Cranometric Variability in Brown Bears of the Russian Far East

Morphometric analysis of 282 skulls of the brown bear Ursus arctos from the Far Eastern part of the range was carried out. The presence of two morphological clusters for both males and females is shown. Samples from two clusters were compared with their geographical location and subspecies. It was found that one cluster or another had no specific reference to the particular region or subspecies of a particular cluster, only the superiority of one over the other in a cluster of different subspecies and regions was changed. A comparison with the spread of brown bear genetic lines in the Far East of Russia is made. It was noted that the precise distribution of a particular cluster to a specific genetic line of haplotypes was not found.     

Serosurvey of free-ranging Amur tigers in the Russian Far East

Wild Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica, n=44) from the Russian Far East were tested for antibodies to feline leukemia virus, feline corona virus (FCoV), feline immunodeficiency virus, feline parvovirus (FPV), canine distemper virus (CDV), Toxoplasma gondii, and Bartonella henselae. Antibodies to FCoV, CDV, FPV, and T. gondii were detected in 43, 15, 68, and 42% of tigers, respectively. No differences were detected in antibody prevalence estimates between tigers captured as part of a research program and those captured to mitigate human-tiger conflicts. Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) were tested as a potential source for CDV; 16% were vaccinated against CDV and 58% of unvaccinated dogs were antibody positive for CDV. A high percentage of tigers were exposed to potential pathogens that could affect the survival of this species. We recommend continued monitoring of wild tigers throughout Asia, development of standardized sampling and postmortem examination procedures, and additional research to better understand potential domestic and wild animal sources for these pathogens.     

Investigation of genetically modified soybean biosafety in the center of the origin and diversity of Russian Far East

Wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. & Zucc.) is the nearest relative of a soybean crop (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Study of population genetic structure of wild-growing relatives ofgenetically modified (GM) plants in the centers of their origin is one of the main procedures before introduction of GM crops in these areas. We have studied genetic variability of nine wild growing soya populations of Primorye Territory using RAPD analysis. The level of G. soja genetic variability was considerably higher than that of G. max. We have analyzed phylogenetic relationships in the genus Glycine subgenus Soja using RAPD markers. Our data confirm validity of allocation G. gracilis in a rank of a species.     

Two onygenalean fungi from Russian Far East soil

Two onygenalean fungi isolated from forest soil in the Sikhote-Alin reserve, Russian Far East (east Siberia), are described and illustrated:Gymnostellatospora parvula as a new species andAphanoascus canadensis as a new record.Gymnostellatospora parvula is characterized by psychrophilic growth, pale yellow to pale cinnamon ascomata with a hyphal peridium, small, hyaline discoid ascospores with an equatorial rim and more or less longitudinally ridged wall.     

Genetic diversity of Anser albifrons Scopoli, 1769 and Anser fabalis Latham, 1787 in the Russian Far East

Using RAPD PCR analysis and sequencing of the 5′ end segment of the mtDNA control region, the genetic diversity and differentiation of Far Eastern populations of greater white-fronted goose Anser albifrons Scopoli, 1769 and bean goose Anser fabalis Latham, 1787 were examined. Based on RAPD PCR data, the level of gene diversity (h) for A. albifrons (0.3634) and A. fabalis (0.3899) was calculated. Sequence data showed considerably higher level of inter-population diversity in A. fabalis (26.4%), compared to A. albifrons (1.88%). Similarly, the nucleotide and haplotype diversity parameters were somewhat higher in A. fabalis (0.01852 and 0.955). Phylogenetic reconstructions generated using neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony algorithms divided each of the examined species into two clusters that differ in the number of haplotypes included. These clusters can correspond to the subspecies that live in the 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 .     

Diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Russian Far East

Thirty strains of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato have been isolated from Ixodes persulcatus ticks and from skin lesions of Lyme disease patients in the Russian Far East from 1997 to 2003. We amplified full-length outer surface protein A (ospA) gene of all strains. BLAST search and following phylogenetic analysis showed that strains form four well-defined groups. Four strains belong to Borrelia afzelii species. Other strains distributed into tree major groups, identified as Borrelia garinii. Indeed, based on the ospA gene comparison, phylogenetic relationship of these groups among each other does not differ from relationship among other previously defined groups inside B. burgdorferi sensu lato genogroup, such as B. afzelii or Borrelia bissettii. Further investigations of genetic and serologic properties of the strains belonging to those groups are required in order to clarify their taxonomic status.     

Morbillivirus infection in a wild siberian tiger in the Russian Far East

We report the first documented case of morbillivirus infection in a wild, free-ranging Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica). The tigress entered a small village in the Russian Far East in an ambulatory but stuporous state with no apparent recognition or fear of humans. Her condition progressed rapidly with neurological signs, anorexia, and ultimately death. Histologic lesions included vacuolated to malacic white matter in the brain stem, cerebellum, and thalamus, with associated lymphocytic meningoencephalitis. Large, intranuclear, eosinophilic inclusions were within regional astrocytes, and the brain lesions were immunohistochemically positive when stained for canine distemper viral antigen. Hematologic and blood chemistry results were consistent with overwhelming systemic infection and starvation. The animal also was antibody-positive for canine distemper virus, feline panleukopenia, and feline coronavirus.     

Ostropella luxurians sp. nov. from the Russian Far East

Ostropella luxurians sp. nov. collected in the Russian Far East is described and illustrated.     

Karyological and taxonomic studies of Dugesia japonica Ichikawa et Kawakatsu in the Far East

A review of previous studies on the taxonomy, karyology and chorology of a polymorphic species Dugesia japonica from the Far East is presented. Two subspecies are now known: D. j. japonica (n = 8, 2x = 16, 3x = 24) and D. j. ryukyuensis (n = 7, 2x = 14, 3x = 21). An attempt has also been made to determine the definition of the B-chromosome as LB and SB and the variation of the karyotypes of both subspecies is described. Every known karyotype of D. japonica is classified into six groups (see Table 2). D. japonica from many localities has a diploid karyotype (2x), a triploid karyotype (3x) and an orthoploidic mixoploid karyotype of 2x & 3x. The origin and the karyological significance of these karyotypes are discussed.     

Red Algae of the Genus Gracilaria in the South of the Russian Far East

Proceeding from our original data and the information available in the literature, we described the biology, ecology, and physiology of the species of the genus Gracilaria inhabiting the south of the Far East. A conclusion is reached about the prospects of commercial cultivation of Gracilaria in Primorye. Recommendations are provided for the cultivation of this species.     

Conservation of endemic species from the Russian Far East using seed cryopreservation

A seed response to cryopreservation has been studied in 11 endemic plant species from the Russian Far East to determine the possibility of their long-term storage. It has been shown that the cryogenic treatment does not kill seeds. The viability of 10 species did not decrease (or even increased) after their cryogenic storage. We have not revealed any deviations in the development of plants germinated from seeds stored at an extremely low temperature (−196°C). To monitor germination after long-term storage, procedures of seed germination under laboratory conditions have been developed. The results of this study contribute to the creation of low-temperature seed banks, able to conserve and restore a floral biological diversity.     

Study of the biosafety of genetically modified soybean in the center of its origin and diversity in the Far East of the Russian Federation

Wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. and Zucc.) is the nearest relative of cultivated soybean (G. max (L.) Merr.). Study of the population genetic structure of wild-growing relatives of genetically modified (GM) plants in the centers of their origin is one of the main procedures before introduction of GM crops in these areas. We studied the genetic variability of nine wild-growing soya populations of Primorskii krai using RAPD analysis. The level of genetic variability of G. soja was considerably higher than that of G. max. We analyzed phylogenetic relationships in the genus Glycine subgenus Soja using RAPD markers. Our data confirm the validity of allocation to G. gracilis of the rank of species.     

Methane oxidation activity and diversity of aerobic methanotrophs in pH-neutral and semi-neutral thermal springs of the Kunashir Island,Russian Far East

Aerobic methane oxidation has been mostly studied in environments with moderate to low temperatures. However, the process also occurs in terrestrial thermal springs, where little research on the subject has been done to date. The potential activity of methane oxidation and diversity of aerobic methanotrophic bacteria were studied in sediments of thermal springs with various chemical and physical properties, sampled across the Kunashir Island, the Kuriles archipelago. Activity was measured by means of the radioisotope tracer technique utilizing ¹⁴C-labeled methane. Biodiversity assessments were based on the particulate methane monooxygenase (pmoA) gene, which is found in all known thermophilic and thermotolerant methanotrophs. We demonstrated the possibility of methane oxidation in springs with temperature exceeding 74 °C, and the most intensive methane uptake was shown in springs with temperatures about 46 °C. PmoA was detected in 19 out of 30 springs investigated and the number of pmoA gene copies varied between 10⁴ and 10⁶ copies per ml of sediment. Phylogenetic analysis of PmoA sequences revealed the presence of methanotrophs from both the Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria. Our results suggest that methanotrophs inhabiting thermal springs with temperature exceeding 50 °C may represent novel thermophilic and thermotolerant species of the genera Methylocystis and Methylothermus, as well as previously undescribed Gammaproteobacteria.     

Genetic diversity of the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius Pallas, 1771) in the Russian Far East as assessed by RAPD-PCR

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with ten-nucleotide primers of arbitrary sequences (RAPD-PCR) was used to study the genetic characteristics of five samples of the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius Pallas, 1771) from the Russian Far East (Primorye, Khabarovsk krai, and Magadan oblast). Highly significant differentiation of the samples was demonstrated, the genetic diversity of each sample was estimated, and non-neutral loci were found. The genetic diversity was the highest in a population from the outskirts of Magadan and the lowest in populations from an island on the Amur River near Khabarovsk and from the village of Talon (Magadan oblast). These two last populations were found to be genetically close to each other. These results indicate that striped field mice have been repeatedly introduced to Magadan oblast. The Talon population is likely to have originated from the left bank of the Amur; the outskirts of Magadan are inhabited with a mixed population formed by mice from Primorye and other regions.     

9. The algal flora of the Primorsky Region, Russian Far East

A survey of the freshwater algal flora of the Primorsky Region, Russian Far East, is presented. During more than 70 years of investigations 1659 species (including varieties and forms 2276 taxa) belonging to 346 genera of different groups of algae have been recorded from this territory. The Primorsky Region is rich in habitats attractive to algae-rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds. The details of the distribution of algae in different types of waterbodies have been examined. The algal flora of the region is comparable to the areas, and its taxonomical structure is typical for Eurasia. From this territory some new species and varieties have been described — Achnanthes chankensis, Cymbella ventricosa var. hankensis, Surirella alisoviana, and others. The flora includes some rare species — Fragilaria magocsyi, Perone dimorpha, and Heterothrix monochloron, and some endemics of Asia — Navicula scutelloides var. baicalensis, N. globulifera var. nipponica, Gomphonema sphaerophorum, and Surirella tientsinensis.