Contribution to knowledge of the bryophyte flora of the western Alps (Italy, France)

The study is a contribution to knowledge of the bryophyte flora of the Alps. The huge bryophyte collection made during 1997 in the Western Alps is presented. A total of 152 bryophyte species were recorded, including 113 mosses and 39 hepatics

Distribution of Buxbaumia viridis (Moug. ex Lam. et DC.) Brid. ex Moug. et Nestl. (Bryophyta) in Montenegro

The present paper is a contribution to the knowledge of the distribution of the moss species Buxbaumia viridis in Montenegro. The records are from 14 known sites at elevations over 1300 m a.s.l. in the northern and north-eastern parts of the country. Population size is remarkable in Durmitor National Park at Crno jezero lake, where sporophytes can be found on ca 50 tree trunks

Development of the moss Pogonatum urnigerum (Hedw.) P. Beauv. under in vitro culture conditions

Pogonatum urnigerum (Polytrichaceae) in vitro culture was established from spores collected in nature. Both protonema and gametophore stages of gametophyte development were obtained. Also, a stable callus culture was established using hormone-free nutrient medium. The best nutrient medium for development was half-strength Murashige-Skoog medium supplemented with 1.5% sucrose. Auxin treatment enabled some gametophores to develop, but prolonged treatment induced early senescence. Tissues grown on cytokinin did not produce any gametophytes and did not survive prolonged treatment.Sterilna kultura mahovine Pogonatum urnigerum (Polytrichaceae) uspostavljena je iz spora sakupljenih u prirodi. Gajenjem na hranljivoj podlozi bez biljnih hormona iz spora su se razvile protoneme i gametofiti. Uspostavljena je i stabilna kultura kalusa. Ustanovljeno je da je za gajenje ove vrste najbolja hranljiva podloga koja sadrži smanjenu koncentraciju soli i vitamina po Murashige-Skoog-u i 1.5% saharozu. Tretman auksinom nije pospešio razviće gametofita, dok je produženi tretman doveo do postepenog odumiranja protoneme. Tkiva gajena na podlozi koja je sadržala citokinine uopšte nisu produkovala gametofite i nisu preživela produženi tretman ovim hormonom. Ovaj rad predstavlja prvu studiju razvića vrste Pogonatum urnigerum u in vitro kulturi.nul

An eco-physiological and biotechnological approach to conservation of the world-wide rare and endangered aquatic liverwort Riella helicophylla (Bory et Mont.) Mont.

The rare aquatic liverwort Riella helicophylla (Bory et Mont.) Mont., inhabitant of temporary shallow ponds around the Mediterranean basin, is considered threatened throughout its distribution range. In addition, little is known of its biology and ecology or of its role in such an important ecosystem where envi- ronmental conditions vary yearly in unpredictable ways. In these variable habitats, due to the seasonal fluc- tuation of water levels, there is no guarantee of yearly spore input into the spore bank. Spore germination rate and the effects of different culture media in an axenic culture establishment, as well as propagation proce- dures of R. helicophylla, were tested. New insights into the ecology and biology of R. helicophylla are given. Spore dormancy is documented, and the protocols for the in vitro culture establishment, propagation and ac- climatization of this liverwort are developed. Dry storage at 20 ± 2 °C for about three months broke the dor- mancy of spores, which subsequently germinated in a high percentage (over 90%). A two phase (solid and liquid) culture media system was developed for the purpose of achieving fully developed gametophytes. The liquid phase contained electrolytes simulating brackish water

Contributions to the bryophyte flora of the Pešter Plateau, SW Serbia

211 bryophytes (37 liverworts and 174 mosses) were recently collected in the Pešter plateau (SW Serbia). Of these collections, five species (Riccia canaliculata, Scapania praetervisa, Bryum canariense, Myurella sibirica, Pseudoleskeella rupestris) were found to be new records for Serbia. Four species (Lophozia ascendens, Buxbaumia viridis, Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Myurella sibirica) are included in the Red data book of European bryophytes. An additional 19 taxa can be regarded as rare in the Balkans

An insight into the bryophyte flora of the Ibar gorge and its surroundings (Central and SW Serbia)

A total of 126 bryophyte taxa (12 liverworts and 114 mosses) were collected in the Ibar gorge and its surroundings. The climate of the gorge receives Mediterranean influence, hence almost one fourth part of the species found are Mediterranean, sub-Mediterranean, or sub-Atlantic elements. Several rare species in Serbia and in the Balkans can be found in the territory (e.g. Bryum gemmiferum, Dialytrichia mucronata, Didymodon nicholsonii, Grimmia lisae, Gymnostomum viridulum, Hygroamblystegium humile, Orthotrichum obtusifolium, Syntrichia latifolia). One species (Buxbaumia viridis) is included in the Bern Convention and the European Union Habitats and Species Directives. The Ibar gorge maintains a unique bryophyte assemblage due to the serpentine bedrock and continental, Mediterranean climatic influence, which are the main characteristics of the region

Towards a red List of the Albanian Bryophytes

Among the SE European countries Albania has the least known bryophyte flora. A bryophyte red list is lacking as well. Since it is not yet possible to use the IUCN criteria guidelines proposed for bryophytes, the aim of the present contribution is to compile a list of the bryophyte taxa from Al- bania with, wherever possible, the inclusion of conservational values, according to the European Bryophyte Red Data Book or other regional red lists (e.g. those existing for Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Romania). Hence, 16 liverwort species (ca 17% of the total) and 64 moss species (ca 18%) are taken into account. For an improved red list of the bryophytes of Albania extensive ex- ploration and collecting is greatly needed in the country. The hereby presented account should be considered as a tentative one. This preliminary version of a red list is provided with the aim to highlight the “national red list candidate” bryophyte species, which might need to be included in further natural heritage conservation initiatives in Albania. Even until then it is clear that there is an urgent need for the protection of the bryophytes in Albania

Effect of ABA treatment on activities of antioxidative enzymes in selected bryophyte species

The effect of the signal molecule and stress phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) on activities of antioxidant enzymes was tested in three bryophyte species, viz., the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha and the phylogenetically unrelated mosses Physcomitrella patens and Atrichum undulatum. Production of reactive oxygen species increases in plants exposed to both abiotic and biotic stress. Antioxidant enzymes are very effective and usually represent the plant's first line of defence against the cytotoxic effects of these reactive oxygen species. The activities of enzymes of the antioxidative system (POX, CAT, SOD) in the tested bryophyte species are shown to be increased by treatment with lower concentrations of exogenous ABA. Higher concentrations of exogenous ABA did not significantly influence activities of the tested antioxidative enzymes. The obtained results point to possible involvement of ABA as a signal molecule in the first line of defence against stress in all three bryophyte species.Botanica Serbica (2017), 41(1): 11-1

New records and noteworthy data of plants, algae and fungi in SE Europe and adjacent regions, 11

This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: red algae Sheathia confusa, parasitic fungus Anthracoidea caryophylleae, mycorrhizal fugus Hydnellum caeruleum, bryoparasitic fungus Octospora erzbergeri, liverwort Cephaloziella baumgartneri, mosses Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Streblotrichum convolutum var. commutatum and Ulota crispula, monocots Ophrys bertolonii subsp. bertolonii, Ophrys scolopax subsp. cornuta and Spiranthes spiralis and dicots Androsace hedraeantha, Hieracium mrazii, Ramonda nathaliae and Triglochin palustris are given within SE Europe and adjacent region

Dynamics of soil chemistry in different serpentine habitats of Serbia

To enhance understanding of edaphic conditions in serpentine habitats, a thorough investigation of the chemical and mechanical properties of three soils from disjunct ultramafic outcrops in the central Balkans was undertaken. Soil from a nearby chemically contrasting limestone habitat was also analyzed. Three plant species differently associated with serpentine habitats (Halacsya sendtneri, Cheilanthes marantae and Seseli rigidum) were references for site and soil selection. Twenty elements were determined, and fourteen were measured in seven sequentially extracted soil fractions. The quantified soil properties included pH, levels of free CaCO3, organic matter, P2O5, K2O, N, C, S, cation exchange capacity, total organic carbon, field capacity and soil mechanical composition. The usual harsh components for plant growth in serpentine soil, such as elevated Mg:Ca ratios, high levels of Ni, Cr or Co, were significantly lower in the available fractions. There was a significant positive correlation of organic matter and field capacity, with most available Ca (70-80 %) found in the mobile, rather than the organically bound fraction