*Department of Forestry, Batangas State University, The National Engineering University Lobo Campus, Batangas, Philippines
**Department of Agriculture, Batangas State University, The National Engineering University Lobo Campus, Batangas, Philippines
email: ericson.coracero@g.batstate-u.edu.ph

Abstract: The Philippine islands host a significantly high concentration of native and endemic Hoya species. However, there are no previous records of this genus in the natural ecosystems within the province of Batangas, Luzon Island. The present study pioneered the exploration of Hoya plants and their associated communities in Batangas. A route-walk method was employed within the forests of Lobo, Batangas, to document Hoya species. Morphological characteristics, habitat, host plants, substrates, and associated flora were also recorded. Only one species was identified, Hoya meliflua (Blanco) Merr., with material deposited in the Batangas State University - The National Engineering University Lobo Campus Herbarium (Reg. #: Pasado 001). The morphology and other plant references and databases confirmed its identity. The study found that the individuals of H. meliflua in Lobo inhabit the secondary riverine forests along ecotourism sites, with Schizostachyum textorium (Blanco) Merr., Ficus balete Merr., Tectona philippinensis Benth. & Hook.f. ex Merr. and Pterospermum diversifolium Blume as the major host plants. The assessment of the associated flora revealed 46 species, of which 100% were natives, 13% were Philippine endemics, and 14% were threatened nationally and internationally. The conservation of H. meliflua in Batangas can be improved by mainstreaming its importance as an ornamental plant and a key biodiversity species within ecotourism sites. Further studies can help in revealing the presence of other Hoya spp. on the island.

Key words: Batangas province, Hoya meliflua, new distribution record, secondary riverine forest, Verde Island Passage

*Babes-Bolyai University, Biological Research Center - Botanic Garden "Vasile Fati", 16, Wesselenyi Miklos St., RO-455200 Jibou, Romania
**Babes-Bolyai University, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Doctoral School of Integrative Biology, 44, Republicii St., RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
***Institute of Biological Research Cluj-Napoca, National Institute for Research and Development in Biological Sciences, 48, Republicii St., RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
e-mail: bogdan.hurdu@icbcluj.ro

Abstract: Glacial relicts represent isolated populations of cold-adapted species, remnants of their past extensive distribution at southern latitudes that have survived in situ far from their current main areal since the Ice Age ended. We hereby aim to identify, based on a numerical evaluation that uses a scoring system applied for 14 ecological and biogeographic criteria, putative glacial relicts occurring in lowland wetlands from the Romanian part of the Carpathian Region. Our selection of (sub) species for evaluation includes mainly cold-adapted plants occurring in wetland areas of the intra-mountain depressions and peripheral lowland areas, while those occurring mostly in the high mountain areas of the Carpathians were excluded. As a result, of 171 evaluated taxa, 74 are considered to possess stronger lowland glacial relict features in the Romanian flora. Furthermore, based on the evaluation of their distribution in Romania, we highlight the hotspots of richness, rarity and range limit for these taxa. Both richness and rarity indices calculated for the 74 glacial relicts displayed the highest values in the Eastern Carpathians, probably linked to the wider development in this region of intra-mountain depressions harboring extensive wetlands. In addition, several potential refugia have been identified based on the distribution of very rare taxa in the north-eastern part of the Apuseni Mountains and the eastern part of the Southern Carpathians (Bucegi Mountains). The distribution of range limit populations of glacial relicts in Romania outlines two well-demarcated areas, one in the southern part of the Eastern Carpathians and the second in the western part of the Southern Carpathians, along deep intra-mountain valleys and depressions. Due to their limited, isolated distribution and the fragility of wetland habitats in which they occur, populations of glacial relicts are more prone to be affected by impacts generated by human activities and climate change. Therefore, our study can also serve as a useful tool for enhancing conservation efforts by highlighting the lowland wetland areas harboring a high number of cold-adapted relict populations that require careful monitoring and urgent protection measures.

Key words: cold-adapted species, Carpathian Region, disjunct distribution, vascular plants, mires

*Department of Biosciences, University of Studies, I-62032 Camerino, Italy
**Gargano Land Reclamation Authority, Foggia, Italy
***PLANTA, Palermo, Italy
e-mail: franco.pedrotti@unicam.it

Abstract: The Lake d'Otri is a small, temporary pond located in a doline at 794 m above sea level on the karst plateau of Gargano (SE Italy). The flora of this habitat consists of 27 plant taxa, of which only three are proper hydrophytes. The herbaceous vegetation is represented by the following plant associations: Ranunculo baudotii - Callitrichetum brutiae ass. nova hoc loco, Plantagini majoris - Menthetum pulegii, Caricetum remotae and Lemnetum minoris. Rubus sp. scrub and a Populus nigra grove occur toward the doline margins, where the floods last much less. In summer the lake dries up completely and the coenoses of Ranunculo baudotii - Callitrichetum brutiae disappear. Seven vegetation units are represented at large scale on a phytosociological map.

Key words: bathymetric zonation; hydrophytes; Mediterranean temporary ponds; Ranunculo baudotii - Callitrichetum brutiae; phytocoenosis classification; vernal/aestival fenoaspects

National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Institute of Biological Research Cluj, 48, Republicii Str., RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
email: adrian.stoica@icbcluj.ro

Abstract: Oligotrophic peat bogs reach the southern boundary of their European distribution area in the Romanian Carpathians. They shelter boreal species considered glacial relicts, surviving from the Wurmian III period. Such areas (habitats) conserving relict species have major phytohistorical importance. They provide insights into the history of forest vegetation in the region and past climatic conditions. Based on floristic, phytocoenological and phytogeographical data, we propose to include two active raised bogs, namely "Calul de Piatra" and "Izvorul vaii Soimului" in the ROSCI0116 Molhasurile Capatanei site of community interest. The inclusion of the two bogs in the ROSCI0116 Molhasurile Capatanei protected area will increase the peat bog surface in the Apuseni Mountains and will be beneficial for the conservation of the wetland habitats and their typical flora, both very vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic disturbances.

Key words: Apuseni Mountains, conservation, priority habitat, wetlands

National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Institute of Biological Research Cluj, Republicii str. 48, RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
e-mail: marcel.ciobanu@icbcluj.ro

Abstract: The present vegetation study was elaborated on the basis of geo-referenced phytocoenological releves carried out in 2007-2010 on the northern slope of the Vladeasa Mountain. 150 representative releves for the woody and herbaceous vegetation were selected from a total of 387. These were grouped in 16 plant associations, based on their coenotic affinity and ecological requirements, and represented in a large-scale vegetation map. Of these, six scrub and forest associations were grouped in the class Vaccinio-Picetea and four forest associations in the class Carpino-Fagetea. Among the six herbaceous associations included in the classes Nardetea strictae and Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, only the association Potentillo aureae-Festucetum supinae has a primary character.

Key words: Apuseni Mountains, phytosociological releve, spatial distribution, syntaxonomic classification

*Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University, 2002, Nigeria
**Department of Botany, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
e-mail: reachtoba@gmail.com

Abstract: In recent decades climate change has emerged as one of the major forces driving biodiversity loss and species extinction. Cycads are highly threatened species and previous studies have revealed they are also being affected by climate change. In this study we tested the possible response to climate change of four rare cycad taxa (Encephalartos species) endemic to South Africa, displaying a low but reasonable number of natural occurrences. Maximum Entropy model (MaxEnt) was used in carrying out the predictions based on eight environmental variables. Our results revealed no range contraction but a slight spread in the distribution of these taxa. Temperature seasonality, vegetation types and landforms are by far the most important predictors of the species modelled. On the contrary, the mean annual temperature and precipitations showed very low contributions in all models. We conclude that climate change may not determine a reduction in range size of the Encephalartos species studied. Possible decline in South African cycads may still occur through anthropogenic influences.

Key words: Encephalartos species, environmental predictors, Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt), niche modelling, species distribution

*Babes-Bolyai University, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Republicii str. 42, RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
e-mail: kuhnthomas89@yahoo.com

Abstract: Asynchronous flowering phenology is an important prezygotic barrier to hybridization, especially in the case of sympatric species, while the degree of overlap in flowering can influence hybridization odds and shift introgression. In our study, we investigated the flowering phenology of three sympatric Crataegus species and their hybrids in Transylvania, Romania. C. laevigata flowered first at the end of April, followed by C. rhipidophylla and the hybrid taxa C. x subsphaerica and C. x media, C. x macrocarpa 8 days later, while C. monogyna flowered last, 3 days later. The parental species of the most frequent hybrid taxa C. x subsphaerica have been found to have the greatest overlap in their flowering, while hybrids of C. laevigata, which overlap narrowly in their flowering with the other two species, are rare. Interestingly, all three hybrid taxa overlapped almost perfectly in their flowering phenology with that of C. rhipidophylla, and except for C. x media, hybrid taxa are not intermediate in the timing of their flowering relative to their parents. Our results provide evidence that distribution patterns and frequency of Crataegus hybrids in the landscape are at least partially shaped by the parental species’ overlap in flowering phenology, which influences hybridization odds and may shift introgression towards one of the parental species.

Key words: Crataegus monogyna, Crataegus rhipidophylla, Crataegus laevigata, hybrid, flowering asynchrony, flower opening, protogynous flowers

*Institute of Genetics Physiology & Protection of Plants, 20, Padurii str., Chisinau, R. MOLDOVA
**Moldova State University, 60, A. Mateevici str., Chisinau, R. MOLDOVA
e-mail: dascaliuca@yahoo.com

Abstract: This research aimed to investigate the response of one- and two-year-old box (Buxus sempervirens L.) leaves to the action of heat shock (HS) and desiccation. These factors influenced the photosystem II activity of the leaves and the degradation of hydrogen peroxide by leaf extracts. The development of these processes was specific depending on the age of the leaves and season of their collection for analysis. Thus, the studied characteristics could assure the elaboration of new, rapid methods of assessing the resistance of leaves to high temperatures, depending on the period (season) of vegetation and their age. At different seasons of the year, the resistance of box leaves to HS tends to correspond to seasonal temperatures, reaching the highest level in summer, intermediate level in spring and autumn, and the lowest in winter. Regardless of the season, the one-year-old leaves are more resistant and have a higher capacity to recover from HS damage than two-year-old leaves.

Key words: photosystem II, leaves, heat shock, resistance, seasonal and age variations, Buxus sempervirens

Plant Production Institute named after V.Ya. Yuriev of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, 42 Moskovskyi Ave., 61060 Kharkiv, Ukraine
e-mail: lianaisaakovna@gmail.com

Abstract: Einkorn (Triticum monococcum L.) has a number of benefits attributed to the quality of its grain. Nevertheless, einkorn oil is little studied. Given a renewed interest in this crop, the purpose of the study was to investigate the lipid contents and fatty acid composition of oil from diploid wheat grain. Oil was extracted from dried whole wheat kernels by Soxhlet procedure. Fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. The oil yield from the diploid wheat grain varied from 2.83±0.27% dry basis in Triticum monococcum var. sofianum Stranski to 4.46±0.49% in Triticum sinskayae A.Filat. et Kurk. Six major fatty acids were detected in all the wheat species under investigation. They are ranked in order of decreasing levels as follows: linoleic > oleic > palmitic > linolenic > stearic > palmitoleic. Ploidy doubling brought no significant alterations in fatty acid composition of T. monococcum grain. T. monococcum var. sofianum had the most beneficial unsaturated/saturated ratio (5.3) and the lowest ratio of omega-6:omega-3 (9:1). Triticum boeoticum Boiss. (wild progenitor of einkorn) was inferior to domestic diploid wheat in terms of unsaturated fatty acid amounts, despite the very high total oil content (4.19±0.48%). As wheat oil is used in the cosmetics industry and given the surprisingly high oil yields from the diploid wheat grain, the collection accessions are worth considering through the lens of this trend in wheat products. However, none of the studied accessions can be recommended as breakthrough advantageous because of the ratios of omega-6:omega-3 of not lower than 9:1.

Key words: diploid wheat, total lipids, oil quality, unsaturated:saturated ratio, omega-6:omega-3 ratio

*Babes-Bolyai University, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Department, 1 M. Kogalniceanu str., RO-400084, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
**SC. PlantExtrakt. SRL., Radaia, fn, RO-407059, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
***University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, 3-5 Calea Manastur, RO-400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
****Uzhhorod National University, 32 Voloshyn str., 88000-Uzhhorod, Ukraine
*****Vasile Goldis Western University, Faculty of Pharmacy, 86, L. Rebreanu str., RO-310045, Arad, Romania
e-mail: rahela.carpa@ubbcluj.ro

Abstract: The species Salix alba L. and Salix purpurea L. are medicinal herbs, frequently used in the pharmaceutical industry. This study performs phytochemical and antibacterial analysis of ethanolic extracts from the bark of these two species. The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses were performed by thin-layer chromatography identifying the salicin and salicylic acid; the salicin content was assessed by high performance liquid chromatography. The bark extracts yielded 4.300 micrograms/ml salicin for Salix alba and 1.167 micrograms/ml salicin for Salix purpurea. The plant extracts were tested on Gram negative and positive bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus). Both tested strains showed a mild resistance, but S. aureus showed slightly higher inhibition by all extract samples.

Key words: salicin, salicylic acid, Salix alba L., Salix purpurea L., HPLC, antibacterial activity

*Department of Health, Safety and Environmental Management, International College of Engineering and Management, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, OMAN
**Department of Environmental Sciences, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam 530 003, INDIA
e-mail: solomonraju@gmail.com

Abstract: Santalum album is an evergreen tree species that flowers twice in a year with a gap of one month during May-September. It is hermaphrodite, obligately self-incompatible and entomophilous. The principal pollinators are bees and nymphalid butterflies while a species of hoverfly and a potter wasp are additional pollinators in both flowering seasons. The fruits are fleshy, 1- or 2-seeded drupes and seed dispersal is ornithochorous. The study indicates that S. album is obligately vector-dependent for pollination and seed dispersal.

Key words: hermaphroditism, self-incompatibility, bees, butterflies, flies, wasps, drupe