Species with wide ranges often exhibit morphological variability that is mostly shaped by ecological and evolutionary processes, and the resulting diversity is frequently reflected in intraspecific taxonomy. Dianthus sylvestris in the Balkan Peninsula encompasses six subspecies (D. sylvestris subspp. alboroseus, bertisceus, kozjakensis, nodosus, sylvestris and tergestinus), the identification of which is problematic due to a great morphological variability and complex patterns of environmental variation. To explore morphological variation of described subspecies and to investigate how their morphology varies in relation to environmental variations across their geographical distribution, we evaluated 97 populations of D. sylvestris for variability in 25 morphological characters and 20 environmental variables. Number and shape of epicalyx scales, calyx length and petal denticulation captured the greatest extent of morphological variability between populations. Morphometric analyses revealed a continuous variability in quantitative morphological characters and an absence of clear morphological differentiation between the investigated subspecies. However, two main morphologically distinct entities, the north-western Balkan populations and the south-eastern Balkan populations, were identified and they were split approximately along the Neretva River valley. In addition, our results indicate that environment, rather than geography, plays a potentially more important role in shaping the morphological variability of this taxon. Overall, our results do not support the recognition of the described subspecies or the currently accepted taxonomic concept, instead pointing to a continuous morphological variability of D. sylvestris in the Balkan Peninsula.
Loncomelos visianicum, a rare and poorly known geophyte of the Croatian flora, was described from the remote and uninhabited Adriatic island of Palagruža as Ornithogalum visianicum, and it has not been collected again for over a century. Basing on living materials, recently rediscovered in the locus classicus, it was possible to carry out a careful investigation regarding the morphology, karyology, leaf anatomy, and ecology of this very peculiar species. It is triploid, showing 2n = 42 + 0–5B chromosomes, taxonomically quite isolated, showing some morphological relationships with L. narbonense and L. creticum. Currently, L. visianicum is represented by a low number of individuals growing in rocky places within the xerophilous maquis. In addition to a detailed description, a new iconography, conservation status and identification key for Croatian taxa of the genus Loncomelos are also provided.
The concentration of quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid (QCA) determined by HPLC after alkaline hydrolysis of liver and muscle of swine, ranged from < 3 ng/g to 45.3 ng/g in liver, and from < 3 ng/g to 10.8 ng/g in muscle samples. After the 77th day of therapy QCA was found in samples of liver (9.7 ng/g). Recoveries obtained for both liver and muscle were 70% at 5 ng/g, 77% and 75% respectively at 10 ng/g, and 90% for both liver and muscle at 30 ng/g. This experiment was performed within the frame of the National Monitoring Programme of Residues in Animal Tissues in the Republic of Croatia.
-After 88 years, occurrence of Aegilops uniaristata Vis. (Poaceae) in Croatian fl ora was confi rmed and its distribution is supplemented by new localities. It has been confi rmed and its distribution supplemented by new localities. Populations of a few specimens were found in southern Istria, in the vicinity of the small town of Bale, in the village of Krnica and on the Rt Kamenjak promontory, growing within dry Mediterranean grasslands. Based on herbarium revision a lectotype from Visiani's collection in herbarium PAD and an epitype from the herbarium W were designated.
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