New diploid species in the Ranunculus auricomus complex (Ranunculaceae) from W and SE Europe

The Euro-Siberian complex of Ranunculus auricomus (Ranunculaceae) consists of about 800 mainly apomictic and polyploid taxa. So far, only four sexual species have been described (R. carpaticola Soó, R. cassubicifolius W. Koch, R. notabilis Hörandl & Gutermann and R. marsicus Guss. & Ten.). With the exception of R. marsicus and rare autotetraploids of R. cassubicifolius, sexuality seems to be linked to diploidy. Using flow cytometric ploidy estimation, flow cytometric seed screen and pollen quality, six new diploid sexual species have been revealed in C France, C and SE Slovenia and Croatia: Ranunculus austroslovenicus Dunkel, R. calapius Dunkel, R. cebennensis Dunkel, R. mediocompositus Dunkel, R. peracris Dunkel and R. subcarniolicus Dunkel. Here, they are described and depicted in detail. Sexual reproduction has been verified for R. austroslovenicus, R. cebennensis, R. subcarniolicus and also for the previously described R. envalirensis Grau and R. flabellifolius Heuff. ex Rchb. Citation: Dunkel F. G., Gregor T. & Paule J. 2018: New diploid species in the Ranunculus auricomus complex (Ranunculaceae) from W and SE Europe. – Willdenowia 48: 227–257. doi: https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.48.48205 Version of record first published online on 24 August 2018 ahead of inclusion in August 2018 issue.