Terrestrial bugs (Heteroptera) in high mountains of the Suntar-Khayata Range (Eastern Yakutia)

Thirty-nine species of bugs, representing meso-and xerophilic inhabitants of open tundra, meadow, and steppe landscapes, were collected within the altitude range of 1260–1850 m above sea level in the upper Kyubyume River basin (63°13′N, 139°36′E, the Indigirka River basin). In the sub-golets sparse forest zone (up to 1550 m), 37 species were recorded, the dominant form being Chlamydatus pullus. The bugs were rare in most of the habitats; their species richness and abundance increased distinctly only on the south-facing slopes, reaching the maximum in the cryophytic steppe. The specific features of these complexes manifested themselves in the prevalence of Capnoda nigroaenea, a xerophilic species of alpine mountain steppes. The rest of the dominants comprised the ecologically flexible Emblethis brachynotus, Chlamydatus pullus, and Galeatus spinifrons. In the goletstundra zone, 8 species were found, half of them being arctic forms (Calacanthia trybomi, Orthotylus artemisiae, Ch. wilkinsoni, and Ch. opacus). Ch. wilkinsoni was the most common species. The species composition of bug groups in the dry lichen-dryad communities within this zone resembled that of similar communities of zonal tundra, whereas the humid habitats remained unpopulated, unlike their plain analogues. Comparison of the heteropteran fauna of mountain tundras in different regions of the Verkhoyansk-Kolyma mountain country attests to significant variations of its species composition. The possible reasons for these differences are discussed.     

The ground beetle fauna (Coleoptera,Carabidae) of Southeastern Altai

Long-term studies of the ground beetle fauna of Southeastern Altai (SEA) revealed 33 genera and 185 species; 3 and 15 species are reported for the first time from Russia and SEA, respectively. The following genera are the most diverse: Bembidion (47 species), Amara and Harpalus (21 each), Pterostichus (14), and Nebria (13). The subarid (35%) and boreal (32%) species prevail in the arealogical spectrum, while the mountain endemics comprise 13% of the fauna. The carabid fauna of SEA is heterogeneous in composition and differs significantly from that of the Western and Central Altai. The boreal mountain component mostly comprises tundra species with circum-boreal or circum-arctic ranges, while the subarid component (typical Mongolian together with Ancient Mediterranean species) forms more than one-half of the species diversity in the mountain basins. The species diversity increases from the nival mountain belt (15 species, predominantly Altai-Sayan endemics) to moss-lichen tundras (40, mostly boreal, species). The variety of habitats and constant hydrothermal regimes in the intrazonal valley communities determine high taxonomic diversity of Carabidae, including both tundra or meadow-steppe species typical of the region and some forest ones. Under the condition of moisture deficiency, many steppe species also concentrate in river floodplains.     

Community structure of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) along an altitudinal gradient on Mt. Sobaeksan,Korea

We conducted this study to determine the diversity patterns, community structures, and seasonality of ground beetle assemblages along an altitudinal gradient (437–1420 m) on Mt. Sobaeksan, Korea. Ground beetles were collected by pitfall traps installed along an altitudinal gradient (437, 757, 1100, and 1420 m). A total of 32 species belonging to seven subfamilies were identified from 3259 collected ground beetles. The diversity pattern of the ground beetle assemblage according to altitude was neither monotonic decreased nor hump-shaped. However, subfamily assemblages and wing form diversity patterns differed according to altitude and may be correlated with altitude or some other environmental variables. The dominant species were Synuchus cycloderus (29.4%) and Eucarabus sternbergi sobaeksanensis (15.4%) and their seasonal activities according to altitude were similar. According to non-metric multidimensional scaling, ground beetles and altitudes could be divided into two distinct groups: a low altitude group (437–757 m) and a high altitude group (1100–1420 m). Some species were particularly abundant at high altitudes, such as Aulonocarabus koreanus kwonileeique and Poecilus nitidicollis, while others were highly abundant at low altitudes, such as Pterostichus audax, Pterostichus ishikawai, and Synuchus species.     

Biota of agaricoid and gasteriod basidiomycetes of dryad tundras of the Altai-Sayan mountain area (Southern Siberia)

As a result of a study of biotas of agaricoid and gasteriod fungi of dryad tundras of the Altai-Sayan mountain area, 80 species of macromycetes were found, 19 of which were found in Southern Siberia for the first time. Species of arctalpine (37.5% of species) and multizonal (22.5% of species) elements; Russullaceae, Cortinariaceae, and Strophariacea families; and Cortinarius, Inocybe, and Russula genera comprise the basis of micobiota. In the trophic specter, mycorrhiza-forming (56% of species) and humic saprotrophs (17.5% of species) dominate.     

Bryoflora of the Alpine Tundra of Changbai Mountain and Its Floristic Relationship to the Bryofloras of Arctic Tundras

The alpine tundra of Changbai Mountain is situa,ed in 41º53′–42º04′N, 127º57′–128º11′E and at elevations ranging from 1950(2000) –2749.2 m. There are 67 genera and 135 species of bryophytes in the alpine tundra, belonging to following five distribution types (DT): Cosmo-politan DT (50 genera, 29 species), North Temperate DT (14, 79), Eastern Asian-North American Discontinuous DT (1, 1), Eurasian Temperate DT (1, 10), Eastern Asian DT (1, 16). The alpine tundra of Changbai Mountain shares 55 genera and 103 species of bryophytes with arctic tundras.     

Notes on the ground beetle Pterostichus togyusanus (Coleoptera: Carabidae): Phylogenetic evidence for species status and new distribution record

A flightless carabid beetle, Pterostichus bellatrix (Tschitschérine, 1895), which is endemic to the Korean Peninsula, had been thought to comprise two subspecies: the nominotypical subspecies distributed in northern and central parts of the peninsula, and the subspecies P. bellatrix togyusanus Park and Kwon, 1996, distributed in the southern part of the peninsula. A recent study upgraded these two subspecies to species level, but no convincing evidence was provided for this taxonomic change. Our comparative morphology of external and male genital characters revealed that these two species are paraphyletic with respect to Pterostichus syleus Kirschenhofer, 1997, which was described from Liaoning Province, China. Thus, separate species status of P. bellatrix and P. togyusanus was confirmed phylogenetically. Although P. togyusanus has only been known from the type locality, Mt. Deogyusan, we newly record this species from Mt. Jirisan, a mountain located south of the known locality. A revised key to species of the Pterostichus opacipennis species group (= the subgenus Koreonialoe (s. str.) Park and Kwon, 1996), which now includes 14 species, is also provided.     

Plant communities along environmental gradients of high‐arctic mires in Sassendalen,Svalbard

Abstract. The wet to moist bryophyte‐dominated vegetation of Sassendalen, Svalbard, was classified into seven communities. These communities were grouped into (1) Cardamino nymanii‐Saxifragion foliolosae marsh; (2) Caricion stantis fen; (3) Luzulion nivalis snowbed – including manured vegetation corresponding to moss tundras. All communities have a basically arctic distribution. Marshes are developed in habitats with a water table above the bryophyte vegetation surface and fens on sites with a water table level high above the permafrost but below the bryophyte surface. Moss tundras normally have no standing water table, but in Sassendalen they have a low water table due to their development on less steep slopes than in their normal habitat near bird cliffs. CCA confirms that the standing water level is the prime differentiating factor between the alliances, while aspect favourability and permafrost depth differentiate between the fen communities and temporary desiccation is important for the Catoscopium nigritum community. Carex subspathacea is a characteristic fen species in the absence of other Carex species dominating elsewhere in the Arctic. Arctic marshes are linked to an extremely cold environment. They have a very low species diversity with a few species dominating; Arctophila fulva, Pseudocalliergon trifarium, Scorpidium scorpioides and Warnstorfia tundrae are character species. Moss tundra as defined here appears to be restricted to Svalbard and, probably, neighbouring Novaya Zemlya. This may be due to the absence of rodents and the high seabird density, which is related to the mild sea currents reaching further to the north here and which implies manuring of surrounding ecosystems. Manuring in a very cold environment produces moss carpets with a thin active layer and accumulation of thick peat layers without a standing water level. In Sassendalen the role of arctic seabirds is replaced by Svalbard reindeer which are nonmigratory and are concentrated to favourable grazing areas where their manuring effect is intense. Their long‐term manuring effect probably explains the occurrence of moss tundras in this weakly rolling landscape where seabird colonies are absent.     

Features of the life cycles of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pterostichus montanus</Emphasis> (Motschulsky, 1844) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carabus loschnikovi</Emphasis> (Fischer-Waldheim, 1822) (Coleoptera,Carabidae) in conditions of the mountain taiga belt in the Eastern Sayan

We studied the seasonal dynamics and demographic structure of abundant ground beetle species from the mountain taiga belt in the Eastern Sayan. Data on the dynamics of the sexual and age structure of the populations as well as on the reproductive capacity of females in the biotopes on the slopes with different exposure and height were obtained. Life cycles with one-and two-year development were revealed for the ground beetles typical for the mountain taiga belt. As an example, data on the life cycles of Pterostichus montanus (Motschulsky, 1844) with one-year spring development and Carabus loschnikovi (Fischer-Waldheim, 1822) with two-year polyvariant multiseasonal development are given for the first time. Two strategies were revealed in the life cycles of ground beetles under alpine conditions: an accelerated population development in spring one-year species and a two-year development with pronounced polyvariance in two intrapopulation groups of ground beetles of the Carabus genus. The seasonal dynamics of the activity and reproduction periods proved to vary for these species on the slopes along the height gradient.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Biologicheskaya, No. 1, 2005, pp. 36–46.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Sharova, Khobrakova.     

Gamasid mites (Parasitiformes, Mesostigmata) of the European arctic and their distribution patterns

Analysis has been completed of all the available material on gamasid mites from insular and continental territories of the Barents Sea region. A total of 116 species has been revealed, including 9 new to science. The species Gamasus armatus L. Koch, 1879 is transferred to the genus Gamasodes Oudemans, 1939, thus becoming Gamasodes armatus (L. Koch, 1879), comb. n. Six species of gamasid mites occur even at the thermal limit in the Northern Hemisphere, on the ice-free grounds of Franz Josef Land (with mid-July temperatures ranging from ?1.2°C to +1.6°C). On Svalbard, 25 species have been recorded, as compared to 27 on Novaya Zemlya, 39 on Vaigach Island, 43 on Kolguev Island, 50 in the Pechora Bay, 37 on Kanin Peninsula, and 58 on the Eastern Murman coast. Despite the differences in the quality and quantity of material obtained during 30 years from numerous collectors, a relation between species diversity and summer heat supply has been revealed (linear regression coefficient: 0.816; significance level: 99%). The most diverse families are Ascidae (23 species, including 20 species of Arctoseius), Parasitidae (15, including 6 species of Vulgarogamasus), and Zerconidae (14, including 11 species of Zercon). The species Zercon michaeli Hala?kova, 1977, Zercon solenites Haarløv, 1942, Parasitellus papei (Karg, 1985), Parasitellus arcticus (Karg, 1985), and Halolaelaps gerlachi Hirschmann, 1966 have been recorded in Russia for the first time. The species Zercon acanticus Blaszak, 1978, Poecilochirus nordi Davydova, 1971, Euryparasitus tori Davydova, 1970, Gamasellus tundriensis Davydova, 1982, Arctoseius nikolskyi Makarova et Petrova, 1992, and Neoseiulus ellesmerei (Chant et Hansell, 1971) are new to the European list. The specific gamasid mites associated with lemmings or bumble-bees are absent on Franz Josef Land and Svalbard, since both archipelagoes were almost completely glaciated in the Late Pleistocene. An obviously temporary population of a member of the family Macrochelidae, namely, of the dung-compost cosmopolitan species Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli, 1772) was first recorded in the High Arctic (Spitsbergen). Distribution ranges of many species, mainly of those of the genus Arctoseius, lie within the Metaarctic (sensu Yurtsev, 1977). High Arctic patterns have been confirmed for Arctoseius tschernovi Makarova, 2000, A. babenkoi Makarova, 2000, A. productus Makarova, 2000, Neoseiulus sp. aff. tibielingmiut (Chant et Hansell, 1971). However, quite a few of the species traditionally considered as “arctic” and inhabiting mainly arctic landscapes in North America and the western Palaearctic, have also been found in the Siberian mountains as far southwards as the Altai-Sayan mountain system: Antennoseius oudemansi (Thor, 1930), Proctolaelaps parvanalis (Thor, 1930), Zerconopsis labradorensis Evans et Hyatt, 1960, Zercon michaeli, Zercon solenites, etc. Similar arcto-montane patterns have also been revealed for some “mountain” species: Trachytes hirschmanni Hutu, 1973, Syskenozercon kosiri Athias-Henriot, 1976, Veigaia belovae Davydova, 1979, Iphidinychus gaieri (Schweizer, 1961), and Zercon spp. As the climate becomes milder, the total share of arctic and arcto-montane species in the individual regions of the European Arctic gradually drops from 100% (Franz Josef Land) to 12% (Eastern Murman coast).     

Mycological records from ISAM 9, Kevo,Finland

ISAM 9 (International Symposium of Arctic-Alpine Mycology) was held in August 2012?at the Kevo Lapland Research Station in Utsjoki in northernmost Finnish Lapland. In addition to Utsjoki, some excursions were made in Finnmark, the northernmost part of Norway. Kevo station lies in the subarctic zone characterized by mountain birch (Betula pubescens var. czerepanovii), but the fells reach the arctic tundra zone. Áilegas fells at Utsjoki village and at Nuvvus lie on acid ground as does Skalluvaara, and all are under influence of reindeer grazing. The Gistuskaidi fell is highest and is characterized by the presence of more basic rocks; the vegetation also reflects some amount of maritime influence. The places visited on the Norwegian side belong to the Nesseby commune at the sea shore and Tana commune on the shore of the Tana River and along the road to Båtsfjord where the tundra is maritime and mossy with calcareous spots. In all 123 taxa were found during the excursions, some of them not determined at species level. The reported fungal taxa belong to the Basidiomycota (115 taxa), Ascomycota (7 taxa), and Mycetozoa (1 taxon).     

Contrasting predation pressure of different ground beetles on slugs and their eggs

Slugs such as Deroceras reticulatum Müller (Pulmonata: Agriolimacidae) cause crop losses in temperate regions worldwide. Numerous species of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) feed on slugs, but possible interactive effects are poorly known. Here, we compared predation pressure on slug eggs and slug immatures among Abax parallelepipedus Piller and Mitterpacher, Pterostichus niger Schaller, and Pterostichus melanarius Illiger. The latter was most effective against slug eggs but least effective against immature slugs compared to the other species, demonstrating some specificity of ground beetle predation on life stages. Slug egg predation of P. niger in combination with both other species was synergistic, with up to twice as many eggs consumed as for single species treatments. The effect of species combinations on immature slugs showed no differences from expectations based on single species treatments. Our results indicate that combinations of ground beetle species are favourable for the suppression of slugs in early life stages.     

The beet webworm <Emphasis Type="Italic">Loxostege sticticalis</Emphasis> L. (Lepidoptera,Crambidae) in the focus of agricultural entomology objectives: I. The periodicity of pest outbreaks

Analysis of the published data on the population dynamics of the beet webworm Loxostege sticticalis L., including its relation to solar activity, was made. The official statistical data from Russia and China testify to asynchronous outbreaks of the webworm in these countries, which suggests the existence of at least two population systems within the species range, the Euro-Siberian (Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan) and Central Asian (China and Mongolia) ones, geographically isolated by mountain systems (Tien Shan, Pamir, Altai, and the Sayan mountains) and deserts and bridged by the narrow East Siberian corridor. The theoretical and applied aspects of this conclusion are discussed, including the necessity for further studying of the population dynamics of this dangerous pest.     

Genetic variation and population differentiation in Siberian fir Abies sibirica ledeb. inferred from allozyme markers

Genetic variation in 24 populations of Siberian fir Abies sibirica Ledeb. from the Urals, West Siberia, East Siberia, South Siberia, and the Baikal region were examined using allozyme markers. Three out of fifteen allozyme loci proved to be polymorphic. Heterozygosity H _e was 6.6–9.6%, which is substantially lower than that in other widely spread boreal conifers. Our results suggest that the Siberian fir populations are subdivided into four geographic groups: (1) the Baikal Lake group, (2) the Sayan and the Altai group, (3) the Middle and Southern Urals group, and (4) Subpolar and Northern Urals group. This pattern of geographic differentiation may be explained by the preservation of the Siberian fir during the last glacial maximum (18 000–22 000 years B.P.) in isolated refugia with subsequent recolonization of the present area. F _ST in the populations examined was 10.16%, which is comparable to the estimate for Larix sibirica (7.9%), a conifer species having a similar range and pattern of geographic population differentiation.     

Geographical variation of antler morphology of moose (Alces alces) in Russia

We attempt to identify geographical subdivisions within the range of moose according to antler size for a more correct trophy evaluation in the СIC system (The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation). Traditionally, this division coincides with subspecific division of trophy animal species. That is why we partially touch upon the problem of the geography of moose subspecies in Eurasia. Catalogs of hunters’ trophies that were available to us served as the research material (1,047 trophies in total). We were choosing the same measurements for moose antlers evaluated by different methods. They are overall spread, circumference of beam, width of palm, and number of tines. We applied multivariate statistic methods to the findings, enlarging the geographical division groups step by step. As a result, we suggest four geographical groups: European, Siberian, the north of the Far East, and the south of the Far East. In principle, this division corresponds to the subspecies: European (Alces alces alces L., 1758), east Siberian (A. a. pfizenmayeri Zukowsky, 1910), Chukotka or Kolyma (A. a. buturlini Chernyavski et. Zhelesnov, 1982), and Ussuri (А. а. cameloides Milne-Edwards, 1867). We consider it incorrect to draw the line between the European and Siberian groups along the river Yenisei. It is more correct to move it to the Urals.     

Wing-dimorphism and population expansion of Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger, 1798) at small and large scales in central Alberta, Canada (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Pterostichini)

A study spanning ten years revealed changes in wing-morph ratios corroborating the hypothesis that the wing-dimorphic introduced carabid, Pterostichus melanarius Ill.,is spreading through flight, from the city of Edmonton, Canada and establishing populations in natural aspen forest of more rural areas 45-50 km to the East. Comparison of wing-morph ratios between Pterostichus melanarius and the native wing dimorphic species Agonum retractum LeConte suggests that the spatial variation in ratios for Pterostichus melanarius does not reflect underlying environmental variation, but instead the action of selective forces on this wing-dimorphic species. About ten years after its earliest detection in some rural sites the frequency of macropterous individuals in Pterostichus melanarius has decreased c. five-fold, but it is still above the level seen in European populations in which the two wing-morphs are thought to exist in equilibrium. Pterostichus melanarius is expanding its range in native aspen forest much faster than three other introduced species Clivina fossor L.), Carabus granulatus O.F. Müllerand Clivina fossor L also encountered in this study. The two Carabus species are flightless, but Carabus fossor can be dimorphic. Although these four non-native ground beetle species comprise >85% of the carabids collected at sites in urban Edmonton, activity-density of native carabids was similar across the urban-rural gradient, suggesting little direct impact of introduced species on the local abundance of native species. In a second study conducted at a smaller scale near George Lake, Alberta, macropterous individuals of Pterostichus melanarius have penetrated furthest and most rapidly into native aspen forest. Furthermore, the percentage of micropterous individuals has increased markedly in areas first colonized a decade previously. Overall, these studies support the idea that macropterous beetles in wing-d dimorphic species are important vanguards for early colonization of unexploited territory, but that flightless individuals replace the flying morph relatively rapidly once populations are established.     

Clonal Growth Forms in Eastern Ladakh, Western Himalayas: Classification and Habitat Preferences

Earlier observations that plant clonality, i.e., production of potentially independent offspring by vegetative growth, increase in importance in cold climates such as in arctic and alpine regions, have been recently questioned. However, lack of data obtained using a comparable methodology throughout different regions limit such comparisons. Here we present a classification of clonal growth forms for vascular plants from East Ladakh (an arid mountain range in NW Himalaya, India), and assess the relationship of these forms with multiple environmental gradients. Based on field assessment of clonality in 540 species we distinguished 20 growth forms, which were then grouped into four broader space occupancy strategies. Occurrence in communities and relationship with environmental characteristics and altitude were analyzed using multivariate methods. The most abundant growth form was represented by non-clonal perennial species with a pleiocorm having short branches, prevailing in steppes, Caragana shrubs and screes. The most abundant clonal species were those with very short epigeogenous rhizomes, such as turf graminoids prevailing in wet Kobresia grasslands. Two principal environmental gradients, together with several abiotic variables, affected space occupancy strategies: moisture and altitude. Non-spreading integrators prevailed on shaded rocky slopes, non-spreading splitters in wet grasslands and spreading splitters at the wettest sites. Spreading integrators were the least frequent strategy predominantly occurring at the most elevated sites. Because relevance of clonality decreased with altitude and different communities host different sets of clonal growth strategies, comparison with other cold climate regions should take multiple environmental gradients into account.     

A new species of the gamasid mite genus Arctoseius Thor, 1930 (Parasitiformes,Mesostigmata, Ascidae) from Russia with a key to the multidentatus species-group

A new gamasid mite species belonging to the genus Arctoseius Thor, 1930 is described from Russia. Arctoseius koltschaki sp. n. is distributed in the plain and mountain tundras from Khibiny Mountains to Chukotka on the north and to West Sayan Mountains on the south. A diagnosis and a key for identification of species comprising the multidentatus species-group (Arctoseius multidentatus Evans, 1955; Arctoseius wisniewskii Gwiazdowicz & Kamczyc, 2009; Arctoseius sexsetus Lindquist & Makarova, 2011; Arctoseius haarlovi Lindquist & Makarova, 2011; and Arctoseius koltschaki sp. n.) are given.     

Exotic sturgeons in the Vistula Lagoon in 2011, their occurrence,diet and parasites,with notes on the fishery background

The Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii and the sterlet Acipenser ruthenus were recorded for the first time in the Vistula Lagoon in 2011. Among 66 sturgeons collected between April and December 2011, the Siberian sturgeon was the most numerous species (77%); however, a significant seasonal variability was observed, with sterlet dominating in the catches in late autumn of the same year. The stomach contents of the two species differed widely: Siberian sturgeon (14.9–42.2 cm standard length, SL) fed on crustaceans (Cercopagis pengoi, Oithona sp., Neomysis integer) (10.7% IRI), larvae and pupas of insects (Chaoborus sp., Chironomus sp., Polypedilum sp., Procladius sp., Culex sp.) (88.9% IRI) and fishes (Neogobius melanostomus, Osmerus eperlanus) (0.5% IRI), whereas sterlet (24.0–34.4 cm SL) consumed crustaceans (N. integer) (64.3% IRI), larvae of insects (Chironomus sp., Polypedilum sp.) (20.3% IRI) and fish (N. melanostomus) (15.4% IRI). Single Siberian sturgeon (4.3%) were found to harbour the parasitic nematode (Raphidascaris acus).