Koutecký P., Štěpánek J. & Baďurová T. (2012): Differentiation between diploid and tetraploid Centaurea phrygia: mating barriers, morphology and geographic distribution. – Preslia 84: 1–32.
Karyological variation, reproductive isolation, morphological differentiation and geographic distribution of the cytotypes of Centaurea phrygia were investigated in Central Europe. Occurrence of two dominant cytotypes, diploid (2n = 22) and tetraploid (2n = 44), was confirmed and additionally triploid, pentaploid and hexaploid ploidy levels identified using flow cytometry. Allozyme variation as well as morphological and genome size data suggest an autopolyploid origin of the tetraploids. Crossing experiments and flow cytometric screening of mixed populations revealed strong reproductive isolation of the cytotypes. Multivariate morphometric analysis revealed significant differentiation between the cytotypes in several morphological characters (pappus length, length and colour of appendages on involucral bracts, involucre width). The cytotypes have a parapatric distribution with only a small contact zone: diploids occupy the whole of the Central and North European geographic range of the species except for the major part of the Western Carpathians, whereas tetraploids are confined to the Western Carpathians and adjacent areas, both cytotypes co-occurring only in a limited area of intra-montane basins of the Western Carpathians. Based on this array of data, taxonomic treatment of the cytotypes as autonomous species is proposed. The name Centaurea phrygia is applied to the diploids and the name C. erdneri belongs to the tetraploids; nomenclature of hybrids with C. jacea is also resolved.
Open Access PDF ‌ Back to Volume 84, Issue 1

Letz D. R., Dančák M., Danihelka J. & Šarhanová P. (2012): Taxonomy and distribution of Cerastium pumilum and C. glutinosum in Central Europe. – Preslia 84: 33–69.
As a result of inconsistencies in morphological characters, Cerastium pumilum and C. glutinosum have been misunderstood or confused in many European floras since the 1960s. In the second volume of the Flora Nordica, a revised treatment of C. pumilum s.l. is provided and this concept is tested here for eastern Central European populations. The cytometric and morphological part of the study is based on living plants from 85 populations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Austria and Hungary. Flow cytometric analyses of the samples revealed two groups differing in ploidy level and corresponding to two cytotypes (a known octoploid, 2n ≈ 72, for C. glutinosum and yet unknown dodecaploid, 2n ≈ 108, for C. pumilum). Eleven morphological characters were scored or measured in plants of known ploidy level and the data set analysed using multivariate statistics (principal component analysis and canonical discriminant analysis); the two morphologically well-separated groups were identical with the two cytotype groups detected by flow cytometry. Based on these results, we suggest treating the detected cyto-morphotypes as the species C. pumilum and C. glutinosum. Our analysis further revealed that the traditionally used characters (glabrous vs. hairy adaxial surface and presence vs. absence of a scarious margin to the tip of the lowermost bracts) are not taxonomically informative. The characters best differentiating the species include indument on the lowermost vernal internodium, length of mature stylodia, length of glandular hairs on sepals and maximum diameter of mature seed. A key for identification of both species is also provided. A revision of almost 1600 specimens deposited in 16 Central European herbaria revealed that the species show different distribution patterns in Central Europe and partial habitat segregation. Specimens from the Czech Republic previously assigned to C. litigiosum were identified as C. pumilum; consequently, C. litigiosum must be removed from the Czech flora.
Open Access PDF ‌ Back to Volume 84, Issue 1

Vít P., Lepší M. & Lepší P. (2012): There is no diploid apomict among Czech Sorbus species: a biosystematic revision of S. eximia and discovery of S. barrandienica. – Preslia 84: 71–96.
Sorbus eximia Kovanda, a hybridogenous species that originated from the parental combination S. torminalis and S. aria s.l., is thought to be an apomictic species, which includes diploid and tetraploid individuals. The present study confirmed the existence of only triploid individuals. A new tentatively apomictic triploid (2n = 3x = 51) species from the S. latifolia group: S. barrandienica P. Vít, M. Lepší et P. Lepší is described based on a revision of S. eximia. This species is assumed to have originated from a cross between S. danubialis or S. aria s.l. and S. torminalis. A wide palette of biosystematic techniques, including molecular (nuclear microsatellite markers) and karyological analyses (chromosome counts, DAPI flow cytometry) as well as multivariate morphometric and elliptic Fourier analyses, were used to assess the variation in this species and justify its independent taxonomic status. Allopatric occurrences of both species were recorded east of the town of Beroun in the Český kras, central Bohemia (Bohemian Karst). A distribution map of the two species is provided. Sorbus eximia occurs at four localities (the total number of adults and juveniles is 100 and 200, respectively) in basiphilous thermophilous oak forests (Quercion pubescenti-petraeae), mesic oak forests (Melampyro nemorosi-Carpinetum), woody margins of dry grasslands (Festucion valesiacae) and pine plantations. Sorbus barrandienica has so far been recorded at 10 localities (ca 50 adults). Recent field studies failed to verify two of these localities. It is mainly found growing on the summits of hills, usually in thermophilous open forests (Primulo veris-Carpinetum, Melampyro nemorosi-Carpinetum, Quercion pubescenti-petraeae) and woody margins of dry grassland. Its populations exhibit minimal genetic variation and are phenotypically homogeneous and well separated from other Bohemian hybridogenous Sorbus species. The epitype of S. eximia is designated here, and a photograph of the specimen is included. Photographs of the type specimens and in situ individuals, and line drawings of both species are presented.
PDF ‌ Back to Volume 84, Issue 1

Kitner M., Majeský Ľ., Gillová L., Vymyslický T. & Nagler M. (2012): Genetic structure of Artemisia pancicii populations inferred from AFLP and cpDNA data. – Preslia 84: 97–120.
Genetic variability within and among fragmented populations of Artemisia pancicii was investigated in order to obtain a general understanding of the genetic structure related to the successful protection of this highly endangered species. Genetic variation within and among 15 populations of A. pancicii in Central Europe was analysed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and sequencing of two chloroplast DNA regions. The resulting polymorphism of AFLP loci was interpreted using basic population genetic indices and statistical visualisation. The total genetic variability within the populations was high (H_t = 0.248) and a highly differentiated population pattern (F_st = 0.241) was revealed. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed high variation among the populations (82%). There was no significant correlation between the genetic and geographic distance matrices. This indicates that population relatedness is not reflected in their geography. This was also confirmed by cpDNA sequencing. Highly restricted gene flow among the populations and genetic drift has resulted in reduced genetic variability in the smaller and highly differentiated A. pancicii populations, and very probably implies the presence of self-incompatibility and prevalence of clonal reproduction. The conservation of genetic variability in A. pancicii requires the persistence of large and also of small populations (because of population differentiation). The most important factor for the preservation of this species in the localities studied is the application of appropriate conservation management (such as mowing, grazing or fire management).
PDF ‌ Back to Volume 84, Issue 1

Stachurska-Swakoń A., Cieślak E. & Ronikier M. (2012): Phylogeography of subalpine tall-herb species in Central Europe: the case of Cicerbita alpina. – Preslia 84: 121–140.
Cicerbita alpina was selected to elucidate the phylogeography of tall-herb species, an ecological group whose Quaternary history is rarely addressed. This species is a typical component of subalpine herbaceous communities in the mountains of Europe. Samples collected for this study comprised the entire range of species, with a focus on those in the Carpathians. The analysis based on AFLP fingerprinting revealed a lack of a strong phylogeographical structure implying that the different parts of the present-day range have not been isolated for a long period of time probably due to the biological characteristics of the species, such as its ability to disperse over great distances. However, the genetic structure indicates some phylogeographical trends, which may reflect traces of survival in local refugia and subsequent diversification into separate lineages during the last glacial period. Within the Carpathians, the division into the Western and South-Eastern Carpathian population groups is apparent. This division is maintained at a larger scale. In particular, the South-Eastern Carpathian group is similar to the Balkan populations, while the Western Carpathian populations are closely related to those in the Eastern Alps and Sudetes. The Scandinavian populations also have a genetic affinity with the latter group and originated from a source in the Eastern Alps or Western Carpathians, presumably via a stepping stone in a northern refugium.
PDF ‌ Back to Volume 84, Issue 1

Čtvrtlíková M., Znachor P., Nedoma J. & Vrba J. (2012): Effects of temperature on the phenology of germination of Isoëtes echinospora. – Preslia 84: 141–153.
Isoëtes echinospora, a submerged aquatic quillwort, is native in northern latitudes and a rare glacial relict in mountain lakes in temperate Central Europe. A relic population of this quillwort in the Plešné jezero lake has recovered recently from a 30-year period of failure to reproduce caused by acidification. Early ontogenetic stages of the quillwort are considered to be the most vulnerable to environmental changes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the phenology of germination of I. echinospora. In a two-year experiment, we examined the time course of germination of micro- and macrospores and establishment of sporelings under (i) natural in situ conditions in the Plešné jezero lake and (ii) at various temperatures (6–17 °C) in the laboratory. We developed a mathematical model that describes the temperature-specific temporal changes in the early ontogeny of I. echinospora. Our experiments clearly show that spores do not germinate at once but gradually over time if exposed to favourable temperatures. Generally, percentage germination tended to increase during the course of a season under most temperature regimes but was inhibited at the lowest temperature. With increasing temperature, microspores germinated earlier and more successfully than macrospores, as described by the model. Sporelings also developed faster at the higher temperature. However, the highest temperature used in the experiments (17 °C) desynchronized the phenology of germination in I. echinospora as it resulted in the two types of spore not being available for fertilization at the same time. Thus, climate change might affect interactions between temperature and the phenology of quillwort reproduction and threaten the survival of this species in Central Europe.
Open Access PDF ‌ Back to Volume 84, Issue 1

Back to the Title page of Preslia
Contents and abstracts