Phylogeography of Swertia perennis in Europe based on cpDNA markers

Background. Swertia perennis (Gentianaceae) is a perennial diploid and clonal plant species that is discontinuously distributed in peat bogs in the mountains of Europe, Asia and North America as well as in the lowlands of Europe. The current geographical dispersion of S. perennis is probably the result of quaternary climatic changes that have played an important role in determining the distribution of Swertia and other plant and animal species. Methods. In this study we used molecular techniques and combined data from chloroplast DNA markers (trnLF region and trnH-psbA spacer) to elucidate the phylogeography of S. perennis in Europe. Plants were collected from 28 populations in different locations in the lowlands and mountainous areas of Europe (e.g., the Carpathians, Sudetes, Bohemian Forest and Alps). cDNA was analysed to detect the genetic relationship between specimens from different locations. Results. A total of 20 haplotypes were identified across the dataset. They were characterised by a high level of genetic variability but showed a lack of phylogeographical structure. This pattern may be the result of repeated recolonization and expansion from several areas. Such genetic differentiation may also be attributed to the relatively long-term isolation of S. perennis in Pleistocene refugia in Europe, which resulted in independent separation of different cpDNA phylogenetic lineages and variation in the nucleotide composition of cpDNA. Discussion. The lack of strong phylogeographical structure makes it impossible to indicate the centre of haplotype diversity; however, refugia located in the Carpathians, Sudetes or Alps are the most probable sites where S. perennis existed in Europe. This lack of structure may also indicate a high level of gene flow in times when the landscape and fen systems were not fragmented in numerous geographically-isolated populations. This makes it difficult to speculate about the relationships between Asiatic and European plant populations and the origin and distribution of this species in Europe. Today, it seems to be restricted due to the occurrence of plants which clearly reflects the genetic variability from the ancient period

Carex disperma Dewey versus Carex loliacea L. (Cyperaceae): distribution dynamics and conservation status in Poland.

Carex disperma Dewey reaches its south-eastern range limit in north-eastern Poland. It has often been confused with Carex loliacea L. In this paper the diagnostic features of both species are presented. A total of about 47 reliable localities of C. disperma were recorded within the present borders of Poland. Less than one-third of them have only been confirmed recently. They are aggregated in large forest complexes in north-eastern Poland (Romincka, Białowieża, Borki, Augustów and Knyszyn Forests). A list of localities of C. disperma based on herbarium records, credible literature data and the author's own data is provided, as well as maps of distribution of both C. disperma and C. loliacea in Poland. The existence of C. disperma × C. loliacea hybrid was not confirmed. Considering the number of localities, dynamics and population sizes of both species it is clear that C. disperma is a species with higher conservation value than C. loliacea. Unlike C. disperma, the latter species is not threatened with extinction in Poland. The resources of C. disperma are very limited and the species needs conservation measures such as creating sufficiently large nature reserves where appropriate hydrological conditions can be maintained

Baeothryon alpinum (L.) T.V. Egorova (Cypercaeae) in the Polish Lowlands: distribution, population decrease and implications for conservation

A total of 47 localities of Baeothryon alpinum, hosting population of more than 100 000 shoots, were recorded in the lowland part of Poland during field surveys in the years 2003-2009. Among them were 25 populations discovered for the first time. Out of 57 sites of the species known from literature and unpublished (including herbarium) sources, 35 were not confirmed during the survey, 27 of them being definitely extinct. B. alpinum shows a clear pattern of distribution in Poland, with three main areas of occurrence: 1) the north-easternmost Poland (Lithuanian Lake District with the adjacent parts of the Masurian Lake District and the upper Biebrza river valley in North Podlasie Lowlands), which is part of the species boreal main range; 2) scattered localities in north-western Poland; 3) mountain mires at higher altitudes in the Sudetes and Tatra mountains and the adjacent part of southern Poland. The main aggregation of localities is found in Augustów Forest (including the Sejny Lakeland and Wigry National Park), and in the Góry Sudawskie region with adjacent areas. The biggest Polish population in the "Kobyla Biel" fen near Augustów consisted of several dozens of thousands of shoots. The Lithuanian Lake District is an area of general importance for the conservation of B. alpinum in Poland. The species is threatened, first of all, due to secondary succession (mires overgrowing with shrubs, trees and reed) and requires conservation measures as well as establishing nature reserves in places where it occurs. The degree that B. alpinum decreases in number is strikingly different in particular regions of Poland - it has lost most of its localities in north-western Poland and in Masurian Lake District, while in the Lithuanian Lake District and the upper Biebrza valley there are minor losses only. Depending on the region (from the west to the east and from the south-west to the north-east), the species should be given extinct or critically endangered (regions of north-western and southern Poland), endangered (Masurian Lake District), vulnerable (North Podlasie Lowlands) and near threatened (Lithuanian lake District) status. Although the disappearance of the populations beyond the species main range is a common phenomenon, the presented pattern is man-related and connected with differences in land management

Genetic diversity of Salix lapponum populations in Central Europe

Salix lapponum is a cold-tolerant relict species in Europe that occurs in several sites, probably reflecting previous migration routes of S. lapponum during the Pleistocene. However, only a few data are available on the genetic structures of populations of S. lapponum. In this study, we use PCR-ISSR markers to investigate genetic variation in 19 European populations of S. lapponum L. AMOVA analysis shows that most of the variation (55.8%) occurs within populations; variability among groups accounts for 19.7%. An AMOVA analysis based on four groups determined by STRUCTURE analysis shows similar results: variability of 54.1% within the population and variability of 18.9% between the four population groups, based on geographic regions. Within individual geographic groups, which are characterised by the studied populations, the lowest variability (as well as the highest homogeneity) was found in populations located in Belarus. The obtained results are consistent with our expectations that the European Lowland could be a significant geographic barrier for gene flow over large geographic distances for S. lapponum. Both the Scandinavian and Belarusian populations, as well as those coming from NE Poland, are characterised by significant genetic distinctiveness. However, some populations from NE Poland and the Sudetes show similarities with populations from other geographic regions, indicating existing genetic relationships between them. Moreover, the results suggest a fairly clear division of the population into 4 emerging geographic regions, although separated by a geographical barrier: the Polish lowland, which forms part of the larger geographic unit known as the European Lowland

Lithostratigraphy of Zechstein evaporites of the central and north-western parts of the Mogilno Salt Diapir, based on boreholes Z-9 and Z-17 Litostratygrafia ewaporatów cechsztyńskich w centralnej i północno-zachodniej części wysadu solnego Mogilno, na podstawie danych z otworów Z-9 i Z-17 /

Tyt. z nagłówka.Bibliogr. s. 147-148.W artykule przedstawiono wyniki kompleksowych badań mineralogiczno-petrograficznych, przeprowadzonych na skałach ewaporatowych wieku cechsztyńskiego (górny perm) napotkanych w badawczych otworach wiertniczych w wysadzie solnym Mogilno. Na podstawie otrzymanych wyników stwierdzono w badanych otworach sole kamienne, sole potasowo-magnezowe (sylwinity kizerytowe), sole ilaste, zubry i anhydrytowce. Powyższe utwory przydzielono do cyklotemów PZ-3 i PZ-2. Nie stwierdzono obecności ewaporatów cyklotemów PZ-1 i PZ-4. Rozpoznane skały zbudowane są głównie z halitu, sylwinu, kizerytu, anhydrytu. W mniejszych ilościach występują polihalit, kainit, węglany i minerały ilaste. Zidentyfikowano wiele minerałów akcesorycznych, których zawartość w skałach solnych jest rzędu ppm.This paper presents the results of comprehensive mineralogical and petrographic studies conducted on evaporite rocks of the Zechstein (Upper Permian) period, extracted from boreholes drilled in the Mogilno diapir. Based on the research results, the occurrence of rock salts, potash-magnesium salts (kieseritic sylvinites), clayey salts, zubers, and anhydrites was identified. Those formations were assigned to cyclothems PZ-3 and PZ-2. No presence of evaporites belonging to cyclothems PZ-1 and PZ-4 were discovered. The recognized rocks were mainly composed of halite, sylvine, kieserite and anhydrite. Smaller quantities of polyhalite, kainite, carbonates and clayey minerals were also found. A number of accessory minerals were identified, with their salt rock contents from several to about several tens of ppm.Dostępny również w formie drukowanej.SŁOWA KLUCZOWE: górny perm, ewaporaty cechsztyńskie, litostratygrafia cechsztynu, sól kamienna, sole potasowo-magnezowe, minerały solne, wysad solny Mogilno. KEYWORDS: Upper Permian in Poland, Zechstein evaporites, Zechstein lithostratigraphy, rock salt, potash-magnesium salts salt minerals, Mogilno Salt Diapir

Age and Land Use as Factors Differentiating Hydrochemistry and Plant Cover of Astatic Ponds in Post-Agricultural Landscape

Small, astatic ponds are important features of post-glacial landscape, which support heterogeneity and biodiversity of agricultural areas. In the presented research we explored differences in hydrochemistry and plant cover of 20 small ponds located in Northeastern Poland, characterized by diverse age and developed in differently managed areas. According to our research, though changes in water level are under direct influence of water balance in the catchment, to which belonged the ponds, their hydrochemistry seemed to be shaped by processes at the level lower than the catchment scale. Age of the ponds appeared to be an important factor influencing density and species composition of vegetation developed on the studied ponds

Dispersion of Bumblebee Bombus Semenoviellus Skorikov (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in Poland

The aim of the study is to present all distribution sites of Bombus semenoviellus in Poland reported between 1988 and 2019. The increase of species dispersion was concluded, especially in the central part of the country, as well as the occurrence in the high Karkonosze and Tatry mountains. This is likely the effect of progressing climate change, as well as the increase in climate continentalism in Europe. Differences between summer and winter temperatures favour the spread of this Siberian bumblebee species throughout the continent. Many specimens were found on plants originating from its central and west Asia. Those plants also occur in eastern and central Europe which could have helped this bumblebee spread west throughout Europe. B. semenoviellus will increase its range towards Western Europe. Based on observations so far, it is not possible to determine its invasive features and increased competitiveness for food and nesting places in relation to other bumblebee species