Macrobenthic fauna of the Franz Josef Land archipelago

Benthic fauna of the deeper waters (50–320 m) of the Franz Josef Land archipelago sampled in August 1992 using standard western techniques is described and compared with earlier Russian studies of the archipelago. Three faunal assemblages are recognised at depth ranges between 50–150, 150–300, and >300 m depth. Their distributions are related to depth and to different water masses derived from a mixture of Barents Sea water entering from the south at intermediate depths (20–150 m), and Atlantic water from the north below 300 m. The recorded faunal diversity and biomass is as high as or higher than that from comparable Arctic and northern boreal areas. Comparisons are also made with a complimentary Russian survey in the same area using different techniques. The Russian work collected larger organisms most effectively, whereas the present work recorded the smaller taxa more efficiently. Russian surveys provide complementary data to western studies, but care must be taken when comparing studies as they reflect biases in sampling gear and scientific emphasis. These data intercalibrations are important as Russian archives contain a wealth of information that, if used correctly in association with western data sources, will be useful in environmental monitoring studies as human activities increase in the Eurasian Arctic. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

ClassAsteretea tripolium on the territory of the former USSR and Mongolia

Higher syntaxa of the classAsteretea tripolium are reviewed. This class covers plant communities of the Euro-Asian continent on low- and medium-salinized soils with medium moisture conditions where perennial herbaceous plants (hemicryptophytes) of non-succulent character prevail. On the territory of the former USSR and Mongolia, the classAsteretea tripolium is represented by the following orders:Glauco-Puccinellietalia Beeftink etWesthoff inBeeftink 1962,Cirsietalia esculenti Mirkin etV. Golub exV. Golub ord. novus,Scorzonero-Juncetalia gerardii Vicherek 1973,Halerpestetalia Mirkin et al. exV. Golub ord. novus,Artemisio santonicae-Limonietalia gmelinii V. Golub etV. Solomakha 1988,Suaedetalia corniculatae V. Golub ord. novus. Superspecies and aggregations of species are used for the diagnosis of higher syntaxa.     

Karyotypes of 5 species of Soricidae-Crocidura in the fauna of the USSR

The chromosomes of five Crocidura species have been studied by means of routine, G-, C- and Ag NOR-banding techniques. The karyotypes of the species with 2n = 40, i.e. C. gueldenstaedtii, C. suaveolens and C. sibirica, are identical. Short arms of the Y-chromosome of C. sibirica are larger. The karyotypes of C. leucodon (2n = 28) and C. zarudnyi (2n = 22) could be obtained as a result of tandem and centric fusion and pericentric inversions. Small amounts of heterochromatin were detected in autosomes of the species investigated. The Y-chromosomes are completely heterochromatic. Four NOR-bearing pairs are detected in the species investigated.     

Biogeochemical regioning problems and the biogeochemical selenium provinces in the former USSR

Current trends in biogeochemical research in the former USSR are exemplified for the trace element selenium (Se). Vast regions of the former USSR are low in Se, giving rise to selenium deficiency diseases in animals and to Kaschin-Beck disease in humans, whereas isolated high-Se regions are comparatively rare. The Se content of plants depends on geological soil-type and secondary processes such as weathering and leaching. In general, a direct correlation between the Se content of feedstock and of the blood in animals is observed, whereas corresponding data for humans remain to be accumulated.     

Yellow Marking and Pteridine Contents in the Integument of Albino Armadillidium vulgare

The albino mutant strain in the woodlice, Armadillidium vulgare, was investigated with respect to the yellow patterns on the dorsal integument. Pigment cells were observed with electron microscope in order to determine the cell types of yellow markings. Quantitative analyses of pteridines in the albino were carried out by HPLC. The result indicated that the albino integument contain sepiapterin, biopterin, pterin, isoxanthopterin as in the wild type and the red mutant strain. The total amount of the four pteridines in the albino was about half as much as that in the red phenotype for both males and females, respectively. Males and females showed almost the same totals and ratios of the four pteridines in the albino and red phenotypes. Therefore, pteridine contents in both phenotypes of A. vulgare may not be related to the activity of androgenic gland hormone. Yellow chromatophores of the albino and red phenotypes were morphologically identical, emitting a yellow fluorescence. These cells contained numerous electron-lucent pigment organelles which were similar to pteridine granules of the wild type.     

Health and nutrition in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union during the decade of transition: A review of the literature

The collapse of the Soviet Union was the most important historical event at the close of the 20th century. The jarring nature of this transition has resulted in large fluctuations in household resources and increased uncertainty in all facets of life for the individuals concerned. Much academic research and popular writing has explored the socioeconomic and political ramifications of bringing these countries into mainstream capitalism. This paper provides a review of the literature examining health outcomes in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union during the transition period. The research, which has studied the human face of transition, spans multiple disciplines and it is thus currently difficult for interested researchers to obtain an overview of the basic facts, as well as, the more detailed nuances, concerning developments. This paper highlights what we currently know about health outcomes in transition countries and what we do not know, and suggests future areas of research which may help fill important gaps in our knowledge.     

Diagnosis of species by the larval phase in the genus Rhipicephalus Koch (Ixodidae) in USSR fauna

The key for identification of species of the genus Rhipicephalus (the fauna of the USSR) on the larval phase is based on the material reared under laboratory conditions. The structure of scutum, organs of gnathosoma and coxae, chaetotaxy of idiosoma and gnathosoma were used for differential diagnosis. In addition morphometric characteristics of the above structures and their proportions were used. A special attention has been given to coexistence of species in sympatric zones, which was revealed or confirmed as a result of identification of species of the genus on larva in the ranges of the fauna of the USSR.     

Feeding rates of Balloniscus sellowii (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea): the effect of leaf litter decomposition and its relation to the phenolic and flavonoid content

The goal of this study was to compare the feeding rates of Balloniscus sellowii on leaves of different decomposition stages according to their phenolic and flavonoid content. Leaves from the visually most abundant plants were offered to isopods collected from the same source site. Schinus terebinthifolius,the plant species consumed at the highest rate, was used to verify feeding rates at different decomposition stages. Green leaves were left to decompose for one, two, or three months, and then were offered to isopods. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined for all decomposition stages. Consumption and egestion rates increased throughout decomposition, were highest for two-month-old leaves, and decreased again in the third month. The assimilation rate was highest for green leaves. The mode time of passage through the gut was two hours for all treatments. Ingestion of leaves occurred after two or three days for green leaves, and on the same day for one-, two- and three-month-old leaves. The speed of passage of leaves with different decomposition stages through the gut does not differ significantly when animals are fed continuously. However, it is possible that the amount retained in the gut during starvation differs depending on food quality. The digestibility value was corrected using a second food source to empty the gut of previously ingested food, so that all of the food from the experiment was egested. The digestibility value was highest for green leaves, whereas it was approximately 20% for all other stages. This was expected given that digestibility declines during decomposition as the metabolite content of the leaves decreases. The phenolic content was highest in the green leaves and lowest in three-month-old leaves. The flavonoid content was highest in green leaves and lowest after two months of decomposition. Animals ingested more phenolics when consumption was highest. The estimated amount of ingested flavonoids followed the same trend as assimilation rate. Flavonoids accounted for a large portion of total phenolics, and the estimated amount of flavonoids consumed was similar for one-, two- and three-month-old leaves. Our results suggest that the high phenolic and flavonoid concentrations in green leaves are feeding deterrents. Isopods may discriminate among concentrations of flavonoids and modify their consumption rates to maintain their intake of flavonoids when ingesting leaves with lower flavonoid content.     

Microbial Nonlinear Response to a Precipitation Gradient in the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau

The response of soil microbes to global warming, especially their response to precipitation, remains poorly known. The Tibetan Plateau is very sensitive to climate change. In particular, the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is an interesting area to test the response of soil microbial communities to precipitation, as there is a distinct gradient in annual precipitation from east to west. We collected soil samples along a precipitation gradient in arid and semi-arid areas of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) technology was used to analyze the microbial community structure and total microbial biomass. With declining precipitation, bacterial biomass decreased significantly, whereas fungal biomass did not show an obvious trend; this result indicates that bacteria are more sensitive to mean annual precipitation (MAP). Overall, the biomass of Gram-negative (G^?) bacteria represented up to 82% of the total bacterial biomass. In the high (260–394 mm yr^?1) MAP areas, bacterial biomass was mainly concentrated at the surface and decreased with increasing soil depth (0–40 cm). In contrast, in the low (36–260 mm yr^?1) MAP areas, bacterial biomass was mainly concentrated in the deep soils. The mean annual precipitation was strongly correlated with soil microbial community in space, with microbial communities in the 0–10-cm soil depth most affected by precipitation. Groundwater may impact microbial communities in the 20–40-cm soil depth of this arid and semiarid region. The clustering of the microbial communities was significantly grouped according to the MAP gradient, revealing that MAP is a major driving force of microbial communities in this arid and semi-arid area. The decline in MAP led to a shift in the structure of the microbial community and an overall reduction in microbial biomass.     

Taxonomic analysis of the lepidopteran fauna of the Upper Volga area

Original data on the number of families, genera, and species in the lepidopterous fauna of the Upper Volga basin are presented. The families Noctuidae, Geometridae, and Tortricidae predominate in the regional fauna, the most diverse genera being Eupithecia, Epinotia, Phyllonorycter, Elachista, Acleris, Scopula, Acronicta, Apamea, Dichrorampha, Argyresthia, Agonopterix, and Idaea. Similarity between the lepidopterous faunas of the Upper Volga basin and other forest regions of European Russia (for Lepidoptera as a whole and for separate families) is estimated. Some trends in the latitudinal and longitudinal changes of the faunas are determined; closer similarity between the faunas of regions located at the same latitude is demonstrated.     

New models of the circulation of the causative agent of malaria Plasmodium gallinaceum using malarial mosquitoes in the fauna of the USSR]

The capacity of An. sacharovi and An. pulcherrimus to be infected with P. gallinaceum and to transmit the agent to the vertebrate host, a chick, has been established. Sufficient differences have been found in the extensiveness and intensity of infection of different species of mosquitoes and in other characteristics reflecting the agent-vector relationships.     

The morphology and biology of the cestode Schistotaenia srivastavai (Cestoda, Amabiliidae)--a new representative of the fauna of the USSR

In 1979 to 1981 larvae of the cestode Schistotaenia srivastavai (Cestoda, Amabiliidae), a new member of the fauna of the USSR, were first found in 8 species of damselflies (Odonata, Zygoptera) from water bodies of Kustanai (north Kazakhstan) and Tselinograd (central Kazakhstan) Provinces. Adult cestodes were found in the red-necked grebe (Podiceps griseigena). Cysticercoid is described.     

Vntr-genotyping of Francisella tularensis strains isolated in the former USSR territory and some European countries during epizootics in 1988 - 1989

Retrospective VNTR-analysis of 159 Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica strains isolated in December 1988 - February 1989 in former USSR and some European countries was carried out. Analysis of heterogenic genotypes of strains allow to subdivide them into 30 groups of variants by individual genotypes, while cluster analysis--to subdivide them in 7 clusters with different number of compositions. The predominance of genotype C1 strains isolated on the Rostov and Archangelsk regions and the Crimea was established. F. tularensis strains isolated in winter time 1988 - 1989 in different geographic regions were supposed to be resident cultures typical for their biotope in natural focus of disease.     

Present-day and mid-Holocene biomes reconstructed from pollen and plant macrofossil data from the former Soviet Union and Mongolia

Fossil pollen data supplemented by tree macrofossil records were used to reconstruct the vegetation of the Former Soviet Union and Mongolia at 6000 years. Pollen spectra were assigned to biomes using the plant-functional-type method developed by Prentice et al . (1996). Surface pollen data and a modern vegetation map provided a test of the method. This is the first time such a broad-scale vegetation reconstruction for the greater part of northern Eurasia has been attempted with objective techniques. The new results confirm previous regional palaeoenvironmental studies of the mid-Holocene while providing a comprehensive synopsis and firmer conclusions. West of the Ural Mountains temperate deciduous forest extended both northward and southward from its modern range. The northern limits of cool mixed and cool conifer forests were also further north than present. Taiga was reduced in European Russia, but was extended into Yakutia where now there is cold deciduous forest. The northern limit of taiga was extended (as shown by increased Picea pollen percentages, and by tree macrofossil records north of the present-day forest limit) but tundra was still present in north-eastern Siberia. The boundary between forest and steppe in the continental interior did not shift substantially, and dry conditions similar to present existed in western Mongolia and north of the Aral Sea.     

Long-term response of fishes and other fauna to restoration of former salt hay farms: multiple measures of restoration success

This synthesis brings together published and unpublished data in an evaluation of restoration of former salt hay farms to functioning salt marshes. We compared nine years of field measurements between three restored marshes (Dennis, Commercial, and Maurice River Townships) and a reference marsh (Moores Beach) in the mesohaline portion of Delaware Bay. In the process, we compared channel morphology, geomorphology, vegetation, sediment organic matter, fish assemblages, blue crabs, horseshoe crabs, benthic infauna, and diamondback terrapins. For fishes we compared structural (distribution, abundance) and functional (feeding, growth, survival, reproduction, production) aspects to evaluate the restored marshes in an Essential Fish Habitat context. Marsh vegetation and drainage density responded gradually and positively with restored marshes approximating the state of the reference marsh within the nine-year study period. The fauna responded more quickly and dramatically with most measures equal or greater in the restored marshes within the first one or two years after restoration. Differences in response time between the vegetation and the fauna imply that the faunal response was more dependent on access to the shallow intertidal marsh surface and intertidal and subtidal creeks than on characteristics of the vegetated marsh. The fishes in created subtidal creeks in restored marshes responded immediately and maintained fish assemblages similar to the reference marsh over the study period. The intertidal creek fish assemblages tended to become more like the reference marsh in the last years of the comparison. Overall, these results document the success of the restoration and how marshes function for both resident and transient fauna, especially fishes.