Institutul de Cercetari Biologice, str. Republicii, nr. 48, RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca
e-mail: lfilipas@gmail.com

Abstract: Mentions of this species are due to a confusion with L. adustum (W.D.J. Koch) Gremli (syn. Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L. ssp. saxicola (W.D.J. Koch) Hayek, L. vulgare Lam. ssp. subalpinum (Schur) Tzvelev, L. maximum auct., non (Ramond) DC., L. margarite (Gáyer ex Jáv.) Soó) or with L. gaudinii Dalla Torre (syn. L. praecox (Horvatic) Horvatic, L. ircutianum (Turcz.) DC. L. vulgare Lam. ssp. triviale (Gaudin) Briq. et Cavill. pro parte).All recent mentions of L. atratum (Jacq.) DC. in the Romanian flora are errors; the species should be removed from the flora of our country.

Key words: flora, occurrence confusion.

Universitatea Transilvania, Facultatea de Silvicultura si Exploatari ForestiereSirul Beethoven 1, RO-500123 Brasov
e-mail: adrianindreica@unitbv.ro

Abstract: In the upper basin of Olt river were identified populations of Festuca amethystina ssp. amethystina in geographical, ecological and sociological conditions different from those known for this taxon in Romania. It is about sites on lower altitude, in deciduous forests belt (650-950 m) of Harghita, Bodoc and Nemira Mountains, near villages Biborteni, Turia, Petriceni, Valea Seaca, Belani and Estelnic (Covasna county). The phytocenoses that preserve these populations of low altitude correspond to sessile oak association Carici montanae-Quercetum petraeae Gergely 1962. The abiotic features are flysch or volcanic bedrock, flat tops or gentle to medium steep slopes and moderately acidic soils. Similar cenotical and ecological characteristics for Festuca amethystina ssp. amethystina exist in other European countries and this fact could be an argument for the relict nature of this type of sessile oak forests and for the connections with some syntaxa from Central Europe. In this paper are presented some morphological and anatomical details, distribution, abiotic conditions and cenology of Festuca amethystina populations identified in the oak forests of upper basin of Olt river.

Key words: Festuca amethystina, Quercus petraea, distribution, ecology, phytosociology, upper basin of Olt river, Brasov Depression, Carici montanae-Quercetum petraeae.

Institutul de Cercetari Biologice, str. Gh. Bilascu, nr. 48, RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca
e-mail: utudor@yahoo.com

Abstract: The Biharia Massif situated in the southwestern part of the Apuseni Mountains, with its highest peaks, Bihor-Cucurbata Mare (1849 m) and Cucurbata Mica (1769 m), provides favorable ecological conditions for the survival of some arctic-alpine and Carpathian-Balkan species of particular phyto-geographic importance for this region. During our field work, in 2005-2006 we have identified some new plant taxa for the Biharia Massif or the Apuseni Mountains, such as: Allium victorialis, Allium schoenoprasum ssp. sibiricum, Hieracium alpinum, Hypochoeris uniflora, and some rare species cited before from this location in the botanical literature. From this group of rare and vulnerable species we mention: Silene pusilla, Lilium carniolicum ssp. jankae, Carex atrata, Trifolium pallescens, Swertia perrenis ssp. punctata, Festuca supina and Saxifraga stellaris ssp. robusta. The study of the ecology, coenology and chorology of these species in the area of the Apuseni Mountains reveals the phytocoenotic connections to the Eastern and Southern Carpathians and indicates the necessary actions for the in situ conservation of these species.

Key words: Romania, Apuseni Mountains, Biharia Massif, Montane-sub-alpine flora, priority habitats, priority plant taxa, rare plant species, vulnerable species, plant communities, chorology,

* Universitatea Babes-Bolyai, Facultatea de Biologie si Geologie, Catedra de Taxonomie si Ecologie, str. Republicii, nr. 42, RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca
** Department of Botany, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Pf. 222, H-1476 Budapeste-mail: bartok_katalin@yahoo.com

Abstract: Two lichenological field trips were done in 2000 and 2005 in the Trascau Mts resulting 38 species. An enumeration of 190 species was compiled based on ca 500 literature and herbarium records. Thirteen species (Acarospora cervina, Caloplaca coronata, C. polycarpa, Candelariella aurella, C. medians, Lecanora crenulata, Physcia adscendens, P. stellaris, Placidium rufescens, Rinodina immersa, Toninia opuntioides, Toninia subnitida, Verrucaria viridula) were found to be new for the territory of the Trascau Mts, incl. 3 species (Caloplaca coronata, C. polycarpa, Toninia subnitida) new for Romania.

Key words: Coltesti, lichens, Piatra Secuiului, Remetea, Trascau Mts.

Universitatea „Babes-Bolyai, Facultatea de Biologie si Geologie, Catedra de Taxonomie si Ecologie, str. Republicii 42, RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca
e-mail: florincrisan1964@yahoo.com

Abstract: An number of 32 fruticose and foliose lichens were identified in Valea Neagra, 19 species being new for Deda - Toplita Landscape Reserve. Among those species Cetrelia cetrarioides, Usnea filipendula, Physconia distorta, Ramalina fastigiata, R. thrausta, Peltigera collina, are rare in Central Europe. The lichen species were characterised using the ecological indexes (light, humidity, temperature and chemical reaction of the substrate) published by Ellenberg et al. (1992) and Wirth (1995) and the geographical elements.Our paper completes the information on the lichen flora of the landscape reservation Deda – Toplita Gorges, currently a number of 57 foliaceous and fruticulous species having been identified, of which 11 being considered as rare taxa according to the species corology in Central Europe.

Key words: macrolichens, lichenflora, ecology, Valea Neagra, Romania.

* Instituto Agroforestal Mediterraneo. Univ. Politecnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s.n., 46022-Valencia, Spain
** Instituto de Biologia Molecular y Celular de Plantas. Univ. Politecnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s.n.,46022-Valencia, Spain
*** Filiala Academiei Romane, str. Republicii, nr. 9, RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca
e-mail: mobosnea@eaf.upv.es

Abstract: Juncus acutus and J. maritimus are two species taxonomically related, and with similar ecology. They both belong to subgenus Juncus, have a wide geographic distribution and are frequent in the Mediterranean region. This study has been carried out on plants from the Natural Park of Albufera, near Valencia, in eastern Spain. First, we tested seed germination capacity (in vitro) under salt stress conditions, from 0 to 0.5 M NaCl. In both species, the highest percentages of germination were found in the absence of salt, although seed viability was lower in J. maritimus. Germination was reduced by ca. 50% in the presence of 0.2 M NaCl, and completely inhibited at external salt concentration of 0.4 M or higher. Pre-incubation of the seeds in the presence of salt for one month did not negatively affect their germination capacity in water; in fact in J. maritimus seeds exposed to high salinity (0.4-0.5 M NaCl) germinated best. We also measured the levels of Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg 2+ in leaves of plants harvested after three months of salt treatments. The analysis was performed by HPLC in a cation-exchange column, coupled to a conductivity detector. In both species, in parallel with increasing external NaCl concentrations, we detected the accumulation of Na+ and a slight reduction of K+ levels. In J. acutus the levels of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ proportionally grow with increasing salinity, probably as a mechanism of defence induced by salt stress. In J. maritimus their variation is not significant, but is three-four times higher in absence of salt, which suggest the existence of a constitutive mechanisms of defence against high salinity. The results obtained agree with the ecology of the species. J. maritimus being more salt tolerant than J. acutus.

Key words: Juncus acutus, Juncus maritimus, halophytes, salt stress, seed germination, salt pre-treatment, recovery of germination, cation detection, HPLC, defence mechanism.

Universitatea Babes-Bolyai, Facultatea de Biologie, str. M. Kogalniceanu, nr. 1, RO-400084 Cluj-Napoca e-mail: lfodorp@bioge.ubbcluj.ro

Abstract: Increasing salinity represents a considerable environmental stress for plants, mainly by causing water deficit and by ion toxicity due to Na+ accumulation. Salt tolerance that develops during acclimation to salt stress relies mainly on the synthesis of osmoprotectants, on sequestration of Na+ in the vacuoles and in the apoplast, as well as on the enhancement of antioxidative protection. Because drought resistance may interfere with salt stress tolerance, a succulent non-halophyte (Bryophyllum daigremontianum Ham. &Perr.) was selected to study salt stress reactions on the background of drought resistance. The plants originating from the auxiliary buds formed on the edges of a leaf of the mother plant were grown in an environmental test chamber, under controlled light, temperature, humidity and photoperiod conditions, and exposed for 4 weeks to 150 mM and 300 mM NaCl in ¼ strength Hoagland nutrient solution, used to water the sand of the pots. Changes in the water content of leaves, in stomatal conductance and stoma density of newly developed leaves, in the photosynthetic pigment content, in the chlorophyll a/b ratio and in the parameters of induced chlorophyll fluorescence offer an insight into the molecular events associated with physiological reactions to salt stress in a succulent non-halophyte with intense clonal reproduction, able to populate saline habitats. The incomplete resistance of this succulent non-halophyte to dehydration caused by increased salt concentration is compensated by a reduced stomatal density of the leaves and by a decrease in transpiration rate during acclimation to salt stress. The decreased potential photosynthetic quantum use efficiency of the leaves is partly compensated by an elevated light-harvesting capacity ensured by an increased amount of chlorophyll molecules associated with the photosystems. Resistance to desiccation is combined with tolerance of chemical toxicity induced by long-term treatment with high salt concentration, in order to reestablish a suitable water balance and photosynthetic efficiency.

Key words: Induced chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments, physiological acclimation, potential quantum yield efficiency, salt stress, stomatal conductance, succulent non-halophyte.

* Universitatea Babes-Bolyai, Facultatea de Biologie si Geologie, Catedra de Taxonomie si Ecologie,str. Clinicilor, nr. 5-7, RO-400006 Cluj-Napoca
** Universitatea Babes-Bolyai, Facultatea de Biologie si Geologie, Catedra de Taxonomie si Ecologie,str. Republicii, nr. 42, RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca
e-mail: lmomeu@yahoo.com

Abstract: Water quality evaluation of the drainage basin of the Aries river, using epilithic diatoms as bioindicators. The present paper exhibits the results concerning the evaluation of water quality of the Aries river and six of its tributaries, based on the Diatom Biological Index (DBI), Saprobity Index (SI) and Specific Diversity Index (H). The diatom samples were collected in October 2006 in 8 sampling site on the Aries River and 6 on the tributaries. The computed indices suggest evident changes in all sampling sites except the spring area of the main river, where the present findings indicated excellent water quality (DBI) or very clean/class I quality (SI). The middle course of Aries and some of its tributaries are strongly affected by the acidic mine waters. The diatom communities are disorganized in the Aries river at Brazesti, downhill the mining area of Abrud – Rosia Montana – Rosia Poieni – Baia de Aries. No diatoms could be detected in the Abrud and Valea sesii rivulets. On the lower course of the main river, the water was altered, first of all, as concerning its saprobity, being of III class quality, heavily polluted (SI) or according to DBI being of acceptable towards mediocre.

Key words: Water quality, epilithic diatoms, Diatom Biological Index, Saprobity Index, Species Diversity Index.

Universitatea Babes-Bolyai, Facultatea de Biologie si Geologie, Catedra de Taxonomie si Ecologie, str. Republicii, nr.42, RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca
e-mail: lidia_szigyarto@yahoo.com

Abstract: Abstract: The article discusses the investigation of the diatom communities inhabiting two tributaries of the Somesul Mic River, the Zapodie and the Maraloiu streams. The Zapodie flows near the refuse dump at Pata Rat (Cluj County), takes up much of the leechate and carries it into the Somesul Mic River. Some preliminary chemical data also indicate that the Maraloiu stream is one of the most polluted affluents of the Somesul Mic in this region. Water quality was evaluated based on chemical analysis of the water, respectively on the species composition of the diatom communities in October and November 2006 in three sampling sites: one on the Zapodie downstream the refuse dump and two on the Maraloiu near Cara and Apahida villages (Cluj County). According to the results the diatom communities seem to be affected by strong pollution in the studied sampling sites. Based on the values of the Saprobity Index (SI) the Zapodie stream is ?-mesosaprobic, while the Maraloiu is ?-?-mesosaprobic at both sampling sites. The values of the Biological Diatom Index (BDI) indicate inferior water quality in Zapodie downstream the refuse dump and mediocre in Maraloiu. The presence of many halophilic elements is also remarkable, probably due to high electrolyte concentrations in general. These results are considered database for future investigations carried out to monitor the changes of water quality of the Zapodie and Maraloiu streams.

Key words: Keywords: biological diatom index (BDI), biomonitoring, diatoms, halophilic species, pollution, saprobity index (SI), species diversity, stream, water quality

* Institutul de Cercetari Biologice, str.Republicii, nr. 48, RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca
** Universitatea de Stiinte Agricole si Medicina Veterinara, str. Manastur, nr. 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca
*** Universitatea Babes-Bolyai, Facultatea de Biologie si Geologie, str. Clinicilor, nr. 5-7, RO-400006 Cluj-Napocae-mail: bercea_victor@yahoo.com

Abstract: Abstract: The photosystems activation in state transitions in the presence of some specific inhibitors, as well as the emphasis of the changes in the redox state of electron carriers with the involvment of xanthophyll cycle in the response at light, is presented in the green alga Mougeotia sp. The state transitions were obtained by excitation with light 1 (over 700 nm) (state 1), light 2 respectively (620 nm) in aerobic conditions and in the presence of FCCP (state 2). The light 1 maintained a reduced state at the level of electron carriers with diminishing of nonphotochemical dissipation of excitation energy, correlated with violaxanthin de-epoxidase. In the presence of DCMU the plastoquinone reduced state diminished, the oxidation state being installed at the level of electron carriers. The light 2 increased the fraction of PS II opened reaction centers, respectively increased the reduced state and consequently intensified the nonphotochemical dissipation of excitation energy at the antenna level, alternating the oxido-reduction state at the level of electron carriers. The light 2 together with DCMU, DBMIB and chloramphenicol, generally maintained a reduction state at the level of electron transport chain. In state 2, the PS II activity was more inhibited by light than in state 1. The state transitions S1 – S2 produce changes in the internal structural organization of photosystems.

Key words: Keywords: cytochrome b6f complex, cyclic electron transfer, nonphotochemical dissipation of excitation energy, photooxidative stress, photosystems, redox state, state transitions, signal transduction, violaxanthin de-epoxidation

* Institutul de Cercetari Biologice, str. Republicii, nr. 48, RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca
** Universitatea Babes-Bolyai, Facultatea de Biologie si Geologie, Catedra de Biologie Experimentala str. Clinicilor, nr. 5-7, RO-400006 Cluj-Napoca
e-mail: bercea_victor@yahoo.com

Abstract: The activity of the antioxidative enzymes during the state transitions in the presence of specific inhibitors in the algal suspensions Mougeotia was evaluated. The state transitions were obtained by excitation with light 1 (over 700 nm) (state1), and light 2 (620 nm) under aerobic conditions and in the presence of FCCP (state 2). The superoxide-dismutase activity has been significantly enhanced in state 1 in the presence of DCMU which causes the use of electron in PS I to deactivate the oxygen reactive species. By blocking the PS II, the cyclic electron flow around PS I operates at maximum photosynthesis rate. In state 1 in the presence of DCMU, the ascorbate peroxidase intensified its activity due to the PS I activity activation by light 1. In state 2 the ascorbate peroxidase operates at higher intensities. The activity of monodehydroascorbate reductase has also been intensified during the state transitions. The state transitions stimulated the glutathione reductase and NADPH dehydrogenase activity in state 1 in the presence of DCMU and in state 2 in the presence of chloramphenicol. Under the action of FCCP, light 2 accelerated the NADP+ photoreduction by stimulating the NADPH dehydrogenase activity. The lipids peroxidation has been significantly decreased, while in the presence of DCMU this activity has been doubled. The induced activation of the antioxidative enzymes during the state transitions certifies that the relative flux of the O2 reducing equivalents by the Mehler reaction is high, and the presence of NADP+ as electron acceptor is essential, to this process contributing the cyclic electron flow and the water-water cycle around PS I.

Key words: antioxidant, ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, cyclic electron transfer, glutathione reductase, photooxidative stress, superoxide dismutase, superoxide anion, scanvenging of reactive oxygen species

* Universitatea Babes-Bolyai, str. M. Kogalniceanu, nr.1, RO-400084 Cluj-Napoca
** Universitatea de Stiinte Agricole si Medicina Veterinara, Calea Manastur, nr. 3-5RO-400372 Cluj-Napoca
e-mail: pui_angela@yahoo.com

Abstract: Six parental patterns (P1 – P6) of cultivars of the Matthiola incana species and 10 direct and mutual hybrid combinations (obtained through cyclic crossbreedings using P1 as a tester) were analyzed in 2006, in terms of the main quantitative characters that confer ornamental value to the plants. The results showed that regarding hybrid vigor, in F1 descendants with simple flowers, positive heterosis was found in all or the majority of the studied combinations only in the case of the flower diameter, siliqua length and number of inflorescences per plant, when heterosis was calculated based on the parental mean. When heterosis was calculated in relation to Pmax, the other combinations had both positive heterosis and negative heterosis regardless of the way of its calculation. In descendants with plants presenting composite flowers, only the height of plants and the flower diameter had predominantly positive heterosis for both ways of calculation, the other characters having negative values. We assume that negative heterosis in this case, could be rather designated as the result of genetic transgressions.

Key words: Matthiola sp., cyclic hybridization, ornamental characters, heterosis

Facultatea de Stiinte Naturale si Agricole, Catedra de BiologieUniversitatea Ovidius, str. Mamaia, nr. 124, RO-900527 Constanta
e-mail: rodicabercu@yahoo.com

Abstract: In this paper, the leaf, as a vegetative organ of a plant, is defined not only by morpho-anatomic features but also by mathematical criteria, which is not an easy task allowing for their polymorphism, introducing a new method of research in the Romanian botany – the biometrical one. The present investigation was focused on the rare Acer monspessulanum L. leaves, characteristic for the South Banat zone of Romania. The biometrical calculations have been performed according to the literature. Anatomically, the leaf blade and petiole reveal certain features of anatomical interest such as the presence of a collenchymatous tissue beneath the petiole epidermis, the circular arrangement of the vascular bundles and the sclerenchymatous ring around the stele for the petiole strengthening. The blade possesses the usual succession of tissues, a heterogeneous mesophyll and a well-developed mechanical tissue. We consider that this methodology used for the characterization of leaves - the morphometrical method - completes the knowledge of this taxon.

Key words: Acer monspessulanum, leaf biometry, anatomy, actinodrome, craspedodrome venation, microphyllum.

* Agentia pentru Protectia Mediului, str. Dorobantilor, nr. 99 RO – 400609 Cluj-Napoca
** Universitatea Babes-Bolyai, Facultatea de Biologie si Geologie, Departamentul de Geologie-Paleontologie, str. M. Kogalniceanu, nr. 1 RO – 400084, Cluj-Napoca
e-mail: vcodrea@bioge.ubbcluj.ro

Abstract: A walnut preserved into the Dej Tuff (Middle Miocene) at Tiocu de Jos (Cluj district) not far form Gherla town, was collected during a survey carried on for the opening of a new open pit. Although its preservation is not an outstanding one, the few characters available suggest that it could belong to the Juglans genus. This kind of fossils is extremely rare in these rocks, this walnut being the first one ever mentioned in the Dej Tuff.

Key words: Romania, Basin of Transylvania, Middle Miocene, Early Badenian, macroflora, walnut.

* Institutul de Cercetari Biologice, str. Gh. Bilascu, nr. 48, RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca
** Universitatea Babes-Bolyai, Facultatea de Biologie si Geologie, Catedra de Geologie-Paleontologie,str. M. Kogalniceanu, nr. 1, RO-400084 Cluj-Napoca
*** Long-term Ecology Lab., School of Geography, Oxford Univ. Centre for the Environment, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK
e-mail: soryna001@yahoo.com

Abstract: The history of the postglacial woodlands and palaeoclimate in the Apuseni Mountains. This paper reviews the pollen-analytical studies from the Apuseni Mountains (Romanian Carpathians), with the aim to provide information on the Holocene woodlands history and palaeoclimate. Although most of the records in the Apuseni Mountains lack of temporal resolution these data, are, however presented here along with radiocarbon-dated sequences. Comparison with other studied areas from the Romanian Carpathians is made in order to corroborate the location of glacial refugia and immigration pattern for several forest taxa on the Romanian territory.

Key words: Romania, Apuseni Mountains, woodlands, Holocene, pollen spectra, diagrams, 14C data, glacial refuges, taxa migration, paleoclimate