Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the Manchurian zokor <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myospalax psilurus</Emphasis> (Rodentia,Muridae) according to RAPD-PCR analysis

The population structuring and low genetic diversity of the Manchurian zokor Myospalax psilurus Milne-Edwards, 1874, an East Asian endemic included in the Red List of Russia, were demonstrated. Two separate geographical groups differing in the level of their genetic diversity were found on the territory of the Primorskii krai. The subpopulation located closest to the main area of this species was determined as ancestral. A subspecies differentiation of the Primorskii krai and Transbaikal M. psilurus populations was shown, as was the monophyletic origin of M. psilurus and its high divergence from M. aspalax. The animals from northern localities are recommended for reintroduction in nature under species recovery programs in Primorskii krai.     

Variation trends in the parasite assemblages of the Chinese sleeper Perccottus glenii (Actinopterygii: Odontobutidae) in its native habitat

The diversity of parasite assemblages in the Chinese sleeper Perccottus glenii, at the level of specimen and population of the host, is manifested through three components: the number of species, the evenness of their abundance, and the taxonomic diversity. Variations in the diversity depend on the local characteristics of water bodies, as well as the sexual and dimensional factors of the host. This study was performed in four water bodies of the Russian Far East (Primorskii krai and Sakhalin Island).     

The natural host range of hantaviruses and their reservoir potential in the dynamics of the epizootic process within the ecosystems of Primorskii Krai

Dynamics of the reservoir potential (RP) and its index (IRP) in rodents inhabiting Primorskii krai and carriers of hantaviruses have been studied. The long-term annual average IRP in the genus Apodemus equals 0.83. In A. peninsulae, the IRP has turned out to be two times higher than that in A. agrarius (t = 2.636; n = 18; p = 0.017). The prognostic markers of a possible outbreak of epidemic disease caused by hantaviruses in Primorskii krai are discussed.     

The first data on the biology and distribution of the Japanese fringed sculpin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Porocottus japonicus</Emphasis> Schmidt, 1935 (Scorpaeniformes: Cottidae) in the northwestern Sea of Japan

The Japanese fringed sculpin Porocottus japonicus Schmidt has been found in the Rynda (44°48′03″ N, 136°23′24″ E) and Vladimira (43°52′36″ N, 135°29′30″ E) (Sea of Japan, Primorskii krai) bays for the first time. This species was formerly known only from the northern Tatar Strait and Aniva Bay. In Primorskii krai, P. japonicus inhabits macrophyte beds in shallow sublittoral waters. It reaches a length of 112 mm during its lifespan of approximately 4 years. Spawning occurs in the winter. The species preys predominantly on polychaetes (82.3% of the food weight).     

Study of the biosafety of genetically modified soybean in the center of its origin and diversity in the Far East of the Russian Federation

Wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. and Zucc.) is the nearest relative of cultivated soybean (G. max (L.) Merr.). Study of the population genetic structure of wild-growing relatives of genetically modified (GM) plants in the centers of their origin is one of the main procedures before introduction of GM crops in these areas. We studied the genetic variability of nine wild-growing soya populations of Primorskii krai using RAPD analysis. The level of genetic variability of G. soja was considerably higher than that of G. max. We analyzed phylogenetic relationships in the genus Glycine subgenus Soja using RAPD markers. Our data confirm the validity of allocation to G. gracilis of the rank of species.     

Larch chromosomal mosaicism

Karyological study of larch population members from different parts of the Larix olgensis L. Henry areal in the Primorskii krai has been carried out. The main amount of chromosomes for larch as n = 12 (2n = 24) has been confirmed. Mixoploidy was observed in all studied populations. The difference of individuals from the larch areal based on the cell amount with a different level of ploidity has been found in the population of L. olgensis locus classicus and both L. sibirica and L. gmelinii, which is probably a consequence of their hybrid nature.     

Genetic diversity of the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius Pallas, 1771) in the Russian Far East as assessed by RAPD-PCR

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with ten-nucleotide primers of arbitrary sequences (RAPD-PCR) was used to study the genetic characteristics of five samples of the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius Pallas, 1771) from the Russian Far East (Primorye, Khabarovsk krai, and Magadan oblast). Highly significant differentiation of the samples was demonstrated, the genetic diversity of each sample was estimated, and non-neutral loci were found. The genetic diversity was the highest in a population from the outskirts of Magadan and the lowest in populations from an island on the Amur River near Khabarovsk and from the village of Talon (Magadan oblast). These two last populations were found to be genetically close to each other. These results indicate that striped field mice have been repeatedly introduced to Magadan oblast. The Talon population is likely to have originated from the left bank of the Amur; the outskirts of Magadan are inhabited with a mixed population formed by mice from Primorye and other regions.     

Molecular genetic analysis of wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. & Zucc.) population structure in anthropogenic and natural landscapes of Primorskii krai

The data are presented on genetic population structure of wild soybean growing in natural and anthropogenically disturbed landscapes of Primorskii krai of the Russian Federation. Comparative analysis showed that wild soybean populations exposed to anthropogenic influence exhibited lower genetic diversity than natural populations. Recommendations on conservation of the wild plant gene pools using comparative data on population genetic structures are made.     

Molecular genetic analysis of wild soybean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycine soja</Emphasis> Sieb. &; Zucc.) population structure in anthropogenic and natural landscapes of Primorskii krai

The data are presented on genetic population structure of wild soybean growing in natural and anthropogenically disturbed landscapes of Primorskii krai of the Russian Federation. Comparative analysis showed that wild soybean populations exposed to anthropogenic influence exhibited lower genetic diversity than natural populations. Recommendations on conservation of the wild plant gene pools using comparative data on population genetic structures are made.     

Study of genetic diversity and spatial structure of the wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. & Zucc.) population from the Ekaterinovka in the south of Primorskii krai

Data are presented on the genetic diversity and spatial structure of the natural wild soybean population from the neighborhood of the settlement of Ekaterinovka in Primorskii krai and on the relationship between the genetic structure of this population and its spatial organization. These data are discussed in comparison with the results of studies of wild soybean populations in the Far East region of the Russian Federation and China. Recommendations are given concerning the collection of genetic wild soybean resources.     

Study of genetic diversity and spatial structure of the wild soybean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycine soja</Emphasis> Sieb. &; Zucc.) population from the neighborhood of the settlement of Ekaterinovka in the south of Primorskii krai

Data are presented on the genetic diversity and spatial structure of the natural wild soybean population from the neighborhood of the settlement of Ekaterinovka in Primorskii krai and on the relationship between the genetic structure of this population and its spatial organization. These data are discussed in comparison with the results of studies of wild soybean populations in the Far East region of the Russian Federation and China. Recommendations are given concerning the collection of genetic wild soybean resources.     

Coat color mutation frequencies in domestic cat populations of Primorskii krai, Russia

The frequencies of mutant coat color genes have been estimated in the cat populations of five settlements in Primorskii krai, Russia: two cities (Partizansk and Spassk-Dal'nii), a town (Khorol'), and two villages (Dmitrievka and Brovnichi). The genetic profiles of these populations have been found to be relatively homogenous and to correspond of the cat population of the city of Vladivostok studied earlier. No considerable differences in gene frequencies have been found between urban and rural cat populations. The data suggest a common origin of all domestic cat populations of Primorskii krai.     

Supernumerary chromosomes, mosaicism, and dynamics in two populations of Eastern-Asian wood mouse (Apodemus peninsulae, Rodentia) from Primorski? Krai at various seasons of the year]

Karyotypes of 47 individuals of the wood mice Apodemus peninsulae from two reserves in Primorskii krai (Kedrovaya Pad' and Ussuriiskii) were studied during spring, summer, and autumn. In each population, variation in the number of B-chromosomes (2n = 48 + 0-5B) as well as the intratissue mosaicism determined by variation of the number, size and morphology of supernumerary chromosomes were described. Animals that have one dotlike B-chromosome were first described in both populations as rare variants. Individuals that have bone-marrow cell clones with two or three B-chromosomes were found to be predominant in the populations of Primorskii krai. The number of clones varied from one to three per animal. The frequency of mosaics showed seasonal variation. In the population of the Ussuriiskii reserve, a sharp increase in the frequency of animals with a stable karyotype was detected in autumn, at the phase of increased numbers. The variation for mosaicism was suggested to correlate with the population numbers in mice and to indicate the genetic differences between generations of the population.     

Biogeochemical Features of Platinum Accumulation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scutellaria baicalensis</Emphasis> Georgi (Lamiaceae)

For the first time, the platinum accumulation levels and distribution patterns in the soil and in roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds of medicinal herb Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Lamiaceae (Baikal skullcap) have been researched using the stripping voltammetry method. The plants were collected both in their natural habitats (southwestern part of Primorskii krai, Amur oblast, and Chita oblast) and from the S. baicalensis population introduced in the Central Siberian Botanical Garden (CSBG), Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (Novosibirsk). In the habitats of S. baicalensis, the content of platinum in soils varies from 0.001 to 0.426 g/t. The content of platinum in various parts of the plants varies from 0.001 to 0.43 g/t. The platinum bioaccumulation factor in S. baicalensis individuals collected in various habitats varies from 0.01 to 6.1 g/t.     

Genetic Diversity and Relationships Among Siberian and Far Eastern Larches Inferred from RAPD Analysis

Genetic diversity of larches from six geographically distant regions, Tomsk, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude (Siberia), and Blagoveshchensk, Khabarovsk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (Far East) was examined by means of RAPD analysis. Tree DNA samples were compared using 457 RAPD loci (97% of which were polymorphic), identified with 17 primers of random sequences. In the samples examined, 32 to 49% of the genes were in heterozygous state, mean expected heterozygosity (H _exp) varied from 0.1373 to 0.1891, and the genetic distances (D _N) for different sample pairs varied from 0.0361 to 0.1802. The main population parameters were determined for Larix sibirica Ledeb., L. gmelinii(Rupr.) Rupr., and L. kamtschatica (Rupr.) Carr. Analysis of the genetic relationships showed that L. kamtschatica was characterized by highest genetic differentiation from the other larches examined, while larches from Primorskii krai were genetically close toL. sibirica.     

The dynamics of the abundance of the walleye pollock <Emphasis Type="Italic">Theragra chalcogramma</Emphasis> (Pallas, 1814) (gadiformes: gadidae) in the Sea of Japan

The biomass of the walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) stock in waters of Primorskii krai, Sea of Japan, during the 1976–2015 observation period ranged from 48000 to 373000 tons; their number ranged from 99 to 1115 million fish. Four very strong year-classes born in 1975, 1981, 1997, and 2006 have been identified. It has been shown that the duration of the sexual-maturity period is determined by the periodicity of the dynamics of the year-class strength close to the 9-year cycle. According to the results of numerical modeling, an increase in the walleye pollock stock in Primorye is expected from 2017 to 2020.     

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).     

Demand for Assimilates Determines the Productivity of Intensive and Extensive Rice Crops in Primorskii Krai

Intensive and extensive rice crops (Oryza sativa L.), regionally cultivated in Primorskii krai (maritime territory), were grown under full and 50% attenuated solar radiation. Plants of different varieties were used to examine the supply of newly synthesized and reutilized ¹⁴C-assimilates to caryopses and to estimate the dry weight dynamics of whole plants, vegetative organs, and grains. Cultivar-specific differences were revealed with respect to the sink capacity of caryopses, the export of photosynthates from the upper leaf and their delivery to the panicle, and the contributions of newly produced and reutilized assimilates to grain filling. In rice plants of all varieties grown under full insolation, the amount of photosynthates produced during grain filling was insufficient to satisfy the demand of caryopses; one-fourth or one-fifth of this demand was satisfied at the expense of mobilization of stored metabolites. The mobilization was accelerated by the elevated demand for assimilates and by attenuated insolation. In artificially shaded plants of intensive varieties, the pool of newly produced assimilates was lower and reutilization of previously gained assimilates started earlier than in shaded plants of extensive varieties. It is concluded that the higher grain yield of intensive rice varieties, cultivated in Primorskii krai, is determined by a higher demand for assimilates and by a higher production and accelerated supply of newly formed photosynthates to caryopses during the first half of the grain-filling stage. The potential productivity of these varieties is constrained by the deficit of assimilates during the second half of grain-filling stage. The low grain productivity of extensive varieties is caused by the insufficient number of grains in panicles and by low demand for assimilates throughout the period of grain filling.     

Genetic diversity of swan goose (Anser cygnoides L.) in Russia: Analysis of the mitochondrial DNA control region polymorphism

Using to analysis of hypervariable fragment polymorphism in the control region of mitochondrial DNA(268 bp), the genetic variability of Swan goose Anser cygnoides L., included in the first category of endangered species in the Russian Red Book, has been investigated. Samples from the two main groups nesting in Russia—the Far Eastern group (Khabarovsk krai, n = 38) and the Dauric group (Chita region, n = 10) were examined. Eleven haplotypes were described. The genetic diversity of Swan geese was low comparable with that observed in some other globally endangered Eurasian goose species. Nucleotide and haplotype diversity of goose from Khabarovsk krai was 0.0031 and 0.65, respectively; in those from Chita region, 0.0041 and 0.80; and for in total group, 0.0074 and 0.77, respectively. No identical haplotypes in Swan goose from Far Eastern and Daurical groups have been demonstrated. However, the small sample size does not allow us to make final conclusions on the degree of genetic differentiation between these groups.     

Discordance in the distribution of markers of different inheritance systems (nDNA,mtDNA, and Chromosomes) in the superspecies complex <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mus musculus</Emphasis> as a result of extensive hybridization in primorye

The genetic structure of eight Mus musculus L. populations in Primorskii krai was studied with the use of taxon-specific markers of different inheritance systems: nDNA (RAPD), mtDNA (D-loop), and chromosomes. The results obtained demonstrate that although the compared nuclear marker characteristics (nDNA and chromosomes) have the same basis they are not linke with each other and, moreover, are often mutually inconsistent. Discordance in the inheritance of the marker characteristics in most of the animals studied is a result of extensive hybridization involving two to four house mouse subspecies. To identify taxonspecific nuclear markers revealed by RAPD, some RAPD PCR products were cloned, and their localization on chromosomes was determined. It was found that some fragments similar in size consist of two different comigrating sequences that are localized on different chromosomes and belong to different subspecies. All sequenced anonymous markers are localized in protein-coding genes. The functions of genes containing the marker sequences have been established. Differences in the taxon-specific RAPD fragments are associated with changes in the structure of important functional genes, and this can be considered as a significant genetic marker.