Genogeography of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L. populations in the Greater Caucasus and Crimea

Allozyme analysis of 18 Pinus sylvestris L. populations from seven landscape-geographic groups has been performed in the Greater Caucasus, Crimea, and Russian Plain. The results show that populations of the Mt. Elbrus region (isolated by high mountain ridges) are characterized by lower polymorphism and most distinct differentiation (at the level of geographic race) from other populations, which are differentiated from each other at the level of geographic groups. Genetic gradients (boundaries) between populations reach a maximum on transects across the Greater Caucasus Range, and Transcaucasian populations are more similar to populations of the Russian Plain, compared to North Caucasian populations, which confirms the hypothesis of ancestral connections between their gene pools.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of the invasive plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum rostratum</Emphasis> in China

The level of genetic diversity of 13 Chinese populations of S. rostratum was investigated using nine microsatellite loci. The genetic diversity of the Weisanlu population in Hebei province was the highest and the Hohhot population was the lowest. The genetic differentiation among the populations was highly significant (P < 0.001). A total of 68.54% of the total genetic variation of population was within populations, and the genetic variation between populations accounted for 31.46%. The long-distance dispersal of its seeds by human transport mainly resulted in the rapid dispersal of S. rostratum in China.     

Genetic differentiation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus mugo</Emphasis> Turra and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. sylvestris</Emphasis> L. populations in the Ukrainian Carpathians and the Swiss Alps

The allozyme analysis of six local populations of Pinus mugo Turra and six populations of P. sylvestris L. in the Ukrainian Carpathians, Swiss Alps, and Schwarzwald has shown a higher polymorphism and greater interpopulation differentiation of the Carpathian group of P. mugo populations compared to the Alpine group (Nei’s genetic distance DN ₇₈ at the level of geographic population group is −0.023). A genetic differentiation of DN ₇₈ = 0.049 between these populations, which are isolated by a distance of more than 1000 km, has been found. This confirms the existence of the subspecies P. mugo ssp. mugo and P. mugo ssp. uncinata in the Carpathians and Alps, respectively. The hypothesis is put forward that the former subspecies has been formed in the Balkans and the latter, in the Pyreneans. It has been demonstrated that regional populations and geographic groups of P. sylvestris are less differentiated than those of P. mugo.     

Reproductive parameters of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lobaria pulmonaria</Emphasis> (L.) Hoffm. in the Urals

The capacity of species for expansion and colonization of new habitats is a key condition for the maintenance of their populations. In this study, specific features of the reproductive potential have been analyzed in Lobaria pulmonaria populations growing under contrasting climatic conditions. Certain ecological determinants governing the development of this lichen species have been revealed.     

Assessment of the State of Lung Lichen, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lobaria pulmonaria</Emphasis> (L.) Hoffm., in Forest Communities with Different Times Since Disturbance in the Northeast of European Russia

Quantitative parameters of cenopopulations of Lobaria pulmonaria, an endangered cyanolichen, have been studied in spruce phytocenoses of Karelia recovering after disturbance through the successional stage of aspen stands for a period ranging from 80 to 450 years. The results show that, as the time since disturbance increases, the total number of L. pulmonaria thalli and the number of colonized substrate units increase as well, with no stabilization of these parameters being observed in the series of communities studied. The total area of thalli in the phytocenoses is restored within approximately 200 years after the last disturbance. In old-growth forests (>400 years), L. pulmonaria thalli colonize a broad spectrum of tree species in different life states, including lower branches of young spruce trees. Even if they serve as temporary substrates, this can markedly strengthen the potential of the species for further expansion within the community in case of shortage in the main phorophyte (aspen). Thus, the proportion of regressive populations decreases, while that of colonizing populations increases, which is indicative of successful reproduction of the species.     

Insularization and polymorphism in marginal island populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L.

Comparative allozyme analysis of 26 marginal island populations of Pinus sylvestris L. and 20 populations from the center of the species range has confirmed, at the species level, the Wright-Dubinin “island model” of automatic genetic processes and Mayr’s hypothesis about homozygotization of small isolated populations at range boundaries. It has been shown that the polymorphism of isolated populations sharply decreases when their area is reduced below 15–20 km² and increases to the level observed in the center of the range when the population area exceeds 50–100 km². A chorogenetic classification of marginal P. sylvestris populations is proposed.     

Pleistocene Refugia for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calluna vulgaris</Emphasis> (L.) Hull Populations in the European Atlantic Region

The distribution of nine chloroplast DNA haplotypes in four insular North-Atlantic and four European coastal Atlantic populations of Calluna vulgaris in the glacial zone of the range has been analyzed in comparison with that in six marginal southern populations in the nonglacial zone of the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions. As a result, two hypothetical Pleistocene refugia (HPRs) for this C. vulgaris population group have been revealed, one in the Cévennes mountain range and the other in the Southern Alps (Trento). Judging from the 1–F_ST value, it has been found that the group of populations in the glacial Atlantic zone and adjacent European coastal Atlantic region is genetically similar to the HPR in the Cévennes at a highly significant level (p ≥ 0.999) and less similar to the HPR in Trento; however, it differs significantly from other Mediterranean and Atlantic populations. It has been concluded that the most probable hypothetical Pleistocene refugium for the recent C. vulgaris populations of the northeastern Atlantic and European coastal Atlantic regions was in the west of the Mediterranean, in the Cévennes, while the additional refugium was in the Southern Alps. Possible directions of the postglacial dispersal and recolonization of habitats by C. vulgaris populations from the western Mediterranean to the northeast of the Atlantic and to Scandinavia have been revealed.     

Genetic Differentiation of the Ural Endemic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gypsophila uralensis</Emphasis> (Caryophyllaceae) in Relict Fragments of Its Range in Northwestern European Russia

Molecular genetic methods (AFLP and ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 rDNA analysis) have been used to study the level and structure of genetic diversity in relict populations of the Ural endemic Gypsophila uralensis Less. in the northeast of European Russia. Intraspecific genetic differentiation is most clearly manifested between G. uralensis Less. subsp. pinegensis (Perf.) Kamelin locally endemic to the north of Europe (Arkhangelsk oblast, locus classicus) the population of G. uralensis Less. subsp. uralensis on limestone outcrops along the Shchugor River, the Subpolar Urals. The cluster of Timan populations (on limestone outcrops along the Svetlaya, Pizhma, and Myla rivers) is autonomous and genetically heterogeneous. Genetic distances between model G. uralensis s.l. populations are correlated with geographic distances. The size and abundance of relict populations show a descending gradient in the forest zone, and parameters of their genetic diversity [1] and unbiased expected heterozygosity have been found to decrease along this gradient.     

Demographic features of populations of the marsh frog (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rana ridibunda</Emphasis> Pall.) introduced into water bodies of the Middle Urals

Demographic characteristics of marsh frog (Rana ridibunda Pall.) populations have been studied in cooling reservoirs of Middle Ural thermal power plants, where this species was introduced accidentally. The reservoirs are similar in hydrochemical characteristics but differ in the thermal regime. The populations studied have been found to differ from the reference (natural) populations and from each other in a number of parameters, including the size and age composition of spawners, the type of spawning, and fecundity. Analysis of the results indicates that the observed differences have adaptive significance.     

An outline of the theory of the genetic divergence of dry-land and bog populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L.

The thesis of the genetic divergence of Pinus sylvestris L. populations that have spread to bogs from the original dry-land populations has been deduced from the concept of the cyclicity of helio- and geophysical processes, derivative postulates on climatic cycles, formation of Holocene high bogs, contrasting differentiation between their environment and that of dry meadows, and the resultant changes in the vectors of microevolutionary factors and strong reproductive isolation between these populations. Logical genetic, ecological-phenotypical, and geographic consequences of this theory have been verified by factual data and general laws known to date. The interpolational and predictive roles of the new theory are demonstrated.     

The structure of genotypic diversity and the possibility of sexual reproduction in populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tulipa riparia</Emphasis> (Liliaceae)

The structure of genotypic diversity in eight populations of the clonal triploid (2n = 3x = 36) tulip Tulipa riparia inhabiting floodplain communities in the Southern Urals was studied. Analysis of nine polymorphic enzyme systems (ADH, IDH, SkDH, PGI, PGM, FDH, NADHdh, C-EST, GOT) was performed to identify clones. Both monoclonal (D = 0) and polyclonal populations with multiple genotypes from 3 to 12 (D from 0.73 to 0.91) were identified. The polyclonal populations had a high level of heterozygosity. Dispersal of propagules (bulbs) along rivers and even from one bank of a river to the opposite was detected. Some clones disperse along riverbanks to the distance of hundreds meters (up to four kilometres). At the same time, there is an effect of “isolated” or “closed” populations. Almost each sequentially arranged population in one river system have its own set of genotypes. Assessment of the state of the reproductive system components indicates presence of a rare sexual reproduction supporting genetic diversity of T. riparia.     

Specific features of phenetic structure of the terrestrial snail <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cepaea vindobonensis</Emphasis> (Pulmonata; Helicidae) in urbanized and natural populations

The phenetic structure of natural and urbanized populations of the terrestrial snail Cepaea vindobonensis has been studied with respect to polymorphism in the shell-band color and pattern. It is noted that C. vindobonensis snails populating different artificial habitats in the city of Nikolaev and its suburbs are characterized by a higher level of both intra-and interpopulation diversity with respect to the type of this polymorphism. In addition, urban populations show a very wide range of variation in the frequencies of particular morphs or their groups. Conversely, natural populations are characterized by a more uniform frequency structure with respect to polymorphism of the shell banding pattern.     

Variability of biochemical parameters and radiation resistance of the seed progeny of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Descurainia sophia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepidium apetalum</Emphasis> under exposure to various factors

The physiological and biochemical characteristics of seedlings of Descurainia sophia (Fisch.) and Lepidium apetalum Wild. have been used as examples to demonstrate that long-term exposure of plant populations to environmental stress factors causes adaptive changes in antioxidant and genomic systems that may considerably affect the radioresistance of seed progeny. The resistance to additional acute irradiation of seed progeny of wild plants adapted to different environmental conditions has been found to be determined not only by the combination of antioxidant and DNA-repair protection systems and the vulnerability of the functioning genome, but also by their variability. The data on the relationship of the radioresistance of wild plant populations with physiological and biochemical characteristics and their variability may be used for expert environmental assessment of the state of the biota and prediction of its viability under exposure to abiotic environmental factors.     

Differentiation of cryptic wood mice species of the subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sylvaemus</Emphasis> under different ecogeographic conditions in the Northern Caucasus

Based on analysis of the frequencies of nonmetric cranial characters, the ratio of interpopulation and interspecific differences has been studied in populations of two genetically identified cryptic species of wood mice, A. uralensis and A. ponticus, living under different ecological conditions in the Northern Caucasus. Hybridization between these species has not been reported previously, but interspecific phenetic distances indicate that differences between them do not exceed the level characteristic of subspecies, with morphological differentiation between A. uralensis populations of the Central and Western Caucasus being weakly expressed. It is hypothesized that the low level of intra- and interspecific differences is explained by the sympatric and symbiotopic origin of both species in the Western Caucasus. This may account for the retention of their similarity in ecological requirements for the environment and, consequently, only slight morphological disparity in similar biotopes.     

Seasonal replacement of populations and abundance dynamics of European robins, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erithacus rubecula</Emphasis> (L.), in the Highland Crimea

Complete seasonal replacement of European robin populations takes place in the Crimea: local birds of the subspecies E. r. valens depart from the peninsula to be replaced by birds of the nominative subspecies E. r. rubecula, which arrive for wintering. The overall population dynamics of the European robin in the Highland Crimea are determined by seasonal changes in the abundance of local birds, fluctuations in the abundance of birds from northern populations, or variation in the ratio between these groups of birds during their staying together in the Crimea during the periods of seasonal migrations.     

Assessment of biological effects in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plantago major</Emphasis> L. Seed progeny in the zone of impact from a Copper Smelter

The quality of seed progeny was studied in Plantago major from populations growing for a long time in the gradient of chemical pollution around the Karabash Copper Smelter (KCS). The results showed that the range of variation in seed germination and seedling survival rates was wider in background than in impact populations. The lowest values of growth parameters (the number of seedlings with a true leaf and root length) were recorded in the sample from the most polluted plot. Challenging exposure to toxic elements (seed germination in soils from polluted plots) was found to stimulate, to different extents, the rate of leaf formation and suppress root growth in the seedlings. It cannot be stated from these results that the adaptive potential of plants grown in the zone of impact from the KCS is altered, compared to that in other samples. Evaluation of the prooxidant and antioxidant status of seedlings from this zone revealed a decrease in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities (to 60 and 33% of background values, respectively) and an increase in peroxidase activity (to 122%). The prooxidant status of seedlings in samples from the KCS zone was found to be increased, except for the sample from the most polluted plot.     

Mortality and recruitment of mountain birch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula pubescens</Emphasis> ssp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">czerepanovii</Emphasis>) in the impact zone of a copper-nickel smelter in the period of significant reduction of emissions: The results of 15-year monitoring

Long-term monitoring of mountain birch populations (1992–2006) was performed in 14 test plots located at distances of 1 to 63 km from the copper-nickel smelter in Monchegorsk (Murmansk oblast) and differing in the degree of disturbance. In the period from 1999 to 2006, atmospheric emissions of sulfur dioxide and heavy metals amounted to only one-third of those between 1992 and 1998, but birch mortality in heavily polluted areas (with nickel concentrations in leaves exceeding 160 mg/kg) remained at the same level, being absent (as previously) in less polluted areas. Throughout the observation period, birch recruitment was observed only in areas where nickel concentrations in the leaves were below 160 mg/kg; i.e., this concentration proved to be the threshold with respect to both mortality and recruitment of mountain birch. The course of demographic processes in its populations has remained unchanged after the reduction of emissions, confirming the hypothesis of the “inertial“ effect of industrial emissions on ecosystems. In some areas of industrial barrens, mountain birch may perish completely within the next decade.     

Mating patterns in three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bufo andrewsi</Emphasis> populations at different latitude

Body size-dependent mating pattern is thought to a consequence of the sexual selection on phenotypic characters. In the view, we investigated the mating patterns in Bufo andrewsi from three populations at different latitude in three Nature Reserves (i.e. Wanglang, Yele and Fengtongzhai) in China from early- March to late-May 2013 and 2014. The results showed that average body size did not differ significantly between amplectant and non-amplectant males within each population. We found a significantly positive relationship in body size between the amplectant males and amplectant females in Wanglang population, but not in Qiqiao and Yele populations. The strength of size-dependent mating was not correlated with the malebiased operational sex ratios (OSRs), suggesting that intensity of male-male competition at nights do not result in variation in size-dependent mating patterns in B. andrewsi among populations.     

Effect of biotic factors on growth and survival of the Oriental river prawn <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrobrachium nipponense</Emphasis> (De Haan) in warm-water aquaculture

Biotic factors such as intraspecific competition, stocking density, and parameters of feeding have been compared with respect to their effect on the growth and survival of monosex and mixed populations of the Oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense (De Haan) in warm-water aquaculture. The results suggest that biotic factors—in the present case, social interactions and, to some extent, the efficiency of food assimilation—may be more effective than genetic factors in controlling differences in the size composition of the population.     

A performance appraisal of size dependent reproduction and reproductive allocation: A case study of two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Inula</Emphasis> species from Kashmir Himalaya

In this study we investigated the size-dependent reproductive pattern of Inula racemosa and I. royleana (Asteraceae) growing at different reaches in the environs of the Kashmir Himalaya. Size effects on reproductive pattern were evaluated by determining the size-dependency of flowering probability and reproductive effort. The results showed that the probability of flowering increased significantly with the size of the plant in all populations, indicating that individuals do not flower until they reach a threshold size and considerable between-site differences were found in the slope and the intercept of the regression between plant size and flower production. In I. racemosa, populations at high altitudes had significantly lower threshold sizes for reproduction and showed sharp increase in flowering probability with plant size, compared to other populations at lower altitudes. However, no pattern in size-dependent flower production was found relative to the altitude in I. royleana, as flower production at some sites, at high altitudes, increased more steeply with plant size than at other sites. For both taxa, reproductive effort decreased allometrically as adults grew, as can be interpreted from the allometric relationship between reproductive and vegetative biomass. Further studies are required to determine whether population differentiation in size-dependent reproductive pattern is maintained by selection.