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.     

Lipid peroxidation rates in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taraxacum officinale</Emphasis> Wigg. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia cracca</Emphasis> L. from biotopes with different levels of soil pollution with heavy metals

The rates of lipid peroxidation (LPO) have been studied in Taraxacum officinale Wigg. (Asteraceae) and Vicia cracca L. (Fabaceae) from urban ecosystems with different levels of soil pollution with heavy metals (HMs), including Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cr. The former species responds to the increased HM contents by intensification of LPO processes, with their parameters correlating with the concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cu in the soil. In the latter species from the same biotopes, conversely, LPO homeostasis remains actually undisturbed.     

Intraspecific variation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oxytropis chankaensis</Emphasis>, a Far Eastern Endemic

Variation and intraspecific differentiation of Oxytropis chankaensis Jurtz. (Fabaceae), a plant endemic to the Russian Far East, have been studied by analyzing a complex of morphological characters. A high level of morphological variation has been revealed, and the most variable populations growing in the Khankaiskii Nature Reserve have been identified. Populations growing in the zone of anthropogenic impact are characterized by low values and reduced variability of test characters. Distinct morphological differentiation of O. chankaensis populations has been observed.     

Effect of Ecological Factors on the Accumulation of Fluorine by Larches, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix gmelinii</Emphasis> (Rupr.) Rupr. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">L. sibirica</Emphasis> Ledeb., in Eastern Siberia

The accumulation of fluorine in the trunk wood and branches of Larix gmelinii growing on soils with a naturally increased fluoride content and of L. sibirica growing in a zone affected by atmospheric emissions from an aluminum plant has been studied. Based on results of in vivo and in vitro experiments, it is concluded that larch trees manifest individual differences in their response to fluorine.     

Interspecific interactions of amphipods <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gammarus lacustris</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gmelinoides fasciatus</Emphasis>

Experimental studies of interactions between two amphipod species (Gmelinoides fasciatus and Gammarus lacustris) showed that predation is the basic mechanism accounting for their mutual exclusion in nature. Mortality from predation among similar-sized specimens of both species at an equal abundance ratio was similar (24–25% in G. lacustris and 27–30% in G. fasciatus). The displacement of G. lacustris by G. fasciatus was observed when the latter was dominant. Adult G. fasciatus and G. lacustris successfully preyed on juveniles of their competitors and did not differ significantly in daily food consumption as a percentage of body weight: 6–24% at a fresh body weight of 18–24 mg in both species. The potential for rapid population growth under new conditions contributed to the success of the invasive Baikal species G. fasciatus in displacing G. lacustris from many water bodies of Russia.     

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.     

Species composition and quantitative representation of fishes in biotopes with the riffle minnow <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alburnoides bipunctatus</Emphasis>

Species composition of fishes was studied in rivers (capture sites) inhabited by the riffle minnow. In some localities, this species proved to occupy a leading position in the ichthyofauna, being obviously dominant. In small rivers, 16 species were caught together with it, including seven species regularly occurring in catches. The relative abundance of riffle minnow showed a moderate positive correlation with that of the gudgeon (0.568) and a nonsignificant negative correlation (?0.399) with that of the bleak. It is probable that the population dynamics of riffle minnow are determined mainly by natural intraspecific mechanisms rather than by water quality, which has changed only slightly in the rivers studied.     

Biotesting of water from Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan,using the microalga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dunaliella salina</Emphasis>

Water samples from zones with different levels of anthropogenic pollution in Peter the Great Bay, the Sea of Japan, were subjected to biotesting on the microalga Dunaliella salina. A distinct inhibitory effect on microalgal cultures was revealed in tests of water from Amur Bay. Water samples from stations in the Tumannaya River mouth and off Frugelm Island (in the southwestern part of Peter the Great Bay) and from Gaidamak Bight (Vostok Bay) had little effect on D. salina growth.     

Ecological and ethological characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sylvia</Emphasis> warbler colonies in patchy habitats on the courland spit,Baltic Sea

Territorial and nesting behavior of Sylvia warblers in a patchy environment has been studied. The results show that shortage of nesting sites and consequent high population density result in acute social strain. Under such conditions, changes are observed in species-specific forms of this behavior, which provide for the maximum possible realization of individual reproductive potential.     

Spatiotemporal distribution of caddis fly larvae <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aethaloptera evanescens</Emphasis> MacLachlan, 1880 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) in the Selenga River

Data on the occurrence, abundance, and biomass of caddis fly larvae Aethaloptera evanescens in the Selenga during the ice periods of 1987–2005 are presented. These insect larvae prefer river stretches with a gravel-sand ground, flow rate of 0.3–0.4 m/s, and depth of 2–3 m. Probable factors determining their distribution in the Selenga in recent years are a considerable drop of water level in the river (1995–2005), the improvement of hydrochemical conditions, and the presence of suspended and drifting erosion materials entering the river as a consequence of sand-gravel mixture excavation between 1980 and 1990.     

Spatial population structure in forest voles of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clethrionomys</Emphasis> in the southern taiga of the Middle Irtysh region

A comparative analysis of spatial population structure in the northern red-backed vole (Clethrionomys rutilus Pall.) and large-toothed red-backed vole (Cl. rufocanus Sund.) has been performed in the middle taiga zone of the Middle Irtysh region (Omsk oblast). Populations of these species are represented by sets of territorial groups whose numbers and spatial distribution change from year to year depending on the ratio of these species in a biotope and their population density. There is no significant interspecific competition between cohabitant Cl. rutilus and Cl. rufocanus. In particular, this follows from the fact that the population density and distribution pattern of one species are independent of those of the other species. It has been found that the size of home ranges in Cl. rutilus inversely depends on its population density, with that in Cl. rufocanus remaining approximately the same at different population densities, and that the structure of the resident part of the population in both species changes during the season, as voles from neighboring habitats or dispersing voles settle in the study area.     

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.     

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.     

Reproductive Parameters of Adult Birds and Morphophysiological Characteristics of Chicks in the Pied Flycatcher (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficedula hypoleuca</Emphasis> Pall.) in Technogenically Polluted Habitats

Effects of toxic emissions (heavy metals and sulfur dioxide) on reproductive parameters of adult pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca Pall.) and morphophysiological characteristics of their progeny have been studied in the vicinity of the Middle Ural Copper-Smelting Plant. In polluted areas, the fecundity of adult birds is lower, mortality among the progeny is higher, and changes in the physiological parameters of birds are observed. The effects of toxic load are better manifested in nestlings than in adult birds. They include an increase in the liver index, the reduction of hemoglobin concentration, and an increase in the proportion of immature erythrocytes in the peripheral blood. The proportion of anemic birds also increases. The weakening of nestlings facilitates their infestation by the larvae of parasitic flies. Changes in the differential blood count of nestlings reflect the combined impact of toxic pollutants and parasites.     

Dynamics of herbaceous layer structure around the nests of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Formica aquilonia</Emphasis> Yarr. at initial stages of their formation

The time course of changes in characteristics of herbaceous vegetation around Formica aquilonia Yarr. ant nests formed from artificially relocated fragments of original families was studied over 6 years. At the initial stage of nest formation, species richness and diversity of the herbaceous layer decreased, and its taxonomic, spatial, phytocenotic, and ecological structure changed. Trivialization of vegetation around anthills was observed. The proportion of zoochorous and anemophilous plants with narrow or strongly dissected leaves increased in the developing myrmecotopic assemblages.     

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.     

Current state and long-term changes of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crenomytilus grayanus</Emphasis> community in Vostok Bay,Sea of Japan

The composition and structure of the Gray mussel (Crenomytilus grayanus) community in Vostok Bay of the Sea of Japan have been studied. A total of 165 species have been identified in the macrobenthos. Its species composition has changed insignificantly since the 1970s. The total biomass of the biocenosis has decreased, and the size-age composition of the C. grayanus population has changed due to poaching. The trophic structure of the community has also changed, with the Shannon indices of species diversity and equitability (E) becoming lower, due to intensive organic pollution of Vostok Bay resulting from increasing recreational activities and sewage discharge.     

Ecological-demographic characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potentilla bifurca</Emphasis> L. cenopopulations

A discrete approach to the study of ontogeny has made it possible to reveal a high degree of age heterogeneity in P. bifurca cenopopulations. The basal ontogenetic spectrum of cenopopulations has been determined. The index of regeneration is higher in cenopopulations of the young type and decreases in cenopopulations of the old type, whereas the situation with the index of senescence is inverse. The density of cenopopulations depends mainly on parameters of the substrate (density, composition, and moisture), its slope, and the intensity of plant vegetative reproduction and spread.     

Spatiotemporal dynamics of geographical ranges of red deer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cervus elaphus</Emphasis>, Cervidae) and Siberian roe deer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capreolus pygargus</Emphasis>, Cervidae) in Yakutia

Patterns of expansion of geographical ranges of red deer and Siberian roe deer in Yakutia during the 20th century are considered. The area inhabited by red deer in Yakutia has increased almost fourfold over the past 50 years, with an expansion of over 200000 km² toward the northwest. The geographical range of roe deer in the Lena–Amga interfluve has also changed considerably during the same period. Roe deer sightings in the subarctic zone were reported. The structure of geographical ranges of the species under investigation in different ecological and geographical regions of Yakutia is discussed, and the factors influencing the transformation of geographical range borders are characterized.     

Altitudinal variation in body size and age in male spot-legged treefrog (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Polypedates megacephalus</Emphasis>)

Body size variation across environmental gradients has received considerable attention in evolutionary ecology in recent years. In this study, we investigated body sizes and age structure using skeletochronology in male Polypedates megacephalus from five sites with the attitude ranging from 449 to 1300 m. The results showed age at sexual maturity in males was 2 years old, and the longevity was 5 years old except for Changning population of 3 years. Body size was significantly correlated with age within each population except for Changning population. Average age did not differ significantly among populations. Body size of individuals also did not differ across populations when removing the effect of age, which did not follow Bergmann’s rule.