Effects of the Anthropogenic Factor on Bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the Volga Region

Using the example of bats inhabiting the Volga region, the cases in which the anthropogenic factor creates favorable conditions for these animals or significantly reduces their diversity of their fauna are considered. In this context, an opinion concerning the approaches to the conservation of bats is formulated.     

Simulation of 137Cs Migration over the Soil–Plant System of Peat Soils Contaminated after the Chernobyl Accident

A mathematical model was constructed to simulate the processes of ¹³⁷Cs migration in peat soils and its uptake by vegetation. Model parameters were assessed and the pattern of ¹³⁷Cs distribution over soil profile was predicted in case of peat soils, which are typical of the Russian regions contaminated after the Chernobyl accident. The ecological half-life of ¹³⁷Cs in the plant-root soil zone was calculated, and a long-term prognosis of the radionuclide uptake by plants was made.     

Molecular biomarkers of energy metabolism in mussels under anthropogenic pollution of Peter the Great Bay, the Sea of Japan

The functional state of the indicator species, the Gray mussel Crenomytilus grayanus (Bivalvia), has been analyzed in five areas of Peter the Great Bay exposed to anthropogenic pollution. The following indices of the state of mussels have been used: molecular biomarkers of energy metabolism—Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, Mg²⁺-ATPase, and total ATPase activity—as well as the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and glutathione concentration in the hepatopancreas, gills, and gonads of mussels. The activity of ATPases, LPO level, and glutathione concentration significantly change in mussels from polluted areas relative to those in mussels from a conventionally unpolluted area (a bay in the Far Eastern State Marine Reserve). The molecular biomarkers used in the study provide reliable information on animal metabolism in impact areas. With consideration of the data obtained, it is concluded that the state of mussels in polluted areas is impaired.     

Characteristics of microorganisms isolated from technogenic soils of the Kama region

Microorganisms capable of degrading monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and several chlorinated aromatic compounds were isolated from soils polluted with industrial waste from chemical plants. They were identified as representatives of the genera Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Alcaligenes, Rhodococcus, Microbacterium, Cellulomonas, Arthrobacter, and Brevibacterium. Among them, bacteria capable of utilizing xenobiotics in a wide range of ambient temperatures and pH and in the presence of high sodium chloride concentrations were revealed.     

Specific Features of the Dynamics of Murine Rodent Communities under the Effects of Urbanization: 2. Maintenance of Population Size

The reproduction dynamics of nonsynanthropic rodents living in urbanized areas was compared with that of rodents from natural communities. The number of females in a community and the number of embryos and placental spots per female were estimated. The mechanisms providing for the maintenance of population size were different in different habitats. In particular, the urban communities of murine rodents proved to have a higher reproductive potential.     

Influence of predation on infaunal abundance in Upper Chesapeake Bay,USA

The importance of predators in controlling the densities of infaunal (>0.5 mm) organisms was investigated in the mesohaline region of the Upper Chesapeake Bay (USA) using field experiments. The role of predators in controlling infaunal density and community characteristics varied with habitat type, season (i.e., predator abundance) and developmental or successional stage of the community. Few infaunal species were adversely affected by predator exclusion. Species that increased greatly in abundance in the absence of predators (e.g. Eteone heteropoda, Streblospio benedicti, Nereis succinea, and juvenile Macoma balthica and Mya arenaria) lived near the sediment-water interface and had major population pulses from fall through spring. Species whose abundances increased moderately or were not affected by predator exclusion were deeper burrowing organisms (e.g. Heteromastus filiformis and adult Mya arenaria), or were relatively small organisms (e.g. Paraprionospio pinnata, Scolecolepides viridis and Peloscolex gabriellae) whose principal predators could be other members of the infauna. Competition did not appear to be an important factor controlling infaunal density in these experiments.This work is Contribution No. 973 of the Center for Environmental and Estuarine Studies of the University of Maryland     

Effect of endosulfan on blood glucose

Endosulfan was administered to cats intravenously at different doses. The compound (3 and 4 mg/kg) showed marked rise in blood glucose level after 15 and 30 minutes of treatment with a gradual fall upto 4 hrs. No change in blood glucose was observed at 2.0 mg/kg dose. Adrenalectomy prevented this rise in glucose level.     

Coexistence: Symbiotic sharing of feeding territories and algal food by some coral reef fishes from the Western Indian Ocean

A symbiotic relationship between a damselfish (Stegastes fasciolatus) and 2 surgeonfishes (Acanthurus lineatus and A. leucosternon) is described. The damselfish, which is about 1/10 the size of the surgeonfishes, is concentrated in, and appears to prefer to be in, the feeding areas of the surgeonfishes. There is an average of one adult damselfish per adult surgeonfish feeding area. All 3 species defend their feeding areas against conspecifics and various other fishes that have similar diets, but there are few aggressive interactions between the cohabitants. Most of the interspecific defense of cohabited areas is provided by the surgeonfishes. The cohabitant species eat the same types of benthic microalgae, but only the damselfish eats microcrustaceans. It appears that the net cost to a surgeonfish of having a damselfish in its feeding area is very low because (1) biomass density of the damselfish is low, (2) it uses some food that the surgeonfishes do not use, and (3) it makes a small contribution to the defense of shared feeding areas. Even if there is a cost to the surgeonfish, the small size of the damselfish would allow it to take shelter from the surgeonfish, thus making it too costly for the surgeonfish to exclude it. Such cohabitation relationships, which may be quite common among reef fishes, represent a means by which the coexistence of species that use the same limiting resources is achieved.     

Dieldrin, heptachlor, and chlordane residues in soybeans in Illinois 1974, 1980

The Illinois soybean crop was monitored in 1974 and 1980 for dieldrin, heptachlor, and chlordane residues resulting from the use of these compounds for corn soil insect control in the years before extensive soybean cultivation. Residue levels were compared with past published amounts. Dieldrin residue levels in soybeans declined between 1974 and 1980. Heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide levels remained level between 1974 and 1980. Chlorinated hydrocarbon residues were lower in the southern third of Illinois than for the remainder of the state.