Indagine fitosociologica sulle praterie a Brachypodium Retusum (Pers.) beauv. della Sardegna

The grasslands characterized by the dominance of Brachypodium retusum occurring in Sardinia are examined. These communities, belonging to the Thero-Brachypodion ramosi alliance (Lygeo-Stipetea class), are quite widespread in the Island, where they usually grow on carbonate substrata from the sea level up to 1300 m of altitude. On the basis of several phytosociological relevés, it has been possible to recognize six associations well-differentiated from the floristic, ecological and syndynamic point of view. The autonomy of these associations is also supported by a numerical multivariate analysis based on quantitative data (dendrogram and P.C.A.). The associations surveyed are the following: Dorycnio suffruticosi-Stipetum offneri ass. nova, localized on summit plateaux at an altitude of 700-1200 m (CE Sardinia), Stipo bromoidis-Astragaletum verrucosi ass. nova, very rare and circumscribed to the coastal hills (W Sardinia), Triseto splendentis-Brachypodietum retusi ass. nova, colonizing more or less stabilized screes at 200-900 m of altitude (NE Sardinia), Asphodelo africani-Brachypodietum ramosi Biondi & Mossa 1992 corr., thermo-xerophilous community linked to coastal stands (S Sardinia), Ranunculo graminei-Brachypodietum retusi ass. nova, orophilous community growing on jointed rocky places at an altitude of 1100-1300 m (CE Sardinia), Melico ciliatae-Brachypodietum retusi ass. nova, found on the coastal screes of Figarolo islet (NE Sardinia). Besides, a floristic comparison among the hitherto known associations belonging to this alliance is given

Allium albanicum (Amaryllidaceae), a new species from Balkans and its relationships with A. meteoricum Heldr. & Hausskn. ex Halácsy

A new species, Allium albanicum, is described and illustrated from Albania (Balkan Peninsula). It grows on serpentines or limestone in open rocky stands with a scattered distribution, mainly in mountain locations. Previously, the populations of this geophyte were attributed to A. meteoricum Heldr. & Hausskn. ex Halácsy, described from a few localities of North and Central Greece. These two species indeed show close relationships, chiefly regarding some features of the spathe valves, inflorescence and floral parts. They also share the same diploid chromosome number 2n =16 and similar karyotype, while seed testa micro-sculptures and leaf anatomy reveal remarkable differences. There are also several morphological features that allow them to be differentiated at specific level. The inclusion of both species into a newly described section Pseudoscorodon of the subgen. Allium is proposed. An analytic key to the species, included in the new section, is also provided

Taxonomical and chorological remarks on the Mediterranean Poa maroccana (Poaceae) and the first record in Italy from the Sicilian flora

Poa maroccana is an annual Mediterranean species, which is recorded for the first time from Sicily and for the entire territory of Italy. It usually occurs in synanthopic habitats, represented mainly by urban and suburban roadsides, where it is quite sporadic. Based on current knowledge, it has been hitherto reported only in a few localities of the Mediterranean area, specifically in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Syria and Crimea. Field observations and herbarium investigations have shown that this species is often mistaken for P. annua, mainly due to its morphological similarities, as well as for having the same ecological needs, therefore its real geographical distribution has yet to be verified. Although the two species are both tetraploids (2n = 28), they clearly differ in numerous relevant features concerning the shape and size of ligules, inflorescence, spikelet, glumes, palea, lemma, anthers, lodicules and seed. In order to better clarify the relationships of P. maroccana with P. annua and other annual species of this genus occurring in the Mediterranean, a careful morphological description and an iconography are provided, as well as a comparative morphological table of all allied species and also an analytical key for their easy identification

Taxonomic survey on the genus Limonium in the Maltese islands, with description of a new species

The native species of the genus Limonium (Plumbaginaceae) occurring in the Maltese Islands are investigated. According to current literature, this genus is hitherto represented in this territory by L. virgatum, L. zeraphae and L. melitense, but recent field surveys led to the discovery of a new species growing exclusively on the islet of Cominotto and described as L. lanfrancoi. The latter, for some morphological features regarding the vegetative and reproductive traits, shows closer relationships with L. melitensis, from which, however, it differs in several diacritical characters. For each species, a detailed illustration and a new morphological description based on rich herbarium materials are provided, as well as information on their typification, synonymy, phenology, ecology, distribution, conservation status and a list of examined herbarium specimens is given. Besides, an updating analytical key has been elaborated.peer-reviewe

Taxonomic and ecological remarks on Solenopsis bivonae species complex (Campanulaceae)

The populations usually attributed to Solenopsis bivonae (Tineo) M.B.Crespo, Serra & A.Juan are investigated from a taxonomical and morphological viewpoint. Within this species complex, four new subspecies occurring in Sicily and Calabria are recognized, such as subsp. bivonae, subsp. madoniarum, subsp. peloritana and subsp. brutia. In addition, a new species from Cyprus described as S. meikleana and S. bacchettae from Sardinia must be included in this group. The synonymy, typification, description, seed testa morphology, chorology, ecology, illustrations, conservation status, and examined specimens for each taxon are provided. Besides, the analytical keys, distribution maps, and phytosociological arrangement regarding these taxa are given too

A cytosystematic study of the Dianthus virgineus complex (Caryophyllaceae) in the Central Mediterranean

European wild carnations (Dianthus) are represented by a high number of taxa organized in unresolved taxonomies. In particular, taxa belonging to the Dianthus virgineus L. complex in the Central Mediterranean have been delimited mainly with qualitative morphological data and still await quantitative investigations, which are vital to understand boundaries and relations among plant diversity groups. Here, we examine the phenotypic features of nuclear genome organization testing for species boundaries in this complex. We have studied the chromosome number, the total haploid length (THL), and the relative genome size (RGS) in 122 populations belonging to 25 out of 33 taxa of the complex. All the studied populations have 2n = 2x = 30 chromosomes, and the THL ranges from 14.09 to 20.71 mu m. Genome size estimations support the absence of polyploidization events, but show a certain degree of variation (0.318-0.423 arbitrary units). The RGS variation is not in agreement with current taxonomic treatment, but rather shows a geographical pattern, with higher values in Sicily and Sardinia. No correlation between the THL and the RGS was detected, possibly due to the stable chromosome number and the small size of chromosomes. A number of evolutionary unique groups lower than the number of currently accepted taxa may be hypothesized

Global and Regional IUCN Red List Assessments: 3

In this contribution, the conservation status assessment of four vascular plants are presented according to IUCN categories and criteria. It includes the assessment at global level of Crepis lacera Ten subsp. titani (Pamp.) Roma-Marzio, G.Astuti & Peruzzi and Anthyllis hermanniae L. subsp. sicula Brullo & Giusso and the regional assessment of Commicarpus plumbagineus (Cav.) Standl. (Spain and Europe) and Ambrosia maritima L. (Italy)

An overview of the Italian forest biodiversity and its conservation level, based on the first outcomes of the 4th Habitat Report ex-Art. 17

In 2019 the 4th Report ex-Art. 17 on the conservation status (CS) of Annex I Habitats of the 92/43/EEC Directive was expected by every EU/28 country, with reference to the period 2013-18. In Italy, the process was in charge to the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), on behalf of the Ministry for Environment, Land and Sea Protection (MATTM), with the scientific support of the Italian Botanical Society (SBI). A large group of thematic and territorial experts elaborated the available data concerning the 124 types of terrestrial and inland water Habitats present in Italy, 39 of which are represented by Forest Habitats (Group 9),. The main aim of the work was the evaluation of the overall CS of each Habitat by Biogeographic Region (Mediterranean, Continental and Alpine), for a total amount of 294 assessments. A high proportion of these (92, corresponding to 31% of the total) referred to Forest Habitats, including 20 marginal types for which the CS was not requested. The analysis was carried out at different scales: a) administrative territory, through the data contained in the ISPRA database, whose compilation was in charge to the Regions and Autonomous Provinces; b) Natura 2000 site, with the latest updates available (Standard Data Forms updated to 2018); c) national scale, implementing the distribution maps for each Habitat based on the European grid ETRS89-LAEA5210 (10x10 km2 mesh); d) Biogeographic Region, scale of the final assessment. Cartographic outcomes, associated databases and additional data used for the assessments will be available online on the ISPRA Portal as soon as the validation process by the European Commission will be completed. A dedicated archive named "HAB_IT" has been created in the national database "VegItaly" (1), managed by the Italian Society of Vegetation Science, where the phytosociological relevés representative of the various Annex I Habitats in Italy will be archived and freely accessible. An overview of the results regarding the Forest habitats is here provided, including a comparison with the outcomes of the former reporting cycle, the 3rd Report ex-Art. 17 (2). In several cases (e.g. 9120, 91L0), the distribution maps have been remarkably improved due to better knowledge and more fitful interpretation. The conservation status resulted as Favourable (FV) for 6,7%, Inadequate (U1) for 58,7% and Bad (U1) for 32,0% of the 72 assessed forest Habitat types. In no case there was an improvement of the conservation status, while in 6 cases a worsening of the conditions resulted from the data analysis, pointing out the Habitats types with a higher need of action. Similarly to other projects carried out as a team by the network of Annex I Habitat experts of the Italian Botanical Society and the Italian Society for Vegetation Science (e.g. 3, 4), this is another step in the direction of supporting the implementation of the 92/43/EEC "Habitat" Directive in Italy and Europe. On this ground, the high biodiversity of the Italian forest Habitats could be emphasized, however results pointed out that some rare or endemic types (e.g. Alnus cordata or Betula aetnensis-dominated forests) are still scarcely acknowledged by the most prominent EU conservation tools such as the Annex I to the "Habitat" Directive. 1) F. Landucci et al. (2012) Plant Biosyst., 146(4), 756-763 2) P. Genovesi et al. (2014) ISPRA, Serie Rapporti, 194/2014 3) E. Biondi et al. (2009) Società Botanica Italiana, MATTM, D.P.N., http://vnr.unipg.it/habitat/ 4) D. Gigante et al. (2016) Plant Sociology, 53(2), 77-8

Taxonomic Remarks on the Anthyllis hermanniae L. (Fabaceae, Faboideae) Species Complex of the Mediterranean Flora

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