Phylogenetic analysis of Altai osmans of the genus Oreoleuciscus (Pisces, Cyprinidae, Leuciscinae), based on the analysis of the cytochrome oxidase 1 gene (Co-1) sequence

Molecular genetic analysis of Altai osmans of the genus Oreoleuciscus from two different parts of the range was carried out. In this study, based on the mitochondrial Co-1 gene sequence, a total of 25 fish specimens belonging to four genera were examined: (1) O. humilis, 2 specimens; O. potanini, 13 specimens; (2) Pseudaspius leptocephalus, 1 specimen; (3) Tribolodon brandtii, T. hakonensis, and T. sachalinensis from the GenBank database, 8 speciens; and (4) Leuciscus waleckii, 1 specimen (used as an outgroup). The p-distances were very low both within and between the species: (1) 0.20 +/- 0.03%; (2) 0.40 +/- 0.12%; and (1-2) 0.80 +/- 0.04%. To visualize the relationships among all of the species examined, the neighbor joining (NJ), maximum parsimony (MP), Bayesian (BA), and maximum likelihood (ML) trees were constructed. The results obtained using these methods were very similar. It was demonstrated that species assignment of the individuals (barcoding) with the help Co-1 gene was effective, despite of very low divergence of the two osman taxa, which was comparable with typical intraspecific values in other animal groups. Taxonomic status of O. potanini and O. humilis requires further investigation with paying attention to low genetic distances between these species along with the lack of material from sympatric parts of the ranges.     

Phylogeography of Altai osmans (Oreoleuciscus sp., Cyprinidae, Pisces) based on sequence variation of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene

Representatives of the genus Oreoleuciscus (Altai osmans) from the water bodies of Western Mongolia were examined for sequence polymorphism of the mitochondrial DNA fragment containing the cytochrome b (Cyt-b) gene. A total of 17 sequence variants (haplotypes) were discovered, which formed two clusters, A and B, with nonoverlapping geographic localization. Cluster A included haplotypes of Altai osmans from the Valley of Lakes water bodies. Cluster B consisted of two subclusters, the first of which (B1) united sequence variants of the populations from Hollow of the Great Lakes and the lakes of the Great Altai Range. The second subcluster (B2) was formed by the haplotypes originating from the Hollow of the Lake Uvs, some isolated lakes of the Northwestern Khangay region, and the water bodies of the Arctic Ocean Basin (basins of Selenga and Orchon rivers). Based on the genetic divergence estimates and the radiation time of genetic geographic groups identified, the existence of three allopatric species of Altaic osmans in the genus Oreoleuciscus was substantiated.     

Morphological Differentiation of Altai Osman Oreoleuciscus humilis (Cyprinidae) in the Tuin-Gol River,Lake Valley,Mongolia

Journal of Ichthyology - Variability of osteological characters of Altai osmans of the genus Oreoleuciscus in the Tuin River is studied. Two morphological forms are discerned on the basis of...     

A New Species of the Flat Moth Genus Agonopterix Hübner, [1825] (Lepidoptera,Depressariidae) from the Republic of Altai

Entomological Review - A new species Agonopterix ongudaicasp. n. (Lepidoptera, Depressariidae), closely related to A. pullella Hannemann, 1971, is described from the Republic of Altai (Russia). The...     

On the northernmost distribution of leaf beetles of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreomela</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae): New species from mountains of southern Siberia

Three new species of leaf beetles are described: Oreomela dudkorum sp. n. (Terektinskii Ridge, Central Altai Mountains), O. tuvensis sp. n. (mountains of southeastern Republic of Tuva), and O. romantsovi sp. n. (Western Sayan Mountains). The representatives of this genus, and especially of the nominotypical subgenus, were found in Russia and in the territories mentioned for the first time. Thus, the distribution boundary of this genus is shifted 3–4° northwards. The representatives of Oreomela have most probably migrated from Tien Shan to the mountains of southern Siberia via the Mongolian Altai Mountains.     

The jumping-lice (Homoptera,Psyllinea) fauna of the Republic of Altai

A faunal list of Psyllinae of the Republic of Altai is given. Out of the 59 species reported, 35 are new to the fauna of the area under study, 10 are new to Siberia, and 3 are recorded for the first time from Russia.     

Habitat requirements of the long-tailed ground squirrel (Spermophilus undulatus) in the southern Altai

The long-tailed ground squirrels Spermophilus undulatus represent the most abundant burrowing herbivorous species in the southern Altai grasslands and are suggested to play an important role in the maintenance of this mountain ecosystem. The aim of this study was to identify the key features that influence their habitat use in the southern part of the Altai Republic (south-west Siberia, Russia). The research area represents a complete sequence of altitudinal vegetation zones from steppe, forest-steppe, forest, sub-alpine and alpine tundra. Our results suggest that S. undulatus prefers short-grass steppes, near the water source and with a thin layer of a chernozem soil containing a large amount of coarse clastics. The species strictly avoids forests and tolerates only a low density of bush cover. Altitude and exposure to sun do not represent significant factors in the habitat choice of S. undulatus . Neither the presence of pikas nor the presence of marmots influences habitat selection of the ground squirrels. Strong preferences for habitats near a water source may limit the distribution of the species to mountain areas. Degree of human disturbance was not a significant factor affecting distribution and the species even displays slight preferences for heavily grazed habitat near human settlements and roads. Intensive grazing prevents shrubs and forest invasion, keeps vegetation low and thus provides appropriate conditions for the ground squirrels, favouring an open habitat where predators can be easily detected by sight. Our results suggest that the habitat selection of ground squirrels may be determined rather by a protection from predators and burrowing conditions than by food availability.     

The parasite fauna and structures of parasite communities of Oreoleuciscus humilis Warpachowski, 1889 from Ust-Nur Lake (Selenga River basin) and Tuin-Gol River (Goby Lakes Valley)

The parasite fauna of Oreoleuciscus humilis from the Ust-Nur Lake (Selenga River basin), Tuin-Gol River (Goby Lakes Valley) are given for the first time. We found 9 species of Oreoleuciscus humilis parasites, 5 species is revealed for the first time for this host. Infracommunities of parasites of Oreoleuciscus humilis in the Tuin-Gol River are balanced and mature, in the Ust-Nur Lake are not balaced and not mature.     

Occurrence of Paramecium species in Western Siberia, Russia

Paramecium strains collected in Central Russia, Western Siberia (the West Siberian Lowland and the Altai Mountains in the south) were studied. The presence of P. caudatum, P. bursaria, P. multimicronucleatum, P. polycaryum, and four species of the P. aurelia complex, i.e. P. primaurelia (in Omsk), P. biaurelia (in Krasnoyarsk and the Altai Mountains), P. triaurelia (in Krasnoyarsk), and P. pentaurelia (in Novosibirsk, Altai Foreland, and Altai Mountains) was revealed. P. triaurelia and P. pentaurelia were found for the first time in Asia.     

Epidemiology of congenital malformations in Gorno-Altaisk, Altai Republic, Russia

A retrospective epidemiological study has been performed using the data from healthcare institutions of the city of Gorno-Altaisk, Altai Republic, Russia for the period from 1983 to 2001. Congenital malformations (CMFs) have been studied in newborns, infants that died at ages under one year, and fetuses after 22 weeks of gestation. The most frequent malformations are those of the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems and multiple malformations, which account for 37.68, 18.22, and 8.9% of all congenital malformations, respectively. Their frequencies are 7.38, 3.57, and 1.74 per thousand, respectively. The frequency of congenital malformations subject to registration by the national system of CMF monitoring of the Russian Federation (21 malformation forms) is 6.08 per 1000 births and varies from 8.59 to 21.24. The frequency of the Down syndrome is 0.93 per 1000 births; it did not vary significantly during the period studied. The frequency of limb reduction deformities in the urban population of Altai Republic (0.32 per 1000 births) is higher than in other Siberian regions, including the cities of Kyzyl (Tyva Republic) and Tomsk and the Nyurba and Ust-Aldan uluses of Sakha Republic (Yakutia).     

Epidemiology of Congenital Malformations in Gorno-Altaisk,Altai Republic,Russia

A retrospective epidemiological study has been performed using the data from healthcare institutions of the city of Gorno-Altaisk, Altai Republic, Russia for the period from 1983 to 2001. Congenital malformations (CMFs) have been studied in newborns, infants that died at ages under one year, and fetuses after 22 weeks of gestation. The most frequent malformations are those of the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems and multiple malformations, which account for 37.68, 18.22, and 8.9% of all congenital malformations, respectively. Their frequencies are 7.38, 3.57, and 1.74, respectively. The frequency of congenital malformations subject to registration by the national system of CMF monitoring of the Russian Federation (21 malformation forms) is 6.08 per 1000 births and varies from 8.59 to 21.24. The frequency of the Down syndrome is 0.93 per 1000 births; it did not vary significantly during the period studied. The frequency of limb reduction deformities in the urban population of Altai Republic (0.32 per 1000 births) is higher than in other Siberian regions, including the cities of Kyzyl (Tyva Republic) and Tomsk and the Nyurba and Ust-Aldan uluses of Sakha Republic (Yakutia)     

Biochemical (Enzymatic) Indication and Testing of the Ecological State of the Hydrosphere

The river and lake water of Transuralia (Ob, Yenisei, and Tom rivers) and the Altai District (Katun River, Teletskoe Lake, and Korbu Waterfall) were studied for the first time using modern enzymatic methods. The self-purifying capacity of water and their quality were assessed according to the enzymatic test-systems.     

Chironomids (Diptera,Chironomidae) fauna of reservoirs in Bashkortostan

An annotated list of chironomid species from small reservoirs located in the Republic of Bashkortostan in the basins of Kama, Ural, and Ob rivers is given. The list includes 54 valid species. In addition, data on the abundance of larvae in the studied waters are presented. A total of 60 species of 31 genera from 3 subfamilies, Tanypodinae (5), Orthocladiinae (18), and Chironominae (37), are recorded. The largest number of species is registered in the Sakmara Reservoir. Palearctic species dominate.     

Life-history studies versus genetic markers – the case of Hylochares cruentatus (Coleoptera, Eucnemidae)

Recent findings in the greater Helsinki region of Hylochares cruentatus (Coleoptera, Eucnemidae), previously considered locally extinct, have shown ecological and morphological differentiation from H. cruentatus found in Russian Karelia. Despite their identical genetic constitution, differences in adult morphology, male genitalia as well as greatly differing life-history traits between the Finnish and Russian beetles prompted recognizing the Russian Hylochares as a distinct, new species: Hylochares populi n.sp., type locality Russia, Karelia, Kuganavalok. Single old specimens from Estonia and the Altai Mountains belong to the same taxon. Traditional morphological characters and life-history traits separate the two taxa, whereas the four applied genetic markers were identical, suggesting very recent diversification. The Russian H. populi lives in large soft-wooded aspen trees; H. cruentatus prefers tree- and bush-sized willows with harder wood. Conservation actions have to change focus from aspen trees to willow habitats to secure the survival of this rare beetle species in Finland.     

Pathways of macroinvertebrate invasions in the Ob River basin (West Siberia)

Water bodies of West Siberia mainly belong to the Ob River basin, which is not connected to other basins by shipping canals. The relative isolation of the basin predetermined the major role of industrial fisheries and aquarium trade in alien invertebrate transfer into the basin reservoirs. About 60% of the alien species were introduced into water bodies of West Siberia through industrial fisheries, and about 40% through aquarium fisheries. This paper is the first attempt to supplement a list of alien aquatic invertebrates from the Ob River basin. The data on the spread of 21 known non-indigenous species of invertebrates in this area are available. It should be noted that 7 species were deliberately introduced to enhance food reserves for fish, 8 were released by aquarists, 5 were inadvertently released during fish and forage organism introduction, and 1 (a crayfish) was imported for human consumption. For species with a known establishment period, there was a prolonged lag time in cases of both intentional and inadvertent introduction. The high invasion rate in the relatively isolated water bodies of the Ob River basin is comparable to that in Europe; hence, establishment of control over fishery-induced movement of alien invertebrates is required.     

A review of sciarids of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptosciarella</Emphasis> Tuomikoski 1960 (Diptera,Sciaridae) in the Altai fauna,with description of three new species

The taxonomy of the genus Leptosciarella Tuomikoski, 1960 in the Altai Area within Altai Territory and the Altai Republic was studied. Eleven species were recognized, including three new species which are described and illustrated here: Leptosciarella (L.) ulagana Komarova sp. n., L. (L.) angustistylus Komarova sp. n., L. (L.) senex Komarova sp. n. Additionally, L. (L.) fuscipalpa (Mohrig et Mamaev 1979) and L. (L.) truncata (Tuomikoski 1960) are recorded from Altai for the first time. A key to the Altai species is provided.     

Strains of Paramecium decaurelia (Ciliophora, Protozoa) from Russia with molecular characteristics of other known strains of the species

The presence of Paramecium decaurelia from the Paramecium aurelia species complex was demonstrated in Yaroslavl, Russia, (European part, northwestern Russia) and in the Altai Mts (Asiatic part of Russia, western Siberia). RAPD-PCR fingerprints of the newly identified strains of P. decaurelia, rare throughout the world, were compared to those characteristic for the other known strains ofthe species. P. decaurelia strains show some polymorphism within species, strains from Russia have 60% similarity of band patterns, and strains from USA and Japan about 70% similarity of band patterns.     

Morphological and Molecular-Genetic Polymorphism of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Canthocamptus staphylinus</Emphasis> Jurine (Harpacticoida,Copepoda, Crustacea)

External morphological and genetic structures of 94 individuals of Canthocamptus staphylinus Jurine (Harpacticoida, Copepoda, Crustacea) from ten European water bodies differing in type, including species type locality, have been analyzed. Significant distinctions of populations on six morphological features and morphometric indexes are established. The variability of both morphological and genetic markers is noted. As a result, two main species morph forms are allocated, typical and small. According to nucleotide, the variety of mitochondrial DNA harpacticoid specimens falls into ten haplotypes and three clades on the phylogenetic tree. One of them corresponds with the group isolated on morphological features (harpacticoids from the Sysola River basin, Komi Republic). The same-sex population from Lake Pääjärvi (Finland), which is morphologically indistinguishable from the population from a type locality, is considerably divergent by nucleotide sequences of mtDNA. The role of geographical isolation and ecological factors in C. staphylinus microevolution is shown.