A new species of the genus Cerapanorpa (Mecoptera, Panorpidae) from the eastern Bashan Mountains

Cerapanorpa Gao, Ma & Hua, 2016, an endemic genus of Panorpidae in central China’s mountain regions, currently comprises 21 described species. Recently, the short-horned scorpionfly C. brevicornis (Hua & Li, 2007) was confirmed to contain two valid species by phylogeographic and morphological data. Individuals from the highlands of the eastern Bashan Mountains were suggested as a good species, separated from the original short-horned C. brevicornis. Cerapanorpa alpinasp. nov. was described from the alpine zone of the eastern Bashan Mountains in central China. The new species differs from its congeners by the following combination of characters: male bearing an extra-short anal horn on posterior margin of tergum VI; paramere elongate, extending beyond the median tooth of gonostylus and curved laterally at basal half; female medigynium slightly constricted medially without dorsal basal plate. The species number of Cerapanorpa is raised to 22.

Silene aminiradii (Caryophyllaceae), an Interesting Alpine Plant in Iran

Botanical explorations in the alpine zone of the Shahvar and Shah Kouh Mountains from Semnan and Golestan Provinces (northeastern Iran) led to the collection of interesting specimens of the genus Silene L. (Caryophyllaceae). Taxonomic study of these plants and comparison with determined plant specimens showed that the specimens belong to an unknown species. I describe it as S. aminiradii Gholipour, belonging to section Auriculatae (Boiss.) Schischk. from northeastern Iran. The new species is compared with S. lucida Chowdhuri and S. crispans Litv. as the most similar species. Silene aminiradii is a caespitose perennial alpine gynodioecious plant with prostrate stems covered with dense, retrorsely simple hairs. The distribution, ecological features, reproductive phenology, and photos of S. aminiradii are presented.

Morphology and anatomy Anthemis caucasica Chandjian (Asteraceae Dumort.) in Alpine lichen tundra northwest Caucasus

We have studied the morphological and anatomical structure of Anthemis caucasica Chandjian – theendemic of alpine zone of the Caucasus. The plant is characterized by protection from hard ultraviolet radiation, a largesupply of nutrients, moderate growth and flowering. Horizontally lying rhizomes are optimal for occupying highly stonyareas with low competition.

Notes on the distribution, ecology, associated vegetation and conservation status of Gymnadenia (Orchidaceae) in Kosovo

Four species of Gymnadenia are native to Kosovo: G. conopsea, G. frivaldii, G. nigra, and G. odoratissima. In this study, field expedition data, phytosociological relevés, herbarium specimens along with extensive literature sources were used to analyse vegetation and ecological characteristics, habitat types, distributional patterns as well as provide notes on conservation. Gymnadenia conopsea is distributed throughout the country, from lowlands to the alpine belt. It was recorded in various plant communities. Gymnadenia frivaldii grows in the alpine zone of mountains, close to streams and in wet meadows. Its relevés belong to the class Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae. This species is classified as “Near Threatened” (NT) in Kosovo. Gymnadenia nigra grows in subalpine and alpine grassland on preferably calcareous substrate. It has been found in almost all mountains reaching >2000 m a.s.l., and occurs in different plant communities belonging to the class: Elyno-Seslerietea. Gymnadenia odoratissima was recorded from one locality only in Kosovo, on the massif of Maja e Zezë, Sharri Mts. It was growing in degraded beech forest and meadows on silicate bedrock. Its floristically diverse relevés associate with the class: Mulgedio-Aconitetea. Of the four studied species, G. frivaldii deserves more conservation attention because of its fragile populations.

Endemics determine bioregionalization in the alpine zone of the Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot (South-West Asia)

Alpine habitats are characterized by a high rate of range restricted species compared to those of lower elevations. This is also the case for the Irano-Anatolian global biodiversity hotspot in South-West Asia, which is a mountainous area harbouring a high amount of endemic species. Using two quantitative approaches, Endemicity Analysis and Network-Clustering, we want to identify areas of concordant species distribution patterns in the alpine zone of this region as well as to test the hypothesis that, given the high proportion of endemics among alpine species, delimitation of these areas is determined mainly by endemic alpine species, i.e., areas of concordant species distribution patterns are congruent with areas of endemism. Endemicity Analysis identified six areas of concordant species distribution patterns irrespective of dataset (total alpine species versus endemic alpine species), whereas the Network-Clustering approach identified five and four Bioregions from total alpine species and endemic alpine species, respectively. Most of these areas have been previously identified using the endemic flora of different elevational zones. The identified units using both methods and both datasets are strongly congruent, proposing that they reveal meaningful distribution patterns. Bioregionalization in the Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot appears to be strongly influenced by the endemic alpine species, a pattern likely to hold in alpine regions outside the Irano-Anatolian hotspot.

Fungi associated with disease symptoms on Pinus mugo needles in the Polish Tatra Mountains

Dwarf mountain pine, Pinus mugo, is an important component of the subalpine and alpine zone in Europe. For several years, in one of the natural areas of the occurrence of this species in the Polish Tatras, an intensified decline of the assimilation apparatus has been observed. The studies conducted in 2016–2020 were aimed at determining the types of disease symptoms occurring on P. mugo needles and at identifying the species composition of fungi within symptomless and diseased needles. We isolated 57 taxa from 6 types of disease symptoms and from needles without disease symptoms, identified on the basis of morphological features and molecular analyses. Absolute parasites were represented by only one species of Coleosporium senecionis, which was identified by the aecium stage. The genus Lophodermium was represented by three species: L. conigenum, L. corconticum and L. pini-mugonis. So far, L. corconticum was known only from the Karkonosze Mountains in Poland, and L. pini-mugonis from the German Alps. In addition, the more frequently isolated species included: Sydowia polyspora, Hendersonia sp., Nemania serpens, Leptomelanconium allescheri, Cladosporium spp., Biscogniauxia nummularia and Alternaria spp. Some taxa were associated with only one type of disease symptom, while some species of fungi were found to be associated with different symptoms. Twelve species of fungi were isolated from living symptomless needles, some of which were subsequently found in association with nectrotic areas on needles, e.g., Lophodermium corconticum, L. conigenum and Leptomelanconium allescheri. L. pinastri has not been found in the present studies. In the discussion, an attempt was made to assess the role of some of the identified species of fungi in causing the disease process of P. mugo needles.