Agrilus (Anambus) kubani Bílý, 1991 in Romania (Coleoptera, Buprestidae)

In order to determine the resource potential of the natural phytocenoses of the Republic of Abkhazia, the study of medicinal plants of the flora of the Ritsa Relict National Park - a unique natural complex that occupies an important place all over the Caucasus and the entire chain of mountains of Eurasia, part of Colchis. The diversity of the geological structure, topography, soils, climate and hydrological conditions caused the formation of a unique natural complex with endemic and relict (West Abkhazian) plant species and their communities on the territory. Today, the RRNP flora includes 1201 species, among which 179 plant species from 64 families are classified in various categories of rarity. Medicinal plants used in official and folk medicine are represented by 115 species from 93 genera and 48 families, which is 10% of the species diversity of the park. Among the medicinal plant of the RRNP, there are 17 relicts and endemic species ( Alnus barbata C.A. Mey., Chiastophyllum oppositifolium (Ledeb.) Berger, Convallaria transcaucasica Utkin, Cyclamen abchasicum (Medw.) Kolak., Daphne pontica L., Digitalis schischkinii Ivanina, Dioscorea caucasica Lipsky, Erythronium caucasicum Woronow, Hedera colchica (K. Koch) K. Koch, Hypericum xylosteifolium (Spach) N. Robson, Ilex colchica Pojark., Laurocerasus officinalis Roem., Sanicula europaea L., Solanum persicum Willd., Swertia iberica Fisch. & Mey., Tamus communis L., Tilia caucasica Rupr.). This report provides their ecological and biological characteristics, morphological description and medicinal use.

Pholiota adiposa is an important edible and medicinal mushroom with high nutritional and medicinal effects. The fruiting body of wild fungi collected from Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province, was identified by morphological description and molecular identification, the biological characteristics and domestication of the fungus was determined by single factor and orthogonal tests. The wild strain isolated was determined to be Ph. adiposa based on morphological characteristics, sequence alignment between ITS and nLSU, and phylogenetic relationship analysis. The single factor results revealed that the optimal carbon source, nitrogen source, culture temperature, and pH for the mycelia growth of Ph. adiposa were glucose, yeast paste, 25°C, and pH 6.5-7.0, respectively. Orthogonal test showed that the optimal formula for mycelia culture was fructose 20 g/L, yeast extract 6 g/L, KH2PO4 1 g/L and MgSO4 2.5 g/L. The highest single bag yield of the fruiting body of Ph. adiposa was 24.96 g in the culture medium formula of sawdust (20%), wheat bran (10%), soybean powder (1%), and quicklime powder (1%). The results will provide basic information for the protection, utilization and domestication of the resources of Ph. adiposa.

There are three species of the genus Cephalanthera in the Republic of Adygea. All species are rare and listed in the Red Book of the Republic. They grow in forests of various types at altitudes from 209 m to 1724 m above sea level. The review provides a brief morphological description and some features of biology and ecology. Special attention is paid to identifying the locations of species, their phytocenotic association, analyzing the ontogenetic structure of cenopopulations and assessing their condition. Limiting factors were identified and possible ways of preserving the cenopopulation diversity of species were recommended.

The article presents a review of data on a rare endemic species of the flora of the Republic of Bashkortostan (RB) – Pimpinella tomiophylla (Woronow) Stank. (Apiaceae). The species is included in the third edition of the Red Data Book of the RB [2021] in the following status: category 2 – a species that is declining in abundance and/or distribution; vulnerable species (VU); II priority (Bashkir Cis-Urals). The article provides the following information about the species: conservation status; nomenclature reference; morphological description; distribution in the republic; brief ecological and phytocenotic characteristics; features of biology; modern data on condition of the local population; limiting factors; measures for the protection. The species was first described for science in 1931 from Mount Tratau (RB, Ishimbai district) according to herbarium collections in 1915 and 1926 (LE) [Voronov, 1931; Flora of the USSR, 1950]. In the republic, P. tomiophylla is a poorly studied species and is located within a narrow local range. At present, the species is reliably known only from one point – the territory of the natural monument «Mount Tratau» (UFA) [The Red Data Book…, 2021]. The species occurs in plant communities with typical petrophytic species. It grows mainly in the lower part of the western and southwestern slopes of the mountain. The known population of the species is numerous. In recent years, the recreational load on the populations of rare species on Mount Tratau, including the species P. tomiophylla, has increased, which will inevitably lead to a reduction in the area and number of its population. The necessity of a set of additional measures for the protection of P. tomiophylla in situ and ex situ is substantiated.

The issue of the conservation status of Trifolium alpestre L. (Fabaceae) on the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan is considered in the article. The species was included in the first edition (2001) and the second edition (2011) of the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan (category and status: 3 – rare species). The article provides the following information about the species: morphological description with an indication of the main diagnostic features; modern data on the distribution of the species in the republic, new finds of the species in the Bashkir Cis-Ural; brief ecological and phytocenotic characteristics; features of biology (according to data from literature sources); modern data on the number and state of local populations; limiting factors; adopted and recommended protection measures, data on the possibility of preserving the species in culture. Currently, the state of Trifolium alpestre on the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan can be considered satisfactory. There are no direct threats to the species. It has been established that the species is distributed much more widely in the Republic of Bashkortostan (the species is known from more than 30 points in 16 administrative districts) than previously assumed (it was known in 16 points in 12 administrative districts during the preparation and publication of the Red Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan in 2011). The species shows significant tolerance to adverse factors and tends to increase in number. It is satisfactorily provided with territorial security The data presented in the article fully justify the possibility of excluding the species Trifolium alpestre from the list of the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan and including it in the regional list of species that need biomonitoring – «List of flora and fungi objects that are not included in the Red Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan, but need special attention on the territory of the republic to their state in the natural environment and monitoring».

The issue of the conservation status of Euphorbia glareosa Pall. ex Bieb. (Euphorbiaceae Juss.) on the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan is considered in the article. In the second edition of the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan [2011] this species was included in the regional list of rare species that need biomonitoring – «List of objects of flora and fungi that are not included in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan, but need special attention on the territory of the republic to their state in the natural environment and monitoring». The article provides the following information about the species: morphological description with an indication of the main diagnostic features; modern data on the distribution of the species in the republic; brief ecological and phytocenotic characteristics; features of biology (according to data from literature sources); modern data on the number and state of local population; limiting factors; adopted and recommended protection measures, data on the possibility of preserving the species in culture. On the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the species E. glareosa достоверно is known only from one point – the southern shore of Lake Aslikul in the Davlekanovsky district (the territory of the Asly-Kul natural park). In the republic, E. glareosa is a poorly studied species and is located at the edge of the range (at the eastern and northern limits of distribution). The known population is small 50-80 generative individuals). The population is subject to negative anthropogenic and natural influences. The species is poorly resistant to these influences. The species is on the verge of extinction. The data presented in the article fully justify the possibility of excluding the species Euphorbia glareosa Pall. ex Bieb. from the regional list of rare species «List of objects of flora and fungi that are not included in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan, but need special attention on the territory of the republic to their state in the natural environment and monitoring» and including it in «List of objects of flora and fungi listed in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan» (third edition, 2021) (category and status: 1 – endangered species).

The issue of the conservation status of the species Cephalaria uralensis (Murr.) Schrad. ex Roem. et Schult. (Dipsacaceae Juss.) в) on the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan is considered in the article. The species was included in the first edition (2001) and the second edition (2011) of the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan (category and status: 3 – rare species, the species is located on the territory of the republic at the northern and eastern borders of the range). The article provides the following information about the species: morphological description with an indication of the main diagnostic features; modern data on the distribution of the species in the republic, new finds of the species in the Bashkir Cis-Ural и South Ural (western macroslope); brief ecological and phytocenotic characteristics; features of biology (according to data from literature sources); modern data on the number and state of local populations; limiting factors; adopted and recommended protection measures, data on the possibility of preserving the species in culture. The state of the species Cephalaria uralensis at the present time on the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan can be considered satisfactory. The species shows significant resistance to adverse factors. It was found that the species is widespread in the republic much wider than previously thought. The species is satisfactorily provided with territorial protection, a significant part of its known populations are located within the boundaries of existing or projected specially protected natural areas. The data presented in the article substantiate the reasons for the exclusion of the species Cephalaria uralensis from the list of the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan and its subsequent inclusion in the regional list of observed species – «List of flora and fungi that need special attention to their state in the natural environment and monitoring (observed species)» [Red Data Book..., 2021].

Animals and Plants of the Ancient Maya is an impressive synthesis of ecological and anthropological information regarding some of the wild plants and animals of cultural significance to the ancient and contemporary Maya.Having myself conducted extensive ethnobiological research among the Maya, I find that the book is meticulously researched and accurate.Schlesinger presents a wealth of information in a format that is both easy to read and enjoyable.

Czech collections of Cucumis spp. genetic resources includes 895 accessions ofcultivated C. sativus and C. melo species and 89 accessions of wild species. Knowledge of their morphological and biological features and a correct taxonomical ranging serve a base for successful use of germplasm in modern breeding. List of morphological descriptors consists of 65 descriptors and 20 of them are elucidated by figures. It provides a tool for Cucumis species determination and characterization and for a discrimination of an infraspecific variation. Obtained data can be used for description of genetic resources and also for research purposes.  

First mention of Nomada barcelonensis Cockerell, 1917 for France (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Nomadinae) . - The authors relate here the discovery within Mediterranean fringe of metropolitan France, in the Var department, of a species of Nomada so far only known from Spain: Nomada barcelonensis Cockerell,1917. The ecology, biology and morphological description allowing its determination are presented as well as the conditions of capture of the specimen.

The taxonomic composition of the genus Chaenomeles L. was determined in the conditions of the Sochi Black sea region. Morphological and biological description was made and fruiting was evaluated for 19 taxa. Decorative cultivars Ch. japonica, Ch. speciosa, Ch. × superba, Ch. × vilmoriniana are of interest for cultivation in the humid subtropical zone of Russia. Fruit cultivars are not represented. Ch. sinensis is recommended as a fruit crop of Chaenomeles and a promising form of Ch. × superba has been identified. The cultivar Ch. speciosa ‘ Kermesina ' is universal and recommended for use in both gardening and fruit growing.

This paper presents the description of the breeding biology of Baltic Dunlin on the Kurgalsky Peninsula (eastern part of the Gulf of Finland). Variability of terms of the arrival and start of reproduction and their dependence from the process of spring events in the Baltic region was studied. These parameters were compared with data from other parts of the area. The essential delay of terms of the arrival and start of reproduction of Baltic Dunlins is observed in process of movement to the north-east of the breeding area. At that, the time of the termination of eggs laying everywhere is dated for the last dates of May – beginning of June, and flying away of young and adult birds everywhere finished by the end of June – beginning of July. In north-east areas, there is an essential reduction of the period of eggs laying and, especially, the prebreeding period. Important factors of dynamics of natural habitats of Baltic Dunlins are the effect of winter shearing of ice and of the autumn storms, interrupting vegetative successions at early stages of their development. Recommendations to the protection of this subspecies are given.

Systematics of Cyst Nematodes (Nematoda: Heteroderinae) . Nematology Monographs and Perspectives. Volume 8A, 8B . S.A. Subbotin, M. Mundo-Ocampo, J.B. Baldwin . ( David Hunt, Roland N. Perry ( eds )). 351 pp. 512 pp . Leiden, The Netherlands : Koninklijke Brill NV . 2010 . €139, €149. ISBN 978-90-04-16225 9, ISBN 978-90-04-16434 5 (hardback ). Cyst-forming nematodes are amongst the most economically important plant-parasitic nematodes of cultivated crops in the world, in both temperate and tropical regions. Many cyst nematode species, particularly those belonging to the genera Heterodera and Globodera, are pathogens on several important vegetable and fruit crops (carrot, chickpea, clover, fig, maize, olive, pea, potato, rice, soybean, sugar beet, tobacco, wheat, etc.), causing extensive damage and significant yield loss. Consequently, the accurate and timely identification of cyst nematodes infecting crops is a prerequisite for designing effective management strategies for these pathogens. This book is a useful publication that provides a comprehensive overview and an in-depth summary and review of the systematics and identification of cyst-forming nematodes, and includes research on taxonomy, biology, and methods of biochemical and molecular diagnostics. This book is Volume 8 in the Nematology Monographs & Perspectives series, and comprises two parts, A and B. Throughout its 11 chapters, part A presents summarized and specialized information on various key aspects of different exciting areas of morphology, taxonomy, biology, evolution and systematics. Chapters 1–4 describe the most important diagnostic characters of cyst nematodes, as well as summarized aspects on life cycles, symptoms on parasitized plants, their pathogenic variability (pathotypes), biogeography, methods for applying electron microscopy and biochemical and molecular approaches for diagnostics of cyst nematodes. A DNA-based diagnostic section includes a comprehensive review of genes used for molecular diagnostics, including nuclear RNA and mitochondrial DNA genes, as well as methods such as restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), use of specific primers, and real-time PCR. Chapter 5 comprises general systematics of Heteroderinae, including a useful and practical identification key to genera, and a discussion on species delimitation. Chapters 6–11 deal with the systematics, key to species based on morphological features, molecular characterization, and species description in the genera Globodera, Punctodera, Cactodera, Dolichodera, Betulodera and Paradolichodera. For each species, the complete description of female, cyst, male and second-stage juveniles is provided, together with the type host and other host plants, as well as the distribution, biology, pathogenicity and biochemical and molecular characterization, if available. In addition, this volume is complemented with four useful and practical appendices dealing with methods for soil extraction of cyst nematodes, protocols for preparation of vulval cones, separation of G. pallida and G. rostochiensis by immuno-electro-focusing (IEF), and PCR-ITS-RFLP. Part B is completely dedicated to the genus Heterodera which comprises 80 species, including well known pathogens such as H. schachtii in sugar beet, H. avenae, H. filipjevi and H. hordecalis in cereals, H. ciceri in chickpea, H. cruciferae in crucifers, H. glycines in soybean, H. goettingiana in legumes, H. oryzae and H. oryzicola in rice, H. trifolii in clover and H. zeae in maize. As in part A, a key to species based on morphological features, molecular characterization, and species description, biology, distribution, host, pathogenicity, and biochemical and molecular characterization is provided for each species. The text is well written in both parts, and in their approach and choice of illustrations the authors make this a valuable tool for those involved in the fields of nematology and plant pathology. In summary, the authors are to be congratulated for their initiative and achievement in the production of such an enjoyable book that is the most comprehensive treatise currently available on cyst-forming nematodes and, as such, constitutes a unique and most valuable source of information, and a precious guide to anyone (scientists, teachers, students, extension officers) who is interested in Nematology at large, and in cyst nematodes in particular.

Three forms of Lumnitzera (Combretaceae) are known to us in Queensland.Two are clearly the common and widespread mangrove species L. littorea, with scarlet flowers, and L. racemosa, with white flowers.The third form is intermediate (e.g., it has pink flowers) and is very local in distribution.The identity of this third form is the substance of this paper and is set against the background of a description of floral morphology and pollination biology in the genus.In order to name this pink-flowered form, we have to go back to the botanical information that resulted from the French expedition to the South Pacific (1817-20) under the command of Freycinet in the "Uranie" and "Physicienne" (Gaudichaud-Beaupre, 1826-30).The following account is an attempt to link observations made recently in Queensland (Figure 1) with the older literature, and to interpret some of the illustrations and names provided by Gaudichaud.The genus Lumnitzera is a common mangrove constituent of the Asian tropics, ranging from Ceylon to Fiji.From existing accounts, its taxonomy and nomenclature would appear to be well stabilized, although based primarily on a study of herbarium specimens (Merrill, 1909;

Syrphidae: can they be used as environmental bioindicators?