The specifics of the organization, functioning, reproductive biology and ontogenesis of modular living organisms determine their fundamental differences in their populational life as opposed to unitary organisms. Populational systems with clones, chimerical and symbiotic organisms, complicated hybrid and agamous complexes gained prevalence in modular plants, animals and fungi. Such biological systems in some ways are similar to their elements in terms of significant specifics of their organization. These specifics differentiate between the modular and unitary types of organization. Some types of modular organisms' populational life show similarities with cenotic-level biosystems.
Myosotis arvensis (L.) Hill and M. ramosissima Rochel. are small-flowered forget-me-nots with similar morphology, distribution and ecology. Identifying species on fresh material is not difficult; however, determination of herbarised specimens might be problematic. We conducted a morphological analysis of all herbarium material of these two species in Herbarium LJU and measured some morphological characters that could be used on herbarised plants, too. Despite the small difference in chromosome number, we also tested the pollen length for discrimination between the species, and this character proved to be very reliable. Other useful characters are the corolla's diameter, the flower pedicels' length in fruiting time and some traits on nutlets. We included the discriminative morphological characters relevant for herbarised plants in the identification key. We also present the distribution map based on analysed specimens and confirm that M. arvensis is more frequent than M. ramosissima.
Ecological and coenotic features as well as the current state of the population of Jovibarba globifera (L.) J. Parn. (Crassulaceae), a rare boreal species within Ukraine and on its extreme areal border at the northern border of the Forest-Steppe zone in the landscape reserve of local significance, `Chernechyi lis' of the Boyarka Forest Research Station (Kyiv region), have been studied. Phytocommunities are distributed over its entire area in sparse pine forests, partially felled and burned. The studied phytocoenoses of this rare species, which is included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, are assigned to a new provisional association: Jovibarbo globiferi-Pinetum sylvestris V. Konishchuk et I. Solomakha ass. nova prov., which, based on the affiliation of most woody, shrubby and herbaceous plants to the existing diagnostic species, is assigned to the class Pyrolo-Pinetea sylvestris Korneck 1974 (alliance Koelerio glaucae-Pinion sylvestris Ermakov 1999, order Koelerio glaucae-Pinetalia sylvestris Ermakov 1999). Populations of this species show a rather good ecological condition and a considerable quantity of its individuals are in the optimal vegetative state at different stages of ontogenesis and occupy a total area of up to 2 hectares. Jovibarba globifera also grows in the western and north-western part outside an archaeological site, but in young and dense pine stands in this area, the distribution of the species becomes sparse and insignificant.
Species are not static; they are subject to dynamic processes that continue to operate. Floral morphology of the nominate form, Ophrys sphegodes Mill. s. str. (Orchidaceae) was evaluated and described using classical morphology and related to site-specific microclimatic conditions. Specimens from each locality in this study are represented in a set of 21 measured macromorphological character values, obtained from a single flower. In total, 253 specimens, belonging to 12 populations, all of them from Slovenia, were morphologically evaluated. Climatic, submediterranean - continental gradient was followed and related to floral macromorphological character values. Correlation tests were performed based on 21 bioclimatic variables and a full set of measured macromorphological character values. Six floral characters express statistically significant relation to site-specific bioclimatic variable values. Consequently, active components (characters) of the flower, such as labellum length, macula proportions, connective (gynostemium) length and lateral swellings of the labellum, are all important characters for the correct alignment between the body of the pollinator and the reproductive parts of the plant are clearly affected by the local climatic conditions. An integrative ecological, but also taxonomical approach to the genus Ophrys should take into account site-specific ecological conditions to understand drivers causing enormous variability among Ophrys flowers, since pollinator-mediated selection alone does not prove to be the only cause.
Orchidaceae are considered one of the most diverse and threatened plant families in the world. Because of the high conservation value of orchids around the world, it is highly relevant to estimate their habitat preferences and environmental factors that affect their distribution range and abundance. This paper presents the bibliographic survey (2002-2021) of published and unpublished data on the floras aassociated with orchid species in the Republic of Mordovia (European Russia). The study was aimed to estimate habitat preferences of orchids in this region based on associated flora composition. We have conducted the bibliographic survey to find any information on the composition of floras associated with orchids in the Republic of Mordovia. In addition, we have included our personal still unpublished data. Based on the floristic lists, we have evaluated the environmental conditions of orchid habitats using phytoindication methods (Tsyganov scale). We have distinguished four habitat groups of orchids, namely bog, meadow-mire, coniferous forest and mixed forest. The environmental conditions of sites inhabited by orchids of all these groups differed significantly (p < 0.05). This result highlights that various orchid species with close environmental condition preferences can be found and have to be protected at the same sites (e.g. so-called `orchid glades'). In addition, we have found that for many orchids, even the most common ones, there are no data on the associated floras. This makes it difficult to understand their environmental preferences and, consequently, the search of their localities in conditions of the highly pronounced floristic mosaics in the Republic of Mordovia. We propose the wide researching and publishing of data on plants (incl. orchids) associated with floras in the Republic of Mordovia and other regions for a better understanding of their habitat preferences.
