Biologia, Bratislava 60 (4), 2005

HAŠLER, P. & POULIČKOVÁ, A., Cyanobacteria of the spring fens of a part of West Carpathians. Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 335-341, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

Cyanobacteria were studied for the fist time in the Bílé Karpaty and Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts Environmental variables (pH, conductivity and nutrient concentrations) were measured during investigations. A total of 48 cyanobacterial species were isolated at investigated sites. Distribution of cyanobacteria is strongly influenced by environmental variables, especially pH.

Key words: cyanobacteria, springs, ecology, Czech Republic, Slovakia.

WOLOWSKI, K., Taxonomic comments on seven Trachelomonas taxa (Euglenophyceae). Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 343-347, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

The taxonomy of Trachelomonas setosa, T. aculeata var. aculeata, T. aculeata var. extenta, T. minor, T. rasumowskoensis, T. furcata and T. americana still wrongly ascribed to Euglenophyceae has been revised. Comparison of their original iconotypes and descriptions with similar taxa of chrysophytes shows that we must reclassify them to chrysophytes, either as vegetative cells or stomatocysts.

Key words: Chrysophyte, stomatocysts, Euglenophyte, Trachelomonas, taxonomy.

KUCZYŃSKA-KIPPEN, N., MESSZYASZ, B., NAGENGAST, B., CELEWICZ, S. & KLIMKO, M., A comparative study of periphyton communities on the rush complex and Chara tomentosa in the shallow lakes of Wielkopolska area, Poland. Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 349-355, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

The research was carried out on the differences in taxonomical composition, densities and biomass concentration of epiphytic algae communities developing on two morphologically different aquatic plant species. Particular macrophyte species may differ in shape, length and width of stems, in the surface structure, which is particularly important for the attached epiphytic algae, and also in spatial orientation of stems or the way of rooting and biomass.
Periphyton samples were collected from two ecological types of water vegetation represented by emerged macrophytes - reeds Typha angustifolia/Phragmites australis, and submerged macrophytes - stoneworts Chara tomentosa. Three lakes Wielkowiejskie, Budzyńskie, Dębiniec of similar morphometry - small and shallow were chosen for this examination. These typically macrophyte-dominated lakes were characterised by classically developed pattern of water and rush vegetation. The samples were collected three times in 2003, including the spring, summer and autumn seasons.
As a result of the investigation 283 taxa of epiphytic algae and cyanoprokaryotes were identified in the three lakes. Most species belonged to Bacillariophyceae, which were followed by Chlorophyta and Cyanoprokaryota.
Two trends in the total densities of periphytic communities different for the Chara and Typha habitats were distinguished. In the Chara bed the continuous increase in the numbers was observed from spring to autumn, while in the rush zone the abundance peak was observed in the summer. Additionally, it was found that Chlorophyta had significantly higher densities as well as biomass among Chara tomentosa.
The differences in the community composition and algal number of cells on various plant hosts may be a result of differences in macrophyte architecture and a combination of physico-chemical and biological factors, e.g., the texture of particular water plants, the effect of allelopathy or grazing activity of invertebrates.

Key words: phytoplankton, periphyton, stoneworts, shallow lakes, seasonal changes, rush vegetation.

MOTIEJUNAITE, J., Distribution of some rare and declining lichen species in lowland eastern and eastern-central Europe. Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 357-363, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

Distribution, present situation and conservation status of several rare and/or threatened lichen species in lowland eastern and eastern-central Europe is discussed. Acrocordia cavata, Arthonia leucopellaea, Cladonia norvegica, Gyalecta ulmi, Lecanactis abietina, Menegazzia terebrata, Micarea hedlundii and Thelotrema lepadinum are confined to vulnerable and declining habitats and have varying distribution in the region. Despite serious under-recording, present data show that most of these species probably range throughout the majority of the geographical Europe. Their present situation is poorly known in the region. From this many problems arise in definition of conservation values, compilation of red lists, and application of modern Red List criteria.

Key words: lichens, biogeography, red-lists, conservation, eastern and eastern-central Europe.

BACIGÁLOVÁ, K. & MULENKO, W., Protomycopsis arnoldii - a new species for the Carpathians. Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 369-372, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

Protomycopsis arnoldii MAGNUS was found on leaves of Leontodon pseudotaraxaci SCHUR as a new species both for the Carpathians and Polish mycobiota. Its description and illustration are given, and its distribution is discussed.

Key words: Protomycetales, fungi, parasite, taxonomy, ecology, Poland .

MICHALKOVÁ, E., Chromosome numbers of the Erysimum diffusum group (Brassicaceae) in Slovakia in relation to the Panonian region. Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 377-381, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

The decaploid cytotype (2n = 10x = 70) of the polyploid complex Erysimum diffusum, known in Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic, is reported for the first time from Slovakia. The occurrence of di-, tetra- and octoploids was confirmed in further localities in Pannonian region of Slovakia. The chromosome count 2n = 58 of Erysimum andrzeiowscianum from Podollya Region represents the first record for Ukraine. The most important morphological characteristics of E. andrzeiowscianum and decaploids of E. diffusum are given.

Key words: chromosome number, Erysimum diffusum, E. andrzeiowscianum, Pannonian region, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Ukraine.

CHRTEK, J. & PLAČKOVÁ, I., Genetic variation in Hieracium alpinum (Asteraceae) in the Krkonoše Mts (West Sudeten Mts, Czech Republic). Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 387-391, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

Five enzyme systems (EST, LAP, PGM, SKD, 6PGDH) were studied in three populations of triploid (2n = 27) agamospermous Hieracium alpinum s.str. (H. alpinum subsp. alpinum) in the Krkonoše Mts (West Sudeten Mts, Czech Republic). Altogether, five different multilocus genotypes were found and both intra- and between-population variation were detected. Within-population variability was found in all the studied populations. Mean population diversity G_sp´ = 0.52, component of total variance attributed to variation among population G_st = 0.09). Chromosome number 2n = 27 was confirmed in all plants used in enzyme studies. Putative origins of genetic variation are briefly discussed.

Key words: Hieracium, allozymes, apomixis, compositae, Krkonoše Mts, Czech Republic.

GÜVENC, A. & DUMAN, H., Morphological and anatomical structure of Kitaibelia balansae (Malavaceae), with notes on chorology in Turkey. Biologia, Bratislava 60: 393-401, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

Kitaibelia balansae BOISS., is the only Turkish representative of the genus Kitaibelia. A full description and an illustration of the species are given, along with some additional information about its ecology, phytogeography and conservation status. The anatomy of leaf blade and stem of the species are described and illustrated. Druses and glandular hairs are characteristic on both leaf and stem.

Key words: Kitaibelia balansae, morphology, anatomy, druses, trichomes, Malvaceae .

OŤAHEĽOVÁ, H. & BANASOVÁ, V., The response of aquatic macrophytes to restoration management in the Morava River oxbows. Biologia, Bratislava 60: 403-408, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

Aquatic macrophytes in two remnant meanders of the Morava river after their re-connection with the main channel were studied in 1995-2002. Plant species richness, species diversity and floristic similarity of the restored sites were compared with the reference site. Except for the restoration, i.e. man-induced disturbance, the macrophytes cover, diversity and composition had additionally been affected by the extreme flood (natural disturbance) in 1997, which altered the morphology of re-connected sites. The species abundance decreased in all studied sites. However, already in the second after-flood year, floristic similarity in the reference site (the 16th rkm oxbow C) exceeded 80% comparing to the 1st year records. The response of the two re-connected oxbows was different. In the 12th rkm (oxbow B) only Persicaria amphibia f. natans survived, whereas, in the 19th rkm (oxbow A) floristic similarity to the 1st year survey stabilised on >40%. This difference might be explained by the different intensity of a fluvial disturbance.

Key words: aquatic macrophytes, vegetation structure, restoration, flood, Morava river, Slovakia.

ŠILC, U. & ČARNI, A., Changes in weed vegetation on extensively managed fields of central Slovenia between 1939 and 2002. Biologia, Bratislava 60: 409-416, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

This work deals with the change of weed vegetation in the fields in central Slovenia over the past sixty years. Since data exist on weed vegetation in this region from the first half of the previous century, the vegetation was sampled here. The same communities were established, but their floristic composition has changed. The data were sampled in the same way both times according to the Central European method. The data were elaborated using a coefficient for measuring the diagnostic significance of species and principal canonical analysis for measuring the correlation of the species composition, samples, and ecological factors. For ecological factors, the Ellenberg indicator values were used, while the significance of changes in composition was measured by the Mann-Whitney rank sum test. Four communities were established in both time periods: two communities of segetal vegetation and one community of hoe-field vegetation. The analysis showed that the number of species has increased. The number of spring ephemerophytes (such as Veronica triphyllos, which had become extinct), specialized cereal weeds (spireochore), and basophilic species decreased while the number of neophytes and herbicide resistant grasses increased. The amount of nutrients increased and consecutively the pH decreased.

Key words: vegetation changes, management, agricultural ecosystems, Ellenberg indicator values, phi coefficient, PCA.

TŮMA, I., HOLUB, P. & FIALA, K., Competitive balance and nitrogene losses from the three grass species (Arrhenatherum elatius, Calamagrostis epigejos, Festuca ovina). Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 417-422, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

A pot experiment was carried out with three grass species grown outdoors under the various treatments, i.e., clipped, unclipped, fertilized, and unfertilized, in order to elucidate the effect of different nutrient losses on the mutual competition of grasses when grown in mixtures. Arrhenatherum elatius replaced both Festuca ovina and Calamagrostis epigejos in unclipped treatments, however, much more clearly in fertilized than in unfertilized pots. Similarly, unclipped Calamagrostis epigejos replaced the unclipped Festuca significantly in the fertilized variant. The losses of nitrogen due to clipping were much greater in Arrhenatherum than in Calamagrostis or Festuca and resulted in Arrhenatherum in a decreased competitiveness, indicating so their important role in the competitive balance between plant species.

Key words: allocation, growth, plant biomass, nitrogen requirement, relative yield, tall grasses.

BOLVANSKÝ, M. & UŽÍK, M., Morphometric variation and differentiation of European chestnut (Castanea sativa) in Slovakia. Biologia, Bratislava 60: 423-429, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

Old chestnut trees of seed origin grown in three chestnut orchards and one chestnut stand at four different localities in Slovakia were included in the study. In each tree, 13 nut traits of 30 nuts were subjected to analysis of variance and discriminant analysis (DA). Significant differences in all nut traits were found out among both localities and trees within the localities. In majority of traits the highest phenotypic variance was the proportion of variance component for trees within a locality. Fruit data from the four localities were subjected to DA by both procedure without selection of traits (WS) and procedure of forward selection of traits (FS). In DA with FS only five traits with the highest discriminant value were analysed (width of hylum, length of hylum, length of the stalk base, length of pellicle intrusions and number of seeds per nut). Probability of correct classification of trees by procedure WS was higher (85.86 %) than by procedure FS (68.69 %). The highest percentage of correct classification, regardless of the type of DA procedure, was observed in the locality Jelenec. The second and third highest percentages of correct classification were in the localities Modrý Kameň and Bratislava. Just these three localities are considered main historical centres of chestnut distribution in Slovakia. By the plot based on the first two discriminant functions, groups of trees from localities Jelenec and Radošina were the most similar out of the four localities studied. These two localities are situated closest to each other and apparently the trees from both localities have common origin.

Key words: Castanea sativa, nuts, morphological traits, localities, analysis of variance, discriminant analysis.

DATTA, K., Ultrastructure of pollen surface in some pollution tolerant plants. Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 431-437, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

Surface pattern of pollen exine in 24 common tropical plant species identified as pollution tolerant was examined with SEM in order to find out whether any common surface pattern prevailed among the otherwise heterogeneous plant taxa. The plants considered were taxonomically diverse and included trees, shrubs and herbs having various mode of pollination. The survey of pollen exine ultrastructure reveals that most of the pollution tolerant plants possess tectate exine where the surface was either totally covered or sparsely perforated. In case of semitectate exine, which was less frequent among the observed plant species, micro-reticulate pattern prevailed where the perforated area was much smaller in comparison to the covered exine surface. Our observation indicates a significance of the protection parameter of the male gametes in pollution tolerant plants, which may be a component of a holistic structural resistance against adverse conditions.

Key words: pollution, pollen, exine, tectate, protection.

HARTL-MUSINOV, D., HANČEVIĆ, K. & BUĆAN, L., Rejuvenation of cv. Vugava grapevine (Vitis vinifera) in vitro. Biologia, Bratislava 60: 437-442, 2005; ISSN

Phenotypical characteristics of cv. Vugava grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) in vitro regenerated plants, seedlings obtained from cultivated mature seeds, plants derived from nodal segments cultivated in vitro and after one year under in vivo conditions were studied. Microcuttings produced from the nodal segment cultures were grown on MS medium supplemented with 4.4 µM BA. Growing shoots were transferred onto the same basal medium with 11.4 µM IAA added to promote plant elongation and rooting. Shoots were divided into nodal segments, which were subcultured at six-week intervals. Tendril production was common in the first subculture but gradually declined in the second and ninth subcultures suggesting an effect of gradual rejuvenation. Distichous phyllotaxy in plants observed in the first subculture changed up to the spiral one in plants developed in the ninth subculture. Adventitious plants were regenerated on petiole explants from in vitro grown plants on the medium containing MS macronutrients and vitamins, HELLER'S MICRONUTRIENTS, and the addition of 2.5 µM BA and 5.0 µM IBA. Adventitious shoots showed juvenile morphology with spiral phyllotaxy and no tendril formation. Mature seeds were germinated and grown on Nitsch and Nitsch (1969) medium enriched with 10.0 µM BA, 10.0 µM IAA and 1.0 µM GA₃. The transformation of shoots into adult morphology after transfer to greenhouse was the fastest in plants derived from nodal segment cultures. In adventitiously regenerated plants the transition from the juvenile to the intermediate status after one year in the greenhouse has been observed (phyllotaxy was distichous with irregular tendril arrangement). The phyllotaxy of seedlings remained spiral after one year of in vivo cultivation. These results show that microcuttings of cv. Vugava grapevine, produced from the nodal segment cultures were partially rejuvenated, while adventitiously regenerated plants showed characteristics of juvenile status during in vitro cultivation.

Key words: rejuvenation, phyllotaxy, tendril, nodal segment, adventitious.

ŘEPKOVÁ, J., HLAVÁČOVÁ, S., LÍZAL, P., KYJOVSKÁ, Z. & RELICHOVÁ, J., Molecular mappingof some Arabidopsis thaliana genes determining leaf shape and chlorphyll defects. Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 443-449, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

Six Arabidopsis thaliana mutations were developed in our laboratory and are held at the Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Centre. Morphological mutations were called cupuliformis, rotundata and involuta. The second group of mutants with chlorophyll defects were chlorominuta, lucida and lucida(S). The aim of our work was to localise the six mutant alleles on the genetic map of A. thaliana. The level of DNA polymorphism among ecotypes of A. thaliana, S96 and Gijon-G (genetic backgrounds of mutations) vs. Columbia and Landsberg erecta, had to be evaluated to determine suitable parental plants for the crosses. DNA markers, 16 microsatellites and 6 cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences, were used for recombination analysis in F₂ populations. The location of the cupuliformis mutation was on the short arm of chromosome 1, the rotundata mutation on the long arm of chromosome 4 and the involuta mutation on the long arm of chromosome 2. The chlorominuta mutation with a chlorophyll defect was located on chromosome 3 and the positions of both lucida and lucida(S) mutations were on chromosome 4. This mapping study simplified gene identification and evaluation of potential allelism with mutants already isolated by previous authors.

Key words: Arabidopsis thaliana, CAPS, DNA markers, genetic mapping, SSR.

KOKINDOVÁ, M. & KRAIC, J., Genetic variation of Triticum turgidum accessions characterized by DNA markers. Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 451-456, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

DNA polymorphism at the 14 microsatellite loci was evaluated in 43 accessions of eight subspecies of Triticum turgidum L. Altogether 101 alleles, 53 in the A genome and 48 in the B genome, were detected. The average values of diversity index and polymorphic information content indicate that microsatellites located in the A genome generated higher polymorphism than microsatellites from the B genome. All the analyzed accessions, except two pairs, were different from each other in at least one microsatellite locus. Microsatellite profiles confirmed full identity of all the four analyzed genotypes of ssp. paleocolchicum. Subspecies-specific microsatellite alleles were identified. The average number of alleles in the individual loci indicates a high variation covered by subspecies turgidum, carthlicum, dicoccon, and turanicum. Genotypes of these subspecies can be used in hybridization programmes for extension of genetic variation of intensively bred durum wheats (ssp. durum).

Key words: Triticum turgidum L., subspecies, DNA, microsatellite, polymorphism.

BERIS, S., SANDALLI, C., CANAKCI, S., DEMIRBAG, Y. & BELDUZ, A.O., Phylogenetic analysis of tea clones (Camellia sinensis) using RAPD markers. Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 457-461, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique offers a useful tool to detect DNA polymorphisms. It can be used to distinguish different clones and cultivars. These markers also represent an efficient and inexpensive way to generate molecular data and thus, have been used successfully in various taxonomic and phylogenetic studies.
We used this technique to determine the genetic similarity of 6 tea clones (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. KUNTZE) grown in Turkey (but one clone belongs to Georgia) by using 10 decamer primers. The genetic relationship among clones was estimated based on similarity index and cluster analysis. The lowest similarity (0.530) obtained was found between "Ciftekavak" and "Ardesen", the highest similarity (0.730) obtained was between "Ardesen" and "Kolhida". Utilising cluster analysis, 2 clones were classified in the first branch of the derived dendogram while the others were classified in the second branch of dendogram. The average similarity between the two branches was 0.616. Among the primers tested, OPAB-03, 04, 05, 07, 09, 11, 14, 16, 18, and 19 showed polymorphic bands. Amplified fragments ranged from 200 to 1700 base pairs and the number of bands for each primer varied from 1 to10. The results obtained agree well with those of Rize Tea Institute made by morphological characteristics.

Key words: Camellia sinensis, RAPD, genetic similarity, UPGMA.

LI, X., AN, P., ENEJI, A. E., HAMAMURA, K., LUX, A. & INANAGA, S., Growth and yield responses of two soybean cultivars to defoliation and water stress. Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 467-472, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

While the effects of defoliation on soybean (Glycine max (L.)) growth and yield have been studied closely, the defoliation tolerance of soybean under drought conditions is not well understood. This study was aimed at determining the responses of determinate (Enrei) and indeterminate (Tousan 69) soybean cultivars to the combined stresses of defoliation and drought. Controlled irrigation rates and simulated insect defoliation were used on soybean grown in the greenhouse. Defoliation significantly reduced the decrease in soil water contents to the extent that defoliated plants had higher leaf water potentials than non-defoliated plants under drought conditions. The average seed yield of irrigated Enrei (197 g m^-2) exceeded that of non-irrigated plants by 19%, while defoliation reduced seed yield by 50%. Also, the average seed yield of irrigated Tousan 69 (284.8 g m^-2) exceeded that of non-irrigated plants by 39% and defoliation reduced yield by 14%. The responses of yields of the two cultivars to irrigation and defoliation indicated that the determinate cultivar, Enrei had higher drought tolerance than the indeterminate cultivar, Tousan 69. However, Tousan 69 was more tolerant to defoliation than Enrei. For the cultivar Enrei, defoliation caused a significant yield reduction with or without irrigation. Drought did not significantly affect the yield of defoliated Enrei, indicating that water application is not of prime importance to defoliated determinate soybean cultivars. On the other hand, defoliation did not affect the yield of Tousan 69 under the irrigated treatment, because of compensation for the defoliation effect via delayed leaf senescence and new leaf area expansion, which enhanced the light interception capacity of defoliated plant canopies. However, under drought condition, expansion in the area of new leaves after defoliation was markedly restricted and defoliation caused a significant yield reduction. This result indicates that water management is very important for increasing defoliation tolerance of indeterminate soybean cultivars.

Key words: soybean, defoliation, yield, growth, water stress.

KUČERA, J., VALKO, I. & MARHOLD, K., On-line database of the chromosome numbers of the genus Cardamine (Brassicaceae). Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 473-476, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

Chromosome numbers of 101 taxa of the genus Cardamine (altogether 3020 records) are included in an on-line karyological database, which is presented in this paper. Information about chromosome numbers is taken from 234 literature sources. Each database record includes name of taxon, data on chromosomes, data on the origin of the material, data on the voucher specimen and place of publication. More than half of the species for which chromosome data are available is either entirely polyploid or contains both diploid and polyploid populations. There is an apparent geographical bias in the available data as most of the chromosome counts were done on material from Europe.

Key words: chromosome numbers, karyological database, polyploidy, Cardamine, Cruciferae.

SHORT COMMUNICATION

LABUDA, R., LABUDOVÁ, S., JAVOREKOVÁ, S. & TANČINOVÁ, D., Newly recorded Penicilium species from Slovakia. Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 365-367, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

This report presents sixteen Penicillium species identified during the years 2001and 2002 in the Department of Microbiology of the Slovak University of Agriculture, which have not been included in the lists by LIZOŇ & BACIGÁLOVÁ (1998) and ŠIMONOVIČOVÁ (2001, 2002), and therefore they could be regarded as new fungi for Slovakia. Most of them were found during microbiological study of soil and feeds. Thirty additional Penicillium species identified during this study, but reported previously from Slovakia, are included here as well. All the taxa are submitted according to their infrageneric position within Aspergilloides, Furcatum, Penicillium and Biverticillium subgenera in alphabetical order.

Key words: Penicillium spp, Slovakia.

ŠIMONOVIČOVÁ, M., BOČOVÁ, B., HUTTOVÁ, J., MISTRÍK, I. & TAMÁS, L., Effect of cadmium on oxalate oxidase activity in barley roots. Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 463-466, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

Activity of oxalate oxidase (OXO) in several fractions of barley root tips was observed after 48 and 72 h of Cd-treatment. No OXO activation was detected in extracellular fraction, whereas minor increase in OXO activity was detected in soluble as well as in all five cell wall fractions after 48 h and, it was more pronounced and concentration-dependent after 72 h of Cd treatment. Significant correlation between the enhanced OXO activity and root growth inhibition was evident after 72 h of Cd treatment, which was accompanied also with an increase in Evans blue uptake indicating the loss of PM integrity and cell death. The OXO-catalysed H₂O₂ production might contribute to cell wall strengthening resulting in root growth inhibition but also to the induction of oxidative stress leading to cell death.

Key words: barley, Cd, oxalate oxidase, cell death, root growth inhibition.

STANO, J., MIČIETA, K., SIEKEL, P. & BLANÁRIKOVÁ, V., Determination of α-glucosidase activity secreted by californian poppy cells Eschscholtzia californica. Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 477-478, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

A simple, rapid and reproducible procedure for the identification of extracellular α-glucosidase is described using californian poppy (Eschscholtzia californica CHAM.) callus cultures, roots of 3-6 days-old seedlings of californian poppy, cucumber, melon, pea and tomato seedlings germinated on agar plates. 1-Naphthyl-α-D-glucopyranoside and p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside were used as substrates for the determination of a-glucosidase intracellular and extracellular activities in californian poppy cell suspensions. The extracellular α-glucosidase activity was identified by evaluating the dye-zones in the agar medium. The enzyme from californian poppy callus cultures or from seedling roots cultivated on agar plates supplemented with 1-naphthyl glucopyranoside hydrolysed this substrate releasing 1-naphthol. By simultaneous coupling with hexazonium p-rosaniline the corresponding (reddish-brown) azo-dye was formed.

Key words: α-glucosidase, identification, determination, Eschscholtzia californica.

FLORISTICAL NOTES

JURSA, M. & KOVÁČIK, Ľ., Spirogyra silesiaca - a new species for algal flora of Slovakia. Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 342, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

The first occurrence of Spirogyra silesiaca in Slovakia is described and discussed. The species was recorded during the summer 2004 in the right-side seepage canal of the Hrušov reservoir near the Danube River, south of Bratislava City. It is the first occurrence of this species outside the originally described locality in Golysz (Poland) by KADLUBOWSKA in 1967.

Key words: Conjgatophytes, Spirogyra silesiaca, seepage canal, Danube River, SW Slovakia.

FLAKUS, A., Gyalecta peziza (Gyalectaceae, lichenized Ascomzcota), first record in the Polish Tatry Mts. Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 373-375, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

Gyalecta peziza (MONT.) ANZI, extremely rare species in whole Carpathians range, is reported for the first time from the Polish Tatry Mts. The species is new to Poland. Morphology and ecology of Polish populations are characterized.

Key words: lichenized Ascomycota, Gyalecta peziza, distribution, ecology, mylonite area, Tatry Mts, Carpathians.

ŠMARDA, P. & KOČÍ, K., Festuca alpina, a new species to the flora of Slovakia. Biologia, Bratislava, 60: 383-385, 2005; ISSN 1335-6372.

Festuca alpina subsp. alpina, a member of the Festuca halleri group, was found on the main ridge of the Veľká Fatra Mts (W Carpathians). This species is reported from Slovakia for the first time, and this find is also the first record from the Carpathians. The distribution range of F. alpina includes mainly the Alps and Pyrenees where it usually grows in the fissures of exposed calcareous rocks in the subalpine and alpine zones. The reported locality has relict character and it represents north-western outpost of the species range, situated 280 km far from the nearest localities in the NE Alps. Two living plants and two herbarium specimens were proved to be diploid.

Key words: Festuca halleri group, Alpine plants, flow cytometry, disjunctive distribution, ploidy level, Veľká Fatra Mts, Western Carpathians.