Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Echinocystis lobata (Mich.) Torr. ET Gray (Cucurbitaceae)

Echinocystis lobata (Mich.) Torr. et Gray extracts were investigated for their bioactive compounds and their potential for natural antioxidant properties. In vitro antioxidant activity of methanol, ethanol, and water extracts were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of fruits and seeds were determined. TPC is a fairly constant value and varies weakly both among the different organs of Echinocystis lobata and among the geographical locations of the populations studied. Like other invasive species, Echinocystis lobata is superior to many other plants in terms of the total amount of flavonoids contained in its fruits and seeds. The dried fruits contain more flavonoids than the seeds. Seeds from Slovak populations have higher flavonoid content than those from Russian populations. The results demonstrated that Echinocystis lobata can be a good source of natural antioxidants and have a great potential for commercialization, especially in the pharmaceutical industry.

Vascular plants and bryophytes of the natural monument «Petrovskoe boloto» (Russia, Bryansk Region): the preliminary lists

According to the results of the study of the flora of the natural monument of regional natural monument «Pe-trovskoe swamp» (Russia, Bryansk Region, Mglinsky district), carried out in 2018–2019, annotated lists of vas-cular plants and bryophytes were compiled. The flora of vascular plants includes 367 species from 80 families. The largest number of species is found in the families Asteraceae (40 species), Poaceae (34), Rosaceae (25), Fabaceae (19), Cyperaceae, Lamiaceae and Apiaceae (17), Caryophyllaceae (13), Ranunculaceae (15), Brassi-caceae and Scrophylariaceae (10). 5 of these species are listed in the regional Red Data Book (Krasnaia..., 2016): Diphasiastrum complanatum, Juniperus communis, Lathyrus pisiformis, Pulsatilla patens, Sanicula europaea. Alien species were recorded, including those spreading from cultivated coenoses in nearby settlements: Acer negundo, Amelanchier spicata, Echinocystis lobata, Helianthus tuberosus, Hemerocallis fulva, Hesperis pycnotricha, Levisticum officinalis, Oxalis stricta, Rudbeckia laciniata, Saponaria officinali, Sorbaria sorbifolia. Bryophytes belong to 107 species in 41 families. New localities of mosses listed in the regional Red Data Book were discovered: Homalia trichomanoides, Neckera pennata, Sphagnum jensenii. Indicator species of old-growth forests were noted: Anomodon longifolius, Homalia trichomanoides, Hypnum cupressiforme, Neckera pennata, Stereodon pallescens.

Database of anthropogenic vegetation of the Urals and adjacent territories

The main data on the geobotanical database – Database of antropogenic vegetation of Urals and adjacent territories registered in the Global Index of Vegetation-Plot Databases and the European Vegetation Archive are presented. The database includes more than 4,000 complete geobotanical relevés made between 1984 and 2020. The database contains the territories of 3 subjects of the Russian Federation (the Republic of Bashkortostan, Orenburg, Chelyabinsk regions) and 1 - the Republic of Kazakhstan (Aktobe region). For each relevés, a complete list of species with indication of abundance in points on the Braun-Blanquet scale. The main indicators (total cover, average height of the grass, etc.). For most descriptions, GPS coordinates and location are given. The ecological conditions were assessed with use of average values of E. Landolt scale. In the J. Braun-Blanquet classification system, all communities included in the database belong to nine vegetation classes (7 anthropogenic and 2 semi-natural), 75 associations and various types of communities. Geobotanical relevés with the dominance of such aggressive invasive species (Acer negundo, Ambrosia psylostachya, Echinocystis lobata, Elodea canadensis, Solidago canadensis, Heracleum sosnowskyi, Hordeum jubatum, Xanthium albinum etc.) are also included in the database.

Floristic findings in the Kabardino-Balkar Republic (Central Caucasus)

The article presents information on floristic findings in the Kabardino-Balkari Republic. As a result of expedition research in 2020-2021 and inventory studies in the Herbarium of the Tembotov Institute of Ecology of Mountain Territories RAS, we revealed nine species new to the Kabardino-Balkar Republic and new locations of ten vascular plants species. Species new to the region flora were Carex acuta, Genista angustifolia, Amorpha fruticosa, Ambrosia psilostachya, Mercurialis annua, Echinocystis lobata, Phlomis majkopensis, Cleistogenes squarrosa, Bidens frondosa. New locations of seven species were identified for the Balkarskiy floristic region. These were three native species (Carex flacca subsp. erythrostachys, C. songorica, Eriophorum latifolium) and four alien species (Oenothera biennis, Elsholtzia ciliata, Sigesbeckia orientalis, Bidens frondosa). Carex elongata, Genista angustifolia, Ambrosia psilostachya, Mercurialis annua, Cleistogenes squarrosa, Amaranthus albus and alien species Acer negundo were revealed for the Tsentralno-Elbrusskiy and Kabardinskiy floristic regions, respectively. We also found the alien species Amorpha fruticosa, Echinocystis lobata and rare steppe species Phlomis majkopensis, Glaucium corniculatum in the Tursko-Sunzhensky floristic region. We provided data on floristic findings indicating the coordinates of the locations, species habitat preferences, and distribution in the Caucasus according to earlier literary sources.

The urban flora of the Yanaul city (Republic of Bashkortostan)

The work is based on the data of field studies carried out by the route method during 2017–2018 within the ad-ministrative boundaries of Yanaul city (Republic of Bashkortostan). According to research results, the flora of Yanaul includes 485 species of vascular plants from 286 genera and 81 families; 174 species are adventive, of which 38 can be classified as invasive and potentially invasive species. Among the most aggressive invasive species are Acer negundo, Echinocystis lobata, Elodea canadensis, Heracleum sosnowskyi, Hordeum jubatum, Lupinus polyphyllus, Xanthium album. Also, large areas within the city are occupied by an invasive species Soli-dago gigantea. 1 relict species (Campanula trachelium) was recorded, growing in the preserved areas with natu-ral vegetation. For each species, the attachment to certain habitats and the frequency of occurrence are given. For adventive species, information on the time, way of invasion and degree of naturalization are indicated. For inva-sive species, their status is indicated.

Field explorations in the Novgorod province together with Tamara Nikolaevna Onipko (Smekalova)

The article describes field explorations carried out together with Tamara N. Onipko (Smekalova) in 1980 in the Pestovsky District of the Novgorod Province. The description of living conditions and floristic research is given. As a result of the research, 19 species of vascular plants were discovered, new for the entire Novgorod region at that time. These are aboriginal species Phleum phleoides (L.) Karst., Festuca brevipila R. Tracey, Epipogium aphyllum Sw., Salix daphnoides Vill., Eremogone saxatilis (L.) Ikonn., Scleranthus perennis L., Alchemilla subcrenata Bus., Lotus zhegulensis Klok., Euphrasia parviflora Schag., Ptarmica salicifolia (Bess.) Serg., Hieracium diaphanoides Lindeb., and also some invasive plants, quite rare at that time: Corispermum marschallii Stev., Lepidium latifolium L., Medicago romanica Prod., Securigera varia (L.) Lassen, Geranium sibiricum L., Impatiens glandulifera Royle, Cruciata laevipes Opiz, Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. et Gray. Almost 60 species were found to be new for the Mologa floristic region.

Draft Genome Sequences of Acinetobacter sp. Strain EKM10A, Enterobacter hormaechei EKM10E, and Enterobacter hormaechei EKM11E (Phylum Proteobacteria) Colonizing the Seed Surface Biogel of Echinocystis lobata (Wild Cucumber)

Here, we report the draft genome sequences of Acinetobacter sp. strain EKM10A, Enterobacter hormaechei EKM10E, and Enterobacter hormaechei EKM11E, containing 3,978,352, 4,760,222, and 4,758,163 bp, respectively. These seed biogel-associated endophytes were previously isolated from the seed wash of Echinocystis lobata (wild cucumber) and tested in vitro for antagonism against soilborne fungal/oomycete pathogens.

Native generalist consumers interact strongly with seeds of the invasive wild cucumber (Echinocystis lobata)

When alien plant species arrive in a new environment, they develop novel interactions with native biota that can range from negative to positive. Determining the nature and strength of these interactions is integral to understanding why some aliens are suppressed and others become highly invasive pests. For introduced terrestrial plants, seed and seedling interactions with native biota are crucial, because most nascent populations start from seed. Herein, we explored interactions between native generalist rodent and bird consumers and seeds of the invasive wild cucumber Echinocystis lobata by conducting seed-offering experiments in Poland. We also evaluated how interspecific competition from native plants and intraspecific competition from clustering of E. lobata seed (clustering resembling consumer seed caching) affected survival of seedlings and young plants. Native consumers interacted strongly with E. lobata seeds, with rodents removing 98% of seeds from ground locations and birds removing 24% of elevated seeds. Camera and live traps indicated that striped field mice Apodemus agrarius were the predominant rodent removing seeds. Camera traps and visual observations indicated that great tits Parus major and European jays Garrulus glandarius were the primary bird species removing elevated seeds. While some level of seed removal was likely attributable to seed predation, as indicated by seed coat remains, we also observed evidence that rodents may cache E. lobata seeds and Garrulus glandarius are known to cache and disperse seeds. Monitoring of seedlings indicated that increasing cover of native plants and clustering of E. lobata seedlings both reduced survival of seedlings and young plants due to inter- and intraspecific competition, respectively. Hence, caching by generalist consumers may disperse E. lobata seeds, which are heavy and lack dispersal adaptations, but such caching may also reduce individual seedling survival rates. Fully understanding invasion success of the E. lobata will require evaluating the net effects of generalist consumers on its recruitment and dispersal.