Genetic Relationships among Far Eastern Species of the Family Araliaceae Inferred by RAPD Analysis

A molecular genetic study of Far Eastern species of the family Araliaceae by means of RAPD analysis was conducted. Using 21 primers we assessed variability at 595 loci. Based on matrices of genetic distances D, dendrograms of genetic relationships among eleven species of this family were constructed. Our results suggest that Acanthopanax sessiliflorus and Eleutherococcus senticosus belong to different genera, Aralia cordata andA. continentalis are different species, and A. elata and A. mandshurica probably cannot be regarded as distinct species. Genetic similarity of Far Eastern A. cordata and American A. hispida is shown.     

Phylogenetic relationships of the Far Eastern Araliaceae inferred from ITS sequences of nuclear rDNA

In eight species of the family Araliaceae, inhabiting the territory of the Russian Far East, the sequences of ITS regions of nuclear rDNA were determined. A comparison of these sequences enabled establishment of phylogenetic relationships between the Far Eastern and other members of the family. It was demonstrated that Aralia sensu populations from Primorye and Sakhalin were genetically different and, hereby, could be classified as interspecific taxa. Aralia continentalis along with A. cordata were attributed to the section Aralia sensu. Oplopanax elaus and O. horridus were found to be very close to each other, possibly being the subspecies of one species or relatively young species. Legitimacy of the isolation of two sections within the genus Eleutherococcus was confirmed.     

Genetic divergence and phylogenetic independence of Far Eastern species in subfamily Leuciscinae (Pisces: Cyprinidae) inferred from mitochondrial DNA analyses

Classification of freshwater fish in the subfamily Leuciscinae, Cyprinidae is hampered by complexity or lack of morphological diversity. In this study, analyses based on mtDNA sequences were undertaken to clarify phylogenetic relationships among Far Eastern, North American and European species in the Leuciscinae. Evolutionary rate in cytochrome b gene (Cyt-b) and D-loop sequences appear to be almost constant in Leuciscinae. The topology of phylogenetic trees generated by neighbor-joining (NJ) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods based on Cyt-b gene and D-loop sequences was similar. Five major clades, designated clades 1-5, and a minor clade were discriminated. Most of the Far Eastern, North American and European species were included in the major clades. Clade 1, comprised almost entirely of Far Eastern phoxinins, is monophyletic and greatly diverged from the other species of Leuciscinae. From the present phylogenetic relationships and the previous studies, we present the following hypotheses with respect to the evolutionary history of the Far Eastern phoxinins. The Far Eastern species should be classified into Far Eastern-specific genera, although ichthyologists have still insisted that the species should be included in the European genera. The Far Eastern clade 1 consists of two subclades, including genera Pseudaspius-Tribolodon and Far Eastern Phoxinus species. According to our phylogenetic analyses, Pseudaspius leptocephalus and Tribolodon species should be reclassified into the same genus. On the basis of evolutionary rate in Cyt-b gene in Cyprinidae, it is estimated that the Far Eastern lineage diverged approximately 10-14 million years ago (mya) from the common ancestor of Leuciscinae. It is deduced that speciation of the Far Eastern species occurred until approximately 4 mya, in relation to the formation of the Sea of Japan and the Japanese Islands.     

Genetic variation and differentiation in striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius inferred from RAPD-PCR analysis

Genetic variation and differentiation of the trans-Palearctic species Apodemus agrarius (striped field mouse), whose range consists of two large isolates-European-Siberian and Far Eastern-Chinese, were examined using RAPD-PCR analysis. The material from the both parts of the range was examined (41 individual of A. agrarius from 18 localities of Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Kazakhstan); the Far-Eastern part was represented by samples from the Amur region, Khabarovsk krai, and Primorye (Russia). Differences in frequencies of polymorphic RAPD loci were found between the European-Siberian and the Far Eastern population groups of striped field mouse. No "fixed" differences between them in RAPD spectra were found, and none of the used statistical methods permitted to distinguish with absolute certainty animals from the two range parts. Thus, genetic isolation of the European-Siberian and the Far Eastern population groups of A. agrarius is not strict. These results support the hypothesis on recent dispersal of striped field mouse from East to West Palearctics (during the Holocene climatic optimum, 7000 to 4500 years ago) and subsequent disjunction of the species range (not earlier than 4000-4500 years ago). The Far Eastern population group is more polymorphic than the European-Siberian one, while genetic heterogeneity is more uniformly distributed within it. This is probably explained by both historical events that happened during the species dispersal in the past, and different environmental conditions for the species in different parts of its range. The Far Eastern population group inhabits the area close to the distribution center of A. agrarius. It is likely that this group preserved genetic variation of the formerly integral ancestral form, while some amount of genetic polymorphism could be lost during the species colonization of the Siberian and European areas. To date, the settlement density and population number in general are higher than within the European-Siberian isolate, which seems to account for closer interpopulation associations, intense genetic exchange, and "smoothing" of polymorphism within the Far Eastern population group of A. agrarius.     

Genetic variation and differentiation in striped field mouse <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apodemus agrarius</Emphasis> inferred from RAPD-PCR analysis

Genetic variation and differentiation of the trans-Palearctic species Apodemus agrarius (striped field mouse), whose range consists of two large isolates—European-Siberian and Far Eastern-Chinese, were examined using RAPD-PCR analysis. The material from the both parts of the range was examined (41 individual of A. agrarius from 18 localities of Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Kazakhstan); the Far Eastern-Chinese part was represented by samples from the Amur region, Khabarovsk krai, and Primorye (Russia). Differences in frequencies of polymorphic RAPD loci were found between the European-Siberian and the Far Eastern population groups of striped field mouse. No “fixed” differences between them in RAPD spectra were found, and none of the used statistical methods permitted to distinguish with absolute certainty animals from the two range parts. Thus, genetic isolation of the European-Siberian and the Far Eastern population groups of A. agrarius is not strict. These results support the hypothesis on recent dispersal of striped field mouse from East to West Palearctics (during the Holocene climatic optimum, 7000 to 4500 years ago) and subsequent disjunction of the species range (not earlier than 4000–4500 years ago). The Far Eastern population group is more polymorphic than the European-Siberian one, while genetic heterogeneity is more uniformly distributed within it. This is probably explained by both historical events that happened during the species dispersal in the past, and different environmental conditions for the species in different parts of its range. The Far Eastern population group inhabits the area close to the distribution center of A. agrarius. It is likely that this group preserved genetic variation of the formerly integral ancestral form, while some amount of genetic polymorphism could be lost during the species colonization of the Siberian and European areas. To date, the settlement density and population number in general are higher than within the European-Siberian isolate, which seems to account for closer interpopulation associations, intense genetic exchange, and “smoothing” of polymorphism within the Far Eastern population group of A. agrarius.     

Some regularities in the accumulation of lead in urban plants (by example of Vladivostok)

The ability of plants to accumulate lead is studied for 128 plant species from 44 families and 28 genera of the Far Eastern flora. A significant variation in the content of lead in the assimilation organs of plants is observed; the variation is within 0.81–25.67 mg/kg of air-dry matter. The main regularities in the accumulation of metals by plants of different systematic taxa and biomorphological groups are revealed. The groups of plants according to the intensity of lead accumulation and the types of metal-concentrating species are identified. The species promising for phytoremediation and phytoindication in an urban environment are recommended.     

The rare silver gum, Eucalyptus cordata, is leaving its trace in the organellar gene pool of Eucalyptus globulus

The process of genetic assimilation of rare species by hybridizing congeners has been documented in a number of plant genera. This raises the possibility that some of the genetic diversity found in phylogeographical studies of widespread species has been acquired through hybridization with species that are now rare or extinct. In this fine-scale phylogeographical analysis, we show that a rare eucalypt species is leaving its trace in the chloroplast genome of a more abundant congener. The heart-leafed silver gum, Eucalyptus cordata, is a rare endemic of south-eastern Tasmania. Its populations are scattered amidst populations of more abundant related species, including the Tasmanian blue gum, Eucalyptus globulus. Using 339 samples from across the full range of both species, we compared chloroplast (cp) DNA haplotype phylogeography in E. globulus and E. cordata. The genealogy and distribution of chloroplast haplotypes suggest that E. globulus has acquired cpDNA from E. cordata in at least four different mixed populations. Shared haplotypes are highest in E. globulus sampled within 2 km of known E. cordata populations and drop to zero at a distance of 25 km from the nearest known E. cordata population. Localized haplotype sharing occurs in the absence of obvious hybrid zones or locally shared nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences. Given that the future loss of E. cordata from some mixed populations is likely, these findings indicate that phylogeographical analyses of organellar DNA should consider the possibility of introgression, even from species that have been eliminated from the sites of interest.     

The caddisfly fauna (Trichoptera) of Russia: on the centenary of exploration

A brief overview of the history of faunistic studies in Russia during the past century is presented. The existence of 643 species of 148 genera (28 families) is reported according to the results of the long-term investigation of the Russian fauna of the Trichoptera. There are 4 regional faunas of Trichoptera in Russia: Boreal European, Caucasian, Siberian, and Far Eastern. The tasks and prospects of the future studies are considered.     

Musculature of the ovipositor of Lenitovena trigona (Matsumura) (Diptera, Tephritidae) with reference to the larval saprophagy

The larvae of most Tephritidae are endobiotic in various living plants and are therefore convenient objects for analysis of the associations of this dipteran family with seed plants. The structure of the sclerites and musculature of the ovipositor of Lenitovena trigona (Matsumura) a Far Eastern tephritid of the tribe Acanthonevrini with initially saprobiont larva, was investigated to facilitate understanding of the morphological changes in the adults associated with larval shift from saprophagous to herbivorous habit. Differences between the ovipositor of L. trigona and those of species of the genera Urophora, Ceratitis, and Rhagoletis with endophytic larvae have been found; the ovipositor musculature of these genera has been described by Dean (1935), Nanna (1938), and Berube and Zacharuk (1983).     

A comparative analysis of the Far Eastern grayling species Thymallus tugarinae and Thymallus grubii flavomaculatus based on the data from mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene sequencing

Nucleotide sequences of a fragment of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene were obtained from two species of graylings that inhabit the Russian Far East, viz., Thymallus tugarinae and T. grubii flavomaculatus. A phylogenetic analysis of four Thymallus species, whose relationships have been poorly studied, was performed on these new data as well as on several sequences from the NCBI GenBank sequence database. The rate of genetic divergence between the Far Eastern graylings Thymallus tugarinae and T. g. flavomaculatus corresponded to that between European (T. thymallus) and Arctic (T. arcticus) graylings. Moreover, single nucleotide substitutions that result in alterations of the amino-acid structure of protein products (non-synonymic mutations) were revealed between sequences of the cytochrome b gene in the Far Eastern grayling species. The topology of phylogenetic trees, which was composed by means of Bayesian analysis and the maximum parsimony method, showed four independent phylogenetic lineages of graylings. In addition, the phylogenetic relationships between T. tugarinae and T. g. flavomaculatus were supported statistically. The obtained data indicated that Far Eastern graylings T. tugarinae and T. g. flavomaculatus are distinct species and confirmed that they belong to different phylogenetic lineages, as found earlier.     

Applying molecular genetic tools to the conservation and action plan for the critically endangered Far Eastern leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)

A role for molecular genetic approaches in conservation of endangered taxa is now commonly recognized. Because conservation genetic analyses provide essential insights on taxonomic status, recent evolutionary history and current health of endangered taxa, they are considered in nearly all conservation programs. Genetic analyses of the critically endangered Far Eastern, or Amur leopard, Panthera pardus orientalis, have been done recently to address all of these questions and develop strategies for survival of the leopard in the wild. The genetic status and implication for conservation management of the Far Eastern leopard subspecies are discussed.     

Phylogeography of the mallard Anas platyrhynchos from Eurasia inferred from sequencing of the mtDNA control region

Phylogenetic relationships, demographic history, and geographic distribution of the mtDNA haplotypes of the mallard Anas platyrhynchos were examined in three populations, Indian, Northern European, and Far Eastern. Two divergent halotype groups, A and B, were found in the Far Eastern population, while haplotypes identified in Northern European and Far Eastern populations were exclusively of the A group. The presence of B group haplotypes in the Far Eastern population can be explained either in terms of hybridization of the mallard with spot-billed duck Anas zonorhyncha at the south of the Russian Far East, or by the mtDNA paraphyly in mallards. In general, mallards from Eurasia were characterized by low genetic population differentiation along with slightly expressed phylogeographic structure. The most differentiated was the population from India (??_st = 0.076?0.077), while the difference between Northern European and Far Eastern populations was extremely low (??_st = 0.0029). Differentiation of Anas platyrhynchos Indian population was determined by the fact that a part of the population, inhabiting southern and eastern coasts of the Hindustan Peninsula, was resident.     

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).     

Conserving the gene pool of Far Eastern plants by means of seed cryopreservation

Cryotolerance of seeds has been studied in 103 plant species of 33 families from five regions of the Russian Far East. In 89.1% of these species, seed viability has not decreased in the course of cryogenic storage. Six species have shown interpopulation variation in the seed response to extremely low temperature (?196°C). Freezing in liquid nitrogen, which results in deep anabiosis, can be used as a means for long-term seed storage. A preliminary assessment of genetic diversity at the population level provides for the maximum possible mobilization of the species gene pool. The results of this study contribute to the development of a scientific basis for creating a seed bank of the Far Eastern flora with the purpose to conserve and restore biological resources of the region.     

Phylogenetic Relationships of the Far Eastern Araliaceae Inferred from ITS Sequences of Nuclear rDNA

In eight species of the family Araliaceae, inhabiting the territory of the Russian Far East, the sequences of ITS regions of nuclear rDNA were determined. A comparison of these sequences enabled establishment of phylogenetic relationships between the Far Eastern and other members of the family. It was demonstrated that Aralia elata populations from Primorye and Sakhalin were genetically different and, hereby, could be classified as intraspecific taxa. Aralia continentalis along with A. cordata were attributed to the section Aralia sensu Wen. Oplopanax elatus and O. horridus were found to be very close to each other, possibly being the subspecies of one species or relatively young species. Legitimacy of the discrimination between two sections within the genus Eleutherococcus was confirmed.__________Translated from Genetika, Vol. 41, No. 6, 2005, pp. 800–810.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Artyukova, Gontcharov, Kozyrenko, Reunova, Zhuravlev.     

Taxonomic composition and zoogeographic characteristics of the flea fauna (Siphonaptera) of Russia

255 species and 59 subspecies of fleas from 55 genera of 7 families are known from Russia, which is 30% of the Palaearctic fauna. Additionally, over 187 species of 47 genera from 7 families are known from the neighboring territories of Central and Southern Europe, Transcaucasia, Kazakhstan, Middle Asia, Mongolia, Northeast China, and Japan. 13 species of 12 genera are known only from Russia. Noteworthy is the low percent of endemic species (not more than 4%) and genera (one genus) in the Russian fauna. The principal centers of taxonomic diversity in the Palaearctic, including many endemic species and genera, lie in the Eastern Asian, Central Asian, and Turano-Iranian Subregions, outside Russia and the Euro-Siberian Subregion. The bulk of the Russian fauna is formed by the species and genera of the three largest flea families: Hystrichopsyllidae, Ceratophyllidae, and Leptopsyllidae. The family Ceratophyllidae has the greatest number of genera in the Russian fauna, and Hystrichopsyllidae, the greatest number of species. Western (Western and Western-Central Palaearctic; 84 species from 41 genera of 7 families) and Eastern (Central-Eastern and Eastern Palaearctic; 78 species from 42 genera of 6 families) species are nearly equally represented in the Russian fauna.     

Introduction of far eastern woody plants to the middle-taiga subzone of the Komi Republic

The author reports on promising Far Eastern woody plants that can be introduced to the Komi Republic. Of the 68 tested species and life forms maintained in the Botanical Garden, about 65% have shown superior hardiness performance. Seasonal development rhythms of the Far Eastern species are similar to those of the local woody species.     

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.     

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.     

A putative species complex in the Sea of Japan revealed by DNA sequence data: a study on Lottia cf. kogamogai (Gastropoda: Patellogastropoda)

A putative new limpet species (Patellogastropoda) from the Sea of Japan is revealed by molecular genetic analyses using the mitochondrial markers 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO1), as well as the DNA marker 18SrRNA. Our data indicate that the limpet, collected in the Peter the Great Bay (Russian Federation), is not, as its morphology suggests, the Japanese species Lottia kogamogaiSasaki and Okutani, 1994, and might also hint towards another putative species complex in the Sea of Japan. The different currents between the Far East Asian mainland (cold, subpolar jet running southwards) and the Japanese archipelago (warm, subtropical jet running northwards) are likely to act as a barrier that has a substantial influence on species distribution in these waters. Accordingly, our results indicate that it is about time for a revision of patellogastropod species with a reported distribution in Japanese and Far Eastern Russian waters by an integrative approach using molecular genetic and morphological characters. The species investigated herein is referred to as Lottia cf. kogamogai until it is morphologically re‐examined and compared with primary type specimens of known species.