TWO SPECIES OF AQUATIC PLANTS NEW TO THE CRIMEAN PENINSULA
Althenia orientalis (Tzvelev) Garcia-Mur. et Talavera (Zannichelliaceae) and Ruppia drepanensis Tineo are recorded for the first time in the Crimean Peninsula. There are two localities of Althenia orientalis: 1) Republic of Crimea, Leninsky district, northeastern outskirts of Shelkino village. Part of the Aktashskoe lake system, N 45°26'02.4", E 35°49'48.6", 10 Aug 2015; 2) Republic of Crimea, Leninsky district, 4.6 km to the east from Kalinovka village, a small waterbody south of the Aktashskoe Lake, N 45°20'03.6'', E 35°48'16.4'', 10 Aug 2015. The both warebodies with Altenia are shallow and hyperhaline. Mineralization of the first lake is 75 g/dm3 (ionometric), pH 8.15, sediments represented by a viscous squishy black mud with the smell of hydrogen sulfide. Mineralization of the second waterbody is 135 g/dm3, the ground is a muddy sand. The specimen of Ruppia drepanensis was found among the herbarium collections of the Nikita Botanical Gardens (YALT). Previously, it was identified as Ruppia spiralis L. The plant dimensions, leaf width, fruit length completely correspond to the description of Ruppia drepa- nensis Tineo. The locality of the herbarium gathering is (in terms of modern place names): Republic of Crimea, Dzhankoi district, Solenoe Ozero village, salt lake, 17 Aug 1886, N. M. Zelenetsky. Unique features of biology and ecology of Altenia orientalis and Ruppia drepanensis determine the occurrence of these species in salty and bitter-salty waters, including heavily shrinking and drying up in some years. Due to their extreme rarity and narrow ecological niche, it is recommended to include the species in the list of endangered species (Red Data Book) of Crimea with the category of the conservation status 3(R) - rare species.