Studia Universitatis “Vasile Goldiş”, Seria Ştiinţele Vieţii Vol. 27 issue 3, 2017, pp 171-178 © 2017 Vasile Goldis University Press (www.studiauniversitatis.ro) ENDEMIC SPECIES IDENTIFIED IN THE FLORA OF THE TRANSYLVANIAN PLAIN (MUREŞ COUNTY) Mihaela SĂMĂRGHIŢAN*1, Silvia OROIAN2, Corneliu TĂNASE3 1 Mureş County Museum, Department of Natural Sciences, Tîrgu Mureş 2,3 University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of PharmacyTîrgu Mureş ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to analyze the floristic diversity of the Transylvanian Plain (Mureș County) and to highlight the presence of some endemic and subendemic species in this area. In Mureş County, the Transylvanian Plain, stretches on the north of the Mureş River and it is a lowland region consisting of gently rolling hills (average elevation – 400 m), with wide valleys formed by the tributaries of the Mureş river that crosses among the hills. The analysis studied the floristical diversity of the area taking into consideration the presence of some endemic species that gives specificity to the flora of the Transylvanian Plain. Among endemic species we mention Aconitum lycoctonum L. em. Koelle ssp. moldavicum (Hacq.) Jalas, Astragalus exscapus L. ssp. transsilvanicus (Barth) Jav., Pulsatilla vulgaris Mill. ssp. grandis (Wender.) Zämels etc. There is a stringent need for effective protection and conservation of these species and their habitats as they are affected by the constantly growing human impact. KEYWORDS: endemic species, Mureş County, Transylvanian Plain INTRODUCTION: area of habitat/habitats suitable for species, the The aim of this study is to analyze the floristic conservation status and the general trend of diversity of the Transylvanian Plain (Mureș County), to conservation status, factors that isolate populations and highlight the presence of some endemic and future prospects (Mihăilescu & al. 2015). subendemic species in this area. The study includes The classification and the assignment of relevés to research results formed in the identification and specific plant associations have been carried out analysis of the conservation status of 7 according to Coldea, 2012. endemic/subendemic plant species. There are no previous studies published regarding Conservation of the planet’s flora and fauna the population size. Because of that, the evaluation of impacting a greater number of species, regardless of the conservation trend namely the decrease of their biological importance is one of the biggest tasks populations was made taking in consideration previous of contemporaneousness. Endemism and species personal field researches and authors’ experience. richness are highly relevant to the global prioritization The name of the species and the endemic status was of conservation efforts. (Kier & al., 2009) given in accordance to Ciocârlan (2009) and Sârbu & The study area is represented by the part of al. (2013). Transylvanian Plain that belongs to Mureş County. In The habitat types are coded according to the Mureş County, the Transylvanian Plain, stretches on Interpretation Manual of Natura 2000 Romanian the north of the Mureş River and it is a lowland region habitats (Gafta & Mountford (eds.) 2008) and consisting of gently rolling hills (average elevation – according to Habitats in Romania (Doniţă & al. 2005). 400 m), with wide valleys formed by the tributaries of In determining endangered, rare or vulnerable the Mureş river crossing among the hills. species, National Red Lists (Boşcaiu & al. 1994, Previous studies in this area (Oroian&Sămărghiţan, Dihoru & Dihoru 1994, Oltean & al. 1994, Dihoru & 2014) prove that the Transylvanian Plain is a region Negrean 2009,) were consulted, as well as the latest characterized by a diversity and richness of vegetal version of sozological categories published in the taxa: 716 taxa including 692 species, 24 subspecies and European red list of vascular plants (Bilz & al. 2011). 2 forms belonging to 96 plant families. Out of this flora some endemic and subendemic species have a RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: remarkable phytogeographical interest. Of the research area 7 endemic and subendemic plant species were recorded: MATERIAL AND METHODS: Aconitum lycoctonum L. em. Koelle ssp. The inventory of the flora in the studied area was moldavicum (Hacq.) Jalas - Moldavian monk's hood made using an “itinerant transects” model so the area (Fig. 1) would be covered throughout (Cristea & al. 2004). - Symphyto-Fagion; G, End. carp. ; 2n=16, D; Each species has a map of distribution in studied area. L6T4U5R5N3. (NT) For the species identified in field we used and for It is a perennial mesohygrophilous, helio-sciaphilic bibliographic data . and poisonous species that occurs frequently in For each endemic/subendemic species data was deciduous forests, meadows, pastures, thickets, forest recorded such as: species systematic, area, population, fringes etc. Correspondence*: Mihaela SĂMĂRGHIŢAN, Mureş County Museum, Department of Natural Sciences, 24 Horea Street, RO-540036 Tîrgu Mureş, Romania, +40 740187873, [email protected] © 2017 Vasile Goldis University Press (www.studiauniversitatis.ro) Sămărghiţan M., Oroian S., Tănase C. Astragalus exscapus L. ssp. transsilvanicus (Barth) Jav. (Fig. 3) Festucion vaginatae, Festucion rupicolae; H, Pont- End; 2n=16, D; L8T6U3R7. (NT) The subspecies Astragalus exscapus ssp. transsilvanicus, endemic for the Transylvanian Plain, is part of the steppe-sylvosteppe plant species with rare populations, relict from the sylvosteppic parts of the Transylvanian Depression. Fig. 1. Aconitum lycoctonum L. ssp. moldavicum in Băla-Ercea (Foto: Silvia Oroian) In the study area Aconitum lycoctonum ssp. moldavicum was recorded from forest fringe near Ulieş, several sporadic specimens and also from Băla-Ercea in Copăceni forest (Fig. 2). The species in the study area belongs to coenoses classified within the Melampyro bihariensis-Carpinetum (Borza 1941) Soó 1964 em. Coldea 1975 association. These forests populate slopes of slightly or moderately inclined hills with northern or intermediate exposure. They prefer the soils with moderate humidity, to a relatively abundant humidity, Fig. 3. Astragalus exscapus ssp.transsilvanicus (Foto: on a pseudogley substrate. The type of Natura 2000 Silvia Oroian) habitat which these coenoses belongs is 91Y0 Dacian In the study area the subspecies was identified in 4 oak-hornbeam forests. localities: Cheţani, Săbed, Sărmăşel, Ulieş. Previous In the composition of this association can be studies mention it also from Săbed-Culpiu where the distinguished 3 layers. In the herbaceous layer beside species was recorded in conenoses of Stipetum Aconitum, were recorded species such as: Melampyrum pulcherrimae association (Kovacs, 2008-2009). (Fig. bihariense, Anemone nemorosa, Corydalis solida, 4) Galanthus nivalis, Scilla bifolia, Ajuga reptans, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Carex pilosa, Galium mollugo, Geum urbanum, Helleborus purpurascens, Stachys sylvatica, Stellaria media, Viola odorata etc. The tree’s layer is dominated by: Quercus robur, Q.petraea, Carpinus betulus, Prunus avium and in the shrubs’ layer can mention: Crataegus monogyna, Evonymus europaeus, Sambucus nigra, Ligustrum vulgare, Corylus avellana. The main pressures/threats that affect the habitat of this species and also the effective population size are related to human impact. Concerning the conservation status, the field observations show that the populations are decreasing but they are in an average or good state of conservation. Fig. 4. The distribution of Astragalus exscapus ssp. transsilvanicus in the studied area In the Transylvanian Plain the subspecies can still be found in some quite large populations. However all of them are nowadays under a huge anthropic pressure (Bădărău & all., 2000, 2001). The grasslands where this subspecies was recorded in the study area belong to 62C0* Ponto-Sarmatic Steppes and 6240* Sub-pannonic steppic grasslands Natura 2000 habitats. The plant associations in which this subspecies were recorded are Medicagini minimae- Fig. 2. The distribution of Aconitum lycoctonum L. ssp. Festucetum valesiacae Wagner 1941 and Stipetum moldavicum in the studied area pulcherrimae Soó 1942. Studia Universitatis “Vasile Goldiş”, Seria Ştiinţele Vieţii 172 Vol. 27 issue 3, 2017, pp 171-178 © 2017 Vasile Goldis University Press (www.studiauniversitatis.ro) Endemic species identified in the flora of the Transylvanian plain (Mureş county) The species identified on the observation points are Out of the endemic species studied in this area, this the ones characteristic to these habitats types: Stipa is one of the most wide-spread, being recorded in 6 pulcherrima Crambe tatarica, Falcaria vulgaris, localities (Cozma, Fărăgău, Lechincioara, Săbed, Ulieş, Festuca rupicola, Inula ensifolia, Knautia arvensis, Zau de Câmpie) (Fig. 5). The species was found in the Achillea setacea, Adonis vernalis, Ajuga laxmanni, composition of: Stipetum pulcherrimae Soó 1942, Anchusa barrelieri, Artemisia pontica, Asperula Medicagini minimae-Festucetum valesiacae Wagner cynanchica, Astragalus onobrychis, Bupleurum 1941, Brachypodio pinnati-Festucetum rupicolae Ghişa falcatum, Asparagus officinalis, Astragalus 1962, Polygalo majoris-Brachypodietum pinnati monspessulanus, Carex caryophyllea, Dianthus Wagner 1941, Botriochloëtum ischaemi (Krist. 1937) carthusianorum, Euphorbia cyparissias, Filipendula Pop 1977 and Prunetum tenellae Soó 1947 vulgaris, Galium verum, Linum austriacum, Linum associations. Also in bibliography the species is tenuifolium, Medicago