The occurrence of Anchusella cretica in Kosovo was initially documented by chance during botanical field surveys, conducted as part of habitat-based surveys focused on calcareous grasslands in the southern part of the country in spring 2024. Following this discovery, targeted field research was conducted to assess the local distribution, habitat characteristics, population size, and ecological preferences of the species.

The study area was visited several times during the 2024 as well as the 2025 growing seasons to ensure accurate documentation of phenological stages and site conditions. During these visits, data were collected on the species’ substrate type, vegetation structure, exposure, elevation, and associated plant communities. The latter were characterized by open, semi-dry calcareous grasslands belonging to the vegetation class: Bromion erecti Koch 1926 as well as Festuco-Brometea Br.-Bl. et Tx. ex Soó 1947 (probably within the alliance Scorzonerion villosae Horvatić ex Kovačević 1959), with associated species such as Euphorbia cyparissias L., Erodium cicutarium (L.) L'Hér., Veronica spp, Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. and Draba verna L., among others. Population estimates were made by direct counts of individuals within the marked plots and habitat conditions were assessed by qualitative observation and GPS-referenced mapping. To estimate population density, we used a quadrat method in which we randomly marked out 2×2 m plots in the occupied habitat. Within each quadrant, all visible individuals of A. cretica were counted. Density was calculated as the total number of individuals divided by the total sampled area (individuals/m²) according to standard floristic survey protocols (Stehman and Salzer 2000).

Representative specimens were collected, pressed, and mounted as herbarium specimens. They are now deposited in the herbarium of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the University of Prishtina (UPH). Identification was based on diagnostic morphological characters described in the original taxonomic literature (Bigazzi et al. 1997, Selvi and Bigazzi 1998) and verified by comparison with published floristic works and herbarium specimens.

The present study reports on the first confirmed record of Anchusella cretica in the flora of Kosovo and represents a noteworthy extension of its known distribution range in the central-eastern Mediterranean. Prior to this report, the species was considered to be native to Greece, southern Italy, Albania and parts of the Adriatic coast including Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia (Fig. 3) (Bigazzi et al. 1997, Bogdanović and Nikolić 2014, Pils 2016, Barina et al. 2018, Anonymous 2025a).

Figure 3.  

Known European distribution of Anchusella cretica with a new record from Kosovo indicated.

The discovery of four disjunct and ecologically distinct populations of Anchusella cretica in Kosovo not only fills a geographical gap, but also contributes to a better understanding of the biogeographical relationships in South-Eastern Europe (Berisha et al. 2025). These are likely to be previously overlooked populations, as the species occurs in floristically rich but historically understudied habitats due to limited botanical effort and funding. The regions where A. cretica has been found, although relatively easily accessible, have never been subjected to a detailed, systematic floristic surveys. It can therefore be assumed that the species has been present in this area for a long time, but has not yet been discovered.

The possibility of intentional or unintentional introduction by humans is considered highly unlikely. All recorded populations occur in natural or semi-natural habitats, far from urban centers, agricultural areas or disturbed sites that would typically be associated with anthropogenic dispersal. Furthermore, the species shows no signs of invasive behaviour or artificial aggregation that might indicate recent planting or escape.

Although a natural range expansion into Kosovo from nearby populations in Albania or Montenegro cannot be completely ruled out, especially under changing climate or land-use conditions, there are currently no data to support or refute this hypothesis. Given the fragmented but ecologically coherent distribution and the lack of direct dispersal vectors, the most plausible explanation is that A. cretica represents a native, previously undocumented component of the flora of Kosovo. Future studies, including long-term monitoring, may provide further insights into the historical biogeography and dispersal dynamics.

Ecologically, the observed habitats of A. cretica in Kosovo are very characteristic of the species’ known preferences for open, xeric, and calcareous environments (Chytrý et al. 2024).

The long overlooked occurrence of A. cretica in Kosovo can be attributed to its morphological similarity with certain Anchusa species, especially Anchusa officinalis, which has a similar general habitus. This similarity has probably contributed to the species being misidentified in previous floristic surveys, especially in this region where a detailed taxonomic study is still lacking.

From a biogeographical point of view, all populations of A. cretica in Kosovo are located in the sub-Mediterranean region as recently defined by Berisha et al. (2025). This region represents a transition zone between the Mediterranean and the Continental region and is characterized by thermophilic vegetation and a mosaic of dry calcareous grasslands, rocky slopes and sparse forest edges. The occurrence of A. cretica in this zone is consistent with its general distribution pattern in south-eastern Europe and indicates that the ecological amplitude of the species is closely linked to these sub-Mediterranean habitat conditions, especially in karst landscapes at low to medium altitudes. The occurrence of the species in these habitats also underlines the floristic continuity between the limestone ecosystems of the western Balkans and those of the coastal and island regions of Albania and Greece.

From a conservation perspective, Anchusella cretica is only known from four disjunct populations in Kosovo, with a calculated Area of Occupancy (AOO) of 5.54 km² and an Extent of Occurrence (EOO) of 80 km². Although these values are below the thresholds typically associated with the "threatened" categories under IUCN Criterion B (Anonymous 2024), the current data are not sufficient to confirm ongoing decline or severe fragmentation. In addition, while habitat disturbance has been observed in at least one locality (e.g. from recreational activities in the Ura e Fshajtë canyon), these impacts may not pose an immediate threat to this annual species and may even favour its persistence by limiting woody encroachment. Based on these considerations, the species is best assessed as Near Threatened (NT) at the national level. This status emphasises the need for continuous monitoring, targeted field surveys and proactive habitat management to ensure the long-term viability of its populations.