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A study of green and charophytic algae diversity in two high-mountain lakes in the Eastern Carpathians (Ukraine) identified 99 species (109 taxa at species and intraspecific rank) in 35 genera from different ecotopes of the studied lakes. Algal species composition was characterized, and the ecological parameters of the lakes were determined from monitoring data recorded over the last century. Environmental analyses using bioindication methods based only on data on the composition of green and charophytic algae confirmed that the environmental inferences were accurate. Degradation of the Nesamovyte and Brebeneskul lake ecosystems, as compared with their earlier states, was noted.

The infraspecific relationships of the two most variable species, Pediastrum boryanum and P. duplex s.l. identified on the basis of morphological criteria, have been poorly studied so far. The present study focused on 12 original strains isolated from Polish water bodies and 29 strains from the GenBank database, which represent P. boryanum, P. duplex s.l. varieties and other morphologically similar taxa, against the background of 14 other strains of the family Hydrodictyaceae. In order to estimate the level of congruence between the phylogeny and the classical taxonomic system based on morphological criteria, the strains of P. boryanum and P. duplex s.l., and other morphologically similar taxa were subjected to parallel phylogenetic analyses applying Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood methods to combined molecular data (26S rDNA and rbcL cpDNA) and morphological analyses based on light and scanning electron microscopy, and iconographic documentation of almost all strains published elsewhere. The gene topologies revealed many discrepancies in the morphological features used to delimit the analysed taxa. The polyphyly of both P. boryanum and P. duplex s.l. was confirmed. Pseudopediastrum boryanum var. cornutum (formerly P. boryanum var. cornutum) formed a well supported monophyletic clade, whereas other varieties, including var. boryanum, brevicorne and longicorne, proved to be complex taxa. Previous description of Lacunastrum gracillimum (formerly P. duplex var. gracillimum) was well supported. A clade composed mostly of European strains identified as P. duplex var. rugulosum should be regarded as this taxon, whereas clades containing strains exhibiting P. duplex var. rugulosum-like morphology represent new taxa. Taxonomical changes within both P. boryanum and P. duplex s.l. are required on the basis of a higher number of strains and detailed morphometric data.

Abstract. This study examined wall ultrastructure variability in the microscopic green alga Pediastrum s.l. Its value as a diagnostic character is discussed. Field and cultured material of 21 taxa were compared using light and scanning electron microscopy. Nine ultrastructural elements occurring on the surface of Pediastrum are documented with LM and SEM micrographs. The highest number of taxa showed reticulate ornamentation composed of a trigonal mesh and granules situated on its corners. The paper considers the use of wall ultrastructure to reconcile traditional and modern taxonomical systems with regard to Pediastrum varieties, and addresses the phylogenetic relationships between strains representing different varieties.

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Five green algal taxa rarely occurring in the world were found in subalpine lakes of the High Tatra Mountains in Poland. These are Actinastrum gracillimum G.M. Sm. var. elongatum (G.M. Sm.) Fott, Monoraphidium tatrae (Hindák) Hindák, Pediastrum braunii Wartm. in Wartm. et Schenk, Scotiella tuberculata Bourr. var. tuberculata and Thelesphaera olivacea (Beck-Mannag.) Fott. The taxa are described and illustrated with light micrographs and drawings. A review of their distribution in the world is presented.

Background Inflammatory diseases of reproductive tract in bitches are a common problem in veterinary practice. The inflammation can lead to serious health problems. Research to determine the correlation between the health status of females, phase of the cycle, age and bacterial flora of the genital tract has been ongoing for years, but the results obtained by individual authors are often contradictory. Results A total of 39 dogs were included in this study. Ten were qualified to the 1st group with genital tract infections (8 in anestrus and 2 in proestrus) and 29 to the 2nd group without such infections (16 in anestrus, 9 in proestrus and 4 in diestrus). The most common bacterial isolates obtained from the vaginal tract of all dogs were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Streptococcus canis. The prevalence of Gram-negative rods (other than E. coli) was significantly higher in the group with genital tract infections versus healthy dogs. There was no presence of Chlamydiaceae, Chlamydia abortus and lactic acid-producing bacteria in tested swabs. Conclusions Our study identified the most common bacteria in the genital tract of bitches. The total number of bacteria was almost the same in the healthy and infected dogs, as well as between the cycle stages. In our opinion, bacterial culturing of vaginal swab specimens from bitches without signs of genital disease is of little value. Furthermore, it should always be preceded by clinical examination and cytological examination of the vaginal epithelium.