Parasite fauna in sticklebacks (Gasterosteidae) from bodies of water of the Kola region

The results of a parasitological study of the two species of sticklebacks (Pungitius pungitius and Gasterosteus aculeatus) inhabiting the Kola region are presented. The 42 and 14 species of parasite were found in the nine-spined and three-spined stickleback, respectively. The paucity of the parasite fauna in the three-spined stickleback is observed. Distribution of parasites in Kola waterbodies and ecological peculiarities in system "parasite-host" are presented.     

Prasinophyceae (Green Algae) from the Lower Proterozoic of the Kola Peninsula

Eukaryotic organisms discovered from the earliest Lower Proterozoic phosphorites (2.04 Ga) of the Kola Peninsula are described. These are fossil forms Pechengia melezhiki gen. et sp. nov., which are tentatively assigned to green algae of the class Prasinophyceae.     

Efficiency of the Artificial Reproduction of Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar,Depending on the Age of Juveniles Released to a Natural Water Body (Based on the Example of the Kola River,Kola Peninsula)

Journal of Ichthyology - The results of a comparative analysis of the efficiency of the artificial reproduction of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) individuals released to the Kola River at ages of 3...     

Age Dynamics of Helminth Fauna of the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) in Kola Bay,Barents Sea

Biology Bulletin - The influence of host age on the helminth fauna of the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) captured in breeding colonies in Kola Bay in the Barents Sea was studied. The fauna of...     

Genetic diversity of wild reindeer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rangifer tarandus</Emphasis> L. from the eastern part of the Kola Peninsula: Polymorphism of the mtDNA control region

Based on the results of the analysis of nucleotide sequence polymorphism in the hypervariable fragment (left domain) of the mtDNA control region (D loop), the genetic diversity of wild reindeer from the eastern part of the Kola Peninsula (Murmansk oblast, Terskii region) was studied. Low values of the genetic diversity indices for Eurasian wild reindeer were detected. The effect of domestic reindeer breeding on the development of genetic diversity of the wild reindeer population in the studied region (indicating a low degree of hybridization of domesticated and wild reindeer) was estimated.     

Species composition and distribution of echinoderms (Echinodermata) in the upper subtidal zone of Kola Bay,Barents Sea

The species composition and patterns of distribution of echinoderms from the upper sublittoral zone to depth of 30 m in the southern and middle of Kola Bay in the Barents Sea were studied. In total, five species of starfishes, four species of brittle stars, three species of sea urchins and one species of holothurians were recorded. From the beginning of 20th century, under the impact of climate change and anthropogenic effect, the number of echinoderm species in the surveyed area decreased by two times, and the fauna has a more boreal character against the background of the domination of boreal-arctic species. The occurrence, population density and biomass of echinoderms, especially of common species, were several times less in the middle bend of the bay than in the southern one. The causes of this phenomenon have been discussed. The quantitative data (frequency of occurrence, number and biomass) for most of the species of echinoderms living in Kola Bay are given for the first time.     

Interannual fluctuations of zooplankton in the Kola Section (Barents Sea) in relation to environmental factors

An analysis of interannual variations of zooplankton composition and biomass in the Kola Section (Barents Sea) in summer was conducted based on the data of 2003–2010. Maximum values of the mean water temperature and temperature anomaly were found in 2006 and in 2007. Variations in the zooplankton composition and relative biomass of common species were studied in relation to climatic factors. It is discussed which parameters may be used as indicators of climatic changes in the southern Barents Sea.     

Springtails (Hexapoda,Collembola) of Tundra Landscapes of the Kola Peninsula

A quantitative study of collembolan assemblages on the Barents Sea coast of the Kola Peninsula was performed. Altogether, 104 collembolan species of 55 genera and 16 families were found. Analysis of the faunal composition revealed its high similarity to that of the faunas of the neighboring regions of Norway as well as a marked decline in species richness as compared to the Siberian analogues. A high share of littoral forms with increased vagility and the predominance of species with “southern” (= boreal) and “western” distribution patterns are the main characteristics of the fauna studied; only a few true arctic forms were found, always with low abundance and occurrence levels. Most of the studied collembolan assemblages are characterized by the dominance of a few species which inhabit a part of or the entire range of plant communities. As a result, collembolan assemblages under various types of vegetation cover in different landscape elements often show only insignificant differences.     

The karyotypic characteristics and chromosome polymorphism of three species of blood-feeding flies (Simuliidae, Diptera) inhabiting the Kola Peninsula and the Baikal Region

Karyotypes of three species of black flies inhabiting the Kola Peninsula and the Baikal Region--Schoenbaueria pusilla, Gnus rostratum and G. decimatum--have been first described. The diploid number of these species is 2n = 6. The main identification signs of all chromosomes of the set were revealed and a high level of polymorphism in heterozygote inversions was found out. The detected heterozygote inversions are irregulary located in chromosomes, which is interpreted as an effective mechanism of populations highly adapted to different ecological conditions.     

Seasonal dynamics of the trematodes fauna in herring gull (Larus argentatus Pontopp.) of Kola Bay

Trematode fauna of the herring gulls from Kola Bay (Barents Sea) was investigated in March, May, June, and September 2005. The data on the trematode species composition and indices of the invasion of gulls with trematodes are given for each season. It was established, that trematode species composition is increased from spring to summer, and intensity of the gulls' invasion with some trematode species is increased from summer to autumn. Ecological factors causing seasonal differences of the trematode fauna in gulls are discussed.     

The Cyanobacteria of the Intertidal Zone of the Kola Bay of the Barents Sea: Species Composition and Ecology

Russian Journal of Marine Biology - This article presents the results of studies of the cyanobacteria from foulings of natural and anthropogenic substrates of the intertidal zone of the Kola Bay of...     

Planktonic fauna of small salmon rivers in the Kola Peninsula

The zooplankton of 23 small salmon rivers of the White Sea and Barents Sea basins in the Kola Peninsula were studied. The species composition and quantitative indices in juvenile salmonids habitats are characterized. The maximum species diversity and abundance of planktonic fauna were recorded in lake-regulated rivers and places with large quantities of water. The quantitative development of zooplankton in rivers is low, which testifies to its minor role as a food resource for salmonid juveniles. The assessment of the ecological state of the river water is presented.     

Epibionts of the red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus (Tilesius, 1815) in Sayda Inlet of Kola Bay

The species composition of organisms associated with the red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus (Tilesius, 1815) was investigated in Sayda Inlet of Kola Bay in 2004–2005. Nine fouler species and three symbiotic species were found on the carapaces of the red king crab. Balanus crenatus Bruigere 1789 barnacles were the most abundant fouler species and were found on 14.8% of the crabs. Symbiotic amphipods Ischyrocerus commensalis Chevreux, 1900 were found for one-tenth of all the crabs studied. The mean intensity of the amphipods was significantly greater for September, when the reproduction period of this species occurred. Male and female crabs were hosted with the same intensity. The number of host crabs increased accordingly to the crab size. The proportion of hosted crabs was three-fold less in Sayda Inlet than in the less polluted areas of the Barents Sea.     

Bacterial paleontology of the Neoarchean banded iron formations of Karelia and the Kola Peninsula

Probable microfossils, presumably of bacterial origin, were found in the banded iron formations of Karelia and the Kola Peninsula. The age of these formations is 2.7–2.8 Ga. Based on the organic carbon content and balance estimations it was established that these banded iron formations were deposited in environments rich in organic matter. Comparative analysis of the morphology of Recent and Neoarchean microorganisms suggests a bacterial origin for some magnetite in the studied quartzites.     

Petsamomyces, a new genus of organic-walled microfossils from the coal-bearing deposits of the Early Proterozoic, Kola Peninsula

A new genus of organic-walled microfossils of supposed fungal origin, Petsamomyces Belova gen. nov., is described from the black shales of the Pechenga complex of the Early Proterozoic (Kola Peninsula). The find testifies to the development of eukaryotic heterotrophic microorganisms as early as 2 Ga ago.     

Morphology and age variability of Daphnia galeata Sars (Cladocera: Daphniidae) in two adjacent water bodies of the Kola Peninsula

The morphology and age variability of Daphnia galeata Sars (Cladocera: Daphniidae) in two adjacent water bodies of the Kola Peninsula are studied. The reliability of characters usually used for diagnosis of adult individuals of the given species was verified, and their formation in the postembryonic period was traced. If the identification of D. galeata from Lake Bolshoi Vudvyar caused no doubts, the population from Lake Malyi Vudvyar was atypical with respect to several morphological characters. We concluded that plastic characters, such as body shape, as well as the shape of the dorsal crest and helmet on the head are unreliable for distinguishing closely related species of water fleas. At the same time, some small-size characters, for instance, the relative depth of the medial crest on the posterior side of the head, allow us to diagnose this species with confidence.     

On the issue of influence of coastal seabird colonies on adjacent pelagic communities of the Kola Peninsula

According to previously obtained data, seabird colonies, as a biotic factor, exert a substantial influence on communities of some coastal waters around the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. In the current study, an attempt has been made to assess the degree of the impact of seabird colonies on planktonic assemblages in the coastal waters of the Kola Peninsula. A study of phyto- and zooplankton near the colony on Cape Gorodetsky (Rybachy Peninsula) did not reveal any substantial differences in the qualitative and quantitative composition of this community in comparison with the other coastal waters of the Barents Sea. The lack of influence on the coastal biota can be explained by the low abundance of birds in the colonies, as well as by the effect of the Murman Coastal Current, which carries away and disperses the biogenic matter that enters the aquatic environment with guano.     

Parasite fauna of the perch fishes Percidae in waterbodies of the Kola Region

Results of the parasitological investigation of two species of perch fisches (perch Perca fluviatilis and ruff Gymnocephalus cernuus) from Kola Region are given. 63 species of parasites were found on perch in 16 waterbodies belonging to the White Sea and Barents Sea basins (Myxosporea--3, Pleurostomata--1, Suctoria--2, Peritricha--21, Protozoa incertae sedis--1, Monogenea--2, Cestoda--6, Trematoda--10, Nemadota--8, Acanthocephala--4, Hirudinea--1, Bivalvia--1, Crustacea--3). 33 species of parasites were found on ruff in 5 waterbodies belonging to the White Sea basin (Cyrtostomata--1, Hymenostomata--1, Peritricha--8, Monogenea--2, Cestoda--6, Trematoda--9, Nematoda--2, Acanthospehala--2, Bivalvia--1, Crustacea--1). Data on the infestation of perch and ruff by different parasite species are obtained, occurrence of the parasites in the examined waterbodies is shown.     

Organotin Compounds (OTCs) in Saccharina latissima (Phaeophyceae) from the Barents Sea

Doklady Biological Sciences - The degree of contamination of Saccharina latissima, the dominant species among macrophyte algae in the sublittoral zones of the Kola Bay and Eastern Murman of the...