New and interesting bryophyte records for Greece

Ten taxa of bryophytes are cited for the first time in Greece: Acaulon triquetrum (Spruce) Miill. Hal., Didymodon sicculus M.1. Cano, Ros, Garcia-Zamora & 1. Guerra, D. trivia lis (Miill. Hal.) 1. Guerra, Grimmia longirostris Hook., Gymnostomum lanceolatum M.1. Cano, Ros & 1. Guerra, Lophozia excisa (Dicks.) Dumort., Microbryum piptocarpum (Durieu & Mont.) 1. Guerra & M.1. Cano, Syntrichia minor (Bizot) M.T. Gallego, 1. Guerra, M.1. Cano, Ros & Sanchez-Moya, Tortula israelis Bizot & F. Bilewsky and T. viridifolia (Mitt.) Blockeel & A.1.E. Sm. Some additional taxa that were previously known only from the Greek Islands (Crete, Aegean Islands, Ionian Islands or Rhodes) have been recorded in mainland Greece or Evvia Island: Athalamia hyalina (Sommerf.) S. Hatt., Bryum subapiculatum Hampe, Ditrichum subulatum Hampe and Fossombronia pusilla (L.) Dumort. The presence of Tortula subulata var. subinermis in Greece is confirmed.Se citan 10 taxones de bri6fitos por primer a vez para Grecia: Acaulon triquetrum (Spruce) Mull. Hal., Didymodon sicculus M.1. Cano, Ros, Garcia-Zamora & 1. Guerra, D. trivialis (Miill. Hal.) 1. Guerra, Grimmia longirostris Hook., Gymnostomum lanceolatum M.1. Cano, Ros & 1. Guerra, Lophozia excisa (Dicks.) Dumort., Microbryum piptocarpum (Durieu & Mont.) 1. Guerra & M.1. Cano, Syntrichia minor (Bizot) M.T. Gallego, 1. Guerra, M.1. Cano, Ros & Sanchez-Moya, Tortula israelis Bizot & F. Bilewsky y T. viridifolia (Mitt.) Blockeel & A.1.E. Sm. Algunos tax ones que s6lo eran conocidos hasta ahora de algunas de las islas griegas (Creta, Islas del Egeo, Islas J6nicas 0 Rodas), han sido recolectadas en Grecia continental 0 en la isla de Evvoia: Athalamia hyalina (Sommerf.) S. Hatt., Bryum subapiculatum Hampe, Ditrichum subulatum Hampe y Fossombronia pusilla (L.) Dumort. Tambien se confirma la presencia en este pais de Tortula subulata var. subinermis.Financial support of the DGES (Project PB97-1046) and DGI (Project BOS2000-0296-C03-01) of Spain is kindly acknowledged.Peer reviewe

Seasonal changes in photosynthetic rate and pigment content in two populations of the monotypic Balkan serpentine endemic Halacsya sendtneri

Halacsya sendtneri (Boiss.) Dorfl. is an obligate serpentine palaeoendemic of the Balkan Peninsula. It is able to maintain a favourable magnesium:calcium (Mg:Ca) ratio throughout its root and shoot, and grow in serpentine habitats with different microclimate conditions. Seasonal variation of leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid contents showed a steep decline right after the spring period, which was most probably caused by the drought imposed on the plants on the shallow serpentine soil. However, the in situ photosynthetic rate remained stable throughout the spring and summer period. Prolonged photosynthetic activity enables this species an investment into root development and sustainable survival in the harsh soils of the habitats it occupies

Revisión sistemática de Riella subgen. Trabutiella (Riellaceae, Sphaerocarpales)

Poster presentado en el 18th Symposium on Cryptogamic Botany celebrada en Barcelona del 13 al 16 de julio de 2011Species of the genus Riella have been systematically divided into two subgenera, namely Euriella and Trabutiella depending on their smooth or winged involucres. Subgenus Trabutiella is less diverse currently including only 4 species and one variety. In the context of a worldwide revision of the genus Riella, complete revision of this subgenus was conducted in order to describe species morphological boundaries and to evaluate their taxonomic significance. After this revision 7 species are recognised. Riella affinis and R. heliospora, the only monoecious species of subgenus Trabutiella. Riella heliospora can be distinguished from R. affinis by the presence of a spore wing, the lower density of spines with distinct areolae in the distal face and by the conspicuous triradate mark in the proximal face. In the dioecious group, R. cossoniana is characterised by its obovate involucres, with 8-10 large wings extending from the tip to the base, > 6 cells high and spherical spores with concave proximal face and short distal face spines 7μm. Riella gamundiae shows intermediate characters with involucres similar to those of R. echinata and spores as R. cossoniana. Riella paulsenii is characterised by its spore showing both truncate spines and papill ae. A new species is described as Riella mediterranea Segarra-Moragues, Puche, Sabovljevic, Infante & Heras, that is characterised by its acuminate involucres with 11-15 low wings < 5 cells high and its densely spinose spores with spines up to 15 μm with truncate and enlarged apices.Peer Reviewe

What is Riella helicophylla (Sphaerocarpales, Riellaceae)?

Ponencia presentada en el 18th Symposium on Cryptogamic Botany celebrada en Barcelona del 13 al 16 de julio de 2011During the course of a worldwide study on the diversity, evolution and distribution of the genus Riella Mont., we found many populations that keyed to Riella helicophylla. Nonetheless, some of these grouped to morphologically differentiable entities according to some morphological traits of the female gametophytes and the spores. Our aim was to conduct a whole revision of the Mediterranean samples attributed to R. helicophylla and to compare these to the Type material. Achieving this goal, a precise quantification of the morphological and molecular variability of what is considered as R. helicophylla was conducted in an attempt to reveal their taxonomic significance. Taking into account both morphological and molecular evidence a new species of Riella is described as Riella platyspina Puche, Segarra-Moragues, Sabovljevic, Infante & Heras. This species can be distinguished by its undulate wing of the thallus and by the acuminate involucres with closed mouth. Regarding spore morphology R. platyspina has a more densely spinose distal face with about 30 spines projecting at periphery on a single equatorial row. Distal spines of about 10 μm long with truncate flat dilated apices showing a membranous expansion. Proximal face is rugulate with low spines of up to 7 μm with papillose-lacerate apices.Peer Reviewe

Taxonomic revision of Riella subgenus Trabutiella (Riellaceae, Sphaerocarpales)

The genus Riella (Riellaceae, Sphaerocarpales) includes some 24 species of thalloid aquatic liverworts with unique morphological and ecological features among hepatics. These include the development of sporophytes enclosed within involucres and growing submerged in seasonal fresh or brackish water ponds. Riella subgenus Trabutiella includes species with winged involucres. Seven taxa have been described, however, four to five taxa have been recognized at a time depending on authors. In this study we have conducted a morphological revision of the species of this subgenus, based on 59 traits measured under light and Scanning Electron Microscopy analyses and that were the subject of statistical analyses. Taxonomically most informative traits were derived from female involucres and spores, whereas quantitative vegetative traits were of little relevance to taxonomy. Lectotypes are designated for subgenus Trabutiella and section Plicatae and for R. cossoniana. Our analyses support the recognition of six species, and support R. paulsenii as a synonym of R. cossoniana. A new species, R. mediterranea is described, and R. cossoniana var. echinata is raised to species rank. An identification key, detailed descriptions of the six accepted taxa, updated distribution maps, and full illustrations of four of the species, including the first for R. echinata are provided.Peer Reviewe

Physiological Tolerance Mechanisms of Serpentine Tolerant Plants from Serbia

Serpentine (ultramafic) soils are extremely stressful environments for plant growth due to macronutrient deficiency (N, P, K, Ca), macronutrient toxicity (Mg; extremely high Mg:Ca ratio), and micronutrient toxicity (Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn), as well as toxicity of other heavy metals (Al, Cr, Co). Serpentine soils are also often shallow, rocky, and susceptible to drought. As a result of extreme adverse physical and chemical conditions, serpentine soils support a high proportion of endemic plant species that are adapted to their harsh environment. We analysed root, stem, and leaf tissue element concentrations (Ca, Mg, Al, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn) of Halacsya sendtneri (Boraginaceae; strict serpentine endemic), Cheilanthes marantae (Pteridaceac; broad serpentine endemic/strong indicator), and Seseli rigidum (Apiaccac; weak serpentine indicator/indifferent) growing on serpentine and limestone in Serbia. Element bioaccumulation factor was calculated as the ratio of plant tissue clement concentration to soil plant-available element concentration. Tissue concentrations of Ca and Mg for H. sendtneri and S. rigidum indicate that the species selectively uptake and translocatc Ca to leaves, relative to Mg, to maintain adequate tissue Mg:Ca ratio. C. marantae did not exhibit selective Ca uptake or translocation, but did exhibit Mg sequestration in roots. Heavy metal exclusion and sequestration were the primary physiological tolerance mechanisms conveying serpentine tolerance in the three species. S. rigidum exhibited divergence into serpentine tolerant and limestone tolerant ecotypes, presenting a useful model species for further studies of physiological adaptation to chemically extreme soils

Physiological Tolerance Mechanisms of Serpentine Tolerant Plants from Serbia

Serpentine (ultramafic) soils are extremely stressful environments for plant growth due to macronutrient deficiency (N, P, K, Ca), macronutrient toxicity (Mg; extremely high Mg:Ca ratio), and micronutrient toxicity (Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn), as well as toxicity of other heavy metals (Al, Cr, Co). Serpentine soils are also often shallow, rocky, and susceptible to drought. As a result of extreme adverse physical and chemical conditions, serpentine soils support a high proportion of endemic plant species that are adapted to their harsh environment. We analysed root, stem, and leaf tissue element concentrations (Ca, Mg, Al, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn) of Halacsya sendtneri (Boraginaceae; strict serpentine endemic), Cheilanthes marantae (Pteridaceac; broad serpentine endemic/strong indicator), and Seseli rigidum (Apiaccac; weak serpentine indicator/indifferent) growing on serpentine and limestone in Serbia. Element bioaccumulation factor was calculated as the ratio of plant tissue clement concentration to soil plant-available element concentration. Tissue concentrations of Ca and Mg for H. sendtneri and S. rigidum indicate that the species selectively uptake and translocatc Ca to leaves, relative to Mg, to maintain adequate tissue Mg:Ca ratio. C. marantae did not exhibit selective Ca uptake or translocation, but did exhibit Mg sequestration in roots. Heavy metal exclusion and sequestration were the primary physiological tolerance mechanisms conveying serpentine tolerance in the three species. S. rigidum exhibited divergence into serpentine tolerant and limestone tolerant ecotypes, presenting a useful model species for further studies of physiological adaptation to chemically extreme soils

Physiological Tolerance Mechanisms of Serpentine Tolerant Plants from Serbia

Serpentine (ultramafic) soils are extremely stressful environments for plant growth due to macronutrient deficiency (N, P, K, Ca), macronutrient toxicity (Mg; extremely high Mg:Ca ratio), and micronutrient toxicity (Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn), as well as toxicity of other heavy metals (Al, Cr, Co). Serpentine soils are also often shallow, rocky, and susceptible to drought. As a result of extreme adverse physical and chemical conditions, serpentine soils support a high proportion of endemic plant species that are adapted to their harsh environment. We analysed root, stem, and leaf tissue element concentrations (Ca, Mg, Al, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn) of Halacsya sendtneri (Boraginaceae; strict serpentine endemic), Cheilanthes marantae (Pteridaceac; broad serpentine endemic/strong indicator), and Seseli rigidum (Apiaccac; weak serpentine indicator/indifferent) growing on serpentine and limestone in Serbia. Element bioaccumulation factor was calculated as the ratio of plant tissue clement concentration to soil plant-available element concentration. Tissue concentrations of Ca and Mg for H. sendtneri and S. rigidum indicate that the species selectively uptake and translocatc Ca to leaves, relative to Mg, to maintain adequate tissue Mg:Ca ratio. C. marantae did not exhibit selective Ca uptake or translocation, but did exhibit Mg sequestration in roots. Heavy metal exclusion and sequestration were the primary physiological tolerance mechanisms conveying serpentine tolerance in the three species. S. rigidum exhibited divergence into serpentine tolerant and limestone tolerant ecotypes, presenting a useful model species for further studies of physiological adaptation to chemically extreme soils

New national and regional bryophyte records, 21.

International audienc

New records and noteworthy data of plants, algae and fungi in SE Europe and adjacent regions, 3

This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: parasitic fungus Antherospora hortensis, saprotrophic fungi Loweomyces fractipes and Pholiota henningsii, stonewort Chara canescens, mosses Grimmia caespiticia and Rhodobryum ontariense, fern Woodsia alpina, monocots Aegilops triuncialis, Epipactis purpurata, Galanthus elwesii and Typha shuttleworthii and dicot Umbilicus luteus