Mevlüt Alataş

The bryophyte flora of the Bolkar MountainsTülay EZER*1, Ahmet UYGUR2, Züleyha ASLAN ERGENEKON3, Nevzat BATAN4, Mevlüt ALATAŞ5 ORCID: 0000-0002-6485-5505; 0000-0002-3934-8851; 0000-0002-5078-2317; 0000-0001-8456-5719; 0000-0003-0862-02581Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Landscape Architecture, 51240, Niğde, Türkiye2Aksaray University, Faculty of Science and Letters, Department of Biology, 68100, Aksaray, Türkiye3Atatürk University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 25240, Erzurum, Türkiye4Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, 61080, Trabzon, Türkiye5Munzur University, Vocational School of Tunceli, Department of Plant and Animal Production, 62000, Tunceli, TürkiyeAbstractPurpose: This study aims to reveal the bryophyte flora of the Bolkar Mountains and contribute to the bryoflora of Türkiye.Method: The study was based on bryophyte specimens collected from 230 localities during field surveys conducted in the Bolkar Mountains between 2023 and 2024. All specimens were identified using relevant literature.Findings: A total of 380 taxa belonging to 56 families and 125 genera were identified from the Bolkar Mountains. Of these, 32 taxa (19 families, 23 genera) belong to Marchantiophyta and 348 taxa (37 families, 102 genera) to Bryophyta. Schistidium pulchrum H.H.Blom was recorded for the second time in Türkiye, and 77 taxa were recorded for the first time in the C13 grid-square. Pottiaceae (87 taxa) and Brachytheciaceae (47 taxa) were the richest families, while Ptychostomum (24 taxa) and Schistidium (19 taxa) were the richest genera.Conclusion: This study contributes to the bryoflora of Türkiye and provides a valuable foundation for future floristic and conservation studies.Keywords: Anatolia, bryological diversity, moss, liverwort, Türkiye

Bryophytes constitute an important group of plants whose biological activities have not been sufficiently studied. The numerous bioactive compounds in their structures make them significant. In this study the in vitro antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities of acetone and methanol extracts of Pohlia wahlenbergii moss were evaluated. In determining antioxidant activity, the inhibitory powers of these extracts against two different radicals, DPPH. and ABTS.+ were measured. The results were compared with standard ascorbic acid results. In addition, the α-amylase enzyme inhibition of these extracts was measured to determine their antidiabetic activity. The drug acarbose was used to compare the results. The highest DPPH. and ABTS.⁺ radical scavenging was observed in the acetone extract, with IC₅₀ values of 1.509 and 1.301 mg/mL, respectively. The ABTS.+ radical removal activity was found to be stronger. Antidiabetic activity was determined by α-amylase enzyme inhibition, which was found to be highest in the methanol extract (1.792 mg/mL). The extracts were determined to possess antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. In addition, the in vitro antimicrobial potential of extracts from Pohlia wahlenbergii against various pathogenic microorganisms has been evaluated. Results showed strong antifungal activity, with the acetone extract outperforming the standard drug Fluconazole, exhibiting a 25 mm inhibition zone against Candida albicans and an MIC of 16 µg/mL. The methanol extract also demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial effects, notably a 20 mm inhibition zone against Bacillus cereus and Salmonella typhimurium. The selective antimicrobial properties of Pohlia wahlenbergii indicate its potential as a source for developing new natural antibiotics and antifungal agents.

The new locality records of Scorpidium cossonii and Cyrtomnium hymenophylloides (Bryophyta) for Türkiye and Southwest Asia from the Bolkar Mountains Tülay EZER 1, Ahmet UYGUR2, Züleyha ASLAN ERGENEKON3, Mevlüt ALATAŞ4, Nevzat BATAN5 ORCID: 0000-0002-6485-5505; 0000-0002-3934-8851; 0000-0002-5078-2317; 0000-0003-0862-0258; 0000-0001-8456-5719 1Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Landscape Architecture, 51240, Niğde, Türkiye 2Aksaray University, Sabire Yazıcı Faculty of Science and Letters, Department of Biology, 68100, Aksaray, Türkiye 3Atatürk University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 25240, Erzurum, Türkiye 4Munzur University, Vocational School of Tunceli, Department of Plant and Animal Production, 62000, Tunceli, Türkiye 5Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Science, Molecular Biology and Genetics, 61080, Trabzon, Türkiye Abstract During bryological land study to the Bolkar Mountains, wetland moss Scorpidium cossonii (Schimp.) Hedenäs, previously known only from Çanakkale, and the arctic-alpine moss Cyrtomnium hymenophylloides (Hübener) T.J.Kop., previously known only from Ordu province, were rediscovered in Türkiye. Scorpidium cossonii was collected on wet rocky bank near the Ciğer Lake (Çan-Çanakkale) in 2014. Cyrtomnium hymenophylloides was collected on wet soil in Kalıcak and Kadıncık Villages (Ulubey-Ordu) in 2014. Ten years later, both species were found the vicinity of Karagöl and Çiniligöl (Ulukışla-Niğde), glacial lakes located in the Central Anatolian part of the Bolkar Mountains. Scorpidium cossonii and Cyrtomnium hymenophylloides were recorded for the second time from Türkiye and Southwest Asia with the present study. While, Scorpidium cossonii is characterised by strongly curved non-plicate leaves and well developed hyalodermis, Cyrtomnium hymenophylloides is characterised erect tuft life form, broadly ovate leaves, acute to apiculate leaf apices. These new locality records will provide important information about the geographical distribution of the both species in Anatolia and will contribute to the bryophyte flora of Türkiye. Keywords: Bolkar Mountains, Central Anatolia, moss, new locality, Türkiye

This study aims to investigate the phenolic compounds and pharmacological potential of Grimmia ovalis (Hedw.) Lindb. to understand their bioactive potential and to pioneer future research. It also aims to be one of the first studies on G. ovalis's in silico bioactivity. HPLC analysis revealed the detection of some phenolic compounds in G. ovalis extract. The study revealed the in silico antimicrobial potential of some phenolic compounds. We calculated that compounds of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and caffeic acid would inhibit Staphylococcus aureus UDP-N-acetylenolpyruvylglucosamine reductase (MurB) at micromolar levels. We concluded that they interacted with residues crucial for antimicrobial activity on the mentioned macromolecule.

Phytochemical studies show that mosses can produce a range of bioactive chemicals that enhance defense mechanisms and ecological resilience. This study aims to investigate the phytochemical constituents and pharmacological potential of Brachythecium glareosum (Bruch ex Spruce) Schimp. to understand their bioactive potential and to stimulate future research into bryophyte-derived natural products. It also aims to be one of the first studies on B. glareosum in terms of phytochemicals and bioactivity. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of several phenolic compounds in the extract of B. glareosum. The study revealed the in silico antifungal potential of some phenolic compounds. It has been calculated that 2,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid and 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid compounds will inhibit Cytochrome P450 14Alpha-Sterol Demethylase (Cyp51) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis at the micromolar level. The study suggests that using more advanced methods to analyze B. glareosum could help find more useful compounds that can be used for treatment. Further biological assays are warranted to validate the antifungal activity indicated by in silico predictions.

Karçal Dağlarının briyofit çeşitliliğinin ortaya çıkarılması amacıyla araştırma alanından 27.05.2022 ve 08.03.2024 tarihleri arasında 178 istasyondan ±7500 briyofit örneği toplanmıştır. Briyofit örneklerinin teşhis edilmesi sonucunda toplam 513 Briyofit taksonu (87 familya ve 192 cinse ait 2 Boynuzotu, 90 Ciğerotu ve 421 Karayosunu) tanımlanmıştır. Teşhis edilenler taksonlar arasında ciğerotlarından Scapania calcicola (Arnell & J.Perss.) Ingham, S. cuspiduligera (Nees) Müll. Frib, karayosunlarından ise Amphidium lapponicum (Hedw.) Schimp, Dicranum transsylvanicum Lüth, Schistidium lancifolium (Kindb.) H.H.Blom, Pohlia filum (Schimp.) Mårtensson, Orthotrichum crenulatum Mitt, Zygodon dentatus (Limpr.) Kartt ve Platyhpnum molle (Dicks. ex Hedw.) Loeske taksonları Türkiye’den ikinci kez kaydedilmiştir. Ayrıca bu çalışmada, 152 briyofit taksonun (2 boynuzotu taksonu, 50 ciğerotu taksonu ve 100 karayosunu taksonu) Artvin ili'nden ilk kez kaydı verilmiştir.

En eski karasal bitkiler olan briyofitler, biyoaktif bileşikleri ve terapötik potansiyelleri açısından tohumlu bitkilere göre nispeten daha az incelenmişlerdir. Bu çalışmada, akrokarp karayosunlarından Mnium hornum Hedw. ve Mnium lycopodioides Schwägr türlerinin biyoaktif bileşikleri (toplam fenolik ve flavonoid içeriği, askorbik asit içeriği, karotenoid içeriği, nitrik oksit süpürme ve deoksiriboz bozunma aktivitesi) ve antioksidan kapasiteleri (ferrik indirgeyici/antioksidan güç) araştırılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda, önemli miktarda toplam flavonoid ve fenolik içerdiği belirlenen türler, potansiyel antioksidan ajanlar olarak öngörülmüştür.

Bu çalışmada, bir yapraklı karayosunu türü olan Polytrichum piliferum’un antioksidan, yağ asidi, mineral analizi ve bazı kimyasal özellikleri araştırılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda, P. piliferum ekstraktının antioksidan özellikleri ve toplam fenolik içeriği açısından orta düzeyde bir etkiye sahip olduğu belirlenmiştir. Yağ asidi kompozisyonları açısından oleik ve palmitik asit yüksek bulunmuştur. Yapılan mineral analizleri sonucunda ise yüksek oranda alüminyum (Al), demir (Fe), kalsiyum (Ca) ve potasyum (K) biriktirebildiği görülmüştür.

Bu çalışmada, Fırat Üniversitesi Merkez Kampüsünün Karayosunu Florası araştırılmıştır. 2021 ve 2023 yıllarının farklı vejetasyon dönemlerinde, araştırma alanından toplanan karayosunu örneklerinin teşhis edilmesi sonucunda 8 familya ve 19 cinse ait 37 takson tespit edilmiştir. Bu taksonlardan 11 tanesi Elazığ ili, 6 tanesi ise Henderson (1961) kareleme sistemine göre B9 karesi için yeni kayıttır. Takson sayısı bakımından en zengin familyalar Pottiaceae (17), Bryaceae (6) ve Orthotrichaceae (5)’dir. Ayrıca, floristik listedeki taksonların çoğunun; kserofit (kurak), fotofit (ışık seven) ve subnötrofit (yarı nötral) karakterde olduğu belirlenmiştir.

In this study, Platydictya jungermannioides, a rare moss species, was recorded for the second time from Türkiye and reported for the third time from Southwest Asia. The present study provides a detailed description of the species, collected from the Bolkar Mountains, along with photographs. Additionally, the ecology and distribution of Platydictya jungermannioides in Türkiye are discussed.