Appropriateness of needles of different conifer species for the feeding and growth of larvae from two populations of the Siberian moth

A comparison of two Siberian moth populations from the Altai Republic (feeding on Siberian fir) and the Tyva Republic (feeding on Siberian larch) has revealed no differences between them with respect to ecophysiological parameters of larval growth and feeding on needles of the same conifer species under laboratory conditions. The index of appropriateness of food plants for the larvae from both populations decreases in the series larch > fir > spruce > pine. The age-related dynamics of parameters characterizing the feeding and growth of larvae are independent of the population to which the insects belong.     

Structure and differentiation of spruce populations in the Komi Republic

Groups of spruce populations growing in western and southwestern, central, and northern regions of the Komi Republic significantly differ from each other. Trees with a phenotype intermediate between Norway (Picea abies) and Siberian (P. obovata) spruce prevail in the first group, their proportion in the second group does not exceed 20%, and almost all trees in the third group have the Siberian spruce phenotype.     

Structure and formation of conifer stands in the upper timberline ecotone on the North Chuya Ridge,Central Altai

The structure of Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour.) and Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) stands and specific features of their formation have been studies in the forest-tundra ecotone on the North Chuya Ridge (2235–2475 m a.s.l.). Changes in the structure of these stands along the transition from the upper boundary of closed forests to the high-mountain tundra have proved to have an ambiguous pattern. Both tree species form mixed clusters of similar-aged trees in the lower part of the ecotone but grow singly, in scatters, in its upper part. The formation of conifer stands (tree clusters) in the lower part of the ecotone, on the slopes of the Aktru River valley, began during climate warming in the second half of the 19th century. The expansion of confers to its upper part took place markedly later, in the early 20th century (Siberian larch) or even in the 1930s (Siberian stone pine).     

Distribution of frost injuries in the wood of conifers

The distribution of frost injuries in earlywood and latewood, in different zones of stem (with respect to height, diameter, and circumference), and at the bases of large roots has been studied in Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.) and Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) at the northern limit of their ranges (the Obsko-Tazovskaya forest-tundra). It has been shown that a high frequency of frost injuries, especially in spruce, is characteristic of the study region. Mass frost injuries occur only in thin trees, mainly in the lower part of stems. Guidelines for collecting and preparing wood samples for the study of frost injuries are proposed.     

Analysis of consortive relationships between the Siberian stone pine and the nutcracker in the Northern Urals

The data presented have been obtained in the course of long-term stationary quantitative studies on the annual seed reproduction dynamics of Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) stands, including the abundance of seedlings, and the local population of the nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes macrorhynchos C.L. Brehm) in forests of the Northern Urals. Statistically significant consortive relationships of the nutcracker population density with the yield of Siberian stone pine seeds and of the abundance of pine seedlings with the yield of seeds and the abundance of nutcrackers over preceding years have been hrevealed for the first time and formalized mathematically.     

The diet of Asian badger, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meles leucurus</Emphasis> Hodgson, 1847, in Samarovskii Chugas Nature Park,Western Siberia

The diet structure of Asian badgers (Meles leucurus Hodgson, 1847) on Bol’shoi Chukhtinskii Island (Samarovskii Chugas Nature Park, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area) was studied by means of coprological analysis. Ten diet components were identified, including Siberian stone pine seeds (pine nuts), berries, earthworms, larval and adult insects, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. The proportion of pine nuts was especially large. Seasonal fluctuations in the occurrence frequency and abundance of different foods were insignificant, but some of them were found to markedly vary between years.     

Dynamics of the timberline in high mountain areas of the nether-polar Urals under the influence of current climate change

Changes in the altitudinal position of the timberline in high mountain areas of the Nether-Polar Urals and basic factors that influence such changes have been revealed on the basis of comparison of the age structure of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) and arctic birch (Betula tortuosa) tree stands and photographs made in different years. On the mountain slopes studied, an upward shift of the timberline took place in areas covered in winter with thick snow (in the late 18th century), with Siberian larch being the pioneer species. Larch began colonizing areas with a thin snow cover in the 20th century. Birch appeared later and has since strengthened its positions. The increase in winter temperatures and precipitation facilitated the expansion of the forest.     

The role of the red fox as a predator of species of human concern in a mediterranean rural habitat: A case Study

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is generally considered a pest species, especially in rural habitats where it is perceived as a predator of livestock and game species. In many countries, population-control programs are carried out to prevent predation on species of human concern. However, most of these programs occur without an analysis of the real fox impact. This study analyzed the diet of red foxes inhabiting a farmland area characterized by the presence of both free-ranging livestock and game species. We analyzed a total of 147 scats belonging to 32 food samples. Invertebrates represented the main food category (recorded on 66% of food samples), followed by fruit and small mammals, both recorded on 59% of food samples. The seasonal variation of the diet matched the availability of food resources, as demonstrated by the outcome of small mammal trapping activity in the area. The livestock consumption regarded almost exclusively carrions, since only hair of adult sheep were recorded with high frequency. Wild boar hair were found in two food samples, lamb and hare hair were found in only one. Our study showed an easy protocol to assess the role of red fox as a predator of livestock and game species before planning management actions. In the analyzed farmland, for instance, a population-control program should not be justified despite the presence of lambs, piglets, hares and pheasants.     

Carbon dioxide exchange in the photosynthetic apparatus of trees in a mature spruce phytocenosis of the northern taiga subzone

Carbon dioxide exchange was studied in the photosynthetic apparatus of Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.), Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.), and weeping birch (Betula pendula Roth.) in a mature spruce forest. Parameters of CO₂ balance in different weather were characterized quantitatively on the basis of daily measurements of CO₂ exchange in needles and leaves of woody plants. The percent ratios of the components of carbon balance in needles and leaves of woody plants depending on daily photosynthetic fixation of carbon were determined. In summer, trees consumed 210 kg CO₂/ha (57 kg C/ha) in variable weather and 117 kg CO₂/ha (32 kg C/ha) in cloudy weather. Species specificity of CO₂ consumption was revealed, and the effects of environmental factors on the assimilatory activity of trees were determined.     

The Long-Term Dynamics of Parasite Infection in Coregonids with Different Food Specializations

Russian Journal of Ecology - The long-term dynamics of the parasitic infection of two coregonid species with different food specializations, peled Coregonus peled (Gmelin, 1789) and Siberian...     

Circulating levels of environmental contaminants are associated with dietary patterns in older adults

BackgroundFood intake contributes substantially to our exposure to environmental contaminants. Still, little is known about our dietary habits' contribution to exposure variability.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess circulating levels of environmental contaminants in relation to predefined dietary patterns in an elderly Swedish population.MethodsDietary data and serum concentrations of environmental contaminants were obtained from 844 70-year-old Swedish subjects (50% women) in the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study. Dietary data from 7-day food records was used to assess adherence to a Mediterranean-like diet, a low carbohydrate–high protein diet and the WHO dietary recommendations. Circulating levels of 6 polychlorinated biphenyl markers, 3 organochlorine pesticides, 1 dioxin and 1 polybrominated diphenyl ether, the metals cadmium, lead, mercury and aluminum and serum levels of bisphenol A and 4 phthalate metabolites were investigated in relation to dietary patterns in multivariate linear regression models.ResultsA Mediterranean-like diet was positively associated with levels of several polychlorinated biphenyls (118, 126, 153, and 209), trans-nonachlor and mercury. A low carbohydrate–high protein diet was positively associated with polychlorinated biphenyls 118 and 153, trans-nonachlor, hexachlorobenzene and p, p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, mercury and lead. The WHO recommended diet was negatively related to levels of dioxin and lead, and borderline positively to polychlorinated biphenyl 118 and trans-nonachlor.ConclusionDietary patterns were associated in diverse manners with circulating levels of environmental contaminants in this elderly Swedish population. Following the WHO dietary recommendations seems to be associated with a lower burden of environmental contaminants.     

Comparing human exposure to emerging and legacy flame retardants from the indoor environment and diet with concentrations measured in serum

This study investigates associations between serum concentrations of emerging and legacy halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) in 46 Norwegian women and measured indoor air and dust concentrations of the HFRs as well as detailed information on diet and household factors. Hexabromobenzene (median 0.03 ng/g lipid) and Dechlorane 602 (median 0.18 ng/g lipid) were detected in about 50% of the samples and Dechlorane Plus syn (median 0.45 ng/g lipid) and anti (median 0.85 ng/g lipid) in more than 78%. The most abundant polybrominated diphenyl ethers were 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-153; median 0.82 ng/g lipid) and 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47; median 0.49 ng/g lipid) detected in more than 70% of the samples. In the bivariate analysis, no consistent associations were observed between the biomonitoring data and measured concentrations in indoor air and dust. On the other hand, consumption of specific food items (mainly lamb/mutton and margarine) correlated significantly with more than two HFR serum concentrations, while this was not the case for household factors (electronic appliances). Only the significant bivariate associations with diet were confirmed by multivariate linear regression analyses, which might indicate a higher contribution from food compared to the indoor environment to the variation of the body burden of these HFRs.     

Small mammals in the diets of the Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) and Short-eared Owl (A. flammeus) in the south of Western Siberia

Diets of the Long-eared and Short-eared Owls, closely related species with overlapping ranges, have been studied in the south of Western Siberia (the Baraba Lowland) by analyzing bone remains in pellets. The results show that both species in the south of the Baraba Lowland employ similar strategies of food resource use, which, however, differ in some aspects. In the Short-eared Owl, the hunting range is apparently more restricted. During the nesting period, these birds occupy relatively moist habitats along riverbanks and protect their hunting grounds. The Long-eared Owl nests in mainly mesic habitats, in forest outliers, and can supplement its diet with shrews (Sorex) and steppe rodent species. The diets of both species largely consist of murine rodent species that are dominant or subdominant in the small mammal community of the Baraba forest-steppe. Seasonal and interannual variations in the food spectra of both species have been revealed.     

Genetic divergence of eastern European and Tobol populations of Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull.

Analysis of geographic variation of chloroplast DNA in the eastern European and western Siberian (Tobol) groups of Calluna vulgaris populations isolated from each other for a long period of time has revealed distinct differentiation between them. It has been shown that three populations growing in the Russian Plain and Karelia share two haplotypes characteristic of central Europe, while three Tobol populations contain one haplotype F occurring in Sweden. These results confirm the hypothesis of genetic divergence between the Tobol and eastern European groups of C. vulgaris populations.     

Climatic signal in radial increment of conifers in forest-steppe of southern Siberia and its dependence on local growing conditions

Radial increments have been studied in Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing in the forest-steppe zone of southern Siberia in areas with different landscapes and levels of soil moisture supply but uniform climatic conditions. It has been shown that the radial increment significantly depends on climatic factors, primarily temperatures in April to July and September, sums of precipitation in April to July and September to November, and hydrothermal coefficient in May. The climatiC response in the wood of conifers in the forest-steppe zone differs depending on their species-specific features and local growing conditions.     

On the effect of climate on the morphological structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alnus hirsuta</Emphasis> (Betulaceae)

An analysis of correlations between metric leaf characters and climatic parameters of habitats in the Siberian alder (Alnus hirsuta) has shown that phenotypic variation in this species depends on the gradient of climatic factors and that the morphological structure of the species is largely determined by variation in climatic conditions within the species range.     

Morphophysiological responses of Pinus sylvestris L. and Picea obovata Ledeb. to industrial pollution under conditions of Northwestern Russia

Morphophysiological parameters of needles have been studied in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.) trees of different life states growing under conditions of industrial air pollution with sulfur and heavy metals. Three functional clusters (tentatively named the initial, transitional, and disastrous clusters), each characterized by a certain metabolic status, have been revealed, and their quantitative and qualitative structure has been evaluated. The morphophysiological responses of pine and spruce are shown to be qualitatively different, depending on differentiation of trees with respect to vitality under conditions of industrial pollution. Probable factors accounting for these differences are discussed.     

Population genetic aspects of susceptibility of the Colorado potato beetle to mycopathogens in the Republic of Bashkortostan

Susceptibility of the Colorado potato beetle to entomopathogenic fungal infection has been studied for the first time in the Republic of Bashkortostan and shown to be associated with other population genetic characteristics of the species in this region. A new strain of Beauveria bassiana, Ufa-2, has been isolated and tested for virulence in comparison to B. bassiana strains isolated from other insect species and maintained in the collection of the Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences.     

A system of Pleistocene refugia for Pinus sylvestris L. in the southern marginal part of the species range

An allozyme analysis of 67 Pinus sylvestris L. populations distributed over the entire species range has provided a basis for determining locations of 12 hypothetical Pleistocene refugia (HPRs) in its southern marginal part and estimating their relative contributions to the gene pools of seven phylogeographic population groups (PPGs) in the glaciated zone of the range. Using Nei’s (1978) minimum genetic distances (DN78 < 0.015) reflecting similarities and differences in allele frequencies between PPGs and the refugia, it has been shown that the main contributions to the P. sylvestris gene pool in Central Europe, Scandinavia, and the Russian Plain were probably made by the Balkan and Southern Ural refugia, and in Western and Central Siberia, by the Southern Ural, Turgai, and Southern Siberian mountain refugia.     

Composition of pied flycatcher (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficedula hypoleuca</Emphasis> Pall.) nestling diet in industrially polluted area

The composition of pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca Pall.) nestling diet was studied in the zone of strong pollution with emissions from the Middle Ural Copper Smelter (Revda, Sverdlovsk oblast) and in the background area from 2005 to 2007. The results show that diversity of the diet decreases and prevalence in it of one insect taxon (Lepidoptera) increases near the source of emissions. The proportion of uncharacteristic food objects (orthopterans, herpetobiont invertebrates) and variation in the size of invertebrates brought by parents to their nestlings increase, which is explained by degradation of forest habitats in the polluted area. Pied flycatchers provide nestlings with sufficient quantities of food, but its quality in the polluted zone is lower than in the background area.