Italiano - University TS - Biology - Research

BIODIVERSITY' AND TAXONOMY: Taxonomy

Lichen systematics

The following projects are currently in progress:
  1. Study of critical groups of the Italian lichen flora
  2. Systematic reassessment of the family of the Lichinaceae of the Sonora desert (south-western North America), in collaboration with Prof. T.H. Nash, III (Tempe, U.S.A.) and Dr. B. Budel (Rostock, Germany), in the context of the Sonoran Lichen Flora Project.

Scientist in charge: M. Tretiach.

BIODIVERSITY' AND TAXONOMY: Taxonomy

Antarctic Lichens

The studies so far carried out, in the context of the National Programme of Research in the Antarctic, have led to a drastic revision of the knowledge on the lichen flora of that Continent. The reassessment of some critical groups (Acarospora , Candelariella, Xanthoria) and the critical analysis of over 150 species described by C.W.Dodge, have revealed that the lichen flora of the Antarctic is considerably less rich than expected and that it includes a far smaller number of endemic species and several species with sub-cosmopolitan or bipolar distribution. A flora of the Lichens of Continental Antarctica is currently being drafted. A further service is offered by VICTORIA, a database on antarctic lichens which has been developed in the context of this research.

Scientist in charge: P.L. Nimis, M. Castello.

BIODIVERSITY' AND TAXONOMY: Taxonomy

Systematics and phytogeography of Umbilicariacee (lichens)

The research started in 1985. From a systematic point of view, some results have already been obtained concerning the group of forms of Umbilicaria hirsuta and of U. polyphylla - U. nylanderiana. A morphological study of the group of U. crustulosa is currently being carried out, comparing the populations of the reliefs that surround the Mediterranean basin with those of the Central Alpine range. From a phytogeographic point of view, a large amount of data on world distribution, collected directly in the field or deriving from the examination of herbarium material, is already available. The direct chorologic surveys have been carried out mainly in southern Europe, for which species distribution maps have been created and already published in part. Moreover, in order to clarify certain chorologic questions, phenological observations of some species (U. crustulosa, U. cylindrica, U. polyphylla) have been carried out over a number of years in the eastern Carnic Alps with the object of improving knowledge, presently based mainly on speculation, of the dispersal, rooting and growth of the organisms belonging to this group of lichens.

Scientist in charge: M. Codogno.

BIODIVERSITY' AND TAXONOMY: Taxonomy

Corallinales of the Mediterranean Sea

Taxonomic, morphogenetic, ecophysiological, phytogeographic and chorologic characterisation of one of the most controversial systematic orders of the red algae (Rhodophyta). Techniques of direct (ARA) and indirect (ROV and coring) sampling, of optical (seriated sections, selective dyes) and electron (transmission, scanning) microscopy, of conditioned artificial culture and of isotopic chemistry have led to the identification of patterns of growth (under controlled culture conditions) and of differentiation (calcification of the cell wall during the processes of exfoliation of initial - transfer - marginal cells). Morphogenetic studies (of the germinal disc for example) have led to systematic and nomenclature revisions. Phytogeographic and chorologic analyses have shown the transformations of the marine environment, in space and time, to be a result of the reactivity of these algae to the incidence of environmental factors (e.g. light, temperature, salinity) in different biogeographic sectors of the Mediterranean. The presence of Corallinales on wrecks of roman ships in the north Adriatic Sea has led to the identification of environmental changes in the Gulfs of Trieste and Venice and to the reconstruction of paleo-climates. The role of these algae in biogeochemical cycles, along the Adriatic coasts from Trieste to Ancona, is also being studied. Collaborations: Department of Earth Sciences of Milan, Dept. of Earth Sciences of Naples, UU.OO CNR in the context of the PRISMA 2 project; isotopic chemistry studies in collaboration with Prof. A. Longinelli (Trieste); underwater archaeological studies in collaboration with the M.B.A.A.A.C. of Rome and of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and with the S.T.A.S. of Rome.

Scientists in charge: G. Bressan, L. A. Ghirardelli, E. Vio.

BIODIVERSITY' AND TAXONOMY: Taxonomy

Biosystematics of Angiosperms

The research is based on the exploitation of biosystematic techniques, using the root tips, stems, leaves, flowers, pollen and seeds of critical Angiosperm taxa, to acquire information useful for the systematics of the groups under investigation. The research carried out so far has led to the formulation of sampling protocols and to the standardisation of the methodologies adopted in the various disciplines involved. One of the most interesting results has been the high correlation between the experimental data and both the standard morphological data reported in the literature and the ecological data.

The following main projects, concerning the Genisteae (Fabaceae) tribe, are currently in progress:
  1. Cytotaxonomy with cytogeographic implications
  2. Characterisation of selected regions of the ribosomal DNA and phylogenetic considerations
  3. Palinotaxonomy at the O.M., SEM and TEM and evolutionary considerations
  4. Serotaxonomy of the Genisteae and relationships with kindred tribes
  5. Morphoecology at the O.M. and SEM and adaptation strategies

Scientists in charge: T. Cusma , L. Chiapella, L. A. Ghirardelli, V. Kosovel, L. Rizzi.

BIODIVERSITY AND TAXONOMY: Taxonomy

Morpho-chemotaxonomy of Angiosperms of the S.E. Alps

Morphological analysis of critical entities in order to establish precisely the validity of the diacritic complexes and the distribution in north-east Italy of: Hedysarum hedysaroides/exaltatum, Erophila verna agg., Asplenium trichomanes, A. ruta-muraria, Valeriana officinalis agg., Silene saxifraga/hayekiana, etc.

Scientists in charge: F. Martini, L. Poldini, L. Coassini.

BIODIVERSITY' AND TAXONOMY: Taxonomy

Chemotaxonomy of officinal plants

Research is based on the use of a range of analytical techniques (various kinds of chromatography, HPLC, mass spectra) to clarify the systematics of some critical groups and to map the distribution of the officinal florula in associations characterised by different edaphic-environmental conditions. The work carried out so far has allowed the highlighting of a number of regional officinal species highly productive of biologically active substances, the clarification on a chemical basis of the systematic asset of various groups, the emphasizing of the strong correlation between environmental factors and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites of pharmacological interest.

The following main projects are currently in progress:
  1. Biologically active secondary metabolites as taxonomic markers
  2. Researches and applications in pharmaco-botany
  3. Biology and productivity of officinal plants and algae.

Scientists in charge: L. Coassini , F. Martini, S. Battistella.

Italiano - University TS - Biology - Research