Том 8, № 1 (2017)

The muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus L.) allochronic samples at different stages of its introduction in Western Siberia are compared by geometric morphometrics; the comparison demonstrates directed changes in the size and shape of mandible as well as the changes in its morphological and functional characteristics as a feeding organ. As is shown, a rapid initial divergence of the northern (Yamal Peninsula) and southern (Kurgan oblast) muskrat populations, accompanied by emergence of morphological differences between them, is followed by biocenotic adaptation with gradual (over half a century) directed parallel changes in the mandible shape associated with its functional properties in the south and north of the region. The range of morphogenetic transformations of the allochronic samples of the northern group is larger as compared with the southern group, which is explainable by the more severe environmental conditions in the Yamal forest-tundra. Both populations display a statistically significant decrease in the morphological disparity of the mandible shape from the mid-20th century to its end. Leveling of the muskrat mandible size between the northern and southern populations by the end of the last century excludes any allometric effects in the observed geographic and chronographic differences in the mandible shape. Therefore, microevolutionary transformations of the morphogenesis of other invasive species can be implemented on a historical time scale, that is, relatively rapidly. This should be taken into account when forecasting potential local biocenotic crises. The model of the long-term morphogenetic aftereffects of the muskrat introduction in Western Siberia confirms the possibility of rapid adaptive morphogenetic, morphological, and functional changes in invasive mammalian species introduced into new communities.

A specimen of a green tiger prawn Penaeus semisulcatus De Haan, 1844 was recorded on the Black Sea coast near the Port of Batumi on September 11, 2014. That was the second report of the occurrence of this prawn in the Black Sea. The first record was reported from the coastal waters of Greater Sochi in 2005.

The population of the invasive pest of Siberian fir—the four-eyed fir bark beetle Polygraphus proximus Blandf. (FFBB) from Western Siberia was examined for the presence of insect pathogenic ascomycetes. Four species of insect pathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana, B. pseudobassiana, Lecanicillium attenuatum, and Isaria farinosa, were detected on the basis of morphological characteristics and/or sequencing data. Bioassays using conidia of fungi B. bassiana and I. farinosa from the ISEA collection were performed against adults of FFBB at different temperatures (5 and 15°C) and 100% RH. The mortality of P. proximus reached 80–100% within 45 days. The fungus B. bassiana was more effective at 15°C as compared to 5°C, whereas I. farinosa was more virulent at 5°C.

Analysis of the fragment of mtDNA D-loop (369 bp, n = 48) in wild and domestic American minks harvested in Caspian-Baltic watershed in the European part of Russia reveals a relatively high level of genetic polymorphism for introduced specimens. The values of haplotype and nucleotide polymorphism are correspondent to the level found in populations of the species inhabiting Eastern Europe (Poland). The tendency of differentiation of haplogroups is noted against the background of weak geographical or breeding structure of populations. Observed patterns of polymorphism are probably connected with peculiarities of introduction history as well as with the pool of initial DNA set of ancestors introduced in Eurasia. The domesticated form of the American mink does not differ from wild populations of the species on the basis of the used DNA marker. In wild populations of the species located at a short distance from a mink farm, haplotypes typical of domesticated minks are found.

Pleurosira laevis was first recorded in the Zarafshan River, one of the largest rivers in Uzbekistan. The populations from Uzbekistan were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. The distribution, morphology, and ecology of this species are described. This diatom species is likely to be brought occasionally together with the intentional introduction of other organisms and/or it could penetrate from the water bodies of the neighboring countries where it had appeared earlier.

The striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius is an invasive species new for Magadan oblast; however, the adaptation of the animals to the conditions of the habitats north of the Sea of Okhotsk has been successful. The full nucleotide sequence of the cytochrome b (cytb) gene from the mtDNA has been determined for mice from four local populations in the region (settlements of Snezhnaya Dolina, Snezhnyi, Solnechnyi, and Talon), and five cytb-haplotypes have been detected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the similarity of cytb nucleotide sequences in the mice from the habitats north of the Sea of Okhotsk and the conspecifics from the Far East-Chinese part of the range. The invasion of A. agrarius into Talon is likely to have started from Primorsky krai, whereas the animals captured in Snezhnaya Dolina had ancestors from both Primorsky krai and from China, and the animals captured in Snezhnyi and Solnechnyi were exclusively of Chinese ancestry. The striped field mice from Snezhnyi and Solnechnyi were of a single monophyletic origin. The origin of mice captured in Snezhnaya Dolina was apparently polyphyletic, and the origin of the animals from Talon was monophyletic and different from the origin of other populations of the enclave located north of the Sea of Okhotsk. Investigation of 16 allozyme loci revealed highly significant differences between the samples of striped field mice of Snezhnyi, Solnechnyi, and Talon. The variability parameters in the set of biochemical gene markers used for the analysis showed a trend to a decrease in striped field mouse samples from the habitats north of the Sea of Okhotsk. Genetic analysis revealed that the local settlements of A. agrarius in Magadan oblast are currently represented by small isolated populations.

The first report on parasite fauna of Amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii) from the Yenisei River basin (Bugach Reservoir) is presented. Only one parasite species (Lernea elegans) was found. Specific parasite species of Amur sleeper were not found.