To examine variation and taxonomic recognition of Pinus nigra (European black pine) at the intraspecific level, chromosomal distribution of 5S and 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA loci revealed by fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) and fluorochrome banding with chromomycin A(3) and DAPI were analysed among allopatric populations belonging to different subspecies. Despite prevalent opinion on predominantly conserved and homogenous conifer karyotypes, several patterns were observed. Surprisingly, interstitial 18S rDNA loci and DAPI heterochromatin staining after FISH showed variations in distribution and localisation. Three subspecies shared a pattern with nine 18S rDNA loci (ssp. nigra, pallasiana and laricio) while ssp. dalmatica and salzmannii had eight rDNA loci. DAPI banding displayed two patterns, one with a high number of signals (ssp. nigra, pallasiana and dalmatica) and the other with a lower number of signals (ssp. salzmannii and laricio). We conclude that our results cannot provide proof for either classification scheme for the P. nigra complex, but rather demonstrate the variability of different heterochromatin fractions at the intraspecific level.

Background and Purpose: The objective of this research was to determine variability of some remaining populations and groups of trees of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) at the molecular-genetic level in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The analysis was made by means of highly polymorphic nuclear microsatellite markers, which were used in some earlier research involving pedunculate oak embryos. The obtained results will provide guidelines for proper management with and regeneration of pedunculate oak forests, and for their re-introduction. In particular, this research will contribute to further improvement and conservation of pedunculate oak using in situ and ex situ methods. MaterialandMethods: This study analyzes molecular genetic variability of 12 natural populations of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Molecular genetic variability was analyzed on the basis of DNA by means of the following four nuclear microsatellite markers: ssrQpZAG1/5, ssrQpZAG9, ssrQpZAG36 and ssrQpZAG108. The analysis included a total of 108 alleles. Results and Conclusion: Considerable differences were observed in the frequencies between populations. The same differences were confirmed with analysis of other parameters, such as the effective number of alleles, the fixation index and genetic differentiation. It should be pointed out that this research confirmed higher allele heterozygosis in the populations in relation to pedunculate oak populations in Western Europe. This result suggests that the investigated populations have not lost much of their genetic potential for adaptation. This could be attributed to the vicinity of the studied populations to their glacial refugium. This is the reason for their higher resistance and sturdiness in comparison with the populations of western and central Europe. They posses more genetic variability despite the fact that they had for centuries suffered a strong anthropogenic influence, which brought them to their survival limit and the verge of extinction. The obtained results will allow us to preserve the genetic structure of this valuable species in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The main purpose of this study was to clarify the speciation and taxonomic status of European representatives of Lilium sect. Liriotypus (Lilium albanicum, L. bosniacum, L. bulbiferum, L. candidum, L. carniolicum, L. chalcedonicum, L. jankae, L. pomponium, L. rhodopaeum, L. pyrenaicum) based on karyotype differentiation. Clear interspecific differentiation was revealed among karyotypes of these taxa using fluorochrome (chromomycin and DAPI) bandings, fluorescent in situ hybridization and silver staining. Differences were evident in the number and position of CMA and DAPI bands and in the number, position and activity of 18S-26S and 5S rDNA genes. It is hypothesized that the type species of Lilium sect. Liriotypus, L. candidum, repre- sents the ancestral species from which three evolutionary directions diverged: the first towards L. chalcedonicum, the second towards L. rhodopaeum, and the third towards L. albanicum. The radiation process expanded from L. albanicum, beyond the southeast to the central Dinaric Alps where L. bosniacum is strongly represented. Furthermore, L. carniolicum evolved from northwestern populations of L. bosniacum. According to this evolutionary hypothesis, L. pomponium and L. pyrenaicum would be the youngest species.

Three populations of Norway spruce from ecologically extreme environments in Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina were examined for genetic polymorphism. The spruces there grow in specific forest communities (Sphagno-Piceetum) which represent the remnants of the post-glacial vegetation. The aim of the study was to search for similarities in the genetic variation among populations adapted to such conditions. In total, 10 isoenzyme systems involving 16 gene loci were analysed. The results showed differences in genetic differentiation at loci Got-B, Skdh-A and 6-Pgdh-C between the two Slovenian populations and the Bosnian population, but also indicated an interestingly close relationship between the Slovenian population Pohorje and the Bosnian population Nisici.

Serpentine soils are characterized by extreme ecological conditions for plant development - they are barren of plant nutrients, contain high concentrations of heavy metals, they are shallow and do not hold water well, which results in dry and exposed habitats. The stresses induced in such conditions exert evolutionary pressure for selection of traits and mutations that allow certain plants to adapt to serpentine soils. Serpentine flora in general provides an opportunity to examine adaptive evolutionary mechanisms. Lilium bosniacum is an endemic species of Balkan Peninsula, which usually grows on limestone or dolomite substrates with deep soils rich in nutrients and at altitudinal optimum from 1200 m to 1300 m. We found a population of L. bosniacum growing on inclined slope of serpentine substrate at altitude of 970 m, at the environmental conditions that are not habitual for this species. This is the first serpentine population found in the distributional range of Bosnian lily. Cytogenetic and molecular analyses revealed variations in karyotype/genome features between serpentine and non-serpentine populations, as well as within serpentine population, in terms of changed chromosome morphology, different number and position of 18S-26S rDNA loci and CMA bands, different copy number and transcriptional activity of rRNA genes, presence/absence of B-chromosomes and different rDNA IGS length variants. Full sequence is given for IGS length variants. In addition, analysis of leaf anatomy revealed difference in number and size of stoma per leaf area between non-serpentine and serpentine populations. Changes of karyotype/genome and anatomic features found in serpentine population are discussed in respect to the extreme life conditions that are characteristic for serpentines.

Deux reliques tertiaires, Pinus heldreichii et P. nigra, sont considerees comme especes taxonomiquement tres proches. Leur distribution geographique est tres discontinue, se chevauchant dans quelques localites des Balkans. La repartition des regions heterochromatiques (AT-, GC- riche et heterochromatine constitutive nonspecifique) et l'activite des organisateurs nucleolaires (NORs) sont analysees par fluorochrome banding et coloration au nitrate d'argent respectivement. Les donnees morphometriques du caryotype de P. heldreichii sont presentees ici pour la premiere fois. La distribution des bandes GC-riches est particulierement specifique, P. heldreichii possede 12 et P. nigra 24 bandes. En comparaison avec d'autres especes de la subsection Pinus, P. heldreichii presente un chromomycin banding particulier. Les bandes AT-riches sont moins specifiques et leur localisation est similaire aux autres pins. La coloration au DAPI, effectuee apres la denaturation/renaturation de l'ADN, revele des differences importantes en nombre et position des bandes entre deux especes. Le nombre des constrictions secondaires (SCs), des NORs et des nucleoles differe egalement entre P. heldreichii(10) et P. nigra (12). Nos resultats montrent une differentiation nette au niveau chromosomique entre ces deux especes et ouvrent la discussion sur un changement eventuel de subsection pour P. heldreichii.

Summary We compared pristine and managed beech – fi r mixed forests in Bosnia to assess the impact of management on plant species diversity, vegetation structure and soil – vegetation interaction. Traditionally, management of Bosnian mixed forests has been by the opening of small gaps, similar to those occurring naturally. Species composition revealed three successional vegetation groups, two mainly in managed forests (regenerating and mature) and one mainly in pristine old growth forests. Managed sites showed a tendency to be more diverse in plant species than pristine sites, and were also more heterogeneous. Diversity was clearly explained by vegetation groups; mature managed stands showing the highest plant diversity and regenerating stands the lowest, both in terms of species richness and abundance distributions. Plant diversity decreased with canopy cover and increased with carbon concentration in the A h horizon, being accurately modelled by both factors. Although topographical conditions were homogeneous among sites, vegetation was very sensitive to small changes in environmental variables at the local scale. Vegetation refl ected a combination of past situations, represented by C in the A h horizon, and current conditions, represented by canopy cover and the C : N ratio in the LF organic layers, suggesting both sensitivity to present-day environmental conditions as well as the imprint of past events.