Cytotaxonomische Untersuchungen in der Artengruppe desRanunculus alpestris (Ranunculaceae)

Morphological and cytological investigations as well as crossing experiments were carried out with the 5 species of theRanunculus alpestris group (R. alpestris L.,R. traunfellneri Hoppe,R. bilobus Bertol.,R. crenatus Waldst. etKit.,R. magellensis Ten.). A key to the species is presented; localities and distribution are given in addition to extensive diagnoses. Crossing experiments between the 5 taxa were successful (F₁-F₃ individuals, backcross types, tripeland quadrupelbastards); the morphology of the experimentally obtained F₁-hybrids was mostly intermediate. All 5 species as well as all hybrids have a chromosome number of 2n = 16; there is no statistically significant difference between the karyotypes of the 5 taxa. According to the results of the morphological investigations and the crossing experiments we can distinguish 2 subunits of very closely related species: a)R. alpestris, R. traunfellneri, R. bilobus; b)R. crenatus, R. magellensis. The speciation within the group ofRanunculus alpestris is discussed.