Содержание:
Bats prey on amphipods of Lake Baikal: morphological and genetic evidence
Botvinkin A.D., Mekhanikova I.V., Adelshin R.V., Peretolchina T.E., Romanova E.V.
P. 81-91
Study aims to assess the prevalence of endemic amphipods (Crustacea, Gammaroidea, Amphipoda) in the diet of insectivorous bats (Chiroptera) feeding over the surface of the unique freshwater Lake Baikal. In 2020–2023, 41 samples of bat faeces (mainly Myotis petax) were collected at 14 sampling sites in the water area, on the shore and islands of Lake Baikal. The body fragments of amphipods in faecal samples were identified using a light microscope. DNA was extracted from collected faecal samples and screened for presence of pelagic amphipod species Macrohectopus branickii. A fragment of the COI mitochondrial gene was amplified in three rounds of nested PCR. All newly sequenced fragments demonstrated 92–100% identity to sequences of the same species deposited in GenBank. DNA of Ma. branickii was detected in five of 41 samples (12.2%). Microscopic analysis revealed body fragments of Ma. branickii and of three benthic amphipod species (Micruropus wohlii wohlii, Mi. wohlii platycercus, and Gmelinoides fasciatus) as well as unidentified amphipod fragments in six of 18 samples (33.3%) Amphipod remains were detected in small amounts in many examined samples, but insect remains visually predominated at microscopy. Thus, the use of molecular and morphological approaches facilitated identification of remains of four amphipod species in samples from seven of 14 sampling sites. Direct evidence was received for new trophic interactions in Lake Baikal ecosystem: bat My. petax feeds on several species of endemic amphipods catching them during periodic nocturnal ascents to the water surface.Скачать PDF
| Invariance of diversity parameters of the lower jaw of the common shrew (Sorex araneus) based on standard measurements, Procrustes coordinates and centroid size
Puzachenko A.Yu., Voyta L.L.
P. 92-100
Information parameters of morphometric diversity (entropy, self-organisation index) of the lower jaw (hemimandible) of the common shrew (Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758) were estimated and compared based on (i) standard measurements or (ii) Procrustes coordinates and centroid size. In each case, two multivariate descriptive models were developed using Euclidean distances or Kendall’s tb rank correlations. In the first case, size diversity was evaluated; in the second case, diversity of shape was evaluated. For each model, entropy and self-organisation index, which were independent of sample size, were determined. It was shown that the value of the self-organisation index for models describing size diversity was independent — or invariant — of the type of source data. (invariance) of the type of initial data. In contrast, the models based on Kendall’s tb rank correlation were not equivalent. The self-organisation index for landmark Procrustes coordinates was significantly higher than the index calculated based on standard lower jaw measurements.Скачать PDF
| Nest material usage in the small Japanese field mouse (Apodemus argenteus) on Hokkaido Island, Japan
Teruuchi A., Sato M., Oshida T.
P. 101-107
Mammals that build the nests utilize various nesting materials, such as leaves. However, the selectivity of these materials has not been studied in detail for each species. In this study, we tested whether the dominant nesting resources within habitats are more frequently used for nest building by the small Japanese field mouse (Apodemus argenteus), a semi-arboreal species endemic to Japan. We established two study sites in Hokkaido, Japan, with different vegetation types: one in a natural deciduous broad-leaved forest in Ashoro and the other in a secondary mixed conifer-broadleaf forest in Obihiro. Using nest boxes, we collected nesting materials (leaves) and compared them between the two study sites. For tree leaves, A. argenteus primarily used Quercus crispula and Betula platyphylla in Ashoro and Obihiro, respectively. These results suggest that this mouse frequently used the dominant nesting resources in the habitat. Sasa nipponica, a commonly observed floor plant in Hokkaido, was frequently used at both study sites, suggesting that it could be a stable nesting resource for A. argenteus in different habitats. This study showed that the combination of tree and floor plant leaves may be more effective for nest building than using either tree or floor plant leaves alone.Скачать PDF
| Phylogenetic relationships of water voles (Arvicola, Rodentia) of Azerbaijan according to the cytochrome b gene
Bulycheva S.V., Markova E.A., Yalkovskaya L.E., Nadirli L.V., Borodin A.V.
P. 108-117
For the first time, phylogenetic relationships within the genus Arvicola (Lacepede, 1799) have been analyzed for Azerbaijani water voles. Complete cytb gene sequences have been obtained for individuals from two localities of the Kura-Araks Lowland trapped in 1965 and stored in the Institute of Zoology of the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan. Phylogenetic reconstructions have shown that water voles from the territory of Azerbaijan are significantly differentiated from A. amphibius and are clustered together with A. persicus from Iran as two distinct genetic lineages. Earlier, morphological analysis of the dental characteristics of water voles, including individuals from this work, showed a high degree of differentiation of the Azerbaijani water vole from the Eurasian water vole and proximity to A. persicus. The genetic differences between individuals from the Kura-Araks Lowland and the Persian water vole from Iran amount to 6.99%, which corresponds to the level of interspecific distances established for the genus Arvicola according to cytb variability data. The obtained results are consistent with the assumption that A. persicus may represent a group of cryptic species that are morphologically similar but genetically differentiated. To resolve issue concerning taxonomic status of the water voles from Azerbaijan, bearing a distinct mitochondrial lineage, additional material from Western Asia and the analysis of other markers of the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes are needed.Скачать PDF
| Scat composition as an indicator of brown bear diet quality on Iturup Island
Scopin A.E., Lipatnikova S.V., Polushkin A.A.
P. 118-132
The results of fractional and chemical analysis of adult brown bear scats are presented. Feces were collected on Iturup Island in summer. The bulk of the bear scats was represented by large-sized fractions of fecal particles, that indicates poor food processing and inefficient digestibility of the consumed food. The coefficient of variation (CV) of occurrence of particle fractions in different scat samples varied within 66–152%. The average dMean value of fecal particles for brown bear scats on Iturup Island is 8.34 mm. The highest dMean (4.6–20.9 mm; 10.4 mm on average) were found in the scat samples containing algae, while the lowest (1.2–6.5 mm; 4.3 mm on average) were detected in the samples containing mainly fruits and seeds. Due to the high variability of the mass of different fecal particle fractions, there are tricky statistically to discern the pooled scat samples between the bears roaming on the coasts and in the inland mountainous areas. Among the macronutrients, crude fiber was the main component of the bear scat (23.5% on average, maximum — up to 55.8%). The protein ratio in the scats was from 0.12 to 0.94 (0.41 on average). The fecal samples differed greatly in fat content (up to 18 times). The scat composition of bears consuming high-lipid plant seeds or fish carrion contrasts sharply with the scats which contain only the vegetative parts of plants. No significant statistical differences were found between the mass of separate fecal particle fractions and the nutrient composition of feces. Scat composition can be used as an indicator of brown bear nutrient status and to assess the quality of habitats.Скачать PDF
| Coprological survey of helminths in selected cervids of Southeast Asia
Loginova O.A., Spiridonov S.E., Mohagan A.B., Tolstenkov O.O., Alieva D.S.
P. 133-141
Sambar (Rusa unicolor), Javan rusa (R. timorensis), and Philippine deer (R. marianna) were opportunistically fecal sampled in The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, in the Republic of Indonesia, and in the Republic of the Philippines, respectively, during 2022–2024. A total of 28 samples were analyzed. Eggs of trematodes of the superfamily Paramphistomoidea were found in R. unicolor faeces, larvae of nematodes of the family Protostrongylidae were found in R. timorensis faeces, egg of trematode of the family Fasciolidae was found in R. marianna faeces. Sample mean intensity of invasion was ≤ 12 trematode eggs per 1 g of faeces, < 1 nematode larva per 1 g of faeces, < 1trematode egg per 1 g of faeces, respectively. Sample prevalence was 75, 20, and 17%, respectively. Protostrongylids are reported for Javan rusa (R. timorensis) for the first time. The discrepancy in the morphometric results of the detected trematode eggs with the literature data may suggest the discovery of new helminth species.Скачать PDF
| Gastrointestinal nematodes of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in European Russia
Kuznetsov D.N., Romashova N.B., Romashov B.V., Vlasov E.A.
P. 142-153
The species composition of gastrointestinal nematodes found during necropsies of 33 red deer from three regions of European Russia (Tver’, Smolensk and Voronezh) was determined. In total, 11 species of nematodes were found, namely Aonchotheca bovis, Ashworthius sidemi, Cooperia pectinata, Mazamastrongylus dagestanica, Nematodirus roscidus, Ostertagia leptospicularis, Spiculopteragia asymmetrica, Spiculopteragia spiculoptera, Trichostrongylusaxei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Trichuris ovis. Besides, a minor morph of Ostertagia leptospicularis (“O. kolchida”), as well as a minor morph of Spiculopteragia asymmetrica (“S. quadrispiculata”), were also detected in some of the red deer. The number of gastrointestinal nematodes found in red deer during the present study ranged from 4 to 431 individuals. Thus, the intensity of infection was rather low. S. asymmetrica was found in all three regions studied. This species showed the highest intensity of infection, as well as the prevalence. O. leptospicularis was also found in all three regions studied, but the intensity of infection and prevalence of this species was lower than that of S. asymmetrica. The other species of gastrointestinal nematodes were found in one or two of the three regions studied. A. sidemi, S. asymmetrica, M. dagestanica and N. roscidus were found in red deer in European Russia for the first time. A trend towards changes in the communities of nematodes parasitising red deer and the spread of parasites that are not typical for this host and this area was noted.Скачать PDF
| Geographical and stratigraphic distribution of fossil saiga antelope (Saiga sp. and Saiga tatarica borealis, Bovidae) finds in the Pleistocene of Yakutia (East Siberia, Russia)
Boeskorov G.G., Stepanov A.D., Protopopov A.V., Shchelchkova M.V.
P. 154-163
The article presents an analysis of the spatial and temporal distribution of the currently known finds of fossil saiga antelope (Saiga sp. and Saiga tatarica borealis) in Yakutia (Eastern Siberia, Russia). Saiga remains in the north of Eastern Siberia were first identified by I. Chersky (1876, 1891). Since then, the presence of this species in the Pleistocene of Yakutia has been established over a significant part of its territory. It is assumed that some finds of saiga remains date back to the Early Pleistocene. Nevertheless, the earliest reliable saiga remains in Northeast Asia are dated to the Middle Pleistocene (the Achchygyi Allaikha and Keremesit rivers). An analysis of the finds of saiga remains indicates that this species had a very wide range in the territory of Yakutia during the Late Pleistocene. Saiga inhabited the valleys of Lena, Vilyui, Olenek, Yana, Adycha, Indigirka, and Kolyma rivers (as well as in the interfluves of the latter two rivers). It also lived on Primorsky lowlands and on Bolshoi Lyakhovsky Island. Radiocarbon-dated or related finds indicate a fairly wide distribution of the saiga both during the Karginian interstadial and Sartanian glaciation. By the end of the Pleistocene, with climate changing, expressed in warming and humidization, the depth of snow cover during winter increased in the north of Eastern Siberia, which became an insurmountable factor for saigas. The climate change led to the degradation of the cold steppe zone and its replacement by the tundra and taiga zones. This could led to the regional extinction of saiga antelope in Northeast Asia and Beringia.Скачать PDF
| Small mammal surveys in the region of the Hue City, Central Vietnam
Vu L.K., Bui H.T., Hoang T.T., Ly N.T., Motokawa M., Abramov A.V., Kruskop S.V., Nguyen V.K., Nguyen T.S.
P. 164-178
Small mammal surveys were conducted within the globally significant Annamite Range of central Vietnam in 2018 and 2023, in three protected areas — Sao la Hue, Phong Dien, and Bac Hai Van nature reserves (NRs). A total of 38 mammal species were recorded during the surveys, with bats (Chiroptera, 57.85%) and rodents (Rodentia, 28.94%) predominating. Species richness varied considerably across the sites, with the Sao la Hue NR being the most diverse (35 species), followed by Phong Dien NR (19 species) and Bac Hai Van NR (12 species). Nine species represent new distributional records for the region, including: Chimarrogale varennei, Crocidura kegoensis, Crocidura tanakae, Hipposideros gentilis, Hipposideros grandis, Kerivoula kachinensis, Rhinolophus chaseni, Rhinolophus microglobosus, and Dacnomys millardi. The study has also confirmed the presence of IUCN-listed species, including the Near Threatened black giant squirrel (Ratufa bicolor), as well as VRDB-listed species: the Vulnerable Indian giant flying squirrel (Petaurista philippensis) and the particolored flying squirrel (Hylopetes alboniger). Some abundant species were found in all three of nature reserves studied, including Hipposideros grandis, H. gentilis, Callosciurus erythraeus, Tamiops rodolphii, and Leopoldamys cf. revertens. The varied species composition of these reserves, which likely reflects differences in their habitat connectivity and ecological conditions, highlights the need for a coordinated landscape-related conservation strategy. This approach should primarily involve creating and maintaining of biological corridors to ensure the long-term conservation of small mammal populations in this biodiversity hotspot.Скачать PDF
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