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Alpine habitats are characterized by a high rate of range restricted species compared to those of lower elevations. This is also the case for the Irano-Anatolian global biodiversity hotspot in South-West Asia, which is a mountainous area harbouring a high amount of endemic species. Using two quantitative approaches, Endemicity Analysis and Network-Clustering, we want to identify areas of concordant species distribution patterns in the alpine zone of this region as well as to test the hypothesis that, given the high proportion of endemics among alpine species, delimitation of these areas is determined mainly by endemic alpine species, i.e., areas of concordant species distribution patterns are congruent with areas of endemism. Endemicity Analysis identified six areas of concordant species distribution patterns irrespective of dataset (total alpine species versus endemic alpine species), whereas the Network-Clustering approach identified five and four Bioregions from total alpine species and endemic alpine species, respectively. Most of these areas have been previously identified using the endemic flora of different elevational zones. The identified units using both methods and both datasets are strongly congruent, proposing that they reveal meaningful distribution patterns. Bioregionalization in the Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot appears to be strongly influenced by the endemic alpine species, a pattern likely to hold in alpine regions outside the Irano-Anatolian hotspot.

Hedysarum is the second largest genus of the tribe Hedysareae (Fabaceae), in Iran. Considering the rising number of species in Iran, a taxonomic revision of the genus is provided, except for a Hedysarum wrightianum group. As a complementary treatment, a diagnostic key to the species and detailed morphological descriptions are supplied. Based on the reliable molecular phylogeny and morphological evidence in the current study, the taxonomy of some species of H. subsect. Crinifera was re-examined. H. criniferum var. melanotrichum with 1-2 segmented, large, elliptic-semi ovate pods, is raised to the species rank as H. melanotrichum. Also, a new variety of H. atropatanum, (var. glabrum) with pods without setae, is introduced from the type locality. Furthermore, some species were synonymized including H. longipedunculatum with H. fallacinum, H. persicum with H. papillosum, H. orumiehense with H. criniferum, H. bojnordense with H. kopetdaghi, H. elbursense with H. hyrcanum as well as H. kalatense and H. johartchii with H. balchanense. According to the present study, the flora of Iran consists of H. armenium, a representative of H. sect. Hedysarum, and 31 species from H. sect. Multicaulia.

Hedysarum alamutense, a new species in the tribe Hedysareae DC. (Fabaceae), is described and illustrated. It belongs to the traditionally recognized Hedysarum L. section Multicaulia (Boiss.) B.Fedtsch., which extends over the West Alborz Mountains in northern Iran. This species is characterized by greenish stems and corolla persisting in fruiting stage and has mostly 1-2-jointed, unarmed, biconvex pods with short hairs becoming bald early, and flattened margins. Phylogenetic analyses of molecular data clearly unite this species with H. formosum Fisch. & C.A.Mey. ex Basin. The new species is characterized by 4 singleton nucleotide substitutions, suggesting it as a distinct taxon. Phylogenetic inferences are consistent with the interpretations of morphological features. Moreover, the lack of nucleotide variation among individual samples of H. formosum indicated that the species has not been diversified at the population level and reinforced our findings.

Onobrychis sect. Onobrychis, as the most species-rich section of the genus Onobrychis, ranges from Central Asia to Europe with a south extension into North Africa. In this study, we concentrated on the systematics of previously poorly represented O.sect. Onobrychis using a substantial taxon sampling. To test the monophyly of the section as well as to clarify interspecific relationships, the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer(nrDNA ITS) and three chloroplast sequences (ndhF-rlp32, rpl32-trnL(UAG), and trnG(UCC)-trnS(GCU)) were employed. Phylogenetic analyses were performed by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inferences. The results showed that O.sect. Onobrychis is monophyletic and composed of two main well-supported clades which are redefined as two subsections (O.subsect. Onobrychis, O. subsect. Macropterae).Ancestral character reconstruction of morphological traits: life form, wing to standard ratio, chromosome number, and ploidy level, indicated that short-winged petal is a synapomorphy for a group of species in the section while other traits have undergone parallel evolution. Possessing the basic chromosome number x= 7 has arisen twice, independently. It seems that perenniality and polyploidy are probably the key innovations in the diversification of O. sect. Onobrychis.

Onobrychis maassoumii Kaveh, Amirah. & Kaz. Osaloo sp. nov. is described and illustrated as a new species. It is restricted to Alborz mountain range in northeastern Tehran, Iran. Morphologically, this species is distinct from its closest relatives by greenish appearance, leaflets with upper glabrescent surface, calyx teeth 2–2.3 times as long as tube and petal wings ciliate. Also, molecular evidence reinforced this species as a distinct taxon. The distribution map and an illustration of the new species are also provided.

This is the first study to systematically evaluate rRNA secondary structures of Hedysareae with an emphasis on Hedysarum. ITS2 and 5.8S regions of the genus shared a common secondary structure with a four-fingered central loop, whereas ITS1 possessed five distinct structures. The secondary structural features of the two regions provided advantageous data for clades, species groups, and closely related species. Hemi-CBCs were mostly observed in the reconstruction of species groups, and Nsts, mostly between closely related species. The investigations showed that ITS1 varied more than ITS2 in length, GC content, and most of the diversity indices within the tribe. Maximum likelihood analyses of the synchronized sequence-structure tree of ITS1 were performed. The accuracy and phylogenetic signals of ITS1 were higher than ITS2. The similar GC content, and no CBC, in both spacers, fortified the close relationship of CEGO and H. sections Stracheya and Hedysarum clades in the synchronized sequence-structure tree topology of ITS1. In both regions, no inter-generic CBCs were detected inside the CEGO clade and the inter-sectional level of Hedysarum. But, in the ITS2 region, a CBC was detected between H. section Multicaulia, and Taverniera versus H. sections Hedysarum, and Stracheya. The lowest inter-sectional genetic distance and structural features were found between H. sect. Hedysarum and H. sect. Stracheya clades in the ITS2 region.