Ecology of the geohelminths of Karakul sheep in the Kyzyl Kum

Data on the ecology of geohelminths and epizootiology of main geohelminthiases of Karakul sheep under conditions of desert-pasture biocoenoses of the Kyzyl Kum in the Bukhara and Navoi Provinces of the Uzbek SSR are given. 23 species of geohelminths belonging to 14 genera and 8 families are reported from this zone. Age and seasonal dynamics of the infection rate of Karakul sheep with geohelminths are established. Survival of eggs and larvae of some widely distributed geohelminths in central Kyzyl Kum is determined. On the basis of results of investigations recommendations on the control of main helminthiases of Karakul sheep in Bukhara and Navoi Provinces are worked out.     

Fleas of the Moiynkum Desert and their epizootic significance

The species composition of fleas in the Moiynkum Desert (Chu-Talas interfluve) and indices of their domination on different hosts was established on the basis of long-term observations (1973–2000). The most significant and prolonged changes in the population density of mass flea species (Xenopsylla gerbilli minax and Coptopsylla lamellifer, parasites of the great gerbil) occur in association with changes of the population density of rodents. Changes in the population density of rodents are usually observed year after similar changes in the population density of hosts. The leading role in the transmission of the plague vector belongs to the flea X. gerbilli minax.     

Synsacrum of a primitive bird from the Upper Cretaceous of Uzbekistan

A partial synsacrum of a primitive bird from the Zenge Kurgan 3 locality in the Kyzyl Kum Desert (Uzbekistan) is described. The vertebrate fauna from this locality is similar to that of the Bissekty Formation of the Dzharakuduk locality (Central Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan); however, this synsacrum differs considerably from all other synsacra from Dzharakuduk. The taxonomic position of this bird remains uncertain; it is most similar to some Enantiornithes, although it could have belonged to a primitive ornithuromorph bird. The functional significance of structural differences in the synsacrum of ornithurine and enantiornithine birds is discussed.     

A new species of the grass fly (Diptera,Chloropidae), Incertella tschernovi sp. n., from the Kyzyl Kum Desert

A new grass fly species belonging to the subfamily Oscinellinae, Incertella tschernovi sp. n., is described from the Kyzyl Kum Desert, Uzbekistan. The new species is closely related to I. brevicosta Nartshuk, 1975, shares short costal vein of the wing and in the vein M sharply bent toward the anterior wing margin.     

Morphology of the Coracoid of Late Cretaceous Enantiornithines (Aves: Enantiornithes) from Dzharakuduk (Uzbekistan)

Based on serial material from the Turonian of Dzharakuduk (central Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan), the morphology of coracoid of enantiornithines is described in detail. Variants of each morphological element are considered; this allows determination of the taxonomic position of enantiornithines even using small coracoid fragments.     

The development of a method for the long-term prediction of sites for the occurrence of plague epizootics among wild rodents

The method for the long-term (3 years) prognostication of epizootic activity of plague is proposed. The method is based on the concept of the cyclic character of epizootics as the result of the superposition of a multitude of periodic components on the assumption that the duration of the periods takes the form of a row of prime consecutive numbers. This method was approbated in 25 areas of the Kyzyl Kum autonomous focus of plague.     

Metadenopsis Matesova, 1966 and similar mealybug genera (Homoptera,Coccinea: Pseudococcidae) from Russia and neighboring countries

Seven mealybug genera, Kalaginella gen. n., Archanginella gen. n., Metadenopsis Matesova, Metadenopus ?ulc, Glycycnyza Danzig, Inopicoccus Danzig, and Volvicoccus Goux, all with a simplified anal apparatus and lacking cerarii, are revised and illustrated. Kalaginella intermedia gen. et sp. n. and Archanginella kyzylkumica gen. et sp. n. are described from the Kara Kum and Kyzyl Kum deserts, correspondingly. Mirococcopsis stipae Borchsenius, 1949 is considered a junior synonym of Volvicoccus volvifer Goux, 1945.     

The earliest musk deer of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Moschus</Emphasis> and their significance in clarifying of evolution and relationships of the family Moschidae

Moschus grandaevus Schlosser, the most ancient musk deer, is recorded from two Late Miocene localities in the south of Eastern Siberia, Olkhon Island (Lake Baikal) and Taralyk-Cher near Kyzyl (Tuva). The morphological study of the species elucidates the origin, evolution, and relationships of the genus Moschus and the entire family Moschidae. A new classification of the Moschidae is proposed.     

Landscape genetics of Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) across its Asian range

Persian walnut (Juglans regia L) is an economically important species cultivated worldwide for its wood and nuts. Despite the increasing interest in the development of conservation strategies for walnut germplasm, an accurate and full-scale overview of wild genetic resources of J. regia has not been conducted because natural populations are located in regions of Asia historically difficult to access. In this study, we estimated the genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of 39 autochthonous Persian walnut populations sampled across its Asian range using 14 neutral microsatellite markers. A landscape genetic overlay approach was applied to detect the areas of current reservoirs of walnut genetic diversity in the Asian range and to evaluate the role of landscape in shaping walnut genetic diversity since the Last Glacial Maximum. Although Persian walnut has been highly manipulated by humans over the last 2,000 years, we determined that patches of high genetic diversity still exist in the Caucasus and mountains of Central Asia where J. regia might have survived after Pleistocene glaciations. We detected a clear separation of Persian walnut into four main genetic clusters centered in (1) western Kyrgyzstan, (2) western and south–central Asia, (3) east–central Uzbekistan, and (4) Xinjiang and Shandong provinces (China). Overlay of maps showed a coincidence between groups of walnut populations and potential barriers to gene flow such as the Hindu Kush, Pamir, Tien Shan, and Himalaya mountains and the Karakum, Kyzyl Kum, and Taklamakan deserts. This study claimed the relevance of the preservation of walnut genetic resources in the Asian range.     

The distribution of fleas of the genus Xenopsylla in the Ustyurt

The distribution areas of the main plague vectors of Xenopsylla fleas (X. skrjabini, X. gerbilli, X. nuttalli) in the Ustyurt are given for the first time. They are found to be of great practical significance in the evaluation of the epizootic situation.     

Frequency of hybridization between Ostrinia nubilalis E‐and Z‐pheromone races in regions of sympatry within the United States

Female European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis, produce and males respond to sex pheromone blends with either E‐ or Z‐Δ11‐tetradecenyl acetate as the major component. E‐ and Z‐race populations are sympatric in the Eastern United States, Southeastern Canada, and the Mediterranean region of Europe. The E‐ and Z‐pheromone races of O. nubilalis are models for incipient species formation, but hybridization frequencies within natural populations remain obscure due to lack of a high‐throughput phenotyping method. Lassance et al. previously identified a pheromone gland‐expressed fatty‐acyl reductase gene (pgfar) that controls the ratio of Δ11‐tetradecenyl acetate stereoisomers. We identified three single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers within pgfar that are differentially fixed between E‐ and Z‐race females, and that are ≥98.2% correlated with female pheromone ratios measured by gas chromatography. Genotypic data from locations in the United States demonstrated that pgfar‐z alleles were fixed within historically allopatric Z‐pheromone race populations in the Midwest, and that hybrid frequency ranged from 0.00 to 0.42 within 11 sympatric sites where the two races co‐occur in the Eastern United States (mean hybridization frequency or heterozygosity (H_O) = 0.226 ± 0.279). Estimates of hybridization between the E‐ and Z‐races are important for understanding the dynamics involved in maintaining race integrity, and are consistent with previous estimates of low levels of genetic divergence between E‐ and Z‐races and the presence of weak prezygotic mating barriers.     

Morphological variability and quality of seeds of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix gmelinii</Emphasis> (Rupr.) Rupr.

The results of studying the variability of morphological features and quality of seeds of Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr. in Eastern Siberia are presented in this paper. The main regularities and characteristics of the variability of some qualitative and quantitative features of this larch species were obtained. The perspectives for selection of more productive stands of Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr. in Eastern Siberia were defined.     

Determinants of growth of the flammable grass,Triodia scariosa: Consequences for fuel dynamics under climate change in the Mediterranean region of South Eastern Australia

Environmental conditions may influence the presence and strength of competitive interactions between different life forms, thereby shaping community composition and structure, and corresponding fuel dynamics. Woodland and shrubland communities of the Mediterranean climate region of South Eastern Australia contain a varied mixture of herbaceous and woody plants. The ratio of herbaceous to woody plants changes along gradients of temperature, moisture and soil fertility. This study aimed to experimentally examine the relative importance of, and interactions between environmental controls (moisture and soil fertility) on the balance of dominant herbaceous (Triodia scariosa) and woody plants (e.g. Acacia ligulata and Leptospermum coriaceum) and their ultimate effects on fuel and fire regimes. The results suggest that environmental determinants of the growth of T. scariosa are likely to be more important than interactions with shrubs in controlling the distribution of T. scariosa. The growth of T. scariosa was consistently higher under hot temperatures and on the less fertile yellow sands, which dominate the south of the region. The results suggest that there is strong potential for the distribution and abundance of T. scariosa to be altered in the future with changes in temperature associated with climate change. The distribution of soil types across the Mediterranean climate region of South Eastern Australia may be predisposed to favour the southerly expansion of T. scariosa‐dominated communities in the future under a warmer climate.     

Dynamics of potentially harmful microalgae in a confined Mediterranean Gulf—Assessing the risk of bloom formation

The population dynamics of potentially harmful microalgae was investigated in the semi-enclosed shallow Gulf of Kalloni, Greece (Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean), during a 2-year period from August 2004 to March 2006. A total of 21 potentially harmful microalgae (bloom-forming and/or toxic) were identified including 3 diatoms and 18 dinoflagellates. The densities of each species were analyzed in time and space and in relation to environmental parameters. Some species such as Alexandrium insuetum, Heterocapsa circularisquama, Karlodinium veneficum, Scrippsiella trochoidea, and Ceratium spp. developed high cell concentrations, particularly during a Pseudo-nitzschia calliantha winter bloom. Other species such as Dinophysis caudata, Ostreopsis ovata, Prorocentrum minimum, and Protoperidinium crassipes were rare or appeared in small numbers. Densities of the most abundant species were closely associated with freshwater nutrient-rich inputs during winter, being negatively correlated with temperature and salinity and positively correlated with nitrogen. The spatial distribution of the abundant species exhibited a marked increase towards the inner part of the gulf, close to the main freshwater inputs, whereas some species were mainly concentrated in the dilute surface layer (1 m depth). Examination of the abundance–occupancy relationship revealed that the species more prone to bloom are those with wide spatial distribution and frequent presence throughout the year such as the diatom P. calliantha. Although blooms of cyst-forming species are rarer, an increased risk can be foreseen under favorable resource supply and environmental conditions during winter.     

The coniferous tussock moth (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Calliteara abietis</Emphasis>, Lepidoptera,Lymantriidae) in Buryatia

The coniferous tussock moth Calliteara abietis Denis et Schiffermüller, 1775 (Lepidoptera, Lymantriidae) outbreaks occur in Eastern Siberia. The biological characteristics and outbreak dynamics of this species in the late twentieth century and in the twenty-first century are described. Outbreaks of the moth are shown to occur both separately and along with Siberian and white striped (in Sakhalin) lappet moths.     

Species Composition and Seasonal Dynamics of Density and Biomass of Euglenoids in Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan

The species composition and seasonal dynamics of density and biomass of euglenoids in the plankton of Peter the Great Bay were examined. Ten species of euglenoids were found. Of these, Eutreptiella braarudiiThrondsen and Eutreptiella eupharyngeaMoestrup et Norris are new records for the Far Eastern seas of Russia. Sharply pronounced peaks of euglenoid density and biomass occurred in the spring and summer. Increased density and biomass of species of the genera EuglenaEhr. and EutreptiaPerty were observed in polluted waters near sewage outlets.     

Genetic structure in the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica: disentangling past vicariance events from contemporary patterns of gene flow

The Mediterranean Sea is a two‐basin system, with the boundary zone restricted to the Strait of Sicily and the narrow Strait of Messina. Two main population groups are recognized in the Mediterranean endemic seagrass Posidonia oceanica, corresponding to the Western and the Eastern basins. To address the nature of the East–West cleavage in P. oceanica, the main aims of this study were: (i) to define the genetic structure within the potential contact zone (i.e. the Strait of Sicily) and clarify the extent of gene flow between the two population groups, and (ii) to investigate the role of present water circulation patterns vs. past evolutionary events on the observed genetic pattern. To achieve these goals, we utilized SSR markers and we simulated, with respect to current regime, the possible present‐day dispersal pattern of Posidonia floating fruits using 28‐day numerical Lagrangian trajectories. The results obtained confirm the presence of the two main population groups, without any indices of reproductive isolation, with the break zone located at the level of the Southern tip of Calabria. The populations in the Strait of Sicily showed higher affinity with Western than with Eastern populations. This pattern of genetic structure probably reflects historical avenues of recolonization from relict glacial areas and past vicariance events, but seems to persist as a result of the low connectivity among populations via marine currents, as suggested by our dispersal simulation analysis.     

New species of the snakefly genus Mongoloraphidia (Raphidioptera: Raphidiidae) from Japan and Taiwan,with phylogenetic and biogeographical remarks on the Raphidiidae of Eastern Asia

Two species of the snakefly genus Mongoloraphidia Aspöck & Aspöck, 1968 from Japan and Taiwan are described as new to science: Mongoloraphidia (Japanoraphidia) occidentalis sp. nov. and Mongoloraphidia (Formosoraphidia) curvata sp. nov. A key to the species of Mongoloraphidia from Eastern Asia is provided. Phylogenetic and biogeographical aspects on the Raphidiidae from Eastern Asia are discussed.     

Phylogeographical and cross‐species transmission dynamics of SAT1 and SAT2 foot‐and‐mouth disease virus in Eastern Africa

Understanding the dynamics of foot‐and‐mouth disease virus (FMDV), an endemic and economically constraining disease, is critical in designing control programmes in Africa. This study investigates the evolutionary epidemiology of SAT1 and SAT2 FMDV in Eastern Africa, as well as between cattle and wild African buffalo. Bayesian phylodynamic models were used to analyse SAT1 and SAT2 VP1 gene segments collected between 1975 and 2016, focusing on the SAT1 and SAT2 viruses currently circulating in Eastern Africa. The root state posterior probabilities inferred from our analyses suggest Zimbabwe as the ancestral location for SAT1 currently circulating in Eastern Africa (p = 0.67). For the SAT2 clade, Kenya is inferred to be the ancestral location for introduction of the virus into other countries in Eastern Africa (p = 0.72). Salient (Bayes factor >10) viral dispersal routes were inferred from Tanzania to Kenya, and from Kenya to Uganda for SAT1 and SAT2, respectively. Results suggest that cattle are the source of the SAT1 and SAT2 clades currently circulating in Eastern Africa. In addition, our results suggest that the majority of SAT1 and SAT2 in livestock come from other livestock rather than wildlife, with limited evidence that buffalo serve as reservoirs for cattle. Insights from the present study highlight the role of cattle movements and anthropogenic activities in shaping the evolutionary history of SAT1 and SAT2 in Eastern Africa. While the results may be affected by inherent limitations of imperfect surveillance, our analysis elucidates the dynamics between host species in this region, which is key to guiding disease intervention activities.     

Out of the pot and into the fire: Explaining the vulnerability of an endangered small headwater stream fish to black‐bass Micropterus spp. invasion

Introduced predatory fishes have had consistently severe consequences for native fishes in stream environments around the world, although the drivers of these effects are often unclear. In the Swartkops River headwaters in South Africa, native Eastern Cape redfin Pseudobarbus afer were always absent from sites occupied by non‐native black basses Micropterus salmoides and Micropterus dolomieu, but generally co‐occurred with the native predators Anguilla marmorata and Anguilla mossambica. A natural experiment provided by flood‐mediated recolonization of black‐bass occupied sites by P. afer demonstrated depletion in black‐bass invaded sites. Field behavioural observations of P. afer indicated that they foraged among benthic cover during the day, but suspended in open water at night. As the nocturnal A. marmorata and A. mossambica foraged actively within structural cover at night and M. dolomieu and M. salmoides are diurnal or crepuscular predators, P .afer is thus optimized to avoid predation by native anguillid predators and not the functionally unique predatory black basses. The integration of distributional, temporal population dynamics and behavioural data suggests that the severe effects of Micropterus spp. are probably a consequence of prey naïveté and behaviour evolved to evade native predators.