Le « Pedicularis » della serie « Foliosae » Maxim. della Flora italiana

Abstract

The « Pedicularis » of the series « Foliosae » Maxim, in the Italian Flora. – The paper deals with the badly known distribution of Pedicularis foliosa L., P. hoermanniana K. Maly and P. hacquetii Graf (ser. Foliosae Maxim.) both in Europe and in Italy. The illyrian P. hoermanniana occurs also in central Italy, being therefore a typical periadriatic entity. It completely substitutes the two others species in the Italian peninsula.     

La distribuzione dell'acido l-ascorbico nelle foglie di piante officinali italiane. Aspetti quantitativi e tassonomici

Abstract

Distribution of l-ascorbic acid in leaves of Italian officinal plants. Quantitative and taxonomic aspects.—Fresh samples of 119 Italian officinal plants belonging to 41 families of Angiosperme were assayed for l-ascorbic acid content.

Estimation of data as reported by Seybold and Mehner indicates that relatively high contents are generally found among the Rosaceae, while low amounts are usual within Asteraceae. However, species with leaves rich in l-ascorbic acid may be found at widely different places of the taxonomic system.

Since the vitamin C is widespread in the plant kingdom it has been recommended the indication of the exact amount of vitamin C when a plant is reported as antiscorbutic.

Finally the knowledge of families whose species more frequently show large amounts of vitamin C may facilitate researches of edible wild plants with high content of vitamin C.     

Germinability and fungal occurrence in seeds of Abies alba Mill. populations in southern Italy

Abstract

Germination tests were carried out on seeds from three Italian populations of Abies alba. Seed germinability was up to 38%. HgCl₂, NaClO and plant preservative mixture were used as seed‐sterilising agents. Despite chemical treatments, Papulaspora rubida and Chaetomium globosum were isolated. The possible role of these fungi in the physiology of silver fir seed germination process was discussed.     

Hierochloë odorata (L.) Beauv. confermata per la flora italiana

Abstract

On the presence of Hierochloë odorata (L.) Beauv. in Italy.—H. odorata has been found in an oligotrophic marsh in the Italian part of the Eastern Alps and therefore definitively confirmed for the flora of Italy. An extended population occurs at 1800 m above sea level near Misurina, in the Dolomites (province of Belluno). All preceding records of H. odorata for the Italian flora must be referred to H. australis (Schrader) R.&S. Differential characters and distribution of the two species are shortly discussed.     

Antrodia onychoides (Egel.) Ryv. specie nuova per l'Italia. II

Abstract

Antrodia onychoides (Egel.) Ryv., new to Italy and very rare species in Europe. II. - The paper is concerned with the first Italian collection of A. onychoides, a resupinate polypore. From the literature, this is the fourth European finding of Antrodia onychoides and follows the first collection, occurred in 1913 near Oslo, in Norway, the second in France and the third in Finland.

Macroscopically A. onychoides could be misdetermined as a Tyromyces however, on the basis of microscopical features, there is no doubt concerning its determination as a species of Antrodia genus.     

Taxonomic revision of the Koeleria splendens C. Presl group (Poaceae) in Italy based on morphological characters

Abstract

The Italian populations of Koeleria splendens C. Presl, critical group of the Mediterranean flora, are examined from the taxonomic and nomenclatural viewpoints. On the basis of literature data, herbarium investigations and field surveys, many morphologically well-differentiated taxa have been recognized. This group is widespread in the Italian peninsula and Sicily, where it is represented by the following units: K. splendens C. Presl, with four subspecies [subsp. splendens, subsp. grandiflora (Bertol. ex Schultes) Domin, subsp. brutia Brullo, Gangale & Uzunov, and subsp. ophiolitica subsp. nova], K. lucana sp. nova, K. subcaudata (Ascherson & Graebner) Ujhelyi, K. australis Kerner, K. callieri (Domin) Ujhelyi, and K. insubrica sp. nova. As concerns their distribution, both K. splendens and K. lucana are endemic to the Italian territory, while the other species occur also in some eastern Mediterranean countries. The taxonomic position of K. lobata, recently treated by some authors as a synonym of K. splendens, is also examined. A phylogenetic analysis was performed using morphological characters. Finally, a detailed iconography of the main morphological features and an analytical key of the Italian taxa (K. lobata included) are given.     

Note critiche sulla flora d'Italia. II. Il gruppo di Minuartia verna

Abstract

Critical notes on the flora of Italy. II. The Minuartia verna group. The following paper contains a re-examination of the Minuartia verna–complex in Italy based on a revision of herbarium-specimens and observations in nature. The author proposes to divide this polymorphic species into 4 subspecies. Two of them (subsp. verna and subsp. collina) are largely corresponding to the opinion of earlier authors. The subsp. attica is also represented in the flora of Southern Italy, but Italian populations are slightly different from those of Greece (which must be regarded as typical). The subsp. grandiflora living in a small area in Sicily, which was incompletely known, is described and its relations to the other subspecies are discussed.     

A phytosociological survey of the Corynephorus canescens (L.) Beauv. communities of Italy

Abstract

In Italy, Corynephorus communities are distributed along the medium course of the Ticino river and Sesia river and the internal sand dunes of Lomellina (through the Vercelli, Novara and Pavia provinces); these stations represent the southern limit of European distribution of this habitat. A phytosociological study was carried out to gain better knowledge of their composition; of their affinity or diversity against the central European communities; of their distribution and of the main threats to their conservation. Original and literature relevés (114) were elaborated producing a cluster analysis; correspondence analysis (CA), principal component analysis and Kruskal–Wallis test were carried on to characterize the clusters of relevés taking into consideration biological forms, chorological groups, Ellenberg indicator values and floristic groups. Italian Corynephorus communities can be attributed to the following syntaxa: Spergulo vernalis-Corynephoretum canescentis, Spergulo vernalis-Corynephoretum canescentis cladonietosum, Spergulo vernalis-Corynephoretum canescentis silenetosum nutantis and Spergulo vernalis-Corynephoretum canescentis artemisietosum campestris. Italian Corynephorus communities are included in the Habitat 2330 of the EU Habitat Directive. They are threatened by different factors (such as restricted areas of occurrence, alien plant invasion and natural dynamics) and they need to be managed if we want to conserve them.     

Tre nuove specie di Stigmatomyces (Ascomycetes,Laboulbeniales) parassite di Ditteri italiani

Abstract

New species of Stigmatomyces (Ascomycetes, Laboulbeniales) parasitic on Italian Diptera. – Three new Laboulbeniales parasitic on Italian Diptera are described: Stigmatomyces asteiae, parasitic on Asteia amoena Meig. (Asteiidae), Stigmatomyces athyroglossae, parasitic on Athyroglossa glabra (Meig.) (Ephydridae), and Stigmatomyces geomyzae, parasitic on Geomyza tripunctata Fall. (Opomyzidae).     

Species of natural hybrid origin and misinformation in the Irises: A reappraisal of the presence of I. aphylla L. in Italy

Abstract

The identity and status of the records of Iris aphylla L. for Italy are reconsidered. The authors are of the opinion that I. perrieri Simonet ex N. Service, present in Savoy, France, is genetically and morphologically distinct from I. aphylla, and that the Italian populations from Piemonte are in fact conspecific with I. perrieri. In addition, we consider that another iris, I. benacensis A. Kern. ex Stapf , which occurs near Lago di Garda (Mt. Brione) and is often also regarded as a synonym of I. aphylla, is not conspecific with either I. aphylla or I. perrieri. Macro-, micro-morphological and biosystematic data obtained during this investigation suggest a possible natural hybrid origin of these species and confirm the opinion of the authors, which is justified also by the different chromosome numbers and distribution of the taxa examined.     

Nuovo contributo alla conoscenza delle Laboulbeniali (Ascomycetes) parassite di Stafilinidi italiani (Insecta,Coleoptera)

Abstract

A new contribution to the knowledge of Laboulbeniales (Ascomycetes) parasitic on Italian Staphylinidae (Insecta, Coleoptera).—Two new Laboulbeniales occurring on Italian Staphylinidae are described: Camptomyces europaeus, parasitic on Astenus thoracicus Baudi (Paederinae) and Corethromyces sardous, parasitic on Pseudobium labile (Er.) (Paederinae). Furthermore, the following species are reported for the first time in Italy: Compsomyces verticillatus (Thaxt.), Haplomyces texanus Thaxt., Smeringomyces anomalus (Thaxt.) and Teratomyces actobii Thaxt.     

A critical evaluation of the Italian distribution of the rare macrolichen Usnea longissima Ach.

Abstract

The Italian distribution of the rare boreal–circumpolar macrolichen Usnea longissima is revised on the basis of a critical re-evaluation of bibliographic and field data. Reported from all Alpine regions of Italy, the species presently survives only in two neighbouring Alpine valleys of Friuli and Veneto. The Friulian population consists of a few thalli on a single tree near the lake of Sauris, while in Veneto scattered populations were observed in nine stands of Val Visdende with ca. 200 colonised trees. The species seems to be locally extinct in Trentino-Alto Adige. Earlier records from Lombardy, Piedmont and Aosta Valley are wrong or at least questionable. Usnea longissima can be considered as critically endangered at the national level. Some recommendations for forest managers are proposed.     

Cambrian Acritarchs from the Col di Foglia (Agordo) southalpine metamorphic basement, Italian Eastern Alps: the oldest biostratigraphic record in the alps

Abstract  The Lower Palaeozoic biostratigraphic records in the Alps are briefly reviewed and the result of a new study of the acritarch assemblage found by Sassi et al. (1984) in the greenschist facies black metapelites of the Southalpine metamorphic basement at Col di Foglia, and studied by Kalvacheva et al. (1986), is presented. The new  taxonomic and biostratigraphic study indicates a late Cambrian age, which is the oldest unquestionable, recently assessed, biostratigraphic dating of the entire Alps, as well as of the Italian peninsular. Keywords Alps, Southalpine metamorphic basement, Eastern Alps, Agordo, Acritarchs, Cambrian Subject codes: G17002     

Su alcune Carex nuove per le Marche o per il versante adriatico della Penisola Italiana

Abstract

About some « Carex » new for the Marche Region or for the Adriatic side of the Italian Peninsula. — We give information about the presence in the Marche region of six new or unpublished Carex in this district; they are: C. distachya Desf., C. Grioleti Roem., C. pallescens L., C. nitida Host, C. olbiensis Jord. and C. depauperata Good. Amongst them, we must consider C. Grioleti as new in the whole Adriatic basin, while C. nitida, C. olbiensis and C. depauperata result as new or unpublished in the whole Adriatic side of the Italian Peninsula, or in a good part of it. Information is given about the distribution and the ecology of every single species in this district; we linger especially over the C. Grioleti, for the particular importance and significance of this taxon.     

Cyathodium Kunze (Cyathodiaceae: Marchantiales), a tropical liverwort genus and family new to Europe,in Southern Italy

Abstract

The tropical liverwort Cyathodium, and the family Cyathodiaceae are reported, as new to Europe, growing beneath a deeply shaded dripping recess in the Valle delle Ferriere, a limestone valley near Amalfi, on the Sorrento Peninsula, Southern Italy. The Italian specimens closely match C. foetidissimum Schiffn. from the tropics, but internal cells in the air chambers and crystals in epidermal cells are noted for the first time in the genus. As assumed for a population of the tropical fern Woodwardia radicans (L.) Sm. living in the same area, the Italian population of Cyathodium is most probably a pre-glacial relic rather than a recent arrival from sub-Saharan Africa. Thallus structure in Cyathodium is compared with that of two other deep-shade marchantialean liverworts, Dumortiera and Monoclea, which also exhibit structural adaptation to maximize interception of low irradiances. As in the protonemata of Schistostega, the green luminescence in Cyathodium results from light reflection and is probably a mechanism enhancing light interception.     

A partnership project for a new Red List of the Italian Flora

Abstract

The IUCN Red Lists assessment provides an internationally accepted system to verify the extinction risk of species. Working Groups of the Italian Botanical Society have recently discussed the importance of producing a reliable list of species at the national level. This list could be the starting point for future in situ and ex situ plant conservation activities.     

Nuove Stazioni di Festuca Laxa Host in Territorio Italiano e Considerazioni Sistematiche Sulla Sua Indipendenza Da Festuca Dimorpha Guss

Abstract

New localities of «Festuca laxa» Host in the Italian territory and systematic considerations about its indipendence from «F. dimorpha» Guss. Some new localities of Festuca laxa are given for the Alps of Friuli (Northeastern Italy), which show that this species takes part also of Italian Flora. Until now it was known only for Austria and Jugoslavia. The paper furthermore deals with some anatomical differences in the leaf — structure of the two fescues, as to see in transections. F. laxa has normally 3 larger vascular bundles, which are wholly enclosed by T-shaped sclerenchyma and 4(8–9) smaller veins, where the sclerenchyma occurs only in the abaxial face of the blade. F. dimorpha on the contrary has 5 larger bundles and usually 6 smaller ones. The number of the secondary veins depends in both cases on the various sizes of the leaves. Also the cenotic and ecological behaviour of F. laxa is shortly illustrated on the basis of two phytosociological records.     

Progranulin Genetic Screening in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Patients From Central Italy

Recently, mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) were reported to account for the vast majority of Frontotemporal lobar Degeneration (FTLD) and a growing number of reports describe the implication of this gene in the development of the FTLD pathology with a significant variation in clinical features. To better clarify the contribution of GRN mutations to Italian FTLD, we screened 381 subjects: 171 cases and 210 healthy subjects, all from Central Italy, particularly of Tuscan origins. GRN gene was analyzed using High Resolution Melting Analysis and automated Genetic Analyzer. Human Progranulin ELISA Kit was employed to determine the plasma progranulin levels. The screening showed a total of six genetic variants in the GRN gene: 3 pathogenic and 3 non pathogenic in 13 out of 171 patients. The rare intronic variant IVS2 +7 G > A was found in one patient. The pathogenetic mutation, p.T272SfsX10, is confirmed as the most common GRN mutation in Italian FTLD patients with a frequency in our study of 2.32%. Moreover, we identified the first Italian patient with the p.R493X mutation, to date described in 43 families worldwide. Our data report, for the first time, the occurrence of GRN mutations in Tuscany, Central Italy, confirming that genetic variations in this gene could be a considerable genetic cause of FTLD and that genetic screening might be useful both in familial and sporadic FTLD patients.