Powdery mildew fungi (Erysiphales, Ascomycota) of Western Polissya of Ukraine

Information on powdery mildew fungi (Erysiphales, Ascomycota) recorded in Western Polissya of Ukraine throughout the history of research in the region is provided. The list included in the article comprises 85 species of 7 genera of Erysiphales, namely 43 species of Erysiphe, 19 of Golovinomyces, 15 of Podosphaera, three of Phyllactinia, two of Neoerysiphe and Sawadaea, and one species of Blumeria. For the first time, 21 species are reported for the region: Erysiphe astragali, E. azaleae, E. howeana, E. hypophylla, E. lycopsidis, E. macleayae, E. prunastri, E. russellii, E. syringae-japonicae, Golovinomyces ambrosiae, G. asterum, G. bolayi, G. fisheri, G. riedlianus, G. verbasci, Neoerysiphe galii, Phyllactinia fraxini, Podosphaera aucupariae, P. phtheirospermi, P. prunicola, and Sawadaea tulasnei. The most common species were Blumeria graminis, Erysiphe alphithoides, E. aquilegiae, E. divaricata, E. ornata, E. polygoni, Podosphaera aphanis, and P. myrtillina. Erysiphe heraclei, Neoerysiphe galeopsidis, and Podosphaera erigerontis-canadensis were recorded quite frequently. Erysiphe arcuata, E. astragali, E. azaleae, E. baeumleri, E. circaeae, E. cruchetiana, E. cruciferarum, E. grosulariae, E. hypophylla, E. lythri, E. macleayae, E. palczewskii, E. penicillata, E. pisi, E. prunastri, E. russellii, E. vanbruntiana, Golovinomyces ambrosiae, G. asterum, G. circumfusus, G. cynoglossi, G. fisheri, G. inulae, G. riedlianus, G. verbasci, Neoerysiphe galii, Phyllactinia fraxini, Ph. guttata s.str., Podosphaera amelanchieris, P. aucupariae, P. balsaminae, P. macularis, P. mors-uvae, P. prunicola, and Sawadaea tulasnei are known from one or two localities, so they are considered as rare species in Western Polissya of Ukraine.

Intraspecific taxonomy of Muscari botryoides s. l. (Asparagaceae s. l. / Hyacinthaceae s. str.): history of research and synonymy

Muscari botryoides (L.) Mill. s. l. (Asparagaceae s. l. / Hyacinthaceae s. str.) is a taxonomically complicated species (or a species aggregate) with a high level of intraspecific polymorphism. Since it has been taxonomically established, a large number of taxa of different ranks have been identified for various regions of Europe, such as Muscari lelievrei Boreau, M. motelayi Foucaud – for France, M. transsilvanicum Schur – for Romania, Botryanthus kerneri Marches., Muscari longifolium Rigo – for Italy, M. botryoides subsp. hungaricum Priszter – for Hungary, M. botryoides var. podolicum Zapał., M. carpaticum Racib. and M. pocuticum Zapał. – for Ukraine. The article provides a brief overview of the main publications on intraspecific taxonomy of M. botryoides. A list of selected synonyms (mainly taxa mentioned for the flora of Ukraine) of the species is provided. It is noted that the intraspecific taxonomy of M. botryoides remains unresolved in many aspects.

Cytogenetic characteristics of seed progeny of old-aged trees of Pinus pallasiana and Picea abies (Pinaceae)

Information on cytogenetic changes in the seed offspring of old-aged trees is insufficient and inconsistent. In our studies, 150–200-year old trees of Picea abies and Pinus pallasiana were used. We analyzed peculiarities of their karyotype, nucleus-forming region, and nucleolus in the cells of seedlings of P. abies and P. pallasiana emerged from seeds in natural populations and plantations of introduced plants. As a result, age-dependent cytogenetic disorders were observed, such as the chromosome bridges, lag, premature segregation, and agglutination. Peculiarities with regard to number and structure of secondary chromosome constriction are demonstrated. The identified properties of the cell structure of seeds of old-aged trees of P. abies and P. pallasiana indicate that more resources are needed to maintain their protein synthesis at a normal level. The increased number of abnormalities indicates a significant impact of accumulated intracellular metabolites and cytopathological phenomena in mother plants on the quality of seed offspring.

Genetic diversity of ribosomal loci (5S and 45S rDNA) and pSc119.2 repetitive DNA sequence among four species of Aegilops (Poaceae) from Algeria

In continuation of our previous research we carried out the karyological investigation of 53 populations of four Aegilops species (A. geniculata, A. triuncialis, A. ventricosa, and A. neglecta) sampled in different eco-geographical habitats in Algeria. The genetic variability of the chromosomal DNA loci of the same collection of Aegilops is highlighted by the Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization technique (FISH) using three probes: 5S rDNA, 45S rDNA, and repetitive DNA (pSc119.2). We found that the two rDNA loci (5S and 45S) hybridized with some chromosomes and showed a large genetic polymorphism within and between the four Aegilops species, while the repetitive DNA sequences (pSc119.2) hybridized with all chromosomes and differentiated the populations of the mountains with a humid bioclimate from the populations of the steppe regions with an arid bioclimate. However, the transposition of the physical maps of the studied loci (5S rDNA, 45S rDNA, and pSc119.2) with those of other collections revealed the existence of new loci in Aegilops from Algeria.

First records of three Lepiota species (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) from Ukraine, with notes on a poorly known species, Lepiota subalba

New records of four species of the genus Lepiota (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) are reported from Ukraine. Three species, L. fuscovinacea, L. griseovirens, and L. roseolivida, are recorded in Ukraine for the first time, whereas a poorly known species, L. subalba, earlier known in Ukraine from a few records, is confirmed using molecular identification methods. All species reports are supplemented with original descriptions and drawings based on newly collected material, as well as data on general distribution, habitat, references to new collections and public databases. Original nucleotide sequence of the ITS region of ribosomal DNA obtained from our voucher specimen of L. subalba is provided.

Comparative organization of tubulin microtubules in root cells of Zea mays (Poaceae) and Beta vulgaris (Chenopodiaceae s. str. / Amaranthaceae s. l.) under the influence of clinorotation

In order to identify the mechanism of functioning of the tubulin cytoskeleton, we have investigated the impact of clinorotation on cortical microtubules organization in the process of cell differentiation in growth zones of plant roots of Zea mays and Beta vulgaris. The similar organization of cortical and endoplasmic microtubules’ network in both species is noted. Clinorotation did not significantly change the organization of microtubules in meristem cells and the central elongation root zone. However, in the distal elongation zone of roots, both Z. mays and B. vulgaris expressed deviations of individual microtubules from the ordered transverse organization (at an angle greater than 45º). This deviation of the microtubules is likely caused by clinorotation and results in discoordination of root growth under these conditions. In addition, it has been found that the scope of destruction of the MT network by taxol in the root cells of both species is not dependent on clinorotation.

First records of representatives of the genus Lysurus (Phallaceae, Basidiomycota) in Ukraine

The first records in Ukraine of two species of the genus Lysurus (Phallaceae, Phallales) are reported. Lysurus mokusin is a rare species in Europe distributed mainly in Southeast Asia. Lysurus sphaerocephalum is widespread in North and South America and thus it is also the first record for Europe. In Ukraine, they both are alien species and their appearance in the country is evidence of climate change. The article provides detailed descriptions of fruit bodies of the collected fungi, including macro- and microscopic characters, their locations, as well as distribution data in Ukraine and worldwide. The distinctions from the related species, L. cruciatus and L. periphragmoides, are described. The article is illustrated by original photographs and drawings.

35 years of the Green Data Book of Ukraine: history, problems, and solutions

The article is dedicated to the 35th anniversary of publication of the first edition of the Green Data Book of Ukraine. This publication was a notable event in the 100-year history of research activity in the M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, where the scientific and methodological principles of the Green Data Books originated. The outcomes of the history and preconditions for development of a concept of the phytocenodiversity conservation are summarized. Problematic and disputable issues of the Green Data Book are discussed and some future tasks are outlined. Methodological approaches to conservation of natural units and areas are analyzed. It is emphasized that modern methods of biodiversity conservation are based on populational and ecosystemic approaches, while the main mode of conservation of plants is based on conservation of plant communities, which form a phytocenotic matrix for plant cenopopulations. Implementation of scientific principles of the Green Data Book of Ukraine in legislation and regulatory documents of Ukraine. A critical analysis of syntaxonomy of the protected plant communities in Ukraine is provided; 983 associations of 104 formations will form the basis for a new edition of the Green Data Book of Ukraine. The importance of wide public awareness among the general public, public organizations, and international bodies regarding the Green Data Book of Ukraine is emphasized.

The role of epigenetic regulation in adaptive phenotypic plasticity of plants

In recent decades, knowledge about the role of epigenetic regulation of gene expression in plant responses to external stimuli and in adaptation of plants to adverse environmental fluctuations have extended significantly. DNA methylation is considered as the main molecular mechanism that provides genomic information and contributes to the understanding of the molecular basis of phenotypic variations based on epigenetic modifications. Unfortunately, the vast majority of research in this area has been performed on the model species Arabidopsis thaliana. The development of the methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) method has made it possible to implement the large-scale detection of DNA methylation alterations in wild non-model and agricultural plants with large and highly repetitive genomes in natural and manipulated habitats. The article presents current information on DNA methylation in species of natural communities and crops and its importance in plant development and adaptive phenotypic plasticity, along with brief reviews of current ideas about adaptive phenotypic plasticity and epigenetic regulation of gene expression. The great potential of further studies of the epigenetic role in phenotypic plasticity of a wide range of non-model species in natural populations and agrocenoses for understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant existence in the changing environment in onto- and phylogeny, directly related to the key tasks of forecasting the effects of global warming and crop selection, is emphasized. Specific taxa of the Ukrainian flora, which, in authors’ opinion, are promising and interesting for this type of research, are recommended.

A new record of the rare fungus Hericium erinaceus (Russulales) in Ukraine

A new locality of the rare fungus Hericium erinaceus, the species to be included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, is reported. The fungus was found in Odesa city, for the first time in the steppe zone of Ukraine. This species is an edible and biotechnologically valuable fungus. A description of the new locality and macro- and micromorphological characters of the found fruit bodies are provided. The information about its distribution in Ukraine and worldwide, as well as the original illustrations, are presented.