Spatial and geographic characteristics of marriage migration in the Lugansk population

Data from the Lugansk City Registry Office archives of 1960, 1985, 1990, and 2000 were used to calculate genetic demographic parameters characterizing marriage migration. The migration coefficients (m) in these years were 0.69, 0.54, 0.47, and 0.36; the endogamy indices were 12.1, 24.4, 30.5, and 43.2%, and the marriage contingency coefficients with respect to birthplace (K) were 0.12, 0.10, 0.11, and 0.13, respectively. The mean migration distance increased by a factor of 1.5 (from 599 to 870 km), and the mean parent-offspring distance decreased by a factor of 1.3 (from 415 to 317 km) during the period between 1960 and 2000. The mean marriage distance increased from 654 to 718 km between 1960 and 1985 and then decreased to 594 km by the year 2000. The proportion of “long-distance” migrations calculated using Malecot’s model increased from 0.013 to 0.021 between 1960 and 1990 and decreased to 0.005 by 2000. The proportion of “short-distance” migrations was 0.77 in 1960 and 0.51 in 2000. The migration efficiency increased from 0.09 to 0.18 between 1960 and 1990 and decreased to 0.07 by 2000. In the years studied, the indices of isolation by distance (b) were 0.0005, 0.0004, 0.0005, and 0.0002, and the population “radii” were 90, 118, 119, and 168 km, respectively.     

Genetic demographic parameters of the marriage structure of the Yevpatoria population

Records on marriages contracted in the city of Yevpatoria, Ukraine in 1960/1961, 1985, 1993, and 1994/1995 were used to determine some parameters of the city population structure. The coefficients of correlation with respect to the age of marriage in reproductive-age couples contracting marriages in these years were 0.77, 0.81, and 0.80, respectively. Women that contracted marriages at reproductively unfavorable ages (under 20 and over 30 years) in the respective years constituted 28.3, 40.6, and 45.4% of the total sample. The proportions of interethnic marriages in these years were 39.4, 43.9, and 46.6%. The proportion of Slavs decreased from 94 to 91% during 35 years, but the proportion of Ukrainians increased from 23.1 to 26.5%. The proportion of other ethnic groups (Tatars, Armenians, Karaites, Poles, Germans, etc.) increased from 3 to 8.6%. The marriage contingency with respect to ethnicity (K = 0.26 in 1960/1961, K = 0.22 in 1985, and K = 0.28 in 1994/1995) was higher than with respect to education (K = 0.18 in 1985 and K = 0.23 in 1993) or occupation (K = 0.18 in 1960/1961, K = 0.17 in 1985, and K = 0.23 in 1993). The marriage assortativeness with respect to ethnicity was the highest in ethnic minorities (A′ = 55.1%); that with respect to education, in persons who had higher or primary education (A′ = 40.1% and A′ = 78.0%, respectively); and that with respect to occupation, in students, military personnel, and production workers (60.6, 58.7, and 30.9%).     

Spatial and geographic characteristics of marriage migration in the Lugansk population

Data from the Lugansk City Registry Office archives of 1960, 1985, 1990, and 2000 were used to calculate genetic demographic parameters characterizing marriage migration. The migration coefficients (m) in these years were 0.69, 0.54, 0.47, and 0.36; the endogamy indices were 12.1, 24.4, 30.5, and 43.2%, and the marriage contingency coefficients with respect to birthplace (K) were 0.12, 0.10, 0.11, and 0.13, respectively. The mean migration distance increased by a factor of 1.5 (from 599 to 870 km), and the mean parent-offspring distance decreased by a factor of 1.3 (from 415 to 317 km) during the period between 1960 and 2000. The mean marriage distance increased from 654 to 718 km between 1960 and 1985 and then decreased to 594 km by the year 2000. The proportion of "long-distance" migrations calculated using Malecot's model increased from 0.013 to 0.021 between 1960 and 1990 and decreased to 0.005 by 2000. The proportion of "short-distance" migrations was 0.77 in 1960 and 0.51 in 2000. The migration efficiency increased from 0.09 to 0.18 between 1960 and 1990 and decreased to 0.07 by 2000. In the years studied, the indices of isolation by distance (b) were 0.0005, 0.0004, 0.0005, and 0.0002, and the population "radii" were 90, 118, 119, and 168 km, respectively.     

Genetic Demographic Analysis of Western Ukrainian Populations: The Marriage Structure of Populations from the Khmel'nitskii Oblast with Respect to Ethnicity and Birthplace

Ukrainians account for 85 and 91% of the populations of the city of Khmel'nitskii and the town of Starokonstantinov (Khmel'nitskii oblast, western Ukraine), respectively, and for 97% of the rural population of the Khmel'nitskii oblast. The proportions of Russians in the urban and rural populations of the Khmel'nitskii oblast are 7–10 and 1%, respectively. Between 1960 and 1995–1998, the proportions of Ukrainians in all populations studied increased and the proportion of interethnic marriages steadily decreased. The marriage association coefficient (K) with respect to ethnicity varied from 0.35 to 0.76 in different years. The highest assortative marriage indices (A) with respect to ethnicity were 75–98 and 71–84% in Ukrainians and Jews, respectively. The migration coefficient was 0.58–0.77. Western Ukrainian populations differ from eastern Ukrainian ones in a steadily decreasing outbreeding component.     

Polymorphism of Alcohol Dehydrogenase Gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">ADH1B</Emphasis> in Eastern Slavic and Iranian-Speaking Populations

Frequencies of alleles and genotypes for alcohol dehydrogenase gene ADH1B (arg47his polymorphism), associated with alcohol tolerance/sensitivity, were determined. It was demonstrated that the frequency of allele ADH1B*47his, corresponding to atypical alcohol dehydrogenase variant in Russians, Ukrainians, Iranians, and mountain-dwellers of the Pamirs constituted 3, 7, 24, and 22%, respectively. The frequencies established were consistent with the allele frequency distribution pattern among the populations of Eurasia. Russians and Ukrainians were indistinguishable from other European populations relative to the frequency of allele ADH1B*47his, and consequently, relative to specific features of ethanol metabolic pathways. The data obtained provide refinement of the geographic pattern of ADH1B*47his frequency distribution in Eurasia.     

Genetic demographic processes in Ukrainian population in 1990. The marriage structure of the Donetsk population

Analysis of records of the marriages that were contracted in the city of Donetsk revealed that, between 1960 and 1992, the marriage rate in the city decreased from 14.8 to 4.7 per 1000 people, the migration rate (m) decreased from 0.71 to 0.34, and the endogamy index increased from 0.123 to 0.458. Between 1960 and 1985, outbreeding in the Donetsk population increased, which was expressed in an increase in the frequency of interethnic marriages, migration range, and the average marital distance, as well as a decrease in the proportion of the indigenous ethnic group (Ukrainians). By 1992, outbreeding decreased: the population became more homogeneous ethnically (93% Slavic), the proportion of Ukrainians and the frequency of monoethnic marriages increased, and the average marital distance decreased. In 1960 and 1992, the coefficients of marriage contingency (K) with respect to ethnicity were 0.34 and 0.22, respectively. Regarding birthplaces, the population became almost panmictic (in 1960 and 1992, the K values were 0.15 and 0.10, respectively). Marriage structure with respect to occupation remained almost unchanged (the K values were 0.22 and 0.23, respectively). Throughout the entire period studied, the most pronounced population subdivision was that with respect to the education level (the K values were 0.36 and 0.39, respectively).     

Characteristics of migration in the population of Yevpatoria (Crimea)

Indicators characterizing population migration were calculated according to the marriage records of Yevpatoria (Crimea) of 1960/1961, 1985, and 1994/1995. The marital migration coefficient m in those years was 0.80, 0.75, and 0.66, the endogamy index was 0.04, 0.08, and 0.15, and the rate of marriage contingency by birthplace was 0.15, 0.16, and 0.19, respectively. The highest values of the positive mating assortative index were recorded for people from the Caucasus, Central, Central Black Earth Oblast, and Northwest regions of Russia in 1960/1961 and for migrants from Moldavia, the republics of Central Asia and Caucasus, Western Siberia, and Ukraine in 1985. In 1994/1995, natives of Yevpatoria were also included in this group. The average distance of migration by year was 909, 1280, and 1314 km, and the marital distance was 960, 1397, and 1171 km. The “radius” of the Yevpatoria population, in accordance with the Maleco model in the years under study, was 98, 134, and 137 km. The distance isolation indicator b was decreasing and amounted to 0.00049, 0.00043, and 0.00038. In the migration flow in all of the periods, the majority of immigrants came from different regions of Ukraine outside Crimea (27–31%), followed by natives of various places in Crimea (21–24%), Central (3.6–8.5%), and Central Black Earth (1.8–6.1%) regions of Russia, and the South Caucasus (4.0–5.7%). The proportion of Russians and Jews decreased in the migration flow, while the proportion of Ukrainians and representatives of non-Slavic nationalities increased.     

Genetic demographic parameters of the marriage structure of the Yevpatoria population

Records on marriages contracted in the city of Yevpatoria, Ukraine in 1960/1961, 1985, 1993, and 1994/1995 were used to determine some parameters of the city population structure. The coefficients of correlation with respect to the age of marriage in reproductive-age couples contracting marriages in these years were 0.77, 0.81, and 0.80, respectively. Women that contracted marriages at reproductively unfavorable ages (under 20 and over 30 years) in the respective years constituted 28.3, 40.6, and 45.4% of the total sample. The proportions of interethnic marriages in these years were 39.4, 43.9, and 46.6%. The proportion of Slavs decreased from 94 to 91% during 35 years, but the proportion of Ukrainians increased from 23.1 to 26.5%. The proportion of other ethnic groups (Tatars, Armenians, Karaites, Poles, Germans, etc.) increased from 3 to 8.6%. The marriage contingency with respect to ethnicity (K = 0.26 in 1960/1961, K = 0.22 in 1985, and K = 0.28 in 1994/1995) was higher than with respect to education (K = 0.18 in 1985 and K = 0.23 in 1993) or occupation (K = 0.18 in 1960/1961, K = 0.17 in 1985, and K = 0.23 in 1994/1995). The marriage assortativeness with respect to ethnicity was the highest in ethnic minorities (A' = 55.1%); that with respect to education, in persons who had higher or primary education (A' = 40.1% and A'= 78.0%, respectively); and that with respect to occupation, in students, military personnel, and production workers (60.6, 58.7, and 30.9%).     

Aggression and empathy as genetic differentiation factors of urban population

Permanent residents of Kharkiv (637 men and 856 women at the age of 45–65 years) are tested on the level of aggression and empathy. The average aggression level (41.7 points) is higher in migrants (born outside Kharkiv) than in indigenous people (36.3 points); the average empathy level is lower in migrants (3.2 points) than in indigenous people (5.5 points). The average values of the aggression and empathy indices are not associated with ethnicity and degree of miscegenation. The correlation between spouses (r) by these personal features is within 0.20–0.31; the marriage conjugation index (K) is 0.13–0.18. Genotyping of the married couples for the rs2235186 SNP of X-linked monoaminooxidase (MAO-A) gene detected a positive marriage assortativeness: the C × CC and T × TT pairs are developed more frequently than during panmixia; the C × TT and T × CC pairs, less frequently. The T allele is coupled with increased aggression level and decreased empathy level. The phenotypes of heterozygous women indicate the intermediate inheritance of these traits.     

Reliability of the search for 19 common mutations in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">CFTR</Emphasis> gene in Russian cystic fibrosis patients and the calculated frequency of the disease in Russian Federation

A study of Russian cystic fibrosis (CF) patient DNA was conducted to assess the incidence frequency of 19 mutations, namely CFTRdele2,3(21kb), F508del, I507del, 1677delTA, 2143delT, 2184insA, 394delTT, 3821delT, L138ins, 604insA, 3944delGT, G542X, W1282X, N1303K, R334W, and 3849 + 10kbC > T, S1196X, 621 + 1g > t, and E92K of the CFTR gene. We also sought to determine the estimated CF frequency in Russian Federation. In addition, we determined the total information content of the approach for 19 common mutations registration in the CFTR gene, 84.6%, and the allelic frequencies of the examined mutations: three mutations were observed with a frequency exceeding 5% (F508del, 53.98%, E92K, 6.47%, CFTRdele2,3(21kb), 5.35%); other mutations were observed with frequencies ranging from 0.13 to 3.0%. The CF population carrier frequency was 1 in 38 subjects, while the predicted CF frequency was 1 in 5776 newborns.     

The fall and rise of the Icelandic Arctic fox (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vulpes lagopus</Emphasis>): a 50-year demographic study on a non-cyclic Arctic fox population

In territorial species, observed density dependence is often manifest in lowered reproductive output at high population density where individuals have fewer resources or are forced to inhabit low-quality territories. The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) in Iceland is territorial throughout the year and feeds mostly on birds, since lemmings are absent from the country. Thus, the population does not exhibit short-term population cycles that are evident in most of the species’ geographical range. The population has, however, gone through a major long-term fluctuation in population size. Because of the stability in hunting effort and reliable hunting records since 1958, the total number of adult foxes killed annually can be used as an index of population size (N _t ). An index of carrying capacity (K) from population growth data for five separate time blocks during 1958–2007 revealed considerable variation in K and allowed a novel definition of population density in terms of K, or N _t /K. Correlation analysis suggested that the reproductive rate was largely determined by the proportion of territorial foxes in the population. Variation in litter size and cub mortality was, on the other hand, related to climatic variation. Thus, Arctic foxes in Iceland engage in typical contest competition but can adapt their territory sizes in response to both temporal and spatial variation in carrying capacity, resulting in surprisingly little variation in litter size.     

Distribution,abundance, and size structure of Amur kaluga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser dauricus</Emphasis> and Amur sturgeon <Emphasis Type="Italic">A. schrenckii</Emphasis> in the Lower Amur and Amur Estuary

Distribution, population structure, and abundance of Amur kaluga Acipenser dauricus and Amur sturgeon A. schrenckii in the Lower Amur and Amur Estuary have been considered based on the materials of two surveys performed in 2011. Both species occur along almost the entire length of the Lower Amur and in major part of the Amur Estuary. The density of their aggregations has significantly decreased in most regions of the river if compared to the 1960s. In the Amur Estuary, A. dauricus and A. schrenckii are most abundant in freshwater and light salted water bodies of its western part. In 2011, the abundance and biomass of A. dauricus and A. schrenckii in the Lower Amur and Amur Estuary was 345000 specimens and 7110 tons and 289000 specimens and 1946 tons, respectively.     

Isolation,characterization, genomic sequencing,and GFP-marked insertional mutagenesis of a high-performance nitrogen-fixing bacterium, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kosakonia radicincitans</Emphasis> GXGL-4A and visualization of bacterial colonization on cucumber roots

A gram-negative bacterium GXGL-4A was originally isolated from maize roots. It displayed nitrogen-fixing (NF) ability under nitrogen-free culture condition, and had a significant promotion effect on cucumber growth in the pot inoculation test. The preliminary physiological and biochemical traits of GXGL-4A were characterized. Furthermore, a phylogenetic tree was constructed based on 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences of genetically related species. To determine the taxonomic status of GXGL-4A and further utilize its nitrogen-fixing potential, genome sequence was obtained using PacBio RS II technology. The analyses of average nucleotide identity based on BLAST+ (ANIb) and correlation indexes of tetra-nucleotide signatures (Tetra) showed that the NF isolate GXGL-4A is closely related to the Kosakonia radicincitans type strain DSM 16656. Therefore, the isolate GXGL-4A was eventually classified into the species of Kosakonia radicincitans and designated K. radicincitans GXGL-4A. A high consistency in composition and gene arrangement of nitrogen-fixing gene cluster I (nif cluster I) was found between K. radicincitans GXGL-4A and other Kosakonia NF strains. The mutants tagged with green fluorescence protein (GFP) were obtained by transposon Tn5 mutagenesis, and then, the colonization of gfp-marked K. radicincitans GXGL-4A cells on cucumber seedling root were observed under fluorescence microscopy. The preferential sites of the labeled GXGL-4A cell population were the lateral root junctions, the differentiation zone, and the elongation zone. All these results should benefit for the deep exploration of nitrogen fixation mechanism of K. radicincitans GXGL-4A and will definitely facilitate the genetic modification process of this NF bacterium in sustainable agriculture.     

On the biology of anthocorid bugs (Heteroptera,Anthocoridae), predators of grass aphids in the forest-steppe zone of West Siberia

Four species of the heteropteran family Anthocoridae, Orius niger Wolff., O. majusculus Reut., O. minutus L., and Anthocoris confusus Reut., feeding on grass aphids on grains and bird cherry occur in the foreststeppe zone of Western Siberia. Orius niger and O. majusculus possess the greatest population numbers, with 98% of all the bugs collected in 1987 and 1988 belonging to these species. In 1998–2000, O. niger was predominant (97–100%). Data on the bionomics, seasonal abundance, feeding intensity, and role of anthocorids in the control of aphids are reported. Density of Orius bugs on wheat has been shown to be independent of the preceding culture. Permanent wheat is a preferable habitat of the predatory anthocorids. Mass reproduction of Orius bugs on pea-oat and alfalfa has been recorded.     

Genetic variability and population structure of grey wolf (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Canis lupus</Emphasis>) in Serbia

Results of previous morphometric and genetic analyses of grey wolf (Canis lupus L.) population from Serbia indicated different patterns of population subdivision. In order to explore population structure, level of genetic variability, genetic drift, inbreeding and signals of bottleneck for grey wolves from Serbia, we applied highly polymorphic genetic markers (microsatellites). Obtained data are valuable in determination of conservation units and creation of appropriate management plans. We have amplified 18 highly polymorphic microsatellites, in a total sample of 75 grey wolves, from different localities across Serbia and multilocus genotypes were analyzed using appropriate software. Observed values of the basic genetic parameters (H_O = 0.69; H_E = 0.75) indicated moderate level of genetic variability, similar to genetic variability in other populations belonging to the Dinaric-Balkan population of grey wolf. In STRUCTURE analysis, although ΔK was estimated to be at first peak K = 2, and second peak K = 4, CLUMPAK analyses showed that there’s no structuring for any of assumed K, and therefore the population of grey wolf from Serbia may be considered as one continuous population and treated as one conservation unit in future management plans. Signals of bottleneck haven’t been observed (Wilcoxon test two phase mutation model p = 0.247; and stepwise mutation model p = 0.815).     

The brown trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo trutta</Emphasis>) in the lake, Øvre Heimdalsvatn: long-term changes in population dynamics due to exploitation and the invasive species,European minnow (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoxinus phoxinus</Emphasis>)

Studies of the brown trout (Salmo trutta) population in the Norwegian subalpine lake, Øvre Heimdalsvatn, over a 50-year period have revealed major changes in population dynamics. In 1958, the population density was high, with individuals stagnating in growth at lengths below 30 cm. After heavy exploitation during the years 1958–1969, the number of older fish declined substantially, and growth rates increased significantly. Since 1969, the European minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) have been observed in the lake, with increasing densities from 1977–1978 to 1999–2000. The age structure of the brown trout population has changed markedly from the 1960s to the period 1993–2006. Annual recruitment significantly declined, from an average number of 3746 individuals in age-class 4 during the period 1958–1966 to an average of 1668 during the period 1993–2006. However, due to lower exploitation rates, the number of old fish was significantly higher in the latter period. The summer diet of brown trout has changed substantially from a dominance of the large crustaceans Lepidurus arcticus and Gammarus lacustris to a high occurrence of European minnows, while L. arcticus has become practically absent from the diet. There was a negative relationship between brown trout biomass and annual length increment. However, despite a brown trout biomass at the same level during the years 1993–2006 as in the 1960s, annual individual growth rates have significantly declined. The reduced recruitment and reduced annual growth rates of the brown trout, as well as changes in the diet, are most likely related to the introduction and establishment of the invasive species, the European minnow.     

Isolation,functional characterization and stress responses of raffinose synthase genes in sugar beet

Raffinose (sucrosylgalactoside oligosaccharide) is a water soluble carbohydrate and accumulates in response to abiotic stresses in plants. Plant raffinose synthases are poorly characterized, and the genes involved in raffinose biosynthesis are unknown in sugar beet. Here, we report the isolation of two genes encoding raffinose synthase (BvRS1 and BvRS2) as well as a gene encoding galactinol synthase (BvGolS1) from sugar beet. BvRS1 and BvRS2 show high homologies to Arabidopsis raffinose synthase AtRS5. BvRS1 and BvGolS1 were expressed in Escherichia coli. Crude extracts showed the activities of raffinose synthase and galactinol synthase. The K _m values of BvRS1 for galactinol and sucrose and the K _m values of BvGolS1 for UDP-galactose and myo-inositol were determined. The expression levels of BvRS1 were significantly higher than that of BvRS2. The mRNA for BvRS1 was rapidly induced by cold stress whereas the mRNA for BvRS2 was slowly induced by cold and salt stresses. These data suggest that BvRS1 and BvRS2 encode raffinose synthase genes responsible to cold and salt stress, respectively.     

Check-list of the Aphidiid-Wasp subfamily Trioxinae (Hymenoptera,Aphidiidae) from Russia and adjacent countries

A total of 64 species belonging to 10 genera of the subfamily Trioxinae (Hymenoptera, Aphidiidae) are recorded from the former USSR: Betuloxys Mackauer, 1960 (6), Binodoxys Mackauer, 1960 (11), Calaphidius Mackauer, 1961 (1), Falciconus Mackauer, 1959 (2), Harkeria Cameron, 1900 (1), Lipolexis, Förster, 1862 (1), Monoctonia Starý, 1962 (2), Monoctonus Haliday,1833 (6), Sergeyoxys Davidian, 2016 (1), and Trioxys Haliday, 1833 (33). Four species, Harkeria angustivalva (Starý, 1959), Monoctonia japonica Rakhshani et Tomanovic, 2015, Monoctonus mali van Achterberg, 1989, and Trioxys iziphia Mackauer, 1967 are recorded from Russia for the first time. The distribution of 20 species already known from Russia is clarified.     

Comparisons of seasonal fluctuations in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum</Emphasis> (Hemiptera: Aphididae) densities between 2003–2004 and 2015–2016 in northern areas of its distribution range in Japan

Seasonal fluctuations in herbivore densities are affected by various factors. Solidago altissima was introduced from North America and has spread widely over Japan. Then, an aphid Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum and a lace bug Corythucha marmorata, both associated with S. altissima, invaded Japan in the late 1980s and 2000, respectively. In Miyagi, northeastern Japan, U. nigrotuberculatum and C. marmorata were established in the 1990s and 2012, respectively. We conducted periodic surveys of U. nigrotuberculatum in 2003–2004 and 2015–2016, and of C. marmorata in 2016 in Miyagi. Then, a competition experiment was performed to examine the relationship between them. In 2003, the average maximum daily temperature did not exceed 30 °C and the aphid was continuously confirmed on S. altissima during the census period. In other census years, the temperature exceeded 30 °C and the aphid disappeared in summer. At these sites, C. marmorata was continuously found on S. altissima. The presence of C. marmorata did not negatively affect U. nigrotuberculatum in the competition experiment. In addition, peak densities of U. nigrotuberculatum were higher in 2015–2016 than in 2003–2004. Based on these results, we conclude that U. nigrotuberculatum populations were at least partly affected by high temperature during the summer, but not by C. marmorata invasion in Miyagi.