6533b7d8fe1ef96bd126b5bb

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Asian relationships of the flora of the European Alps

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Background: It has long been recognised that the Alps have strong biogeographical links to Asia. Aims: We investigate here whether the two areas are connected either through southern (mountain chains between the Alps and the Himalayas) or through northern regions. Methods: We compiled the geographical distribution of plant genera growing both in the Alps and the Himalayas, and outside these two regions. This compilation was used to search for molecular phylogenetic literature which was screened for area relationships informative for our purposes. Results: Of 933 genera growing in the Alps, 653 were considered further. Of the 429 genera growing in the Alps and the Himalayas, 218 grow in both northern and southern intervening areas, 203 only in southern intervening areas, three only in northern intervening areas, and five in the Alps and Himalayas but not in between. Epimedium, Primula sect. Auricula and Scopolia can be considered examples for a northern connection. Brachypodium, Poaceae subtribe Loliinae, ...