Winter ecology of the pine marten (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Martes martes</Emphasis> L.) in the Volga floodplain opposite Samara

The footprint tracking method has been used to study specific features of winter ecology of pine martens inhabiting the Rozhdestvenskaya Floodplain of the Volga River. Attention has been paid to the size and demographic structure of the population, the distribution of footprints by habitats, home ranges and shelters, features of foraging and territorial behavior, reactions to objects of natural and anthropogenic origin, and interactions with heterospecific animals.     

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.     

Variation of male nuptial plumage in the willow ptarmigan <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lagopus lagopus</Emphasis> L.

In male willow ptarmigans, the relationship between qualitative differences between birds belonging to different intrapopulation groups and some individual features of male nuptial plumage has been revealed by studying banded birds. Thus, males that have changed their nesting site differ from those returning to the former site and bigamous males differ from monogamous in the number and size of dark spots amid the white plumage. The influence of the time of the onset of spring on the development of nuptial plumage is considered.     

Intraspecific variation in the viability of soredia in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hypogymnia physodes</Emphasis> (L.) Nyl. (Ascomycota: Lecanorales)

The contribution of morphological features of parent thalli, substrate and climatic factors, and their seasonal fluctuations to variation in the viability of vegetative diaspores has been studied on the model of epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes. Seasonal trends in viability have been revealed only in certain types of biotopes. Hygrothermal conditions and substrate properties in the biotope have proved to have a significant effect on the viability of soredia.     

The State of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arsenjevia baikalensis</Emphasis> cenopopulations in plant communities of the Western Sayan Mountains

Fifteen A. baikalensis populations growing in natural and disturbed habitats in the dark-taiga forest belt of the Western Sayan Mountains have been studied with respect to age composition, numbers, and variation and interrelation of vegetative characters and parameters of productivity. Specific features of the effect of gaps in the tree canopy on the state of A. baikalensis cenopopulations have been revealed.     

The ecology of the red fox (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vulpes vulpes</Emphasis> L.) in the middle Lena River basin

The population of foxes in the central regions of Yakutia has grown by a factor of four to five during the period from 2000 to 2011–2012, following an increase in the abundance of voles from the genus Microtus. A total of 130 carcasses of foxes taken in 2007–2012 have been examined. Age- and sex-related variation in morphological features has been described. The demographic structure of the population has been studied by estimating animal age from annual layers in the recording structures. Changes in female fertility and involvement in reproduction depending on age and feeding conditions have been analyzed. Changes in the composition of fox diet caused by long-term population depression in the mountain hare and their effect on the dynamics of fox abundance have been revealed. Age- and sex-related characteristics of the condition factor in foxes and sex-related differences in their dietary preferences have been demonstrated.     

Influence of nonsymbiotic and symbiotic parameters of underground organs on the development of aboveground organs in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> seedlings

A method is described for comparing the influences of nonsymbiotic and symbiotic parameters (accounted for by the plant itself and by the plant together with ectomycorrhizal fungi, respectively) of under-ground organs on the development of aboveground organs. The method has been used to analyze 4- to 12-month Scots pine seedlings from 26 habitats. The results show that 24 to 88% (on average, 54%) of total variation in the weight of aboveground organs is dependent on specific structural features of roots and mycorrhizae, with nonsymbiotic and symbiotic parameters of underground organs accounting for 5–73% (on average, 36%) and 3–45% (on average, 18%) of this variation.     

Specific features of annual cycles in long-distance migrant birds living at the range boundary: the example of the wood warbler, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phylloscopus sibilatrix</Emphasis>, in the taiga zone of northwestern Russia

Annual cycle phenomena taking place in the nesting part of the range, such as dates of migration and breeding and molting pattern, have been studied in the wood warbler in northwestern Russia, at the boundary of its nesting range. The results provide evidence that the annual cycle of long-distance migrant birds living at the boundary of their nesting range has certain specific features.     

Characterization of MAR and heavy metal-tolerant <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>. <Emphasis Type="Italic">coli</Emphasis> O157:H7 in water sources: a suggestion for behavioral intervention

The water sources in developing countries are usually contaminated with the members of enterobacteriaceae leading to gastrointestinal infections. There has been an increasing consumption of antibiotics during last decade in India. The development of multiple antibiotic resistance and heavy metal tolerance among waterborne bacteria has been coexisting traits. Keeping above features in view, 51 waterborne isolates of Escherichia coli O157:H7 have been characterized in the present study. The disk diffusion test for antibiotic sensitivity assay revealed that all the isolates were resistant to at least one or more antibiotics. Cephalosporins were least effective, while fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides were most effective antibiotics. The isolates shared resistance pattern similarities regardless of their sources. The isolates were subjected to test maximum tolerance concentration of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, chromium and mercury. About 98% isolates tolerated arsenic at 250 μg ml^?1 or various above concentrations. Mercury >25 μg ml^?1 was not tolerated by more than 90% isolates. In dug well, a commonly used water source in rural India, the isolates exhibited multiple antibiotic resistance index of 0.68 indicating it as high risk contaminating source. PCR–RFLP of 16S rDNA distinguished isolates into four groups with the smallest group represented by 3 isolates. Three isolates belonged to different sources but shared all the features of biochemical, serological, multiple antibiotic resistance and heavy metal tolerance test. 16S rDNA sequence analysis showed that the three selected isolates were closely related to each other. Based on the microbial and molecular findings, the study recommends to follow social cognitive theory to alter the behavior of the local communities for sustainable use of water resources.     

Mating systems in the steppe lemming (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lagurus lagurus)</Emphasis> and narrow-skulled vole (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Microtus gregalis</Emphasis>) from the Northern Kulunda Steppe

A comparative analysis of reproductive behavior has been performed in the steppe lemming (Lagurus lagurus) and narrow-skulled vole (Microtus gregalis). The results show that the species are similar in certain behavioral features indicative of the stability of mating pairs. However, in the narrow-skulled vole, unlike in the steppe lemming, mature males in olfactory tests show preference for receptive sibling females versus non-kin females. Probably, it is the absence of the incest taboo that allows the involvement of young of the year in reproduction within growing family groups and accounts for “coloniality” of the species.     

Ecological,morphological, and genetic diversity of burbot (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lota lota</Emphasis> L., 1758) in large river basins of Western Siberia

A study has been performed on the ecological, morphological, and genetic diversity of burbot (sample size n = 204 and n = 134, respectively) from eight localities of the Ob–Irtysh and Taz river basins, Western Siberia. Fish differentiation in body size and weight depending on the dominant type of migration behavior, foraging conditions, and physiographic features of habitats has been revealed. A high genetic diversity (854-bp mtDNA control region) and a low level of between-sample differentiation is evidence for high intergroup gene flow.     

The narrow-skulled vole (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Microtus gregalis</Emphasis> Pall.) in the dynamics of zonal rodent communities of northern Eurasia

On the basis of abundant fossil and subfossil bone remains, the ecological and faunal role of the narrow-skulled vole in zonal rodent communities of northern Eurasia is analyzed over the period from the Late Pleistocene to the present time. Special attention is given to the correlated dynamics of relative abundance of Microtus gregalis and other rodent species in the course of transition from one zonal type to another and to specific features of this correlation in the southern, middle, and northern parts of the species range. It is shown that distinctive dimensional and morphotypic features of the two currently existing subspecies, Microtus gregalis major Ogn. and M. g. gregalis Pall., are the product of concordant development of the species and environmental conditions in the past 3000–4000 years (transition from the Holocene optimum to the present-day climate and state of the natural environment). Published in Russian in Ekologiya, 2007, Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 117–123. The article was translated by the authors.     

Spatial distribution and mobility of butterflies in a population of the cranberry fritillary <Emphasis Type="Italic">Boloria aquilonaris</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera,Nymphalidae)

A population of the cranberry fritillary (Boloria aquilonaris) was studied in a forest bog in Southern Karelia. The butterflies in this habitat were distributed unevenly, forming large aggregations in the driest sites overgrown by Comarum palustre. All areas inhabited by the population were interconnected by fluxes of butterflies. The maximum recorded distance covered by a an individual was 1.5 km. The B. aquilonaris residence area was delimited on the basis of an exponential model. Specific features of the spatial organization of B. aquilonaris populations in spatially homogeneous and fragmented environments are discussed.     

Analysis of rodent populations in technogenically transformed areas (with reference to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apodemus</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">S.</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">uralensis</Emphasis> from the EURT zone)

It is shown that the response of rodent populations to acute and chronic irradiation depends on its functional structure, i.e., on specific features of animals with two alternative types of ontogenetic development. Upon acute irradiation, sexually immature young of the year (animals with the second type of ontogeny) are most radioresistant. Exposure to chronic irradiation, as in the zone of the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace (EURT), leads to an increase in the proportion of mature young of the year (animals with the first type of ontogeny), which are the most radiosensitive part of the population. The abundance and fecundity of mice in the impact zone are consistently higher than in the background zone, which improves the adaptive potential of the population. The role of species ecological specialization and configuration of the contaminated zone in the formation of migrant rodent population is emphasized. It is concluded that a high migration activity allows the pigmy wood mouse (a radiosensitive species) to avoid long-term radiation exposure.     

Evolutionary ecological analysis of adaptation strategies of rodent populations under extreme conditions

Adaptive strategies of cyclomorphic rodent populations (Rodentia) under extreme conditions of droughts (in 1975 and 2010) have been analyzed on the basis of functional–ontogenetic approach. The following features of these strategies have been revealed: minimization of metabolic processes, block of sexual maturation, intergenerational crossing, prolongation of breeding period, and species-specific features in the dynamics of intrapopulation processes. Profound changes in the level of long-term oscillations of abundance after the drought have been noted in different species. Evidence is provided for the possibility of extremely rapid population rearrangements on an evolutionary scale that are fixed in a series of generations.     

Effects of environmental factors and species identity on oxygen and carbon isotope composition of teeth in recent small mammals of the Urals

The variation of carbon and oxygen isotope composition in the carbonate group of carbonated hydroxyapatite from the incisor teeth has been studies in six recent rodent species trapped in different latitudinal regions of the Urals. Specific features of variation in the carbon and oxygen isotope ratios are discussed in dependence of animal’s species identity, typical environment, mode of life, dietary features, and ambient air temperature.     

Ecogenetic features and functions of solods in transural forest-steppes (within Sverdlovsk Oblast)

Specific ecogenetic features of solods in the forest-steppe zone has been studied, and the role of biotic and abiotic factors of soil formation has been estimated. Differentiation of soil horizons with respect to the physical clay fraction accounts for specific features of their moistening, which is reflected in the ratio of strongly and weakly crystallized forms of iron. Periodic changes in redox conditions results in iron segregation, and a high content of fulvic acids accounts for its eluvial migration. These processes are controlled by soil geochemical barriers.     

On characteristics of the brown rat,Rattus norvegicus Berk. (1769), in the meadow steppes of the Elbrus variant in the Central Caucasus

The blood system parameters (erythropoiesis in bone marrow, peripheral blood) of brown rat have been studied for the first time in the foothills of the Central Caucasus. Several species-specific features of these parameters have been revealed that distinguishing the brown rat from other representatives of the family Muridae.     

Seasonal variation of the forewing in polyvoltine whites <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pieris rapae</Emphasis> L. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. napi</Emphasis> L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) in the forest-steppe zone of the Southern Urals

The seasonal variation of forewing size and shape was analyzed in adults of different seasonal generations of two polyvoltine species of whites: Pieris rapae and P. napi (Lepidoptera: Pieridae). Particular morphological features of the forewing are characteristic of each seasonal generation of adults independently of their sex and species. Adults of the spring generations have the smallest wings, elongate and pointed. Adults of the summer generation have the largest, broad and rounded wings over the entire summer season. Adults of the autumn generation have wings similar in shape and size to those of the summer generation, but somewhat smaller and more elongate. Differences between seasonal generations in forewing shape are linked to differences between adults of each generation in adaptation to dispersal.     

The European roe deer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capreolus capreolus</Emphasis> L.) at the northern boundary of its range in Eastern Fennoscandia

The dispersal, population dynamics, and ecological features of the European roe deer at the northern limit of species distribution and also their visits, wintering, and breeding outside the range boundary are discussed. A significant increase in the abundance of roe deer in the northern part of the range and their largescale expansion beyond the historical distribution limit have taken place during the past decade. However, their spread in Karelia and Arkhangelsk oblast is strictly limited, depending primarily on snow depth and duration. Hunting the roe deer as a game species in the region is possible only in the south of Pskov oblast, where habitat conditions are most favorable for it.