L'endémisme au niveau de l'ensemble du Système alpin

Abstract

1. A lot of species, growing in the Alps and also in other European alpine ranges, but not elsewhere, may be regarded as endemic of the whole Alpine System. 2. This concept can be applied to main supraspecific taxons, such as genus Soldanella, Cardamine subgen. Dentaria, Primula subgen. Auriculastrum, Gentiana sect. Coelanthe et Megalanthe, Saxifraga sect. Aizoonia. Moreover, within every case systematic unity coincides with ecological and habitat similarity. 3. The consideration of such pan-alpine endemism sheds some light on the different components which act on the plant cover of these ranges: Migrations, in situ spéciation, inter- and postglacial moving. © Société botanique de France 1995.