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Ten new taxa of gymnosperms are added to the non-indigenous woody flora of Tunisia, after almost two decades of botanical surveys. Four of them (Cryptomeria japonica, Pinus brutia var. pityusa, Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca, Taxodium distichum var. distichum) are also new for the flora of North Africa. Pinus coulteri is here first reported for the Mediterranean Basin. Three genera (Cryptomeria, Pseudotsuga and Taxodium) are firstly recorded for the non-native vascular flora of Africa whereas two genera (Cedrus and Platycladus) are reported for the first time only for the woody flora of Tunisia. Brief descriptions together with filed photographs, global distributions and habitats at national scale are provided. Some taxonomic comments on their distinguishable features as well as updated keys are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the inter-annual and seasonal population dynamics, as well as the feeding habits of the western tubenose goby Proterorhinus semilunaris in an invaded river close to its natural range (Dnieper River basin). Material was collected monthly in 2015–2016 and 2018 at one sampling site located in the Stugna River, at a distance of 1100 m from the point where it enters the Kaniv reservoir. Catch-per-unit-efforts (CPUE) of this species at the sampling site varied considerably, both between different months within a given year and between the analyzed years, from 1.1 to 127.1 fish 100 m-2. Peak abundances were observed in July in both 2015 and 2018, and then dropped sharply in the following months. The western tubenose goby is characterized by a protracted spawning season, lasting from April to July. A total of 50 prey taxa were recorded in the diet of the western tubenose goby at the sampling site, among which chironomids were the most abundant and most frequently encountered, followed by cladocerans. This gobiid at the sampling site preyed mainly among submerged vegetation, where phytophilous chironomids were the most important prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During field surveys, carried out between 2021 and 2022 in northeastern Algeria, two populations of Tipuana tipu (Benth.) Kuntze were discovered. One population was located in the middle of a quite natural habitat in the Filfilla region (wilaya of Skikda). This population seems more or less established and can be considered to be at the beginning of the naturalization process, a degree of naturalization not previously reported in Algeria and mainland North Africa. The surveys also revealed several populations of Paraserianthes lophantha (Vent.) I.C. Nielsen, a species that was recently reported as naturalized in Algeria but for which details on its naturalization were lacking. Details about the localities in which the two species were observed are given, including a present map of their distribution and field photographs. A key for the identification of both genera is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present new data on the distribution of Lactuca species and review the currently documented data on the genus in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). L. serriola L. is recorded for the first time from Abu Dhabi Emirate. L. dissecta D. Don, L. serriola, and L. orientalis (Boiss.) Boiss. were already reported from other emirates. Detailed morphological descriptions, types, distribution maps, and a key to Lactuca species in the UAE are included. We also highlight the deficiency of the documentation with herbarium specimens in the UAE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on the distribution, abundance, biomass, and morphological features of Macrobranchium nipponense from 1986-2022 collected in the Republic of Moldova are presented. Maximum length of Macrobrachium nipponense was 117 mm, which is bigger than in other places, maximum weight was 13.8 g. The highest abundance was 12 individuals/m2. M. nipponense dispersed from the place of introduction on a distance of 210 km. The most probable pathways of dispersal are the natural spread in the rivers, and unintentional or intentional introduction by fishponds owners in isolated ponds. Since 1986 M. nipponense population on our territory became tolerant to low winter temperatures of water 0.2°С-2.5 С, this fact also contributed to extension of their area and in the neighboring countries water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an updated list of annotated invasive trees and shrubs in Latvia. This list includes 178 taxa about which extensive information has been collected and analysed: family, first records in the area, native range, invasiveness status, vector of introduction, and species distribution in Latvia. In this article, the authors, for the first time in Latvia, provided an invasiveness risk assessment and distinguished risk classes for trees and shrubs. The methodology previously developed by E. Weber and D. Gut was used to assess the risk of invasiveness. The most widely represented families in the list of invasive trees and shrubs are Rosaceae (51 taxa or 28.65%) and Salicaceae (20 taxa or 11.24%). Having assessed the invasiveness status, two species (Acer negundo L. and Sorbaria sorbifolia (L.) A. Braun) were identified as transformers, and 42 tree and shrub taxa were identified as invasive. After the assessment of the invasiveness risk, the species were divided into three risk classes. The highest risk class includes 32 taxa that are threatening or are likely to threaten natural habitats in Latvia in the future. The results of this study can be used for further dendrological studies in relation to global change and for practical nature conservation and landscape gardening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides a definition and description of Cyperus eragrostis as a new alien species to Algeria and North African flora. This hemicryptophyte, native to the tropical parts of South America, is recorded for the first time in Jijel eco-complex wetlands in North-East Algeria. Applying the standard phytosociological method we studied the stands in which this alien species grows together with other hygrophilous and ruderal species. The present study improves the knowledge of the Algerian flora and completes the information about the distribution of C. eragrostis reported by the available international literature and public herbaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present paper is to compile a list of the invasive alien species on the Black Sea coast of Georgia. The results have been received from an assessment of data collected from different sources. According to recent data, the greatest number of species (36%) has arrived into the Black Sea from the Mediterranean as a consequence of expanding the natural range or coming through the ballast waters. This proportion has increased with the rising water temperatures of the upper layer. Only a few of these species have become abundant and almost none have reached other seas of the Ponto-Caspian. Among these species are the representatives of micro-, phyto- and zooplankton, demersal plankton, macrophytes, zoobenthos and fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three populations of Amaranthus powellii were discovered in Kerala region (SE-India), representing the first record of this species for the national flora. A morphological description based on the Indian plants, as well as ecological data are given. A preliminary list of all the Amaranthus species occurring in India, which was never published during the last 136 years, is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is one of the first studies on the growth of Poecilia latipinna outside its natural habitat. The objective of our study was to investigate the growth parameters of the population of P. latipinna, which is an alien species in Oman (Wadi Al-Bahayes). The population structure of P. latipinna in Wadi Al-Bahayes (Oman; 23°40′47″N; 58°11′36″E) was studied in June and August 2020, using 124 fish. In the course of this study, the number of individuals of each sex, age, weight and size composition were determined. In addition, the total length–weight relationship (LRW) was calculated, as well as the von Bertalanffy growth equation. The mean growth performance (phi prime) and the condition factor were calculated. Males accounted for 37.10% and females for 62.90% of the population. The length–weight relationship and the von Bertalanffy growth equation were W = 0.0214 × L 2.7889 R2 = 0.9212, Lt = 11.46 (1 − e −0.127 (t + 2.71)) for males and Lt = 14.51 (1 − e−0.072 (t + 3.98)) for females. The mean growth performance and the condition factor were calculated as 1.22 for males and 1.18 for females and 1.54 for all specimens. The study shows that the population of the species is characterized by a wide age range. Consequently, monitoring of this alien species is highly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The swordfish, Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758, is a fish that sporadically enters the Baltic Sea. The present paper describes the identification of a very rarely recorded and poorly studied copepod of the family Philichthyidae – Philichthys xiphiaeSteenstrup, 1862 – in a dead swordfish found on a sea beach in Dźwirzyno (Poland) in 2016. Philichthyidae are parasites inhabiting the sensory canals in the lateral line and skull bones of marine fish. In the present case, two P. xiphiae females were found, which constitutes the first record of the species in the Baltic area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Records of European catfish Silurus glanis in the Neretva River delta (Adriatic Sea basin) in Croatia are reported. The first occurrence of this non-native species was reported via social network which led to its timely detection by researchers. Origin of introduction is unknown but it is most likely the case of human-mediated introduction. The importance of social networks as a useful tool for the timely detection of non-native fish species, as well as the importance of raising awareness about the impacts of biological invasions, is discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of ongoing studies of Tunisian Malvaceae, a population of Phymosia umbellata was discovered in Monastir city. It represents the first generic record for the national and continental flora. Morphological characters, as well as ecological data are given. A list of all the accepted names in Phymosia, their synonyms and types is also provided, with nomenclatural notes about some accepted Phymosia species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This summary provides an overview of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) categorization in Europe with particular focus on its presence in Slovakia. The distribution range of this species in Europe has been expanding in recent decades. Currently, European population is in constant and fast increase, widening their ranges towards Central and Eastern Europe and more recently in some western countries. All over Europe, the categorization of the golden jackal status is discussed with some controversial. A recent genetic study helped to determine that golden jackals do not meet the established three criteria, which categorize a species as an invasive alien species. In Slovakia, golden jackals' numbers grown considerably in the last decade and with an increasing of their distribution through the country it became a permanent species of the Slovak fauna. The only internal status is the hunting Act no. 274/2009, which classifies it as, game species. The fast adaptation and dispersion through Slovakia can be considered similar to the behaviour of an invasive species, as suggested in previous studies in Hungary. Based on widely accepted definitions, agreed under international legal instruments, it is quite clear that the term 'Invasive Alien Species' only encompasses non-native species specifically introduced by humans (intentionally or accidentally). Following this Invasive Alien Species terminology, golden jackals cannot be categorized as such in Slovakia. The natural expansion, the growing ranges, and the increase in numbers of the golden jackal in Slovakia in the last decades points to a need to improve the knowledge of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this research was to assess the suitability of the risk assessment methodology developed by Weber & Gut for Central Europe in order to determine the invasive species in the dendroflora of this region's historical parks. In order to do so a region was chosen where the number of old parks is high (Estonia) and then the following characteristics were studied: 1) the distribution of invasive species; 2) the viability of invasive species. Research results showed that the risk assessment for Central Europe developed by Weber & Gut is not suitable for determining invasive tree and shrub species in the historical parks of Estonia. The research viewed 18 species (classified as a high-risk category) and only half of them had characteristics inherent to invasive behaviour (produces reproductive offspring, often in very large numbers, at a considerable distance from parent plants, and thus has the potential to spread over a considerable area). Even in a small territory (45,339 km2), the regional differences in the occurrence of invasive species were substantial. No independent mass reproduction of most of the invasive species was detected during the use of the Weber-Gut risk assessment system. This research showed that the dangers of invasive species cannot be assessed based on one methodology, but each species should be assessed according to their habitat and specifics of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First records of invasive bivalve freshwater mollusc species Mytilopsis leucophaeata (Conrad, 1831) and Corbicula fluminalis (O. F. Müller, 1774) in Georgia are reported. No native or alien extant dreissenid species have ever been recorded form this region so far. A finding of C. fluminalis in Georgia is also a new record for the country though this species inhabits the rivers of adjacent Azerbaijan. Apart from two mentioned bivalve molluscs three non-indigenous gastropod species are registered from Georgia: freshwater Ferrisia californica (Rowell, 1863) and Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805) and land snail Eobania vermiculata (O. F. Müller, 1774). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper studies the ruderal vegetation of the class of Robinietea in Kryvyi Rih. We present the spontaneous woody vegetation of parks and other artificial plantations. Urban landscapes remain unstudied phytosociologically despite the highly diverse habitat niches. We have carried out the comparisons of communities from other regions of Ukraine and adjacent territories. In total, four associations and one derivate community, belonging to three alliances, were identified and categorized as follows: Chelidonio-Acerion negundi (synanthropic tree communities with Acer negundo), Chelidonio majoris-Robinion pseudoacaciae (artificial and spontaneous plantations of Robinia pseudoacacia), Geo-Acerion platanoidis (artificial plantations of broad-leaved tree species). The ordination analysis indicates ecological differentiation of syntaxa investigated in Kryvyi Rih. The most important of them are soil aeration (Ae), the cryo-climate (Cr) and nitrogen content in soil (Nt). Critical revision of the class Robinietea syntaxonomy demands further current research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few decades, Ponto-Caspian gammarids Pontogammarus robustoides, Obesogammarus crassus and Dikerogammarus haemobaphes have colonized the European inland and coastal brackish waters. Previous experimental studies of P. robustoides, O. crassus and D. haemobaphes indicated that the salinity optimum for the species is about 7 PSU. We examined whether salinities below 5 PSU in the Vistula estuary – the Vistula Lagoon and the Vistula Delta, create a favorable environment and have a positive effect on Ponto-Caspian gammarids. The objective of this work was to determine the population parameters (size structure) and biological indicators (condition) of the studied gammarid species at a low salinity level. Length–weight relationships can be considered as their body condition in the environment. These relationships were calculated for each gammarid species according to the exponential equation y = axb, where: y – wet weight, x – total length, a – intercept, b – slope. The results clearly show responses of Ponto-Caspian gammarids to the low salinity habitat and indicate that such environment provides excellent conditions. The results of analysis show that the condition of gammarids is good. The optimal strategy of the examined alien gammarids may help them to maintain a strong competitive position in the environment and affect the colonization process in non-native waters with low salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reports on the first record of Sinelobus vanhaareni, a non-native tanaid, in the Polish coastal waters (Gulf of Gdansk, southern Baltic Sea). The species was found in the port of Gdynia in 2014, while in 2015–2017 it already colonized the western part of the Gulf of Gdansk, inhabiting mainly hard substrates, including both natural (e.g. boulders) and anthropogenic ones (e.g. vertical concrete piles or walls of offshore structures and breakwaters, horizontal PVC plates and oyster shells used as filling in habitat collectors). During the survey period, S. vanhaareni was found in different seasons of the year (from winter and early spring to autumn), which, combined with the presence of ovigerous females as well as high abundance (up to tens of thousands of individuals per square meter), allows us to assume that the species has already established a population in the Gulf of Gdansk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the 37 species of the European Union concern eight are already present and two present a future potential risk for Romania. This paper brings updated information regarding these species in Romania. The presence of eight invasive alien species of concern to the European Union have already been recorded in Romania: two plant species Cabomba caroliniana and Heracleum sosnowskyi, two crustaceans Orconectes limosus and Eriocheir sinensis, two fish species Pseudorasbora parva and Perccottus glenii, one reptile Trachemys scripta and one mammal Myocastor coypus. Other two species of Union concern (Lithobates catesbeianus and Procyon lotor) may soon become invaders in Romania. We emphasize the urgent need to assess their current distribution and impact or potential to establish and possible impact at national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation of Isoëto-Nano-Juncetea class has been investigated in the Sluch River valley within the forest-steppe zone. We distinguished three associations belonging to Verbenion supinae (Pulicario vulgaris-Menthetum pulegii Slavnić 1951), Eleocharition ovatae (Cyperetum micheliani Horvatić 1931 and Veronico anagalloidis-Lythretum hyssopifoliae Wagner ex Holzner 1973) alliances. The floristic composition of these syntaxa, is rich in diagnostic species of Bidentetea tripartitae and Phragmito-Magnocaricetea classes, which could indicate a transition to more sustainable communities in the succession row. Our current work is a small portion of a large task to clarify the location of 'hot spots' across the overall diversity of Isoëto-Nano-Juncetea, and to identify where and how this diversity can be maintained best. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is intended as a country checklist of fruit flies Rhagoletis Loew, 1862 for Europe (including transcontinental countries -- Kazakhstan and Turkey), based on recent records, wherein we recognise 15 Rhagoletis species, including five species occurring in the Asian part of Kazakhstan. During the past 10-15 years, three species, Rhagoletis batava Hering, 1958, R. cingulata (Loew, 1862), and R. completa Cresson, 1929, have rapidly expanded their distribution range in Europe. We traced the potential route of an aggressive R. batava population movement into Europe, and it is postulated that this R. batava race originated from Siberia. R. batava was initially documented outside its natural range in 2001 in the European part of the Russian Federation. Later, this species was recorded in other territories to the west of Russia -- Belarus (2010), Latvia (2011), Lithuania (2012), Germany (2013), and Poland (2014). In Germany and Poland, R. batava probably has both native and alien status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mytilopsis leucophaeata (Conrad, 1831) is native to the western Atlantic coast of North America. It has been reported in many regions outside its home range, including the Gulf of Gdansk (the southern Baltic Sea). Although the conditions in the area seem to be favorable for the species, there have been no reports about its presence elsewhere in the gulf. However, the data probably did not reflect its actual distribution in the region, as the species can be easily misidentified for other bivalves living in the area, and it prefers hard substrates, which have not been studied as extensively as soft substrates. Our study was aimed at determining the actual distribution of M. leucophaeata in the Gulf of Gdansk, the Vistula Delta and the Vistula Lagoon. The results showed that the species was not widely distributed in the Gulf of Gdansk and was absent in the Vistula Lagoon. The only new records come from the Vistula Delta where the abundance of M. leucophaeata was up to 69 ind. m-2, i.e. significantly higher than in the Gulf of Gdansk. Individuals found in the Vistula Delta were also significantly larger, with the length of shells reaching 22-23 mm, which is considered to be the maximum for the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of alien vascular plant species only temporarily occurring in Wielkopolska refers to the previously published list of native and permanently established plants. Together, these two lists document the vascular flora of this region at the beginning of the 21st century. The current list, like the previous one, is a result of critical analysis of both contemporary and historical data, collected since the beginning of the 19th century. All information accessible in herbarium collections, publications and unpublished materials was used. A critical analysis was conducted at the taxonomic, nomenclatural, chorological and habitat levels, based on the verification of negative information not supported by sufficient arguments. The list is presented in an alphabetical order. Information on each species includes: family affinity, life form, geographic and historic status. In cases particularly disputable, the standard characteristic of a species was supplemented with an additional commentary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pleodorina indica (Iyengar) H. Nozaki is a rare species from the Volvocaceae family (Chlorophyta, Volvocales), which naturally occurs in aquatic ecosystems of the tropical climate zones. This is the first record of this species I in Poland in a flow-through man-made reservoir on the Olechówka River in Łódź. The sampling site of P. indica in Łódź is the northernmost site in Europe. Among other records, the species has been also reported from Austria in 1996 and the Czech Republic in 2003. During the summer of 2015, abundant occurrence of this species was observed at the sampling site, at extremely high air and water temperatures. Physical parameters in the reservoir and the duration of the P. indica bloom were measured. In addition, morphological features of the species were observed with the use of light and confocal microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gypsophila perfoliata L. is a maritime sand-dune species naturally occurring in Asia and southeastern Europe. In Europe it also is found in ruderal habitats rarely, mainly along railway lines. In Poland the species was first recorded in the 1950s; it was found only at railway stations where iron ore was offloaded from the Kryvyi Rih region, Ukraine. Recently it was found in a new type of habitat: the roadside of a main road in the Carpathians. The paper characterizes the current status, distribution and habitat spectrum of this alien species in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agrocybe putaminum (Maire) Singer, a species hitherto unknown in Poland, is reported from two localities in the southwestern part of the country, with descriptions and illustrations of the morphological characters of the newly collected basidiomata. The delimitation of A. putaminum is briefly discussed, and information on the ecology of the fungus and its world distribution is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the autumn of 2015 current distribution of the lizards of Darevskia (saxicola) complex, introduced in 1960s in Zhytomyr administrative region of Ukraine was studied. During the period from introduction until now Darevskia (saxicola) complex has spread along the left bank of the Teteriv River on the territory about 3.7 km lengths. Beside this was found an isolated population of this species, which located about at 4 km direct distance or 8.5 km shore line distance from the main area of occurring this species. It is supposed that this secondary introduction took place occasionally or intentionally due to holidaymakers (e. g. climbers, fishermen). The publication provides description of the lizards on 15 morphological characteristics and information on the results of spatial modeling potential distribution the rock lizards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The object of the study is the distribution and spatial pattern of black cherry Padus serotina Ehrh. population and the impact of landscape structure on the expansion of this alien species in the suburban zone of the city, where the land-use has rapidly been transforming recently. The population of black cherry expands centrifugally, spreading from fringes of the city to outer zones of the agglomeration with more agricultural character. Individuals of P. serotina are distributed in clusters in this area. The maximum observed population density reaches 371/ha (mean 11.3/ha for colonized plots). The main factor influencing the landscape invasibility is cessation of agriculture. Although the first sources of spread of P. serotina are localities in forests, where 46% of the total number of individuals are concentrated, nevertheless, the largest group of juveniles (48%) was found on abandoned farmlands. Over 90% of all youngest individuals were recorded at a distance of up to 100 m from older ones. Chances of isolated occurrence are small and the probability of the colonization is strongly dependent on the occupation of adjacent areas by the species. Black cherry disperses, primarily, according to a spatial pattern of phalanxes, by occupying areas immediately adjacent to places previously colonized and then filling the available habitats. Long-distance dispersal seems to play a minor role for its expansion. Autocorrelation and diffusion models of spread should be taken into account in preventing further expansion of black cherry and planning conservation measures in natural protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raised and transitional peat bogs, despite their considerable resistance to synanthropization, as a result of anthropogenic transformations are exposed to the colonisation by alien species. One of them is the peatland 'Roby', where, in the years 2007-2009 and 2014, floristic, phytosociological and soil studies were carried out in order to record the signs of ongoing synanthropization. Conducted observations and analyses indicated that the expansion of willows has taken place and at present they occupy a large part of the bog, encroaching into bog birch forest and successfully competing with Myrica gale. Progressive peat mineralisation and constructed surfaced roads within the bog, contributed to the appearance and wide distribution of synanthropic species, such as: Urtica dioica, Impatiens parviflora and Spiraea salicifolia. Raised bog communities and their characteristic species occur on a few fragments of the bog, in north-western part, where water regime is shaped mainly by precipitation and peat deposit is fairly well-preserved. At the same time, in the patches of these communities, a distinct unfavourable increase in the share of Molinia caerulea is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the largest genera in the Cruciferae family in Latvia is Sisymbrium L. The genus includes not only native, but also some alien species. The distributions of the Sisymbrium species were reviewed for the first time in the last 50th years in Latvia. The distribution data were compiled from herbarium material, literature and field surveys. An identification key for the Sisymbrium species in Latvia and detailed scientific nomenclature are presented in the current study. In total, seven species of Sisymbrium were found in Latvia - S. supinum L., S. loeselii L., S. polymorphum (Murray) Roth, S. volgense M. Bieb. ex E. Fourn., S. altissimum L., S. orientale L. and S. officinale (L.) Scop. The mainly were recorded in railway verges, roadsides, waste dumps and wasteland. Five species of the genus are alien to the flora of Latvia - S. loeselii, S. altissimum, S. polymorphum, S. orientale, and S. volgense; two are native - S. supinum and S. officinale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Polish Carpathians and their northern foreland are a rewarding object for the kenophyte distribution research. The study, using the cartogram method, showed that the number of kenophyte species decreases with increasing altitude. Only few kenophytes were found in the lower forest zone. This regularity concerns also the species that reach higher altitudes in the mountains of their native lands. A number of species migrated into the Carpathians through rivers and streams. River valleys generate many open habitats, which are easily colonized by kenophytes due to the lack of competition. In the Carpathians, towns used to be founded in the mountain valleys and this was also a favouring factor of kenophyte propagation. The arrangement of mountain ranges in the Polish Carpathians, including their foreland, hindered the migration of some species and allowed to discover the possible migration routes into the area covered by research. Tracing these migration routes was possible only for those species that have not occupied the whole available area yet. Additionally, the study indicated the most dangerous invasive species in the Polish Carpathians and their foreland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persicaria nepalensis (L.) Mill. is an annual herb occurring natively in South, East and Southeast Asia, having a range extending from Oceania to East Africa. Here we report the first Polish stand of this species, found in 2011 near Baligród (Western Bieszczady Mountains), followed by the discovery of two more stands in the surrounding area up to 2013. The floristic composition of vegetation impacted by P. nepalensis is presented, and the invasive potential and pathways of introduction of the species are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of the study was four populations of signal crayfish from Naryjska Struga River and lakes Pobłędzie, Mauda, and Staw Płociczno. The morphometric differentiation of female and male signal crayfish was studied with discriminant analysis. It was confirmed that both females and males from the Naryjska Struga River differ from the crayfish from the three lakes. The characters that best discriminated females were those associated with the cephalothorax and cheliped width, while in males they were those associated with the chelipeds and the abdomen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of an investigation of the ergasiophytes (species deliberately introduced to a region for cultivation) of the Ukraine (458 species) are presented. The systematic, life forms and morphological types of plants with respect to soil moisture spectras, origin and degree of naturalisation of species of thіs group are analyzed. A annotated list of ergasiophytes is provided [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was: (i) to complete and verify the prior review of research on alien plants conducted in Poland and the practical use of their results, and (ii) to attempt to assess the contribution of the research from the area of Poland to the research conducted on an international level. The analysis was performed based on the information gathered during a literature search which covered the last 200 years, using over 1400 publications out of the 3000 which were available in the pool. As a result, the main areas of biological sciences in the context of the research undertaken on alien plants in Poland (distribution, ecology and biology of the species), the most common thematic studies (new species, new localities, and lists of alien species), and the most often investigated species, as well as tendencies over time were indicated. Although studies on the migration and distribution of alien plants in Poland have over 100 years of tradition, and the part of the studies conducted by Polish researchers contributes to the international scale research, it is still necessary to further analyse many issues and answer numerous questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysphania anthelmintica is recorded for the first time for Italy (Lazio region). Morphological and ecological characteristics of this plant and its invasive status, as compared with those of Dysphania ambrodioides and Chenopodium suffruticosum, are presented and discussed. Taxonomical notes are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]