Three new species of the spider genus Mimetus (Mimetidae) are described from Sumatra Island, Indonesia: Mimetus falcifer sp. n. (♂♀), M. nataliae sp. n. (♀), and M. telum sp. n. (♂♀). This represents the first record of the family Mimetidae Simon, 1881 from Sumatra. Detailed descriptions, digital photographs and distributional map are provided.
The Altai Mountains in Western Siberia constitute a center of endemism for earthworms in Russia, comparable to the Ural and Caucasus Mountains. The aim of our study was to determine the ecological characteristics of habitats of endemic earthworms in southeastern Western Siberia. During the research, two species Eisenia salairica and Eisenia altaica were found outside their previously known ranges. Since the description of these species in the 1960s, their ecology and distribution have not been studied. Our field studies on the collection of endemic earthworms have been conducted since 2014. We surveyed various locations within the Altai Krai and Kuzbass regions. In the habitats of the earthworms, soil and vegetation cover were examined. This is the first report providing updated information on current distribution and habitat ecological characteristics of these endemics. The results facilitate the development of targeted conservation measures for these Altai endemics, which are listed in the Red Data Books of the Russian Federation and regional Red Data Books. All of these factors significantly contribute to the preservation of biodiversity in Western Siberia.
Taenia pisiformis is a cosmopolitan cestode of considerable veterinary importance, circulating between carnivorous definitive hosts and lagomorph intermediate hosts. The present study investigated the occurrence, host range, and seasonal patterns of T. pisiformis infection among domestic and wild mammals in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. Mammals representing different host groups were examined using complete and incomplete helminthological necropsy, and cestodes were identified on the basis of morphological characters using standard parasitological methods. The infection was recorded in both definitive and intermediate hosts, indicating the active circulation of T. pisiformis in the studied ecosystems. Among intermediate hosts, the Tolai hare, Lepus tolai, was the most frequently infected species, confirming its important role in the life cycle of the parasite. Among definitive hosts, wild carnivores, particularly foxes and jackals, played a significant role in maintaining the transmission cycle. Seasonal differences were observed in the detection of infection; however, the data on larval stages in intermediate hosts should be interpreted with caution because metacestodes may persist in host tissues for extended periods. The findings demonstrate that T. pisiformis is widely distributed among domestic and wild mammals in Karakalpakstan and emphasize the epidemiological importance of interactions between carnivores and lagomorphs. The results provide a scientific basis for further monitoring and for the development of targeted preventive measures against taeniid infections in domestic and wild animal populations.
A male Ammophila sabulosa specimen exhibiting antennal teratology is reported. Both antennae have 12 segments instead of the typical 13. Partial fusion of antennal segments (incomplete symphysocery) is present on both antennae, involving segments 4 and 5 on the left antenna and segment 4 on the right antenna. Additionally, the terminal segment of the left antenna is shorter than that of the right antenna. This represents a rare case of antennal malformation in Ammophila, characterized by a reduced number of antennal segments and bilateral asymmetry.
Based on published sources and original data, an annotated checklist of ground beetles of the Tambov Region was compiled, comprising 250 species belonging to 57 genera. The highest species richness was recorded in the genera Amara (30 species), Harpalus (29), Bembidion (25), Pterostichus (16), Agonum (15), Carabus (14), and Ophonus (8). The ground beetle fauna of the Tambov Region is typical of the central part of European Russia. The proportion of species shared with the fauna of the Tambov Region in neighboring regional faunas increases from north to south and ranges from 76.2% to 83.2%. High faunal similarity is observed for the Voronezh and Saratov Regions, which border the Tambov Region to the south, as well as for the Lipetsk Region, located at the same latitude. In regions situated further north, the proportion of shared species gradually decreases. Four species were identified as dominant; three of them – Carabus granulatus Linnaeus, 1758, Harpalus rufipes (De Geer, 1774), and Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger, 1798) – are eurybionts with wide geographic distributions and high ecological tolerance, occurring across a broad range of habitats.
The study examined the relationship between soil quality and the size characteristics of ground beetle Carabus granulatus as bioindicators of ecosystem health. Soil quality is defined by its ability to sustain biological productivity, the surrounding environment, and the health of living organisms, with biological (especially soil invertebrates), chemical, and physical soil properties playing a key role. The aim of the research was to identify the influence of soil factors on the size variability of ground beetles. Using regression analysis, we studied the dependence of beetle size on organic carbon content in the soil (0–5 cm layer) and the geographical latitude of the habitat, taking into account the sex of the insects. Carbon content data were extracted from an existing global distribution map generated using machine learning. A total of 8107 specimens from 13 regions (42,9–56,8° N) were examined. The findings revealed a statistically significant influence of both latitude and organic carbon content on beetle size, with an interaction effect identified. It was established that males are 1 mm smaller than females. Additionally, for each degree increase in latitude, the length of the elytra decreases by 0.13 mm, and for each tonne of organic carbon in the 5 cm soil layer, it decreases by 0.14 mm. The results demonstrate a compensatory effect: as organic carbon content increases, the influence of habitat latitude on insect size weakens. These findings expand our understanding of the mechanisms shaping insect size variability in relation to soil conditions and geographical location, which is important for ecological monitoring and bioindication.
The spatial distribution of ground beetle species in a meadow catena in Udmurtia was studied for the first time. The material was collected using pitfall traps, and the data were analyzed through multivariate statistical methods. Species distribution was examined across six catena positions: placor, eluvial, three transit positions, and the accumulative. Statistically significant differences were found in ground beetle community composition and structure among these positions. The most important factors determining the composition and structure of the ground beetle population in the studied catena were slope steepness, total projective vegetation cover, and the projective cover of mesoxerophytes. Species richness and abundance generally increased down the catena, peaking at the lowest, accumulative position. The most substantial shifts in ground beetle community composition and structure occurred at the boundaries between the accumulative position and the slope. The analysis of area-specific latitudinal groups of ground beetles demonstrated a clear trend: the number of boreal species escalates as one descends the catena.
Bat fauna surveys were conducted in the Katon-Karagay District of East Kazakhstan. The presence of six species was confirmed within Katon-Karagay National Park: Myotis petax, Myotis sibiricus, Myotis ikonnikovi, Eptesicus (Cnephaeus) nilssonii, Vespertilio murinus, and Plecotus ognevi. We also recorded Murina hilgendorfi, which had previously been reported in Kazakhstan only once in the Western Altai. In addition, the article reports the discovery of a notable specimen of the genus Murina found 28 km from the Chinese border. For three species (Plecotus ognevi, Murina hilgendorfi, and Myotis petax), evidence of reproduction was recorded in the study area. The most common species, found in almost all surveyed biotopes and observed at higher elevations above sea level, was Plecotus ognevi. Dietary analysis revealed that the overall trophic spectrum of the seven bat species studied encompassed members of the order Araneae (class Arachnida) and eight orders of the class Insecta (Ephemeroptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Neuroptera, Trichoptera, and Hemiptera). In most bats, representatives of the Lepidoptera order served as the main prey, whilst representatives of the order Diptera, even if they had a predominant abundance in the biotope, composed a minor proportion of the bat diet.
Metarbelidae are an intriguing group of Cossoid moths that have recently received considerable attention. Although several new genera have been described from the Oriental region in recent years, the morphological diversity of the family remains poorly investigated. In addition, the unusual genus Psychidarbela and the rarely encountered diurnal family Ratardidae share several features overlapping with Metarbelidae. Consequently, Oriental Metarbelidae have remained difficult to delimit, and apomorphic characters are challenging to identify. In this study, we address this gap through an examination of the morphological characters of all Oriental genera. Using a maximum parsimony cladistic analysis based on 39 characters, we find Ratardidae nested within Metarbelidae. Accordingly, we synonymize the two families and recognize Ratardidae, stat. nov., following the ICZN principles of priority. Furthermore, we establish the family-group name Psychidarbelidae Roepke, 1938, stat. nov., for the genus Psychidarbela. Detailed morphological features supporting this arrangement are discussed. This proposal aims to improve diagnostic clarity and stabilize classification; however, it is tentative, and a comprehensive molecular analysis will be required to finalize broader phylogenetic relationships.
The taxonomic revision of Lonicera L. (Caprifoliaceae) in Uzbekistan was conducted based on field studies, a comprehensive analysis of herbarium material, and a critical review of the published literature. A total of 1223 herbarium specimens from national and international collections, including 915 specimens from Uzbekistan, were examined, resulting in the recognition of 10 Lonicera species for the country’s flora. For each species, an identification key, updated nomenclature, and information on distribution, ecology, phenology, and conservation status are provided. The highest species diversity occurs in the Pamir–Alay mountain system, where all recorded species are present, including one endemic species restricted to this region. According to botanical–geographical zoning, Lonicera species diversity is higher in the Mountainous Middle Asia province than in the Turan province, with representatives distributed across 21 botanical–geographical districts. Particular attention is given to Lonicera paradoxa Pojark., a relic endemic species with a narrow distribution, assessed as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List. This study contributes to the taxonomic reassessment of the Caprifoliaceae in Uzbekistan and provides an updated and reliable taxonomic framework for the genus Lonicera in Central Asia.
Tugai forests of the Zarafshan River valley are highly vulnerable ecosystems experiencing increasing anthropogenic pressure and hydrological alterations. Assessing their degradation requires reliable biological indicators. This study aims to evaluate coenopopulations of Hippophae rhamnoides L. as an indicator of tugai ecosystem transformation. Field investigations were conducted in five coenopopulations within the Zarafshan National Nature Park. The study included analysis of ontogenetic structure, population density, morphological variability, and vitality indices based on standardized geobotanical and population-biological methods. All studied coenopopulations were classified as normal but incomplete. Under anthropogenic disturbance (grazing, fires, and fruit harvesting), left-skewed ontogenetic spectra dominated, characterized by a prevalence of young generative individuals and reduced regeneration. A fire-affected coenopopulation exhibited a right-skewed spectrum with accumulation of middle-aged generative and senile individuals and absence of pre-generative stages, indicating severe degradation. In less disturbed habitats. A centered ontogenetic spectrum was observed, reflecting relatively stable population conditions. Population maintenance was primarily supported by vegetative reproduction. while seed regeneration remained low. Morphological traits showed moderate variability (CV = 2.3–37.2%), indicating limited adaptive plasticity. Vitality analysis revealed both thriving and depressed coenopopulations depending on habitat conditions. The results demonstrate high sensitivity of Hippophae rhamnoides to environmental changes and confirm its suitability as an indicator of tugai forest degradation. Reduced vitality and weak regeneration highlight the need for urgent conservation and restoration measures in the Zarafshan River valley.
This paper presents the first inventory of vascular plant species occurring in the Turukhansky and Evenkiysky municipal districts (raions) of Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia. The checklist was compiled from published sources, observations from the iNaturalist platform, and herbarium materials, primarily collected within the Central Siberian Biosphere Nature Reserve, Tunguska Nature Reserve, and, partly, the Putorana Nature Reserve, as well as adjacent areas. Both native and alien (adventive) species are included, with the latter comprising 76 species, reflecting the comparatively low level of anthropogenic disturbance in the region. The checklist also identifies species occurring at the northernmost or southernmost limits of their distribution in the study area. It includes 60 species listed in the Red Data Book of Krasnoyarsk Krai, seven of which are also included in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation. In total, 1,316 species (including 13 hybrids) belonging to 383 genera and 88 families have been recorded across the two raions, including 771 species in Turukhansky and 1,171 in Evenkiysky. The higher species richness of the Evenkiysky Raion is associated with its substantially larger area (nearly four times that of Turukhansky) and its more complex landscape structure, comprising both lowland and mountainous terrain and, consequently, supporting a greater diversity of vegetation.
This study reports nine spider species newly recorded from Azerbaijan. Six of these – Lasophorus zografae Chatzaki, 2018, Zelotes fulvaster (Simon, 1878), Z. prishutovae Ponomarev & Tsvetkov, 2006, Hahnia rossii Brignoli, 1977, Artema doriae (Thorell, 1881), and Synema anatolicum Demir, Aktaş & Topçu, 2009) – are documented for the first time in the Caucasus. The remaining three – Berlandina nabozhenkoi Ponomarev & Tsvetkov, 2006, Bassaniodes robustus (Hahn, 1832), and Cetonana laticeps (Canestrini, 1868) – represent new records for Azerbaijan only. These findings expand the known spider diversity of the Caucasus and increase the total number of species recorded from Azerbaijan to 785. All species are illustrated with photographs.
The floodplain of the Ob River, one of the largest wetland systems in Eurasia, plays a significant role in the regional carbon cycle, yet its aquatic macrophyte communities remain poorly studied. This work presents the first comprehensive study of the diversity and syntaxonomy of aquatic macrophyte communities in three floodplain lakes of the Middle Ob River, located within the "Kaybasovo" Carbon Polygon. Field studies conducted in the summer and autumn of 2025 included geobotanical surveys and bathymetric mapping. We recorded 40 species of aquatic and semi-aquatic vascular plants from 19 families, with the core of the flora represented by hydrophytes and helophytes (77.5%). The most species-rich families were Cyperaceae, Potamogetonaceae, and Araceae. Syntaxonomic analysis revealed five associations of aquatic vegetation, belonging to the classes Lemnetea and Potamogetonetea. The dominant communities were Stratiotetum aloidis and Nymphaeo albae-Nupharetum luteae. The flora is characterized by a stable core of 12 species common to all lakes, formed by ecologically plastic taxa adapted to the dynamic hydrological regime of the floodplain. The high alpha-diversity (23–29 species per lake) significantly exceeds that of the main river channel, highlighting the importance of floodplain lakes as local biodiversity hotspots. The obtained data provide a baseline for future monitoring of these aquatic ecosystems in the context of climate change and the functioning of carbon polygons.
This article provides a comprehensive annotated review of all documented encounters with rare and new vagrant bird species in the Leningrad Region, spanning the entire history of ornithological observations up to the present. Species are categorized as "rare vagrant" (recorded prior to the 1983 regional avifaunal summary by Malchevsky and Pukinsky) or "new vagrant" (recorded since 1983). In total, 87 species are recognized as vagrants within the study area: 46 classified as rare vagrants, with records predominantly from the 19th and early 20th centuries, and 41 documented here for the first time, representing additions to the regional ornithofaunal list. For each species, the locations, dates, and circumstances of encounters are summarized, with references to published sources and verified unpublished observations. The compiled data significantly expand the known bird diversity of the Leningrad Region and provide a detailed baseline for future faunal and biogeographical studies. The observed occurrence of vagrant species may reflect a combination of natural range dynamics, migratory displacement, and, in some cases, probable escapes from captivity. This inventory serves as a reference for specialists maintaining regional biodiversity records and contributes to the foundation for future assessments of avifaunal change in the context of the Red Data Books of Saint-Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.
Chemicals in macrophytes and in suspended matter precipitated on the plants surface represent a part of flows of matter incoming into a food chain and participating in formation of water and bottom sediments elemental composition in the littoral. At this studies stage, to characterize the elements distribution in natural and anthropogenic sites of the littoral, we determined by ICP-MS method the elemental composition in Potamogeton perfoliatus L., Potamogeton filiformis Pers., Myriophyllum spicatum L., Batrachium trichophyllum (Chaix) Bosch, Butomus umbellatus L., Sagittaria natans Pall. In the studied species, such macroelements dominate as K, Ca and Na; dominant microelements are Mn, Fe, Si and Sr. There are some peculiarities in the elemental composition of each species: P. filiformis is characterized by elevated content of B, Ge and Sb, B. trichophyllum by Mn and Ag, B. umbellatus by Ti and Cr. The highest content of U and the lowest one of Be, K, Rb, Tl, Nb, Cs, LREE are characteristic for M. spicatum. S. natans exceeds other species by content of Br, Zr, REE, Ta, W and Th. Compared to the aquatic environment in the littoral, the macrophytes accumulate 4200–15000 times more P, in 2000–26000 times more Mn, 4000–14000 times more Zn. In M. spicatum sampled at the stations adjacent to the territories of settlements and touristic units there are elevated concentrations of Cl, Na, P, K and highest values of summary content of macroelements and of all determinable elements.
Although urbanization is recognized as a major driver of biodiversity change globally, its impact on the evolutionary history of flora in arid regions remains understudied. This study provides a comparative analysis of the phylogenetic structure of the floras of three major cities in Uzbekistan Tashkent, Fergana, and Bukhara, located in different climatic zones. Species richness, phylogenetic diversity (Faith’s PD), and phylogenetic structure indices (MPD and SES.MPD) were employed in the study. The results indicated that while urbanization leads to an increase in species diversity across all cities due to alien species, the phylogenetic structure differs sharply depending on the regional climate. In the temperate cities of Tashkent and Fergana, the urban environment was observed to act as a harsh "ecological filter", resulting in strong phylogenetic clustering among alien species. In contrast, a distinct mechanism the "Phylogenetic Release" phenomenon was identified in the arid city of Bukhara. Here, anthropogenic maintenance mitigates natural stress factors, allowing the urban environment to act as a "facilitator" and enabling the persistence of evolutionarily diverse species. This study demonstrates that urbanization in arid regions can alter the evolutionary dynamics of flora and highlights the necessity of considering local climatic characteristics when creating sustainable urban ecosystems.
An inventory study of lichens of the genus Cladonia P. Browne was conducted in the Karegodsky Zoological Nature Reserve, located within the Ob–Chulym interfluve (Molchanovsky District, Tomsk Oblast, Western Siberia). Field investigations were carried out in August 2025 using route methods covering the main plant communities and substrate types. Pine forests, willow–poplar forests, birch–aspen forests, and anthropogenically disturbed areas were surveyed. More than 350 specimens were collected and identified. A total of 45 Cladonia species were recorded in the study area, which is comparable to the 44 species documented for the entire Ob–Chulym interfluve and indicates high representativeness of the reserve's lichen biota. Twelve species are reported for the first time for this physiographic region, substantially expanding knowledge of Cladonia distribution in Western Siberia. The highest species richness was observed in pine forests, characterized by high light availability and substrate diversity. Substrate preference analysis revealed predominance of epixylic and epigeic forms, as well as a high proportion of eurysubstrate species, reflecting the ecological plasticity of Cladonia in taiga ecosystems. The presence of pollution-sensitive species indicates favorable ecological conditions in the reserve. These data provide a foundation for future monitoring of lichen flora and assessment of natural complex dynamics in protected areas.
The authors studied the distribution of an invasive species of rotan fish Perccottus glenii in diverse water bodies located in the Nizhny Novgorod, Kaluga, and Chelyabinsk regions, Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation. All the studied water bodies are under the influence of anthropogenic press of different nature and degree of impact. Of the 8 water bodies, 4 are located in a specially protected area. The authors identified the habitats of Perccottus glenii in all surveyed geographical locations. In these water bodies, the infection of rotan with an associated alien specific cestode, Nippotaenia mogurndae, was studied for the first time. The introduction of a parasite with a rotan was revealed in 7 out of 8 geographical points. The parasitic subsystem of "Nippotaenia mogurndae–Perccottus glenii" is stable, including in water bodies in protected areas and urbanized territories, under significant an-thropogenic stress. For most of the studied water bodies, a "riverine" vector of invasion of the species is currently marked – settlement along the hydrographic network: riverbeds, coastal sections of water bodies, including the development of floodplain water bodies. The cestode Nippotaenia mogurndae was used as a biological marker for analysing vectors and pathways of geographical dispersal of Perccottus glenii. The effectiveness of using Nippotaenia mogurndae in water bodies initially inhabited by "aquarium" individuals was noted to identify the "second wave" of Perccottus glenii expansion with a different vector of invasion.
For the first time in Uzbekistan, the parasitoid Necremnus leucarthros (Nees, 1834) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is recorded as a natural enemy of the alfalfa weevil Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), a major pest in alfalfa agroecosystems. Field studies conducted in 2024–2025 in Tashkent Region, combined with laboratory observations, revealed a high level of parasitism. Analysis of 4,580 H. postica cocoons showed that 46.7% were parasitized in 2024 and 54.1% in 2025. A total of 25,578 specimens of N. leucarthros emerged from the collected cocoons. The mean number of parasitoids per cocoon ranged between 10.3 and 11.9 individuals. Morphological characteristics of adults and larvae, as well as key aspects of the species’ biology, are described, including its narrow host specialization and accelerated development (5–7 days from parasitism to adult emergence). Laboratory observations showed that females feed on host hemolymph and prefer third-instar larvae for oviposition. The increasing rate of parasitism and high survival of offspring indicate a significant role of N. leucarthros in the natural regulation of H. postica populations. These findings expand the known distribution of the species and confirm its potential as a promising biological control agent for alfalfa protection in Central Asia.
