In 2017, we discovered a settlement of the common hamster (Cricetus cricetus), whose habitable burrows were noted within a radius of no more than 1.5 km, in the center of Astana (Republic of Kazakhstan), in the territory of the Presidential Park on the right bank of Ishim River. All individuals studied at that time belonged to a single genetic cluster. Over the next eight years, the territory inhabited by the hamster has expanded significantly, and by 2025, habitable burrows were also noted in adjacent parks, both on the right and left banks of the river. The conducted genetic analysis using nuclear markers (microsatellites) showed the presence of two separate genetic clusters in the studied territory. The genetic distance between them was about 8
The study of the hybrid complex Spiraea hypericifolia × S. media, found in natural populations of the Republic of Tyva (Tuva) (Russia), revealed a high level of ITS rDNA region variability, on the basis of which a set of molecular tools was developed, including a CAPS marker and allele-specific PCR, to identify modern and historical hybrids. The technologies make it possible to successfully register species-specific alleles (media-type and hypericifolia-type) and detect eight-nucleotide insertions in S. hypericifolia and hybrid individuals. In four Tuvinian populations, six recombinant ITS variants were found in hybrid individuals, formed as a result of the combined action of backcrossing, recombination, lateral gene transfer, and concerted evolution. The detection of ITS pseudogene indicates an ancient hybridization/introgression. A bidirectional flow of genes is observed in populations, with S. media acting primarily as maternal plants. It is assumed that the contribution of the S. media genome to hybrid offspring is higher due to backcrossing. The developed methods (the allele-specific InDel marker ITS_H177 and the CAPS marker ITS/TaqI, sequencing of the chloroplast locus trnH-psbA) are proposed for mass genotyping, identification of S. hypericifolia × S. media hybrids, and assessment of gene flow for further study of their potential in breeding.
We studied the hybridization zone of Siberian stone pine, Pinus sibirica Du Tour, and dwarf Siberian pine, Pinus pumila (Pall.) Regel (Pinophyta: Pinales: Pinaceae) on southern foothills of the Kodar Mountains and in the Chara depression in the north-east of the Zabaykalsky Krai (East Siberia, Russia). Interspecific hybrids have been identified using nuclear codominant markers (allozyme loci), and by mtDNA and cpDNA markers inherited maternally and paternally, respectively. We found that in the hybrid complex, hybridization proceeds beyond the first generation, including backcrossing and its direction depends on the representation of the parental species and hybrids in corresponding stands.
The Far Eastern leopard is one of the most vulnerable members of the Felidae family; its population, estimated at approximately 110–120 individuals, is mainly concentrated in the Russian Far East, with occasional records from China and North Korea. Small population size, restricted range and intense anthropogenic pressure make this subspecies highly susceptible to genetic drift, inbreeding depression, and reduced pathogen resistance. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, particularly class II DRB loci, play a key role in the immune response; however, their diversity in the Far Eastern leopard has not previously been investigated. This study provides the first evaluation of DRB gene diversity in this subspecies. Analysis of 11 individuals identified 14 alleles, including six novel variants. Evidence of trans-species polymorphism was detected, while a high proportion of homozygous genotypes suggests reduced functional diversity. Nucleotide diversity was comparable to that observed in other leopard subspecies, whereas amino acid diversity was lower, indicating a limited functional potential. These findings provide a basis for monitoring the immunogenetic status of the population and highlight the need to integrate immunogenetic analyses into conservation strategies alongside demographic and veterinary monitoring.
We characterized population variability of the BOLD fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene in four mosquito species of the Aedes genus inhabiting the southern Russian Far East: Aedes koreicus Edwards, 1917, Aedes togoi Theobald, 1907, Aedes flavopictus Yamada, 1921, and Aedes sibiricus Danilov Filippova, 1978. We have studied for the first time the population variability of the mosquito Aedes togoi, which inhabits the sea coasts of the Russian Far East. The data revealed a low level of population variability in Aedes koreicus, Aedes flavopictus, and Aedes sibiricus, confirming the previously proposed hypothesis of synanthropization of these species, while Aedes togoi retains the complex population structure characteristic of wild species.
