Adonis fucensis is herein described as a new species based on morphological and molecular analyses. It is endemic to one locality of the Central Apennines between Amplero and Fucino plains within the NATURA 2000 network in the SAC IT7110205 (Central Italy). The only discovered population is composed of 65 individuals and is at risk of extinction. The conservation status assessment according to IUCN categories and criteria is proposed and discussed. The new species belongs to A. sect. Adonanthe and is morphologically similar to A. volgensis (incl. A. transsilvanica), a species distributed in Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey as well as eastward to SW Siberia and Central Asia. Adonis fucensis can be distinguished from A. volgensis by larger cauline leaves, pentagonal with lobes lanceolate, larger stipules with more lobes and teeth, and larger flowers. Finally, an analytical key to Adonis species belonging to sect. Adonanthe distributed in Europe is presented.

Premise: Most phylogenomic library preparation methods and bioinformatic analysis tools in restriction site–associated DNA sequencing (RADseq)/genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) studies are designed for use with Illumina data. The lack of alternative bioinformatic pipelines hinders the exploration of long‐read multi‐locus data from other sequencing platforms. The Simple Long‐read loci Assembly of Nanopore data for Genotyping (SLANG) pipeline enables locus assembly, orthology estimation, and single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) calling using Nanopore‐sequenced multi‐locus data.Methods and Results: Two test libraries (Leucanthemum spp., Senecio spp.; Compositae) were prepared using an amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)‐based method to reduce genome complexity, then Nanopore‐sequenced, and analyzed with SLANG. We identified 704 and 448 orthologous loci with 12,368 and 10,048 SNPs, respectively. The constructed phylogenetic networks were identical to a GBS network produced using Leucanthemum Illumina data and were consistent with Senecio species circumscriptions based on morphology.Conclusions: SLANG identifies orthologous loci and extracts SNPs from long‐read multi‐locus Nanopore data for phylogenetic inference, population genetics, or phylogeographical studies. Combined with an AFLP‐based library preparation, SLANG provides an easily scalable, cost‐effective, and affordable alternative to Illumina‐based RADseq/GBS procedures.

The new subspecies Pedicularis rostratospicata subsp. marsica is here described based on morphological and molecular analyses. The new taxon is endemic to few localities of the Central Apennines within the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park (Central Italy). Pedicularis rostratospicata subsp. marsica can be distinguished from the other two currently accepted subspecies (subsp. rostratospicata and subsp. helvetica) by their taller stems, shorter petioles of basal and middle leaves, narrower blades of basal leaves, longer inflorescences with longer internodes and more flowers, and longer calyx lobes. Molecular analysis confirmed the autonomy of the new taxon. Furthermore, the conservation status assessment of the new subspecies according to IUCN categories and criteria is proposed and discussed, and an analytical key to the three subspecies of P. rostratospicata is presented.

Some plants belonging to the Leontodon sect. Asterothrix were collected from southern Albania. They were compared with the closest taxon (L. albanicus s.str.) from morphological and molecular (AFLPseq fingerprinting) points of view. Uni- and multivariate statistical analyses of morphological data revealed distinctive discontinuities—especially in terms of the characteristics of the indumentum–that are paralleled by separation into two genetic clusters in AFLPseq fingerprinting. Following an integrated taxonomic approach based on morphological, genetic, and geographical sources of evidence, we show that the newly discovered population should be regarded as a new subspecies named Leontodon albanicus subsp. acroceraunicus. The new taxon is described and illustrated, and its relationship with L. albanicus subsp. albanicus is also discussed. We have no data to assess conservation status according to IUCN categories and criteria; however, considering that it is probably limited to the Acroceraunian Mountains, it deserves particular conservation interest.

In order to better understand the Leontodon crispus group within L. sect. Asterothrix, we collected specimens belonging to this group during several journeys to the Apennines and the Balkan Peninsula, especially to Croatia, Albania, and Greece. In the present contribution, Leontodon biscutellifolius is lectotypified; the locus classicus of this taxon is located in the Abruzzo Mts (central Italy). As a consequence, the taxon is confirmed for the Italian flora (central and southern Apennines) and a new combination on variety rank is proposed: L. crispus var. biscutellifolius. Plants from the Balkan Peninsula, currently named L. biscutellifolius, were compared from a morphological point of view with the Apennines populations. Balkan populations show denser indumentum on the leaves, usually consisting of 4-fid hair vs. usually 3-fid hairs in the Apennines. Additionally, the ray number of marginal hairs on the external involucral bracts was found to be 3–5 in the Apennines vs. 4–6 in the Balkan Peninsula accessions. Morphological variation was found to be in correspondence with a variation in genetic respects based on DNA-based fingerprinting (AFLPseq). The oldest subspecific name that can be used for Greek and Albanian populations is L. crispus subsp. asper. A morphologically and genetically deviating population from Southern Pindus (Greece) is described here as L. hellenicus subsp. valeriae.

The two W Mediterranean knapweed species Centaurea pullata L. and C. involucrata Desf. show a broad variability in terms of flower colour (red, yellow, white) and life forms (annual, perennial). Nevertheless, they were considered to be closely related (together with other taxa of C. sect. Melanoloma (Cass.) DC.) and sometimes even treated as conspecific. Adding to carpological evidence (outline of the detachment area of achenes), with chromosome numbers of 2n = 22 and 2n = 18, respectively, the two species are demonstrated to be well separated. This is also corroborated by molecular-phylogenetic reconstructions based on nrDNA ITS sequence variation, while chloroplast haplotypes based on cpDNA intergenic spacer (IGS) sequence variation remain inconclusive. Infraspecific variation in C. pullata is studied by AFLPseq fingerprinting; it is shown that the two flower-colour morphs among the perennial representatives of the species are not supported as independent genetic clusters, while four segregates with an annual life form receive support as genetically independent lineages. As a consequence, a novel infraspecific taxonomy for C. pullata is proposed comprising five subspecies and two varieties. Additionally, a new subspecies, C. pullata subsp. laouensis, is described for a NW Moroccan (Oued Laou) population with distinctively larger achenes compared to all other taxa of the species. Citation: Oberprieler C., Vogt R., Dorfner M., Blum D., Menz S. & Skarlatopoulou C. 2026: On the circumscription and subdivision of Centaurea pullata (Compositae, Cardueae, Centaureinae) in Morocco based on molecular, morphological and karyological evidence. – Willdenowia 56: 269–297. https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.56.11 Version of record first published online on 16 June 2026.