We explored the fine-scale distribution of cytotypes of the mountain plant Senecio carniolicus along an altitudinal transect in the Eastern Alps. Cytotypes showed a statistically significant altitudinal segregation with diploids exclusively found in the upper part of the transect, whereas diploids and hexaploids co-occurred in the lower range. Analysis of accompanying plant assemblages revealed significant differences between cytotypes along the entire transect but not within the lower part only, where both cytotypes co-occur. This suggests the presence of ecological differentiation between cytotypes with the diploid possessing the broader ecological niche. No tetraploids were detected, indicating the presence of strong crossing barriers.

Summary Flowers have been hypothesized to contain either modules of attraction and reproduction, functional modules (pollination‐effecting parts) or developmental modules (organ‐specific). Do pollination specialization and syndromes influence floral modularity? In order to test these hypotheses and answer this question, we focused on the genus Erica: we gathered 3D data from flowers of 19 species with diverse syndromes via computed tomography, and for the first time tested the above‐mentioned hypotheses via 3D geometric morphometrics. To provide an evolutionary framework for our results, we tested the evolutionary mode of floral shape, size and integration under the syndromes regime, and – for the first time – reconstructed the high‐dimensional floral shape of their most recent common ancestor. We demonstrate that the modularity of the 3D shape of generalist flowers depends on development and that of specialists is linked to function: modules of pollen deposition and receipt in bird syndrome, and access‐restriction to the floral reward in long‐proboscid fly syndrome. Only size and shape principal component 1 showed multiple‐optima selection, suggesting that they were co‐opted during evolution to adapt flowers to novel pollinators. Whole floral shape followed an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (selection‐driven) evolutionary model, and differentiated relatively late. Flower shape modularity thus crucially depends on pollinator specialization and syndrome.

J. (2020) The effect of land-use change on the distribution of Gentianella austriaca and G. praecox in Austria.-Preslia 92: 213-234. Landscapes and their management in central Europe have dramatically changed during the last century, leading to an ongoing loss of biodiversity at all levels. To address the effect of these changes on the distribution of species and to better understand how changing proportions of different types of land-cover influence grassland taxa, we investigated the historical and present-day distribution of two Gentianella species (G. praecox, G. austriaca), considered to be indicators of oligotrophic grassland, in northeastern Austria. The distribution data obtained from herbarium vouchers, literature and mapping projects was related to historical habitat data obtained from military maps dating back to the end of the 19th century and present-day data on habitat availability based on remote sensing methods. Areas of suitable and unsuitable habitats were obtained from historical and recent land-cover data for 133 sample plots of 78.5 h each, surrounding either extinct or extant Gentianella populations. Differences in percentages of habitat types between the extinct and the extant populations were investigated in the recent landscape data. Subsequently, the percentage changes between recent and historical landscape data were compared for extinct and extant populations. Results revealed regional and local hotspots of extinction and significant overall trends of gains in forest land-cover and losses in grassland and wetland land-cover, and deviating regional trends for arable field and settlement land-cover. There was a clear deteriorating effect of increased settlement and decreased wetland land-cover on the distribution of the species studied. Landscape heterogeneity indices, however, did not show significant differences between the extinct and extant populations sampled. Results are in line with well-documented trends in central Europe and indicate a need for rapid and effective conservation measures.

35• Three hypotheses can explain floral modularity: the attraction-reproduction, the 36 efficiency, and the developmental hypotheses. 37• In order to test these hypotheses and understand if pollination specialisation and 38 pollination syndrome influence floral modularity, we focussed on the genus Erica: we 39 gathered 3D data from flowers of species with diverse pollination syndromes via 40Computed Tomography, and analysed their shape via geometric morphometrics. In 41 order to provide an evolutionary framework for our results we tested the evolutionary 42 mode of floral shape, size, and integration under pollination syndrome regimes, and -43 for the first time-reconstructed the high-dimensional floral shape of their most recent 44 common ancestor. 45• We demonstrate, for the first time, that the modularity of generalist flowers depends 46 on development and that of specialists is linked to efficiency: in bird syndrome flower, 47

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The description of Hippion obtusifolium F.W. Schmidt was followed by more than 200 years of confusion concerning the identity of this taxon, the origin of the material it is based on, and its typification. Hereby, we briefly summarize this historical development, clarify the typification and the identity of the taxon currently known as Gentianella obtusifolia and designate an epitype to stabilize the application of the name having priority over G. aspera. Additionally, the morphological characterization and geographic distribution of the taxon are discussed and an exhaustive synonymy is provided.

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