Rosanna Caramiello

The influence of climate changes in Platanus spp. pollination in Spain and Italy

There is evidence of a significant increase in air temperature in the northern hemisphere over recent decades, with consequent changes for anemophilous pollen. In this work we present the effects of climatic change on Platanus spp. pollination in different areas of Italy and Spain, characterized by different climates. In particular, the historical series of pollen monitoring and meteorological data of two Italian stations, Perugia (1982 – 2003) and Torino (1985 – 2003), and two Spanish stations, Santiago de Compostela (1992 – 2003) and Vigo (1994 – 2003), were analysed. The changes recorded in all stations included the timing and behaviour of pollen release. However, no or minimal influence on the total pollen emission was found. Research has linked the changes in phenological events to an increase in temperature, moreover in this study temperature changes are believed to be mainly responsible for the variations recorded in the pollen season of Platanus. A previous start of pollination (−0.66; −1.21; days/year) is reported in both Italian stations where the temperatures have significantly increased and a delay of 0.2 – 0.8 days/year in Spanish stations where a different trend of temperature is recorded. Other important data is given regarding the type of discharge of pollen grains during the pollen season. Pollination curves are examined by two statistical shape parameters (kurtosis and skewness) which show that pollen release is more gradual with higher temperatures or faster under colder conditions. A regression analysis links the atmospheric pollen presence to mean air temperature.

Preliminary survey of airborne fungal propagules in Turin, Italy

Four samplings of the Turin atmosphere were carried out on the roof of a hospital, 14 m above ground level. Two types of volumetric sampler placed close together were used to collect a set amount of air over the surface of solid culture media. Minimum and maximum CFU peaks varied from 123 to 386 m−3 air. Seventy-seven species were isolated, mostly belonging to the Deuteromycetes and to the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Rhinocladiella, Hormonema, Botrytis and Paecilomyces. Most isolates are common in soil and/or on decaying plant material. A number of species are newly reported as aerial fungi (Chrysosporium carmichaelii, Engyodontium album, Rhinocladiella mansonii, Scopulariopsis carbonaria, Tilletiopsis washingtonensis and some Penicillium and Phialophora species). About a third of the species are known allergens. No actual human pathogens were present, though many species (about a third) are to be classed as opportunistic pathogens. However, CFU m−3 values of both allergens and opportunists indicate that no one species reaches a worrying concentration.

The Relationship between Airborne Pollen Grains and Unusual Weather Conditions in Turin (Italy) in 1989, 1990 and 1991

Abstract A quantitative and qualitative study was made of the pollination patterns of 14 taxa of special significance for the atmosphere of Turin (northern Italy). Particular attention was paid to the years 1989, 1990 and 1991, since there were marked climatic abnormalities during this period, especially in the form of an increase in the mean temperature for February and March compared with the means for 1803–1988. The onset dates of the principal pollination period (PPP) and the thermal sums (T sums) for 1989–91, both from 1st January and over the 30 days prior to the onset of pollination, were compared with the corresponding data for 1984–1988, published in a previous study. The amount of pollen collected for each taxon in each year was calculated. In 1989–91, the dates for the onset of pollination were almost always earlier than in the years when temperatures lay within the mean range, although they were not always accompanied by constant T sum values close to those of 1984–88. In some cases, the T sum...

A pollen calendar from turin (1981–1988) with reference to geography and climate

Abstract This paper describes a pollen survey from Turin based on 25 taxa of interest. The survey took place between 1981 to 1988 recording pollen types and amounts. Pollen was collected using a Hirst spore trap. A pollen calendar was constructed using 10 day means: aerosporological data were then compared to the urban vegetation and flora. Pollen distribution was analysed in relation to temperature, calculated as the taxons yearly specific temperature sum. The situation in Turin was then compared to other central European and Mediterranean stations: results were found to be more comparable with the former.

Outdoor airborne fungi: sampling strategies

SummaryA six-stage Andersenss sampler was compared with a single stage type (SAS) for the collection of airborne fungi particles.The efficiency of two non selective culture media, and namely malt agar (MA) and potato dextrose agar (PDA), which were both modified in order to inhibit bacterial growth, was compared as well.An overall assessment of quantitative results suggests that the two samplers have a comparable degree of efficiency. However, the SAS appears to collect a greater number of CFU/m3 in absence of wind and viceversa the Andersen one appears to be more efficient in the presence of wind.The number of species detected with the SAS device is smaller, thus requiring an increased number of suctions.Andersen sampler sieving, according to the aerodynamic characteristics of the particles, appears to be not too accurate: there is an overlap from stage to stage of the sampler and some larger particles settle on smaller particle-collecting stages and viceversa.The PDA, with streptomycin and chloramphenicol, is better and closer to the natural distribution pattern: the number of CFU/m3 is higher although the number of the collected species is about the same.

The relationship between vegetation and pollen deposition in soil and in biological traps

Abstract The patterns of pollen deposition in the upper layers of the soil and in biological traps (mosses and lichens) in relation to the widespread and well known vegetational types of the Alps is investigated. The communities studied are beach woods, pine woods (Pinus cembra, P. sylveslris) and alpine pastures. Quantitative correlations between the pollen spectra and the vegetation have been calculated and over, under and equi-represented species delimited. Since representativity differs, in some cases, from that recorded in the literature it is suggested that it would be useful to continue the study in order to improve our understanding of actual pollen deposition and, as a consequence, of the interpretation of fossil pollen data.

Systematic studies on some species of the genus Artemisia: biomolecular analysis

ABSTRACT The internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of the ribosomal DNA gene of 11 taxa of the genus Artemisia were sequenced and compared with other 14 species taken from GenBank. The aims of this study are to clarify phylogenetic relationships for 25 taxa within the genus Artemisia, and to highlight the phylogenetic position of some species of geobotanical interest from the Alps or from other European areas. The results support the monophyly of the genus Artemisia, and the presence of the five main clades, corresponding to the morphologically based sections, Absinthium, Artemisia, Seriphidium, Dracunculus and Tridentatae. Only A. annua and A. genipi are not classified in the section in which they were traditionally included: A. annua is assigned to Seriphidium and not Artemisia, and A. genipi to Absinthium and not Artemisia. The basal structure of the tree differed in the 45 equally parsimonious MP trees, and thus appeared as a polytomy in the consensus tree. This does not allow us to completely solve the relationships among the clades. The molecular data are complementary with the morphological and biogeographical information and all are essential to draw valid conclusions on the relative closeness of the various taxa.

Cupressaceae in Piedmont (Italy)

Abstract Plants of the Cupressaceae family are relatively uncommon in Piedmont: among the spontaneous family entities Juniperus dominates, while Thuja and Chamaecyparis Iawsoniana prevail in Turin for ornamental use. The palynological component is low but constantly present for long periods in the late winter-early spring. Data on airborne pollen grains (Hirst spore-trap) do not usually separate Cupressaceae from Taxaceae and Taxodiaceae because of the close similarity of grains in the fresh samples. Data on the period of presence of the pollen of these families in Turin are given and compared with the ones collected in twelve Italian stations. The allergenic importance of Cupressaceae has been demonstrated in other Italian regions with different biogeographical conditions. In Turin of 1343 patients suffering of pollinosis (observed from February 1st to November 30th 1989) 15 were positive to Cupressus sempervirens and, among them, 4 presented monosensitization and 11 showed multiple reactions (10 to Gram...

Il Pinus Mugo Turra Ed Il Pinus Uncinata Miller in Piemonte. Note Critiche e Distribuzione

Abstract «Pinus mugo» Turra and «Pinus uncinata» Miller in Piedmont. Critical notes and distribution. — The Authors have carried on a research on the distribution of Pinus mugo Turra (sensu Fl. Eur.) and Pinus uncinata Miller in all Piedmont Alpes and, having observed the extreme variability of the characters which are employed in the keys of determination to differentiate these two species, they suggest other and more constant characters. These are: Pinus uncinataPinus mugoLeaves dark green, sometimes with silvery hues, generally long.Leaves yellow green, generally short.Leaves uniformly covering apical ends of branches.Leaves on the terminal part of branches verticillate.Branch apex apparently rounded owing to uniform development of leaves.Branch apex apparently truncate owing to reduced development of apical leaves.Young plants clearly showing a main stem scarcely branched.Young plants abundantly branched from their basis; sometimes 2–3 separate sterns emerging from ground.Resination abundant.Resinatio...

Schede palinologiche diArtemisia vulgaris L.,Artemisia verlotorum Lamotte;Artemisia annua L., su campioni freschi e acetolizzati

SummaryPalynological cards ofArtemisia vulgaris L.,Artemisia verlotorum Lamotte and ofArtemisia annua L. are presented for fresh and acetolyzed pollens. The three species have both aerobiological and allergological interest.Data on distribution in Italy are related, with particular attention toArtemisia annua.RiassuntoSono state allestite le schede palinologiche diArtemisia vulgaris L.,Artemisia verlotorum Lamotte eArtemisia annua L. su polline fresco e acetolizzato. Le tre specie hanno interesse aerobiologico e allergologico.Vengono anche riportati dati sulla loro distribuzione in Italia, con particolare riferimento adArtemisia annua.