Polymorphism of the mtDNA Control Region in Reindeer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rangifer tarandus</Emphasis>) from the Mainland of the Northeastern Part of European Russia

Based on an analysis of the polymorphism of nucleotide sequences (n = 103) of the hypervariable fragment of the mtDNA control region (D-loop), the genetic diversity of wild and domestic reindeer from the mainland of the European Northeast of Russia (eastern parts of Arkhangelsk oblast, Komi Republic, and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug) was studied. Relatively high values of genetic diversity indices were detected. Phylogenetic analysis showed close relationships between reindeer of the study region and those of the tundra zone of Siberia. The influence of domestic reindeer on the formation of the genetic diversity of the wild reindeer was considered as negligible. Genetic lines belonging to an extinct group of forest reindeer from the Nizhny Novgorod region were found among the modern groups of reindeer from the European Northeast of Russia.     

Genetic diversity of wild reindeer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rangifer tarandus</Emphasis> L. from the eastern part of the Kola Peninsula: Polymorphism of the mtDNA control region

Based on the results of the analysis of nucleotide sequence polymorphism in the hypervariable fragment (left domain) of the mtDNA control region (D loop), the genetic diversity of wild reindeer from the eastern part of the Kola Peninsula (Murmansk oblast, Terskii region) was studied. Low values of the genetic diversity indices for Eurasian wild reindeer were detected. The effect of domestic reindeer breeding on the development of genetic diversity of the wild reindeer population in the studied region (indicating a low degree of hybridization of domesticated and wild reindeer) was estimated.     

Mitochondrial DNA Polymorphism in Russian Population form Five Oblasts of the European Part of Russia

New data on mitochondrial DNA polymorphism among Russian population from five oblasts, located within the main ethnic area of Russians, specifically, Ryazan' oblast, Ivanovo oblast, Vologda oblast, Orel oblast, and Tambov oblast (N = 177) are presented. RFLP analysis of the mtDNA coding region showed that most of the mtDNA diversity in the populations examined could be described by main European haplogroups H, U, T, J, K, I, V, W, and X. Haplogroup frequency distribution patterns in the populations of interest were analyzed in comparison with the European and Uralic populations. Based on the haplogroup frequencies, the indices of intraethnic population diversity, Wright's F_st statistics, and the values of squared deviation from the mean, as well as genetic distances between Russians and European and Uralic populations were estimated. Analysis of these indices along with the anthropological data provided identification of a number of regional groups within the populations examined, which could either result from the interaction of ancient Slavs with different non-Slavic tribes, or could be caused by the ethnic heterogeneity of the ancient Slavs themselves.     

Polymorphism of Y-chromosomal microsatellites in Russian population from Southern Federal district of the Russian Federation

Haplotype frequencies and allele distributions at 11 STR loci of the Y chromosome were evaluated in 180 unrelated individuals from Russian population of Southern Federal district of the Russian Federation (Rostov oblast, Krasnodar krai, and Stavropol krai). Among 153 Y-chromosomal haplotypes discovered, 62 were unique. In the sample of Russian population, the most frequent haplotype (frequency of 5.56%) was 16-11,14-13-30-25-11-11-13-14-11-10 (for the loci DYS19, DYS385a,b, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS437, DYS438, and DYS439, respectively). Despite the high diversity of Y-chromosomal haplotypes in the Russian populations from the south of Russia (the h value was 0.997, 0.995, and 0.994 in Rostov, Krasnodar, and Stavropol samples, respectively), analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed the absence of differentiation between the populations (Φ_ST = 0.1%, P = 0.36). Comparative differentiation analysis performed for 13 Russian populations from the European part of Russia pointed to low among-population differentiation in Y-chromosomal lineages (Φ_ST = 0.52%, P = 0.03).     

Mitochondrial DNA Variation in Russian Populations of Stavropol Krai, Orel and Saratov Oblasts

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphism was examined in three Russian populations from the European part of Russia (Stavropol krai, Orel oblast, and Saratov oblast). This analysis showed that mitochondrial gene pool of Russians was represented by the mtDNA types belonging to haplogroups H, V, HV*, J, T, U, K, I, W, and X. A mongoloid admixture (1.5%) was revealed in the form of mtDNA types of macrohaplogroup M. Comparative analysis of the mtDNA haplogroup frequency distribution patterns in six Russian populations from the European part of Russia indicated the absence of substantial genetic differences between them. However, in Russian populations from the southern and central regions the frequency of haplogroup V (average frequency 8%) was higher than in the populations from more northern regions. Based on the data on mtDNA HVS1 sequence variation, it was shown that the diversity of haplogroup V in Russians (h= 0.742) corresponded to the highest h values observed in Europe. The reasons for genetic differentiation of the Russian population (historical, ecological, and adaptive) are discussed.     

Genetic and morphoecological characteristics of peled <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coregonus peled</Emphasis> acclimatized in lakes of Tuva Republic

Morphoecological and genetic characters were studied of peled Coregonus peled naturalized in lakes of Tuva Republic. For comparison (as a donor), peled was considered from Leningrad oblast to originate from “wild” peled from Lake Endyr and dispersed widely into water bodies of the former Soviet Union. The results of analysis of variations in 18 polymorphic nuclear loci, coding the proteins (allozymes), and the part of mitochondrial (mt)DNA, coding the first subunit of NADH-dehydrogenase, attest genetic and morphoecological differentiation of populations formed in Tuva lakes. Significant differences were found between them in age composition, rate of growth, and external morphology. Statistically significant differences in allele frequencies of some loci were observed between the samples of acclimatized peled, though total level of genetic differentiation between the populations was not high (F _ST = 0.028). Estimates of gene diversity by allozyme loci were maximal in the population of alpine Lake Sut-Khol, but almost minimum diversity of mtDNA was observed in this population. It is obvious that “own” genetic appearance is formed in introduced fishes in every lake with peculiar diversity in the result of interaction between relatively homogeneous donor material and specific conditions of new environment, and this interaction is especially intense at the first stages of introduction.     

Comparative analysis of morphometric characters of juvenile sterlet Acipenser ruthenus L. from natural population and aquaculture

A comparative analysis was performed on sixteen morphometric characters, in three different juvenile sterlet Acipenser ruthenus L. populations. Specimens were collected from a wild population in the Serbian part of the Danube River (n = 46), from aquaculture stocks in the Czech Republic originating from Russia (n = 40), and aquaculture stocks in the Slovak Republic originating from Slovakian part of the Danube River (n = 28). Average values for total length were 29·9 ± 3·9 cm, 29·1 ± 3·7 cm and 27·3 ± 7·7 cm for Serbia, Czech Republic and Slovak Republic, respectively. Populations were compared using t‐test and sequential Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was applied in order to determine significant differences between them. Results of analysis showed that all three populations differed in prebarbel length, interocular distance and maximum head width. Although all these characters are head‐related, head length itself was very uniform among all populations. The natural population from the Serbian part of the Danube River differed from the populations reared in aquaculture in seven morphometric characters. The two populations reared in aquaculture consistently showed lower morphological variability than the wild population, even though they had different genetic backgrounds (Russia and Slovakia). Future genetic studies will show if this tendency is caused by a reduction in genetic variability.     

Polymorphism of Y-Chromosomal Microsatellites in Russian Populations from the Northern and Southern Russia as Exemplified by the Populations of Kursk and Arkhangelsk Oblast

Allelic polymorphisms at five Y-chromosomal microsatellite loci (DYS19, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, and DYS393) were typed in 87 individuals from male population samples from two geographically isolated regions (Arkhangelsk oblast and Kursk oblast) of the European part of Russia. The populations examined demonstrated substantial differences in the distribution of the DYS392 (P = 0.005) and DYS393 (P = 0.003) alleles. Estimates of genetic relationships between these populations and some other European populations (including Eastern-Slavic) showed that irrespectively of the measure of genetic distance chosen, Arkhangelsk population was closer to the populations belonging to the Finno-Ugric linguistic group (Saami and Estonians) and to the Estonian geographical neighbors, Latvians, while Kursk population was the member of a cluster formed by Eastern-Slavic populations (Russians of Novgorod oblast, Ukrainians, and Belarussians). Phylogenetic analysis of the most frequent haplotypes indicated that these differences between Kursk and Arkhangelsk populations were associated with high prevalence in the latter of major haplotypes characteristic primarily of the Finno-Ugric populations.__________Translated from Genetika, Vol. 41, No. 8, 2005, pp. 1125–1131.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Khrunin, Bebyakova, Ivanov, Solodilova, Limborska.     

Genetic diversity of wild reindeer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rangifer tarandus</Emphasis>) of Taimyr: Analysis of polymorphism of the control region of mitochondrial DNA

Based on an analysis of the polymorphism of nucleotide sequences (n = 111) of the mtDNA control region (left domain), the genetic diversity of the largest population of wild reindeer Rangifer tarandus in Eurasia, which inhabits Taimyr peninsula, was studied. High levels of haplotype (H) and nucleotide (π) diversity (0.987 and 0.018, respectively) were revealed, which indicate the long existence and the sufficiently stable growth of this population. The absence of long periods of abrupt decrease in the number of the Taimyr wild reindeer population and/or facts of formation of its genetic diversity as a result of mixing of genetically distant conspecific populations is supported by the data on the pattern of mismatch distributions and the topology of the phylogenetic tree. The low level of genetic differences between reindeer from the western, central, and eastern groups reflects their common origin and close relationship.     

Genetic variability and differentiation of three Russian populations of potato cyst nematode <Emphasis Type="Italic">Globodera rostochiensis</Emphasis> as revealed by nuclear markers

Genetic variability of yellow potato cyst nematode G. rostochiensis from three Russian populations (Karelia, Vladimir oblast, and Moscow oblast) was investigated using two types of nuclear markers. Using RAPD markers identified with the help of six random primers (P-29, OPA-10, OPT-14, OPA-11, OPB-11, and OPH-20), it was possible to distinguish Karelian population from the group consisting of the populations from two adjacent regions (Moscow oblast and Vladimir oblast). Based on the combined matrix, containing 294 RAPD fragments, dendrogram of genetic differences was constructed, and the indices of genetic divergence and partition (P, H, and G _st), as well as the gene flow indices N _m between the nematode samples examined, were calculated. The dendrogram structure, genetic diversity indices, and variations of genetic distances between single individuals in each population from Karelia and Central Russia pointed to genetic isolation and higher genetic diversity of the nematodes from Karelia.Based on polymorphism of rDNA first intergenic spacer ITS1, attribution of all populations examined to the species G. rostochiensis was proved. Small variations of the ITS1 sequence in different geographic populations of nematodes from different regions of the species world range did not allow isolation of separate groups within the species. Possible factors (including interregional transportations of seed potato) affecting nematode population structure in Russia are discussed.     

Polymorphism of mitochondrial DNA in old believers from Siberia

The polymorphism of mtDNA was examined in populations of Old Believers (n = 104) and Russians from Novosibirsk oblast (n = 270). Most of the haplogroups identified belonged to West Eurasian lineages. The frequencies of these haplogroups constituted 96.6% in Russians from Novosibirsk and 93.2% in Old Believers from Tyumen oblast. The populations examined were characterized by a high mtDNA diversity level (h = 0.98) compared to other population samples of Russians from Russia. Among the West Eurasian haplogroups, the most common (a frequency of more than 10%) were haplogroups H, U, J, and T, the proportion of which constituted 77.9% in Old Believers and 83.1% in Russians from Novosibirsk. The Mongoloid admixture in Russians (3.3%) and Old Believers (6.7%) was represented by haplogroups A, D, Z, and C, D, M*, respectively. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were revealed between the Old Believers examined and Bosnians, Czechs, Slovenes, and Russians from the cities of Nizhny Novgorod and Tula. The data obtained confirm the earlier hypothesized influence of the Finno-Ugric component on the East Slavic populations.     

Mitochondrial DNA variation in Russian populations of Stavropol krai,Orel and Saratov oblasts

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphism was examined in three Russian populations from the European part of Russia (Stavropol krai, Orel oblast, and Saratov oblast). This analysis showed that mitochondrial gene pool of Russians was represented by the mtDNA types belonging to haplogroups H, V, HV*, J, T, U, K, I, W, and X. A mongoloid admixture (1.5%) was revealed in the form of mtDNA types of macrohaplogroup M. Comparative analysis of the mtDNA haplogroup frequency distribution patterns in six Russian populations from the European part of Russia indicated the absence of substantial genetic differences between them. However, in Russian populations from the southern and central regions the frequency of haplogroup V (average frequency 8%) was higher than in the populations from more northern regions. Based on the data on mtDNA HVS1 sequence variation, it was shown that the diversity of haplogroup V in Russians (h = 0.72) corresponded to the highest h values observed in Europe. The reasons for genetic differentiation of the Russian population (historical, ecological, and adaptive) are discussed.     

Expansion of Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to European Russia and adjacent regions

An invasive alien species, the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773), has quickly expanded its distribution in Eastern Europe. Records of H. axyridis from 31 localities in Lithuania, Latvia, the Ukraine, European Russia, and the Northern Caucasus are summarized and mapped. Within the last few years this species has established in south Latvia, on the Baltic Sea shore (Kaliningrad oblast and Lithuania), in the western and central Ukraine, Crimea, and in the Northern Caucasus. Besides that, individual specimens have been found in 4 more localities in European Russia. The species is recorded from Lipetsk oblast (European Russia), Crimea, and Nikolaev oblast (the Ukraine) for the first time.     

Genetic polymorphism of the serum transferrins of the northern reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L.) of northwestern Siberia]

On the basis of the examination of random samples of seven populations of reindeer inhabiting the Montane-Taiga Zone and of nine population inhabiting the Tundra Zone of the Magadan Region 8 alleles of transferrin locus described earlier (TfA, TfC, TfE, TfG, TfH, TfJ, TfK and TfM) were identified and the ninth hitherto unknown allele (TfN) was discovered. Gene concentrations of all these alleles in populations studies were determined. The reindeer of the North-East of Siberia differ in frequencies of Tf alleles from those of Norway and, apparently, also from the reindeer inhabiting the northern regions of the European part of the USSR and from the American caribou. The allele TfK is possibly associated with the resistance of reindeer to necrobacteriosis.     

Polymorphism of Y-chromosomal microsatellites in Russian populations from the northern and southern Russia as exemplified by the populations of Kursk and Arkhangel'sk Oblast

Allelic polymorphisms at five Y-chromosomal microsatellite loci (DYS19, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, and DYS393) were typed in 87 individuals from male population samples from two geographically isolated regions (Arkhangelsk oblast and Kursk oblast) of the European part of Russia. The populations examined demonstrated substantial differences in the distribution of the DYS392 (P = 0.005) and DYS393 (P = 0.003) alleles. Estimates of genetic relationships between these populations and some other European populations (including Eastern-Slavic) showed that irrespectively of the measure of genetic distance chosen, Arkhangelsk population was closer to the populations belonging to the Finno-Ugric linguistic group (Saami and Estonians) and to the Estonian geographical neighbors, Latvians, while Kursk population was the member of a cluster formed by Eastern-Slavic populations (Russians of Novgorod oblast, Ukrainians, and Belarussians). Phylogenetic analysis of the most frequent haplotypes indicated that these differences between Kursk and Arkhangelsk populations were associated with high prevalence in the latter of major haplotypes characteristic primarily of the Finno-Ugric populations.     

Genetic Polymorphism of the Blood Groups and Erythrocytic Enzymes in Three Ethnic Territorial Groups from the North of European Russia

Using the data on five red cell markers (AB0, PGM1, ACP1, GLO1, and ESD) polymorphisms, the population genetic structure of three ethnic territorial groups from the north of European Russia (Continental Nentsy, Kola Saami, and Russian Coast-dwellers) was described. In general, the groups studied a Caucasoid pattern of the frequency distribution of erythrocytic marker alleles. However, a substantial contribution of a Mongoloid component to the Nenets gene pool, expressed as a high frequency of the PGM1*1allele along with a low frequency of the GLO1*1allele, was observed. Three ethnic territorial groups examined were close to one another with respect to the distribution of classical biochemical markers. The interpopulation diversity was low (the mean F _ST= 0.015). The differences observed were for the most part caused by the genetic characteristics of Nentsy. The maximum interpopulation diversity was observed for the GLO1*locus (F _ST= 0.056).     

Glacial survival or late glacial colonization? Phylogeography of the root vole (Microtus oeconomus) in north‐west Norway

Aim It has been proposed that the root vole subspecies, Microtus oeconomus finmarchicus, survived the last glacial period on islands on the north‐west coast of Norway. The Norwegian island of Andøya may have constituted the only site with permanent ice‐free conditions. Geological surveys and fossil finds from Andøya demonstrate that survival throughout the last glacial maximum was probably possible for some plants and animals. In this study we aim to infer the recent evolutionary history of Norwegian root vole populations and to evaluate the glacial survival hypothesis. Methods DNA sequence variation in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene was studied in 46 root voles from 19 localities. Location Northern Fennoscandia and north‐west Russia with a focus on islands on the north‐west coast of Norway. Results The phylogeographical analyses revealed two North European phylogroups labelled ‘Andøya’ and ‘Fennoscandia’. The Andøya phylogroup contained root voles from the Norwegian islands of Andøya, Ringvassøya and Reinøya and two localities in north‐west Russia. The Fennoscandian phylogroup encompassed root voles from the three Norwegian islands of Kvaløya, Håkøya and Arnøya and the remaining specimens from Norway, northern Sweden and Finland. Nucleotide diversity within the Andøya and Fennoscandian phylogroups was similar, ranging from 0.5% to 0.7%. Main conclusions Both our genetic data and previously published morphological data are consistent with in situ glacial survival of root voles on Andøya during the last glacial maximum. However, the level of genetic diversity observed in the extant island populations, the past periods of severe climatic conditions on Andøya and the ecology of the root vole are somewhat difficult to reconcile with this model. A biogeographical scenario involving late glacial recolonization along the northern coasts of Russia and Norway therefore represents a viable alternative. Our results demonstrate that complex recolonization and extinction histories can generate intricate phylogeographical patterns and relatively high levels of genetic variation in northern populations.     

On the distribution of a poorly known longicorn beetle, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phymatodes abietinus</Emphasis> Plavilstshikov et Lurie, 1960 (Coleoptera,Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae)

Phymatodes abietinus Plavilstshikov et Lurie, 1960, previously known from a few records in Siberia and eastern European Russia, is found in the Chuvash Republic (Russia). The general distribution of this species is described.     

Analysis of the AluPolymorphism in the Buryat Populations

Polymorphism of three populations of the Buryat Republic and a population from Aginskii Buryat Autonomous okrug of Chita oblast was examined using a set of five autosomal Aluinsertions at theACE, PLAT, PV92, APOA1,and F13Bloci. The allele frequency distribution patterns revealed in Buryat populations were typical to other Asian populations. Buryats were characterized by relatively low level of intrapopulation diversity (0.369 in the pooled population sample). Analysis of autosomal Aluinsertions suggests the uniformity of the Buryat gene pool. The coefficient of genetic differentiation in the four populations studied was 0.8%.