Abstract

Endosperm cells of Sorghum bicolor undergo several rounds of en doreplication

during seed development, resulting in somatic endopolyploidy with cells

containing 3 C to 96 C nuclei (1 C represents the amount of DNA in an unreplicated

haploid genome). Cells with higher DNA content are larger and contain larger nuclei.

The function of large endosperm cells in Sorghum bicolor is storage of starch that will

be used in germination. We analysed the ratios of nuclear genome size and volume

of nuclei and cells to determine if karyoplasmic ratio is constant in cells of different

endopolyploidy levels. Interestingly, the volume of cells and nuclei increases more than

can be expected from the increase in genome size alone. Instead, a constant ratio was

observed between genome size and surface of cells and nuclei. However, an isometric

relationship was found between volume of nuclei and volume of cells, indicating that

karyoplasmic ratio is constant in sense of dimensions of cellular compartments, rather

than with nuclear genome size alone.

Keywords

cell volume, endopolyploidy, endoreplication, endosperm, nuclear genome size

Abstract

The Red osier dogwood ( Cornus sericea L.) is a popular North American

ornamental shrub, often planted also in Slovenia. Subspontaneous occurrence of

the species in Slovenia is known for two decades, but only in recent years, we can

recognize it as an invasive species. The Red osier dogwood is currently known from

numerous localities in the wider city area of Ljubljana and also from two sites in the

Gorenjska region. It occurs in wetland habitats, particularly in the vicinity of settlements,

where the shrub is planted for ornamental purposes. To limit the invasion of

the Red osier dogwood, timely measures should be taken. We also publish the updated

determination key for the genus Cornus in Slovenia.

Keywords

Cornus sericea , The Red osier dogwood, invasive alien species, wetlands, Slovenia

Abstract

Macrophytes are an important part of the lake biota. They are also

bioindicators of environmental conditions. The goal of the present research was to

determine species richness and abundance as well as longitudinal and depth distribution

of macrophytes in Lake Slivniško jezero. A survey of macrophytes in the whole lake

littoral was made, the minimum and maximum depth of taxa were measured and their

abundance was estimated as well. We also assessed selected environmental parameters

of the littoral and catchment. 22 macrophyte taxa: 9 emergent, 9 submerged and 4 natant

macrophytes were determined. The most frequent species were Phragmites australis ,

Najas marina , Myriophyllum spicatum and Potamogeton nodosus . The maximum depth

of colonisation was achieved by Nymphaea alba (to 2.4 m), while M. spicatum and

N. marina grown to the depth of 1.9 m. According to CCA the distribution of macrophytes

was significantly influenced by exposition, bottom slope, sediment type, slope

of riparian zone, macroalgae abundance, type of riparian vegetation, completeness of

riparian zone, land-use beyond the riparian zone and water turbidity.

Keywords

macrophytes, Lake Slivniško jezero, species composition, environmental

assessment

Abstract

We conducted a phytosociological study into hay meadows on former

fields on original sites of beech forests form the alliance Aremonio-Fagion in the lower

montane belt of the northwestern and western Slovenia (southern Julian Alps, northern

part of the Dinaric Alps) and compared them to similar, previously described meadows

in Slovenia and northwestern Italy. Based on this comparison they are classified into

the new association Rhinantho freynii-Trisetetum flavescentis and new habitat type,

southeastern-Alpine-northern-Illyrian lower montane hay meadows – 38.239-S1.

Keywords

secondary grasslands, synsystematics, Trisetum flavescens , Arrhenatherion, Illyrian floral province, Slovenia

Abstract

Current methods based on DNA targets for the detection, identification

and quantification of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) involve extraction of

the DNA. Different extraction procedures have been developed for the great variety

of samples from food, feed, seeds and particular plant parts. This makes the operation

of routine analytical laboratories complex and workloads heavy. Here we present a

decision-making system, developed over many years of GMO testing on different samples,

that result in the application of only a few extraction methods for the majority of

samples. Developed decision-making system enables quicker and more cost effective

testing of GMOs. In addition, the performance of DNA extraction resulting from the

use of the selected extraction methods is presented for use in subsequent testing of

GMOs by real time PCR methods. This approach can be used as a model for similar

systems based on nucleic acid analysis in food, feed, seeds and plants.

Keywords

Extraction methods, Genetically modified organisms (GMO), Decision-making system, GMO testing, NucleoSpin® Food, Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)

Abstract

The work presents anatomical terminology of bones of a bird skeleton.

An individual technical term is written in the international standard form, i.e. in Latin

or Latinized Greek, mostly followed by the slovenized technical term and afterwards

by the Slovenian expression for the individual anatomical term. The succession of

terms follows the anatomical body regionalisation in birds. In Appendix 1, Slovenian

technical terms are listed in alphabetical order with marks for the genitive case singular

and sex, followed by Latin names. In Appendix 2, the Latin anatomical names are

listed in alphabetical order succeeded by Slovenian expressions.

Keywords

anatomy, birds bones, skeleton, Slovenian terminology