Biologia, Bratislava 59 (1), 2004

BURIĆ , Z., CAPUT, K. & VILIČIĆ, _C, D., Distribution of the diatom Cocconeis scutellum in the karstic estuary (Zrmanja, eastern Adriatic Sea).
Biologia, Bratislava, 59: 1-7, 2004; ISSN 0006-3088.

The small karstic river Zrmanja (69 km) discharges into the eastern-central Adriatic Sea, forming shallow, highly stratified, oligotrophic estuary. The abundance of periphytic pennate diatoms (attached to artificial substrates) and their presence in the plankton community were analysed in the upper estuary, in July 2000. Attached diatoms were most abundant in the halocline, while Cocconeis scutellum EHRENBERG competed for space with other algae that accumulated in the halocline. Suspended pennate diatoms were composed of freshwater species transported from the river and epiphytic diatoms detached from estuarine aquatic plants. The abundance of detached estuarine Cocconeis scutellum cells decreased downstream in the estuary, due to the absence of the host vegetation. This diatom rapidly sank and accumulated along the halocline, died in the strong gradient of salinity and continued to sink to the bottom. Such a fate of diatoms may be linked with the problem of silica cycling in the estuary that should be quantified during the forthcoming research.

Key words: Cocconeis scutellum, periphytic diatoms, phytoplankton, halocline, strati_ed estuary, Adriatic Sea, Croatia.

BERGER, J. & SCHAGERL, M., Allelopathic activity of Characeae.
Biologia, Bratislava, 59: 9-15, 2004; ISSN 0006-3088.

13 different Characeae species were screened for allelopathic activity using agar-diffusion assays. Nine different Cyanobacteria, one diatom species and three Chlorophyceae were applied as target organisms. Whereas cyanobacteria were strongly inhibited by certain stoneworts, surprisingly no clearing of eukaryotic target strains was noted in any of the screening assays. Chara aspera, C. globularis and Nitellopsis obtusa were proven to be the most active test organisms and therefore selected for further analyses. In order to test whether the allelochemicals are soluble in a hydrophilic or in an increased lipophilic solution, aqueous and 60% methanol extracts were performed. The lipophilic methanol extracts exhibited a stronger clearing of target organisms indicating a more lipophilic behavior of the allelochemical.

Key words: Characeae, Chara, Nitellopsis, allelopathic activity.

ŠIMONOVIČOVÁ, A., GÓDYOVÁ, M. & KUNERT, J., Engyodontium album, a new species of microscopic fungi for Slovakia and its keratinolytic activity.
Biologia, Bratislava, 59: 17-18, 2004; ISSN 0006-3088.

The paper describes macro and micromorphological characteristics of Engyodontium album (LIMBER) DE HOOG (Hyphomycetes) and its keratinolytic activity on children hair. This species of microscopic fungi, new for Slovakia, was isolated from a moist and damaged wall in a historical building from 17^th century in Bratislava, where the collection of some objects of primitive African art had been arranged.

Key words: microscopic fungi, Hyphomycetes, Engyodontium album, keratinolytic activity.

BAYEROVÁ, Š. & KUKWA, M., New records of leprarioid lichens in the Czech Republic.
Biologia, Bratislava, 59: 19-23, 2004; ISSN 0006-3088.

A commented list of leprarioid lichens collected in the Czech Republic is given. 12 taxa are reported, of which 5 are new for the Czech Republic: Botryolepraria lesdainii, Caloplaca chrysodeta, Lecanora leuckertiana, Lepraria crassissima and L. elobata. In opinion of the authors Lecanora leuckertiana may be a heterogeneous species.

Key words: Botryolepraria, Caloplaca, Lecanora, Lepraria, leprarioid lichens, Czech Republic, Poland.

KISZKA, J. & GRODZINSKA, K., Lichen flora and air pollution in the Niepolomice Forest (S Poland) in 1960-2000.
Biologia, Bratislava, 59: 25-37, 2004: ISSN 0006-3088.

The Niepolomice Forest, a large forest complex (110 km²) situated to 10-35 km from the urban-industrial agglomeration of Krakow and a big steelworks in southern Poland has been under the influence of gas and dust emissions for more than 40 years. This paper describes the changes that occurred in the liechen flora in the Niepolomice Forest during 1960-2000. It was found that 35 epigeic and epiphytic lichen species have died out, mainly in the western part of the forest situated closest to emission source, and 27% of the species have lost a number of their localities and have shown changes in their spatial distribution as well as symptoms of thallial degeneration. Simultaneously the number of localities of toxitolerant species has increased. On the basis of the occurrence of pollution sensitive lichens and the abundance of their talli, zone-maps showing changes in the Niepolomice Forest environment during the past 40 years were drawn.

Key words: Plichens, air pollution, Niepolomice Forest, Poland.

BAČKOR, M. & FASHELT, D., Using EDX-microanalysis and X-ray mapping to demonstrate metal uptake by lichens.
Biologia, Bratislava, 59: 39-45, 2004; ISSN 0006-3088.

Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis and X-ray mapping were used to study metal uptake by the lichens Lecidea lithophila and Rhizocarpon oederi growing on centuries old copper mine spoil heaps in Špania Dolina, Slovakia. Mineral waste derived from historical extraction of copper was still rich in the heavy metals iron and aluminium, while copper was not detectable. In apothecia of both species there was, as expected, significantly more C than in the substrate but the same levels of O, Na and Mg. The elements Al, Si, and K were present in apothecia of both lichen species, but in significantly lower concentrations than in the substrate. The weight percent of Fe for L. lithophila ascocarps was also significantly lower than the substrate, but Cu concentrations were higher. Elemental composition of the vegetative part of thalli, determined only in L. lithophila, did not differ significantly from that of the substrate.

Key words: copper, elemental content, lichens, heavy metals, mining.

DURAN, A. & HAMZAOGLU, E., A new species of Scorzonera (Asteraceae) from South Anatolia, Turkey.
Biologia, Bratislava, 59: 47-50, 2004; ISSN 0006-3088.

Scorzonera yildirimlii A. DURAN et HAMAZAOGLU sp. nov. from southwestern Turkey is described and illustrated. It is related to S. pygmaea SIBTH. & SM. and S. rigida AUCHER, from which it mainly differs in its habitus, leaves, phyllaries and features of the pappus hairs.

Key words: Asteraceae, Lactuceae, Scorzonera, Turkey.

GHAFFARI, S. M., Cytotaxonomy of some species of Acanthophyllum (Caryophyllaceae) from Iran.
Biologia, Bratislava, 59: 53-60, 2004; ISSN 0006-3088.

Original observations on meiotic cells in 17 species of the genus Acanthophyllum are reported. Of these, the chromosome numbers, for 8 taxa viz, A. laxiusculum, A. heratense, A. caespitosum, A. pachycephalum, A. khuzistanicum, A. mucronatum, A. verticillatum and A. crassinodum are new observations. The basic chromosome numbers for the genus are x = 14 and x = 15. Three ploidy levels were observed for x = 15, diploidy (2n = 2x = 30), tetraploidy (2n = 4x = 60) and hexaploidy (2n = 6x = 90). Comparison of the morphological characters, chiasma average and chromosome configuration have shown some similarities between three tetraploid species of A. microcephalum, A. mucronatum and A. verticillatum and two hexaploid species of A. crassinodum and A. glandulosum. A. caespitosum is quite different from the others, especially in chromosome number (n = 14) and the morphology of inflorescence. Therefore, it seems that this taxon should be placed in a new section. The occurrence of polyploidy in some species indicates that this phenomenon plays an important role in the evolution of the Acanthophyllum genus. Chromosome configurations for polyploid species and chiasma average for all species are reported here for the first time.

Key words: Caryophyllaceae, Acanthophyllum, meiotic analysis, chromosome number, chiasma formation, Iran.

MARTONFIOVÁ, L., Karyotype studies in Pulsatilla zimmermanni.
Biologia, Bratislava, 59: 61-64, 2004; ISSN 0006-3088.

Karyology of Pulsatilla zimmermannii Soó, a pannonian endemic, was studied. The chromosome number recorded, 2n = 16, represents the first karyological statement for this species. The karyotype was studied in detail: according to the position of centromere, the largest 5 chromosome pairs are metacentric, followed by two submetacentric and then one subtelocentric chromosome pair. Comparing one Slovak with two Hungarian populations, no difference between their karyotypes was found. The comparison with further available data on Pulsatilla chromosomes, especially the presence of satellites are discussed.

Key words: chromosome number, satellites, endangered species, Slovakia, Hungary.

HÁJKOVÁ, P. & HÁJEK, M., Sphagnum-mediated successional pattern in the mixed mire in the Muránska planina Mts. (Western Carpathians, Slovakia).
Biologia, Bratislava, 59: 65-74, 2004; ISSN 0006-3088.

Mixed mires, widely distributed in the boreal zone, occur only rarely in the Carpathians. The fine-scale pattern of moss species composition and species richness in the mixed mire Havraník in the Muránska planina Mts was studied using 9 transects stretching from mineral-rich pools to high, ombrotrophic hummocks. The height above water level, pH, conductivity and redox potential were measured in all of 79 sample plots (78.5 cm²). A complete exchange of species composition was recorded along the ca 3-meter transects. The sequence of cryptogamous species was as follows (Chara, Drepanocladus cossonii) < (Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Campylium stellatum, Tomenthypnum nitens) < (Sphagnum teres, S.subnitens, Aulacomnium palustre) < (Sphagnum flexuosum, S. fallax, S. capillifolium s.s.) < (Sphagnum rubellum, Polytrichum strictum, Absconditella sphagnorum). The first DCA axis reflects this long gradient and is closely connected to the height above water level and pH, which strongly decreases from more than 7 in small pools to 3-4 on high hummocks. A well-developed poor-rich mire gradient exists on this single site through Sphagnum-directed succession. The moss species occupying the extremes of the water level gradient (pools and high hummocks) exhibit the lowest niche breadths for pH, whereas the highest niche breadths are found in moss lawn and midhummock species. The highest species richness was found in the moderately alkaline lawns, between 10 and 30 cm above water level. This small-scale pattern of species richness found in the studied mixed mire seems to correspond with that found on a landscape scale. We also detected a distinctly bimodal distribution in pH data, about 4 in hummocks and 6-7 in the lower-positioned rich fen. Our results indicate that this mixed mire ecosystem, which developed in the Carpathians on a small area, functions in the same way as those occurring in the boreal zone over large areas.

Key words: Sphagnum ecology, brown mosses, niche breadth, ordination analyses, species richness, bimodal distribution of pH, Central Europe, Slovakia.

HRIVNÁK, R., The plant communities of Phragmitetalia in the catchment area of the Ipeľ river (Slovakia and Hungary) 1. Reed wetlands (Phragmition communis).
Biologia , Bratislava, 59: 75-99, 2004; ISSN 0006-3088.

In the catchment area of the Ipeľ river, the plant communities of reed wetlands were studied in 1997-2000. Ten vegetation unites were documented by 213 unpublished and published phytosociological relevés. Floristical and ecological variants, synecological and chorological characteristics are presented for each detected vegetation unit, as well as a brief chorological information of studied vegetation unites in Central Europe (mainly Slovakia and Hungary).

Key words: Pragmitetalia, reed wetlands, plant communities, phytosociology, Ipeľ river Slovakia, Hungary.

ŠOMŠÁK, L., ŠIMONOVIČ, V. & KOLLÁR, J., Phytocoenoses of pine forests in the central part of the Záhorská nížina Lowland.
Biologia, Bratislava, 59: 101-113, 2004; ISSN 0006-3088.

Pine vegetation of eolian sandy substrates in the "Bor" complex (Záhorská nížina Lowland) has been studied in the paper. The authors recommend to classify these forests within the association Pyrolo-Pinetum (LIBB. 1933) SCHMID 1936. It includes former syntaxonomical names Hylocomio-Pinetum zahoricum RUŽIČKA 1960, Dicrano-Pinetum zahoricum RUŽIČKA 1960, Pino-Quercetum zahoricum RUŽIČKA 1960 and Pino-Quercetum KRIPPEL 1965 according to the author's opinion. Three subassociations (typicum, callunetosum, dianthetosum serotini) have been recognized.

Key words: pine forest vegetation, Záhorská· nížina Lowland, syntaxonomy, Pyrolo-Pinetum.

NANDA, R. M., NAYAK, S. & ROUT, G. R., Studies on genetic relatedness of Acacia tree species using RAPD markers.
Biologia, Bratislava, 59: 115-120, 2004; ISSN 0006-3088.

Studies were undertaken for identification and genetic relationships in six tree species of Acacia through Random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPD) markers. A total of two hundred and fifty three distinct DNA fragments ranging from 0.1 - 3.1 kb were amplified by using selected 17 random 10-mer primers. The genetic similarity analysis was conducted on the basis of presence or absence of bands which revealed a wide range of variability within the species. The cluster analysis clearly showed that there was high degree of diversity (~ 70%) within the six tree species of Acacia. Three major clusters were obtained belonging to 6 species of Acacia. First and second cluster were represented by only one species each i.e. Acacia mollissima and A. arabica respectively whereas 3^rd cluster was represented by four species i.e. A. farnesiana, A. catechu, A. auriculiformis, A. conncina. A. farnesiana and A. catechu were closest member sharing about 30% similarity. A. auriculiformis, A. conncina shared about 28% and 18% similarity, respectively, with the cluster formed by A. farnesiana and A. catechu.

Key words: Acacia, phylogenetic relationships, RAPD analysis, legume tree.

SLOVÁKOVÁ, T., ŠVEC, M. & MIKLOVIČOVÁ, M., Do geographical barriers play any role in isolation of powdery mildew populations?
Biologia, Bratislava, 59: 121-126, 2004; ISSN 0006-3088.

It has been supposed that wheat powdery mildew populations (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) in Dobrá Voda and Turiec Valley may be isolated from other mildew populations by geographical barriers surrounding them. Mildew isolates were obtained from exposed trap plants in mobile and static nurseries (Dobrá Voda). The single colony isolates were subsequently tested on detached leaves of seedlings of sets of differential wheat cultivars/lines with known specific resistance genes. Virulence frequencies in the mildew populations from Dobrá Voda and Turiec Valley were compared to virulence frequencies from their neighbouring regions. Euclidian distances agreed with geographical distances in populations from Dobrá Voda and its neighbouring populations. Cluster analysis has repeatedly proved that mildew population from Turiec Valley belongs to a separate cluster. Differences in virulence frequencies between these clusters were not significant, however, mildew population from Turiec Valley is considered to be different. Geographical barriers, mountains surrounding Dobrá Voda and Turiec Valley, do not maintain any significant isolation for the migration of the pathogen spores on prevailing winds, even though the spread of the similar host genotypes within Slovakia and Europe makes the study of geographical isolation more difficult.

Key words: wheat, powdery mildew, Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, resistance, geographical barriers.

ŠARAPATKA, B., DUDOVÁ, L. & KRŠKOVÁ, M., Effect of pH and phosphate supply on acid phosphatase activity in cereal roots.
Biologia, Bratislava, 59: 127-131, 2004; ISSN 0006-3088.

Enzymes in soils originate from animal, plant and microbial sources and the resulting soil biological activity includes the metabolic processes of all these organisms. The literature shows that under favourable conditions microorganisms supply most of the enzyme activity. The effect of plants on soil enzymatic activity is due to changes in organic matter content and microbial populations, but is also formed by accumulated enzymes and by continuously released extracellular and endocellular enzymes; all of which originate in the plant root. Our research studies acid phosphatase activity linked to the previous source, by which we mean cultivated plants. Evaluation was carried out on the root systems of both the chosen species and cereal varieties and also in nutrient medium on which crops were planted under conditions of changing pH and phosphorus supply.
Different varieties of winter wheat, spelt, barley and rye were used and after sterilization the seeds were sown on Murashige{Skoog nutrient medium with pH 5.6, 6.2 and 6.8 and a phosphorus supply between 30 - 160 mg P2O5 L^-1 of medium. After 10 days of cultivation the plant roots were harvested, homogenized and the acid phosphatase activity was measured. The results show that the acid phosphatase activity in the root system of various species and cereal cultivars is negatively correlated with increasing pH and available phosphorus level in the nutrient medium.

Key words: phosphatase activity, soil, roots, cereals.

SYMEONIDIS, L., ABOU AUDA, M. M & YUPSANIS, T., Aluminium toxicity effects on Cucumis melo and response of diphosphonucleoside kinases.
Biologia, Bratislava, 59: 133-139, 2004; ISSN 0006-3088.

Low pH level (4.0) decreased leaf area and dry mass of shoot and root in comparison to 6.5 pH. Aluminium (Al) concentrations of 74{296 µmol L^-1, added to five days old seedlings which were left to grow for two weeks, at pH level 4.0, increased leaf area, dry mass of shoot and root and chlorophyll content of leaves of a Greek melon variety (Cucumis melo L.). Increased Al concentrations (74 to 296 µmol L^-1) in nutrient solution promoted calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentration in the shoot in contrast to the root, while potassium (K) concentration was the same in shoot and root and almost unaffected at low Al concentrations. Iron (Fe) concentration, in contrast to Ca, Mg or K, was higher (about four times) in root than in shoot. Increased values of measured parameters, in low Al concentrations, in relation to the control, probably denoted the beneficial effect of Al³⁺ on H⁺ ions. Values of measured parameters started to decrease at 592 µmol L^-1 Al concentration, in nutrient solution, characterizing the studied material as an Al-tolerant variety. After SDS-PAGE the autoradiograms of shoot and root revealed two phosphorylated bands of low molecular mass of about 14 and 17 kDa. Thin layer chromatography revealed that both extracted protein bands possessed diphosphonucleoside kinase activities using GDP as substrate. Endogenous protein phosphorylation slightly increased (by about 15%, P = 0:05) at low concentrations of Al in both root and shoot and then decreased.

Key words: Cucumis melo L., aluminium toxicity, diphosphonucleoside kinases, protein phosphorylation.

FLORISTICAL NOTES

ZÁVESKÝ L., The rayless plants of Senecio sylvaticus in Sweden.
Biologia, Bratislava, 59: 51-52, 2004; ISSN 0006-3088. The discovery of discoid plants of Senecio sylvaticus L. in two localities in Sweden is presented. This is the first record of the absence of ray florets in this species. Except for the absence of ray florets, no obvious difference was found so far between discoid and radiate plants of S. sylvaticus. The loss of ray florets could be considered as highly stable trait here, because all the progeny of mother plants had invariably discoid heads. There is still no considerable reason for any taxonomic treatment of these discoid plants.

Key words: compositae, discoid plants, ray florets, Senecio sylvaticus, Sweden.