Nomenclature revision and validation of some syntaxon names of the orophilous vegetation in Greece

The flora of high-mountain regions in Mediterranean territories has long been a subject of botanical research. The cushion-like vegetation of high-altitude areas of Greece is unique and ecologically significant. It is primarily composed of relict and endemic species adapted to extreme climatic conditions, including prolonged winter snow cover and intense summer droughts. These plant communities, often dominated by dwarf shrubs and chamaephytes, are important not only for their evolutionary history but also due to their restricted distribution, highlighting their crucial in conservation (Pignatti et al., 1980). Some of the most common endemic genera within these communities include Astragalus L., Sideritis L., Marrubium L., Nepeta L., and Allium L. These taxa, especially those found at high altitudes on mountain summits and on certain islands, exemplify the rich biodiversity and high degree of endemism characteristic of the Greek flora (Flora of Greece web, 2024; Strid, 2024). In November 2020, Musarella et al. (2020) published a phytosociological study aimed at clarifying the classification of the orophilous vegetation of Greek mountains. This work presented a significant new phytosociological framework for this vegetation type, building upon earlier studies by Quézel (1964) and Quézel et al. (1992). The syntaxa described and proposed by Musarella et al. (2020) were published in the journal Plants on 5 November 2020. This paper included descriptions of new syntaxa, encompassing new classes, orders, and alliances of relevant significance for the plant biodiversity of Greece. According to the Article 1 of the 4th edition of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (ICPN) (Theurillat et al., 2021), new syntaxa published in electronic journals registered with an E-ISSN are now considered effectively published.However, this rule only took effect on January 1, 2021, when the fourth edition of the ICPN became effective. Previously, as reported in the Art. 1 of ICPN, publications that were not “printed” in the traditional sense were retroactively accepted as valid if they bore either an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) or an International Standard Book Number (ISBN). Consequently, the syntaxonomic novelties proposed by Musarella et al. (2020), published in an electronic journal with an EISSN before January 1, 2021, were not effectively published. According to Art. 1 of ICPN, an ineffectively published name is a nomen ineditum, which is the case for the syntaxa proposed by Musarella et al. (2020). By virtue of this rule, several scholars have subsequently validated various not effectively published syntaxa by republishing them with the related holotypes following the articles of the ICPN (Meddour & Mucina, 2021; Terzi et al., 2021; Tomaselli et al., 2022; Viciani et al., 2023). Therefore, this paper aims to validate and correct the syntaxonomic novelties and address the lectotypifications reported in the publication by Musarella et al. (2020), ensuring their compliance with the ICPN.

The names of syntaxa were revised following a thorough review of the publication by Musarella et al. (2020). The nomenclature review and validation were conducted in accordance with the articles of the 4th edition of International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (ICPN) (Theurillat et al., 2021). Specifically, the validation of names reported herein adheres to Article 1 of the ICPN. The syntaxon names, where necessary, were corrected according to the Art. 44 and 45 (nomina correcta and nomina mutata). Synonyms of the syntaxa have also provided when applicable. The nomenclature for the taxa listed in Table 1, as well as those referenced in Musarella et al. (2020), follows floras, checklist and taxonomic monographs regarding genera and critical group (Boissier, 1867–1888; Hayek, 1924–1933; Davis, 1965; Quézel, 1973; Quézel & Katrabassa, 1974; Tutin et al., 1964–1980; Tutin et al., 1992; Scholz, 1986; Strid, 1986, 2016, 2024;; Greuter et al., 1984–1989; Georgiadis & Dimopoulous, 1993; Strasser, 1997; Tan et al., 2001; Maroulis & Georgiadis, 2005; Greuter, 2008; Dimopoulos et al., 2016; Krendl, 1988; Bogdanović et al., 2011a; Bogdanović et al., 2011b; Flora of Greece web, 2024).