Multivariate karyomorphometric analysis and taxonomic implications in Allium sect. Cupanioscordum (Amaryllidaceae)

Significant karyological variation occurs amongst different taxa/populations in the A. cupani group. The ancestral diploid chromosome complement is 2n = 16 (x = 8), but populations of A. cupani s.l. also exhibit dysploidy (2n = 14), polyploidy (2n = 4x = 32, 2n = 4x = 30). These different chromosome assets are associated to specific diagnostic morphological characters and well-defined eco-geographical patterns, which cluster different taxa and populations in 5 series (Brullo&al. 1995, 2008). In order to test the impact of inter-and intra-specific variation in chromosome structure on the systematic treatment of the A. cupani group and its contribution to allow comparing and understanding affinities and relationships among taxa, multivariate statistics was applied to 34 karyomorphometric parameters from 34 samples belonging to 22 taxa which represent the main variability with respect to morphological, cytological and ecological patterns within A. cupani s. l

Biosystematic researches on Allium cupani group (Amaryllidaceae) in the Mediterranean area

Allium cupani Raf. is a species complex of the subgenus Allium L., which is taxonomically quite critical mainly for its marked karyological and morphological variability. In the present study, karyo-taxonomic characterization of some peculiar populations of this group from Italian, N African, Balcan and Aegean territories has been performed, using both living plants collected in the field and herbarium material. As a result, ten new species have been recognized and described within the A. cupani complex. They are A. panormitanum from N Sicily, A. samniticum from C Italy, A. mauritanicum from N Morocco and NW Algeria, A. balcanicum from mountains of Balkan Peninsula, A. tzanoudakisanum from Aegean area, A. cephalonicum from Cephalonia island, A. meikleanum from Cyprus, A. pelagicum from Lampedusa island, A. maghrebinum from Tunisia and NE Algeria, and A. tingitanum from N Morocco and NW Algeria. A comprehensive description and detailed illustration, together with significant notes on karyology, phenology, ecology, geographic distribution, and taxonomic relationships are provided for each species

Comparative leaf micromorphology, anatomy and architecture in some Mediterranean species of Pancratium (Amaryllidaceae)

Leaves in Pancratium show a gross morphological identity. Difference at macroscopic level also regards leaf tip (acute to obtuse) and lamina width. Despite such uniformity of the leaf visible traits, micro-morphological and anatomical characteristics reveal significant variation both at intra-specific and inter-specific levels, which have proven to strongly depend on adaptation to microclimatic and ecological local conditions, such as temperature, water availability, insolation. Here we present preliminary results of a comparative morpho-anatomical study on leaves of some species of Pancratium (P. foetidum Pomel, P. illyricum L., P. linosae Soldano & F. Conti, P. maritimum L., P. sickenbergeri Boiss.) to assess the range of inter-specific variation, as well as population similarity or dissimilarity related to ecological adaptation

Urban Greening management in the framework of Smart City Development

Quality of green spaces is an important indicator in the smart urban evolution. Integration between green management needs and ecosystem services within environmental policies and local development plans is often very limited. Urban green infrastructures and related issues still arouse poor interest, mainly in South Mediterranean cities. Methods for full assessment of urban green areas integrating diverse features of sustainability (from biodiversity to public awareness and fruition) are still lacking. Here we aim to present an integrated tool to evaluate/monitor the state and sustainability of urban green spaces. The goal is to support the governance systems of urban green areas by focusing management priorities and the best strategies ensuring their long-term maintenance and improvement

Banca del Germoplasma di Specie Spontanee (BGS-CT), Orto Botanico di Catania.

La Banca del Germoplasma delle specie spontanee dell’Orto Botanico dell’Università di Catania (BGS-CT) è stata realizzata con moderni criteri strutturali e strumentalia partire dal 2004. La Banca ha sede in locali appositamente dedicati nelle adiacenze dell’Orto Botanico e Dipartimento di Botanica nel pieno centro cittadino. L’attività principale è la conservazione ex situ dei semi di specie endemiche, rare e minacciate della flora siciliana, come pure di specie arboree e arbustive di interesse forestale. Con lo scopo di fornire un profilo attuale dell’istituzione, si riportano le informazioni relative alla struttura, al suo personale, alle metodologie impiegate e alle strumentazioni esistenti, alle attività di lavoro e ricerca, ai progetti realizzati e ai problemi di gestione