Biodiversity Data Journal :
Taxonomic paper
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New records for Albania based on taxa from the Prespa National Park
Corresponding author:
Academic editor: Dimitrios Koureas
Received: 27 Oct 2013 | Accepted: 02 Dec 2013 | Published: 13 Dec 2013
© 2013 Lulëzim Shuka, Kit Tan
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Shuka L, Tan K (2013) New records for Albania based on taxa from the Prespa National Park. Biodiversity Data Journal 1: e1014. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.1.e1014
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Twelve taxa are enumerated as new and three taxa confirmed for the flora of Albania. They were collected between 2007 and 2012 in the Prespa National Park of Albania which is part of the Prespa International Park, a biological protected area at the borders with F.Y.R. Macedonia and Greece. Four taxa, viz., Centaurea galicicae, Festuca galicicae, Laserpitium ochridanum and Micromeria cristata subsp. kosaninii are restricted to Dry and Galičica Mountains. Centaurea decora, a recently described species, is treated as a synonym of C. soskae thus extending the known localities of the latter to the southeast. Detailed information on distribution, occurrence and habitats in Albania are provided for each taxon.
New records, flora, endemics, Prespa National Park, Albania
The Prespa National Park in Albania is part of Prespa International Park (here abbreviated to PIP), a region designated for nature conservation at the borders of Albania, Greece and F.Y.R. Macedonia (Fig.
The terrestrial area of the Albanian part covers 228 km2, much of which comprises the east- and southeast-facing karstic slopes of a ridge called Mali i Thatë or Dry Mountain; this continues in Macedonia under the name Galičica Mt. The slopes of the Mikri and Megali Prespa watershed have steep inclinations of 50–85% and altitudes rising from 848 m at the lake surface to 2288 m at Pllaja e Pusit, the highest peak of Dry Mt.
Terra rossa overlying limestone covers more than 95% of the ground area and only a few hectares near Zagradeci village at Mikri Prespa are predominantly serpentine. The climate is mostly moderate-continental as in central Europe and there are Mediterranean-like warm and dry periods alternating with very cold and wet ones. The lakes, high altitude and west-facing slopes of Dry Mt play an important role in creating and influencing the sub-Mediterranean-continental character of the National Park (
Our study was based on fieldwork in the Prespa National Park, carried out jointly with Til Dieterich from Baku State University (Azerbaijan) during the years 2007, 2011 and 2012. More than 300 specimens which could not easily be named in the field were collected, identified and deposited in the herbarium of Tirana University (TIR). Relevant literature and herbarium material from JE, SKO and TIR were checked and all the species which have their locus classicus in F.Y.R. Macedonia were investigated in their original locality. The families and species in the following text are listed in alphabetical order.
This species has been reported only from Galičica Mt. in F.Y.R. Macedonia. It has not yet been found in NW Greece.
Flowering in June to mid-July, fruiting mid-July to August.
Calcareous northeastern slopes of Dry and Ivani Mts, in subalpine meadows, stony places or at the border of tree line and subalpine pasture. Found in association with Achillea holosericea, Aster linosyris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dianthus cruentus, D. carthusianorum, Iberis sempervirens, Festuca paniculata and Thymus boissieri.
Related to Laserpitium siler L. particularly subsp. zernyi (Hayek) Tutin from N Albania and F.Y.R. Macedonia (
Previously known only from the type locality.
Flowering in June to early July, fruiting from mid-July to August.
The new locality in Albania is further south than the type locality in F.Y.R. Macedonia but habitat and altitude are similar. The limestone slopes of the peninsula were covered with Cephalaria ambrosioides, Centaurea soskae, C. graeca var. ceccariniana, Ephedra fragilis, Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii, Lilium chalcedonicum, Micromeria juliana, Satureja montana, Sedum acre and Umbilicus luteus. Less than 50 individuals of the Centaurea were noted but they are not threatened by grazing or human activities. ― Rare, new for Albania.
Centaurea rupestris comprises several subspecies in the Balkans. Centaurea rupestris subsp. kozanii occurs mainly on limestone substrate in NC Greece. It had been misidentified as C. rupestris subsp. parnonia (Halácsy) (
Flowering in June and early July, fruiting mid-July to August.
In clearings of open Quercus trojana forest or in limestone pastures with Eryngium campestre, Teucrium polium and various grasses, in a small area of less than one hectare. The population at the Cerja Pass is endangered, mainly by grazing cows. ― New for Albania.
Previously known only from the type locality near lake Ohrid. However, it has been reported from the western slopes of Dry Mt above Shengjergji village in Albania (
Flowering and fruiting June to July.
These localities are at lower altitudes (850–1200 m) and influenced by the Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean climate, and the moderating effects of the Devolli and Drini Rivers. The occurrence on the rocky calcareous cliff faces of lakes Megali and Mikri Prespa extends the distribution range eastwards towards the lakes. Allium flavum subsp. flavum, Campanula versicolor, Fumana procumbens, Iris germanica, Nepeta spruneri, Ptilostemon afer, Salvia officinalis, Satureja montana, Sempervivum ciliosum, as well as the woody species Buxus sempervirens, Fraxinus ornus, Pistacia terebinthus and Prunus webbii were also noted on the cliff faces. Based on habitat and ecology, we believe that Centaurea soskae occurs and should be looked for in the Greek part of the Prespa lakes. ― Confirmed for Albania and new for the Prespa National Park.
In 2011, Meyer described C. decora (
Asteraceae
Helichrysum luteoalbum (L.) Rchb., Handbuch der Gewächskunde, ed. 2, 2:1460 (1829). Fig.
Basionym: Gnaphalium luteoalbum L., Sp. Pl. 2:851 (1753). Lectotype designated by Hilliard & Burtt in Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 82:206, 244 (1981):― Herb. A. van Royen no. 900.286-294 (L, digital specimen image!).
Widely distributed cosmopolitan weed, naturalized in New World. Recorded in almost every country in southern Europe but not yet for Albania.
Flowering in June and July.
Sandy and stony calcareous shore, 3–4 m above the lake. The sparse vegetation includes Calamintha nepeta, Crepis spp., Euphorbia falcata, Potentilla supina and Sonchus spp., and is often submerged when the water level rises. ― New for Albania.
Asteraceae
Tephroseris integrifolia subsp. aucheri (DC.) B. Nord. in Opera Botanica 44:44 (1978).
Type:― [Turkey, NW Anatolia] Alpes Olymp. Byth. [Ulu Dagh], Aucher-Eloy 3424 (G, MPU!).
This subspecies occurs in Serbia, F.Y.R. Macedonia, northern Greece, Bulgaria and NW Anatolia. It is widely distributed in northern Greece at altitudes of 1000–2400 m but has not yet been reported from the Greek or F.Y.R. Macedonia parts of the PIP. Some collections from southern Greece (Peloponnese and S Pindos: Baden & al. 954, ATH! Aldén 3447, LD!), erroneously identified as subsp. aucheri, refer to subsp. integrifolia.
Flowering in July, fruiting from end of July to August.
Dry alpine pastures or snowbed meadows, particularly on the western slopes of the mountain ridge. It is usually found in association with Astragalus lacteus, Botrychium lunaria, Coeloglossum viride, Crocus cvijicii, Erysimum kuemmerlei and Poa alpina ― New for Albania.
Boraginaceae
Alkanna noneiformis Griseb., Spicilegium Florae Rumelicae et Bithynicae 2(4):90 (1844). Fig.
Lectotype designated by Strid in Mountain Flora of Greece 2:41(1991):― [GREECE] sparsim in herbosis m. Nidgé [Piperitsa] pr. Vodena, 2700’–3000’, (substr. marmor.), 28 June 1839, Grisebach 720 (GOET).
The locus classicus is Mt Piperitsa which is c. 10 km south of the present Greek–F.Y.R. Macedonian border and thus still within Greek territory, and not in F.Y.R. Macedonia as attributed by Rechinger (
Flowering late May to mid-June, fruiting late June and July.
Alpine and subalpine meadows overlying limestone on the rocky eastern and northeastern slopes of Dry Mt, usually between 1500 and 2000 m. At lower altitudes it occurs with Daphne oleoides, Genista radiata, Juniperus communis subsp. alpina and J. oxycedrus. Although rare it does not seem to be under any threat as it occurs within the protected central zone of the National Park.
It is closely related to A. scardica (
Brassicaceae
Hesperis theophrasti Borbás in Magyar Botanikai Lapok 1:267 (1902). Fig.
Lectotype designated by Dvořák in Preslia 38: 62 (1996):― [GREECE, S Pindos] Pindus Tymphaeus. In silva ad monaster. Witomo, 15 May 1896, Sintenis 1896:221 (BPU 110036; isolectotypes BPU, BRNM! LD! P, PR! PRC! W!).
This is Hesperis theophrasti subsp. theophrasti, which occurs mainly in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria and Anatolia (
Flowering from mid-May to early June, fruiting June to July.
At altitudes from 1000 m on Dry Mt to nearly 1700 m on Ivani Mt. The species is often found in openings of Fagus or Quercus forest, stony and rocky meadows with shallow soil or in limestone rock crevices. In Fagus forest it occurs together with Cephalanthera longifolia, Iberis sempervirens, Paeonia daurica and Viola kitaibeliana. In the other habitats, it is in association with Acanthus spinosus, Delphinium fissum, Fritillaria graeca subsp. thessala, Hypericum rumeliacum, Prunus prostrata, P. webbii, Valeriana montana, Viola eximia and V. tricolor. ― Confirming Meyer’s report from Albania but outside the National Park.
This species was previously thought to be a local endemic of Galičica Mt in F.Y.R. Macedonia. It has since been found on Mt Jablanica (a limestone massif east of Mt Shebeniku near the border with southwestern F.Y.R. Macedonia) and Mt Boutsi in northern Greece. It probably occurs on other limestone mountains, e.g., a collection from the summit of Mt Cajupi near Gjirokaster in southern Albania has yet to be verified. We now confirm its occurrence in Albania based on collections first made in 2007 from the central part of Dry Mt, and in 2011 from other localities on the mountain ridge. The localities in Albania adjoin those in F.Y.R. Macedonia.
Flowering mid-June to mid-July, depending on altitude and exposition.
Rock crevices and ledges of calcareous cliffs in subalpine and alpine zone. Often together with Arabis bryoides, Asperula doerfleri, Coeloglossum viride, Oxytropis dinarica, O. purpurea, Saxifraga spp., Sempervivum ciliosum, Sideritis raeseri, Thlaspi bellidifolium and Viola eximia. ― New for Albania.
Also in NC and EC Greece. Undoubtedly very close to A. sericophyllus (
Flowering late June to mid-July, fruiting July to August.
In Sempervivum–Jovibarba communities on dry, stony slopes and rocky pastures of Ivani Mt and the southern part of Dry Mt, from 1546 to 2100 m. On Ivani Mt, A. mayeri occurs in clearings of Acer heldreichii and Prunus prostrata. On the upper slopes of Dry Mt, it occurs in rocky places and pastures together with Astragalus angustifolius, Dianthus cruentus, D. deltoides subsp. degenii, D. haematocalyx subsp. pindicola, Helichrysum plicatum, Iris attica, Juniperus communis subsp. alpina and Stachys germanica. Erodium guicciardii, Sempervivum ciliosum and Sideritis raeseri occur on both sides of the Zvezda Pass which links the southern end of Dry Mt with Ivani Mt.
The plants of A. mayeri on Ivani Mt are more robust and larger than those from Galičica or Dry Mt especially from the latter where overgrazing is rampant and the herbaceous cover sparse. ― New for Albania.
Lamiaceae
Micromeria cristata subsp. kosaninii (Šilić) Bräuchler & Govaerts in Willdenowia 38(2):374 (publ. 18 Dec 2008). Fig.
Type:― [F.Y.R. MACEDONIA] Galičica Mt, Poljce, c. 1600 m, solo calcareo, 11 October 1970, Šilić (holotype SARA, isotype LJU).
Previously considered endemic to F.Y.R. Macedonia.
Flowering mid-June to early July, fruiting July to August.
Rocky limestone slopes at Lake Ohrid in F.Y.R. Macedonia, and the western slopes of Dry Mt, only a few metres from the locality of Centaurea soskae. The population in the cliffs above Korita had fewer than 70 individuals which were found together with Campanula versicolor, Cynoglottis barrelieri subsp. serpentinicola, Iris germanica, Salvia officinalis and Xeranthemum annuum. ― Rare, new for Albania.
S. plumosa has not yet been reported from Albanian territory, although known from the F.Y.R. Macedonia and Greek parts of the PIP. It is a Balkan endemic with a wide distribution on mainland Greece (northern Greece to S Pindos), W Bulgaria and F.Y.R. Macedonia.
Flowering at the end of May till mid-June, fruiting in June and July.
Stachys plumosa was observed for the first time in Albania near a spring in a serpentine area near the village Zagradeci at Mikri Prespa. It occurs at altitudes between 880 and 1350 m, in dry pastures and rocky places in association with Alkanna pindicola, Buxus sempervirens, Comandra umbellata subsp. elegans, Convolvulus elegantissimus, Dianthus haematocalyx subsp. pindicola, Erodium guicciardii, Fraxinus ornus, Haplophyllum boissieranum, Helichrysum plicatum, Hyssopus officinalis and Ostrya carpinifolia. It was also recently recorded in clearings of Carpinus and Buxus on the limestone slopes of Ivani Mt and near Kapshtica village, close to the border with Greece. ― New for Albania.
Occurring almost throughout Europe and SWAsia. It has recently been reported by Meyer (
Flowering June and July, fruiting July to August.
Dry, subalpine calcareous pastures or rocky slopes, parasitic on Achillea holosericea. ― Confirming occurrence in Albania; new to the PIP, including the parts belonging to F.Y.R. Macedonia and Greece.
Previously considered endemic to F.Y.R. Macedonia.
Flowering in the first half of July.
Alpine pastures between 1820 and 2200 m together with Astragalus lacteus, Helictotrichon convolutum, Carex kitaibeliana, Poa annua, Gnaphalium hoppeanum, Onobrychis viccifolia, Sesleria coerulea, Rhinanthus nigricans, and Viola eximia. ― New to Albania.
Occurring in the mountains of N Greece (NC, Prespa National Park), F.Y.R. Macedonia, Dry and Ivani Mts in Albania, from 1600 to 2250 m. Viola eximia subsp. tringiana Erben occurs on Mt Tringia in S Pindos.
Flowering mid-May to early June, fruiting in July.
Subalpine and alpine pastures of the Prespa watershed. V. eximia is an early flowering species found in the dry pastures and rocky slopes of Dry Mt and in clearings of scrub or dwarf scrub on Ivani Mt. Several interesting plants were found in full flower in both areas, viz., Achillea abrotanoides, Aethionema saxatile, Arabis bryoides, Asphodeline taurica, Barbarea bracteosa, Centaurea cana, Crocus cvijicii, C. chrysanthus, Cytisus tommasinii, Fritillaria montana, Morina persica, Ornithogalum umbellatum, Orobanche gracilis, Oxytropis purpurea, Saxifraga scardica, Stachys germanica, Thymus boissieri, T. longicaulis and Vicia onobrychioides. ― New to Albania.
Fieldwork was carried out with the help of Til Dieterich and supported by Kreditanstalt für Wiederfbau (KfW Bankengruppe) and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Administration (MoEFWA, Albania) in the frame of the project ‘Transboundary biosphere reserve Prespa ― support to the Prespa National Park in Albania’. We are grateful to Wolfgang Fremuth (Frankfurt) and Thimaq Lako (Tirana) for co-ordinating the project. Vasil Male and other personnel of the Prespa National Park are thanked for their generous assistance. Prof. V. Matevski (Macedonian Academy of Sciences, Skopje) kindly identified our material of Festuca galicicae.