Rossella Marcucci

Domestication Process of Two SOLANUM Section Lasiocarpa Species Among Amerindians in the Upper Orinoco, Venezuela, with Special Focus on Piaroa Indians

Two semi-cultivated Solanum species (S. Sessilifloram Dunal and S. stramonifolium Jacq.) are utilized by the Amazonian Indians of the Upper Orinoco Basin in Venezuela. The manner in which they have become partially domesticated by the Piaroas and other native tribes of this rain forest region is elucidated in the following text. Both species have two varieties, with and without prickles, the latter being the result of human selection. Patterns of indigenous utilization of these species brought to the selection of morphologic forms and to the differentiation of karyotypes of varieties, and exploitation of the species also reflects in the perception of them among users. S. sessiliflorum is cultivated in swiddens and has an economic role, whereas S. stramonifolium is grown in dooryards. This difference is detectable to the Piaroas, as they recognize in their folk taxonomy three different varieties ofS. Sessiliflorum and one ofS. Stramonifolium, according to the stage of domestication of the species and the way in which they are utilized.ResumenEste documento examina el proceso de domesticación de dos especies de Solanum (secciónLasiocarpa: Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal;Solanum stramonifolium Jacq.) semi-cultivadas y utilizadas por muchos pueblos indígenas de la Amazonia venezuelana, evidenciando estos aspectos entre los indígenas Piaroa del Alto Orinoco. Ambas especies presentan dos variedades, con y sin espinas, siendo aparentemente la última el resultado de la selección del ser humano respecto a la forma silvestre. Los modelos de utilizatión de estas especies por los pueblos indígenas causaron la selección de formas morfológicas y la differentiación de los cariotipos de las variedades, y la explotación de las mismas tiene reflexo en sus perceptión entre los que las utilizan. S. sessiliflorum es cultivado en huertos en la foresta, tenendo un valor económico, mientras queS. Stramonifolium es prevalentemente dejado crecer en los corrales. Esta diferencia se puede apreciar en la importancia que las especies tienen en la cultura Piaroa, ya que ellos reconocen tres variedades de la primera especie y solamente una de la segunda, desarrollando la taxonomía local en función de la diferencia de utilizatión y del estadio de domesticatión de las plantas.

Intraspecific variation of Allium roseum L. (Alliaceae)

Summary Allium roseum L. is a species with a typically mediterranean distribution and prevalently present in the centre—south of Italy. It belongs to the sect. Molium G. DON ex KOCH and shows different intraspecific taxa described by various authors. Numerous populations, not only Italian, were studied from the karyological point of view using the root tips. Morphological observations were done using the SEM for the leaves and the seeds. Finally multivariate analysis was carried out. On the basis of these studies, the authors cannot recognize varietal ranks in A. roseum but only a probable complex of cytotypes.

Distribution map of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (Asteraceae) in Italy

Abstract The spread of the invasive and allergenic Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. in Italy was analysed and mapped using distribution data from a wide range of sources. Ambrosia artemisiifolia occupies 1057 floristic quadrants which are mostly distributed in the Po plain. The distribution obtained represents the basis to implement urgent management strategies.

Biocoenotic and karyological characterization of four upspring critical taxa of the eastern Po Plain (North-Eastern Italy)

ABSTRACT Four critical species of a damp site of the eastern Po Plain were examined from a karyological point of view, and their population density related to their status based on UICN categories. These taxa are: Armeria helodes Martini et Poldini, an endemic species to lower Friuli, with 2n=18; Gladiolus palustris Gaudin, a species of humid grasslands with a fluctuating water level, with 2n=60; Senecio doria L., a vulnerable species with 2n=40, and S.paludosus L. considered an Italian endangered species, with 2n=40. Some observations about the biotopes studied are also reported.

Cytological and taxonomical notes on Allium arvense Guss. (Alliaceae) in Italy

Summary Chromosome counts of 4 Italian populations of Allium arvense Guss, are reported. They have a somatic chromosome number of 2n = 16 + 0–2B. A. arvense belongs to the A. sphaerocephalon L. group but it is differentiated by several morphological characteristics. The seed morphology of A. arvense and A. sphaerocephalon is illustrated.

Nomenclatural correction in Cryptanthus Otto & A. Dietrich. (Bromeliaceae - Bromelioideae)

Nomenclatural correction in Cryptanthus Otto & A. Dietrich. (Bromeliaceae - Bromelioideae). A nomenclatural correction of the author name of Cryptanthus zonatus, an endemic species of Northeastern Brazil, is provided. A new synonym of this species is also proposed.

The genus Callitriche in northeastern Italy: First systematic contribution

The aim of this paper is a better understanding of the distribution and taxonomy of the species of the genus Callitriche L. in northeastern Italy. In our country, only a few studies dealing with this topic have been carried out. The taxa have been collected in the neighborhood of Padua and Treviso (Veneto Region) and studied from karyological, micromorphological (LM and SEM), macromorphological, and statistical points of view. The specimens are situated in the Herbarium of Padua University (PAD). Knowledge about the distribution area of C. obtusangula has been widened; the presence in Italy of C. platycarpa has been confirmed and a hybrid collected. On the basis of karyological and morphological data and their statistical analysis, the hybrid could be a cross between C. obtusangula and C. stagnalis.

Karyology, pollen and seed morphology, and distribution of eight endangered species in the Veneto region (Northern Italy)

ABSTRACT Eight endangered species of the Veneto region were examined from the karyological and micromorphological points of view. Their geographical distribution, the exsiccata of Herbarium Venetum (HV-PAD) and conservation problems were also considered. These species are: Cortusa matthioli L., a taxon sporadically distributed in Veneto with 2n=24 chromosomes; Calianthemum kernerianum Freyn ex Kerner, only known on Mt. Baldo (Verona) and with 2n=4x=32; Scrophularia vernalis L. with 2n=28; Kosteletzkya pentacarpos (L.) Ledeb., an entity with no regional conservation regulations and with 2n=34; Athamanta vestina A.Kerner, endemic to Italy and with 2n=22; Hottonia palustris L. with 2n=20 and in danger because of the destruction of its habitat; Sagittaria sagttifolia L. with 2n=22; Trapa natans L., a protected species in Veneto with 2n=36 and 2n=48.

AEGIALOPHILA PUMILA (L.) BOISS. (ASTERACEAE) : A NEW SPECIES IN ITALY

Aegialophila pumila has recently been found in Apulia, Salento, SE Italy, and is new for Italy. Karyological study shows 2n = 22, and the karyotype differs from populations found in Crete and Libya. The species shows a 99% germination of seeds. The environmental and karyological data suggest the hypothesis that Aegialophila pumila (L.) Boiss. is native to Apulia.

The genus Ornithogalum L. (Hyacinthaceae) in Italy. XIII. Ornithogalum adalgisae Groves

Summary Omithogalum adalgisae Groves was described in 1877 and it had not been found since then. Recently it was been rediscovered in Apulia (South Italy), in the surroundings of Lecce and Bari. O. adalgisae has been studied from morphological and caryological points of view. It is a polyploid endemic with 2n = 5x = 45 and In = 6x = 54 chromosomes. The presence of supernumerary chromosomes has been observed too.