First Population Genomics Insights into Favratia zoysii

The European Alps are warming faster than the global average, and high-elevation species that are adapted to narrow environmental conditions are especially vulnerable. Monitoring their genetic status is therefore a priority. We focus on Favratia zoysii (syn. Campanula zoysii), a narrow endemic of the south-eastern Alps with a high-elevation distribution. Using genotype likelihood based analyses in ANGSD and visualization in R, we estimate contemporary population structure and genetic diversity. Preliminary results indicate two main populations, one in the Julian Alps and one in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, separated by the Sava River valley. The Kamnik-Savinja group appears to show finer spatial structure and higher within-population genetic diversity. We also provide cautious, relative inferences about effective population size and outline plausible demographic scenarios for the species. These findings establish a baseline for F. zoysii and motivate targeted monitoring.