The ladybird beetles (Coleoptera,Coccinellidae) of Moscow Province

Data on the fauna and ecology of the ladybird beetles (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) of Moscow Province are summarized. In total, 60 species of 29 genera are recorded for this region. The paper is provided with 30 original color photographs of 29 species representing all the genera known from Moscow Province.     

Monitoring of etiological agents of acute enteric infections in the Moscow region

The fecal microflora of patients with acute enteric infections (AEI) has been examined on the territory of the Moscow region. The pathogens of high, moderate and low priority levels have been detected. As revealed in this study, shigellae, salmonellae, enteropathogenic and enteroinvasive Escherichia are the etiological agents of bacterial diarrheas on the territory of the Moscow region. The dynamics of the etiological agents of AEI in the region has been established.     

Composition and structure of spruce forests of the southwestern part of Moscow region

Coenotic features of boreal, nemoral, and subnemoral spruce stands of the southwestern part of Moscow region have been studied using ground-based and remote sensing data. Despite significant modifications of the vegetation cover in the region due to human impacts, the species composition of the spruce communities still retains typical zonal features of the regional vegetation and is associated with certain landscape elements. Cartographic modeling has allowed us to identify the spatial distribution patterns for various spruce forest types and produce a series of geobotanical maps (scale 1: 100000). The ecophytocoenotic approach was used for classifying the forest vegetation. An analysis of the spatial differentiation of the forest cover—using spruce forests with different species composition as an example—has confirmed the ecotonal structure of the study area demonstrated through a characteristic latitudinal distribution of geoecolological spectra of species.     

Sources,impact and exchange of early-spring birch pollen in the Moscow region and Finland

The paper presents an assessment of birch pollen seasons in Finland and Russia. The re-analysis covered the period from 1994 to 2005 and was focused on suspected long-range transport events that were recorded both in Moscow and at several Finnish sites. In order to trace the origin of airborne pollen before the onset of local pollination, we used both aerobiological and phenological observations combined with forward and adjoint (inverse) dispersion model simulations. It is shown that, although the Moscow region is surrounded by extensive birch forests, it still receives substantial amounts of foreign pollen before local pollination. In the Moscow region, the sources of long-range-transported pollen are in the south and south-west, sometimes even in the east. In Finland, there are frequently cases, before the local flowering season, in which Finnish territory receives Russian pollen; however in the opposite direction, from Finland to the Moscow region, no transport episodes were unequivocally registered. Analysis of the end of the seasons was more problematic, due to contributions to pollen observations from local sources; this results in difficulties in the reliable identification of the long-range transport episodes. Apart from its short-term effects on the pollen seasons, long-range transport can have substantial impacts on the exchange of genetic material within Europe. A quick atmospheric pathway for gene transport can be important for adaptation of plants to a changing climate.     

Estimating the Gene Pool Condition in Natural Populations of Invertebrates in the Fragmented Landscape of Moscow and Moscow Region with Special Reference to Bush Snail Bradybaena fruticum Mull.

Using bush snail Bradybaena fruticum Mull (20 populations) as a model, we were the first in Russia and in the world to develop a system of urban ecological genetic monitoring of the gene pool of an invertebrate species. The results of isozyme polymorphism studies in bush snail populations showed a dramatic (up to 70%) reduction in genetic diversity in small isolates from the urbanized environment as compared to large natural populations. In urban populations, genetic diversity parameters were demonstrated to be lower than in natural ones: the mean heterozygosity per locus was reduced up to 0.08 (0.15–0.20 in natural populations); the mean allele number, to 1.9 (2.7 in natural populations); and the number of polymorphic loci, to four, i.e., 2.2-fold (nine in natural populations). In Moscow region, the number of polymorphic loci also decreased to five in the population subjected to anthropogenic pressure. The changes in the population gene pool (as shown by the number of polymorphic loci) were different in Moscow and Moscow region. The percentage of populations with the number of polymorphic loci as low as four to six was 76.9 in Moscow and 23.1% in Moscow region. The gene pool quality of 80% of the urban snail populations was estimated as unsatisfactory, and in half of them, as critical. The main reason for these changes seems to be genetic drift accompanied by inbreeding, caused by fragmentation of the range and reduction in the abundance of populations of the species, due to the anthropogenic pressure. The results of the study were employed in the program of the Moscow government for restoring the gene pools of endangered animals species on the preserved territories of the city.     

Evaluation of the state of the gene pool of natural populations dwelling in the fragmented landscape of Moscow and Moscow region (with special reference to brown frogs)

A system of urban ecological genetic monitoring of vertebrates has been developed for the first time in Russia and in the world. As a model, two species of brown frogs, Rana arvalis Nilss. and R. temporaria L. (16 populations, seven isozyme loci) were used. An evaluation of the gene pool state in urban frog populations has shown that the diversity in the Moscow frog populations was lower than that in natural populations (up to 80 and 50% in respectively R. arvalis and R. temporaria). Mean heterozygosities per locus were higher in large natural populations than in small urban isolates: in R. arvalis, these values were 0.16 and 0.06; in R. temporaria, 0.34 and 0.18, respectively. The number of polymorphic loci was also higher in natural populations than in the urban ones: 4 versus 2 in R. arvalis and 5 versus 4 in R. temporaria. Using superoxiddismutase as an example, fixation of different alleles of the same locus in different small isolates was shown. The gene pool condition of all but one urban populations of brown frog was evaluated as unsatisfactory, and that of the R. arvalis populations, as critical. These changes of the gene pool are explained mainly by gene drift accompanied by inbreeding, which was caused by human-induced fragmentation of the range and a decrease in population size of the species. The results of this study was employed in the development of the Moscow governmental program on restoration of the gene pools of vanishing animal species on specially protected natural urban territories. The series of works on long-term monitoring and assessment of the state of natural populations of model species in anthropogenic landscapes of Moscow and Moscow region has laid a foundation for a new branch of science, gene urbanology.     

Bryozoan (Stenolaemata) records from the upper Callovian (Middle Jurassic) of the Moscow region

Encrusting bryozoans (Stenolaemata, Tubuliporida) discovered from upper Callovian deposits (Middle Jurassic) near the town of Kolomna in the Moscow region are described. They belong to two new species: Microeciella kolomnensis sp. nov. and Diplosolen akatjevense sp. nov. These bryozoans encrust a fragment of the large shell of cephalopod mollusk (ammonite), which is an unusual substrate not only for bryozoans but also for the other encrusting organisms.     

A genetic analysis of variants of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) circulating among drug abusers in Moscow and Moscow Province

The genetic analysis of the variants of human immunodeficiency virus of type 1 (HIV-1), circulating among drug addicts in Moscow and Moscow Province, has been carried out. The serological analysis of 122 blood specimens taken from HIV-infected drug addicts, residing in Moscow and 22 settlements of the Moscow region, has shown that in this region HIV-1 variant of subtype A spreads among drug addicts. These data have been confirmed by the results of the analysis of 44 specimens, made with the use of the method of the heteroduplex mobility assay for gene env. As revealed in this study, HIV-1 variants spreading at present among drug addicts in Moscow and the Moscow region are genetically related to viruses of subtype A, detected earlier in this group of risk in other regions of Russia, the Ukraine, Belarus and other countries of Eastern Europe.     

Spatial pattern of lithorheophile macrobenthos (by the example of a stream in Moscow region)

The distribution of lithorheophil macrobenthos was studied in the range of scales from decimeter (regions in the scope of one stone) up to seven kilometers on the basis of 153 quantitative samples from oligosaprobic stream in Moscow region. Community shows significant spatial heterogeneity even at the small scale: life forms inhabit different sides of each stone and different sites of the riffle depending on current. At the scale of tens and hundreds of meters (between different riffles, within one stream) spatial heterogeneity of benthos is low, distribution of common species is independent from each other and riffs are similar by community structure. At the scope of kilometers heterogeneity increase and the alterations of community appear due to changes in stream size. Seasonal differences of benthos distribution are mentioned. The impact of various environmental factors on the distribution of lithorheophile macrobenthos is discussed.     

The fauna of spiders (Arachnida,Araneae) in agricultural landscapes of the Moscow area and the Kuban Plain

Six years of collecting in agricultural landscapes of the Moscow area and the Kuban Plain (Krasnodar Territory) revealed 286 species of spiders from 146 genera of 20 families. Two species, Clubiona pseudoneglecta Wund. and Palliduphantes insignis O.P.-C. are recorded for the Russian fauna for the first time, and 20 species are new to Moscow Province. Linyphiidae is the most species-rich family comprising about half of the species found in Moscow Province and about a quarter of those found in Krasnodar Territory. The species are classified into 13 arealogical groups. The bulk of the fauna is formed by the widespread, mostly Eurasian and Holarctic species. The spider fauna of Krasnodar Territory has smaller fractions of the Holarctic and Euro-Siberian species and larger fractions of the Palaearctic and Euro-Mediterranean species, as compared to the Moscow fauna. In general, the faunas of both the regions studied may be classified as European. The spider fauna of agrocenoses of Moscow Province is more similar to the faunas of European regions situated at the same latitude than to the fauna of Krasnodar Territory (the Kuban Plain).     

Microflora of patients with purulent septic diseases in the Moscow region

The microflora of clinical material (blood, wound discharge, abdominal exudate, pleural exudate, milk in mastitis, as well as feces in dysbiosis of the large intestine), obtained from patients with purulent septic diseases in the Moscow region was studied. The study revealed the change of microflora from surface biotopes to closed cavities of the body. Gram-positive cocci, primarily coagulase-negative staphylococci, mainly epidermal, were shown to play the leading etiological role in the development of purulent septic diseases. The development of bacteriemia was found to be caused by the penetration of staphylococci from local pyoinflammatory foci (appearing in purulent mastitis, wounds, peritonitis, pleural empyema and pleuritis), as well as by the translocation of staphylococci and Escherichia coli from the large intestine in dysbiosis.     

Opportunistic microorganisms in respiratory tract diseases in patients of the Moscow Province region

The respiratory tract microflora in patients with inflammatory processes of the upper and lower respiratory tracts in the Moscow Province region has been studied. Changes in the microflora were found to occur in patients with pyoinflammatory diseases (PID) of the upper and lower respiratory tracts have been found to occur. Gram-positive cocci, mainly staphylococci and streptococci, were shown to play the leading etiological role in the development of PID. As revealed in this study, the microorganisms detected in the inflammations of the upper and lower respiratory tracts are coagulase-negative staphylococci, mainly S. epidermidis, as well as enterococci and streptococci belonging to the group viridans.     

Wild small mammals are the reservoir hosts of the Bartonella genus bacteria in the south of Moscow region

A total of 103 blood samples collected from wild small mammals captured in the Prioksko-Terrasny Reserve on the south of Moscow region were studied to determine the bartonellae prevalence. The examined species were the yellow-necked mice Apodemus flavicollis (35 samples), the European wood mouse Apodemus uralensis (10 samples), the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus (51 samples), the house mouse Mus musculus (3 samples), the common vole Microtus arvalis (2 samples), and the shrew Sorex araneus (2 samples). Initially, we obtained 76 bacterial Bartonella-like isolates after plating onto the surface of the solid nutrient media. 66 of them were PCR-positive at least for three of four targets, gltA, ftsZ, ribC and 16S RNA. Thus, the percentage of the infection in the studied community was 64%. Subsequent RFLP assay showed that obtained isolates belonged to the Bartonella grahamii and/or B. taylorii species. In 7 cases we found both bartonellae species in one animal. These data were confirmed by direct sequencing of four ftsZ, four ribC and two gltA amplicons. According to our data, there is no any marked host specificity for these bartonellae species. Now we have laid the bartonellae strain collection consisting of 31 isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first investigation of the bartonellae prevalence in wild small mammals performed in Russia. The comparison of our data with those obtained by European researchers and issues of coinfection by different bartonellae species and host specificity are discussed.     

Geographical races of certain species of ascomycetous yeasts in the Moscow and Novosibirsk regions

Strains of three species of the ascomycetous yeasts Hanseniaspora guilliermondii, Torulaspora delbrueckii, and Debaryomyces hansenii, isolated from the above-ground parts of plants in similar biocenoses of distant geographic regions (Moscow and Novosibirsk regions), have been investigated. The strains in each species were indistinguishable with respect to phenotypic features and general DNA characteristics as determined by restriction analysis. However, comparison of the strains using PCR analysis with nonspecific primers revealed considerable intraspecific variability. From their electrophoretic patterns, the strains of the three species studied were found to cluster in accordance with the region of isolation. This phenomenon is interpreted as an example of the existence of geographical races in the major eurytopic species of yeasts.     

Ultrastructure and affinity of Lower Carboniferous megaspores from the Moscow Basin, Russia

Ten megaspore species isolated from Moscow Basin lignites of Lower Carboniferous (Viséan) age have been studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). These species belong to seven megaspore genera: Lagenicula, Sublagenicula, Crassilagenicula, Setosisporites, Zonalesporites, Caudatosporites, and Cystosporites. Megaspores of the genus Caudatosporites have only been described previously from the Duckmantian (Westphalian B); a new species is duly erected. The ultrastructure of megaspore walls from the genera Crassilagenicula and Zonalesporites has not been previously described. This study also places them in context with other contemporaneous megaspores. The study shows that during the Viséan, in the Moscow Basin, megaspores expressed a similar wall ultrastructure despite large differences in external appearance. The genus Crassilagenicula may represent a group of megaspores from plants that had evolved from those bearing gulate megaspores here typified by Lagenicula acuminata, Setosisporites brevispinosus, and Sublagenicula hirsutoida. Zonalesporites brasserti also appears to show affinities to this group, and may be representative of a plant species in a transitional state between the Lagenicula bearing lycopsids and those more isoetalean in nature.     

New bryozoans (Stenolaemata) from the Middle Jurassic of Moscow City and the Moscow Region

Five new species of stenolaematous bryozoans are described from the Middle Callovian of Moscow City (Krasnopresnenskii Region) and the Moscow Region (Gzhel’ Railroad Station and the quarry between the small towns of Rechitsy and Troshkovo): Entalophora alexeevi sp. nov., Cellulipora retshitsiensis sp. nov., Diplosolen pravus sp. nov., Siphodictyum primarium sp. nov., and Ceata kamushkiensis sp. nov. The last four species belong to the genera that have never been recorded from deposits older than the Lower Cretaceous. The presence of different types of heterozooecia in these bryozoans shows that the functional polymorphism of zooids developed considerably in the class Stenolaemata as early as the Middle Jurassic.     

New data on the distribution of certain psychrophilic yeasts in Moscow oblast

Several rare species and varieties of psychrophilic yeasts were isolated from the Sphagnum mosses and paludal vascular plants of Moscow oblast. Based on their 26S rDNA D1/D2 nucleotide sequences, they were assigned to the species Sterigmatosporidium polymorphum, Rhodotorula psychrophenolica, and Aureobasidium pullulans var. subglaciale. Thus, a new habitat of S. polymorphum was found and yeasts known previously only for the Alpine environments and the Arctic region have been isolated in the central regions of Russia for the first time.     

Widespread species of family Leotiaceae from forest parks of Moscow

The list of discomycetes from the family Leotiaceaea in eight investigated forest park of Moscow is presented. Bisporella citrine, Chlorociboria aeruginascens, Hymenoscyphus scutula, H. repandus, H. herbarum, H. discretus, and Crocicreas cyathoideum are widely distributed at all forest parks of Moscow. A key based on simple characters is developed. The annotated list includes 21 species.     

Clinico-epidemiologic aspects of campylobacteriosis in Moscow and Moscow Province

The clinical course and epidemiological features of campylobacteriosis in Moscow and Moscow Province in 1986-1987 are described. The specific proportion of this infection in the structure of acute enteric infections is, on the average, 4.8%. The level of Campylobacter contamination of animals and birds and their role in the spread of campylobacteriosis have been established. The possible ways and factors of the transfer of this infection are discussed.     

Territoriality,philopatry, and nest-site fidelity in robins trapped in Moscow oblast

From 1999 to 2005 at Zvenigorod Biological Station (Moscow oblast, Russia, 55°44′N, 36°51′E) field studies were performed. Birds were trapped using mist-nets. The Russian Ringing Center provided data collected from 1948 on robins captured outside the Moscow oblast. A total of 5751 robins were trapped and banded in the Moscow oblast. Only two birds (0.03%) were retrapped the following years. Three birds banded in the Moscow oblast were found in other regions. In addition, two robins banded in other countries were caught at Zvenigorod Biological Station. The rate of long-distance recoveries was 0.09%. The Russian Ringing Center reports on three robins banded in other countries and found in the Moscow oblast, and one robin banded in the Moscow oblast and then found in a different country. It was shown that robins born or breed in the Moscow oblast exhibited neither nest-site fidelity nor natal homing, which is the case for other areas. Wintering grounds of robins born or breed in the Moscow oblast are located within a single zone (north-east of Spain, south of France and Italy). This area is also wintering ground for robins from other regions. There exists one route connecting the wintering grounds for robins with the Moscow oblast which birds follow during autumn and spring migrations. It is possible that the Moscow oblast is a nesting area for robins born or breed in the north of Russia (including Finland and the Leningrad oblast). Natal sites and nest sites of robins could be separated by a distance of 1000 km or more.