Species composition and distribution of Zoarcidae in the northern part of the Sea of Japan from the data of trawl surveys

Species composition, ratio, distribution, and size composition of Zoarcidae on the shelf and the upper part of the continental slope of the northern part of Japan at depths of 5 to 700 m were analyzed on the basis of four trawl surveys. In the studied area, nine species of Zoarcidae were found: Bilabria sp., Bothrocara hollandi, Davidijordania lacertina, Lycodes japonicus, L. nakamurae, L. cf. yamatoi, L. tanakae, L. toyamensis, and L. cf. ushakovi. Data on catches, density of distribution at different depths, and size composition are listed for each species. Four species: B. hollandi, L. tanakae, L. nakamurae, and L. cf. yamatoi have the greatest biomass and numbers among zoarcids in the northern part of the Sea of Japan. It was shown that zoarcids from the northern part of the Sea of Japan, similar to most demersal fish, perform seasonal migrations from the depths of 200 to 500 m, which they inhabit in the summer period, to depths larger than 400 m in the winter. It was found that the most common species of Zoarcidae (B. hollandi, L. tanakae, L. nakamurae, L. cf. yamatoi, and L. toyamensis) dwell mainly in waters of the intermediate water mass and the upper part of the Sea of Japan water mass. These species are abundant at depths larger than 200 m, which permits assigning them to a mesobenthal ecological group. All of the studied species of Zoarcidae from the given region are stenothermal—the temperature range of their habitation is below 2°C, as a rule, from 0.3 to 2.5°C.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralepidapedon variabile</Emphasis> sp. n. (Trematoda,Lepocreadioidea, Lepidapedidae) and other representatives of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralepidapedon</Emphasis> from Antarctic fish

In the Ross Sea and Amundsen Sea, four representatives of the genus Paralepidapedon—Paralepidapedon cf. dubium Prudhoe et Bray 1973 sensu Sokolov et Gordeev 2013, P. lepidum (Gaevskaya et Rodyuk 1988), Paralepidapedon sp., and P. variabile sp. n.—were found in demersal fishes Muraenolepis marmorata and Macrourus whitsoni. Paralepidapedon variabile sp. n. is described from Muraenolepis marmorata in the Amundsen Sea. Paralepidapedon variabile sp. n. differs from other species of the genus Paralepidapedon by the position of the anterior border of the vitellarium at the level of the anterior edge of the ventral sucker or genital pore and by the highly variable shape of the testes: from roundish with a smooth edge to sinuate–lobate. Paralepidapedon lepidum was found for the first time in the Antarctic.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mirabilicoxa kussakini</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new species of Desmosomatidae (Crustacea,Isopoda, Asellota) from the Sea of Japan

Mirabilicoxa kussakini sp. nov. is described from the bathyal of the northwestern Sea of Japan. This is the first record of the genus Mirabilicoxa Hessler, 1970 in the Sea of Japan. The new species is most similar to M. similis (Hansen, 1916), M. plana Hessler, 1970 and M. minuta Hessler, 1970 from the Northwest Atlantic. It differs from them in having a more elongated body (4.1–4.5 times as long as wide) and antenna 1 with the terminal article 5 shorter than article 4.     

The biogeochemical background and trace metal accumulation by brown algae of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fucus</Emphasis> in coastal waters of the Sea of Japan,the Sea of Okhotsk,and the White Sea

The ranges of background concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Cd in Fucus algae from the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the White Sea were determined. The lower background threshold of element concentration was calculated as Me₁₅–2MAD₁₅, the upper background threshold was determined as Me+2MAD. The upper background threshold of the metal contents in Fucus algae can be used as the maximum permissible regional concentration in assessing pollution levels of marine habitats. Comparison of the Me₁₅–2MAD₁₅ values showed that Fucus algae of the White Sea had increased Mn and decreased Cd concentrations compared to those in Pacific algae. The concentrations of Zn were higher in Fucus algae of the Sea of Japan than in macrophytes from the White Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. The background concentration range of Fe in Fucus algae of the Sea of Japan was much narrower compared to that in their counterparts from the White Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. The background metal concentrations in Fucus algae are specific to a sea region; their variations are connected not only with the trace element contents in abiotic components of the environment, but also with the functioning of coastal ecosystems.     

Morphology and distribution of the North American diatom <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aulacoseira pardata</Emphasis> English &amp; Potapova in Russia

Diatom species Aulacoseira pardata English & Potapova, new for the flora of Russia, has been found in the course of studying samples from Lake Frolikha (Transbaikal region) by scanning electron microscopy. Numerical morphological features of the species in the studied population differ from the type population, which indicates their greater variability. It is shown that A. pardata is distinguished from the similar species A. septentrionalis (Camburn & Charles) Genkal & Kulikovskiy by the shape of spines and shape and size of areolae on the valve mantle. Species A. septentrionalis, new for the lake, as well as for Cis-Baikal and Transbaikal regions, has also been recorded in Lake Frolikha.     

Influence of laundry detergents on the abundance dynamics and physiological state of the benthic microalga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Attheya ussurensis</Emphasis> (Bacillariophyta) in laboratory culture

This study examines the influence of the detergents “Obychnyi poroshok” and “Ariel” (at 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/l) on the growth and physiological state of the benthic marine microalga Attheya ussurensis. Cell number, growth rate, and oxygen productivity turned out to be the most sensitive characteristics for evaluation of toxic effects, while the pH of the culture medium and the contents of chlorophyll a and carotenoids were more tolerant to detergent. Toxicants in concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mg/l had a weak inhibitory effect on the microalga A. ussurensis; at 10 mg/l, the detergent Ariel exerted a greater inhibitory effect on the microalga than Obychnyi poroshok did.     

Molecular genetic and karyological analysis of antlered sculpins of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enophrys diceraus</Emphasis> group (Cottidae)

Molecular genetic and karyological analyses of antlered sculpin, Enophrys diceraus, from the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk were carried out. The karyotype of this species was studied for the first time. On the basis of karyological analysis, it was established that E. diceraus from the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk was polymorphic in terms of the number of chromosomes and their morphology (2n = 36, 35, and 37, NF = 40). It was suggested that the karyotype with 35 chromosomes could have been produced as a result of Robertsonian translocation; the karyotype with 37 chromosomes could have been produced by crossing of individuals with different number of chromosomes. On the basis of the molecular genetic analysis of the mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA genes, considerable differences between E. diceraus from the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk corresponding to the level of interspecies genetic variability were established. It is concluded that E. diceraus from the Sea of Japan belongs to another species, most likely, E. namiyei.     

A review of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deporaus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Rhynchitidae) from the Russian fauna: 1. Subgenera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudapoderites</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Japonodeporaus</Emphasis>

The genus Deporaus from the Russian fauna is revised. Four species (D. pacatus, D. azarovae, D. septentrionalis, and D. hartmanni) of the subgenera Pseudapoderites and Japonodeporaus are found. Keys to the subgenera and to the species of the subgenus Pseudapoderites are given. The genus Deporaus, subgenera Pseudapoderites and Japonodeporaus, and four species are redescribed. The distribution of these species in Russia is discussed.     

Comparative reproductive biology reveals two distinct pollination strategies in Neotropical twig-epiphyte orchids

Members of Oncidiinae are widely known for their interactions with oil-collecting bees that explore lipophilic secretions on flowers. They may also be pollinated through food deception and the offering of nectar. Although data on breeding systems are available for many Oncidiinae orchids, little is known about the reproductive strategies in Rodriguezia, a neotropical genus of ca. 55 species. In this paper, we explore the reproductive biology of two species of Rodriguezia with distinctive morphologies: R. decora and R. lanceolata. Floral features, spectral reflectance, pollinators and pollination mechanisms, and breeding systems were studied. Both species are scentless and produce nectar as a reward. Floral nectar is secreted by a gland at the base of the labellum and stored into the sepaline spur. Rodriguezia decora reflects mainly in the blue and red regions of the light spectrum, while R. lanceolata reflects in the red region. Rodriguezia decora is exclusively visited and pollinated by butterflies, while Trochilidae hummingbirds are the pollinators of R. lanceolata. Pollinaria attach to the upper third of the proboscis of butterflies (R. decora), and to the bill of hummingbirds (R. lanceolata), during the collection of nectar from the spur. Both Rodriguezia species are self-sterile. Flower features and floral reflectance support the occurrence of psychophily in R. decora and ornithophily in R. lanceolata.     

Diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis> mating type in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lentinula edodes</Emphasis> and mating type preference in the cultivated strains

Diversity of A mating type in Lentinula edodes has been assessed by analysis of A mating loci in 127 strains collected from East Asia. It was discovered that hypervariable sequence region with an approximate length of 1 kb in the A mating locus, spanning 5′ region of HD2-intergenic region-5′ region of HD1, could represent individual A mating type as evidenced by comprehensive mating analysis. The sequence analysis revealed 27 A mating type alleles from 96 cultivated strains and 48 alleles from 31 wild strains. Twelve of them commonly appeared, leaving 63 unique A mating type alleles. It was also revealed that only A few A mating type alleles such as A1, A4, A5, and A7 were prevalent in the cultivated strains, accounting for 62.5% of all A mating types. This implies preferred selection of certain A mating types in the process of strain development and suggests potential role of A mating genes in the expression of genes governing mushroom quality. Dominant expression of an A mating gene HD1 was observed from A1 mating locus, the most prevalent A allele, in A1-containing dikaryons. However, connections between HD1 expression and A1 preference in the cultivated strains remain to be verified. The A mating type was highly diverse in the wild strains. Thirty-six unique A alleles were discovered from relatively small and confined area of mountainous region in Korean peninsula. The number will further increase because no A allele has been recurrently observed in the wild strains and thus newly discovered strain will have good chances to contain new A allele. The high diversity in small area also suggests that the A mating locus has evolved rapidly and thus its diversity will further increase.     

The karyotype of the great sculpin, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus</Emphasis> (Pallas, 1814) (Pisces: Cottidae), from the Russian part of the species range

The karyotype of the great sculpin, Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus (Pallas, 1814) (Pisces: Cottidae) from the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan has been studied for the first time. The karyotype is stable; it consists of 40 chromosomes (4 metacentric, 2 submeta-subtelocentric, 20 subtelocentric, and 14 acrocentric chromosomes); the number of chromosomal arms is 44 + 2. Nucleolar organizer regions (NOR) are found in the telomeric region of the arm in one homologue of a pair of small metacentric chromosomes, using the Ag-NOR banding technique. A comparative analysis of the karyotype of M. polyacanthocephalus and the karyotypes of other Myoxocephalus species (M. stelleri, M. brandtii, M. jaok, M. ochotensis, and M. scorpius) has been carried out based on the main karyotype characters, as well as on the number and localization of NORs. The identified differences make it possible to differentiate the studied species, whereas the general traits indicate their taxonomic proximity.     

The ultrastructure of the interstitial cells of the mesonephros in the teleost fishes of the Black Sea

The ultrastructure of cells that form mesonephros tissues in eight species of bony fish of the Black Sea, Gaidropsarus mediterraneus (L.), Lisa aurata (Risso), Trachurus mediterraneus (Staindachner), Diplodus annularis (L.), Spicara flexuosa (Rafinesque), Gobius niger jozo L., Mullus barbatus ponticus (Essipov) and Scorpaena porcus (L.), was studied. It was shown that the ultrastructure of agranulocytes and rodlet cells in the studied species is similar to that of cells in freshwater bony fish. The differences were observed in the number of ionocyte mitochondria, in the vesicle ultrastructure in the cells with radial vesicle array, and in the ultrastructure of the specific secondary granules of neutrophils and eosinophils.     

Vertebrates from the Pontian of the Shkodova Gora locality (Northwestern Black Sea Region,Upper Miocene)

Remains of fishes, turtles, birds, and mammals are described from the Upper Miocene (MN13) Shkodova Gora locality (Ukraine, Odessa Region), the only representative locality of Pontian large vertebrates in the northwestern Black Sea Region. Asiatic fish and avian taxa are recorded for the first time in the Upper Miocene of Europe. The Shkodova Gora ichthyofauna includes eight freshwater fish species (belonging to Acipenseridae, Cyprinidae, Siluridae, and Percidae). Taxa that have previously been recorded only in Western Siberia (Abramis bliccoides, Perca lepidopoma), eastern Kazakhstan, and the Altai Mountain (Rutilus tungurukensis) are revealed. Acipenser gueldenstaedtii is recorded for the first time in the Upper Miocene of Eastern Europe. The occurrence of the genus Ctenopharyngodon, a member of the Chinese plain faunal assemblage is of great interest. The Shkodova Gora avifauna (seven taxa) is mostly composed of waterfowl, including Phalacrocorax mongoliensis, which has previously been known only from the Lower Pliocene of Mongolia. The finding of Proanser major is the youngest record of this species in the fossil record. Mammals of the Shkodova Gora association include a hare resembling Trischizolagus dumitrescuae, Palaeoryx cf. pallasi, and Hipparion cf. moldavicum, which have not been mentioned among Pontian taxa of the northern Black Sea Region. Pontian paleolandscapes in the area of the Shkodova Gora locality are reconstructed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anoplodiscus</Emphasis> Sonsino, 1890 (Monogenea: Anoplodiscidae): a new Australian species,and the first African record from South African hosts

Species of Anoplodiscus Sonsino, 1890 were previously only known from host members of Sparidae. A new species, Anoplodiscus hutsonae n. sp. is proposed for museum specimens originally collected from species of Scolopsis Cuvier (Nemipteridae) off Heron Island and Lizard Island, Australia. Additionally, Anoplodiscus tai Ogawa, 1994 is synonymised with Anoplodiscus cirrusspiralis Roubal, Armitage & Rohde, 1983 due to a lack of support for differential characters, and Anoplodiscus richiardii is considered a species inquirenda. Anoplodiscus cirrusspiralis causes visible lesions on the skin and fins of its host, and may also contribute to poor food conversion rates in sparid aquaculture. Anoplodiscus cirrusspiralis has been recorded from cultured sparids in Australia, Japan, South Africa, and South Korea, and was implicated as a disease agent in fish from the former two countries. However, the discovery of A. cirrusspiralis on Chrysoblephus gibbiceps (Valenciennes), Ch. laticeps (Valenciennes) and Cymatoceps nasutus (Castelnau) in South Africa, ?Pagrus major (Temminck & Schlegel) in South Korea, and P. auratus (Forster) in Australia, New Zealand and Japan suggests that this species may have a wide distribution and low host-specificity within the Sparidae. In South Africa, A. cirrusspiralis was first encountered on a morbid C. nasutus and Ch. gibbiceps from two public aquaria in 2009 (Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town and uShaka Sea World, Durban, respectively). Additional material was collected from C. laticeps kept at an abalone farm in Hermanus that originated from Struisbaai on the South African south coast. Anoplodiscus cirrusspiralis is redescribed from the South African specimens. This is the first record of a member of Anoplodiscidae Tagliani, 1912 from Africa.     

The Morphological,Genetic and Physiological Characteristics of a Benthic Dinoflagellate of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ostreopsis</Emphasis> Isolated from Coastal Waters of the Northwestern Sea of Japan

A previous molecular-genetic analysis of clonal cultures and single cells of Ostreopsis spp. that were isolated from Peter the Great Bay (the Sea of Japan) revealed three different genotypes according to the nucleotide sequences of ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Of these, Ostreopsis sp. 1 was earlier found only off the coast of Japan and described as being the most common and highly toxic. We have obtained further molecular evidence and have studied the morphological features of cells from one of the Ostreopsis strains with this genotype and some aspects of its growth at salinities of 24, 28, and 32‰. The results showed that in cells from the Russian coast of the Sea of Japan, the third apical (3') and the third precingular (3") plates do not adjoin one another, being separated by the elongated second apical (2') plate. Cells of Ostreopsis sp. 1 from the Russian coast are significantly larger than Ostreopsis sp. 1 cells with the same genotype from the coast of Japan. Salinity did not have a substantial effect on the growth of Ostreopsis sp. 1. The growth rate varied from 0.24 to 0.35 divisions per day, with maximum values at a salinity of 24‰. When salinity decreased to 24‰, the exponential growth phase was significantly extended and the maximum cell concentration doubled.     

The species composition and ecological features of pea crabs of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinnixa</Emphasis> White, 1846 (Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) in Peter the Great Bay,the Sea of Japan

This paper provides an overview of pea crabs of the genus Pinnixa White, 1846 (Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) that occur along the Russian coast of the Sea of Japan. Three species of the genus have been recorded for this area: P. tumida Stimpson, 1858, P. rathbuni Sakai, 1934, as well as P. banzu Komai, Nishi & Taru, 2014, which is the first record for the fauna of Russia. All species clearly differ ecologically: P. tumida was found in Posyet Bay in the intestine of the burrowing holothurian Paracaudina chilensis (Müller, 1850); P. rathbuni, in burrows of the echiuroid Urechis unicinctus (von Drasche, 1881); and P. banzu, in tubes of the polychaete Chaetopterus cautus Marenzeller, 1879. The paper also provides a definitive key to Pinnixa species and data on the size, behavior, symbionts, and parasites of P. rathbuni and P. banzu.     

The floral biology and reproductive system of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mauritia flexuosa</Emphasis> (Arecaceae) in a restinga environment in northeastern Brazil

Studies of the floral biology of the buriti palm, Mauritia flexuosa, have presented conflicting results with respect to the mechanism of pollination, indicating either cantharophily or anemophily. To resolve this question, the floral biology of M. flexuosa was studied in a coastal restinga environment in northeastern Brazil. The reproductive system was studied experimentally, and floral visitors were collected by bagging inflorescences. In this environment, M. flexuosa, a dioecious species, has several gender-specific floral features that function to attract pollinators, especially beetles. The male flowers produce large amounts of pollen as a reward, and male and female inflorescences produce similar odors that attract pollinators to female flowers, which offer only a nectar secretion as a reward. When feeding on the female flowers, the visitors frequently come into contact with the stigmata. To increase the chances of pollination, the female flowers persist longer than the male ones, and the viability of the pollen grain is very high. A curculionid beetle species of the genus Grasidius was found to be an effective pollinator. We suspect that wind also contributes to the pollination of M. flexuosa in the study area, but in a relatively minor way.