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Simple Summary: The genus Heterogynis, with its wingless females and males with uniformly dull-coloured wings that show the same translucent grey–black colour, is certainly not the most exciting group of lepidopterans. However, this genus is interesting due to its relatively high divergence of DNA barcode. This high molecular divergence indicated that there might be an overlooked morphological diversity beyond the taxonomic characters usually analysed for species identification and delimitation. A new species, Heterogynis serbica sp. n. (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea, Heterogynidae) has been described from the Republic of Serbia, Balkan Peninsula, by applying an integrative taxonomic approach using morpho-anatomical characteristics, linear wing morphometry and DNA barcoding. Male genitalia, SEM analysis of adult male head anatomy, abdominal tergites/sternites, cocoons and habitats of closely related species H. serbica sp. n. and H. zikici are discussed and illustrated. Integrative taxonomy has shown its strength in species delimitation. Here, by integrating the results obtained using comparative SEM analysis, morphometry and COI-based DNA barcoding, it was determined that the individuals found on Mt. Kopaonik belong to a new species for science. The Heterogynidae are a small family of moths consisting of a single genus Heterogynis and sixteen described species distributed in the Mediterranean region. A species new to science, Heterogynis serbica sp. nov., is described from the locality of Srebrenac, Mt. Kopaonik, Republic of Serbia, Balkan Peninsula, by applying an integrative taxonomic approach using morpho-anatomical characteristics, wing morphometics and DNA barcoding. Male genitalia, scanning electron micrographs of adult male head anatomy, abdominal tergites/sternites, cocoons and habitats of the closely related species H. serbica sp. nov. and H. zikici are discussed and illustrated. Photographs of adult males and females, cocoons, plants in which the cocoons were found and habitats are shown. Importantly, marked differences in genital structure and other morphological characters were noted. These differences were confirmed with forewing morphometrics and COI-based DNA barcoding results. Additionally, DNA barcodes for H. serbica sp. nov. and H. zikici were compared against previously available data for the genus to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships. We conclude that deep, previously unknown and unexpected intrageneric morphological diversity exists in the genus Heterogynis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saprotrophic basidiomycetes play a crucial role in leaf-litter decomposition, especially in nitrogen-limited boreal and temperate forests. Populations of this group of fungi have been inadequately investigated. We examined the populations of three different saprotrophic species (Mycetinis alliaceus, Marasmius rotula and Gymnopus androsaceus) in forests in Serbia and Montenegro. To determine the distribution of genets at each of the three investigated sites, molecular analysis was conducted using the inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) method. Seven to fifteen genets (genotypes, individuals) were identified on each site and the majority of them were represented by a single sporocarp. The sizes of the genets with two or more sporocarps were estimated to range from 0.3 to 4.0 m. Results obtained in this study suggest that populations of these three species can consist of numerous and relatively small genets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daedaleopsis spp., a lignicolous fungus causes of white rot on wild cherry and other broadleaved species and makes economic losses in Serbian forestry. The paper presents results of two morphologically distinct fungi Daedaleopsis confragosa and Daedaleopsis tricolor isolated from native populations of wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) found in the sites of Protected Forests of Serbia. Morphological appearance of D. tricolor was found more abundant in comparison to D. confragosa species. Samples from Serbia were analysed using morphometric and molecular tools and compared with isolates from United Kingdom and published sequences from Sweden, Austria, Hungary, Germany, Canada, France, USA and Czech Republic to give the taxonomic insight and their genetic relatedness using fungal barcoding region ITS rDNA. Results from BLAST search confirmed morphology of the isolates to their taxonomic affiliation as D. confragosa while sequence analysis showed mutations at several polymorphic positions that indicates genetic divergence to D. tricolor. Phylogenetic analysis presents narrow genetic relations of Serbian isolates with the one from United Kingdom while distinctness from other countries investigated specimens. Future work needs variable regions for both species to be amplified in order to evaluate species boundaries or employing NGS technologies in more detailed sequence analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine the size and spatial distribution of mycelial individuals of Marasmius rotula at one locality on Mt. Stara planina in the Republic of Serbia. Total of 12 sporocarps were collected from investigated locality (Vidlič, Stara planina). Sporocarps were distributed in four groups and distances between them were approximately 10-30 meters. Genomic DNA was extracted from each sporocarp and used for inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) polymorphism analysis using (GTG)5 and (GACA)4 primers. Both primers showed reproducible band patterns on agarose gels and sporocarps with identical band patterns were considered to belong to the same individual (genet) and were grouped accordingly. Grouping with both primers determined that 12 analyzed sporocarps belong to 4 distinct genets (A, B, C, D). Approximate genet diameters were 2 m for two genets (A, B) and 15 m for one genet (C) while diameter of one genet (D) was not possible to determine since it was represented only by one sporocarp. The results presented here are the first data about size and spatial distribution of genets of M. rotula. To determine whether the obtained genet sizes are general trait of an analyzed species or a special trait appeared as an effect of environmental conditions, more information on the genet distribution of other M. rotula populations is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knowledge of genetic diversity degree of given species is of great importance for the successful process of breeding and genetic conservation. The aim of conducted research was to determine the genetic differentiation of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) genotypes with very specific narrow pyramidal and normal crown type, which grows at different altitude of the mountain Golija. For assessment of genetic similarities or differences between studied genotypes co-dominant microsatellite system had been used. This system has proven to be reliable and efficient in the genetic characterization of plant species. In total 22 primer sets have been tested, while 16 (73%) of them resulted in the successful yield of the amplified product. The analysis show that studied individuals had in total 130 alleles, in average 8.125 polymorphic alleles per each locus. The lowest polymorphism was detected in the locus EATC1D10, EATC1F03B and EATC2G09, while the highest level of polymorphism was detected in EATC2G08. Based on microsatellite date and similarity matrix, cluster analysis dendrogram indicates existence of the vertical differentiation of studied genotypes, which is consistent with results of previous Norway spruce studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal diversity is one of the most important indicators of overall forest biodiversity and its health. However, scarce information exists on the state of macrofungal communities of mountain forests in Serbia, making it one of the countries with the least-published mycological data in the Mediterranean and Balkan region of Europe. This paper presents the results of the first comprehensive, long-term study of macrofungal communities in some of the most important mountain forest ecosystems in Serbia (Tara, Kopaonik and Vidlič). In the course of three consecutive years, the sampling of five permanent experimental plots resulted in 245 species of macrofungi, classified into three functional groups (terricolous saprothrophs, lignicolous, and mycorrhizal fungi). Special attention was given to protected and indicator species, which point out the great value of studied forest habitats and the importance of their conservation. It was found that precipitation, habitat humidity, and temperature significantly influence the occurrence and distribution, primarily of mycorrhizal and lignicolous group of fungi. Thus, the continuation of long-term monitoring is crucial in order to more precisely determine which groups/species of macrofungi would, and to what extent they would, adapt to a rapidly changing climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of drought simulated via osmotic stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) in the growing medium were examined on two Wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) clones (6A and 8A) based on thirteen morphometric, physiological, and biochemical traits. The shoot tips were exposed to two PEG concentrations (20 and 50 g L-1) in growing medium designed for micropropagation with axillary buds. The results showed that all morphological and physiological traits were significantly reduced, indicating a strong detrimental effect of increased PEG concentrations. The significant decline of radical scavenging activity against ABTS•+ and total content of flavonoids (TFC) and phenols (TPC) were recorded in both clones as a response to high PEG concentrations, whereas opposite trends were noticed for ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Clone 8A achieved better performance, having more intensive growth, higher multiplication percentage, higher values of carotenoids, more intense decrement of ABTS and increment of FRAP values compared to the clone 6A. The results of the principal component analysis indicate that parameter TFC/TPC in both stem and leaves, as well as TFC in the stems, achieved the strongest relation with morphometric parameters. Our results confirm the feasibility of in vitro evaluation of drought tolerance of Wild cherry, supporting further research on the variability of examined traits in this noble broadleaved tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determination of fungal species by traditional morphological approach can often be problematic. In the phylum Basidiomycota, sporocarps of different species can share very similar morphoanatomical characteristics. Using molecular markers and phylogenetic species concept this problem can be reduced. In this study identification of six autochtonous fungal species, collected from several locations in Serbia (Tara, Kopaonik, Stara planina) was done by comparison between morphological and molecular data of fungal species, as well as information obtained from phylogenetic tree. ITS sequences amplified from 11 specimens of two genera of ph. Basidiomycota: Marasmius and Ganoderma, were compared with ITS sequences from database using basic local alignment search tool (BLAST). Phylogenetic tree was constructed using Neighbor joining method based on differences between analyzed ITS sequences. Our results showed that within genera Marasmius and Ganoderma morphological and molecular determinations are usually in accordance, but for proper species delimitation both approaches should be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culture collections of microorganisms, including fungi, are strain deposits recognised as Biological Resource Centers (BRCs) with a great importance in science, industry and education. Their objective is to preserve the purity, viability and genomic integrity of every single strain as a member of such collection. Since improvement of molecular methods nowadays brought many novel approaches in manipulation with strains of microorganisms, they can also be useful for characterization of existing stored strains. ITS1 region in nuclear DNA is preferred barcoding marker for taxon identification, which can be explained by its great inter-species variability. This paper presents results from analysing ITS1 region sequences (17) obtained from fungal DNA of culture collection of autochthonous, lignicolous genera Piptoporus, Pleurotus, Ganoderma and Schizophyllum cultured on malt agar plates for 14 days at 25°C. BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) was used for comparison with online databases, while alignment of sequences was made with MEGA 5.10 software. Morphological determination of species or genus was confirmed for 13 cultures, while the others were disproved. The resulting alignment indicated small intra-species variability of ITS1 region and pointed to it as an ideal marker for verification of fungal culture collections' authenticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring the health status of narrow-leaved ash tree seedlings (forest office Morović, locality Vinična) in the early spring of 2015, after the catastrophic floods in May 2014, revealed presence of large dark necrotic areas on 1-2 year old sprouts. The isolation of the fungal pathogen was done by standard phytopathological protocols. Three representative isolates (K41, K42 and K78) were preliminary detected and purified by a singlespore technique for further morphological, molecular analyses and pathogenicity testing. Morphological characteristics classified the isolates as Fusarium tricinctum. Tested isolates on narrow leaved ash sprouts caused reddish brown elongated necrotic lesions averaged 20.1 mm. Two marker genes, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1α) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS1), were used in this study. Using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) searching engine, nucleotide sequences were compared to all related sequences. Alignement score resulted in 98.9% identities with F. tricinctum for isolate K78, while isolates K41 and K42 showed 94.1% and 94.3% identities with F. tricinctum complex respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of F. tricinctum pathogen infection on flood stressed narrow-leaved ash trees in Serbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]