N. S. Moskvitina

Retrospective evaluation and modern state of the moose (Alces alces L.) population in West Siberia: Ecological and molecular-genetic aspects

Based on the analysis of materials collected for many years the dynamics of the moose’s habitat and population numbers in West Siberia is described. For the southeast of the West Siberian part of the habitat the cohabitation of mooses with the haplotypes of both European (A. a. alces L.) and East Siberian (A. a. pfizenmayeri Zukowski) subspecies is demonstrated on the basis of investigation of the structure of the mtDNA D-loop hypervariable domain. High nucleotide (p) and haplotypic (H) diversity substantially exceeding corresponding indices for the moose in the European part of Russia and the Urals has been revealed.

Complete mitogenome of the ixodid tick Ixodes pavlovskyi (Acari: Ixodida)

Abstract Here, we present complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of Ixodes pavlovskyi Pom., 1946 for the first time. The mitogenome is 14,575 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The overall base composition is 40.1% T, 13.8% C, 37.9% A and 8.1% G. Four protein-coding genes are initiated by ATT codon, three genes – by ATA codon and ATG start codon is found for six genes. Only tRNA-Lys, tRNA-Ile, tRNA-Arg are folded into the cloverleaf secondary structure, other tRNA have atypical structure with reduced T- or D-arms.

Mitotypical peculiarities of the population of moose Alces alces of southeastern West Siberia

Based on the structure of the control region (D-loop) of mitochondrial DNA, the genetic diversity of moose of West Siberia was evaluated and their placement within the structure of current species population was determined. It was noted that the values of genetic diversity exceed the values of analogous indices obtained for western groups of the species. Three haplogroups were identified in the population structure: European–Ural, West Siberian, and American.

The Influence of Some Particular Biotic and Abiotic Factors on Distribution of Metal Concentrations in the Soil–Pine System

All living systems, including the soil–pine system, are affected by some external and internal factors. The balance of a system depends on the nature of the influencing factors and the extent of their impact. When the balance is disturbed, the quantitative and qualitative changes in the chemical composition and the functions of a tree can be observed. Using the method of dynamic factors it has been determined that a biotic factor (a pathogen) stimulates biophilicity and bioaccumulation of macroelements in the pine tissue, whereas an abiotic factor (pollution) intensifies biophilicity and bioaccumulation of microelements. The external abiotic factor (pollution) has a stronger influence on the linear logarithmic distribution of metal concentrations in the soil–pine system than the external biotic factor (a pathogen). The strongest effect is produced on the balance between metal concentrations in pine tissue and the concentration of metals in the mobile form in soil.

The role of birds in the maintenance of tick-borne infections in the Tomsk anthropurgic foci

The role of birds in the focus of tick-borne infections was studied from 2006 to 2011. The frequency index of ticks carried by ground dwelling birds is about 49.7%. The index of their abundance is 3.8. The larvae of ticks have been found on birds in 43.8% of cases. Nymphs and adult ticks have been found in 39.9 and 16.3%, respectively. It was revealed that Ixodex pavlovskyi was transferred and dominated in the urban microfoci because of its ornithophily. The markers of infectious agents have been recorded in 42 of 60 bird species under study.

Abnormalities of embryonal development of vertebrates under the conditions of technogenic environmental pollution

AbstactThe performed investigations have revealed 21 kinds of pathologies in the embryonal development of amphibia and more than 30 kinds in small mammals in the territories with radiation-chemical environmental pollution. Differences in embryonal mortality and pathologies of embryogenesis have been demonstrated for both the representatives of amphibia and mammals and within one class in the regions with different technogenic load. Embryonàl death and pathologies of embryonal development are considered as important reasons of reproductive losses for different species.

The history and modern condition of the brown bear (Ursus arctos L., 1758) of the West Siberian plain

Abstract Ursus arctos is a large carnivore and a common species for Western Siberia. The earliest traces of it date back to the Middle Pleistocene. During the Holocene, its population grew and its range significantly extended northwards. The modern West Siberian habitat lies between 55° and 67°N, and its dynamics are being affected by human activity and climate change. The beginning of the twenty-first century has been marked by the growth of the population of the brown bear and its occurrence in unusual habitats. Earlier studies of the population genetic structure prove the existence of a Pleistocene refugium on this territory. The body size of the West Siberian brown bear is the largest for U. arctos subscpecies within its range.

Fecundity of the parti-coloured bat Vespertilio murinus L., 1758 (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in urban and suburban environments

Abstract The impact of the anthropogenic environment on the fecundity of the bat is poorly understood. Therefore, in this study we chose the parti-coloured bat Vespertilio murinus – synanthrope, which is known to produce 1–4 pups, to assess that association. We compared the litter sizes of V. murinus among synanthropous maternity colonies associated with urban and rural habitats. Two colonies were examined from the city and two colonies in suburbs, with a total of 144 individuals. Larger litter size (2.7–2.9 pups per female) was observed in urban colonies, compared to 1.8 in rural colonies. We hypothesise that specific micro- and mesoclimatic conditions along with artificial light could predict that difference, and thus could reduce the time spend in estivation, stimulate higher milk production in lactating females and accelerate juvenile growth. Artificial urban light may secure abundant and affordable food for females, producing larger offspring.

Dynamics of the fecal corticosterone content in males of red, gray-sided, and bank voles ( Myodes , Rodentia, Cricetidae) upon sexual maturation

The dynamics of the corticosterone content in feces of males are analyzed in red (M. rutilis), graysided (M. rufocanus), and bank (M. glareolus) voles. The ontogenetic dynamics of the corticosterone content in feces of these species collected on the 20th and 40th days are shown to depend differently on the month of their birth. At the same time, the fecal corticosterone content is similar in males of all species that originated from litters with various sizes and shares of males in it. The fecal corticosterone content in the 40-day-old animals is related to the month of birth for all three species. The species-specific features of adrenal activity are found on the 20 and 40 days after the birth of animals. The males of the May and August generations have the highest corticosterone level in feces. The fecal corticosterone content in the red vole males also correlates with the social environs; in addition, socially isolated single males have a higher rate of maturation. The fecal corticosterone in the gray-sided vole males related to the season of start maturation and to the date of birth negatively correlates with sexual maturation. The mature males of those species are found only among the spring–early summer generation. Thus, population factors are important only for maturing males that were born in the current year. Moreover, sexual maturation at a high population density is accompanied by a smaller decrease in the adrenocortical activity.