Leontodon albanicus subsp. acroceraunicus (Asteraceae, Cichorieae): A New Subspecies from Southern Albania

Some plants belonging to the <i>Leontodon</i> sect. <i>Asterothrix</i> were collected from southern Albania. They were compared with the closest taxon (<i>L. albanicus</i> 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 <i>Leontodon albanicus</i> subsp. <i>acroceraunicus</i>. The new taxon is described and illustrated, and its relationship with <i>L. albanicus</i> subsp. <i>albanicus</i> 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.