Diversity of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene of the field mouse Apodemus agrarius Pallas, 1771 in the south of the Russian Far East

We studied the variability of a fragment of the cytochrome b gene and the corresponding amino acid sequence of the field mouse Apodemus agrarius (Pallas, 1771) in the South of Primorskii krai (Far East of Russia). A significant polymorphism of these traits was detected. High indices of molecular diversity were obtained. The topology of the phylogenetic tree and the median networks suggest that the population of field mice in the south of Primorskii krai originated from three maternal lines. It was noted that clustering of haplotypes on a territorial basis is absent, and the field mouse population in southern Primorskii krai can be considered as one of the key points in maintaining a high genetic diversity of the species.     

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the Manchurian zokor <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myospalax psilurus</Emphasis> (Rodentia,Muridae) according to RAPD-PCR analysis

The population structuring and low genetic diversity of the Manchurian zokor Myospalax psilurus Milne-Edwards, 1874, an East Asian endemic included in the Red List of Russia, were demonstrated. Two separate geographical groups differing in the level of their genetic diversity were found on the territory of the Primorskii krai. The subpopulation located closest to the main area of this species was determined as ancestral. A subspecies differentiation of the Primorskii krai and Transbaikal M. psilurus populations was shown, as was the monophyletic origin of M. psilurus and its high divergence from M. aspalax. The animals from northern localities are recommended for reintroduction in nature under species recovery programs in Primorskii krai.     

The first data on the biology and distribution of the Japanese fringed sculpin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Porocottus japonicus</Emphasis> Schmidt, 1935 (Scorpaeniformes: Cottidae) in the northwestern Sea of Japan

The Japanese fringed sculpin Porocottus japonicus Schmidt has been found in the Rynda (44°48′03″ N, 136°23′24″ E) and Vladimira (43°52′36″ N, 135°29′30″ E) (Sea of Japan, Primorskii krai) bays for the first time. This species was formerly known only from the northern Tatar Strait and Aniva Bay. In Primorskii krai, P. japonicus inhabits macrophyte beds in shallow sublittoral waters. It reaches a length of 112 mm during its lifespan of approximately 4 years. Spawning occurs in the winter. The species preys predominantly on polychaetes (82.3% of the food weight).     

Larch chromosomal mosaicism

Karyological study of larch population members from different parts of the Larix olgensis L. Henry areal in the Primorskii krai has been carried out. The main amount of chromosomes for larch as n = 12 (2n = 24) has been confirmed. Mixoploidy was observed in all studied populations. The difference of individuals from the larch areal based on the cell amount with a different level of ploidity has been found in the population of L. olgensis locus classicus and both L. sibirica and L. gmelinii, which is probably a consequence of their hybrid nature.     

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.     

Variation trends in the parasite assemblages of the Chinese sleeper Perccottus glenii (Actinopterygii: Odontobutidae) in its native habitat

The diversity of parasite assemblages in the Chinese sleeper Perccottus glenii, at the level of specimen and population of the host, is manifested through three components: the number of species, the evenness of their abundance, and the taxonomic diversity. Variations in the diversity depend on the local characteristics of water bodies, as well as the sexual and dimensional factors of the host. This study was performed in four water bodies of the Russian Far East (Primorskii krai and Sakhalin Island).     

Coat color mutation frequencies in domestic cat populations of Primorskii krai, Russia

The frequencies of mutant coat color genes have been estimated in the cat populations of five settlements in Primorskii krai, Russia: two cities (Partizansk and Spassk-Dal'nii), a town (Khorol'), and two villages (Dmitrievka and Brovnichi). The genetic profiles of these populations have been found to be relatively homogenous and to correspond of the cat population of the city of Vladivostok studied earlier. No considerable differences in gene frequencies have been found between urban and rural cat populations. The data suggest a common origin of all domestic cat populations of Primorskii krai.     

Supernumerary chromosomes, mosaicism, and dynamics in two populations of Eastern-Asian wood mouse (Apodemus peninsulae, Rodentia) from Primorski? Krai at various seasons of the year]

Karyotypes of 47 individuals of the wood mice Apodemus peninsulae from two reserves in Primorskii krai (Kedrovaya Pad' and Ussuriiskii) were studied during spring, summer, and autumn. In each population, variation in the number of B-chromosomes (2n = 48 + 0-5B) as well as the intratissue mosaicism determined by variation of the number, size and morphology of supernumerary chromosomes were described. Animals that have one dotlike B-chromosome were first described in both populations as rare variants. Individuals that have bone-marrow cell clones with two or three B-chromosomes were found to be predominant in the populations of Primorskii krai. The number of clones varied from one to three per animal. The frequency of mosaics showed seasonal variation. In the population of the Ussuriiskii reserve, a sharp increase in the frequency of animals with a stable karyotype was detected in autumn, at the phase of increased numbers. The variation for mosaicism was suggested to correlate with the population numbers in mice and to indicate the genetic differences between generations of the population.     

The dynamics of the abundance of the walleye pollock <Emphasis Type="Italic">Theragra chalcogramma</Emphasis> (Pallas, 1814) (gadiformes: gadidae) in the Sea of Japan

The biomass of the walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) stock in waters of Primorskii krai, Sea of Japan, during the 1976–2015 observation period ranged from 48000 to 373000 tons; their number ranged from 99 to 1115 million fish. Four very strong year-classes born in 1975, 1981, 1997, and 2006 have been identified. It has been shown that the duration of the sexual-maturity period is determined by the periodicity of the dynamics of the year-class strength close to the 9-year cycle. According to the results of numerical modeling, an increase in the walleye pollock stock in Primorye is expected from 2017 to 2020.     

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Immune Risk Phenotype in Successfully Treated HIV-Infected Individuals

BackgroundDespite successful treatment and CD4+ T-cell recovery, HIV-infected individuals often experience a profound immune dysregulation characterized by a persistently low CD4:CD8 T-cell ratio. This residual immune dysregulation is reminiscent of the Immune Risk Phenotype (IRP) previously associated with morbidity and mortality in the uninfected elderly (>85 years). The IRP consists of laboratory markers that include: a low CD4:CD8 T-cell ratio, an expansion of CD8+CD28- T-cells and cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositivity. Despite the significant overlap in immunological phenotypes between normal aging and HIV infection, the IRP has never been evaluated in HIV-infected individuals. In this pilot study we characterized immune changes associated with the IRP in a sample of successfully treated HIV-infected subjects.Methods18 virologically suppressed HIV-infected subjects were categorized into 2 groups based on their IRP status; HIV+IRP+, (n = 8) and HIV+IRP-, (n = 10) and compared to 15 age-matched HIV uninfected IRP negative controls. All individuals were assessed for functional and phenotypic immune characteristics including: pro-inflammatory cytokine production, antigen-specific proliferation capacity, replicative senescence, T-cell differentiation and lymphocyte telomere length.ResultsCompared to HIV-infected subjects without an IRP, HIV+IRP+ subjects exhibited a higher frequency of TNF-α-producing CD8+ T-cells (p = 0.05) and a reduced proportion of CD8+ naïve T-cells (p = 0.007). The IRP status was also associated with a marked up-regulation of the replicative senescence markers CD57 and KLGR1, on the surface of CD8+T-cells (p = 0.004). Finally, HIV+IRP+ individuals had a significantly shorter mean lymphocyte telomere length than their non-IRP counterparts (p = 0.03).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that, despite similar levels of treatment-mediated viral suppression, the phenotypic and functional immune characteristics of HIV+IRP+ individuals are distinct from those observed in non-IRP individuals. The IRP appears to identify a subset of treated HIV-infected individuals with a higher degree of immune senescence.     

Biogeochemical Features of Platinum Accumulation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scutellaria baicalensis</Emphasis> Georgi (Lamiaceae)

For the first time, the platinum accumulation levels and distribution patterns in the soil and in roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds of medicinal herb Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Lamiaceae (Baikal skullcap) have been researched using the stripping voltammetry method. The plants were collected both in their natural habitats (southwestern part of Primorskii krai, Amur oblast, and Chita oblast) and from the S. baicalensis population introduced in the Central Siberian Botanical Garden (CSBG), Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (Novosibirsk). In the habitats of S. baicalensis, the content of platinum in soils varies from 0.001 to 0.426 g/t. The content of platinum in various parts of the plants varies from 0.001 to 0.43 g/t. The platinum bioaccumulation factor in S. baicalensis individuals collected in various habitats varies from 0.01 to 6.1 g/t.     

Demand for Assimilates Determines the Productivity of Intensive and Extensive Rice Crops in Primorskii Krai

Intensive and extensive rice crops (Oryza sativa L.), regionally cultivated in Primorskii krai (maritime territory), were grown under full and 50% attenuated solar radiation. Plants of different varieties were used to examine the supply of newly synthesized and reutilized ¹⁴C-assimilates to caryopses and to estimate the dry weight dynamics of whole plants, vegetative organs, and grains. Cultivar-specific differences were revealed with respect to the sink capacity of caryopses, the export of photosynthates from the upper leaf and their delivery to the panicle, and the contributions of newly produced and reutilized assimilates to grain filling. In rice plants of all varieties grown under full insolation, the amount of photosynthates produced during grain filling was insufficient to satisfy the demand of caryopses; one-fourth or one-fifth of this demand was satisfied at the expense of mobilization of stored metabolites. The mobilization was accelerated by the elevated demand for assimilates and by attenuated insolation. In artificially shaded plants of intensive varieties, the pool of newly produced assimilates was lower and reutilization of previously gained assimilates started earlier than in shaded plants of extensive varieties. It is concluded that the higher grain yield of intensive rice varieties, cultivated in Primorskii krai, is determined by a higher demand for assimilates and by a higher production and accelerated supply of newly formed photosynthates to caryopses during the first half of the grain-filling stage. The potential productivity of these varieties is constrained by the deficit of assimilates during the second half of grain-filling stage. The low grain productivity of extensive varieties is caused by the insufficient number of grains in panicles and by low demand for assimilates throughout the period of grain filling.     

Contributions to the knowledge of the leaf beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) of Russia

A new species, Macroplea skomorokhovi sp. n., is described from the Russian Far East, and a key to species of the genus Macroplea Curtis is given. Cryptocephalus oxysternus Jacobson (Primorskii Territory) and Longitarsus truncatellus Weise (northern Caucasus) are recorded for the Russian fauna for the first time.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zygogramma suturalis</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae) in the South of the Russian Far East (Primorskii Territory): Results of introduction

The history of introduction and the current state of the populations and habitats of Zygogramma suturalis (Fabricius, 1775) in Primorskii Territory are reviewed. The introduction of Z. suturalis to the Russian Far East is shown to have failed to produce the desired result. After 30 years, the abundance of this species in Primorskii Territory is low and stable, increasing the importance of the use of native species (Neocrepidodera obscuritarsis and Chrysolina aurichalcea) in biological control.     

Expanded Host Diversity and Geographic Distribution of Hantaviruses in Sub-Saharan Africa

The recent discovery of hantaviruses in shrews and bats in West Africa suggests that other genetically distinct hantaviruses exist in East Africa. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses of newfound hantaviruses, detected in archival tissues from the Geata mouse shrew (Myosorex geata) and Kilimanjaro mouse shrew ( Myosorex zinki) captured in Tanzania, expands the host diversity and geographic distribution of hantaviruses and suggests that ancestral shrews and/or bats may have served as the original mammalian hosts of primordial hantaviruses.     

The polymorphism and distribution of B chromosomes in germline and somatic cells of Tscherskia triton de Winton (Rodentia, Cricetinae)

The karyotypes of 13 greater long-tailed hamsters (Tscherskia triton de Winton, 1899) (eight males and five females) from Primorskii krai (Russia), including six males and one female from the vicinity of the city of Ussuriisk and two males and four females from the vicinity of the village of Pogranichnyi, have been studied. The karyotypes of five males (four from the vicinity of Ussuriisk and one from the vicinity of Pogranichnyi) have been found to contain one or two small acrocentric B chromosomes each. In males with B chromosomes, each germline cell contains one or two B chromosomes. The proportion of somatic cells carrying B chromosomes varies from 34.9 to 55.9% in these males. Karyological study of a total of 45 Tscherskia triton (30 males and 15 females) from Primorskii krai has been performed, B chromosomes being found in only five males (11.1%). In T. triton populations of Korea and China, also only a few animals have been found to carry one or two B chromosomes. The greater long-tailed hamster belongs to the monotypic genus Tscherskia; the animals described earlier under the names T. (Cricettilus) triton albipes Ognev, 1914 and T. (Cricettilus) triton nestor Thomas, 1907 belong to the only species in the genus, T. triton de Winton, 1899.     

Establishment of trophic associations of native leaf beetle species (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae) with Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Asteraceae) in Primorskii Territory of Russia

The establishment of trophic associations between the native leaf beetle species and the adventive ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia in the territory of southern Primorskii Territory of Russia is considered. The native leaf beetles Neocrepidodera obscuritarsis (Motschulsky, 1859) and Chrysolina aurichalcea (Gebler in Mannerheim, 1825) feed on A. artemisiifolia despite their trophic preferences for native plants.     

New data on the systematics of the species of the Dolichopus sublimbatus Becker group (Diptera, Dolichopodidae)

The holotype of the species Dolichopus sublimbatus Becker, 1917 is redescribed. Illustrations of the hypopygium of this species are given for the first time. A new species, Dolichopus kuznetsovi sp. n., is described from Primorskii Territory. A key to the species of the Dolichopus sublimbatus group is given.     

Genetic diversity of swan goose (Anser cygnoides L.) in Russia: Analysis of the mitochondrial DNA control region polymorphism

Using to analysis of hypervariable fragment polymorphism in the control region of mitochondrial DNA(268 bp), the genetic variability of Swan goose Anser cygnoides L., included in the first category of endangered species in the Russian Red Book, has been investigated. Samples from the two main groups nesting in Russia—the Far Eastern group (Khabarovsk krai, n = 38) and the Dauric group (Chita region, n = 10) were examined. Eleven haplotypes were described. The genetic diversity of Swan geese was low comparable with that observed in some other globally endangered Eurasian goose species. Nucleotide and haplotype diversity of goose from Khabarovsk krai was 0.0031 and 0.65, respectively; in those from Chita region, 0.0041 and 0.80; and for in total group, 0.0074 and 0.77, respectively. No identical haplotypes in Swan goose from Far Eastern and Daurical groups have been demonstrated. However, the small sample size does not allow us to make final conclusions on the degree of genetic differentiation between these groups.