Mihail Sergeevich Sergeevich Knyazev

The article presents the results of an integrative floristic study conducted in 2025 in the western Caspian region (Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan) and the Sistan region (SE Iran). The study aimed to systematize and analyze new data on the distribution of rare, relict, and alien vascular plants in the Inder salt-dome area of Kazakhstan, in key regions of western Turkmenistan (Southern Pre-Ustyurt, the Bolshoy Balkhan Range, and Ogurchinsky Island) and southeastern Iran (Sistan Basin, the bottom of the former Hamun lake and its surroundings). Based on field expeditions (during which 236 herbarium specimens were collected) and critical analysis of regional floras, several new taxa were identified: Sabulina tenuifolia for Kazakhstan; Amberboa nana, Senecio glaucus subsp. coronopifolius and Polygonum neglectum for Turkmenistan. Juncus minutulus, previously known in Kazakhstan only from the Tian Shan, is reported for the first time from western Kazakhstan (Atyrau Province). In Turkmenistan, new regional records were obtained for the Southern Pre-Ustyurt, and 12 new species were documented for the flora of Ogurchinsky Island, reflecting rapid anthropogenic transformation of ecosystems due to forage importation for gazelles. Additionally, 5 new plant records are reported for the poorly studied Sistan region. These findings highlight the conservation importance of karst landscapes as biodiversity refugia and the need for enhanced monitoring of invasive species in Caspian ecosystems.

This article presents new floristic records for vascular plant species in the Eastern Caucasus, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and Armenia, based on field surveys conducted between 2018 and 2024 and a critical revision of herbarium specimens deposited in the collections of LE, ERE, TAD, PPIU, DAG, and MHA. In total, approximately 40 new localities are documented for 24 species, encompassing endemic, Red Data Book, and alien taxa. In Tajikistan (Eastern Gissar and Central Zeravshan subregions), five new populations of endemic species were recorded: Nepeta subhastata, N. odorifera, N. gontscharovii, Eminium alberti. In Kazakhstan (Inder Solyanokupolnyy Province [belongs to the Caspian Lowland; located within the Inder District in the north of the Atyrau Region of Kazakhstan], West Kazakhstan Region), seven species are reported as new to the regional floras, including Astragalus sareptanus, A. astrachanicus, Matthiola superba, Zygophyllum ovigerum, Rorippa wolgensis, and Jurinea persimilis; most of these findings are associated with karst landscapes that served as refugia during the Khvalynian transgression of the Caspian Sea. In the Russian Federation, Tanacetum macrophyllum and Digitalis ferruginea subsp. schischkinii are reported for the first time for Dagestan, Poacynum sareptanum – for Kalmykia (based on herbarium re-identification), and the North American invasive Grindelia squarrosa – for the Astrakhan Region, where it is actively spreading along roadsides. In Armenia, twelve new locality records are provided for eight species across several floristic regions, including the endemic Ferula dseghica (Yerevan floristic region), the relict Monotropa hypopitys (Sevan floristic region), new records of Parnassia palustris for the Zangezur floristic region, and the adventive Digitaria ciliaris for the Yerevan floristic region. The results highlight the conservation significance of karst landscapes in Kazakhstan and subalpine habitats in Tajikistan as refugia for rare endemics and underscore the active expansion of alien species along transportation corridors in the Caspian lowlands. The data contributes to updateing regional floristic checklists and Red Data Books.

A new hybridogenic species of the genus Astragalus of the section Paracystium Gontsch. – A. ivanovii – has been described from Western Kazakhstan. It is very likely derived from hybridization of A. lasiophyllus Ledeb. × A. sytinii Belous et Laktionov. On the other hand, in moderately saline soils, only A. ivanovii grows, where it apparently reproduces without the participation of probable parents. Thus, it is not a nothospecies but a partially stabilized taxon. The article includes author’s photographs of A. ivanovii and the species compared to it, as well as a photograph of the community where the type and isotypes have been collected. The article also provides an original key for identifying A. ivanovii and its probable parents, A. lasiophyllus s. str. and A. sytinii.

Astragalus tenuifolius L. is shown to be a separate species, different from A. austriacus Jacq. The lectotype of A. scopaeformis Ledeb., a heterotypic synonym of A. tenuifolius, is designated. The species, formerly known under the illegitimate superfluous name A. tauricus Pall., is redescribed under the new name A. petri-simoni Knjaz. The race of A. tenuifolius s. l. distributed in the southern (deserted) steppe zone is described as a new species A. turgaicus Knjaz. An original key for identification of the species of A. austriacus s. l. and A. tenuifolius s. l. complexes is compiled. A list of studied herbarium specimens of A. tenuifolius s. l. species and a map of their distribution are given.

It is noted that one of the collections used by Alexander von Bunge in describing the Astragalus biebersteinii Bunge (section Paracystyum Gontsch.) (Bunge, 1868, 1869) “... supra Altyagatsch. 21 VII 1855 [Seidlitz]”, differs sharply from the lectotype of this species “...circa Kurt Bulak, 1796”, but quite similar to A. massalskyi Grossh. (section Cystium Bunge), differing from the latter in leaflet shape and pods pubescens. Identical specimens have been identified in herbarium collections of LE and DAG. A new species A. cordigerus Knjaz., Laktionov et Murtaz., sp. nov. is described. An original key for the identification of A. cordigerus and some similar species of sections Cystium and Paracystium is given.

Astragalus L. is one of the largest genera, including over 3000 taxa worldwide. In the present study, we found two new records of A. teskhemicus Sytin and Shaulo and A. testiculatus Pall. in western Mongolia. We provided a morphological revision and DNA barcoding (ITS) of two new records along with that of the most similar Astragalus species including A. ammodytes Pall., A. gubanovii N. Ulziykh., A. hypogaeus Ledeb., A. junatovii Sanchir. Furthermore, we made detailed photo illustrations and wild photos for new records and four species based on our field observations, respectively. The general distribution, taxonomic notes, type information, habitats, and species examined are given.

Analysis of chloroplast DNA sequences revealed a high polymorphism of the length and nucleotide composition of trnF–trnV and the intron trnL for Helmia section species of the genus Astragalus (Fabaceae). Molecular genetic studies of Astragalus species of the Helmia section were previously practically not carried out; sequencing of trnF–trnV and the intron trnL of chloroplast DNA for 7 species of the section, as well as the probable intersection hybrid Astragalus arcanus held for the first time. On the basis of genetic studies, clarified the relationship between species included in the section Helmia. The possible stages of sect. Helmia evolution are discussed. The taxonomic isolation of Astragalus permiensis has been confirmed; it is assumed not to be of Uralic, but of Siberian or Central Asian origin. Astragalus ionae belongs to the section Helmia is confirmed. Astragalus depauperatus s. l. is thought to be a complex of twin species. In this article, one of them is considered in the status of the species A. chakassiensis. Copy Translate

В статье приведены сведения о местонахождениях новых и редких для Полярного Урала видах и подвидах сосудистых растений: Betula concinna, общее распространение которой известно лишь приблизительно; Botrychium alaskense, известный в Западной Сибири только для Алтая; Crepis paludosa, ошибочно не указываемый для сибирской флоры; для 5 видов и 1 подвида (Alchemilla glomerulans, Astragalus gorodkovii,Botrychium boreale, B. lunaria, Castilleja arctica subsp. vorkutensis, Cystopteris fragilis) отмечены новые местонахождения, подтверждающие их нахождение или уточняющие распространение на Полярном Урале.

The materials of the article contain data on the findings of 30 species of vascular plants from the territory of the Urals and the Trans-Urals. Among them, there are two new species for this territory, one for the Sverdlovsk Region – Phragmites altissimus, and one for the Kurgan Region – Rhinanthus songaricus. The second finding of the alien species Bidens frondosa for the Kurgan Region is reported. An information about the new locality of Liparis loeselii, which is included in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation, is presented as well, along with the data about the findings of 26 other rare species of vascular plants in the mires of the South Ural region, listed in the Red Data Books of the region. The article makes important additions to the knowledge of the distribution of protected vascular plant species in the study region.