Survey of two beet viruses in South Kazakhstan and Central Asia

During two surveys of beet root crops in South Kazakhstan and Central Asia conducted in 1988 and 1989, 465 of 990 samples were found to contain beet mosaic virus (BMV) by double-antibody sandwich (DAS) ELISA. BMV infection was widely scattered in the area surveyed, and its incidence varied considerably, reaching 100% in some fields adjacent to beet seed crops. BMV isolates from Kazakhstan, Kirgizia, Uzbekistan and Ukraine were found to be serologically closely related in DAS-ELISA test. Beet yellows virus (BYV) was not detected in any location surveyed in South Kazakhstan and Central Asia. BYV spread into the area is probably prevented by its geographical isolation.     

Comparison of influenza outbreaks in the Republic of Kazakhstan and Russia induced by 2009 yearly new variant of A(H1N1) influenza virus

The aim of the work is the comparison of the epidemiology of influenza and acute respiratory virus infections(ARVI)in the Republic of Kazakhstan with the corresponding influenza epidemic in Russia induced by influenza pandemic virus A/California/07/2009 in 2009. Data on influenza and ARVI from the Republic of Kazakhstan and Federal Center of influenza was collected and investigated over the course of several weeks from hospitalized patients with the same diagnosis among all population and in age groups on 16 territories of Kazakhstan and in 49 major cities of Russia. The epidemic in Kazakhstan resembled the Russian epidemic in terms of its abnormally early beginning,expression of monoaetiology,the spread of the epidemic into all territories and start of the epidemics among adult population. High percentage of hospitalized people and lethal outcome were registered in this epidemic. Similarity of epidemic process character in corresponding border-line territories of both countries was found out.     

Genetic variation within and between winter wheat genotypes from Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Europe as determined by nucleotide-binding-site profiling

The genetic diversity within wheat breeding programs across Turkey and Kazakhstan was compared with a selection of European cultivars that represented the genetic diversity across eight European countries and six decades of wheat breeding. To focus the measure of genetic diversity on that relevant to disease-resistant phenotypes, nucleotide-binding-site (NBS) profiling was used to detect polymorphisms associated with the NBS motifs found within the NBS--leucine-rich repeat (LRR) class of resistance (R) genes. Cereal-specific NBS primers, designed specifically to the conserved NBS motifs found within cereal R-genes, provided distinct NBS profiles. Although the genetic diversity associated with NBS motifs was only slightly higher within the Eastern wheat genotypes, the NBS profiles produced by Eastern and European wheat lines differed considerably. Structure analysis divided the wheat genotypes into four groups, which compared well with the origin of the wheat genotypes. The highest levels of genetic diversity were seen for the wheat genotypes from the Genetic Resource Collection held in Ankara, Turkey, as wheat genotypes within breeding programs were genetically more similar. The wheat genotypes from Kazakhstan were the most similar to the European cultivars, reflecting the significant number of eastern European cultivars used in the breeding program in Kazakhstan. In general, the NBS profiles suggested that NBS-LRR R-gene usage in winter wheat breeding in Turkey and Kazakhstan differed from that deployed in European cultivars.     

Interesting findings of spiders of the families Gnaphosidae and Liocranidae (Aranei) from the semidesert of the northern Caspian Lowland

Spiders were studied near Dzhanybek Village in Western Kazakhstan Province, the Republic of Kazakhstan. The family Gnaphosidae is represented by 41 species. The female of Drassodes rostratus Esyunin et Tuneva, 2002 is described for the first time, the male palp and the female epigynum are illustrated in detail. D. rostratus is shown to be a valid species but not a junior synonym of Drassodes auritus Schenkel, 1963. The genitalia of Haplodrassus isaevi Ponomarev et Tsvetkov, 2006, a new species for Western Kazakhstan, are described and illustrated. The family Liocranidae is represented by three species. Agraecina lineata (Simon, 1878) is described as a new genus and a species of liocranids for the Republic of Kazakhstan.     

ON THE SYSTEMATIC POSITION OF PROSCIURUS LOHICULUS

The species Prosciurus lohiculus was erected by Matthew & Granger (1923), based on an upper jaw from Hsanda Gol Formation (Middle Oligocene), Mongolia. Later, Argyropulo (1939) described a lower jaw from the upper Oligocene of Kazakhstan, USSR, which was identified as Prosciurus sp. (lohiculus). Stehlin & Schaub (1951, p. 278) thought that the Kazakhstan lower jaw described by Argyropulo should belong to Plesispermophilus, leaving the holotype of P. lohiculus from Hsanda Gol Formation still in Prosciurus. Wood (1962, p. 236) transferred P. lohiculus into Plesispermophilus on the assumption that the Kazakhstan lower jaw belongs to the same form as the holotype from Hsanda Gol. Wood's opinion was followed by Mellett (1968, p. 6) and Shevyreva (1976, p. 22). Meanwhile, Kowalski (1974, p. 153) described several lower jaws, new material from the type locality, and believed they belongs to Prosciurus lohiculus and came to the conclusion that the Kazakhstan lower jaw was morphologically quite different from those he found in Tatal Gol, and hence could not belong to the species in question. Schmidt-Kittler and Vianey-Liaud (1979; p. 73) agreed with Kowalski and gave further evidence that the upper teeth of true Plesispermophilus was also different from those of P. lohiculus and that the lower jaw from Kazakhstan might well be of Plesispermophilus. Irrespective of these disagreements, all the authors consented to include P. lohiculus in Prosciurinae (Aplodontidae).     

History of the development of the temperate forest flora in Kazakhstan,U.S.S.R. from the Oligocene to the Early Miocene

Exact dating of the floras existing in western Kazakhstan during the Oligocene and Early Miocene permits a detailed examination of the formation of a temperate flora during the Rupelian (Early Oligocene), Chattian (Late Oligocene), Aquitanian (the beginning of Early Miocene) and the Burdigalian (end of Early Miocene) Ages and at the same time an establishment of the sequence in the origin and the disappearance of a flora of Turgayan type (the “Turgayan flora” of Kryshtofovich) in Kazakhstan. The most important aspects (composition and terminology) of a previous subtropical flora of a Drevlyanian (possibly Volynian) ecological type (the “Poltavian” flora of Kryshtofovich), which had developed in Kazakhstan and the Ukraine during the Eocene, are also discussed. The text is intended for botanists of various special interests, e.g., paleobotanists, phytogeographers and floristicians, as well as for geologists, especially stratigraphers and paleogeographers. The bibliography comprises more than 200 references and there are seven tables.     

Phylogenetic Analysis of the Non-structural (NS) Gene of Influenza A Viruses Isolated in Kazakhstan in 2002-2009

Although the important role of the non-structural (NSI and NEP) gene of influenza A in virulence of the virus is well established,our knowledge about the extent of variation in the NS gene pool of influenza A viruses in their natural reservoirs in Kazakhstan is incomplete.17 influenza A viruses of different subtypes were studied in this paper.Seven types of haemagglutinin and five different neuraminidase subtypes in eight combinations were found among the isolated viruses.A comparison of nucleotide sequences of isolated viruses revealed a substantial number of silent mutations,which results in high degree of homology in amino acid sequences.By phylogenetic analysis it was shown that two distinct gene pools,corresponding to both NS allele A with 5 Clades and B,were present at the same time in Kazakhstan.The degree of variation within the alleles was very low.In our study allele A viruses had a maximum of 5％ amino acid divergence in Clade while allele B viruses had only 4％ amino acid divergence.     

Polymorphism of the 12S rRNA gene and phylogeography of the Central Asian tortoises Agrionemys horsfieldii gray, 1844

Based on intraspecific polymorphism of 12S rRNA gene, genetic variation of isolated populations of the Central Asian tortoise, Agrionemys horsfieldii, was for the first time investigated on a large part of the species distribution range, encompassing Uzbekistan, southern Kazakhstan, and northern and eastern Iran. In 59 tortoises, four haplotypes were discovered, including two (AH1 and AH2), described earlier. Haplotype AH1 was detected in 52 tortoises, inhabiting southern Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Haplotype AH2 was found in four tortoises from the border territory between Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. Two novel haplotypes, AH3 and AH4, were detected in the three tortoises from Iran. Based on nucleotide substitutions in the 12S rDNA sequence, the possible divergence time between the tortoises from different parts of the range was estimated. Possible pathways of the formation of modern intraspecific groups of A. horsfieldii are discussed.     

Phylogenetic Analysis of the Non-structural (NS) Gene of Influenza A Viruses Isolated in Kazakhstan in 2002-2009

Although the important role of the non-structural (NS1 and NEP) gene of influenza A in virulence of the virus is well established, our knowledge about the extent of variation in the NS gene pool of influenza A viruses in their natural reservoirs in Kazakhstan is incomplete. 17 influenza A viruses of different subtypes were studied in this paper. Seven types of haemagglutinin and five different neuraminidase subtypes in eight combinations were found among the isolated viruses. A comparison of nucleotide sequ...     

A Record of the Weevil Anthonomus dudkoi Legalov (Coleoptera,Curculionidae: Anthonomini) from Katon-Karagay National Park (South-Western Altai)

Entomological Review - The recently described from the Russian Altai and Kazakh Altai Anthonomus dudkoi Legalov is found in the Katon-Karagay National Park in Eastern Kazakhstan (South-Western...     

哈萨克斯坦的生物多样性保护及中哈合作的对策建议

哈萨克斯坦位于欧亚大陆腹地, 地处丝绸之路经济带的重要位置。中国与哈萨克斯坦开展生物多样性保护合作, 有助于解决地区生态环境问题和推动“一带一路”倡议的顺利实施。目前国内尚缺乏对哈萨克斯坦生物多样性及其保护状况的了解。本文在文献的基础上通过定量和定性分析方法, 从地理环境特征、生物多样性状况、保护成效和需求等维度对哈萨克斯坦生物多样性及其保护的总体情况进行了分析。分析结果表明, 哈萨克斯坦的生物多样性丰富, 但也存在着较严重的丧失问题; 哈萨克斯坦政府重视生物多样性保护, 积极承担相关国际履约义务; 在保护管理方面实行多级管理体制, 并与社会经济发展需求相结合, 取得了一定成效。     

A Serological Survey of Ruminant Livestock in Kazakhstan During Post-Soviet Transitions in Farming and Disease Control

The results of a serological survey of livestock in Kazakhstan, carried out in 1997–1998, are reported. Serum samples from 958 animals (cattle, sheep and goats) were tested for antibodies to foot and mouth disease (FMD), bluetongue (BT), epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD), rinderpest (RP) and peste des petits ruminants (PPR) viruses, and to Brucella spp. We also investigated the vaccination status of livestock and related this to changes in veterinary provision since independence in 1991. For the 2 diseases under official surveillance (FMD and brucellosis) our results were similar to official data, although we found significantly higher brucellosis levels in 2 districts and widespread ignorance about FMD vaccination status. The seroprevalence for BT virus was 23%, and seropositive animals were widespread suggesting endemicity, despite the disease not having being previously reported. We found a few seropositives for EHDV and PPRV, which may suggest that these diseases are also present in Kazakhstan. An hierarchical model showed that seroprevalence to FMD and BT viruses were clustered at the farm/village level, rather than at a larger spatial scale. This was unexpected for FMD, which is subject to vaccination policies which vary at the raion (county) level.     

Contribution to the study of the northern limits of the range of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apocyclops dengizicus</Emphasis> (Lepeschkin, 1900) (Copepoda,Cyclopoida)

The copepod Apocyclops dengizicus (Lepeschkin, 1900), a denizen of the saline waterbodies of the desert and semidesert regions of the world, was found in one of the tributaries of the hyperhaline Lake Elton (Volgograd oblast). This finding marks the northernmost locality where this species has been recorded in Russia. An analysis of the latest published data shows that the northern limit of the range of this species crosses the Russian Transvolga Region and middle Kazakhstan approximately along the 50th latitude. The northernmost locality where this copepod has been recorded to date is still its type locality, Lake Siletiteniz (53°N) in northern Kazakhstan. The possibility of finding A. dengizicus in adjacent oblasts of Russia as far north as the 55th latitude, where there are many highly mineralized waterbodies fit for this species, cannot be excluded.     

Find of Tremadocian ostracodes in cherts of Kazakhstan

First late Tremadocian (Early Ordovician) ostracodes were found in cherts of the Burubaital Formation near the “Burultas” deposit in southern Kazakhstan. The preservation of carbonate ostracode shellshells in siliceous environment is discussed. The monotypic ostracode assemblage includes the newly described form, Burultalina nikitinae gen. et sp. nov.     

Infructescences of Friisicarpus sarbaensis sp. nov. (Platanaceae) from the Cenomanian-Turonian of western Kazakhstan

Platanoid capitate infructescences are described as a new species Friisicarpus sarbaensis. Infructescences of Friisicarpus N. Maslova et Herman have been first found in the Cretaceous of Kazakhstan. A joint burial of Friisicarpus infructescences and other platanoid reproductive structures as well as Platanus-like leaves are discussed. This indicates a considerable role of the group in the Cretaceous flora of Kazakhstan.     

GWAS of agronomic traits in soybean collection included in breeding pool in Kazakhstan

Background

In recent years soybean is becoming one of the most important oilseed crops in Kazakhstan. Only within the last ten years (2006–2016), the area under soybean is expanded from 45 thousand hectares (ha) in 2006 to 120 thousand ha in 2016. The general trend of soybean expansion is from south-eastern to eastern and northern regions of the country, where average temperatures are lower and growing seasons are shorter. These new soybean growing territories were poorly examined in terms of general effects on productivity level among the diverse sample of soybean accessions. In this study, phenotypic data were collected in three separate regions of Kazakhstan and entire soybean sample was genotyped for identification of marker-trait associations (MTA).

Results

In this study, the collection of 113 accessions representing five different regions of the World was planted in 2015–2016 in northern, eastern, and south-eastern regions of Kazakhstan. It was observed that North American accessions showed the highest yield in four out of six trials especially in Northern Kazakhstan in both years. The entire sample was genotyped with 6 K SNP Illumina array. 4442 SNPs found to be polymorphic and were used for whole genome genotyping purposes. Obtained SNP markers data and field data were used for GWAS (genome-wide association study). 30 SNPs appear to be very significant in 42 MTAs in six studied environments.

Conclusions

The study confirms the efficiency of GWAS for the identification of molecular markers which tag important agronomic traits. Overall thirty SNP markers associated with time to flowering and maturation, plant height, number of fertile nodes, seeds per plant and yield were identified. Physical locations of 32 identified out of 42 total MTAs coincide well with positions of known analogous QTLs. This result indicates importance of revealed MTAs for soybean growing regions in Kazakhstan. Obtained results would serve as required prerequisite for forming and realization of specific breeding programs towards effective adaptation and increased productivity of soybean in three different regions of Kazakhstan.

     

Genetic monitoring of the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan in 2001-2003

Blood specimens obtained from 32 CCHF patients were tested for the presence of CCHF virus markers. In addition, 3210 ticks of the genera Hyalomma asiaticum, Hyalomma anatolicum, and Dermacentor niveus were examined to identify the CCHF virus antigen and RNA. This material was obtained during the 2001-2003 local outbreaks of CCHF in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. The nucleotide sequence in the region 983-1282 of S segment of the CCHF virus for 12 wild type strains was determined. The phylogenetic relationships among the established biovariants of CCHF virus, and also between these biovariants and those from other regions of the world were identified. We were the first to demonstrate the presence of an African-like genotype of CCHF virus in the territory of Kazakhstan. The conclusion was made that two genotypes of CCHF virus were in circulation in Kazakhstan. It was also demonstrated that CCHF virus, circulating in the territories of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, was genetically heterogeneous.