EUPHORIA DAVIDII SUBILS (EUPHORBIACEAE) IN FLORA OF RAILWAY TRACKS OF DNIESTER BAY BAR

Aim. Anthropogenically transformed ecotopes act as a centre for existance of many adventive species. The distribution of North-American species Euphorbia davidii subsp. Poinsettia across various continents is often attributed to the export of grain. For some time scientists have been bringing up the issue about identification of plants E. davidii in new territories, because the species is morphologically similar to E. dentata agg. The species E. davidii is characterised by a high invasive potential, it is a neophyte. In Ukraine the species is represented by separate localities almost throughout the country. It is related to sectors of ports, railway tracks, and abandoned lands. Methods. In the year 2021, by means of route method, in sectors of railway tracks of the Dniester bay bar, between the railway stops Karolina-Buhas and Soniachna (total length is up to eight kilometers) seven localities of E. davidii were distinguished; the coordinates of the locations are listed in the publication. The examined ecotopes are characterised by a crushed stone substratum, with higher temperatures, and also by specific vibrational, insolational and hydrological modes. Results. Both inconsiderable in number of plants localities (32 exemplars) and zones, where the number of plants reaches over 2000 are represented. The extent of habitats ranges from 2 to 20 meters. The height of particular, the most developed individuals constituted 20 cm. As a rule, in the inter-rail space there is a considerably smaller number of plants, however, they are better developed, well-branched and have more inflorescences with fruits. Conclusions. A number of plants from the southern slopes of the railways is typically bigger, however, the plants on the southern slopes (in comparison with the northern ones) are worse developed, branch out less and, at the time of conducting the research were represented by a smaller number of generative individuals. In sandy sectors of the bay bar adjoining the railway tracks the plants E. davidii were almost not noticed. The individuals found in the above-mentioned sectors are characterised by stunted growth, a single stem, almost did not bloom, and did not produce seeds.

North American species of Solidago as ornamental plants and a source of promising raw plant materials

A review of the role of ornamental horticulture as a vector of phytoinvasions is presented on the example of North American species of Solidago: S. canadensis L., S. gigantea Ait and S. graminifolia (L.) Salisb. The first two species were originally cultivated as ornamental plants. With changes in environmental conditions, their range expanded to the north and east of the Eurasian continent, and the lag phase lasted 100-150 years. At the end of the XX century, their secondary range covered all the Eurasian regions, they were transformed into invasive plants and were listed in the Top 100 most threatened and aggressive species that are introduced into natural phytocoenosis and pose a threat to the environment. The secondary range of S. graminifolia is represented by several scattered localities, its lag phase ends, this species is recognized as invasive only in Poland. It has now become evident that alien species can be used as new resource plants. The study of secondary metabolites composition of species of Solidago makes possible the disbursement of a wide range of flavonoids, triterpene saponins, organic acids, and various terpene compounds in their composition. The authors believe that a detailed study of the phytochemical properties and many other widespread invasive species is required in order to identify new plant resources.

North American apple-tree species: sources of useful agronomic traits for breeding

The results of studying the collection of North American apple-tree species are presented. Forms with a whole set of traits interesting for breeding are highlighted, including such features as late flowering schedule, disease resistance, long shelf life of fruits, etc. In addition, the small-fruited ornamental apple-tree (crab apple) accessions obtained from North American species are briefly described, and the most valuable of them are recommended for practical uses.

Greetings from belowground: two new species of truffles in the genus Pachyphlodes (Pezizaceae, Pezizales) from México

Pachyphlodes is a lineage of ectomycorrhizal, hypogeous, sequestrate ascomycete fungi native to temperate and subtropical forests in the Northern Hemisphere. Pachyphlodes species form ectomycorrhizae mainly with Fagales hosts. Here we describe two new species of Pachyphlodes, P. brunnea, and P. coalescens, based on morphological and phylogenetic analysis. Pachyphlodes brunnea is distributed in the states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo León in northern México, occurring with Quercus and Juglans species. It is characterized by its dark brown peridium, white gleba, and spores with capitate columns. Pachyphlodes coalescens is distributed in the states of Michoacán and Tlaxcala in central and southwestern México co-occurring with Quercus and is distinguished by its reddish-brown peridium, light yellow gleba, and spore ornamentation. Both species, along with P. marronina, constitute the Marronina clade. This clade contains North American species characterized by a brown peridium and spores ornamented with capitate spines to coalesced spine tips that form a partial perispore.

A revision of the genus Pachyrhinus Schӧnherr 1823 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Entiminae) in the Nearctic Region

The North American species of the broad-nosed weevil genus Pachyrhinus Schönherr 1823 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Entiminae) are revised. Three species of Pachyrhinus are here recognized in North America: P. elegans (Couper 1865), P. californicus (Horn 1876), and P. cinereus (Casey 1888). Pachyrhinus lateralis (Casey 1888) and P. miscix (Fall 1901) are here designated as synonyms of P. elegans. Pachyrhinus crassicornis (Casey 1888) and P. albidus (Fall 1901) are here designated synonyms of P. cinereus (Casey 1888) The previously proposed synonymy of P. ferrugineus (Casey 1888) with P. californicus was confirmed. This revision includes detailed images of diagnostic characters as well as scanning electron micrographs of scale morphology for all species. A key to the Nearctic species of Pachyrhinus is provided. All Nearctic species of Pachyrhinus are considered minor pests of Pinus spp. [Pinaceae].