Campanula bergomensis (Campanulaceae), a new species from Bergamo Prealps (Northern Italy)

A new species of Campanula (Campanulaceae), C. bergomensis sp. nov., is described from the Bergamo Prealps (Orobic Prealps, Lombardy, Northern Italy), based on both morphological and molecular evidence. The new species was considered in the past as an isolated population of C. cespitosa, which presents an eastern Alpine distribution. C. bergomensis is morphologically well distinguishable from C. cespitosa on the number of flowers in the racemose inflorescence, the corolla shape, and the whitish-yellow pollen surface with many spinulae. Genetically, the presence of an insertion of 81-bp in the trnL-F sequences is very characteristic. Further studies are needed to better define the phylogenetic relationship among the three closely related species, C. bergomensis, C. cespitosa and C. cochleariifolia. C. bergomensis inhabits dolomitic debris cones at low elevations. The species is range-restricted and is severely threatened by human activities. Therefore, it is urgent to adopt protection and conservation measures for the new species.