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Isoëtes iapygia from the Apulia region (southern Italy) is described as a new species and illustrated. It differs in several characters from the other Mediterranean Isoëtes species, but has some intermediate characteristics similar to terrestrial and amphibious Isoëtes. I. iapygia is similar to the amphibious species for the lack of phyllopodia, even if it has scales; it is similar to terrestrial species for the complete velum and tuberculate macrospores. A completely unique character is represented by the two air chambers. Its habitat is on limestone rocks, in temporary pools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aims to examine the main water chemistry parameters (i.e. conductivity, pH, dissolved O2) and the ecological responses of 20 guide species in Mediterranean Temporary Ponds (MTPs). A complete data-set of 37 MTPs located in two different regions of Italy, Sardinia and Apulia, was compiled and the data were examined by means of Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The pattern of MTPs into the water chemistry space showed a clear separation between the two geographical regions. A "daisy diagram" obtained by overlapping five typologies of MTPs, obtained by the fuzzy cluster analysis and the PCA, revealed a good agreement between the sequence of groups and the water chemistry gradient. Groups of species sharing similar responses to the same chemical features were finally identified. These groups could be effective to acquire detailed information on the characteristics of MTPs and to improve their classification into different typologies. The guide species respond selectively to the wide variability range of conductivity, pH and dissolved oxygen. Despite the small size and the short hydroperiod water parameters in MTPs presented specific patterns to which the guide species are able to give specific responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]