New woody alien plant species recorded in Lithuania

Many woody plant species that originate from various regions of the world have been introduced in other regions or continents and are used in ornamental gardening, silviculture, erosion control, for fruit sources or other purposes. Woody plants selected for introduction usually originate from regions with similar climate conditions; therefore, after certain time lag they start to spread outside places of cultivation, become naturalized or even invasive. In addition to 77 woody alien plant species reported in Lithuania, ten new species were recorded and analysed in this paper. Information on the native and anthropogenic ranges, first record in Lithuania, size of populations, habitats, reproduction and naturalization of Aralia elata, Berberis thunbergii, Caragana frutex, Celastrus orbiculatus, Cornus alba, Cytisus austriacus, Hydrangea arborescens, Pinus strobus, Rhus typhina and Thuja occidentalis is presented. All these species have been introduced intentionally and are used mainly in ornamental gardening. Three of the reported species, Berberis thunbergii, Hydrangea arborescens and Thuja occidentalis, currently are casual species. Remaining seven species were recognized as naturalized in Lithuania, and five of these, i.e. Aralia elata, Celastrus orbiculatus, Cornus alba, Pinus strobus and Rhus typhina as well as Berberis thunbergii, which currently is treated as a casual, have very high or high probability of getting invasive. Constant survey of potential habitats, detection of new escaped alien plants, particularly of trees and shrubs, is the best way to reveal potentially dangerous species and make timely decisions for their control or eradication, if necessary.

Auxin-like compounds act as protectors against UV-B irradiation in garden pea plants

Pretreatment with the original auxin physiological analogues 1-[2-chloroethoxycarbonylmethyl]-4-naphthalenesulfonic acid calcium salt (TA-12) and 1-[2-dimethylaminoethoxicarbonylmethyl]naphthalene chlormethylate (TA-14) and subsequent UV-B irradiation (180 min at λmax 312 nm for 6.6 kJ·m−2) of pea plants (Pisum sativum L.) was investigated to assess if foliar application of these compounds has ability to attenuate the negative effects caused by UV-B stress. UV-B treatment increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline levels as well as superoxide dismutase, catalase and guaiacol peroxidase activities, but decreased hydrogen peroxide, low-molecular thiols, total phenolics and total soluble protein contents. The pre-treatment with TA compounds decreased the oxidative stress provoked by UV-B radiation detected by lower level of MDA, increased the content of thiols and UV-absorbing compounds and had favourable effect on H2O2 content and enzymatic activities. Exogenous application of auxin-like compounds on pea plantlets successfully counteracted UV-B induced oxidative stress via activation of ROS detoxifying enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidants.

Diversity of green algae in Kamanos raised bog (NW Lithuania) with the aspect of long-term changes in desmids

In Kamanos raised bog, the green algae community was represented by 160 taxa distributed into eight Chlorophyceae orders. The diversity of desmids (93 taxa) that are an essential algal component of raised bogs was most relevant. Chlorococcales comprised 30 taxa and Ulotrichales – 15 taxa. Representatives from the rest green algae groups were scarce. Higher variety of habitats in Lake Kamanos and the pools supported more diverse flora of green algae (151 taxa) compared to black hollows (61 taxa). Actinotaenium cucurbita was the single species found in all studied water bodies of Kamanos raised bog. Characium ornitocephalum, Asterococcus superbus, Cosmarium amoenum, Micrasterias truncata, Spondylosium pulchellum, Netrium digitus were found in the lake and all pools, whereas Cosmoastrum scabrum, Tetmemorus laevis – in all hollows. In the current study, the composition of desmid taxa recorded in Kamanos raised bog in two research periods was compared. The first reports on desmids were published by Vilkaitis (1937, 1940). He found 129 Desmidiales (18 genera) and 10 Zygnematales species (4 genera). Fifty five species identified by V. Vilkaitis were found repeatedly during the current investigation. In 2005, 42 species were newly recoded in Kamanos raised bog, and of these, 17 taxa were new to desmid flora of Lithuania. A numerous rare species recorded by Vilkaitis (1937) were not observed repeatedly probably due to long-term changes that had occurred in the peat bog and not enough comprehensive study that represented only part of Kamanos wetland. Some new rare desmid species (e.g. Micrasterias jenneri, Cosmarium cymatonotophorum, Desmidium cylindricum, Actinotaenium cucurbitinum, Xanthidium bifidum) have recently been found at Kamanos sites.

First record of Physarum spectabile (Myxomycetes) in Russia

Physarum spectabile is reported from the Central Forest State Nature Biosphere Reserve (Nelidovsky district, Tver region), new to Russia. The short description of ecology and distribution of this rare species is provided. The morphology of the fruit bodies (sporocarps) of the species was examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and images of relevant details are included.

Contribution to the knowledge of lichen-forming and lichenicolous fungi of Gomel region (Belarus)

Records of 21 species of lichen-forming and lichenicolous fungi new to Gomel region, the south-eastern Belarus are presented. Of these, six species (Bacidia fraxinea, Briancoppinsia cytospora, Calicium parvum, Chaenothecopsis savonica, Enchylium bachmanianum and Intralichen christiansenii) are new to Belarus, seven species (Carbonicola anthracophila, Chaenotheca hispidula, Cornutispora lichenicola, Lichenochora obscuroides, Lichenoconium xanthoriae, Pyrenochaeta xanthoriae and Tremella hypogymniae) have been previously known from one locality in the country. The occurrence of Ochrolechia microstictoides is confirmed with certainty for Belarus. Ochrolechia parella is excluded from the list of lichens of Gomel region as erroneously identified.

Notes on the enigmatic Thesium linophyllon and report on Thesium ramosum in Lithuania

Two species of the genus Thesium (T. ebracteatum and T. linophyllon) are constantly recognized as members of the flora of Lithuania. However, the study on plants currently occurring in Lithuania and usually identified as T. linophyllon revealed that in fact they belong to T. ramosum. The analysis of all available data on the occurrence of T. linophyllon in Lithuania indicated that this species has never been recorded. The report on the occurrence of T. linophyllon, published at the end of the 18th century, was based on misidentified T. ebracteatum. Thus, T. linophyllon should be excluded from the list of vascular plants of Lithuania. Occurrence of T. ramosum was reported for the first time in the country. Currently, one population of this species with two subpopulations are known in the environs of Varnikai village (Trakai distr., Trakai Historical National Park). Morphological description of T. ramosum and diagnostic features of this species were provided. The structure and habitat conditions of two subpopulations were investigated in 2017. The present population of this species was revealed to consist of 52 individuals. Occurrence of young individuals in one subpopulation indicates generative reproduction of T. ramosum. Negative relationship between the number of T. ramosum individuals and the coverage of Poaceae species, and positive relationship between the coverage of Fabaceae species were revealed. Localities of T. ramosum in Lithuania are far from the area of its native distribution, and this species is ascribed to the group of established alien species. Further spread and invasion of the species is not expected.

Comparison of hydrogen production in microalgae under autotrophic and mixotrophic media

Hydrogen is an alternative source of energy of considerable interest, because it is environmentally friendly. Biological hydrogen production processes involving green microalgae are of significant interest. However, until present only few microalgae genera have been studied and almost all of those studies have focused only on cultivation using mixotrophic or heterotrophic media, which are expensive, and can be easily contaminated. This study aimed to compare the potential of biohydrogen production from novel green microalgae under autotrophic and mixotrophic media. A total of ninety strains of six orders of green microalgae were investigated for their capabilities of hydrogen production. The results showed that eleven novel hydrogen-producing microalgae genera were found. The hydrogen production in each order was influenced by the medium. Moreover, several strains presented notable levels of autotrophic hydrogen production and performed at over twice of the mixotrophic medium. These results should be supportive information for the selection and cultivation of hydrogen-producing microalgae in further studies.

Supplemented checklist of lichens and allied fungi of Lithuania

A new checklist of 755 species of lichen-forming, lichenicolous and allied fungi occurring in Lithuania is presented. Of these, 620 species are lichenized, 115 lichenicolous and 20 are saprobic fungi that are usually treated in lichenological literature. Frequency of every species and infraspecific taxon in the country is indicated, except for the 12 species known from literature records only. List of synonyms is also presented.

Alien fungi in Lithuania: list of species, current status and trophic structure

A comprehensive inventory of alien fungi (excluding fungi-like oomycetes) recorded in Lithuania since the 19th century was performed. The compiled list includes 142 fungal species, the major part of which are plant pathogens (125 species), while mycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi (eight and nine species, respectively) are much less represented. The distribution within country and current status of non-native fungi were assessed. Large part of alien fungus species (58) are considered as established, three species (Auricularia auricula-judae, Aureoboletus projectellus, Lecanosticta acicola) are currently spreading, three species (Serpula lacrymans, Synchytrium endobioticum, Tilletia caries) are decreasing, one (Laricifomes officinalis) is considered to be extinct, five saprotrophic species are ephemeromycetes with few records almost exceptionally indoors and not surviving in outside conditions. Status of more than half of the listed species (73) is categorized as unknown as their records are few, suitable habitats and/or hosts are uncommon. The peak of alien fungus recording in Lithuania was in 1980–2000, apparently reflecting an increased frequency of international carriages and the highest peak of national mycological activities. Based on climate change scenarios for Lithuania, further increase of the numbers of alien species is being forecasted.