Department of Botany University of Catania

The Department of Botany, set up in 1993, promotes and coordinates teaching and research activities in the field of Botanical Sciences. The Department is not only a centre of scientific advances but also a place for the cultural promotion of naturalistic awareness as well as for the management of nature and territory resources. It is devoted to the knowledge of plants in all their aspects and at their various levels (as tissues, cells, individuals and communities) as well as of plant relations to their environments.

DIRECTOR: Salvatore Brullo

DEPARTMENTAL BOARD

Furnari Giovanni, Pavone Pietro, Ronsisvalle Giuseppe A., Scammacca Blasco, Minissale Pietro, Scalia Concetta, Catra Marcello, Villari Alessandro.

TEACHING STAFF

Salvatore Brullo, Francesco Furnari, Giuseppe Giaccone, Claudia Barbagallo (Faculty of Pharmacy), Mario Cormaci, Gioachino Ferro, Giovanni Furnari, Anna Guglielmo, Nunzio Longhitano, Pietro Pavone, Giuseppe A. Ronsisvalle, Blasco Scammacca, Armando Battiato, Giuseppina Bartolo, Carmelinda De Santis, Anna Duro, Giuseppa Galluzzo, Rosa Meli (Faculty of Pharmacy), Pietro Minissale, Mariangela Napoli, Vincenzo Piccione, Maria Privitera, Santa Pulvirenti, Francesca Savoca (Faculty of Pharmacy), Concetta Scalia, Pietro Signorello, M.Carmen Terrasi.

PH.D. STUDENTS

XVII Cycle: Simona Grimaldi, Saverio Sciandrello, Salvatore Stuto.

XVIII Cycle: Giuseppe Musumarra, Michele Nicotra, Enrico Perrino.

XIX Cycle: Rosanna Costa, Carmelo Musarella Leonardo Scuderi.

Research grant: Gabriella Ferrauto, Cristina Salmeri.

TECHNICALl and ADMINISTRATION SERVICES

General Services: Walter De Leonardis, Vincenza Reale, Armando La Rocca.

Administration: Alessandro Villari, Rita Anastasi.

Library: Giuseppe Gulisano.

Teaching and Scientific Laboratories: Anna Valenti, Giuseppe Giunta.

Cartographic and Photographic Laboratory: Giovanni Sanfilippo.

Marine Biology Laboratory: Marcello Catra.

Herbarium: Giuseppe Messina.

Technical Services, Safety and risk Prevention Measures: Girolamo Fichera.

BOTANICAL GARDEN

General Garden and Wet Greenhouse: Giovannino D’Agata.

Succulent Plants: Walter De Leonardis, Giovannino D’Agata.

Sicilian Garden, Nursery and Index Seminum: Girolamo Fichera, Giovanni La Piana.

Public relations: Ignazia Accaputo.

DOTTORATO DI RICERCA(Ph.D. Graduate Studies)
Environmental Sciences I Phytogeography of the Mediterranean Areas

XIV series (completed), XV series (3st year), XVI series (2nd year), XVII series (1st year).

Coordinator: S. Brullo

Professors: F. Furnari, G. Giaccone, M. Cormaci, G. Ferro, G. Furnari, A. Guglielmo, N. Longhitano, P. Pavone, G.A. Ronsisvalle, B. Scammacca.

PARTNERSHIPS, SPECIAL PROJECTS, COLLABORATIONS INITALY AND ABROAD

CNR

Plant survey and valorisation of historical gardens in eastern Sicily and Calabria (Prof. P. Pavone)

Analysis of biodiversity of marine vegetation in the Adriatic Sea (Prof. M. Cormaci)

Regione Siciliana – Assessorato Cultura e Ambiente

Analysis for preservation and restoration purposes of algal biodeteriorating agents attacking cultural heritage monuments (Prof. G. Giaccone)

AMA project – Bee, Honey and Environment (Prof. N. Longhitano)

P.O. Cluster 11B “Ambiente terrestre” – Monitoring methods and territorial models for biodiversity survey in some mountain chains of Sicily (Prof. S. Brullo)

Comune di Riposto

Botanical Garden Museum Park of Kentias (Prof. P. Pavone)

Capitaneria di Porto, Catania

Phytobenthos of the natural marine reserve Isole dei Ciclopi (prof. M. Cormaci)

Provincia Regionale di Catania

Ecologic networks in the Province of Catania (Prof. G. A. Ronsisvalle)

Alterra, Green World Research – Wageningen, The Netherlands

Continuity of natural spaces in the Province of Catania (Prof. G. A. Ronsisvalle)

Interreg iii – Medoc – Renarep – Hanbury Botanical Gardens

Project of the protection of the natural, cultural and landscape patrimony (Prof. G. A. Ronsisvalle)

Comune di Caltagirone

Floristic and vegetational features of Bosco di Santo Pietro natural reserve Advice for the production of interactive CDrom (Prof. F. Furnari)

provincia di crotone (ente gestore riserva naturale marina "capo rizzuto")

Study of the marine vegetation of the Natural Marine Reserve of Capo Rizzuto

Comune di Catania

R.N.I. Oasi del Simeto: a study of the use planning in the reserve B zone.

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Interreg II ItaliaAlbania: “Checking of seaweeds on low Adriatic Sea” (prof. M. Cormaci)
Interreg II ItaliaGrecia: “Checking of seaweeds on low Adriatic and Ionian Sea” (prof. M. Cormaci)
UNEP – (CAR/SPA) “Operative scheme for the protection of marine vegetation ” (Prof. G. Giaccone)
International Institute of Biology, Slovenia (Prof. G. Giaccone)

University of Lubiana (PhD Tutor Prof. G. Giaccone)

University of Algeri (PhD Tutor Prof. G. Giaccone)

Alterra, Green World Research – Wageningen, The Netherlands (Prof. G. A. Ronsisvalle)

Interreg III B “Genmedoc” 20042006 (prof. P. Pavone)

RESEARCH GROUPS AND SUBJECT

Algology and Marine Biology

Group Members: Giaccone G., Furnari G., Cormaci M., Scammacca B., Galluzzo G., Serio D.

Studies in this area are pursued according to different research lines.

a) Benthic flora of the Mediterranean Sea This research line aims both to increase knowledge of thebiodiversity of phytobenthic communities in areas poorly studied to date and to ascertain any biodiversity changes.

b) mediterranean marine benthic phytocoenoses This research aims both to evaluate the characteristics of marine benthic vegetation by means of surveys carried out by the phytosociologic method and to assess their distribution area.

c) Evolution of marine vegetation in degraded coastal areas This research aims to assess changes undergone by benthic communities in environments disturbed by natural and/or anthropic causes. In particular, multidisciplinary investigations are carried out on both the diffusion of invasive species (e.g. Caulerpa species) and the blooms of unicellular or filamentous algae (mucilage phenomenon).

d) Restoration and improvement of monumental Heritage in Eastern Sicily Study of algal biodeteriorating agents on degradation of monuments.

e) Distribution, Ecology and Colonisation of Bryozoans in the Mediterranean Sea This research consisting in a close investigation on Bryozoans occurring in benthic biocoenoses aims both to evaluate their contribution to biodiversity and to obtain useful data on the occurrence of polluted areas since water quality can be also argued by some bioindicators Bryozoans species.

Publications

Cormaci M., Furnari G., Alongi G., Catra M., Pizzuto F., Serio D. 2001 – Spring marine vegetation on rocky substrata of the Tremiti Islands (Adriatic Sea, Italy). In: Faranda F., Guglielmo L. & Spezie G. eds: Mediterranean Ecosystems: Structures and Processes. SpringerVerlag, Italia, chap. 32: 245254.

Cormaci M., Furnari G., Alongi G., Serio D., Petrocelli A., Cecere e., 2001 Censimento delle macroalghe marine bentoniche delle coste pugliesi. Thalassia Salentina, 25: 75158.

Gómez Garreta A., Gallardo T., Ribera M.A., Cormaci M., Furnari G., Giaccone G., Boudouresque C.F., 2001 Checklist of Mediterranean seaweeds. III. Rhodophyceae Rabenh. 1. Ceramiales Oltm. Botanica Marina, 44: 425460.

Furnari G., Cormaci M., Serio D., 2001 – The Laurencia complex (Rhodophyta, Rhodomelaceae) in the Mediterranean Sea: on overview. Cryptogamie, Algologie, 22: 331373.

Giaccone G. & Pizzuto F., 2001 Stato delle conoscenze sulla biodiversità algale marina delle Isole dei Ciclopi (Catania, Sicilia orientale). Boll. Accademia Gioenia Sc. Nat., Catania, 34 (360): 522.

Giaccone G., 2001 Ecologia e sinecologia delle specie vegetali marine bentoniche non indigene del Mediterraneo. Biologia Marina Mediterranea, 8: 7681.

Giaccone G., 2001 Ecologia, economia di comunione e sviluppo sostenibile: riflessioni di un ecologo. In: Bruni L., Pelligra V. (eds): Economia come impegno civile. Città Nuova Ed.. Roma: 279293.

Giaccone G., Di Martino V., 2001 Past, present and future of vegetational diversity and assemblages on Mediterranean Sea. Actes du premier Symposium méditerranéen sur la végétation marine. RAC/SPA: Tunis: 3459.

Galluzzo G., Nicotra M. 2001 Victorella pavida Saville Kent 1870 e Amathia semiconvoluta Lamouroux 1824 (Bryozoa, Ctenostomatida): specie rare e poco conosciute della Sicilia. Biologia Marina Mediterranea, 8: 596597.

Turna I.I., Ertan Ö.O., Cormaci M., Furnari G., 2002 Seasonal variations in the biomass of macroalgal communities from the Gulf of Antalya (northeastern Mediterranean). Turkish Journal of Botany, 26: 1929.

Alongi G., Cormaci M., Furnari G., 2002 The Corallinaceae (Rhodophyta) from the Ross Sea (Antarctica): a taxonomic revision rejects all records except Phymatolithon foecundum. Phycologia, 41: 140146.

Alongi G., Catra M., Cormaci M. & Furnari G., 2002 Observations on Cystoseira squarrosa De Notaris (Fucophyceae, Fucales), a rare and little known Mediterranean species and its typification. Botanica Marina (in press).

Furnari G., Cormaci M. & Giaccone G., 2002 The benthic macroalgal flora of Italy: Floristic and geobotanic considerations. Bocconea (in press).

Furnari G., Boisset F., Cormaci M. & Serio D., 2002 Characterization of Chondrophycus tenerrimus (Cremades) comb. nov. (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta), a species often misidentified as C. papillosus (C. Agradh) Garbary et J. Harper in the Mediterranean Sea. CryptogamieAlgologie (in press).

Wolkerling Wm J., Furnari G. & Cormaci M., 2002 Leptophytum (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta): To be or not to be ? That is the question, but what is the answer? Australian Systematic Botany (in press).

Furnari G., Giaccone G., Cormaci M., Alongi G. & Serio D., 2002 Biodiversità marina delle coste italiane: catalogo del macrofitobenthos. Biologia Marina Mediterranea (in press).

Galluzzo G., Nicotra M. 2002 Fauna marina a Bryozoa della Riserva naturale orientata "Oasi Faunistica di Vendicari" (Siracusa, Sicilia Sud Orientale). Naturalista Siciliano (in press).

Biotaxonomy

Group members: Bartolo G., Brullo S., Pavone P., Guglielmo A., Minissale P., Pulvirenti S., Terrasi M.C., Salmeri C., Giusso del Galdo G.

Taxonomical investigations on the Mediterranean flora carried out to the description of new species to Science and to clarify the taxonomical position of critical species of the genus Allium, Astracantha, Adenocarpus, Echium, Festuca, Trifolium, Salix, Limodorum. The researches are usually supported by karyological study in order to underline relationships between the allied species, mainly those belonging to the genus Allium, one of the most complex of the Mediterranean area.

Publications

Bartolo G., D’Emerico S., Pulvirenti S., Scrugli A. & Terrasi M.C., 2001 – Karyotype structure and chromosome banding in Limodorum brulloi Bartolo & Pulvirenti (Orchidaceae). Jour. Eur. Orch. 34(1): 8796.

Brullo S., De Marco G. & Siracusa G., 2001 – Taxonomical notes on the genus Adenocarpus DC. (Leguminosae) in Italy. Bocconea 13: 425436.

Brullo S. & Guarino R., 2001 – Festuca humifusa (Graminaceae) a new species from Sicily. Bocconea 10: 409412.

Brullo S., Guglielmo A., Pavone P. & Salmeri C., 2001 – Cytotaxonomical notes on some rare endemic species of Allium (Alliaceae) from Greece. Caryologia 54(1): 3757.

Brullo S., Guglielmo A., Pavone P. & Salmeri C., 2001 – Osservazioni tassonomiche e cariologiche sulle specie del ciclo di Allium paniculatum L. in Italia. Inform. Bot. Ital. 33(2):500506.

Brullo S., Pavone P. & Salmeri C., 2001 – Allium brachyspathum (Alliaceae), a new species from the island of Karpathos (S Aegean area, Greece). Bocconea 13: 413417.

Brullo S., Scelsi F. & Spampinato G., 2001 – Salix ionica (Salicaceae) a new species from S Italy. Bocconea 13: 419 423.

Brullo S., Giusso del Galdo G. & Lanfranco E. 2001 – A new species of Zannichellia L. (Zannichelliaceae) from Malta. Fl. Medit. 11:379384.

Brullo S., Gangale C. & Spampinato G., 2002 – Note tassonomiche su Genista anglica L., specie complex. Inform. Bot. Ital. 33(2):493499.

Brullo S. & Minissale P., 2002 – Il gruppo di Dianthus rupicola Biv. nel Mediterraneo centrale. Inform. Bot. Ital. 33(2): 537548.

Brullo S., Guglielmo A., Pavone P. & Salmeri C., 2002 Cytotaxonomical remarks on Allium pallensL. and its relationships with Allium convallarioides Grossh. Bocconea (in press).

Brullo S., Guglielmo A., Pavone P.,Terrasi M.C. & Salmeri C., 2002 Three new species of Allium sect. Codonoprasum from Greece. Pl. Biosystems (in press).

Brullo S. & Giusso del Galdo G., 2002 – Astracantha dolinicola (Fabaceae) a new species from Crete. Nord. Jour. Bot. 21: 475480.

Brullo S., Minissale P. & Terrasi M.C., 2002 – Elaeoselinum tunetanum a new species from Tunisia. Bocconea (in press).

Bryology

Group members: Privitera M., Puglisi M.

The researches of the group are devoted to the floristical, ecological and phytosociological studies on the Bryophytes of the Mediterranean region. In particular, the floristic investigations have emphasized some interesting records for the Italian moss flora, i.e. Grimmia torquata, Mielichhoferia elongata, Schistidium flaccidum, etc. The ecological studies have pointed out the important role of the Bryophytes in the monitoring of the environmental quality. A synthesis on the Bryophytes vegetation of Sicily, including the nomenclatural and synsystematic revision of some critical syntaxa, has carried out.

Publications

Brullo S., Privitera M. & Puglisi M., 2001 Phytogeographical considerations on the fumarole bryoflora from Mediterranean and Macaronesian areas. Bocconea 13: 329336.

Privitera M. & Puglisi M., 2001 Indicizzazione della qualità ambientale attraverso l'uso della flora briofitica. Un esempio di studio su Vulcano. Arch. Geobot. 5 (1999).

Privitera M., Puglisi M. & Sambataro R., 2002 Considerazioni fitogeografiche sulla brioflora dei calanchi dell'Aspromonte meridionale (Calabria). BraunBlanquetia 31: 5557.

Privitera M. & Puglisi M., 2001 Biomonitoraggio della qualità dell'aria tramite briofite: uno studio sui castagneti dell'Etna. Pubblicazioni a cura del Centro Comune di Ricerca di Ispra (VA) Commissione Europea EUR 19817 IT: 3339.

Privitera M., Puglisi M., Cenci R. M:, Dabergami D. & Tricherini P., 2002 – Deposizione di elementi in tracce nell’area del vulcano Etna valutati con muschi e suoli. Atti Convegno SISS “Piacenza 810 giugno”, 9 pp.

Privitera M. & Puglisi M., 2002 La vegetazione briofitica della Sicilia. BraunBlanquetia (in press).

Nature Conservation and Ecological Networks

Group members: Ronsisvalle G. A., Cosentino F., Meli F., Ronsisvalle F.B.

The current objective in the field of environmental protection is for safeguarding of the environment to become to an automatic feature of any legislation concerning modifications of the territories. The protection of the environment should not have to rely on legislation drawn up in response to a period of rash transformation activity.

The main aim is the creation of a basic propaedeutic awareness to the identification of proposals meant to take into notice ecologically oriented concepts and to make their influence over planning projects more effective. The gathered records are supposed to help the planning of restoration and/or rehabilitation interventions on behalf of natural environments having been, to various extents, damaged.

Publications

Ronsisvalle G.A., 2001 – Programmazione e gestione delle aree di collegamento per un efficace connettività ecologica. Atti Convegno “Connettività ecologica tra le aree protette, la rete ecologica siciliana”, Catania.

Cosentino F., 2001 – Ripristino ambientale e riordino delle coste lungo il litorale ionico etneo. Atti Convegno “Connettività ecologica tra le aree protette, la rete ecologica siciliana”, Catania.

Meli F., 2001– Aree marginali e neoecosistemi della Provincia di Enna. Atti Convegno “Connettività ecologica tra le aree protette, la rete ecologica siciliana”, Catania.

Ronsisvalle F.B.F., 2001 – Rete ecologica e Piano Territoriale della Provincia di Catania. Atti Convegno “Connettività ecologica tra le aree protette, la rete ecologica siciliana”, Catania.

Ronsisvalle G.A., 2002 – Il giardino mediterraneo dell’Alcantara, valorizzazione e fruizione del Parco fluviale dell’Alcantara. Atti Convegno.

Phytosociology, Phytogeography

Group members: Brullo S., Ferro G., Minissale P.

Research in this area aims to increase the knowledge of the vegetation of the Mediterranean range. Investigations, made through the phytosociological method, also using the cluster analysis method, regard various territories. New syntaxa have also been described. Cartographic survey maps of the vegetation have been made for particularly interesting environments. These records appear to be extremely relevant in view of viable interventions for nature and environment conservation, correct management and valorisation.

Publications

Brullo S., Costanzo E., Tomaselli V., 2001 – Etude phytosociologique sur les peuplements à Laurus nobilis dans les Monts Iblei (Sicile sudorientale). Phytocoenologia 31(2): 249270.

Brullo S., Scelsi F. & Spampinato G., 2001 – La vegetazione dell’Aspromonte. Studio fitosociologico. Laruffa Ed., Reggio Calabria.

Brullo S., Giusso del Galdo G. & Guarino R. 2001 – The orophilous communities of PinoJuniperetea class in Central and Eastern Mediterranean area. Feddes Rep. 112:261308.

Brullo S., Giusso del Galdo G., Minissale P., Siracusa G. & Spampinato G., 2002 – Considerazioni sintassonomiche e fitogeografiche sulla vegetazione della Sicilia. Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sc. Nat. (in press).

Ferro G., Ladero M., Amor A., Santos M. T., Sanchez M. E., 2001 – Robledales supramediterràneos de ombroclima subhùmedo en los sectores Salmantinos y LusitanoDuriense. Quercetea, 3, 9 pg.

Ferro G., 2001 – Dal libro della natura. In: “Eolie – Quando il sole incontra la storia”, 8595. Ed. Union Printing.

Floristics

Group members: Brullo S., Bartolo G., Guglielmo A., Pulvirenti S.

Investigations in this sector aim at a better knowledge of the whole Mediterranean flora. In particular Orchids family was studied. A phytogeographic survey on the N Cyrenaica flora was carried.

Publications

Bartolo G., Lanfranco E., Pulvirenti G. & Stevens D. T., 2001 – Le Orchidee dell’arcipelago maltese (Mediterraneo centrale). Jour. Eur. Orchids 33(3): 743870.

Brullo S., Guglielmo A., 2001 – Considérations phytogéographiques sur la Cyrénaïque septentrionale. Bocconea 13: 209222.

Mycology

Group members: Napoli M., Signorello P.

Investigations on the mycological flora of Sicily have been carried out, most notably in sandy dunes, woods and natural areas.

Publications

Napoli M., 2001 – Flora macromicetica delle faggete siciliane. B.G.M.B. 44(2): 6775.

Signorello P., Cormaci A., Lantieri A., Signorello L., 2001 – Indagini micocenologiche sulle cenosi a Quercus cerris L. dell’Etna. Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sc. Nat. Catania, 360(34):113125.

Signorello P., Cormaci A., Lantieri A., Signorello L., 2001 – Indagini micocenologiche sulle cenosi a Quercus suber L. delle Caronie (ME). Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sc. Nat. Catania, 360(34):127140.

Signorello P., Cormaci A., Lantieri A. Signorello L., 2002 Indagini micocenologiche sui boschi a Castanea sativa L. dell’Etna. U.M.I. Edagricole Bologna. (in press).

Signorello P., Puma A., 2002 Indagini micocenologiche sulle cenosi a Eucaliptus camaldulensis in Sicilia. Micologia e Vegetazione Mediterranea, Avezzano (AQ) (in press).

Signorello P., Cormaci A., Lantieri A., Signorello L., 2002 – Indagini micocenologiche sui boschi a Populus tremula L. dell’Etna. U.M.I. Edagricole Bologna (in press).

Etnobotany

Group members: Napoli M.

The various uses of plants according to popular traditions of Sicily are the topics of these researches.

Publications

Napoli M., 2001 Indagine su usi particolari ed insoliti dei vegetali in Sicilia: le piante, i fiori, i frutti e i semi utilizzati per gioco. Bollettino del Centro di Studi Filologici e Linguistici Siciliani (BCSFLS), 19 :265291. Palermo

Arcidiacono S., Napoli M e Pavone P., 2002: Piante selvatiche utilizzate nella medicina popolare e veterinaria nel territorio di Bronte (Catania). Quad. Bot. Ambientale Appl. 10 :105118. Palermo.

Napoli M., Giglio T., 2002: Usi popolari di piante spontanee nel territorio di Monterosso Almo (Ragusa). Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. 35, n 361.

Napoli M., 2002: Usi popolari di Barlia robertiana (Loisel.) W. Greut. (Orchidaceae) nel territorio di Santo Pietro di Caltagirone (Catania). Etnobotanica nella Provincia di Catania con Atti del Convegno “Andar per verdure”. Linguaglossa 1920 XII 1997 :164. Siracusa.

Napoli M., 2002: Utilizzazione nella pratica erboristica e magicoreligiosa di Epilobium parviflorum Schreber (Onagraceae) nel territorio di Casalvecchio Siculo (Messina). Etnobotanica nella Provincia di Catania con Atti del Convegno “Andar per verdure”, Linguaglossa 1920XII1997: 164. Siracusa.

Napoli M., Giglio T., 2002: Utilizzazioni popolari di piante selvatiche nel territorio di Giarratana (Ragusa). Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. Catania (in press).

Napoli M., Giglio T., 2002: Piante spontanee d’uso popolare nel territorio di Licodia Eubea (Catania). Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sci. Nat. Catania (in press).

Scientific Museology Historic Gardens and Botanical Gardens

Group members: Guglielmo A., Pavone P., Salmeri C., Minissale P.

The research activity in this area is devoted to the floristic study of historic parks and gardens, a part of our environmental heritage, today increasingly in need of protection. The group has also carried on their studies of Botanical Gardens, as they are structures specifically dedicated to scientific research, biodiversity conservation and scientific popularisation.

Publications

Guglielmo A., Pavone P., Ragusa A. & Salmeri C., 2001– Il “Giardino Ibleo” a Ragusa Ibla. Quaderni di Botanica ambientale e applicata 10 (1999): 125130.

Guglielmo A., Pavone P. & Salmeri C., 2001– Il verde pubblico di Catania. 2. La Villa Pacini. Boll. Acc. Gioenia Sc. Nat. Catania 34(360): 6575.

Guglielmo A., Pavone P., Salmeri C.& Spampinato G., 2002 – La Latomia dei Cappuccini a Siracusa: aspetti della flora spontanea e ornamentale. Atti Convegno “Giardino Storico e Paesaggio”, Bologna, 25.I.2002: 4044.

Guglielmo A. & Salmeri C., 2002–Benefattori e collezionisti nella storia dell’Orto Botanico. Bollettino d’Ateneo (in press).

Guglielmo A., Pavone P. & Salmeri C., 2002– Contributo alla conoscenza dei giardini storici della Sicilia orientale e meridionale. Atti del Convegno:”Giardini storici. Metodologie per la conoscenza, strumenti operativi per la conservazione e il restauro”. Roma, 67.XII.2000 (in press).

Palynology, carpology and morphology

Group members: Longhitano N., De Santis C., De Leonardis W., Fichera G., Fiumara P.M.R., Finocchiaro A., Ferrauto G.

Researches deal with ultrastructure of pollen grains of Mediterranean species to point out relationships, evolution and accordance between pollen morphology and taxonomic position.

Investigations have focussed on the palynological, carpological and histological analysis of the Poaceae family, the genus Euphorbia and Antirrhinum, moreover Misopates orontium and Triticum durum cv. “Simeto”. In Malcolmia ramosissima and M. nana investigations have pointed out diacritic characters between species. Pollen and seeds of the genus Diplotaxis were particularly studied according to its agronomicnutritious interest.

In the melissopalynology field, the Sicilian honeys have been studied to evidence the occasional presence of Poaceae pollen grains.

Publications

De Leonardis W., De Santis C., Fichera G., Giardina G., Zizza A., 2002 La distribuzione in Sicilia di Malcolmia ramosissima (Desf.) Thell. e Malcolmia nana (DC.) Boiss. con note su alcuni caratteri discriminanti. Webbia 56 (1): 127138.

Abenavoli M.R., De Santis C., Sidari M., Sorgonà A., Badiani M., Cacco G., 2001 Influence of coumarin on the net nitrate uptake in durum wheat. New Phitologist 150: 619627.

Ferrauto G., Longhitano N., Zizza A., Gussago G., 2001 – Studi di caratterizzazione geografica: I mieli dei Monti Nebrodi (Sicilia settentrionale). In: “Miele e territorio” a cura di L. Persano Oddo, M. L. Piana. M.P.A.C. Ist. Sper. Zool. Agraria: 171182.

De Leonardis W., De Santis C., Fichera G., Fiumara P.M.R., Longhitano N., Zizza A., 2001 Identificazione di granuli pollinici di Poaceae spesso presenti nelle pallottole raccolte dalle api. Inform. Bot. It. 33(2): 454457.

De Leonardis W., De Santis C., Fichera G., Zizza A., 2001 – Analitic keys and taxonomic considerations based on pollen and seed characters in some species belonging to the genus Diplotaxis L. Bol. Soc. Brot. (in press).

De Leonardis W., De Santis C., Fichera G., Fiumara P.M.R., Zizza A., 2001 – Palynological study of 92 taxa belonging to the Poaceae family. Bol. Soc. Brot. 70 (in press).

De Leonardis W., De Santis C., Fichera G., 2001 – Seed surface features in Misopates orontium (L.) Rafin. and cultivated and wild entities of the genus Anthirrinum L. Bol. Soc. Brot. 70 (in press).

De Leonardis W., De Santis C., Fichera G., Fiumara P.M.R., Zizza A., 2001 – Pollen morphology of species belonging to genus Euphorbia L. and systematic value of some palynological characters. Bol. Soc. Brot. 70 (in press).

De Leonardis W., De Santis C., Fichera G., Padulosi S., 2001 – Correlations between pollen grain and seed characters in Opuntia L. taxa. Intern.Congr. Tunis (in press).