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U jugoistočnom dijelu Grada Zagreba, na lijevoj obali Save, nalazi se zaštićeno područje – Savica. Područje obuhvaća rukavac rijeke Save i 12 međusobno povezanih jezeraca, te predstavlja mozaik vodenih, močvarnih i kopnenih staništa. Ukupna površina iznosi oko 75 ha, od čega je 30 ha vodene površine. Inventarizacija vaskularne flore provedena je direktnim kartiranjem uporabom GPS uređaja u vremenskom periodu od travnja do listopada 2006. godine. Izvršena je analiza flore po pripadnosti porodicama, životnim oblicima i flornim elementima. Flora istraživanog područja obuhvaća 279 svojti papratnjača i sjemenjača iz 71 porodice. Po broju vrsta najzastupljenije porodice su: Asteraceae (13, 6%), Poaceae (12, 2%), a s više od 5% slijede Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, Rosaceae i Cyperaceae. S iznad 3% zastupljene su Scrophulariaceae i Brassicaceae, a s iznad 2% Apiaceae, Ranunculaceae i Salicaceae. Sve ostale porodice zajedno u flori Savice zastupljene su s 37, 1%. U spektru životnih oblika dominiraju hemikriptofita (47%) te slijede terofita s 20, 8%. Analiza flornih elemenata pokazala je da 57, 4% vrsta koje dolaze na području Savice pripada euroazijskim svojtama (31, 5%) i kozmopolitima (26, 9%). Udio vrsta karakterističan za ilirsko florno područje iznosi 0, 7%, dok udio srednjeuropskih vrsta iznosi 4, 3%, a neofita 10, 6%. Vrste iz Crvene knjige vaskularne flore Hrvatske koje su zabilježene unutar granica istraživanog područja su: Agrostis canina L. (NT), Asparagus tenuifolius Lam. (NT), Cyperus serotinus Rottb. (VU) i Leersia oryzoides (L.) Sw. (NT). Također je zabilježeno 45 zaštićenih i četiri strogo zaštićene biljne svojte. Prema preliminarnoj listi invazivnih biljaka Hrvatske, zabilježeno je 19 invazivnih biljnih svojti.

Prilog poznavanju flore Savice i prijedlozi očuvanja i zonacije područja za potrebe izrade prostornog plana područja

Invazivne vrste se globalno smatraju najvećom prijetnjom za florističku bioraznolikost i njezinu zaštitu. Zbog toga, u Hrvatskoj je početkom 2006. godine započet prvi nacionalni projekt za standardizaciju kriterija invazivnih vrsta i stvaranje liste invazivnih vrsta. Nacionalna botanička zajednica stoljećima je prikupljala različite botaničke podatke (horološke, taksonomske, vegetacijske i dr.) te nedavno razvijena CROFlora baza podataka (http://hirc.botanic.hr/fcd/search.aspx) predstavlja taksonomsku okosnicu za sva floristička istraživanja i standarde kartiranja. Kako je većina povijesnih podataka za invazivne vrste dostupna ili će uskoro biti dostupna, zahvaljujući spomenutoj bazi podataka i njezinim mogućnostima, dobivena je preliminarna lista invazivnih vrsta u Hrvatskoj, kao i prve karte rasprostranjenosti za neke od invazivnih vrsta u Hrvatskoj.

Alien invasive plants are considered one of the greatest threats to flora biodiversity and its conservation everywhere. As a result of this global problem the number of studies dealing with plant invasions is increasing, which is also causing increased confusion about terminology used. As we started with national project about invasive Croatian flora at the beginning of 2006, we prepared a proposal for national standard and criteria, as well as terminology, for both autochthonous and allochthonous flora treatment. This proposal includes regular terminology globally accepted in most botanical communities, but it is particularly harmonized with European standards for alien flora treatment. Special attention was paid to defining the criteria for status of plant species potentially invasive in Croatia, such as origin, residence and invasion status. Croatian botanical community has for centuries collected diverse botanical data (distribution, taxonomy, vegetation, biology, etc.) and in recent times Flora Croatica Database (http://hirc.botanic.hr/fcd/search.aspx) was developed as a taxonomic frame for all floristic researches and mapping standards. As the most of historical data for invasive species are available or will be very soon, thanks to mentioned Database and its possibilities, we produced preliminary list of invasive alien plant species in Croatia, as well as first distribution maps for some of them. This invasive alien plant species inventory is our first step in preparation for prevention, as well as monitoring of IAS already present in flora of Croatia.

The unique Croatian natural Iris hybrid recognised in literature (Degen, 1936 ; Mathew 1981) is stenoendemic species I. rotschildii Degen, whose supposed parents are species I. illyrica Tomm. (ser. Pallidae (A. Kern.) Trinajstić) and I. variegata L. (ser. Germanicae Lawr.). On single locality on the Mt Velebit (Sinokos) we found one relatively large population on which we researched morphological (flowers and leaves), anatomical (leaves), karyological (somatic chromosomes), molecular (DNA analyses) and palynological (light and SEM microscopy of pollen grains) features. Preliminary results and comparison with I. illyrica and I. variegata showed that I. rotschildii has some features as both parents, as well as some differences (e.g. number of chromosomes 2n=26 and colour of flowers) which can distinguish it from supposed parents, but hybridogenous origin is still doubtful and under investigation.

Kako je problem invazivnih vrsta postao svjetski, porastao je i broj studja o invazivnim biljnim vrstama, što je uzrokovalo i porast terminološke konfuzije. S obzirom da smo 2006. godine započeli nacionalni projekt o invazivnim biljkama Hrvatske, pripremili smo prijedlog nacionalnog standarda, kriterija i terminologije, za tretiranje autohtone i alohtone flore. Takav prijedlog uključuje standardnu terminologiju, svjetski prihvaćenu od većine botaničara, ali i posebno usklađenu s europskim standardima za tretiranje alohtone flore. Posebna pažnja posvećena je definiranju kriterija za utvrđivanje statusa potencijalno invazivnih vrsta u Hrvatskoj, kao što je podrijetlo, datum i način unosa, te status svojte.

Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA were employed to elucidate persisting uncertainty regarding the circumscription and relationships among taxa in Lilium carniolicum group (Liliaceae).

U radu su, upotrebom RFLP analize mitohondrijskih, kloroplastnih i jezgrinih DNA, te sekvenciranjem jezgrinih ITS regija, istraživani srodstveni odnosi i taksonomski status svojti unutar kompleksa Lilium carniolicum, njihov položaj unutar sekcije Liriotypus i cijelog roda Lilium. RFLP analiza, na sva tri istraživana genoma, nije se pokazala dovoljno informativnom za razlikovanje pojedinih svojti unutar ‘carniolicum’ kompleksa. Sve primijenjene filogenetske analize ITS sekvenci, metoda maksimalne parsimonije, metoda maksimalne vjerodostojnosti i Bayesovska analiza, ukazuju da su sve svojte kompleksa Lilium carniolicum usko srodne i da imaju zajedničkog pretka. Vrste L. pyrenaicum i L. pomponium nalaze se na bazalnom mjestu unutar skupine, a položaj vrste L. chalcedonicum pokazuje da je ona mnogo srodnija sa svojtama L. carniolicum, L. bosniacum i L. jankae nego što se to prije pretpostavljalo. Rezultati ovog rada ukazuju da se svojte L. albanicum i L. jankae fi logenetski mogu razlikovati od svojte L. carniolicum, dok je svojta L. bosniacum istovjetna svojti L. carniolicum. Dobiveni rezultati potvrđuju mišljenje po kojem bi svojte L. albanicum i L. jankae mogle biti zasebne vrste, dok to za svojtu L. bosniacum nije potvrđeno.

Recently we began a complex study on pollen morphology of Croatian endemic plants. From about 400 Croatian endemic taxa we chose various species narrow endemic to Croatia and/or surrounding areas: 20 taxa from the Genus Anthyllis, Asperula, Corydalis, Iris, Lilium, Limonium and from families Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Campanulaceae and Orchidaceae. Some of them are very rare and stenondemic for Croatia, such as: Asperula staliana Vis. ssp. arenaria Korica, Asperula staliana Vis. ssp. issaea Korica, Asperula staliana Vis. ssp. staliana, Corydalis acaulis (Wulfen) Pers., Iris rotschildii Degen, Limonium vestitum (C.E.Salmon) C.E.Salmon subsp. brusnicense Trinajstić and Sibiraea altaiensis (Laxm.) C. K. Schneid. subsp. croatica Degen. The pollen samples of all taxa were obtained from field collections and examined by Scanning Electron Microscope in dry and hydrated state. Descriptions of pollen grains will be presented and commented on. Results will contribute to better knowledge about Croatian endemic plants.

The herbarium Ivo and Marija Horvat (ZAHO) was established in 1918 and is comprised of 78, 000 sheets. From 1998 it is deposited at the Department of Botany, Faculty of Science in Zagreb. A list of 106 randomly chosen Balcan endemic taxa was checked in order to determine the value of collection as a source of information regarding the endemic Balkan flora. 24.53% taxa was found, collected in the period from 1918-1962. 285 sheets were examined. 47.02% of them originate from Macedonia, 36.84% from Croatia, 7.37% from Herzegovina, 4.21% from Serbia, 2.81% from Bosnia, 1.05% from Bulgaria and 0.7% from Montenegro.

In this paper systematic relationships among several European taxa of genus Lilium are discussed, with special observations about the morphologically similar taxa belonging to the L. carniolicum group (L. pyrenaicum, L. carniolicum, L. bosniacum and L. jankae) that have historically been a cause of doubt or confusion. Another objective was to analyse the relationships between L. martagon and its close relative, a Dalmatian endemic taxa with an unclear taxonomic status, L. cattaniae. Combined analysis of the restriction-site variation of PCR-amplified cpDNA fragments (trnT-trnL, trnL-trnF and atpB-rbcL), mtDNA fragment (nad4 intron) and nrDNA ITS data was conducted as a first step towards a better differentiation of dubious taxa and to provide the basis for phylogenetic comparisons. The obtained restriction patterns effectively separated clear taxa, but provided no resolution of closely related taxa. The most systematically valuable was the ITS region which provided separation of clear taxa with all used restriction enzymes.

In the Croatian flora the genus Ophioglossum is represented by two species, Ophioglossum lusitanicum L. and Ophioglossum vulgatum L. The Eurasian-North American species Ophioglossum vulgatum L. is widely spread throughout Europe, except in the extreme north. Particularly interesting localities to us are in the southern parts of Croatia, which together with those in southern Italy and Slovenia make the southern border of the range of this species. The populations from Croatian coast correspond mostly to the northern part of the Adriatic Sea, particularly the Istrian peninsula. The distribution of the Ophioglossum vulgatum L. in Istria was mapped using the MTB fields of the Central European grid for flora mapping. Data on Adder's tongue distribution were collected from three sources: field observations, literature and herbarium collections. Field observations were conducted between 2000 and 2002 and they provided new, as yet unpublished localities. The survey of the geographical spread of the fern Ophioglossum vulgatum L. in Istria indicated 20 localities in total, 7 among which were recorded for the first time. Two areas of distribution of this species can be distinguished: the larger one in the northern area of peninsula and the smaller one in the south-western area. The localities in the northern area of Istria are connected to those in Slovenia and Italy and through them with the rest of the European populations.

A chorological analysis of endemic species of the genus Iris represented in the flora of Croatia was carried out on the basis of details in the literature, in herbaria (the ZA, ZAHO, WU, W, BP, BPU, PAD and LJU herbaria) and field observations. During the work, a revision of the nomenclature of taxa of the genus Iris was carried out, with the outcome that this genus can be considered to be represented in Croatia by 13 species: I. adriatica Trinajstić ex Mitić, Iris croatica I. Horvat et M. Horvat, I. germanica L. (incl. I. florentina L. p.p.), I. graminea L., I. illyrica Tomm., I. pallida Lam., I. pseudacorus L., I. pseudopallida Trinajstić, I. reichenbachii Heuff., I. x rotschildii Degen, I. x sambucina L., I. sibirica (incl. I. errirhiza Pospich.) and I. variegata L. Of these, five are endemic to the flora of Croatia: I. adriatica, I. croatica, I. illyrica, I. pseudopallida and I. rotschildii. For I. reichenbachii there are no herbarium and our data about existning in the flora of Croatia, just some literature notices. According to the Red List of Plant Species of the Republic of Croatia, three endemic species of the genus Iris are endangered according to several IUCN classification levels: I. croatica is rare, I. illyrica is a vulnerable species, while I. adriatica is threatened species. A total of 368 references about finds of endemic members of the genus Iris in Croatia have been collected. Of these, 277 items are from the literature (75.3%), 75 are from herbarium collections (20.4%) and 16 are from field observations (4.3%). The positions of the finding sites assembled have been determined by the application of indirect mapping with the assistance of the MTB network, with the aid of which distribution maps of the endemic species of the genus Iris determined in the flora of Croatia are displayed. It was not possible to define coordinates for localities determined imprecisely, and these are recorded only on the list of finding sites.

The Balkan Peninsula is one of the diversity centres for the morphologically highly variable and taxonomically inconsistently treated Dianthus sylvestris (Caryophyllaceae). In this thesis, an array of methods ranging from nomenclatural revision and morphometrics, following with phylogeographic methods (RADseq) and environmental niche analyses, to genome size estimates, were combined to explore the intraspecific relationships within Balkan populations of D. sylvestris, to discuss phylogeographic and historical processes that contributed to the observed genetic divergence patterns in this species, and to propose a sensible taxonomic solution. Patterns of genetic variation and species distribution models (SDM) suggested that D. sylvestris in the Balkan Peninsula survived the Pleistocene glaciations in two separate glacial refugia located along the eastern Adriatic coast. Two genetic groups with the split occurring around the Neretva River valley have been identified. These groups correspond to the two discerned morphological entities, the north-western and the south-eastern group of populations, distinct by the epicalyx scales shape, calyx teeth incision and petal denticulation. Migration analyses revealed relatively high rates of gene flow within each of the two groups, whereas there was almost no gene flow between them. The genetic differentiation did not support the current taxonomy, and the morphometric analyses revealed a continuous variability of quantitative morphological characters and an absence of clear-cut qualitative morphological differences among the subspecies. However, there was an obvious discontinuity in both morphological and genetic clines, therefore a taxonomic subspecies level was attributed to the two resulting groups, D. sylvestris subsp. sylvestris in the north and D. sylvestris subsp. bertisceus in the south. The thermophilous and earlier-flowering D. sylvestris subsp. tergestinus formed a Balkanski poluotok jedno je od središta raznolikosti morfološki vrlo varijabilne i taksonomski nedosljedno tretirane vrste Dianthus sylvestris (Caryophyllaceae). U sklopu ove disertacije korišten je niz metoda, od nomenklaturne revizije i morfometrije, preko filogeografskih metoda (RADseq) i analiza ekoloških niša, do procjene veličine genoma, kako bi se istražili unutarvrsni odnosi balkanskih populacija vrste D. sylvestris i utvrdili mogući filogeografski i povijesni procesi koji su pridonijeli uočenim uzorcima genetske divergencije ove vrste, te kako bi se predložilo novo taksonomsko rješenje. Obrasci genetske varijabilnosti i modeli povoljnosti staništa (SDM) upućuju da je vrsta D. sylvestris na Balkanskom poluotoku preživjela pleistocenske glacijacije u dva odvojena glacijalna refugija smještena duž istočne obale Jadranskog mora. Identificirane su dvije genetske skupine, gdje se granica između njih nalazi oko doline rijeke Neretve. Ove skupine odgovaraju dvjema uočenim morfološkim entitetima, sjeverozapadnoj i jugoistočnoj skupini populacija, koje se razlikuju po obliku ljuski epikaliksa, urezu zubaca čaške i nazubljenosti latice. Migracijske analize pokazale su relativno visoke stope protoka gena unutar svake od dviju skupina, dok između njih protoka gena gotovo nije bilo. Genetska diferencijacija nije u skladu s trenutačnom taksonomijom, a morfometrijske analize pokazale su kontinuiranu varijabilnost kvantitativnih morfoloških osobina i odsutnost jasnih kvalitativnih morfoloških razlika između podvrsta. Međutim, postoji jedan očiti diskontinuitet u morfološkom i genetskom gradijentu, stoga je taksonomski status podvrste pripisan dvjema skupinama populacija, D. sylvestris subsp. sylvestris na sjeveru i D. sylvestris subsp. bertisceus na jugu. Termofilni i ranije cvjetajući D. sylvestris subsp. tergestinus tvori zasebnu evolucijsku liniju te je za ovu svojtu predložen novi taksonomski tretman na razini vrste.

Kompleks Dianthus ciliatus sadrži tri podvrste koje su morfološki vrlo slične, a geografski dobro razgraničene na području Jadrana. Tipična podvrsta D. ciliatus subsp. ciliatus dolazi u sjevernom i srednjem Jadranu te centralnoj Italiji, a endemične podvrste D. ciliatus subsp. dalmaticus u južnom Jadranu i D. ciliatus subsp. medunensis u Crnoj Gori i Albaniji. Zbog preklapanja morfoloških osobina dosadašnja morfološka razgraničenja nisu bila precizno definirana te podvrste nije bilo moguće jednoznačno definirati. Morfometrijsko istraživanje provedeno je na sakupljenom herbarijskom materijalu triju podvrsta na ukupno 66 jedinki iz 22 populacije duž Jadranskog područja (11 populacija D. ciliatus subsp. ciliatus, 7 populacija D. ciliatus subsp. dalmaticus i 4 populacije D. ciliatus subsp. medunensis). Analizirano je 17 kvantitativnih i pet kvalitativnih morfoloških osobina. Provedena je deskriptivna i multivarijatna statistika (PCA i CDA) te je analizama ustanovljeno sedam morfoloških osobina koje su statistički značajne i mogu se koristit za bolje razgraničenje ovih triju podvrsta, a to su: visina epikaliksa, širina i dužina druge vanjske ljuske, širina i dužina prve vanjske ljuske, dužina unutarnje ljuske i dužina vrha prve vanjske ljuske. Na temelju toga izrađen je determinacijski ključ za identifikaciju podvrsta D. ciliatus kompleksa i provedena je revizija herbarijskih primjeraka iz CNHM, ZA, ZAGR i ZAHO zbirke. The Dianthus ciliatus complex has three morphologically very similar subspecies that are geographically well defined in the Adriatic region. Nominal subspecies D. ciliatus subsp. ciliatus occurs in northern and central Adriatic and in central Italy, while two endemic subspecies D. ciliatus subsp. dalmaticus occurs in southern Adriatic and D. ciliatus subsp. medunensis in Montenegro and Albania. Because of previous unclear morphological distinctions and due to overlapping of morphological features it was not possible to unambiguously define the subspecies. Morphometric analysis was performed on collected herbarium materials of three subspecies, in total on 66 individuals from 22 populations across the Adriatic region (11 populations of D. ciliatus subsp. ciliatus, 7 populations of D. ciliatus subsp. dalmaticus and 4 populations of D. ciliatus subsp. medunensis). Seventeen quantitative and five qualitative morphological characters were analysed. Descriptive and multivariate statistics (PCA and CDA) were performed, and seven morphological characters were statistically significant. Those seven characters (epicalyx height, outer second scale width and length, outer first scale width and length, inner scale length and apex length of first outer scale) can be used for better determination of D. ciliatus subspecies. Based on that analysis, a determination key for identification of subspecies of the D. ciliatus complex was given, and a revision of herbarium specimens in CNHM, ZA, ZAGR and ZAHO was conducted as well.

Although leaves have been traditionally considered as the main source of photo-assimilates, the reproductive structures of many plant species may also perform photosynthesis and be significant source of assimilates. Non-foliar organs, such as green petals, spathe and receptacle, developing fruits, and stem tissues, have thus been reported as potential source of photo-assimilates. Question arises: what is the role of non-foliar tissues greening and photosynthesis, and how is this process regulated? Floral greening of Christmas rose (Helleborus niger L.) has been examined in details and represents a good example for functionality of non-foliar photosynthesis. The sepals of the Christmas rose, which are white at anthesis, persist until the seeds are ripe and become intensely green during that period. Unpollinated or depistillated flowers survive almost as long as their fruit-bearing neighbors, but do not pass through the complete greening process. Removal of the gynoecium also affects the shape of the flower and the length of the flower scape. Fertilization and fruit development are triggers that modulate foliar photosynthesis in the Christmas rose. The correlative signals which maintain these morphogenetic processes appear to include plant hormones (cytokinins, gibberellins, auxins) synthesized in the developing fruit. The life-cycle of the flowers is almost complementary to that of the leaves. Leaves survive normal winters, but are often pressed to the ground by snow and covered with debris, and thus no longer fully operative during anthesis. They will then die back around the time when fruit development is initiated. The new generation of leaves starts appearing a few weeks later and is not always fully expanded, at seed maturity. Since leaves are only moderately functional when the fructification occurs, the green sepals of Christmas rose are thus responsible to carry out the bulk of photosynthesis and provide assimilates for the developing fruit. This flexibility should be a competitive advantage for a species exposed, during fruit set, to the stressful, ever changing, weather conditions of a South-European winter and early spring.

Nakon što je 2015. godine objavljena botanička monografija Endemi u hrvatskoj flori otvorile su se mogućnosti za detaljniju obradu biljnih endema užih područnih i regionalnih flora. U radu su obrađeni podatci za 50 najvažnijih endemičnih vrsta i podvrsta te nekoliko endemičnih križanaca flore na području grada Rijeke i njene šire okolice u zapadnoj Hrvatskoj. Određeni su tipovi staništa te biljne zajednice u kojima uspijevaju endemične vrste, a provjereni su i prethodno objavljeni podatci o prisutnosti pojedinih endemičnih vrsta i podvrsta na ovom području. Tijekom višegodišnjih terenskih istraživanja otkriven je niz novih nalazišta pojedinih endemičnih svojti. Najveći broj biljnih endema zabilježen je na travnjacima. Po brojnosti endemičnih vrsta slijede petrofilna staništa (pukotine stijena, točila i obalni grebeni), a najmanji broj endemičnih svojti zabilježen je u šumama i šikarama. S obzirom na važnost travnatih staništa za održavanje bogate endemične flore posebno su istaknuti tipovi travnatih staništa izloženih snažnom i učestalom puhanju bure, koji se odlikuju velikom brojnošću nekih od najznačajnijih endema ovog područja kao što su Genista holopetala, Euphorbia triflora subsp. triflora, Athamanta turbith ssp. haynaldii, Genista sericea, Onosma stellulata, Scabiosa silenifolia, Campanula marchesettii, Euphrasia illyrica, Satureja subspicata ssp. liburnica, Edraianthus tenuifolius, Knautia spp. Neki od istraženih lokaliteta su zbog prisutnosti rijetkih i ugroženih biljnih svojti uključeni kao botanički važni u ekološku mrežu Europske unije – NATURA 2000, a veliki dio planine Obruč uvršten je u botanički važna područja Hrvatske (engl. Important Plant Areas, IPA). U radu su navedeni primjeri praktičnog korištenja znanja o endemičnom bilju, jer ono može biti od velike pomoći u svakodnevnom životu, primjerice u zaštiti prirode, planiranju različitih zahvata u prostoru, ali i kod izoliranja pojedinih čovjeku korisnih spojeva iz biljaka, u apikulturi, u turističkoj promidžbi.

During the conduction of research project TEUCLIC (HRZZ-IP-11-2013-3304) some problems in carob growing and processing of carob pods and seeds were detected, as a consequence of insufficient botanical knowledge about morphology of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L) pods and seeds and also about physiology of anthesis. In this presentation two study cases will be exposed, in which some problems in carob growing and technology of drying of carob pods and seeds were solved exclusively by usage of basic botanical knowledge. However, bridging the gap between different approaches and disciplines by using different communication tolls, took a very long time. Achieved results are consequence of interdisciplinary and interactive approach of all stakeholders in research as well as final users of research results.

Phytobenthos, one of biological quality elements according to the Water Framework Directive (WFD), is a key component in the evaluation of the ecological status of lake ecosystems. Nevertheless, studies on phytobenthic and periphytic communities in lakes are vastly outnumbered when compared with the corresponding phytoplanktic communities (Cantonati & Lowe 2014). Diatoms, as the most important representatives of phytobenthos, are characterized by having a short life cycle, widespread distribution and a distinct sensitivity to the slightest environmental changes. These features enable a relatively easy monitoring of an ecosystem and detection of changes in the ecological status. Distribution and composition of diatom communities are mainly conditioned by the lake depth and substrate type, the amount of available light and shading effect. The shallow littoral strip of the lake is inhabited by species adapted to high irradiance, large temperature oscillations and constant fluctuations in the water level. In the lake's deep zone, where conditions are often dominated by low light availability, strong effect of shading by phytoplankton and attenuated oxygen concentration with bacterial degradation processes, a distinct diatom community is present. Plitvice Lakes, a specific hydrogeological phenomenon composed of 16 cascading lakes, constitutes a referent lake ecosystem for the water quality evaluation and monitoring of the phytobenthic community. The purpose of this study was to compare differences in the composition and abundance of diatom communities and to determine the ecological status of lakes Kozjak and Prošće. Benthic samples, along with the samples for chemical analysis of water, were collected during 2015 and 2016, from the deepest point and from the shallow littoral point on both lakes. After cleaning of samples and preparation of permanent slides diatoms were identified, measured and counted to 400 frustules on each slide. Water quality of the investigated lakes was determined using several multimetric diatom indices: Croatian saprobic index - SIHRIS, Croatian trophic diatom index - TIDRH, Pollution Sensitivity Index - IPS. The relationship between samples and nutrient concentrations was tested using multivariate analysis of canonical correspondence (CCA) to investigate the influence of chemical and physical factors on the composition of the community.

Matičnjak (Melissa officinalis L., Lamiaceae) je biljka zapadnih područja Azije i istočnog Mediterana, a kultivira se u gotovo cijeloj Europi i Sjevernoj Americi. To je višegodišnja biljka, visine 30 do 90 cm, obično s nekoliko stabljika. Listovi su dugi 2-9 cm i široki 1-5 cm, jajoliki do ovalni, nazubljenog ruba, peteljke duge 2 do 35 mm. Vrlo su specifičnog mirisa na limun. Cvjetovi su bijeli ili ružičasti. Listovi sadrže čitav niz različitih kemijskih spojeva: eterično ulje, fenolne kiseline (važan su izvor ružmarinske kiseline), flavonoide, trjeslovine itd. Eterično ulje i listovi matičnjaka rabe se u liječenju blagih nesanica te kao karminativ i spazmolitik. Cilj ovog rada bio je odrediti sadržaj ružmarinske kiseline i ispitati antiagregacijski potencijal 50%-tnih etanolnih (v/v) ekstrakata listova matičnjaka uzoraka skupljenih tijekom 2014. i 2015. godine. Sadržaj ružmarinske kiseline određen je obrnuto faznom tekućinskom kromatografijom visoke djelotvornosti spregnutom s detektorom s nizom dioda (RP-HPLC-DAD). Antiagregacijski potencijal ekstrakata matičnjaka ispitan je impedancijskom metodom na punoj krvi u testu agregacije potaknute adenozindifosfatom (ADP test). Sadržaj ružmarinske kiseline kretao se u rasponu od 1, 78-4, 35%. Rezultati statističke analize (jednosmjerna ANOVA s Turkeyovim post hoc testom) su pokazali da jedino nerazrijeđeni ekstrakti pokazuju antiagregacijski učinak u ADP testu (31, 25 µg/mL). Standard ružmarinske kiseline pokazao je statistički značajno smanjenje agregacije trombocita pri koncentraciji od 90 µM. Ovim radom pokazan je antiagregacijski potencijal etanolnih ekstrakata listova matičnjaka, što se u određenoj mjeri može povezati sa sadržajem ružmarinske kiseline

Knjiga sadrži sažetke usmenih i posterskih priopćenja prezentiranih na 5. Hrvatskom botaničkom simpoziju.

The large genus Hypericum L. (Hypericaceae) comprises about 470 species, grows all over the world, and is divided into 30 main sections and 6 additional subsections. Although its molecular phylogeny is well researched, taxonomic studies of other characters of the genus Hypericum are still on-going. The aim of our study was to investigate the possible taxonomical and evolutionary significance of micromorphology for the genus. Therefore, pollen and seeds of 32 taxa (from 14 sections) were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed new features of pollen and seeds for 14 Hypericum species, some new irregularities of their pollen morphology, and some of our results are similar to previous studies. Pollen grains are regularly three- stephanocolporate with a microreticulate to reticulate ornamentation pattern. Some taxa showed irregularities. They can produce more than three apertures and hence loose its polarity. In spite of eleven distinct pollen types in a previous research, our results pointed to a smaller number of pollen types for the genus Hypericum. Seeds morphology showed the characteristic features of the exotesta sculpture, probably caused by the differences in the wall thickness of the cells of the outer layer. These are probably the most distinctive feature of Hypericum seeds that help to distinguish entire sections and show a general evolutionary trend of seed morphology from cylindrical to carinate and/or narrowly winged. Our SEM observations also showed some new exotesta sculptures. Different taxonomical implications of the researched micromorphological features, especially those which could be used for delimitation of some taxa of the genus Hypericum, will be briefly discussed.

Spartium junceum L. (Fabaceae), commonly known as Spanish broom, is a perennial shrub, native to the Mediterranean region and south-western Europe. According to the Croatian National Habitat Classification, stands with Spartium junceum on a flysch substrate (D.3.3) are classified as Mediterranean thickets (D.3). The floristic composition of these stands in Croatia is completely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate floristic composition of stands with Spartium junceum on a flysch substrate in the Župa dubrovačka region. Župa dubrovačka has a surface area of 22.81 km² (altitude ranging from 0 to 628 m a.s.l.) and a population of 8460 people. The research was carried out during 2016 using the Braun Blanquet (1964) approach. The plot size was set at 50 m2. Nomenclature of plant taxa follows Flora Europaea (Tutin et al. 1964-1980, 1993). The Spartium junceum-stands are developed as low (2-4 m), dense, impenetrable shurb formation, mostly on southern expositions with the cover of 80-100%. These stands are under significant antropogenic influence (fires, cutting, grazing, urbanisation). They occupy large areas, often with temporary or permanent watercourses and include a relatively small number of species. These stands are characterized by the dominance of Spartium junceum. Among other species, elmleaf blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius Schott) has a relatively high cover and frequency. Some of the most frequent taxa were: Arundo plinii Turra, Psoralea bituminosa L. Dactylis glomerata L. ssp. hispanica (Roth) Nyman etc. The ground layer is extremely poor in species, due to strong shading. This study presents the first detailed data on floral composition of the stands with Spartium junceum on the eastern Adriatic coast. Although Spartium junceum stands do not have economic value in the study area, their role in local ecology (eg. to prevent soil erosion) and the aesthetics of landscape seems to be important.

Seed germination is the first critical stage of plant development and the key factor of reproductive biology. Germination is crucial for successful establishment of wild communities as well as in efficient gardening. Investigation of seed germination is still of great importance, especially in botanic gardens devoted to preserve the world’s plant diversity. Botanical garden F. Kušan of Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry has cultivated more than 20 taxa of the genus Hypericum L. Apart from medicinal plant H. perforatum L. and several endemics, germination of Hypericum has not been studied yet. In order to increase knowledge of germination biology of Hypericum as well as to test seed viability in garden conditions, germination of 8 Hypericum taxa was investigated (H. androsaemum L., H. delphicum Boiss & Heldr, H. densiflorum Pursh., H. hircinum L., H. kouytchense H.Lév, H. olympicum L., H. patulum Thunb. ex Murray and H. pseudohenryi N. Robson). Seeds were collected over two years. Tests were carried out following the International Rules for Seed Testing protocols, and defined by the final germination percentage and the germination rate. The effect of prechilling (7 days/8° C) and the influence of gibberellic acid (0, 025%) were also tested. Final germination percentages were highly variable depending on the taxa, ranging from 11% (H. densiflorum) to 90% (H. pseudohenryi). Similarly, germination rate varied from 6 days (H. hircinum, H. patulum) to 23 days (H. androsaemum). For the most of the taxa, seeds collected in different years germinated at the similar percentage. However, the exceptions were seeds of H. androsaemum and H. olympicum which seem to be highly dormant since observed lesser germination of younger seeds. Prechilling had no effect on germination, while gibberellic acid significantly enhanced the germination of the most taxa, except in the case of H. hircinum and H. patulum. Germination of H. androsaemum and H. densiflorum seeds was very low (20-41% ; 11-12%), and was promoted significantly by gibberellic acid up to three times. Seeds of the Chinese H. pseudohenryi displayed the most efficient germination (85-90%).

Vremenske prilike posljednjeg desetljeća sve manje prate poznate godišnje i sezonske hodove i sve je više ekstremnih vremenskih događaja koji ugrožavaju poljoprivrednu proizvodnju. Kako biljni svijet prvi reagira na vremenske i klimatske promjene u prirodi, praćenje i proučavanje razvojnih faza biljaka, čime se bavi fenologija, dobar su pokazatelj klimatskih promjena. Da bi se istražio utjecaj klimatskih promjena na rast i razvoj jabuke u sjevernoj Hrvatskoj, analizirani su fenološki podaci s postaje Štrigova. Proučavane su dvije sorte jabuke: jesenska stara sorta 'Bobovec' u razdoblju 1975–2015. i jesenska novija sorta 'Idared' u razdoblju 1987–2015. Za razliku od novih sorti čiji su plodovi veći, otporniji te oku ugodniji, mnogi ljubitelji jabuka složit će se da su mnoge stare sorte, iako ne tako privlačnog izgleda, daleko ukusnije. Dakako da su već pomalo i zaboravljene stoga što zbog nekih svojih karakteristika na tržištu ne mogu opstati (slabija otpornost na bolesti, skladištenje i transport). Kod jabuke se prate osam fenoloških faza: početak listanja, početak cvjetanja, puno cvjetanje, završetak cvjetanja, prvi zreli plodovi, berba, opće žućenje lišća i opće opadanje lišća. Osnovna statistička analiza pokazala je da u sjevernoj Hrvatskoj početak vegetacije sorte 'Idared' počinje početkom travnja, a sorte 'Bobovec' polovinom travnja, a završavaju polovinom studenoga za obje sorte. Zrenje plodova sorte 'Idared' počinje u prosjeku ranije (3. rujna) nego sorte 'Bobovec' (16. rujna). Stoga je i berba plodova sorte 'Idared' u drugoj polovini rujna, a sorte 'Bobovec' sredinom listopada. Primjena Mann-Kendallov rang testa za ocjenu signifikantnosti linearnog trenda i analize linearnih trendova fenofaza jabuke posljednjih desetljeća pokazale su raniji početak njihova cvjetanja oko -2 dana/10 godina i statistički značajan negativan trend punog i završetka cvjetanja od -3 do -5 dana/10 godina kao posljedicu povećanja proljetnih vrijednosti temperature zraka. Početak zrenja plodova za obje sorte počinje znatno ranije, ali ranija berba javlja se samo kod sorte 'Bobovec' (-3 dana/10 god). Kasnije opadanje lišća opaženo je samo kod sorte 'Bobovec' (2 dana/10 god). Utvrđeni raniji početak razvojnih faza jabuke od nekoliko dana u deset godina na prvi pogled ne izgleda puno. No, ako se uzme da bi u budućnosti do kraja 21. st. jabuke cvale i dozrijevale prije i do mjesec dana onda to pokazuje velik poremećaj u vegetacijskom ciklusu.

Župa Dubrovačka is one of the Croatian region less known from geobotanical point of view. The aim of this research is to carry out a phytosociological study of the area. Study area (surface area of 22.81 km², altitude ranging 0-628 m a.s.l.) is characterized by complex geomorphological features (steep hillsides, agricultural terraces on slopes, occurrence of intermittent or permanent springs, etc.) and wide substrata diversity. The coast (cliffs, rocky and pebble beaches) has a total length of 11.4 km. Sea depths in Župa Dubrovačka Bay are between 2 and 48 m. The area has 8, 300 year-round inhabitants (estimated 2011), but this number increases several-fold in summer. Vegetation analyses were mainly focused on the forest community and allowed the physiognomic and structural description of the climatophilous and edaphoxerophilous forest vegetation (holm oak forests), edaphohygrophilous forest vegetation (deciduous forest communities of Populus spp. and Salix spp.), evergreen shrublands (maquis formations), garrigues, perennial grasslands and azonal (psammophilous, rupicolous, riparian) vegetation. The vegetation analysis was performed using the phytosociological method of the Zürich-Montpellier sigmatist school (Braun-Blanquet 1964). Output of the phytosociological study is a syntaxonomic diversity. Setting the syntaxonomic scheme of the vegetation was our secondary objective. Finally, the plant communities of the Župa Dubrovačka region are the direct result of many ecological factors, such as the nature of the substrate, climatic conditions, which vary depending on the aspect, elevation, etc. The ancient human actions especially grazing, fire and cutting, and more recently the urbanization of the coastal zone excludes any possibility of recovery of woody vegetation and is causing a severe fragmentation on the plant landscape.

The area of karst springs Rumin Veliki and Rumin Mali, placed between Dinara and Kamešnica Mts, has been floristically researched during the years 2014. and 2015. The left and right banks of this two short watercourses, which are merging together and finally flow into the Cetina river, were also included in analysis and their plant diversity was observed. In total, 443 plant taxa were noticed. From that number, five taxa were already known (according to literature data) and 438 taxa were recorded for the first time. The paper contains analysis of floral elements and life forms of the researched area.

North-American grass species Glyceria striata has been recorded in Europe for the first time in 1849 in France. The first observations from other European countries appeared from mid-20th century, thus in total 17 countries reported presence of this alochtonous species so far. Independent introductions to Europe have occurred more than once, most likely through mixed grass seeds from USA. Since G. striata prefers wet habitats, it is assumed that birds, water flow and human activities are the main factors responsible for its spread through the continent. According to available data, the species has not yet been naturalized on the Iberian and Balkan peninsulas. During the extensive field survey of the alluvial forests of Dinaric region, the species has been found in June 2015, for the first time in Croatia. In total 4 localities have been recorded in Gorski Kotar region (NW Croatia), close to Slovenian border. The first two were near the place Gerovo, and the other two along the Kupa River (Sedalce and Brod na Kupi). The species has been found within alluvial forest stands belonging to two associations (Lamio orvalae-Alnetum incanae Dakskobler 2010 and Lamio orvalae-Salicetum eleagni Dakskobler, Šilc et Čušin ex Dakskobler 2007). G. striata has probably arrived to Croatia from the neighbouring Slovenian populations by water flows, and has spread at least on two localities by human activities. It is, for certain, widely overlooked and ignored, due to its similarity with the grasses Puccinellia distans (L.) Parl., Catabrosa aquatica (L.) P.Beauv., and some species of the genus Poa. Currently, G. striata does not show a risk to native floras, yet it is assessed as potentially invasive species in Central Europe due to its clonal growth.

Species from the genus Galium L. have long been used in folk medicine as diuretics, choleretics, adstringents, sedatives, in the treatment of gout, kidney stones and gallstones, diarrhea, skin disorders and wounds, bone fractures and epilepsy, with Galium verum L. being one of the most commonly used. Aerial parts of eight Galium taxa (Galium corrudifolium Vill., G. cruciata (L.) Scop., G. divaricatum Pourret ex Lam., G. lucidum All., G. mollugo L., G. palustre L., G. parisiense L. and G. verum L.) were harvested from the Šibenik area in Croatia during their flowering season in 2012. Phytochemical screening of the taxa was done on dry powdered plant material as well as on 80%-methanolic extracts prepared by ultrasound-assisted extraction. Contents of total phenolics and flavonoids were determined spectrophotometrically by using the Folin-Ciocalteu's reagent and aluminium chloride, respectively, while iridoid content was evaluated by using the Trim-Hill reagent. Evaluation of antioxidant potential was based on two in vitro assays, the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the 2, 2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay. All investigated species gave positive reactions for flavonoids and iridoids, while most of them contained saponins, steroids, triterpenes and tannins. Total phenolic content, which ranged from 61.5 to 111.0 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry extract, was highest for G. cruciata, while G. verum contained the highest amount of flavonoids (23.1 mg quercetin equivalents/g dry extract) and iridoids (461.3 mg aucubin equivalents/g dry extract). Both antioxidant activity assays indicated that G. cruciata (IC50 = 27.6-30.3 μg/mL) and G. divaricatum (IC50 = 30.3-34.7 μg/mL) together with G. verum (IC50 = 30.7-36.7 μg/mL) have the greatest antioxidant potential. The results of this study support the known healing properties of G. verum, but also suggest several related species, namely G. cruciata, G. divaricatum and G. palustre, as candidates for further research.

Maly's crocus (Crocus malyi Vis., family Iridaceae) is a stenoendemic that so far has been noticed on few localities only, in the middle and south section of Mt Velebit. This research has shown that C. malyi is a relatively common species of rugged thermophilous forests, thermophilous grasslands and other open thermophilous habitats along the littoral slopes of Mt. Velebit. On the other hand, C.vernus (L.) Hill is a species of mesophytic and colder Fagus sylvatica L. forests. Both species grow next to each other on a number of localities forming hybrids, probably hybrid swards as well. In this work we have presented the morphological and ecological characterization of the newly found hybrid C. × velebiticus Randić et Kremer, nothospecies nova. The C. × velebiticus is characterized with several macro morphological traits: plant height 145.4 ± 48.1 mm ; outer perigon leaves length and width 32.6 ± 6.3 mm and 9.3 ± 3.2 mm, respectively ; stamens and anthers length 21.2 ± 3.7 mm and 14.6 ± 3 mm, respectively ; corm length and width 13.8 ± 3.3 mm and 13.4 ± 4.5 mm, respectively. The perigon and perigon´s tube colours are quite variable, while typical specimens are mainly white with a blue-violet 1 to 4 mm wide stripe on the abaxial side of the outer perigon leaves. The stripe extends from the base of perigon leaves up to ½, ⅔ or throughout the perigon leaves length. The inner perigon leaves usually have violet spots on the first ⅓ of the abaxial side length. The perigon throat has a slightly developed yellowish spot and hairs. The stigma is pinnate, usually arranged in 2-3 levels, reddish-orange and in most specimens higher than anthers. The perigon colour of some specimens is violet as in C. vernus, but violet C. × velebiticus specimens possess bracteoles like C. malyi. The existence of bracteoles is a constant trait in all investigated C. × velebiticus specimens, whatever the colour or other variable traits. More or less expressed stunted growth of stamens and/or pistil in some specimens, also indicate the hybrid character of C. × velebiticus. The habitat of C. × velebiticus are usually rocky grasslands with Sesleria juncifolia, Carex humilis, and Bromus erectus s. l. as dominant species, and in most examples it is situated in close proximity to forest patches. The C. × velebiticus specimens chosen for holotypes and isotypes were found on the stony and grassy fire site in the Radlovac area in the middle section of Mt. Velebit, a locus classicus of this hybrid.

Projekt integracije u EU Natura 2000, opsežni je projekt iz područja zaštite prirode koji se zadnjih godina intenzivno provodi u Republici Hrvatskoj. Obuhvaća ulaganja u zaštićena područja i područja ekološke mreže, jačanje kapaciteta za praćenje stanja bioraznolikosti i upravljanje ekološkom mrežom. U okviru projektnih aktivnosti koje se odnose na utvrđivanje stanja istraženosti svih sastavnica bioraznolikosti, tijekom 2013. i 2014. godine urađena je inventarizacija lišajske flore Hrvatske. Glavni cilj bio je prikupljanje i georeferenciranje svih taksonomskih i distribucijskih podataka o lišajskim svojtama, obradom dostupnih literaturnih izvora i pregledom zbirki lišajeva i primjeraka u dva nacionalna te pet herbarija u inozemstvu. Temeljem prikupljenih podataka utvrđeno je da aktualnu lišajsku floru Hrvatske čine ukupno 962 svojte, svrstane u 217 rodova i 84 porodice liheniziranih i neliheniziranih gljiva. Najbrojnije su porodice: Verrucariaceae (121 svojta), Teloschistaceae (89) i Physciaceae (66) ; dok su među rodovima najbrojniji: Caloplaca (71 svojta), Cladonia (56) i Lecanora s 51 svojtom. Prema podacima iz literaturnih izvora ukupno je u bazu podataka unijeto i georeferencirano 7.888 nalaza lišajskih svojti. Najstarije nalaze lišajeva za područje Hrvatske zabilježio je 1829. godine na planini Učki talijanski botaničar Tommasini. Pregledom lišajskih zbirki pohranjenih u istraživanim herbarijima zabilježeni su i obrađeni podaci s ukupno 5.540 etiketa. Najviše sakupljenih lišajeva potječe s područja planine Velebit (703 primjerka), slijede otok Hvar (475), Istra (396), područje grada Rijeke i Kvarnersko primorje (394), Gorski kotar (360) i južna Dalmacija s 312 primjeraka. Najveći broj primjeraka sakupljen je u razdobljima 1907. - 1918., te 1924. - 1932. godine. Među starijim istraživačima i sakupljačima lišajeva na području Hrvatske ističu se: Fran Kušan, Julius Baumgartner, Miroslav Servit, Jenö Béla Kümmerle i Albert Latzel. U proteklih dvadeset godina obnovljena su lihenološka istraživanja u Hrvatskoj i postignut je značajan doprinos boljem poznavanju lišajske flore kao dijelu ukupne nacionalne bioraznolikosti.

Lichens, due to their ability to take nutrients and water directly from the air, are commonly used as bioindicators and biomonitors of air pollution. Airborne heavy metal pollutants cause various physiological changes in lichens, although the sensitivity to pollution is species specific. The city of Slavonski Brod has the most polluted air in Croatia due to the oil refinery situated directly across the border with Bosnia and Hercegovina. Reports from monitoring stations in the city show high content of pollutants including fine particles (PM2.5), sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide. In this study, two native lichens, Flavoparmelia caperata and Parmelia sulcata were collected at 20 sites around Slavonski Brod in 20 km radius from the oil refinery. The effects of the refinery pollution on lichen secondary metabolites and the possible correlation with content of metals (cadmium, nickel, lead and zinc) in lichen thalli were evaluated. Investigated species were not recorded at two sampling sites closest to the refinery, confirming the strong pollution effects. Lead and zinc contents were increased in lichen thalli collected at sites within the city and across the refinery indicating the cumulative effect of urban and industrial pollution. No differences in content of secondary metabolites atranorin, chloroatranorin, usnic acid and protocetraric acid were observed between different sites. However, salazinic acid content was slightly increased in lichens growing on closest plots directly across the refinery suggesting its possible role in protecting lichen thalli from metal pollution.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a world-known natural karst phenomenon composed of 16 cascading lakes separated by natural travertine barriers. Along with tufa formation, biological element constitutes the most important component to the beauty and diversity of this protected ecosystem, with diatoms as the most important part of planktonic and benthic communities. Owing to their diversity, wide distribution and species-specific environmental constraints diatoms are commonly used as very sensitive indicators of the ecological status of aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, correct and accurate identification of diatom species plays a crucial role in the characterization of aquatic ecosystems. Samples of plankton and benthos were collected monthly during the vegetation period from June 2015 to July 2016 in the two largest lakes of Plitvice Lakes NP, Kozjak and Prošće. Laboratory work included cleaning of samples and preparation of permanent slides for diatom identification and preparation of photographic collection. Slide inspection revealed more than 150 diatom species, with several potentially new to science, along with several endemic species. Diatom composition in two lakes is presented in tabular form, together with photographs of the most important representatives.

The invasive plant species spreading into those communities where they were not naturally widespread is considered a global problem, and studies have shown that it leads to distortions of biodiversity and the disappearance of some native species. Unlike the non-invasive flora, invasive species have not yet been systematically studied in the area of the Nature Park Žumberak – Samoborsko gorje. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the presence of invasive species and their representation in the flora of the eastern part of the protected area. The research was carried out using MTB 1/64 grid units. The determined species were analyzed with respect to their life form, the mechanism of seed dispersal and the type of land use where the individual taxa appear. As a result, a distribution map of the invasive species in the eastern part of the park was obtained. It represents the basis for the further monitoring planning of the population size of invasive species.

The genus Entomoneis Ehrenberg includes mostly epipelic, brackish, marine or freshwater pennate diatoms. Structurally this genus possess complex frustules, characterized by bilobate raphe-bearing keel elevated from the valve body, the morphologically variable junction lines and numerous girdle bands. Most recognizable morphological features of these diatoms are 90°cell torsion around apical axis and slightly silicified frustules. Up to date, three different Entomoneis species have been recorded in the Adriatic Sea – E. alata, E. paludosa and E. pulchra and none of them has been cultivated and thoroughly analysed through morphological and molecular analysis. For purposes of this study several oceanographic cruises were conducted – BIOTA (Bio-tracing Adriatic water masses) expedition conducted in February/March 2015 and March 2016 in the south-eastern Adriatic Sea, and middle Adriatic cruises (Telašćica Nature Park and Kornati National Park) conducted during June and October 2015. During these cruises, numerous Entomoneis cells were harvested. Cells were manually isolated by micropipette and agar plating techniques and long-term cultured in Guillard's F2 marine enrichment solution. In 2015 BIOTA cruise the enigmatic taxon was found in the water samples in low abundances (up to 200 cells L-1) and three monoclonal strains were established from plankton net samples. After thorough morphological observations (light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy) and molecular analyses (SSU, rbcL, psbC gene phylogenies) from these cultivatedstrains we concluded they belong to a new Entomoneis species. The same molecular and taxonomical analyses on the strain isolated from middle Adriatic revealed yet another possible new species for science. On-going study on genus Entomoneis is promising and challenging for the phytoplankton in the Adriatic Sea and for diatom taxonomy in general.

Acta Botanica Croatica međunarodni je znanstveni časopis u izdanju Biološkog odsjeka Prirodoslovno matematičkog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, koji je 2015. godine obilježio svoju devedesetu obljetnicu i ulazak u deseto desetljeće izlaženja. Od svog osnutka 1925. godine, časopis ima ulogu vodećeg prijenosnika znanstvenih informacija iz područja botanike u Hrvatskoj. Uz prekide u izlaženju, do danas je objavljeno ukupno 74 volumena časopisa i jedno posebno izdanje. Od 2002. godine članci u izvorno elektroničkom obliku pohranjuju se na portal hrvatskih znanstvenih časopisa u otvorenom pristupu – Hrčak. U svrhu zaštite izvornika te veće dostupnosti cjelovitog sadržaja časopisa Acta Botanica Croatica kao nacionalne znanstvene baštine, započeli smo digitalizaciju starijih godišta časopisa, od 1925. do 2001. godine. Digitalizacija je provedena u Središnjoj biološkoj knjižnici, uz financijsku potporu Biološkog odsjeka PMF-a. Skenirano je 60 volumena časopisa i jedno posebno izdanje, odnosno 1056 članaka koji su sadržavali preko 11500 stranica i 131 tabelu. Materijal je skeniran ručno, u rezoluciji 300 dpi, čemu je slijedilo kreiranje PDF dokumenata te oblikovanje teksta pomoću OCR (Optical Character Recognition) programa. Pohranom na portal Hrčak, članke je moguće pregledavati i pretraživati prema autoru, naslovu i ključnim riječima. Više od 8000 posjeta digitaliziranim člancima u prva dva mjeseca nakon objavljivanja, podatak je koji govori u prilog potrebi i važnosti prezentiranog sadržaja i u suvremenim botaničkim istraživanjima.

Croatia is bryologically one of the best-known regions of former Yugoslavia and even in Southeast Europe. As a part of the Austro–Hungarian Monarchy, the country was researched during 19th and early 20th century mostly by foreign bryologists. Afterwards, local researchers in 1950-ies and 1960-ies were mostly focused only on the bryophyte flora karst rivers. Therefore, bryology has been a neglected research field in the country for many years. Many species have only 100 year-old records ; hence, new studies on bryophytes are necessary. Since 2011, several bryological field trips were organised in co-operation between the Hungarian Natural History Museum and the University of Zagreb. Mainly national parks and other protected areas were investigated: Gorski Kotar Region, National Park Plitvička jezera, North Velebit, Papuk Mts, Žumberačka gora, and saline grasslands at Trpinja in Western Srijem. During these field trips more than 1700 specimens were collected. 35 species (6 liverworts and 29 mosses) were reported for the first time in Croatia. 34 populations of 14 bryophyte species were included in the Red data book of European bryophytes and populations of a further 12 species (2 liverworts and 10 mosses) of European conservation interest being on the candidate list of the new Red data book of European bryophytes were found. Besides these, several populations of species rare on the Balkans, especially mosses of wetlands, atlantic-subatlantic species, and boreal leafy hepatics, were also discovered. An overview of the species important from a conservation point of view in various habitat types will be provided.

Zemlja je nastala prije 5 milijardi godina zajedno sa 149.6 x 106 kilometara udaljenim Suncem. U procesu nastajanja niza objekata i planeta Sunčevog sustava, jedino se Zemlja našla na udaljenosti koja je omogućila sva tri agregatna stanja vode, a time i stvaranje života. Zemlja je dinamični sustav u kojem se energija neprestano izmjenjuje i zahvaljujući tome stvarali su se oceani, planine, kontinenti, ali i prije nekoliko milijardi godina atmosfera. Niz promjena stvorile su iz, kako se za sada čini, HCN i H2S uz pomoć UV zračenja, prekrusore nukleinskih kiselina (RNA). Procesi i reakcije koji su doveli do stvaranja nukleinskih kiselina također su doveli istovremeno i do nastajanja aminokiselina i lipida, kao početnih dijelova života. Nastali su jednostanični organizmi koje mi danas nazivamo prokariotima. Neki od prokariotskih organizama prije 3, 5 milijarde godina uz pomoć ključne molekule, proteina D1, kao srca fotosintetske reakcije, u procesu fotosinteze, počeli su proizvoditi kisik. Kisik koji je dospijevao u okolinu u početcima se trošio za niz oksidacijskih procesa, a u konačnici za nastajanje atmosfere. Prokariotski fotosintetski organizmi su više od milijardu godina postepeno mijenjali atmosferu čineći je prikladnom za novi korak u evoluciji i život na Zemljinoj površini. Tragovi prokariotskih autotrofnih organizama pronađeni su u fosilnim nalazima iz prekambrijskog razdoblja i danas ih nazivamo Cijanobakterijama. Na Zemlji su prije 3, 8 milijardi godina nastali i eukariotski organizmi. Razlika u strukturi stanice između prokariota i eukariota predstavlja najveću evolucijsku nezavisnost u živom svijetu danas i mnogo je veća od same činjenice postojanja ili nepostojanja jezgrine membrane. Prokarioti su naizgled jednostavniji u strukturi, ali ne i nužno u kemijskim procesima. Pogled kroz elektronski mikroskop otkriva nam mnogobrojne strukture koje su omogućile ovim organizmima da milijarde godina žive na Zemlji gotovo nepromijenjeni. Usporedbama morfologije cijanobakterija iz prekambrijskog razdoblja i danas otkriva nam nevjerojatnu činjenicu da su gotovo morfološki istovjetne. Osim što imaju jednu od ključnih uloga u stvaranju živog svijeta na Zemlji imaju i jedinstvenu ulogu nastajanju eukariotskih fotosintetskih organizama. U procesu koju nazivamo endosimbioza prije 1, 5 milijardi godina od cijanobakterija nastao je plastid i od proteobakterija mitohondrij. Oba organela u evoluciji su izmjenom svoj ih biokemijskih reakcija i smanjenjem genoma kodirali svoje proteine u jezgri eukariotske stanice, odnosno postali trajno njeni sastavni dio. Teorija endosimbioze upravo tvrdi da je slijedom priliva prokariotskih gena u eukariotsku jezgru, epizodno došlo do stvaranja novih fotosinteskih eukariotskih organizama. Uslijedili su procesi primarne, sekundarne i tercijarne endosimbioze i evolucijskog razvoja svih danas poznatih algi i biljka na Zemlji.

U Botaničkom vrtu PMF-a izučavali smo ekologiju klijavosti pet vrsta hrvatskih autohtonih trajnica, kako bismo što bolje razumjeli uvjete potrebne za klijanje njihovih sjemenki. Sve izučavane vrste u Hrvatskoj su zakonom strogo zaštićene, a nalaze se i na popisima vrsta važnih za Europsku uniju (Natura-vrste, na Crvenoj listi IUCN-a, uključene Direktivu o staništima i Bernsku konvenciju). Ilirsko-balkanski endem livadni procjepak (Chouardia litardierei (Breistr.) Speta) u EU je kritično ugrožena (CR) vrsta, s obzirom na to da je u Sloveniji, jedinoj zemlji EU u kojoj je osim Hrvatske još rasla, gotovo izumrla. Procjepak je Hrvatskoj još uvijek relativno česta vrsta, kao i grmolika cjelolatična žutilovka (Genista holopetala (Koch) Bald.), liburnijski endem koji se smatra osjetljivim (VU) u EU (Slovenija i Italija). Europski endem je i nerazgranjena pilica (Serratula lycopifolia (Vill.) A. Kern.), vrsta za koju manjkaju podaci (DD) na IUCN-ovoj, EU- i hrvatskoj Crvenoj listi. Sibirska jezičnjača (Ligularia sibirica (L.) Cass.) pronalazi najjužnije europsko stanište u Hrvatskoj, i to na samo jednom lokalitetu, unutar Nacionalnog parka ‘Plitvička jezera’. Kao kritično ugrožena vrsta (CR) nalazi se na hrvatskoj Crvenoj listi. Velebitska degenija (Degenia velebitica (Degen) Hayek), jedinstvena je hrvatska monotipska vrsta koju pronalazimo na samo nekoliko lokaliteta na Velebitu i Kapeli te je upisana u Crvenoj knjizi Hrvatske kao ugrožena (EN). Istraživanja su provedena na zrelim sjemenkama sakupljenim na prirodnim lokalitetima u vrijeme njihovog prirodnog raspršivanja, temeljem službenih Dozvola Ministarstva zaštite okoliša i prirode. Tijekom pokusa izučavali smo: 1) utjecaj temperature (četiri različita režima) i svjetlosti na klijanje ; 2) prisutnost dormancije ; 3) prilagođavanje i uzgoj klijanaca (biljaka) unutar Botaničkog vrta u zbirci samoniklih vrsta. Višak uzgojenih biljaka, uz dozvolu Ministarstva, slobodni smo ponuditi na prodaju građanstvu uz certifikat o legalnom uzgoju. Nakon postavljanja pokusa ostatak sjemenki čuva se u banci sjemena (također uz Dozvolu Ministarstva) na temperaturi od -20˚C. Nadamo se da će svi rezultati dobiveni ovim istraživanjem, kao i biljke uzgojene iz sjemenki tijekom pokusa, doprinijeti unaprjeđenju i poboljšanju trajnog čuvanja rijetkih hrvatskih vrsta biljaka na njihovim prirodnim staništima.

Vrste roda Centaurea bogate su bioaktivnim tvarima te su dokazana njihova antioksidacijska, antibakterijska, citotoksična i druga ljekovita svojstva. Cilj rada je odrediti antioksidacijsku, antibakterijsku i citotoksičnu aktivnost etanolnog (96%) ekstrakta lista i frakcija izoliranih iz hrvatske endemične biljne vrste Centaurea ragusina L. sakupljene na prirodnom lokalitetu u Splitu (lokalitet Katalinić brig i Sustipan). U svrhu boljeg razumijevanja biološke aktivnosti dubrovačke zečine proučavane su interakcije ekstrakta i frakcija s dvolančanim polinukleotidima (moguće biološke mete) spektroskopijom cirkularnog dikroizma (CD spektroskopijom). Etanolni ekstrakt lista pokazao je značajnu antioksidacijsku aktivnost mjerenu DPPH i ABTS metodom dok su frakcije izolirane iz etanolnog ekstrakta pokazale slabu antioksidacijsku aktivnost. Većina testiranih frakcija i etanolni ekstrakt lista pokazali su značajnu antibakterijsku aktivnost na Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 i slabu antibakterijsku aktivnost na Acinetobacter baumannii DURN. Etanolni ekstrakt i frakcije CRE01_06-10 pokazuju značajnu citotoksičnu aktivnost na tumorskim staničnim linijama SCCVII, FsaR i B16‐F10. Etanolni ekstrakt CRE i dio ispitivanih frakcija uzrokovali su smanjenje CD signala polinukleotida (poli A - poli U, ctDNA) i inducirane CD spektre (ICD) u području od 290 - 300 nm koji ukazuju na interakciju s tim biološkim metama. Na temelju snimljenih spektara može se zaključiti da ekstrakt CRE i frakcije CRE01_05 i CRE01_06 sadržavaju spojeve koji se vežu na RNA i DNA. U daljnjim istraživanjima, plan je izolirati spojeve iz ekstrakata i frakcija dubrovačke zečine koji bi se mogli koristiti u prevenciji bolesti uzrokovanim slobodnim radikalima, liječenju bakterijskih infekcija te u liječenju tumora./ Species of the genus Centaurea are rich in bioactive substances with antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic and other medicinal properties. The goal of this work was to determine antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic activity in ethanolic (96%) extract of leaves and isolated fractions of Croatian endemic plant species Centaurea ragusina L. collected at two natural habitats in Split (Katalinić brig and Sustipan). The interactions of extract and fractions with double stranded polynucleotides (possible biological targets) were studied with circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD spectroscopy) to provide a better understanding of the biological activity of C. ragusina. Ethanolic extract showed significant antioxidant activity measured by DPPH and ABTS method while fractions isolated from ethanolic extract showed weak antioxidant activity. Almost all tested fractions and crude ethanolic extract of leaves showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 and weak antibacterial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii DURN. Ethanolic extract and fractions CRE01_06-10 showed significant cytotoxic activity on tumor cell lines SCCVII, FsaR and B16‐F10. Crude ethanolic extract CRE and several fractions caused decrease in the CD signal of polynucleotides and the induced CD spectra (ICD) in the range 290-300 nm, indicating the interaction with studied polynucleotides (ctDNA, poly A - poly U). Based on the recorded spectra we concluded that the compounds from CRE extract and CRE01_05 and CRE01_06 fractions, bind to RNA and DNA. In further investigations, pure compounds isolated from extracts and fractions of C. ragusina could find their use in the prevention of diseases caused by free radicals, treatment of bacterial infections and in the treatment of tumors.

Samoborsko gorje nalazi se u sklopu Parka prirode Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje, u blizini gradova Samobor i Jastrebarsko. Najviši dijelovi ovog brdskog područja obrasli su gustom šumom, a ispod tog pojasa prevladavaju livade koje su u doticaju s obradivim površinama ; oranicama, voćnjacima i vinogradima. Cilj ovog rada bio je utvrditi florni sastav livada jugoistočnog dijela Samoborskog gorja te izdvojiti i opisati ljekovite i aromatične vrste. Terensko istraživanje provedeno je tijekom vegetacijske sezone 2010. na 5 lokaliteta. Rezultati ukazuju na veliko bogatstvo biljaka s ljekovitim i aromatskim svojstvima, a istraživanjem je prikupljeno i determinirano ukupno 88 svojti od kojih 59 vrsta pripada skupini ljekovitih i aromatičnih biljaka. Posebna pozornost ukazana je ljekovitim biljnim vrstama koje su uvrštene u Hrvatsku farmakopeju. Njihove droge smatraju se oficinalnim i koriste u službenoj medicini.

Coccolithophores, single cell photosynthetic algae, are one of the most important counterparts of marine phytoplankton. They are important primary producers and major contributors to the biogeochemical carbon cycle. By the calcifying process the cells produce calcium carbonated cocoliths that form the cell wall. Due to the production of dimethyl sulphide (DMS), coccolithophores contribute to the global sulphur cycle and indirectly to the enhanced reflection of solar radiation that influences temperatures of the oceans. Taxonomy of coccolithophores is extremely challenging due to the small cell size and species specific ultrastructural features visible only by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The life cycle is complex, including haploid and diploid phases that are morphologically distinct. Due to difficulties the coccolithophores taxonomy is under complete revision in the last two decades. Coccolithophores in the Adriatic Sea are poorly known. In order to test the hypothesis of coccolithophores as possible bio-tracers of specific water- masses, a crusie was conducted in southern Adriatic during winter period (February/March 2015, March 2016). 15 Stations on three transects (P-transect (P100-P1000), M-transect (M100-M1000), V-transect (V80-V100)) were chosen and total of 183 samples for phytoplankton and physical-chemical parameters were collected. Additional samples for in microscope analysis (SEM) of coccolithophores community were collected and immediately upon sampling filtered on 2μm-pore-size polycarbonate filter. For phylogenetic analyses, live coccolitophore cells were isolated with micropipette and agar plating tecniques and maintained in culture (agar and Guillard’s F/2 medium). Maximal abundance of microphytoplankton (1.97 × 104 cells/L) and nanophytoplankton (4.40 × 104 cells/L) were recorded in the surface samples on stations P100A and P120A. Microphytoplankton was dominated by diatoms while nanophytoplankton by coccolithophores. In depth analyses of coccolithophores reviled 54 taxa with maximum abundance (1.1 × 105 cells/L) recorded on Station P100A in the subsurface layer. Dominant species were Emiliania huxleyi, Syracosphaera molischii and Syracosphaera sp.

The case of Reynoutria × bohemica begins back in the 1983, when this taxon was firstly described from the Check Republic as a hybrid between Asian R. japonica Houtt. and R. sachalinensis (F. S. Petrop.) Nakai in T. Mori, both alien and invasive in Europe. In their native range, the two taxa are not sympatric ; thus the hybrid is considered to originate in the introduced range. Although firstly described in 1983, revised herbarium specimens show that R. × bohemica occurs in European horticulture since (at least) 1872, and as naturalized since (at least) 1954. Unfortunately, the spread of this taxon had been largely neglected, due to the similarity with parental species. Reports from many European countries emphasize the probability of frequently recording R. × bohemica as one of its parents. The situation in Croatia is not different – both parental species have been recorded since the mid 20th century, but the hybrid is still not listed on the checklist, although, according to our personal knowledge, appears to be widely distributed. The main aim of this study was to finally include R. × bohemica into Croatian checklist, and to begin the unravelling of the existing confusion between the three taxa. For this purpose, we have revised specimens of Reynoutria spp. from all Croatian herbaria (ZA, ZAHO, CNHM, ZAGR), and collected new specimens from the field. Although the distribution of all three taxa should be carefully reviewed in the following years, according to our personal observations, R. × bohemica is by far the most widespread in Croatia.

Ponikva Sovljak, smještena na području Velike Kapele 8, 5 km JJZ od Ogulina, istraživana je kako bi se pomnije proučio fenomen velikih ponikava u vegetacijskom, mikroklimatskom i geomorfološkom smislu. Oblikovana je u karbonatnim naslagama djelovanjem procesa korozije, padinskih procesa i urušavanja, a njezin je postanak predisponiran izrazitim tektonskim pukotinama. Ističe se ljevkastom morfologijom i velikim dimenzijama: dubinom od 60 m i dimenzijama oboda 310 x 450 m. Cilj istraživanja bio je ustanoviti stanišne uvjete u pojedinim dijelovima ponikve ovisno o njenoj morfologiji. U vegetacijskom razdoblju 2015. godine na području ponikve provedena su mikroklimatološka mjerenja memorijskim termohigrografima, kojima su prikupljeni podaci o temperaturi zraka, vlažnosti zraka i temperaturi rosišta na različito izloženim padinama i na dnu ponikve, gdje je istovremeno popisivana i flora. Za popisane biljne svojte je napravljena taksonomska analiza, analiza ekoloških indikatorskih vrijednosti i životnih oblika prema Ellenbergu, te analiza flornih elemenata. Osim analize ukupne flore, napravljena je i analiza flore po dijelovima ponikve, pri čemu je analizirana floristička sličnost staništa korištenjem Sörensenovog indeksa. Na padinama ponikve (sjevernoj i južnoj) i na njenom dnu utvrđeni su različiti stanišni uvjeti uzrokovani geomorfologijom ponikve i mikroklimatskim uvjetima koji su se odrazili na floristički sastav. Dobiveni rezultati ukazali su i na prisutnost inverzije vegetacije kao posljedice pojave inverzije temperature zraka u ponikvi. Ukupno je zabilježeno 107 svojti biljaka, od kojih su najvećim udjelom u florističkom sastavu bile zastupljene svojte iz porodice Lamiaceae. Zabilježeno je 6 svojti zaštićenih Zakonom o zaštiti prirode i Pravilnikom o strogo zaštićenim vrstama, 10 ih se nalazi u Crvenoj knjizi vaskularne flore Hrvatske, a zabilježena su i 4 endema.

Until recently, Umbraulva dangeardii M. J. Wynne & G. Furnari 2014, (synonyms: Umbraulva olivascens, Ulva olivascens) was classified as a member of the genus Ulva. It was separated in a special genus Umbraulva due to the molecular findings and the presence of the photosynthetic pigment siphonaxanthin. Species has been recorded over a wide area of the Mediterranean Sea, in the European part of the Atlantic Ocean, Canary Islands and in New Zealand. In the Adriatic Sea it was found only in the Gulf of Trieste and at the Kornati Islands. From 2014 to 2016 species was frequently found on our field trips in Split and Kaštela Bay during spring, as one of the most abundant alga of the shallowest infralittoral polluted areas. Although this alga is similar to species of the genus Ulva (“Ulva” morphotype), it can be morphologically distinguished from them by specific olive green color, thin and tender texture, and numerous elliptical perforations on the thallus. The main anatomical characteristics of specimens from Split and the Kaštela Bay correspond to the taxa described from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean: the thickness of the two-layer thallus varies from 50 to 115 μm ; the surface cells are polygonal to round from 11 to 51 μm long ; there is a single chloroplast with one to two pyrenoids. Differentiating the species within the genus Ulva is very difficult due to their morphological similarities between the species as well as the high levels of morphological variation within the species. Umbraulva dangeardii has notable differences but also many morphological similarities with the representatives of the genus Ulva. For that reasons we could conclude that the species is widespread along the Adriatic eutrophicated coastal areas, but has remained rarely observed inside the Ulva association due to its cryptic features. This presumption will need to be further investigated and confirmed in our future research.

Prof. dr. sc. Anto Jurilj, hrvatski algolog, živio je između 1910. - 1981. godine. Za svog radnog vijeka od 40-tih do 60-tih godina prošlog stoljeća djelovao je u Tetovu (Makedonija), Beogradu (Srbija), Zagrebu (Hrvatska) i Sarajevu (Bosna i Hercegovina). Njegov znanstveni rad obuhvaćao je morfologiju, taksonomiju i evoluciju algi kremenjašica. Publicirao je četiri važna djela o kremenjašicama Ohridskog jezera. Dva od četiri rada uključuju opise novih vrsta iz Ohridskog jezera (Jurilj 1948., 1954.). U radovima iz 1956. i 1957. opisuje svoj koncept evolucije i filogenije Surirelloidnih vrsta. U radu iz 1954. godine Jurilj je zabilježio 50 novih vrsta, iako samo 49 opisuje kao nove za znanost. Također u istom radu odbacuje tri prethodno opisna roda: Helisella Jurilj, Iconella Jurilj i Plagiodiscus Jurilj i prebacuje vrste tih rodova u rod Surirella ili u novo opisani rod Scoliodiscus. Sveukupno Jurilj (1948., 1954.) je opisao 44 nove vrste algi kremenjašica u Ohridskom jezeru, četiri nove kombinacije i jedan izmijenjeni opis. Do 2014. godine osnovni problem tipizacije opisanih vrsta bila je nemogućnost pronalaska originalne zbirke. Nakon Juriljeve smrti 1981. godine zbirka je bila izgubljena. Kroz razne kontakte, u čak 10 godina, nije ju bilo moguće pronaći. Zahvaljujući prof. dr. sc. Damiru Viličiću 2014. godine, zbirka je pronađena u Zagrebu. Također, prof. dr. sc. A. Jurilj za vrijeme svog rada je posjetio dr. sc. Friedricha Hustedta u Plönu, u Njemačkoj i donirao mu 20 uzoraka koji su danas dio Hustedtove kolekcije u Alfred Wegener Institutu u Bremerhavenu (BRM, Accession Nos 8240-8251). Uzorci u BRM imaju iste oznake kao i originalni Juriljevi materijali i korišteni su u ovom radu zajedno s originalnom zbirkom i dodatno nađenim uzrocima, u tipizaciji i opisu morfoloških varijabilnosti i značajka vrsta koje je opisao Jurilj.