Nevena Kuzmanović

Genetic, cytological and morphological differentiation within the Balkan-Carpathian Sesleria rigida sensu Fl. Eur. (Poaceae): A taxonomically intricate tetraploid-octoploid complex

Reconstruction of relationships among populations of the morphologically polymorphic and taxonomically intricate Sesleria rigida sensu Fl. Eur. based on Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) revealed four clearly differentiated genetic groups that did only partly follow recent taxonomic concepts, but were strictly allopatric. While some of the previ- ously described taxa constitute distinct genetic entities, others have no taxonomic value. Synthesizing our AFLP data with ploidy-level information obtained from all genetically investigated individuals as well as with chromosome counts revealed that tetraploid individuals prevail, while octoploids occur only within S. filifolia. Lack of AFLP divergence between tetra- and octoploids suggests an autopolyploid origin of the latter. The genetic differentiation pattern was reflected by morphological differentiation, allowing for a taxonomic revision of the constituents of S. rigida sensu Fl. Eur. resulting in recognition of the four species S. achtarovii, S. filifolia, S. rigida, and S. serbica.

Ecologically Determined Variation in Leaf Anatomical Traits of Sesleria rigida (Poaceae) in Serbia – Multivariate Morphometric Evidence

This paper presents the results of a multivariate morphometric study of leaf anatomical characters in different populations of Sesleria rigida sensu lato in Serbia. Morphometric analyses were performed on cross-sections of 521 tiller leaves collected from 21 populations of S. rigida. Principal component analysis and canonical discriminant analysis were used to identify the structure of variability and to determine which variables discriminate between the groups. The UPGMA (unweighted pair-group average linkage) clustering analyses based on leaf anatomical characters and habitat climatic characteristics were employed to explore whether the observed anatomical differences are a result of adaptive responses. Regression analysis (linear regression) was performed to identify the level of correlation between leaf anatomical characters and basic orographic, geological, and bioclimatic habitat characteristics. DIVA-GIS software was used to extract 19 bioclimatic parameters from the WorldClim set of global climate layers. Our detailed analyses have shown that the studied populations are anatomically very well differentiated into the serpentine populations from western Serbia and carbonate populations from eastern Serbia. The regression analysis has shown that the geological substrate (serpentinites vs. carbonates) represents the most significant abiotic factor that is correlated with the anatomical differentiation of the populations in the studied area. Besides the geological substrate, bioclimatic parameters such as precipitation and habitat humidity are also highly correlated with the leaf anatomical characters, which was not the case with temperature.

Towards Detecting Bioclimatic Niche - Species Distribution Modelling in Four Maple Species (Acer Spp.)

Abstract The aim of this paper was firstly to describe the ecological and geographical differentiation of the four maple species (Acer spp.) in Serbia and Kosovo based on floristic and phytocoenological data, and secondly, to model their distributions in order to predict which areas the species can be expected in. The intention was also to compare the resulting prediction maps with the available field records and see whether there are any differences between the actual and the predicted ranges. The data set included 1979 species records and each record was accompanied by geographic coordinates. The geographi-cal analysis was performed on the chorological data (latitude, longitude, altitude), while the ecological was based on vegetation data relating to the association, alliance, order and class as well as on 19 bioclimatic parameters. The data set was georeferenced using GIS tools. The results demonstrated that the distribution patterns of all the analyzed species are mostly affected by the limiting effects of the variables related to precipitation and temperature of the dry and also the warm period. Their synergic limiting effects are the most important force shaping distribution patterns within a territory. These findings highlight the importance of defining bioclimatic profiles of species using different techniques of distribution modelling.

Stipetum novakii ass. nova – a new association of serpentine rocky grassland vegetation (Halacsyetalia sendtneri) in Serbia

Abstract Phytosociological characteristics of grassland communities above serpentines (order Halacsyetalia sendtneri H. Ritter-Studnčka 1970) in Serbia, are analyzed according to Braun-Blanquet methodology. In order to detect the basic floristic differentiation of analyzed communities ordinary correspondence analysiswas applied. Cluster analysiswas also performed to see the structure and separation of the communities based on the floristic composition. In order to determine diagnostic species, fidelity indices with presence/ absence data and the size of all groups standardized to equal size were calculated. The new association Stipetum novakii is described in open rocky serpentine grasslands in Brdjani Gorge.

No confirmation for previously suggested presence of diploid cytotypes of Sesleria (Poaceae) on the Balkan Peninsula

Abstract The species-rich grass genus Sesleria is one of the most intricate genera of the European flora. Almost all species of the genus Sesleria are polyploid; only two species from the Alps, previously segregated as separate genera Psilathera and Sesleriella, are diploid. In addition, there is controversy about two diploid counts of S. comosa from the Bulgarian Rila and Pirin mountain ranges. These are the single reports of diploidy in Sesleria s. str., which would have significant impact on the future phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus’ evolutionary history. In order to confirm or reject these reports, we determined the relative DNA-content for 67 individuals of S. comosa from the two Bulgarian localities, from which diploid cytotypes have been reported. All analyzed individuals were clearly separated into two ploidy levels: DNA-tetraploids and DNA-octoploids. These results are in accordance with our previous comprehensive study on genome sizes in the genus, but are in stark contrast to the previous reports. Therefore, we suggest that the diploid counts rather refer to co-occurring, morphologically somewhat similar diploid Alopecurus gerardii, which has probably overgrown and outcompeted the slower growing and more susceptible S. comosa during cultivation before root tips were fixed for chromosome counting.

Numerical Evaluation of Grasslands Dominated by Sesleria Juncifolia Agg. in Serbia

Abstract Phytosociological and numerical analyses of grasslands dominated by Sesleria juncifolia s.l. in Serbia were performed in order to resolve their syntaxonomy and nomenclature. Twelve releves were sampled on Mt. Mučanj (western Serbia), which were then compared with similar releves from other parts of the Balkan Peninsula by means of numerical analyses. The releves were classified using cluster analysis, while the ordination was conducted using Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA). The results suggest the occurrence of two floristically well defined Dinaric associations in Serbia: Seslerio juncifoliae-Edraianthetum graminifolii ass. nova from Mt. Mokra Gora (Oxytropidion urumovii, Elyno-Seslerietea) and Diantho petraeae-Seslerietum juncifoliae ass. nova (Chrysopogono-Saturejion, Festuco-Brometea) from Mt. Mučanj. Izvleček Naredili smo fitocenološko in numerično analizo travišč v katerih prevladuje vrsta Sesleria juncifolia s.l. in predstavili sintaksonomske in nomenklaturne rešitve. Dvanajst vegetacijskih popisov smo naredili na gori Mučanj (zahodna Srbija) in jih z numeričnimi metodami primerjali s podobnimi popisi z drugih delov Balkanskega polotoka. Popise smo klasificirali s klastrsko metodo, za ordinacijo smo uporabili korespondenčno analizo z odstranjenim trendom (DCA). Rezultati kažejo na obstoj dveh floristično dobro utemeljenih dinarskih endemičnih asociacij v Srbiji: Seslerio juncifoliae-Edraianthetum graminifolii ass. nova z Mokre Gore (Oxytropidion urumovii, Elyno-Seslerietea) in Diantho petraeae-Seslerietum juncifoliae ass. nova (Chrysopogono-Saturejion, Festuco- -Brometea) z gore Mučanj.

Leaf anatomy of Carex humilis does not correlate with orographic, geological and bioclimatic habitat conditions in C&SE Europe

This paper presents the results of a multivariate morphometric study of leaf anatomical characters in different, geographically very distant populations of taxon Carex humilis from Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania with the aim to reveal the trends of population differentiation. Analyses were performed on the cross-section of 173 leaves collected from 12 populations. In order to establish the overall morphological variation and relationships between individuals from all populations, principal component analyses (PCA) and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) have been done. The UPGMA clustering analyses based on leaf anatomical characters and habitat climatic characteristics were carried out to explore whether the observed anatomical differences are a result of adaptive responses. Regression analysis (linear regression) was performed to identify the level of correlation between leaf anatomical characters and basic orographic, geological, and bioclimatic habitat characteristics. Quite unexpectedly, most of observed groups are formed of geographically very distant populations which are living in extremely different climatic and geological conditions, indicating that general anatomical differentiation in Carex humilis in C&SE Europe cannot be explained by the environmental impacts, and basically do not represent an adaptive response to different climatic or geological condition.