Redescription and systematic position of nominal loach species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nemacheilus compressirostris</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N. sibiricus</Emphasis> (Nemacheilidae)

Type specimens of nominal species Nemacheilus compressirostris Warpachowsky, 1897, and N. sibiricus Gratzianov, 1907, from the upper Ob River basin were redescribed, and lectotypes for both species were selected. Although some traits were not preserved well enough, it was established that both names should be classified with Barbatula cf. toni, corresponding to the “snub-nosed” morphotype fide Prokofiev (2007). None of the names are suitable for designation of the morph “tigris” fide Gundrizer (1975) and Prokofiev (2007). A comparison table of diagnostic traits of the genus Barbatula from the Asian part of the range was compiled.     

Contents of Trace Elements as Indicators of Ecological Divergence between Sympatric Spined Loaches (Teleostei,Cobitidae) from the Upper Dnieper

The contents of eight trace elements (Ti, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Ba, and Pb) in muscles of syntopic sexual and clonal spined loaches (the golden loach Sabanejewia baltica, diploid males and females of Cobitis taenia, and congeneric triploid clonal females) from the upper Dnieper River and in the syntopic spined loaches (males and females of C. melanoleuca and males of C. taenia) from the upper Volga River basin were determined using the X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy technique. The contents of Cu in the clonal triploid Cobitis females and diploid C. taenia females from the Dnieper are different. The intersexual differences in the contents of Pb and Zn between C. taenia males and females, as well as the interspecific differences in the content of Ti between the spined loaches from the Dnieper and Volga basins were revealed. The concentrations of Cu and Pb correlated with the individual fish size. The potential for the use of the revealed differences in the trace element contents as an indicator of the divergence of ecological niches in the syntopic spined loaches is discussed.     

The first case of morphological differentiation of Altai Osman <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreoleuciscus potanini</Emphasis> (Cyprinidae,Actinopterigii) in a river

The variability of osteological characters has been investigated in cyprinid fish of the genus Oreoleuciscus (Potanin Altai osman) from the river Zavkhan; this fish species is endemic for water bodies of Central Asia. Multivariate analysis of 13 quantitative parameters of the size of the cerebral and visceral skull and the pectoral girdle and the construction of ontogenetic channels allowed the detection of morphologically distinct forms in the fluvial habitats. The result obtained provides additional proof of the possibility of sympatric diversification of fish in river ecosystems. One of the two fluvial forms discovered has been shown to be identical (with regard to the osteological characters) to a previously described herbivorous form of O. potanini from the standing water bodies of the Great Lakes Hollow (Western Mongolia).     

Morphological characteristics and intraspecific structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triplophysa orientalis</Emphasis> (Balitoridae: Nemacheilinae)

The morphology and intraspecific structure of Triplophysa orientalis inhabiting the inland basins of Tsaidam (northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau) and the basin of the upper reach of the Huang He River in China were studied. Significant morphological differences between the populations from the inland basins and the Huang He River were revealed; the latter were distinguished as a separate subspecies T. o. hwanghoensis subsp. n. Intermediate character of some traits of the new subspecies between the nominative subspecies and T. hutjertjuensis was found; as a result, the status of the latter was reduced to the subspecies level. The synonymy of T. o. elongata with the nominative subspecies was confirmed. The differences between T. orientalis and T. obscura—morphologically poorly distinguishable species, sympatric in the basin of the upper reach of the Huang He River—were defined more exactly.     

Natural hybridization between two Japanese medaka species (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryzias latipes</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryzias sakaizumii</Emphasis>) observed in the Yura River basin,Kyoto, Japan

To determine the actual state of hybridization between two Japanese medaka species (Oryzias latipes and Oryzias sakaizumii) in their natural environment, we used nuclear DNA markers at 10 loci to analyze 215 individuals from eight wild populations in the middle reaches of the Yura River basin in Japan, where the two species are sympatric. Despite large genetic differentiation between the two species, reproductive isolation between them could not be confirmed. We also discussed the formation of the current distribution patterns of the two species and their hybridization zone in the Yura River basin.     

New data about distribution of lower Amur grayling <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thymallus tugarinae</Emphasis> and Baikal-Lena grayling <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thymallus</Emphasis> sp. (Thymallidae) in the basins of the upper Amur River and Zeya River

New findings of lower Amur grayling (Lower Amur grayling) Thymallus tugarinae and Baikal-Lena grayling Th. sp. (Th. baicalolenensis) in the basins of the upper Amur River and Zeya River are reported for 2010?2014. Lower Amur grayling has been registered in the tributaries of Argun River and in the middle stream of Ingoda River. Baikal-Lena grayling has been found for the first time in the headstream of Ingoda River. New data about the distribution of this species in the basin of upper stream of Zeya River are reported; particularly, Baikal-Lena grayling has been found in Okonon Lake; this is the first finding of a representative of Thymallidae family in the alpine lakes of the watershed area of Amur River. In the basins of upper Amur River and Zeya River, the summer ranges of upper Amur grayling Th. grubii grubii and lower Amur grayling overlap to some extent; on the other hand, the ranges of Baikal-Lena grayling and lower Amur grayling are disjoint. During the summer period, upper Amur grayling and Baikal-Lena grayling together inhabit the basin of upper stream of Zeya River, but only Baikal-Lena grayling has been found in the headstream of Zeya River. In the basin of upper Amur River (the headstream of Ingoda River), the joint range of these species is still unknown; the sympatric zone is located in Dzhermoltai River (the basin of Onon River).     

A new species of grayling <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thymallus svetovidovi</Emphasis> sp. nova (Thymallidae) from the Yenisei basin and its position in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thymallus</Emphasis>

The Upper Yenisei grayling Thymallus svetovidovi sp. nova that inhabits the headwaters of the Yenisei River in Mongolia is described. From the other representatives of the genus Thymallus, the species differs in the elements of body coloration, dorsal fin pattern, some morphometric characters, and genetic characteristics. Besides this species, most of the Yenisei basin is inhabited by Baikal grayling T. baicalensis Dyb., and its low reaches, by the Arctic grayling T. arcticus (Pall.).     

A new species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Boreophylloceras</Emphasis> Alekseev et Repin, 1998 (Ammonitida) from the Berriasian <Emphasis Type="Italic">kochi</Emphasis> zone of north-central Siberia

Study of the shells of phylloceratids from the kochi Zone (Berriasian) of north-central Siberia (Boyarka River, basin of the Kheta River) allowed their assignment to the genus Boreophylloceras Alekseev et Repin, 1998. A new species B. densicostatum is described.     

Genetic connectivity between sympatric populations of closely related char species,Dolly Varden <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvelinus malma</Emphasis> and white char <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvelinus albus</Emphasis>

The closely related chars Salvelinus malma and Salvelinus albus, which sympatrically inhabit the Kamchatka River basin and Kronotsky Lake (Kamchatka), attract the attention of the researchers because of their debated origin and taxonomic status. Previous studies of sympatric populations of these chars revealed small but statistically significant genetic differences between these species at a number of molecular markers, suggesting the presence of the genetic exchange and hybridization. In this study, based on genotypic characterization of nine microsatellite loci, a considerable level of historical and contemporary genetic migration between sympatric populations of these chars was demonstrated. At the individual level, a high degree of hybridization was observed, mainly among the Dolly Varden individuals from the studied populations. The obtained evidences on the genetic connectivity between sympatric S. malma and S. albus do not support the separate species status of S. albus.     

American rotifer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kellicottia bostoniensis</Emphasis> (Rousselet, 1908) (Rotifera: Brachionidae) in the Kama Reservoir (Kama River,Russia)

The American rotifer Kellicottia bostoniensis (Rousselet, 1908) was first recorded in the Kama Reservoir (Kama River, Middle Volga basin) in 2012. The species was found in over 70% of the samples; its maximum abundance was 2000 ind./m³. This alien species co-existed with closely related native species K. longispina (Kellicott). This is the easternmost location (56°–57° E) for K. bostoniensis in the Volga River basin and in Europe.     

New host species and new distribution areas of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmincola lavaretus</Emphasis> (Copepoda: Lernaeopodidae): A parasite of coregonid fishes of Siberia

Data on the infestation of certain fish species by the parasitic copepod Salmincola lavaretus are presented for the first time. The infested fish species included Bauntovsky whitefish (Coregonus baunti), an endemic species from the Maloye and Bolshoye Kapylyushi lakes; Siberian whitefish (C. pidschian) and Siberian cisco (C. sardinella) from Bolshoye Kapylyushi Lake and Baunt Lake, which belong to the Tsypo-Tsypikan lake system (the Lena River basin, Transbaikalia); and Teletsky whitefish (C. lavaretus natio smitti) from Teletskoe Lake (the Ob River basin). Previously, S. lavaretus had been described as a parasite of Baikal omul (C. migratorius) and Baikal whitefish (C. baicalensis) from Baikal. The taxons of S. longimanus complex (S. longimanus, S. l. sibirica, S. svetlanovi, and S. lavaretus)—parasites of nasal fossae of grayling and coregonid fishes—were registered in the lakes of the Lake Baikal basin (Lake Baikal and Khovsgol Lake), the Lena River, the Yenisei and the Ob rivers (the largest rivers of the Arctic zoogeographic province), and the Kobdo River (the Western Mongolian province). It was assumed that S. longimanus complex is more widely distributed in the water bodies of the Arctic zoogeographic province of the Palearctic.     

Materials on the flora of Bacillariophyta in aquatic ecosystems of the Yarayakha River basin (Yamal Peninsula)

The study of phytoplankton in lakes, sors, streams, and rivers of the Yarayakha River basin with the help of scanning electron microscopy has made it possible to broaden the taxonomic spectrum of Bacillariophyta; 236 specific and intraspecific taxa from 63 genera are detected. A total of 16 species and varieties that are new for the flora of Russia were documented; 30 forms from 18 genera are identified only to the species. The maximum species diversity is recorded in a stream in the Yarayakha River mouth (82 species) and in the channel of the Khureikhotarka River (105 species). Species such as Cyclotella meneghiniana, Fragilaria exiguiformis, Navicula hanseatica, Neidium bisulcatum, Stauroneis anceps, Thalassiosira inserta, and Tabellaria flocculosa are the most widespread in the waterbodies.     

Redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cottus sibiricus</Emphasis> and an estimation of differences between this species and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cottus dzungaricus</Emphasis> (Cottidae)

The type specimens of Cottus sibiricus and C. dzungaricus as well as individuals from the Olkha River (Yenisei River basin) are studied. The diagnostic features of C. sibiricus are established. Comparative morphological and molecular analysis of divergence between C. sibiricus and C. dzungaricus demonstrates that the differences lie within the limits of one polymorphous species. The rank of Dzungarian sculpin is lowered to the subspecies, C. sibiricus dzungaricus.     

Prasinophyte green algae <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tasmanites</Emphasis> and problematic fossils in the Upper Vendian Biota of the Zavkhan Basin,western Mongolia

A new species of spheromorphic microfossils of Tasmanites with a characteristically thick cover is established in the Zavkhan association of algae, microfossils, and problematic Upper Vendian organisms from the upper part of the siliciclastic–carbonate section of the Tsagaanolom Formation (632 ± 14 Ma) of the Zavkhan Basin in western Mongolia. Representatives of this genus are widespread in the Phanerozoic beds and their accumulations are recorded in the Domanik facies and near hydrocarbon deposits.     

Phylogenetic and taxonomic assessment of the endangered Cumberland bean, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Villosa trabalis</Emphasis> and purple bean, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Villosa perpurpurea</Emphasis> (Bivalvia: Unionidae)

Inadequate understanding of the phylogeography, taxonomy, and historical distribution of two critically imperiled freshwater mussels, Cumberland bean, Villosa trabalis, and purple bean, Villosa perpurpurea, has hindered management and recovery actions related to population restoration within their extant ranges. For more than 100 years, the purple-to-pink nacre of V. perpurpurea and white nacre of V. trabalis have been the only defining phenotypic characteristics used to distinguish each species. Genetic samples were analyzed from 140 individuals collected from 10 streams located in Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, representing all known extant populations of each species. A 784-bp section of the mitochondrial DNA ND1 region was sequenced to assess the phylogeography and taxonomic validity of these taxa. Results of our phylogenetic analyses showed 100 % Bayesian posterior support for two distinct clades, one occurring in the Cumberland River basin and the other in the Tennessee River basin, separated by a mean genetic distance of 4 %. Mean genetic distances between haplotypes within each clade was <1 %. Among individuals from the Cumberland River basin, the nacre of shells was white to bluish-white, but in the Tennessee River basin, nacre graded from white to pink to dark purple; thus, nacre color is a variable and inconsistent character in nominal V. trabalis and V. perpurpurea occurring in the Tennessee River basin. Our data suggest that these morphologically similar species do not co-occur, as was previously believed. Instead, we conclude that the two species most likely share a common ancestor, but became isolated within each basin and experienced allopatric speciation. Updates to nomenclature, taxonomic placement, and recovery plans for the investigated species are needed.     

On the First Finds of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Djanaliparkinsonia</Emphasis> (Stephanoceratidae,Ammonoidea) in the Upper Bajocian of the Northern Caucasus

The genus Djanaliparkinsonia Kutuzova, 1975 was originally described as an endemic subgenus of the genus Parkinsonia (family Parkinsoniidae of the superfamily Perisphinctoidea) from the Upper Bajocian (middle member of the Degibadam Formation) of the Gissar Range (Uzbekistan). A new species D. alanica sp. nov. is established from the Upper Bajocian Garantiana garantiana Zone (upper member of the Djangura Formation) based on occurrences in the Northern Caucasus (Karachay-Cherkessia). Macroconchs and microconchs of the new species are described from the two localities on the Kuban and Kyafar rivers. Djanaliparkinsonia sp. is identified from the lower subzone of the Parkinsonia parkinsoni Zone of the Kyafar River. The species composition and geographic range of Djanaliparkinsonia are expanded: a species previously described from Germany as Garantiana bentzi Wetzel, 1954 also assigned to the genus. The genus Djanaliparkinsonia is assigned to the subfamily Garantianinae of the family Stephanoceratidae (superfamily Stephanoceratoidea).     

Phylogenetic relationships of sculpin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cottus volki</Emphasis> Taranetz, 1933 (Scorpaeniformes,Cottidae) according to the results of analysis of control region in mitochondrial DNA

Sequencing of the fragment of control region in mitochondrial DNA in sculpin Cottus volki and the comparison of obtained data with homologous nucleotide sequences in the other species from genus Cottus demonstrated that C. volki occupies the basal position in the “poecilopus” group, which includes also typical sculpin C. poecilopus Heckel, 1837 from water bodies of Europe, sculpin C. szanaga Dybowski, 1869 from the Amur River basin, and sculpin Cottus cf. poecilopus from the Lena River basin. Early separation of C. volki line from common trunk of “poecilopus” group explains the presence in C. volki of several primitive (plesiomorphic for this group) morphological characters: long interior ray of ventral fin, practically complete lateral body line, and well-developed dentition of palatine bones.     

On the taxonomy of South African digger wasps of the tribe Oxybelini (Hymenoptera,Crabronidae)

Three South African species of digger wasps of the tribe Oxybelini, initially described in the genus Belomicrus A. Costa, B. (Nototis) bicornutus Arnold, B. (Nototis) crassus Arnold, and B. ferrieri Kohl, are considered to be members of the separate genera Nototis Arnold, 1927, Belarnoldus gen. n., and Belokohlus gen. n., respectively. The new species Nototis falcidens and the previously unknown male of N. bicornutus and female of B. crassus are described. The lectotype of B. ferrieri is designated.