Insect taxonomic diversity in the Russian Far East

The insect fauna of the Russian Far East comprises 634 families from 31 orders. The estimated species number is 31500. The largest orders are Hymenoptera (76 families, 9000 estimated species), Diptera (120 families, 8000 estimated species), Coleoptera (114 families, 5500 estimated species), and Lepidoptera (81 families, 5000 estimated species). The fractions of the main insect orders in the fauna of the Russian Far East correspond to those in the Holarctic temperate zone. The high biodiversity of insects in the Russian Far East results from the position of this region extending across several climatic zones. There are four levels of diversity both for the families and for the species, corresponding to the tundra, taiga, the transitional area between taiga and broadleaved forests, and the broadleaved forest zone. The number of insect families increases by 3 times while that of species increases by 20 times from the tundra to the broadleaved forests. Differentiation of the insect fauna of the Russian Far East results from the recent climatic situation (the influence of the Pacific monsoon) and the geologic history (broadleaved forest refugia resulting from the absence of complete ice cover during Pleistocenic glaciation in the south of the Russian Far East); it reflects deep faunistic connections of the eastern Palaearctic with the Nearctic and Oriental Regions. The mountain areas in the North Pacific are the refugia of the Mesozoic and Tertiary insect faunas. The Pacific may have substantially reduced the Cenozoic aridization in the northern hemisphere, which was one of the important factors of formation of the recent biota in the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions.     

Butterflies (Lepidoptera,Diurna) in boreal forests of southeastern Russia: 3. Stone birch forests

Species groups formed in stone birch forests in southeastern Russia are considered using the example of butterflies, and the proportion in these groups of species with different distribution is discussed. A classification analysis of species checklists for twelve local faunas of stone birch forests in the Russian Far East is performed. It is shown that no single faunistic category can be applied to the groups of species found in stone birch forests of the studied region.     

The steppe insect fauna in the Russian Far East: Myth or reality?

The fauna of Lepidoptera in the forest-steppe zone of southern plains of the Russian Far East is analyzed. The contribution of species with the optimal distribution in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of Eurasia into the above fauna is insignificant; eastern Asian temperate species dominate in the region. The classification analysis of lists of species from local steppe and forest-steppe faunas of both Far-Eastern humid “prairies” and southern Transbaikalian region is performed. In these regions, xerophilous species constitute the essential part of the local fauna. The necessity of revision of the present zoogeographical zoning of the Far East is substantiated.     

FAREAST: a forest gap model to simulate dynamics and patterns of eastern Eurasian forests

Aim This paper describes the forest gap model, FAREAST, its testing and its application to simulating the distribution, composition and dynamics of forests in eastern Eurasia. Location The FAREAST model is tested in north‐eastern China, initially for forests on the elevational gradient of Changbai Mountain, which is located on the border of the People's Republic of China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Subsequently, the model is inspected regionally for other northern Chinese mountains and, finally, it is applied to predict subcontinental forest communities in the Russian Far East. Boreal larch (Larix spp.) forests cover much of the 6 million km² of eastern Eurasia. Mixed broad‐leaved tree species/Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forests and spruce/fir (Picea/Abies) forests also occupy considerable areas. Methods The model is tested using three types of information: (1) direct species composition comparisons between simulated and observed mature forests at the same locations; (2) forest type comparisons between simulated and observed forests along altitudinal gradients of several different mountains; and (3) comparison with forest stands in different succession stages of simulated forests. Results Model comparisons with independent data indicate that the FAREAST model is capable of representing many of the broad features of the forests of north‐eastern China. After regional model validation in the north‐eastern region of China, geographical model applications were developed for the forests of the Russian Far East. In simulations at 31 different sites distributed across the entire Russian Far East and including a wide variety of natural forests, the model demonstrates an ability to reproduce observed vegetation pattern. The model simulations are correct with respect to our criteria for 23 of the 31 sites, and there are close results for three other sites. Among the five sites that are incorrectly predicted, four simulations can be corrected by adding a simple assumption to the model for permafrost effects on water balance. Main conclusions Continental‐scale forest cover can be simulated using a forest gap model to represent individual–plant interactions with one another, and their environment, and with parameters that describe the biology of each tree species. It appears that such a model, validated relatively locally (in this case, in north‐eastern China), can then be applied over a much larger region. These results further imply that the Russian Far East forests can be regarded as a natural geographical expansion of north‐eastern Chinese forests. In both regions, forests share not only similar species compositions, but also similar underlying causes of forest successional dynamics.     

A review of scarab beetles of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hoplia</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae) from the Russian Far East

A review of the species of the genus Hoplia from the Russian Far East is given. Lectotypes are designated for Anisoplia cincticollis Faldermann and Hoplia djukini Jacobson. Hoplia cincticollis (Faldermann) is recorded from the Russian Far East for the first time. An original key to the species of the genus Hoplia of the Russian Far East fauna is provided.     

Biogeographic characteristics of Far Eastern wasps: A case study with eumenine wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae)

A total of 107 forms of 88 eumenine wasp species occurring in the Far East were used to produce a more comprehensive picture of the geographical pattern of wasps in the Far East. All forms occurring in the Far East were biogeographically classified into 22 types in four larger categories, and a summarized table and discussion are presented. The eumenine wasp fauna of the Far East was characterized as a mixture of a fair number of endemic elements, a moderate number of transpalearctic elements, and some Oriental elements. The endemism of the Far East reached 0.71 at the species/subspecies level when the calculation was based on true Palearctic elements occurring in Far Eastern Russia, the Korean peninsula and Japan proper. The relationship between the Far Eastern fauna and the Central/Western Palearctic faunas was also analyzed and discussed. The species occurring in each treated district was counted, and provides evidence for the importance of the Korean fauna in biodiversity evaluation/estimation of Far Eastern fauna. The similarity index between the Korean Peninsula and Japan proper, the Korean Peninsula and the Russian Far East, and the Russian Far East and Japan proper was calculated to explain possible factors for faunal formation in the Far East. The distributional pattern of each form treated in this study and its relatives is tabulated in Appendix I.     

Taxonomy of phytopathogenic viruses identified in the Russian far east

The work is devoted to a problem of study of the taxonomy phytopathogenic viruses of Far East. The performance to genera, species and strain of viruses identified in Far East region is briefly given. A genus Potyvirus in more detail is described, as the greatest number identified on Far East phytoviruses is included into structure of this genus. In the given article the classification phythopathogenic of Russian Far East is represented, for which basis the classification of viruses of the message of International Committee on the taxonomy of viruses (1995) is taken.     

Species included in the Chrysopilus amurensis species-group (Diptera, Rhagionidae)

Based on examination of the type series of Chrysopilus amurensis Soboleva and an additional material from Amur Province and the south of the Russian Far East, eight new species are described. Specimens from the southern part of the Russian Far East previously misidentified as Ch. ugensis Nagatomi have proved to belong to a new species. A key to males of the above-mentioned species-group is given. Genitalia of all the species examined are figured.     

Coniogramme intermedia Hieron. (Hemionitidaceae Pichi Sermolli) in the northern Sikhote-Alin

The distributional pattern of Coniogramme intermedia within the Russian Far East has been characterized. The characteristics of location, species diversity and structure of plant groupings in the inhabited places are given. Some measures are proposed to preserve endangered communities of coniferous and broad-leaved forests with the participation of Coniogramme intermedia.     

Different dispersal histories of lineages of the earthworm <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aporrectodea caliginosa</Emphasis> (Lumbricidae,Annelida) in the Palearctic

Earthworms are among the most abundant and ecologically important invasive species, and are therefore a good object for studying genetic processes in invasive populations. Aporrectodea caliginosa is one of the most widespread invasive earthworms in the temperate zone. It is believed to have dispersed from Europe to all continents except Antarctica. It is known that A. caliginosa consists of three genetic lineages, and genetic diversity is high both among and between them. We attempted to use that high genetic diversity to study A. caliginosa dispersal in the Palearctic based on a sample of 40 localities ranging from eastern Europe to the Russian Far East, and to compare our data to other studies on this species in western Europe and North America. Two genetic lineages were found in the studied sample. Only negligible decrease in genetic diversity was observed for the lineage 2 of A. caliginosa from West Europe to the Far East, suggesting multiple human-mediated introductions. In contrast, lineage 3 is abundant in West Europe and Belarus, but is absent from the East European Plain, the Urals, and the Far East. However, it is present in West Siberia, where it has greatly reduced genetic diversity, indicating long-distance dispersal accompanied by a bottleneck event. Thus, although these two lineages of A. caliginosa are morphologically indistinguishable, they have dramatic differences in their distributions and dispersal histories.     

Invasive alien plants of Russia: insights from regional inventories

Recent research on plant invasions indicates that some parts of the world are understudied with temperate Asia among them. To contribute towards closing this gap, we provide a standardized list of invasive alien plant species with their distributions in 45 Russian regions, and relate the variation in their richness to climate, socioeconomic parameters and human influence. In total, we report 354 invasive alien species. There are, on average, 27 ± 17 (mean ± SD) invasive plants per region, and the invasive species richness varies from zero in Karelia to 71 in Kaluga. In the European part of Russia, there are 277 invasive species in total, in Siberia 70, and in the Far East 79. The most widespread invaders are, in terms of the number of regions from which they are reported, Acer negundo, Echinocystis lobata (recorded in 34 regions), Erigeron canadensis and Elodea canadensis (recorded in 30 regions). Most invasive species in Russia originate from other parts of temperate Asia and Europe. There were significant differences in the representation of life forms between the European, Siberian and Far East biogeographical regions, with perennials being over-represented in the Far East, and shrubs in the European part of Russia. The richness of invasive species can be explained by climatic factors, human population density and the percentage of urban population in a region. This publication and the associated dataset is the first comprehensive treatment of the invasive flora of Russia using standardized criteria and covering 83% of the territory of this country.     

On the species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diplocheila</Emphasis> Brullé (Coleoptera: Carabidae) of the Far East of Russia,with a brief review of the East Asian species

A taxonomic review of seven species of Diplocheila of the Far East of Russia and adjacent lands is given. Three species are known from the Russian Far East, two of which, D. zeelandica Redt. and D. minima Jedl., are recorded from Russia for the first time. A key to the East Asian species is presented. Composition and diagnoses of subgenera are discussed. The subgenus Submera Habu is restored.     

山东临朐中中新世山旺组紫藤属(豆科)荚果化石的再观察

豆科紫藤属Wisteria约有5-6个现生种,间断分布于中国、日本和美国的温带地区,但化石记录表明,该属在新近纪可能广泛分布于捷克、荷兰、格鲁吉亚阿布哈兹、保加利亚、罗马尼亚、俄罗斯远东、日本和中国。因此,研究紫藤属化石有助于深入认识它的早期演化、分类、多样性、古生态和生物地理,其中荚果化石的分类价值和演化意义尤为显著。文中基于对产自山东临朐中中新世山旺组的山旺紫藤W.shanwangensis荚果化石的再观察,并结合紫藤属3个现生种——紫藤W.sinensis、藤萝W.villosa和多花紫藤W.floribunda的荚果发育特征,讨论这些化石的分类、演化、发育和埋藏学意义。结果进一步证明,山旺紫藤荚果化石与国产的2个现生种——紫藤和藤萝的荚果更为相似,呈倒披针形、种子较少和室间缢缩明显。比较而言,日本和美国产的紫藤属现生种——多花紫藤和美国紫藤W.frutescens的荚果呈线形、种子较多和室间缢缩不明显,而且日本中新世和上新世报道的紫藤属荚果化石与多花紫藤的荚果更为相似。然而,中国和日本报道的紫藤属荚果化石迄今都没发现被毛,这与现生种中最原始的美国紫藤的荚果相似,而与东亚紫藤属现生种密被绒毛的荚果形成显著差别。因此,中国、日本和美国的紫藤属种类可能早在中新世就已经发生了形态地理分化,而荚果无毛或许是该属演化过程中一个比较原始的性状;紫藤属现生种荚果在发育的中、后期果壁上具有与纵轴方向成锐角的倾斜纤维纹饰,它们在荚果完全成熟后导致果瓣沿缝线开裂并卷曲,卷曲的果瓣放入水中又能恢复平整。值得注意的是,山旺紫藤荚果化石果壁上也发现了类似的倾斜纤维纹饰,这表明它们在脱落保存时处在发育的中、后期,这一发育时期脱落的荚果更有可能保存为化石记录;山旺紫藤荚果化石果壁的碳质残片中还富含硅藻类,近似于远距直链藻Melosira distans和颗粒直链藻M.granulata这些浮游相的、生活在深水区的优势种。因此,山旺紫藤荚果脱离母体后可能沉积在湖水较深的地方,而且它也可能是在成熟开裂的状态下脱落,瓣片本来卷曲,被短程搬运至湖中,又在湖水的浸泡下恢复平整状态,而后经沉积物掩埋后形成化石。     

Relictolepis gen. n.--a new cestode genus (Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae) from rodents of the Russian Far East and the description of R. feodorovi sp. n

A new cestode genus and species Relictolepis feodorovi gen. et sp. n. having armed scolex is described ex Clethrionomis rufocanus Sundevall, 1846 (Rodentia, Microtinae) from the Russian Far East.     

The lichen genus Phaeophyscia in China and Russian Far East

Moberg, R. 1995. The lichen genus Phaeophyscia in China and Russian Far East. -Nord. J. Bot. 15: 319–335. Copenhagen ISSN 0107–055X.
Fifteen species, more than half of the total known species in the lichen genus Phaeophyscia , are shown to be present in China and Russian Far East. Morphology, anatomy, chemistry, distribution, habitat, relations to other taxa and some evolutionary trends are discussed. A key to the species is presented and regional distribution maps of all species are given. Several species are new to the area. New combinations are: Phaeophyscia endococcina var. endococcinodes and Phaeophyscia hispidula var. exornatula . The following names are reduced to synonymy: Phaeophyscia endococcinodes, Physcia endococcinodes var. megalospora, Physcia endococcinodes var. stellata, Phaeophyscia imbricata, Phaeophyscia exornatula, Phaeophyscia limbata , and Physcia endococcina var. latiloba .     

Butterflies (Lepidoptera,Diurna) in boreal forests of southeastern Russia: 1. Light coniferous forests

Species groups formed in light coniferous forests prevailing in southeastern Russia are considered using the example of butterflies. Problems concerning the formation of species composition and its originality in some insects groups are discussed. A classification analysis of species checklists for twelve local faunas of Transbaikalia and the southern Far East of Russia is performed. It is shown that the faunas of areas occupied by light coniferous forests have a common background.     

Genetic variability of the peripheral population of the greater long-tailed hamster <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tscherskia triton</Emphasis> (De Winton 1899) in the northeastern part of the distribution range based on sequencing data of the control region of mitochondrial DNA

The genetic variability of the greater long-tailed hamster Tscherskia triton of the peripheral population of the southern Russian Far East is evaluated compared to the central populations of China based on the nucleotide sequences of the control region of mitochondrial DNA. The high genetic diversity of the population of the southern part of Russian Far East is established, which does not confirm a hypothesis on reduction of the diversity in the peripheral populations. The presence of three phylogroups is discovered: one within Russia (“northern”) and two within China (“central” and “southern”). A deletion, absent in other taxonomically distant groups of the Old and New World and acquired by the greater long-tailed hamster over the course of its evolutionary history, is present in certain populations of this species. A preliminary hypothesis, according to which the contemporary structure of this species is determined not only by topographical and climatic events, but by human activity as well, is formulated.     

Siganidae,a new family of fishes for the Russian fauna

A representative of the family Siganidae, Mottled spinefoot (Siganus fuscescens), has been found for the first time in Russian waters. It is a Pacific, subtropical-equatorial, and Asian wide-ranging species: from the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and Japan to Papua New Guinea and Australia. In September 2013, it was collected in Far Eastern State Marine Reserve, Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, near Ostrovok Fal’shivyi Cape (42°26′ N, 130°47′ E).     

Fossil wood Sequoioxylon dimyense sp. nov. (Cupressaceae) from the upper cretaceous of Zeya-Bureya basin, Russian Far East

A new species Sequoioxylon dimyense (Cupressaceae) is described from the Middle Maastrichtian (Upper Cretaceous) deposits of the Zeya-Bureya basin (Russian Far East) based on the fossil wood anatomy. The new species is characterized by combination of anatomical wood characters of the modern representatives of the subfamily Sequoioideae.