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Morphological variation based on eight measured and four derived traits was studied to establish whether there was significant variation between populations and to identify the influence of the altitude on morphological differentiation among 44 natural stands of common oak (Quercus robur L.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, ranging from 82 to 860 m. The results point to significant intra- and inter-population differences. Elevation-related variation is less pronounced and determined largely by microclimatic factors. The results could provide management strategies for species reintroduction in the study area. There are no differences in leaf morphology between the different branches of individual trees. However, there are important variations between the altitudinal groups and closely linked to environmental factors in all traits. An important recommendation is to use seeds from oak with attention to their altitudinal origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four populations of the Balkan endemic taxonLilium bosniacumfrom Bosnia and Herzegovina were investigated. Conventional karyological study did not reveal any important differences. Molecular-cytogenetic studies pointed out certain interpopulation and intrapopulation variability, and important differences in organization of ribosomal genes in regard to its closest relativeL. carniolicum. The results of fluorochrome banding and FISH experiment forL. bosniacumwere reported here for the first time. Differences occurred in the number and position of 18S-5.8S-26S ribosomal gene loci for some individuals from population Kladanj. Heterochromatic bands revealed with DAPI after FISH experiment were constant. All investigated populations possess the same number of active NORs except some individuals from Kladanj population. Genome size and GC-bases percentage, estimated by flow cytometry, did not show any significant difference among the populations. However, the present results reveal clear interspecific differentiation between two endemics,L. carniolicumandL. bosniacum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]