A dependence of Siberian fir (Abies sibirica Ledeb.) needle transpiration on the intensity of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was studied. Stomatal conductance was estimated indirectly by analyzing the intensities of diffusion of water vapor and CO2 under conditions of controlled PAR. The study was performed using the LI-COR LI-6400XT infrared gas analyzer and opaque chamber for conifers on intact Siberian fir shoots in the middle taiga subzone of the North–East of the European part of Russia. It was demonstrated that in the absence of soil moisture deficiency, constant leaf temperature, and water vapor concentration in the atmosphere, a change in the transpiration intensity is determined by the size of the stomatal pore. An association between stomatal conductance and PAR intensity was established: at PAR intensity equal to zero, the stomatal conductance is minimal, but not zero; with an increase in the PAR intensity to 15 μmol quanta m–2 s–1, the conductance increases to maximal, corresponding to the environmental conditions and remains constant with any changes in the PAR intensity; with a decrease in the PAR intensity to 25 μmol quanta m–2 s–1, the conductance decreases to a level corresponding to zero PAR intensity and given external conditions. Thus, at a constancy of other environmental factors, the stomatal conductance is managed by the PAR intensity; however, the management is not regulatory in nature (at which a certain conductance value corresponds to a given intensity), but is a factor triggering the opening and closing of stomata.
This review examines the unique anatomical, physiological, and behavioral adaptations of vesper bats (Vespertilionidae, Chiroptera) to their environment. These adaptations enable the bats to successfully traverse distances and adapt to conditions of low temperatures and limited energy resources. The results of our own studies and those of specialists in bat biology are summarized and analyzed. This report provides an overview of key events in the annual cycle, as well as features of the reproductive, immune, and hematopoietic systems and fat metabolism in bats compared to other mammalian species.
Diversity of the life cycles of parasites, their living in a wide range of habitats, and interactions with different hosts create many ecological and behavioral situations in which it is difficult to act alone. Among individual and group adaptations that determine the success of parasite transmission and, ultimately, their fitness, aggregation in the external environment and in host populations plays a crucial role. A review and analysis of the behavioral and ecological characteristics of monoxenous (ectoparasitic crustaceans Branchiura, Monogenea) and heteroxenous (Trematoda) parasites allows us to consider aggregation as one of the main factors determining the success of parasite transmission in the “host space.” The success of parasite dispersal and transmission, besides the large number of dispersal larvae produced, is facilitated by a variety of behavioral tactics: active search for hosts, various types of the “sit-and-wait” tactic, aggregation into mono- or polymorphic colonies that increase the availability of the parasite to the next host (predator), and manipulation of the intermediate host’s phenotype that reduces/increases its availability to the predator. Aggregation affects transmission processes at all stages of the life cycle of both mono- and heteroxenous parasites. Along with parasite aggregations, host aggregations play a significant role in the parasite–host system. Host aggregations are not only the result of their self-organization and emergent properties of groups but also a result of manipulation of their behavior by parasites. Aggregation of both parasites and their hosts serves as one of the most important elements of behavioral interactions in the parasite–host system. In parasites, it affects the success of transmission from one host to another; in hosts, it helps them avoid areas with a high risk of infection and maintain a significant portion of their population free of parasites. Aggregations increase stability of the parasite–host system and fitness of its members, helping parasites’ reproduction and transmission; in hosts, such as fish, aggregation provides protection from enemies (predators and parasites) and facilitates foraging and orientation.
The yellow-breasted bunting (Emberiza aureola) is a tropical migrant breeding in taiga zone. Once numerous, the species is on the Red List, and has been classified since 2017 as especially threatened. Biological traits of the species are still not studied enough. The purpose of the present study is to fill in the gap with original data on annual survival and seasonal peculiarities of main events on the breeding grounds and determine whether they can play a role in its unlucky fortune. Using the trapping and marking data on the taiga population in Central Siberia, we carried out the capture–recapture analysis by means of multinomial stochastic modeling. As shown by seasonal dynamics, the phases of the annual cycle allocated to the breeding area are heavily shortened. Some features point out that the dispersal is poorly developed. Annual adult survival reached high values. At the same time, the driver of population fluctuations was the survival rate of 1-year-old individuals. The survival shrunk sharply between 1998 and 2004, so that the population has not recovered thereafter. Based on the obtained data, the connection between the extinction of the population and the recent unprecedented expansion of the species as a probable consequence of the exploitation of rice crops in Southeast Asia is discussed. An excess of food resources in the winter range determined the expansion of the breeding area and significant changes in the annual and life cycle. The sharp depletion of winter resources has led to a modern reduction in numbers and range. To maintain the population of the species, at least local elimination of the causes is necessary. Adaptations acquired during expansion will impede the recovery.
The honey bee Apis cerana plays a significant role in maintaining ecosystem stability through its involvement in pollinating over 500 species of both wild and cultivated plants. Due to its high ecological plasticity, this species is widely distributed across diverse climatic zones, ranging from the tropical regions of Vietnam to the sharply continental areas of Russia’s Primorsky Krai. Under anthropogenic pressures such as urbanization and habitat degradation, the study of the genetic diversity and adaptive potential of A. cerana becomes increasingly important. In this study, polymorphism of the orcokinin A gene (OK-A)—a neuropeptide involved in the regulation of physiological and behavioral responses in bees—has been analyzed. Nucleotide sequences of the OK-A gene were obtained from worker individuals collected from 45 bee colonies representing A. cerana populations from Russia (A. c. ussuriensis), South Korea (A. c. koreana), and Vietnam (A. c. indica). These populations have been shaped by differences in geographic and climatic conditions as well as by genetic-stochastic processes. The OK-A gene showed moderate levels of polymorphism: ten allelic variants were identified among the 45 samples, including two nonsynonymous substitutions within exonic regions (73 tv A/C and 359 ts A/G) and eight variations located in intronic regions. Results of Tajima’s neutrality test (D = –1.90, p < 0.01) suggest possible effects of purifying selection, which may indicate functional significance of the studied gene. The analysis of genetic distances (p-distance) revealed low levels of intraspecific divergence among A. cerana populations (0.004–0.006), whereas interspecific divergence compared to other Apis species, specifically A. mellifera, A. dorsata, and A. florea, was considerably higher (0.097–0.157). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed clear species separation and partial differentiation among A. cerana populations. Some of the identified nucleotide variations, particularly at positions 142 tv (C/G) and 423 tv (G/T), exhibited high discriminatory power and could serve as potential markers for population identification.
Local population structures of Androsace albana and Eritrichium caucasicum have been observed annually according to the known ontogenetic stages at permanent sites in the alpine belt of the Northwest Caucasus for 16 years (2009–2024). These data series have been long enough to reveal the effects of vegetative dormancy in the life cycle of this short-lived species, which required a revision of previous models and the characteristics derived from them. The revised models and expanded data enabled annual estimates of population viability to be refined, as well as long-term viability measures to be estimated as stochastic population growth rates in a randomly varying environment according to a previously developed “realistic model of randomness”. Accounting for plants that emerged from vegetative dormancy increased annual viability estimates in the revised models compared with previous models. Long-term viability measures in the form of stochastic population growth rates in a randomly varying environment (λS) show opposite effects in λS estimates for the both alpine species. There is no obvious explanation for these effects but the need for further research into vegetative dormancy as a mechanism of adaptation to stressful conditions is evident.
Under climate change manifested as Arctic amplification, the intrusion of alien species into high latitudes is observed, transforming the structure of marine ecosystems. This paper presents an analysis of the current occurrence and modeling of the potential future distribution of walleye pollock Gadus chalcogrammus (Gadidae) in the Western Arctic seas, primarily the Barents Sea. The aim is to assess the spatial potential for the species’ dispersal in the context of ongoing and projected oceanographic changes. Based on data from the Polar Branch of VNIRO (2000–2025), literature sources, and international databases, information on pollock occurrence from the Bering Sea to the Barents Sea was compiled. Ensemble species distribution modeling (SDM) using the biomod2 package in the R environment was applied to analyze environmental drivers and predict distribution. Bioclimatic layers from the Bio-ORACLE repository (current and projected up to 2100) corresponding to three SSP (Shared Socioeconomic Pathways) emission scenarios were used as predictive variables. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the frequency of pollock occurrence in the Barents Sea has increased, with 23 individuals recorded in 2021–2024, mainly in eastern areas. Modeling revealed that bottom temperature, salinity, and oxygen concentration are key factors determining pollock distribution. The species exhibits narrow optima for temperature (approximately 3.8°C) and salinity (32.4‰), which significantly distinguishes it from the dominant native species of the Barents Sea: Atlantic cod and haddock. Under current conditions, up to 75.1
EIPF (endophytic insect-pathogenic fungi) are an ecologically flexible group of fungi, mainly representatives of the order Hypocreales (Ascomycota), capable of a saprotrophic lifestyle in the environment, parasitic in the insect body, and mutualistic within plants. The presence of EIPF in the insect body is short-lived and ends with the death of the hosts, while they form relatively long-term, mutually beneficial consortia with plants. As a rule, a transition from insects to plants or from plants to insects occurs not by a direct contact, but after some period of functioning in the environment. The penetration of EIPF conidia through the cuticular covers of plants and insects is conducted in similar pathways with the involvement of similar adhesin molecules. Plants provide endophytic fungi with protection from external influences and a source of carbon nutrition; EIPF can inhibit phytophages and phytopathogens, stimulate the growth and immunity of host plant. A possibility of nitrogen transfer from dead insects to plants by EIPF has been proven, which is a separate, unique branch of the nitrogen cycle in ecosystems.
A study of the population-genetic structure of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in the Asian part of its range was conducted, with special attention paid to peripheral, including island, populations, assessing their genetic diversity and adaptive potential against the background of global climate change in the North Pacific and increasing anthropogenic pressure. Both original and previously published data on variability of 45 SNP loci in sockeye salmon, obtained by TaqMan PCR in 44 samples from 18 key spawning watersheds of this species in Asia, were analyzed. Trends towards reduced genetic diversity and high levels of divergence in peripheral sockeye salmon populations compared to populations from the central part of the range were revealed. Conclusions are drawn about the necessity of conserving island sockeye salmon populations to maintain the biodiversity of unique island ecosystems.
The aim and objectives of the research are to study seasonal changes in morphometric traits of needle, stem, and branch growth in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees, to assess the influence of endogenous and environmental factors on growth processes, and to generalize the ideas for the nature of fluctuations (oscillation period is more than one day) in the growth rate of woody plant. Seasonal dynamics of the needle growth and the apical growth of stem and branches of young (14–16-year old) Scots pine trees, growing in the forest park of a big city (Yekaterinburg, Russia) were studied. The relationship between the growth dynamic and air temperature and precipitation was assessed. Four stages of the apical growth of stem and branches were distinguished: (1) preliminary, (2) intensive, (3) additional, and (4) final growth. Changes in the rates and accelerations of stem- and branch growth during stages one and two are synchronous and occur as successive oscillations with a period of 4–8 days, which corresponds to infradian rhythm. During stage three, stem growth rate oscillations ceases. The basic patterns of changes in accelerations and rates of stem- and branch growth seasonal dynamics are the same, but oscillations in accelerations are more suitable for determination of their periods. Seasonal changes in needle growth rate are divided into two stages: basic and terminal growth. Three maxima were observed during the first stage, each of which corresponds in time to air-temperature peaks. The dynamics of needle growth accelerations occur as successive quasi-periodic oscillations. During the basic growth stage, there are seven to eight oscillations with a period of 4–10 days. The existence of infradian oscillations in the growth rate of stem, branches, and needles indicates the formation in the apical shoot and needle meristems of big groups of synchronously dividing and/or elongating cells. This assumption underlies the proposed qualitative model, explaining the cause of fluctuations in the growth rate observed as longitudinal type waves (growth waves). The development of the shoot apical meristem begins with the activation of cell divisions in the organizing center, from which newly formed cells move to the peripheral zone, where their proliferation and elongation continue. Shoot elongation results from cell elongation after the division stage. The duration of the division–elongation cycle of individual cells in a group is approximately the same. The beginning and end of the cycle are synchronized for all cells in the group. The size of the group determines the amplitude of growth rate fluctuations. After the elongation stage, part of the group ceases proliferation and begins differentiation. The remaining cells retain the ability to divide and participate in the formation of the next group. The existence of fluctuations in growth rate indicate that the relative number of cell groups, dominated by division or elongation, changes at time intervals corresponding to infradian rhythms. This sequence of events is maintained until the stage of growth cessation. Needle growth occurs similarly to the shoot growth. It is driven by the activity of the intercalary meristem cells, located in the basal part of the needle. Seasonal changes in the growth rate of Scots pine’s stem, branches, and needles are highly positively correlated with ambient temperature and not with precipitation. The relationship between growth accelerations and temperature is weak. A comparative analysis of seasonal dynamics of air temperature and shoot and needle growth rates suggests that temperature changes may influence the synchronization of growth rate fluctuations. The lack of correlation between growth accelerations and temperature supports the hypothesis that endogenous factors play a key role in the generation of shoot and needle growth waves.
The review examines published data on the importance of the natural biopolymer of the polysaccharide nature of chitosan in the adaptive reactions of the body. The structure of chitosan and its modified derivatives is characterized with special attention to the functional groups responsible for viscosity and interaction with other components. The numerous properties of chitosan in the physiological processes of the body are described, and its ability to act as a regulator of hemostasis during the development of such a pathological condition as hypocoagulation is described in detail. The participation of the biopolymer in the normalization of the rheological and hemostatic properties of blood is shown. The data summarized in the review on the role of chitosan in the hemostasis system make it possible to open up new prospects for its use in order to restore the normal functioning of the blood coagulation and anticoagulation systems during hypocoagulation.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases in veterinary medicine. In horses, this disease is often considered the main cause of termination of the athletic career. The therapy of this disease is mainly focused on the management of the underlying clinical symptoms. Traditional treatments include the use of medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics, corticosteroids, and chondroprotectors. Surgical methods are also often used. Some of the most effective therapies are now methods of regenerative medicine. Cell therapy, vesicle-based therapy, and gene therapy are mainly used. The aim of this review is to show information about regenerative medicine methods and to describe cases of their application in veterinary practice and in scientific research projects.
Retrospective and current trends in the study of the relationship between climatic changes (using the leading weather factors—temperature and precipitation) and phytoplankton in lake ecosystems are considered. The positive effect of air and water temperature is important mainly only for small shallow water bodies. The presence of a sufficient concentration of nutrients in them is a prerequisite for the response of phytoplankton to an increase in temperature. The immediate reaction of phytoplankton to precipitation is negative. However, precipitation causes long-term effects, in particular, brownification, which has both positive and negative sides for the development of phytoplankton. The ecosystem’s response to different abiotic factors can be observed in different time scales. The effect of temperature and precipitation and their interaction with local conditions and features of the water body and catchment area as a whole are uncertain and contradictory. The way out of uncertainty should be the organization of long-term monitoring of small shallow lakes that are most sensitive to local weather manifestations of general climatic changes.
A large population of parasitic copepods (103 ind./m2) was found in the littoral zone of an oxbow of the Lyutoga River (Southern Sakhalin), which remains connected to the main channel. The highest density (98 ind./m2 was recorded for Ergasilus briani Markewitsch, 1933, a species widespread in Eurasia but previously not reported from Southern Sakhalin, having been documented only in a single water body in northwestern Sakhalin (Lake Sladkoye). The abundance of the second ergasilid species, Thersitina gasterostei (Pagenstecher, 1861), was substantially lower (5 ind./m2). While T. gasterostei has been previously recorded in Southern Sakhalin, this finding is the first for the Lyutoga River. The high abundance of free-living stages of ergasilids is presumably associated with sampling during the peak of the reproductive season and the hydrological features of the collection site (a littoral area with slow current and dense macrophyte vegetation).
The new species Leucocoprinus rufodiscus is described from Margalla hills national park, Islamabad, based on both comprehensive analysis of morphoanatomical features alongside molecular (ITS) phylogenetic data. We include visual documentation of newly collected basidiomata along with detailed anatomical descriptions. These newly described species are consistently grouped within the genus Leucocoprinus based on molecular phylogenetic analysis.
By providing improved sensitivity, specificity, and versatility to various detection systems, nanoparticles have totally changed the field of plant viral diagnostics. Their one-of-a-kind physicochemical features like large surface area, optical properties, and adjustable surface chemistry have opened up the door for the creation of rapid, affordable, and on-site diagnostic devices. Among nanoparticle biosensors, security for machines that are the main tool in the fight against the entry of invasive pests into the agro-industry and high-value plant production, is becoming one of the issues that worry the application of the node sector market for the rapid and simple implementation of monitoring systems. The origination of the epidemic of agro-viruses is due, among other things, to climate change and international trading with new pathogen profiles. As a result, techniques based on metal nanoparticles such as surface plasmon resonance, fluorescence, and Raman scattering are now used to develop sensors with a high degree of accuracy and sensitivity. Researchers have successfully created a new method for the direct synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles by chemical vapor deposition on iron-based substrates. Using this method, the inner structure of the particle can be completely controlled, therefore improving diagnostic device efficiency and reliability. Quantum dots and carbon-based nanomaterials are characterized by better sensitivity, emission multiplex, and flexibility of field application; yet, toxicity and price hinder their use. Nanoparticles are also provided with better selectivity and extended applicability due to functional groups such as aptamers, antibodies, and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). Exceptionally accurate viral monitoring is now available with colorimetric assays, Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), electrochemical sensors, and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS). The present range is characterized by problems with scaling, sample specificity in complex samples, and uniformity, but these limitations are changing quite rapidly due to the progress in automation, microfluidics, real-time sensing, and green synthesis. By continuous developments of nanoparticle-based technologies, assisted by interdisciplinary and open-ended research, future diagnostic technologies will be born. Moreover, innovations not only will improve the effectiveness of the management of plant diseases but also will become a significant source of food security and the potential of agro-systems for overcoming new infestations.
This review presents the findings from studies on the microbiota of blood-feeding mosquitoes Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex on the basis of metagenome analysis. This paper summarizes the most important findings on the diversity of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses that make up mosquito microbiomes, mainly over the past two decades. The diversity of the microbial community in different host organs at different stages of mosquito development and its impact on host physiology are characterized. Nutrients from live bacteria and fungi are absolutely essential for the normal lifespan of mosquitoes, regardless of the microbe species, and individual members of the mosquito gut microbiota can support larval development and mosquito egg production comparable to those of individuals with a mixed bacterial community. It is emphasized that, over the past two decades, knowledge about the composition and characteristics of mosquito microbiota has expanded significantly. Mosquitoes of different genera are characterized by a relatively small number of bacterial families and high interindividual variability in microbiota composition at the microbial species level. Conservative communities of microorganisms found in the salivary glands and reproductive organs of mosquitoes are not affected by the environment and are characteristic of the host species. The results of experimental studies of the mutual influence of microbiota members on each other and on pathogens transmitted by mosquitoes are considered. The importance of microbial diversity studies to identify potential microbial species for subsequent development of vector control methods is emphasized.
The characteristics of soil prokaryotic diversity of archaeological sites of the Late Bronze Age (12th–10th centuries BC) in northwestern Crimea were studied using the high-throughput sequencing method, considering human economic activity in the past (residential and cattle-breeding loads). It was shown that the prokaryotic community of the cattle paddock is characterized by the highest species diversity, and the communities of the cultural layers of the residential building are characterized by the lowest. The highest content of dsDNA was found in the soil of the residential building. The soils of the cattle paddock, compared to the background, are characterized by a higher representation of Proteobacteria and Chloroflexi, as well as a lower proportion of candidate division WPS-1, Verrucomicrobia, and Gemmatimonadetes. A higher content of euryarchaea belonging to the genus Methanomassiliicoccus was noted in the prokaryotic community of the cultural layer of the residential building. Thus, it has been established that anthropogenic activity in the past led to changes in the taxonomic composition of the soil prokaryotic community and these changes have been preserved to this day. The nature of these changes allows us to reconstruct the specifics of economic use of territories in the past.
Ischemic stroke recurrence and mortality continue to pose major global health challenges, often exacerbated by underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation. Although significant advances in stroke treatment have been made, disparities in care delivery remain widespread. Recent research highlights the potential of oxidative stress and other biomarkers in predicting stroke severity and informing therapeutic strategies. Traditional herbal medicines, such as Panax ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, and Salvia miltiorrhiza have also shown promise, particularly in resource-limited settings where access to conventional therapies may be restricted. Clinical trials have demonstrated their efficacy in enhancing vascular health and reducing stroke recurrence, suggesting that their integration into modern care models could expand treatment options. Furthermore, emerging global health threats, such as COVID-19, have introduced new complications like cryptogenic stroke, emphasizing the urgent need to adapt stroke care frameworks. Consequently, an integrated, multidisciplinary approach, coupled with further research into biomarkers and the validation of traditional remedies, is essential to reduce the global burden of stroke and improve patient outcomes.
The placental analogue of cyclostome bryozoans is an example of the transformation of a mechanical structure (membranous sac), which initially performs a hydrostatic function, into a trophic organ, namely the placenta. This represents a functional substitution, or exaptation, a change in the function of an organ that originated in connection with another function. The development of the placenta in cyclostome bryozoans involves transdifferentiation and fusion of peritoneal cells of the membranous sac into a trophic syncytium. In addition to peritoneal cells, follicular cells of the ovary can also be potentially involved. The process of formation of the trophic syncytium is accompanied by its rapid growth and multiple division of nuclei, and generally resembles the formation of benign tumors. Such “hyperplasia” enables the formation of a large placental structure in a very short time, providing nutrition, respiration, and removal of metabolic wastes of numerous embryos. Syncytia formed by embryonic cells are characteristic of mammalian placentas, while syncytia formed by maternal cells are involved in the formation of placentas in bandicoots, skinks, salps, and some onychophorans, being examples of convergent evolution. In this paper, we studied the structure of the placental analogue in the cyclostome bryozoans Crisia eburnea and Crisiella producta, which is another example of a placental syncytium formed by maternal cells.
