplands. Populations in these regions may either originate from glacial survival or from postglacial recolonization. In this study, we analyzed 30 populations of P. chamaebuxus from the whole distribution range using AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) analysis to identify glacial refugia and to illuminate the origin of P. chamaebuxus in the lower mountain ranges of Central Europe. Genetic variation and the number of rare fragments within populations were highest in populations from the central part of the distribution range, especially in the Southern Alps (from the Tessin Alps and the Prealps of Lugano to the Triglav Massiv) and in the middle part of the northern Alps. These regions may have served, in accordance with previous studies, as long-term refugia for the glacial survival of the species. The geographic pattern of genetic variation, as revealed by analysis of molecular variance, Bayesian cluster analysis and a PopGraph genetic network was, however, only weak. Instead of postglacial recolonization from only few long-term refugia, which would have resulted in deeper genetic splits within the data set, broad waves of postglacial expansion from several short-term isolated populations in the center to the actual periphery of the distribution range seem to be the scenario explaining the observed pattern of genetic variation most likely. The populations from the lower mountain ranges in Central Europe were more closely related to the populations from the southwestern and northern than from the nearby eastern Alps. Although glacial survival in the Bohemian uplands cannot fully be excluded, P. chamaebuxus seems to have immigrated postglacially from the southwestern or central-northern parts of the Alps into these regions during the expansion of the pine forests in the early Holocene.

Heteroploid Knautia drymeia includes K. gussonei and cannot be separated into diagnosable subspecies

PREMISE OF THE STUDY

Knautia drymeia is a morphologically variable, diploid and tetraploid temperate forest understory species distributed in southeastern Europe and adjacent areas. The species is an excellent system to explore the influence of polypoidy on taxonomic delineations, the role of hybridization among genetically distant populations in polyploid evolution, and the impact of glacial refugia on the evolution of polyploids.

METHODS

Amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting and multivariate analyses of morphological characters were performed on 57 populations spanning the distribution area of K. drymeia. K-means clustering, comparison of in-silico tetraploids and observed tetraploids, and a phylogeographic analysis using relaxed random walks were used to explore the genetic structure within the diploids, to infer the origin of the tetraploids and to reconstruct range expansion through time. Further, we contrasted the morphology and genetic groups with current taxonomy and evaluated the status of the tetraploid Apennine endemic K. gussonei and the intraspecific taxa of K. drymeia.

KEY RESULTS

The genetic structure was strongly geographically correlated and yielded four genetic groups; K. gussonei was inseparable from K. drymeia. Distributions of diploid lineages are suggestive of glacial refugia in the northwesternmost and southeastern Balkan Peninsula. Polyploids originated at least two times, as autopolyploids and probably additionally also as allopolyploids. Morphological divergence corresponded with neither genetic groups nor current taxonomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic and morphometric data confirmed neither divergence of K. gussonei nor recognition of subspecies within K. drymeia. We therefore propose treating K. drymeia as a morphologically and genetically variable species without infraspecific taxa.

Contrasting evolutionary histories of the legless lizards slow worms (Anguis) shaped by the topography of the Balkan Peninsula

Background

Genetic architecture of a species is a result of historical changes in population size and extent of distribution related to climatic and environmental factors and contemporary processes of dispersal and gene flow. Population-size and range contractions, expansions and shifts have a substantial effect on genetic diversity and intraspecific divergence, which is further shaped by gene-flow limiting barriers. The Balkans, as one of the most important sources of European biodiversity, is a region where many temperate species persisted during the Pleistocene glaciations and where high topographic heterogeneity offers suitable conditions for local adaptations of populations. In this study, we investigated the phylogeographical patterns and demographic histories of four species of semifossorial slow-worm lizards (genus Anguis) present in the Balkan Peninsula, and tested the relationship between genetic diversity and topographic heterogeneity of the inhabited ranges.

Results

We inferred phylogenetic relationships, compared genetic structure and historical demography of slow worms using nucleotide sequence variation of mitochondrial DNA. Four Anguis species with mostly parapatric distributions occur in the Balkan Peninsula. They show different levels of genetic diversity. A signature of population growth was detected in all four species but with various courses in particular populations. We found a strong correlation between genetic diversity of slow-worm populations and topographic ruggedness of the ranges (mountain systems) they inhabit. Areas with more rugged terrain harbour higher genetic diversity.

Conclusions

Phylogeographical pattern of the genus Anguis in the Balkans is concordant with the refugia-within-refugia model previously proposed for both several other taxa in the region and other main European Peninsulas. While slow-worm populations from the southern refugia mostly have restricted distributions and have not dispersed much from their refugial areas, populations from the extra-Mediterranean refugia in northern parts of the Balkans have colonized vast areas of eastern, central, and western Europe. Besides climatic historical events, the heterogeneous topography of the Balkans has also played an important role in shaping genetic diversity of slow worms.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-016-0669-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Dealing with discordant genetic signal caused by hybridisation, incomplete lineage sorting and paucity of primary nucleotide homologies: a case study of closely related members of the genus Picris subsection Hieracioides (Compositae)

We investigated genetic variation and evolutionary history of closely related taxa of Picris subsect. Hieracioides with major focus on the widely distributed P. hieracioides and its closely related congeners, P. hispidissima, P. japonica, P. olympica, and P. nuristanica. Accessions from 140 sample sites of the investigated Picris taxa were analyzed on the infra- and the inter-specific level using nuclear (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region) and chloroplast (rpl32-trnL^(UAG) region) DNA sequences. Genetic patterns of P. hieracioides, P. hispidissima, and P. olympica were shown to be incongruent and, in several cases, both plastid and nuclear alleles transcended borders of the taxa and genetic lineages. The widespread P. hieracioides was genetically highly variable and non-monophyletic across both markers, with allele groups having particular geographic distributions. Generally, all gene trees and networks displayed only a limited and statistically rather unsupported resolution among ingroup taxa causing their phylogenetic relationships to remain rather unresolved. More light on these intricate evolutionary relationships was cast by the Bayesian coalescent-based analysis, although some relationships were still left unresolved. A combination of suite of phylogenetic analyses revealed the ingroup taxa to represent a complex of genetically closely related and morphologically similar entities that have undergone a highly dynamic and recent evolution. This has been especially affected by the extensive and recurrent gene flow among and within the studied taxa and/or by the maintenance of ancestral variation. Paucity of phylogenetically informative signal further hampers the reconstruction of relationships on the infra- as well as on the inter-specific level. In the present study, we have demonstrated that a combination of various phylogenetic analyses of datasets with extremely complex and incongruent phylogenetic signal may shed more light on the interrelationships and evolutionary history of analysed species groups.

Biogeographical and evolutionary importance of the European high mountain systems

Europe is characterised by several high mountain systems dominating major parts of its area, and these structures have strongly influenced the evolution of taxa. For species now restricted to these high mountain systems, characteristic biogeographical patterns of differentiation exist. (i) Many local endemics are found in most of the European high mountain systems especially in the Alps and the more geographically peripheral regions of Europe. Populations isolated in these peripheral mountain ranges often have strongly differentiated endemic genetic lineages, which survived and evolved in the vicinity of these mountain areas over long time periods. (ii) Populations of taxa with wide distributions in the Alps often have two or more genetic lineages, which in some cases even have the status of cryptic species. In many cases, these lineages are the results of several centres of glacial survival in the perialpine areas. Similar patterns also apply to the other geographically extended European high mountain systems, especially the Pyrenees and Carpathians. (iii) Populations from adjoining high mountain systems often show similar genetic lineages, a phenomenon best explained by postglacial retreat to these mountains from one single differentiation centre between them. (iv) The populations of a number of species show gradients of genetic diversity from a genetically richer East to a poorer West. This might indicate better glacial survival conditions for this biogeographical group of species in the more eastern parts of Europe.