Hacquetia

Typification of the name Celosia nitida (Amaranthaceae) and first record of this taxon for the state of Sonora, Mexico

Manuel Higinio Sandoval Ortega, Silvia Zumaya Mendoza — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0100

The lectotype and epitype of the name Celosia nitida are designated and this taxon is reported for the first time for the flora of Sonora, Mexico.

New national species records of charophytes (Characeae) for Montenegro, Croatia, and Cyprus: update of rare species distribution in Southeast Europe

Roman Romanov, Vera Biberdžić, Snežana Dragičević, František Bednár — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Field studies in 2022–2024 and the checking of collection of the Natural History Museum of Montenegro revealed seven new national species records for Montenegro: Chara corfuensis Groves ex Fil., C. galioides DC., C. squamosa Desf., Sphaerochara intricata (Trentep. ex Roth) Soulié-Märsche, Tolypella hispanica Nordst. ex Allen, T. nidifica (O. F. Müll.) A. Braun and “Mediterranean Chara”. The checking of the specimens stored in ZE Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum, Freie Universität Berlin, Komarov Botanical Institute of RAS , and Naturhistorisches Museum Wien revealed old specimens of C. galioides, a new species for Croatia, and new sites of T. hispanica for Greece. The field research in Cyprus resulted in a new national species record of C. squamosa. New data enriched knowledge about the distribution of charophytes in Central and Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Europe and allowed tentative suggestions of important charophyte areas in Montenegro. The tentative evaluation of species protection statuses was implemented here. The updated species list of Montenegrin charophytes counted 37 species making Montenegro one of the charophyte species-rich countries in Europe.

Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth. (Hydrophylloideae, Boraginaceae): a first report as casual alien to the vascular flora of Tunisia

Aman-Allah El Mokni, Ranim El Mokni, Ridha El Mokni — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Floristic investigations in the central-eastern Tunisia (North Africa) led to the discovery of a small population of Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth. (Boraginaceae), a species reported native to the southwestern North America and naturalized in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Our discovery represents the first record at the national level, and the third one for the southern Mediterranean shore (North Africa). Description, and phenology, together with its ecology in Tunisia are provided. Additionally, original photographs as well as a first assessment of the naturalization status of this taxon in Tunisia are here presented.

Vegetation map of the nature reserve Mykhailivska Virgin Land (Ukraine)

Mykola Larionov — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0100

The nature reserve Mykhailivska Tsilyna is located in Sumy region, in the northern part of Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. The area of virgin northern meadow-steppe is protected there. A new, large-scale vegetation map (scale 1:10000) of the reserve (the first one in its new borders) had been created. The main units of mapping are complexes of plant communities in ranks of associations, subassociations and variants. In total, 27 such complexes and 10 units of another rank have been identified. The map shows vegetation cover changes over a period of strict protection (2011–2023). The most common classes of vegetation in the reserve are: Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, Artemisietea vulgaris and Festuco-Brometea. Main changes in the vegetation cover of the reserve’s old territory are manifested in the form of steppe transformation: from meadow-steppe areas to more mesic shrub-steppe with dominating Cytisus ruthenicus and forb communities with dominating Euphorbia semivillosa. In these communities can be seen a decrease in the share of tussock grasses and an increase in the share of rhizomatous grasses. The same process is occurring in the reserve’s new territory, but phytocenoses are different there.

First record of Cistus salviifolius L. (Cistaceae) for the flora of the Republic of North Macedonia

Slavcho Hristovski, Renata Ćušterevska, Vlado Matevski — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0100

The watershed of river Crn Drim in south-western parts of North Macedonia (Galičica and Jablanica mountains with the Ohrid valley in between) are under the influence of transitional mild continental to modified (sub)Mediterranean climate. These conditions support the development of rich flora and vegetation with presence of many relict and endemic species. Such is Cistus salviifolius L. (Sageleaf Rockrose) of the family Cistaceae, a species with Circum–Mediterranean distribution. This paper presents the first record of this species in North Macedonia, in the vicinity of Ohrid town (Trojani area), about 60km away from its nearest locality in Albania. The flora and vegetation associated with Cistus salviifolius in Trojani area are significantly different from the studied ones in which this species thrives in Northern Greece. Most of the recorded individuals develop on eroded regosols on silicate bedrock (phyllitic schists). Considering the small extent of occurrence in North Macedonia (62 ha), the threat status of Cistus salviifolius was assessed as Endangered [EN B1a+2a]. Future biogeographical studies supported by molecular analysis can explore distribution pathways, as well as past and present ecological conditions in the watershed of river Crn Drim.

Tripleurospermum parviflorum (Asteraceae): a new record for the flora of Greece

Katerina Goula, Charalambos Chiotelis, Theophanis Constantinidis — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Tripleurospermum parviflorum, recently collected on the island of Lesvos, Greece, turned out to be a new floristic record for the country. A description based on the new material is provided, together with a distribution map of all the Tripleurospermum species occurring on the island. The diagnostic features that distinguish T. parviflorum from the remaining Greek species are highlighted and the chromosome number, as well as the karyotype formula of one, out of two newly discovered populations is presented. A dichotomous key for all the Greek Tripleurospermum species facilitates proper identification. The new discovery stresses the important presence of Anatolian elements in the flora of the East Aegean Islands in general and on Lesvos, in particular.

Altitudinal Habitat Variability and Ethnobiological Applications of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) in Uttarakhand India

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This study comprehensively assesses the diversity, distribution, and cultural significance of Coccinellidae (ladybirds) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India, documenting 32 species from 19 genera, with Coccinella as the predominant genus, including key species like Coccinella septempunctata, C. transversalis and Cheilomenes sexmaculata. Species richness was greatest at lower altitudes (300 m), with Coccinella septempunctata and Hippodamia variegata showing a wide altitudinal distribution and a marked decrease with increasing altitude, consistent with known ecological patterns. Agricultural ecosystems harboured the greatest diversity of Coccinellidae, due to the availability of prey and habitat heterogeneity, while flower gardens, mango orchards and forests harboured fewer species. In particular, Illeis cincta, Halyzia sanscrita and Harmonia axyridis were frequently observed in both agricultural and floral habitats, reflecting their ecological adaptability. The study also throws light on the ethnozoological practices of Vann Gujjar and Pahari communities, who use species such as Coccinella hieroglyphica, C. leonina and Propylea dissecta to treat ailments such as asthma, cough and skin diseases. A cross-cultural analysis revealed different preferences between the species, with Coccinella septempunctata having the highest cultural value due to its symbolic and medicinal significance. These results emphasize the ecological and cultural importance of Coccinellidae and provide valuable insights into their role in ecosystem functioning and traditional practices.

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

Gianmarco Tavilla — Sat, 17 May 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This paper presents a nomenclatural revision and validation of some Greek syntaxa. These syntaxa occur on the summits of the highest mountains in mainland Greece, as well as on several Ionian (Lefkas, Cephalonia) and Aegean islands (Euboea, Samos, Lesvos, Chios, and Thassos). This revision was performed in accordance with the articles of the 4th edition of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. This work resulted in the validation and revision of 66 new syntaxa, the correction of 6 names (nomina correcta), the change of 1 name (nomen mutatum), and the designation of 11 lectotype. These nomenclature revisions pertain to the orophilous cushion-like vegetation of central-southern and insular Greece. Consequently, these findings address and resolve several nomenclatural issues previously existing in the syntaxonomy of Greece's orophilous vegetation.

Vegetation, hydrological, and morphological dynamics of natural islands in the Danube Delta

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The Danube Delta is a unique ecosystem located in southeastern Romania. Within this ecosystem, hydrological and morphological dynamics have an important role in maintaining biodiversity. The study aimed to analyze the vegetation, hydrological factors, and morphological dynamics of seven islands in the Danube Delta. The study was carried out during 2023–2024 at Isaccea (three islands), Dunavăț (three islands) and Dranov (one island) in all four seasons. Phytocoenological relevés were carried out for the vegetation analysis, and the SonTek RiverSurveyor M9 equipment was used for the hydrological analysis. The analysis of island dynamics was carried out through morphometric methods, using ANCPI orthophotos (2004 and 2021) and Landsat satellite images (2010). In the seven islands, six associations from the Artemisietea vulgaris, Lemnetea, Phragmito-Magnocaricetea, and Salicetea purpureae classes were found. The hydrological analysis indicated seasonal fluctuations in water level, flow, and velocity, with significant increases in the autumn and winter, especially at Isaccea. The hydrological regime has an important role in the morphodynamic modelling of the Danube Delta islands, indicating the river's ability to induce rapid transformations through sedimentation and erosion processes. The morphodynamic analysis of the islands indicated a complex interaction of erosion and accumulation. The island's location influences this interaction, the river flow dynamics and human interventions such as the rectification of meanders.

Notes on Abutilon (Malvaceae) in the Mediterranean area and Macaronesia

Filip Verloove — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Notes on Abutilon (Malvaceae) in the Mediterranean area and Macaronesia. Recent field- and herbarium studies in the genus Abutilon in the Mediterranean area and Macaronesia yielded some noteworthy results. The invasive South American weed A. grandifolium is reported for the first time from Algeria. A recent claim of A. grandiflorum from the Canary Islands is erroneous and referable to A. grandifolium. Historical records of the South African A. sonneratianum from Madeira are also discussed. This species is included in the list of invasive species in Portugal. However, it is shown that the invasive species in Portugal (Madeira) is A. grandifolium, not A. sonneratianum.

Additions to the vascular flora of Tunisia

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0200

We report and discuss the discovery of 10 taxa new to Tunisia including 3 alien species (Crassula decumbens, C. helmsii and Euphorbia maculata), 1 fern (Thelypteris palustris) and 6 Angiosperms (Alisma lanceolatum, Baldellia repens subsp. repens, Bolboschoenus glaucus, Carex echinata, Isolepis pseudosetacea, Zannichellia obtusifolia). We also report the first mention of Sphenopus divaricatus subsp. permicranthus in mainland Tunisia and confirm the presence of Carex panormitana, previously confused with C. acuta.