| Summary: | <i>Bromus picoeuropeanus</i> is a recently described species belonging to a complex genus of grasses. It inhabits stony soils at heights ranging from 1600 to 2200 m in Picos de Europa (Cantabrian Mountains, northern Spain). This species is morphologically very similar to <i>B. erectus</i>, partially sharing its presumed distribution range. We aim to determine the relationship between these species and their altitudinal ranges in Picos de Europa and the Cantabrian Mountains by conducting phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear (ETS and ITS) and chloroplastic (trnL) markers. Phylogenetic trees were inferred by Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference. Haplotype networks were estimated based on the plastid marker. Although the ITS topologies could not generate exclusive clades for these species, the ETS analyses generated highly supported <i>B. picoeuropeanus</i> exclusive clades, which included locations outside its altitudinal putative range. The ETS-ITS and ETS-ITS-trnL topologies generated <i>B. picoeuropeanus</i> exclusive clades, whereas the trnL-based trees and haplotype networks were unable to discriminate <i>B. erectus</i> and <i>B. picoeuropeanus</i>. This evidence suggests that <i>B. picoeuropeanus</i> is a separate species with a larger distribution than previously thought, opening new questions regarding the evolution of <i>B. erectus</i> and other similar species in European mountainous systems. However, more information is needed regarding <i>B. picoeuropeanus</i> susceptibility to temperature rises.
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