First list of macromycetes forming ectomycorrhizas in cedar and pine forests of Tomsk region of West Siberia

Abstract

The study was conducted during 2004–2015 in West Siberia natural forests. The Tomsk region mycobiota is almost unstudied though this region is considered to be an accumulation zone for North American, European, and Far East fungi species. Sampling was implemented in pure cedar or pine stands. Molecular data and microscoping identified 283 macromycetes species, which form ectomycorrhizas with Pinus sibirica and Pinus sylvestris.     

Reference community Siberian pine forests of Western Siberia as a local example of rational environmental management: anthropogenic disturbance analysis

The article describes geo-botanic characteristics of three massifs of community (situated in the vicinities of settlements) Siberian pine forests, both reference and valuable wood forests with dominance of Pinus sibirica Du Tour., growing in the mid- and southern taiga subzones of the Western Siberia natural taiga zone, Tomsk region. The results of the comparative analysis of the degree of anthropogenic disturbance in Siberian pine forests ecosystems’ composition and plant species communities’ participation are presented based on a hemerobiality scale.     

Genetic diversity of honeybees in different geographical regions of Siberia

Abstract

An assessment of the genetic diversity of nine microsatellite loci in honeybees of different origin (evolutionary lineages M, C, and hybrids) from different geographical regions of Siberia was conducted in order to find the genetic markers of the Siberian ecotype of dark-coloured forest bee (Apis mellifera mellifera). The greatest genetic diversity (both in the number of alleles and the calculated expected heterozygosity) was shown for loci A008, A113, Ap049, and A043 in honeybees from the Tomsk region, as bees from the southern districts had higher genetic diversity than bees from the northern districts. Honeybees from the Eastern region of Siberia (Yenisei population) had the lowest level of genetic diversity on these loci compared to Tomsk bee populations. Allele 162 pb of the locus A008, allele 126 bp of the locus A043, and allele 218 bp of the locus A113 can be considered as genetic markers of the A. m. mellifera Siberian ecotype.     

Birds of Siberian-pine (Pinus sibirica) forests of the south-east part of Western Siberia (Tomsk Region)

Abstract

The article examines the fauna and bird population of Siberian-pine forests in Tomsk Region (the south-east part of Western Siberia) in the summer period. The article is based on data collected by the authors over many years in 12 areas of Siberian-pine forests in various forest subzones. The taxonomical structure of avifauna, the landscape and ecological structure, and species distribution are examined. A comparison has been made of species diversity and population density for birds of sub-taiga Siberian-pine forests in the southern and middle taiga. The authors have identified the leading species of birds in terms of population density in various forest subzones. A tendency towards latitudinal changes in species diversity and population density in Siberian-pine forests has been discovered. The authors have identified the species of birds whose diet includes the nuts of Siberian pines. Data on the bird species of Siberian-pine forests listed in the Red Data Book of Tomsk Region have been included.     

Cryopetrophyte communities of the West Sayan Ridge

Abstract

The paper presents research in eco-coenotic features of cryopetrophyte communities of the Osevoi Ridge in the Western Sayan Mts. All communities studied are in the association Saxifrago oppositifoliae–Rhodioletum quadrifidae. This association includes all communities with a predominance of alpine and arctalpine petrophytes, which are largely facultative and obligate calciphile plants. The coenoflora of the association Saxifrago oppositifoliae–Rhodioletum quadrifidae is represented by 54 species of higher vascular plants. The dominant species in its structure are those of Holarctic distribution and species generally confined to the Altai-Sayan mountain region, with Papaver pseudocanescens, Poa smirnowii, Sajanella monstrosa, Saussurea foliosa and Saxifraga melaleuca being endemics. In the structure of the belt-zonal groups, arctalpine and alpine species dominate. Among ecological groups, obligate and facultative petrophytes, generally cryophytes, are dominant. The predominance of some particular belt-zonal and ecological groups of species indicates greater specificity of the environmental conditions in which the communities were formed and are currently being formed.     

Impact of mechanical and chemical weeding on the floristic diversity of citrus orchards in Tlemcen (Northwestern Algeria)

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of weeding (chemical, mechanical and control) on the floristic composition of citrus orchards in the region of Tlemcen (Northwestern Algeria). A comparative approach between two methods of weeding (mechanical vs. chemical) compared to a control (without weeding) was carried out at 3 stations of 100 m² inside the citrus orchard studied. The floristic surveys were performed in the stations at different times (before and after each weeding). In the floristic inventory, 168 surveys were carried out and a total of 88 species were identified belonging to 71 genera and 30 botanical families. This adventitious flora was dominated by the Mediterranean elements (64%), the therophytes (51%) and dicotyledons (64%).

Statistical elaboration of floristic data by means of multifactorial ANOVA revealed the existence of a significant spatial-temporal difference in the mean species richness between the stations (control vs. chemical and mechanical). In addition, the species richness before weeding tended to be higher than that after it. Weeding methods practised by crop growers need to be reconsidered. The benefits that weeds can provide should be considered as well as the damage caused by the different weeding techniques.     

Cold resistance of three species of earthworms (Oligohaeta,Lumbricidae) in Western Siberia

We studied cold resistance of Lumbricus rubellus, Octolasion lacteum, Dendrodrilus rubidus tenuis earthworms of Western Siberia (Tomsk) populations. Worms of these species turned out to be not resistant to low temperatures (100% mortality at ?3?°C), while cocoons, on the contrary, survived ?35?°C (L. rubellus) or below ?40?°C (D. rubidus tenuis). The worms’ populations under study do not have specific cold resistance. Their main characteristics are similar in Western Siberia and other geographically remote areas according to our studies. Due to their very high cold resistance, cocoons are indifferent to winter temperatures. Hibernation of the studied species of worms in the severe conditions of the West Siberian climate is possible only in the warmest habitats where minimum soil temperature in hibernation horizons does not fall below ?2?°C. Apparently, the proportion of such habitats in the region is high as 5 out of 12 surveyed biotopes had minimum temperature above the maximum tolerated by worms at a depth of 15?cm.     

Sphagnum mosses on the mires of the Altai-Sayan Mountains region

Abstract

Sphagnum mosses are a characteristic component of plant communities in the mountain mires of the Altai-Sayan region. The genus Sphagnum L. ranks first in the species diversity and includes 32 species, accounting for 57.1% of the species diversity of sphagnum mosses of Russia and 62.8% of the species diversity of sphagnum mosses of the Asian part of Russia. Twenty-five species of sphagnum moss are revealed in the mires of the Western Sayan and Altai, listed in this paper; 28 species occur on the Kuznetsky Alatau mires. Rare species are Sphagnum aongstroemii, S. auriculatum, S. contortum, S. platyphyllum, S. pulchrum, S. subfulvum, S. tenellum.     

Method for obtaining root nodules of the Baikal relict legumes in laboratory pot experiments

Abstract

Many relict and endemic legumes are often rare and endangered species, located in remote and almost impenetrable areas. This makes it difficult to study their symbiosis with nodule bacteria. The aim of this work was to obtain root nodules under laboratory conditions of Hedysarum zundukii, Oxytropis popoviana, Oxytropis triphylla, Oxytropis tragacanthoides, Astragalus chorinensis and Glycyrrhiza uralensis belonging to the Miocene-Pliocene relicts, usually growing in restricted habitats of the Baikal Lake region. A pot experiment was conducted with soils and seeds collected in distribution areas of these legumes. The collected soils had low content of N and P, suggesting importance of nitrogen-fixing symbiosis for successful maintenance of plant populations. The symbiotic nodules were observed on roots of all plant species tested and 52 bacterial strains assumed as root nodule bacteria (rhizobia) were isolated from nodules. The proposed method avoids collection of native plants and prevents decrease in plant populations. The isolated bacteria will be used to search for ancestral genes responsible for the specificity and efficiency of rhizobia-legume symbiosis and can contribute to the conservation of rare and endangered species of relict legumes in the Baikal region.     

An annotated list and current state of ichthyofauna of the Middle Ob River basin

Abstract

The paper contains a complete annotated list of freshwater ichthyofauna of the Middle Ob River basin. The list is based on an analysis of publications and on the results of the authors’ research, and it includes 43 species in two classes, 9 orders, 12 families, and 30 genera. Ten of all listed species are introduced and only seven are naturalized. For each species, taxonomic comments are provided where necessary and conservation status, distribution within the Middle Ob River basin, abundance and commercial value are indicated. Latin and English names are given.     

Shotgun metagenomics of dust microbiome from flight deck and cabin in civil aviation aircraft

Microbial exposure is related to the health of passengers on commercial aircraft, but no studies characterized the microbial composition at the species level and identified their ecological determinants. We collected vacuum dust from floor and seat surfaces in flight decks and cabins of 18 aircraft, and amplification-free shotgun metagenomics was conducted to characterize the microbial composition. In total, 7437 microbial taxa were identified. The relative abundance for bacteria, eukaryote, viruses, and archaea was 96.9%, 1.8%, 0.3%, and 0.03%, respectively. The top bacterial species mainly derived from outdoor air and human skin included Sphingomonas, Corynebacterium, Micrococcus luteus, Variovorax paradoxus, Paracoccus dentrificans, and Propionibacterium acnes. The abundance of NIAID-defined pathogens was low, accounted for only 0.23% of total microbes. The microbial species and functional composition were structured by the indoor surface type (R² = 0.38, Adonis), followed by the manufacturer of the aircraft (R² = 0.12) and flight duration (R² = 0.07). Indoor surfaces affected species derived from different habitats; the abundance of dry skin and desiccated species was higher on textile surfaces, whereas the abundance of moist and oily skin species was higher on leather surfaces. The growth rates for most microbes were stopped and almost stopped.     

Biodiversity of the vascular plants in the young fluvioglacial landscapes in the Severo-Chuiskiy centre of present-day glaciation (the Central Altai)

Abstract

This article reports the species richness of vascular plants in the young fluvioglacial landscapes in the Severo-Chuiskiy centre of present-day glaciation using the example of the fluvioglacial deposits of the mountain-glacial basin Aktru. These landscapes are four well distinguished classes of habitats: open pebble fields with minimal vegetation, young larch forests on elevated parts of the relief, shrub thickets on the banks of the Aktru river, and sites with ground-frazil near the valley slopes. There are 132 species of vascular plants in the young fluvioglacial landscapes. These include 36 families and 77 genera. There are 3 species of pteridophytes (only Equisetum), 4 species of gymnosperms, and 125 species of angiosperms. The highest species diversity was recorded for Asteraceae, Poaceae and Salicaceae families, and for Salix, Poa, and Carex genera. The highest species richness – 100 species – were recorded for open pebble fields. There were 76 species in the young larch forests, and 58 species occurred in shrub thickets. The lowest richness is characterised for the sites with ground frazil, where 31 species were recorded.     

The influence of climatic changes on chromosome inversion polymorphism in a population of malarial mosquito Anopheles messeae (CULICIDAE) in Tomsk

In 2013, the karyotypic structure of the population of malarial mosquito Anopheles messeae in the village of Kolarovo, Tomsk Region, was studied. A level of polymorphism close to the values of the last 20?years has been noted in the studied population. A decrease in autosome heterozygosis and rise of XL₀, 2R_0, 3R₀ and 3L₀ chromosomal variant frequencies has been shown. The results have been compared with the data obtained earlier. During 40?years of monitoring, a significant transformation of frequency characteristics of A. messeae inversion polymorphism has been detected, which occurred gradually. During the period from 1974 to 1979, the frequency stability of the concentration of chromosomal inversion has remained stable in the population of Tomsk Region (Kolarovo village), which is typical for the centre of the specific range. Furthermore, during the period until 1992, there was a serious frequency restructuring in favour of inversions that was specific to the south-western part of the range. In the period from 1993 to 2013, this restructuring has been constantly reproducing from one year to the next. Such a tendency correlates well with climate warming.     

Five new Palaearctic species of Platygastrinae (Hymenoptera,Platygastridae) and two new synonymies

ABSTRACT

The following five species are described as new to science: Inostemma muelleri sp. n., Metaclisis iranica sp. n., Platygaster curvistriata sp. n., Platygaster nepalica sp. n. and Prosynopeas antoni sp. n. The type material of Metaclisis ocalea (Walker) is described, and M. ocalea (Walker) and M. montagnei Maneval are synonymised with M. areolata (Haliday).     

Conservation categories and rarity types of Siberian Saussurea species

Abstract

The criteria for assessing conservation categories of rare species are not identical in drafting the red lists of Russia and the IUCN. By the example of genus Saussurea (Compositae), we have shown that the conservation measures for some endangered species do not match their state. We conducted indicator analyses on two factors of more than 9000 relevés with Saussurea species with large ranges and determined their rarity types according to D. Rabinowitz. Only 2 Siberian Saussurea species are not characterised by any type of rarity. The other 54 taxa all feature a small range, low abundance or high habitat specificity.     

Assessment of phosphogypsum use in a nursery for plant propagation

Phosphogypsum (PG) was used as substrate for the multiplication of eight ornamental species; six by cuttings and two by sowing. The results obtained showed a high rooting or percent germination for the six plants: Ficus benjamina, Pelargonium × Hortorum, Washingtonia filifera, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Hibiscus rosa sinensis and Acalypha wilkesiana. For a percentage of 50% PG, only F. benjamina, H. rosa sinensis and W. filifera showed high percentage rooting. Plant vigour (height and biomass) depends on both species and treatment. Two species showed high sensitivity to PG during the propagation by cuttings, Nerium oleander and Myoporum laetum. We observed high variation in substrate characteristics; with 50% PG, pH was increased from 2.84 to 6.22, and electrical conductivity (EC) and gypsum concentration were reduced from 15.56 to 4.23 mS/cm from 36.23 to 11.82%, respectively. The results showed the possibility of using PG in nurseries for the multiplication and fertilization of several forest and ornamental plant species by cuttings and sowing.     

Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase and Metallo Beta-Lactamase Producing Pseudomonas Species Isolated From Fish Pond Water in Ibadan,Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Gram-negative bacteria that produce Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and metallo beta-lactamase (MBL) show resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. This study was to determine Beta-lactamases-producing Pseudomonas species in fish ponds. Pseudomonas species isolated from aquaculture water samples using Pseudomonas base agar were characterised biochemically. The detection of ESBL and MBL was made by double disc synergy and imipenem-EDTA combined disc methods, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility was by disc diffusion method. The 94 Pseudomonas species isolated comprised P. aeruginosa (62.8%), P. stutzeri (14.9%), P. putida (9.8%) and P. fluorescens (12.8%). P. aeruginosa 16 (16.3%) and P. stutzeri 4 (4.3%) produced ESBL, but 2 (10%) P. aeruginosa and 1 (5%) P. stutzeri produced MBL. Resistance of ESBL producers to trimethoprim was 55.5% and 7 (35.0%) were multidrug resistant. Detection of ESBL and MBL in Pseudomonas spp. from this study implies environmental health risk. Antibiotics misuse in aquaculture and discharge of untreated aquaculture wastewater into the environment should be discouraged.     

Correlations among soils’ features,forest plant species,and vegetable crops in Tokpli mining zone (South Togo)

ABSTRACT

Agriculture and forestry resources are central to African development. In this study, Tokpli mining zone (Togo) soils were characterised and the ones appropriate to garden crops and reforested species identified and located on a map using several database and literature. Results showed that tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) and chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum) are suitable for slightly acidic clay soils of Ahlimegni. Abelmoschus esculentus is suitable for Assou-kondji soil. Solanum macrocarpon was found appropriate to Ziome-kondji and Anagonou-kpota soils. Forest species such as Salix babylonica, Khaya senegalensis, Eucalyptus spp., and Terminalia superba exhibited best growth on slightly acidic clay soils of Ahlimegni area, rich in organic matter. Acacia auriculiformis, Azadirachta indica, Cola gigantea, and Albizia zigya can grow better on the slightly basic sandy soils of Anagonou-kpota and Ziome-kondji. Other species like Gmelina arborea, Mangifera indica, Salix babylonica, and Morinda lucida were found not selective and could be reforested on all soil types.     

Oligochaetes in the water ecosystems of Western Siberia

Abstract

This article presents the species composition of aquatic oligochaetes (Oligochaeta) in the various regions of Western Siberia. The history of the study of aquatic oligochaetes of Western Siberia is briefly reviewed. The importance of oligochaetes in water bodies is also evaluated.