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Endophytic fungi are widespread in plants and affect the host fitness and population size. We found 12 fungal taxa in C. secalina, a critically endangered species in several European countries, at two study sites in Poland. The most frequently occurring fungal taxa were Colletotrichum destructivum and Acremonium sp. Both taxa were found in half of the examined tussocks. The highest number of fungal taxa was noted in the C. secalina plants growing in the roadside area, where 7 of the 12 identified fungal taxa occurred. These fungi, inhabiting leaf tissues, are known for their pathogenicity but no visible symptoms of any diseases were observed on C. secalina leaves. This suggests that these fungi are latent pathogens.

A new locality of rye sedge Carex secalina, a critically endangered species was discovered on an island of Lake Kusowo, in the vicinity of Bydgoszcz (Kuyavian-Pomeranian Province), in June 2015. The species was found in a breeding colony of black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus. The population size was estimated at least at 30 individuals and all of them produced generative shoots. This locality of C. secalina is the northernmost in Poland and the only ascertained, apart from Inowrocław Plain. Colonization of the island by C. secalina was caused, probably, by zoochory as a result of accidental bringing of propagules by gulls, together with nesting material from outside the colony.

IntroductionAvian poxvirus infections are widespread in the domestic poultry population but are also reported in wild birds. In poultry, these infections cause significant economic losses, while wild birds may be a reservoir for poxvirus which affects breeding poultry. However, wild birds may also exhibit characteristic anatomopathological changes. This study concerns the infection of wild-living great tits (Parus major) with the avian poxvirus in Poland.Material and MethodsSamples of internal organs and skin collected from great tits were homogenised and total cellular DNA was isolated. In PCR, the primers complementary to gene encoding the core protein 4b of the HP44 strain of fowl poxvirus (FPV) were used.ResultsAfter electrophoresis in 2% agarose gel, the PCR product of 578 bp characteristic for FPV was obtained in DNA samples isolated from skin lesions and the heart. The analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the virus strain showed 99% similarity to many poxviruses previously isolated from great tits and other free birds at various sites in the world.ConclusionsThis paper is the first clinically documented evidence obtained in laboratory conditions of avian poxvirus cases in great tits in Poland.