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Taxonomical studies on selected species of Russula sect. Xerampelinae |
| Principal investigator: S. Adamcík |
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Scientific co-workers:
S. Ripková (Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Botany)
Duration: 01/2008 - 12/2010
Grant agency: VEGA 2/0140/08
Key words: mycology, taxonomy, macrofungi, Russula
Project summary:
Members of the genus Russula are important ectomycorrhizal symbiots of woody plants and they
contribute to ecological stability of forest ecosystems. More than 200 species are known from the area of
Europe and members of the genus are much more numberous worldwide. The project emphasis to the taxonomical
studies of selected members of Russula sect. Xerampelinae (Russulaceae, Basidiomycota,
fungi). Morphological studies of recently collected material are the most important part and comparison of
results with studies on type and other original material of known taxa. The measured data will be
statistically evaluated and compared with sequences of DNA.
Goals of the project:
The main aim is to morphologically delimitate taxa associated with oak, to specify valid names and synonymy
and to designate types. Other important aim is to verify morphological and genetic homogenity of Russula faginea and R. clavipes.
Results:
Material recently collected from Europe, North and Latin America has been classified to the morphological
groups based on microscopical observations. Delimitation of the morphological groups has been verified by
molecular studies on several genes of DNA. The studies include also observations on original material of all
known representatives of the section. In total, 16 American and 9 European members of the Russula sect. Xerampelinae
have been recognised. Only 6 of American species have been identified with previously described taxa.
The studies have not confirmed occurrence of any European species in the area of America. Several species
considered as related have been excluded from the section based on studies on original material and, moreover,
several of them have been identified with recently collected material. One American species Russula texensis
has been described as new for science and other 9 prepared for publication. Except of improvement of
delimitation of known European taxa, two additional species R. amemoides and R. nuoljae
(not accepted in the recent literature) have been recognised.
PUBLICATIONS RELATED TO THE PROJECT:
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Diversity of selected orders of phytopathogenic fungi in Slovakia |
| Principal investigator: K. Bacigálová |
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Scientific co-workers:
E. Záletová,
K. Zlochová
Duration: 01/2007 – 12/2009
Grant agency: VEGA 2/7067/27
Key words: botany, mycology, taxonomy Oomycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, Deuteromycetes
Project summary:
The goal of this project is the study of species spectrum, variability and chorology of selected taxonomic
groups of phytopathogenic fungi and their host plants in Slovakia. The basic taxonomicaly-chorological
research of the natural vegetation of phytopathogenic micromycetes on the Slovak territory will contribute
to the knowledge on species and genus diversity of selected fungi Oomycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes
and Deuteromycetes (Taphrinales, Erysiphales, Exobasidiomycetes, Uredinales, Ustilaginales, Hyphomycetes)
of the studied area. The taxonomical revision of problematical polymorphic groups will be realized, including
nomenclature, typification, morphometrics and distribution of differentiated taxa. The study will be focused on
selected species of microscopic fungi of the mentioned taxa, their occurrence and distribution in Slovak territory
will be elaborated.
Scientific goals:
Creation of annotated checklist of micromycetes taxa and their hosts (including localities)
from selected areas in Slovakia.
| Principal investigator: P. Lizoň |
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Research team:
S. Adamčík,
V. Kučera (Institute of Botany, S.A.S, Bratislava),
S. Ripková (Department of Botany, Faculty of Natural Sciences
Comenius University, Bratislava)
Duration: 01/2007 - 12/2009
Grant agency: VEGA 2/7071/27
Project summary:
Fungi are, besides of insects, taxonomically the richest and the less known group of organisms.
There are reported about 5000 species of fungi in Slovakia but the estimated number of should be
over 24000 taxa. More that 300 taxa were described as new from Slovakia during past two centuries.
Their biosystematics, phylogenetic relationships and their identity and delimitation are unknown or doubtful.
Expected results and data will be implemented to the international project “Fungal Tree of Life”
reconstructing phylogeny of fungi and associated organisms, as well to evaluations of biodiversity and
changes of environment.
Scientific goals: 1st period
- Taxonomic and bibliographic database:
- Processing of published data
- Identification of taxonomic novelties
- Identification of original description of taxa
- Identification and location of nomenclaturale types
- Re-construction of taxonomic concepts:
- Comparision of original autor conceps and nomenclatural types
- Designation of nomenclatural types (if missing)
Scientific goals: 2nd period
- Analysis of biosystematics of taxa:
- Evaluation of morphometric data
- Determination of relationships within genera and families
- Completion of results:
- Delimitation of taxonomic position of studied taxa
- Compilation of formal nomenclature
- Arrangement of data for publication
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Species structure of lichens as important biodiversity components of selected areas in Slovakia |
| Principal investigator: A. Guttová |
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Research team:
A. Lackovičová,
E. Lisická,
I. Pišút
Duration: 01/2007 – 12/2009
Grant agency: VEGA 2/7068/27
Synopsis of the project:
The project is targeted to complex research of lichens, species structure, taxonomic questions and phytogeography
within selected areas in Slovakia. Substantial contribution of the project is acquisition of unique information
on lichen species structure. The information will be gathered by personal field work. All relevant historical
entries on the occurrence of lichens will be summarized as a complement to the knowledge of total lichen diversity
within the selected areas. Significant contribution from lichenological viewpoint will be to solve relevant
taxonomic problems, which will refine hitherto knowledge on representation of particular species in Slovakia.
The obtained results will be applied for habitat status assessment in Slovakia and for solving of further
obligations of Slovakia resulting from its memeberhship in European Union.
Goals: 1st period
- assessment of standing representation of particular components of lichen-flora in selected areas in Slovakia
- safeguard complementation of distributional data of components of lichen-flora in selected areas in Slovakia
- clarifying actual taxonomic problems and relevant nomenclatorial inacuracies
- refinement of territorial borders of phytogeografically specific taxa
- summing up the occurrence of lichens on some anthropogenic substrates
- preliminary summaries of gathered results, standardisation of result compilation, drawing up drafts of the manuscripts of scientific studies
Goals: 2nd period
- follow-up data completion (distribution of particular components of lichen-flora in selected areas in Slovakia)
- synthesis of gathered data and their analysis with an emphasis on identification of species structure
- result processing, drawing up manuscripts of scientific studies and submission of manuscripts to home and away scientific journals
- drawing up manuscript of monographs
| Principal investigator: F. Hindák |
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Co-investigator:
A. Hindáková
Duration: 2007 – 2009
Grant agency: VEGA 2/7069/27
Key words: Cyanobacteria, Algae, thermophilic/akrothermic microflora, Piešťany,
Sklené Teplice, Slovakia
Project summary:
Local distribution of particular cyanobacterial and algal species in selected natural localities at Piešťany and
Sklené Teplice Spa according to their dependence on the temperature gradient. Evaluation of the present stay
of communities of akrothermic prokaryotic cyanobacteria and thermophilic cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae.
Study of life cycles, morphological variability of main diagnostic features, mode of asexual and sexual
reproductions, resting stages in the field material and in the material cultivated under laboratory conditions
by the light (LM) and electron (EM) microscopy. Isolation of monoalgal cultures of akrothermic/thermophilic
microorganisms by direct and indirect methods and their maintenance in the Culture collection of
cyanophytes and algae at the Institute of Botany SAS, the only in Slovakia, and for specialized culture
collections abroad. Studies of diatom frustules and algal loricae with scanning electron microscopy (SEM),
documentation by permanent slides, drawings and images. Contribution of phototrophic microorganisms to the
maturation of the curative mud (pelloid) at Piešťany Spa, and to biolithogenesis of the travertine
at Sklené Teplice Spa. International co-operation with phycologists and microbiologists, namely from the
neighbouring countries, esp. from the Czech Republic. Publications in scientific journals and final monographs
on phototrophic microorganisms of investigated thermal springs (Atlas and/or CD of cyanobacteria and algae from
thermal waters in the territory of Slovakia).
Scientific goals for the first period of this project
- Critical evaluation of published literary data on distribution and diversity of akrothermic and thermophilic microorganisms in hot springs.
- The present stay of communities of akrothermic prokaryotic cyanobacteria and thermophilic cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae at Piešťany (W Slovakia, about 75 km to NNE from Bratislava) and Sklené Teplice Spa (C Slovakia, near Banská Štiavnica) using the latest monographies and other modern taxonomic publications.
- Diversity of particular cyanobacterial and algal species and distribution according to their dependence on the temperature gradient in selected natural habitats at Piešťany and Sklené Teplice Spa.
- Light microscopy (LM) studies of life cycles and natural morphological variation of cyanobacteria and algae (namely diatoms and green algae).
- Isolation of clonal strains of cyanobacteria and algae by direct and inderect methods.
- Studies of isolated strains of akrothermic and termophilic cyanobacteria and algae from thermal springs under laboratory conditions (different nutritive media, light intensity and temperature, i.e. crossed gradients of temperature and light).
- Ultrastructure of cyanobacteria and algae (esp. diatom frustules and loricae of algal flagellates) by SEM.
- Documentation of discovered cyanobacteria and algae by drawings and images (colour prints and slides).
- Presentation of scientific results in seminars, workshops and conferences in Slovakia and abroad.
Scientific goals for the second period of this project
(= continuation of scientific goals of the first stage of the solution)
- Distribution of cyanobacteria and algae in investigated thermal springs in relation to environmental conditions, horizontal and vertical temperature gradient.
- Isolation of new akrothermic and thermophilic clonal strains, maintenance of the culture collection at the Institute of Botany SAS.
- Cultivation of akrothermic and termophilic cyanobacteria and algae from thermal springs under laboratory conditions (nutritive media, crossed gradient of temperature and light).
- Main diagnostic characters of selected cyanobacteria and algae based on the field and laboratory studies.
- Floristic and taxonomic studies on thermophilic cyanobacteria and algae.
- Database of found biodiversity of akrothermic and termophilic cyanobacteria and algae.
- Summarising results and monographies (incl. Atlas and/or CD) on akrothermic and thermophilic phototrophic microorganisms from Piešťany and Sklené Teplice Spa.
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Lowland and submontane bryophyte flora and bryocoenoses |
| Principal investigator: A. Kubinská |
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Scientific co-workers: K. Janovicová, K. Kresáňová, R. Šoltés
Duration: 2007 – 2009
Grant agency: VEGA 2/7070/27
Key words: bryophytes, Slovakia, biodiversity, bryocoenosis
Project summary:
Since the habitat protection is a presumption for the bryophyte conservation policy, the mapping of bryologically
important habitats is crucial, especially ancient forests, wet meadows and peatlands, agrocoenosis and biorefugia
in urbanneous environment. While studying the chorology, ecology, biology and phenology, the investigation will
be focused on the species included in the Appendix I of the Bern Convention, Habitat Directive, on the European
important species, relic and endemic species of Slovakia.
Scientific goals:
The submitted project includes 3 main goals
- Monitoring and mapping of bryologically important habitats in selected areas of Slovakia– Borská nížina lowland, Podunajská nížina lowland and Spišská Magura Mts;
- Distribution of poorly known and rare bryocoenoses, especially hygrophilous, epiphytic, epixylic and antropogenous bryophyte communities;
- Chorology and dynamics of rare and endangered bryophytes.