Iris aphylla

Abstract: The steppe plant Iris aphylla was chosen to describe the genetic diversity patterns and postglacial expansion over the whole geographical range. By studying 29 populations, both in the centre and at the periphery of the geographical range, a moderate level of genetic diversity (P % = 32.5%; H = 0.105), a low level of linkage disequilibria and a low percentage of fixed loci (LD = 2.8%; F UL = 2.1%) were detected. The intermediate level of I. aphylla genetic diversity is rather close to plant species with a limited geographical range as well as rare and/or endangered species. It could also be explained by common processes of vegetative reproduction, the occasional or absent recruitments as well as the recent history of I. aphylla populations. The lack of significant genetic differences between central and marginal populations (AMOVA, 1.52%; P = 0.112) and the low number (1–3 per population) or lack of unique bands confirmed that the populations in both cases were recently established.

Abstract: We carried out translocations of three rare plants that inhabit mineral islands in the marshy Biebrza Valley in order to create alternative populations and facilitate connectivity between existing subpopulations. The species chosen were Iris aphylla and two orchids: Cypripedium calceolus and Cephalanthera rubra. Thirty soil monoliths with vegetative orchid plants or parts of I. aphylla rhizomes were dug out and transplanted to three different sites on new mineral islands (half in 2012 and half in 2013). Prior to translocation, we measured soil moisture and pH and took phytosociological characteristics in 68 potential recipient sites for orchids and 15 for I. aphylla. Then, we monitored the number of shoots for 4 years and retrospectively conducted principal component analysis (PCA) in order to compare the similarity of donor sites and chosen recipient sites. Three years after transplantation we found new C. calceolus populations in good condition, I. aphylla populations in moderate, while C. rubra transplants emerged only in the first and second season. All newly established populations of C. calceolus and I. aphylla survived. In the case of the first species, fruiting was observed in two populations, while a marked increase in shoot number was observed in one population. The most successful C. calceolus translocation site was also the most similar to the donor sites according to PCA.

Abstract: The polyploid origin and colonization history of Iris aphylla in central and southeastern Europe were investigated by means of karyological and AFLP analyses. The study indicated two chromosome races within I. aphylla based on chromosomal numbers 2n = 24 and 2n = 48. The overall chromosome counts and determined ploidy suggest tetraploidy as the most common ploidy level for this species in Europe. Only one diploid I. aphylla population was found, with a restricted distribution area in the Slovak Karst. The analyses showed that tetraploids arose independently at least three or more times in the past. The karyological results were in agreement with the AFLP data and strongly suggested that migration between the two Carpathian Mts. sites occurred recently via the Dukielska Pass. The low number of AFLP fragments unique to each population supports the hypothesis of recent range expansion and colonization of different environments in central Europe by I. aphylla. All populations were genetically depauperated and...

Abstract: Data on an adventive species new to the flora of the Republic of Mordovia, Rosa glauca Pourr, are given Several locations of the species were discovered in Romodanovskiy district One cenopopulation of R glauca was registered on a steppe slope together with several rare plant species—Adonis vernalis L and Iris aphylla L