University proceedings. Volga region. Natural Sciences
ISSN (print): 2307-9150
Founder: Penza State University
Editor-in-Chief: Titov Sergey Vitalievich, Doctor of Biology. sciences, professor
Frequency / Access: 4 issues per year / Open
Included in: Higher Attestation Commission List, RISC
Registration: the journal is registered by the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Telecom, Information Technologies and Mass Communications.
Registration certificate: ПИ № ФС77-71230 from 27.09.2017.
ISSN 2307-9150 Periodicity: 4 issues per year Number of copies: 1000 copies.
Scientific areas (subject groups and scientific fields):
1.5.9. Botany
1.5.12. Zoology
1.5.15. Ecology
1.5.21. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
Current Issue
No 1 (2025)
ZOOLOGY
Identification of cryptic species Bombus lucorum-complex and Bombus terrestris in Penza region using the PCR–RFLP method
Abstract
Background. Studying the distribution of cryptic species Bombus lucorum-complex is one of the most difficult tasks in regional entomological research. In Penza region there is information about only two species of bumblebees B. terrestris and B. lucorum, not confirmed by molecular genetic methods, and the species B. cryptarum has not been registered. At the same time, a simplified molecular identification method PCR–RFLP of species has been developed, which made it possible to study in detail the distribution of three bumblebee species in the European North of Russia. The advantage of this method is that it does not require expensive DNA sequencing. The aim of the study was to identify the species Bombus lucorum-complex and B. terrestris in Penza region using the PCR–RFLP analysis method. Materials and methods. A detailed description of the PCR–RFLP method was presented earlier in the work of Bovykina et al., 2024. Ten specimens were studied, and photographs of the bumblebees’ external appearance (side view) and the central part of the posterior edge of the 2nd tergite of the abdomen were taken. Results. The presence of B. terrestris, B. cryptarum and B. lucorum has been confirmed in Penza Region. Reference samples of these species have appeared in the collection, their biotopic confinement has been considered, and their morphological features have been analyzed. Conclusions. As a result of the analysis, the presence of B. terrestris, B. cryptarum and B. lucorum bumblebees in Penza region was confirmed. The morphological features of the reference specimens are a model for identifying the remaining bumblebees in the collection.
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Morphological characteristics of bream Abramis brama (Linnaeus, 1758) of the Penza (Sura) reservoir
Abstract
Background. The biology of bream and a number of other main commercial fish of the Penza (Sura) Reservoir has been studied quite well. The exception is the description of the morphological features of fish, the study of which requires a certain amount of fresh field material, which is quite difficult to collect in the absence of commercial fishing. The purpose of this work is to begin filling the gap in ichthyological studies of the region using the methodology we propose – to describe the morphometry of the bream of the Penza Reservoir and clarify its place among other bream populations in the country. Materials and methods. To collect the material, we used a modern method of photo documentation adapted by us directly for working with bream. The selection of material was carried out from net catches on the Penza Reservoir from 09/01/2023 to 04/01/25. A sample of 30 specimens with a body length of 21.5–49.0 cm was used for the article. Photo documentation was carried out with Canon Power Shot A3100 IS and Nikon COOLPIX A cameras. Measurements on the fish body were made with a ruler on printed images in A4 format for the purpose of double-checking them, a small number of measurements on the fish head were made in the Image J program on the computer screen. The number of rays in the fins and scales in the lateral line was counted on the computer screen. The material was processed using traditional methods, taking into account the requirements for measurements of morphological features for carp fish. Results. The fin formula of the bream from the Penza Reservoir is D III 9 (7–10), A III 25 (24–27)). Single-row pharyngeal teeth – 5–5, 5–6. The number of vertebrae with urostyle is 44–45 (cf. 44.8). The number of gill rakers is 21–26 (cf. 23.3). A high coefficient of variation of the characters is noted for the greatest height of the anal fin, the distance between the ventral and anal fins, the snout length and the eye diameter. Of the 25 plastic characters in males and females of bream, reliable differences were found in four. For two characters: the height of the anal fin, the distance between the pectoral and ventral fins, the differences had a high significance level of -0.01, the t-criterion, respectively, was -3.4 and 3.9. In comparison with the populations from the Oka, the Pripyat and Lake Ilmen bream of the Penza Reservoir is distinguished by the greatest body depth, short postdorsal distance, long base of the anal fin, large distance between the pectoral and pelvic fins, smaller distance between the pelvic and anal fins, short snout, long postorbital part of the head, narrow forehead. This is due to the small size of the Penza Reservoir with no current and low degree of siltation. Conclusions. The morphological characteristics of the Penza Reservoir bream are presented. According to the traditional classification, it occupies an intermediate position between the typical bream (of the Baltic basin) and the eastern bream (of the Caspian Sea basin). According to Yu. G. Izyumov (1987), the Penza Reservoir bream can be attributed to the central geographic group of populations. According to A. V. Kozhara and A. N. Mironovsky (1988), to the Middle Volga group.
11-20
ECOLOGY
Spring zooplankton communities of ponds in Zarechny (Penza region)
Abstract
Background. City ponds experience a huge recreational load, without receiving proper care. Zooplankton communities are good indicators of the state of the hydroecosystem. The purpose of the research is to study the features of the species and spatial structure of spring zooplankton communities, to assess the trophic status and sanitary condition of the ponds of Zarechny. Material and methods. Samples for zooplankton research were collected in April 2024 from city ponds in Zarechny (Penza region). A total of 19 samples were analyzed. The collected material was processed using generally accepted methods in hydrobiology. Results. 90 species and subspecies of zooplankton were found (Rotifera – 69, Cladocera – 12, Copepoda – 9). For the first time in Penza region, two species of rotifers were noted (Cephalodella auriculata and Trichocerca bicristata). A high proportion of phytophilic species indicates a significant degree of overgrowing of water bodies with macrophytes and accumulation of organic matter. The ponds require a certain regulation of their state, as indicated by the structural parameters of zooplankton communities. In the first and second Lermontov ponds, the bottom is covered with a thick layer of silt, the water is almost not mixed, stagnant processes develop. The species composition of zooplankton communities is small, dominated by only one eutrophic species of copepods. The other two ponds (the third and fourth) and the Lesnoy pond are larger, with open banks, less foliage and silt accumulates in them, and the water mixes in windy weather. Rotifers (the eurybiont Synchaeta pectinata and the cold-loving Polyarthra dolichoptera and Keratella irregularis) are dominant in the reservoirs. Conclusions. High quantitative characteristics of zooplankton communities of ponds in spring can be explained by good warming of water (against the background of unusually warm spring and small sizes of reservoirs) and development of a good food base for zooplankton. Species richness and spatial structure of zooplankton community allow classifying the studied ponds as eutrophic. Recreational pond Lesnoy requires cleaning.
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Bird population structure of key landscapes of the National Park “Sengileevskiye Gory” during the breeding season
Abstract
Background. The study of the bird population structure will make it possible to determine the role of various landscapes in the formation of the biodiversity of the territory of the National Park “Sengileevskiye Gory” and lay the foundation for long-term monitoring of key components of ecosystems of a specially protected natural area. Materials and methods. The research was conducted in 2023–2024 in four key landscapes of National Park “Sengileevskiye Gory”. The main characteristics of the bird population (species composition and abundance) were obtained during complex route surveys. The total length of the hiking trails during the research was 55 km. Results. 77 bird species have been identified (from 43 to 50 in various landscapes). The total population density of birds in various habitats ranged from 473,3 individuals/km2 (steppes) to 923.7 individuals/km2 (broadleaf forests). The finch Fringilla coelebs everywhere dominates in numbers in forest communities, and the forest horse Anthus trivialis in steppe communities. The similarity of ornithocomplexes of pine and broadleaf forests is 62 %, forest communities and floodplains – 50 %, floodplain and forest communities and steppes – 29 %. The similarity of bird population variants in different periods of the breeding season and years is 68–75 % in pine forests, 65–73 % in broadleaf forests, 40–52 % in floodplains, and 37–79 % in steppes. Conclusions. The maximum diversity of avifauna is noted in floodplains. The maximum bird population density was found in broad-leaved forests. The highest indicators of diversity and alignment of bird communities (Shannon index) are typical for floodplains. The ornithocomplex of pine forests is characterized by the greatest stability. The greatest similarity of ornithocomplexes is characterized by forest and floodplain landscapes, the steppes are the least.
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Autumn population of Chiroptera and its ecological features in the “Delta Samura” cluster of the national park “Samursky” (Dagestan, Russia)
Abstract
Background. In the Republic of Dagestan, 19 species of bats were found in the “Delta Samura” cluster of the national park “Samursky”.The data obtained is mainly summertime, although bat activity continues in the autumn and even in the early months of winter, but there is very little data on this. Therefore, the aim of our work was to study the autumn population of bats in the “Delta Samura” cluster and to identify some of its ecological features related to activity during this period of the year. Materials and methods. The work was carried out from October 29 to December 4, 2024 in a small area of coastal deciduous forest near the village of Primorsky, Magaramkent district. The surveys were carried out along a specially laid out route of approximately 2.5 km in length. A BATLOGGER M ultrasonic detector was used to record bats and determine their flight activity. Signals were manually classified using BatSound and verified by comparison with voucher records using statistical methods. Results. During autumn surveys, echolocation calls were recorded and attributed to 10 bat species: Myotis daubentonii, Plecotus auritus, Barbastella barbastellus, Nyctalus lasiopterus, N. noctula, N. leisleri, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, P. pygmaeus, P. nathusii и Vespertilio murinus. The relative abundance of species, their nocturnal activity patterns and the biotopic distribution of individual species along the route were revealed. Conclusions. In autumn, P. pygmaeus and P. nathusii were background species in the study area. N. leisleri, N. noctula and P. pipistrellus were common and numerous on some survey days. Pl. auritus and V. murinus were recorded only once each. In autumn, the onset of nocturnal activity is earlier and its duration is shortened to one hour. The ratio of signals for some species varies from day to day and is related to changes in ambient temperature. The species recorded preferred to hunt in uncluttered (open habitat) moderately cluttered (edge) areas and avoided cluttered (closed) areas.
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Evaluation of in vitro viability and pollen morphology of asparagus vigna (Vigna unguiculata) accessions during introduction in the south of Western Siberia
Abstract
Background. Vigna is a new for Russia vegetable crop with high heat requirements, which prevents the expansion of its cultivation in regions with a continental climate. Based on the selection of the optimal concentration of the osmotically active substance (sucrose, PEG 6000), the relationship between pollen germination of vignaaccessions in vitro at optimal (25°) and low (6°) temperatures and its morphometric parameters was assessed. Materials and methods. The morphometric features and response of microgametophytes of 8 Vigna unguiculata accessions to low temperature in vitro were studied. The optimal concentration of the osmotically active substance (sucrose, PEG 6000) was determined at different concentrations in the medium (10, 20, 30 %). A Hitachi TM 4000 plus SEM was used for pollen grain morphometry. Results. According to the criterion of minimal variation of pollen germination in sucrose and PEG 6000 solutions (53 % versus 60–147 %) with a fairly high germination rate for most accessions (6.2–27.4 %), the best result was shown by PEG 6000 at a 20 % concentration with the addition of boric acid (0.006 %). According to the cold resistance of pollen in vitro at a temperature of 6°, pollen of k-36 and Krasnaya pozdnyaya accessions stood out with an indicator of 52.0 and 53.5 %, respectively, whereas pollen of the cv. Yunnanskaya did not germinate under these conditions. Pollen of five vigna cvs. is three-lobed, large, almost round in the projection of the polar axis and round in the equatorial plane. The surface of the exine has numerous grooves, the surface texture is coarsely meshed. The length of the p.z. polar axis 63.0–76.5 μm, the equatorial diameter is 57.2–66.3 μm and varies significantly among different vignaaccessions. The largest pollen was found in the cv. Yunnanskaya (76.5×65.2 μm), while the cv. Grafinya had a comparatively small pollen (63.0×57.2 μm). Conclusions. The optimal medium for pollen germination was a medium with 20 % PEG 6000 + 0.006 % boric acid. In pollen germination experiments at 25° and 6°, cold resistance negatively correlated with the polar axis length (r = –0.603 – –0.683) and the equatorial diameter (r = –0.375 – –0.549).
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Monitoring of landscaping and development of the floodplain area of the Ural River within the boundaries of the city of Orenburg using geoinformation technologies
Abstract
Background. Freshwater habitats such as rivers, lakes, streams, and floodplain ecosystems are essential ecological resources that provide many ecosystem functions. The fertile floodplains of the rivers are intensively exploited, as a result of which the landscape along the river valleys is gradually changing as a result of human activity. Materials and methods. The Google Earth Pro application and Landsat satellite images were used tostudy the floodplain area of the Ural River within the city of Orenburg. The QGIS and SAGA GIS programs were used to work with cartographic materials. The digital model corresponding to the maximum flood level is based on data from the digital terrain model FABDEM. Results. The level (height) of the absolute maximum of water during floods has been revealed, on the basis of which the flooding zone of the Ural River near the city of Orenburg isogypsum has been constructed. Based on satellite scenes from Landsat satellites, an analysis of the structure of the floodplain zone within the city for the presence and changes of landscaping and development over the past twenty years has been carried out. Conclusions. When studying the flood activity of the Ural River, the level of the absolute maximum of water was revealed. As a result of studies of the structure of the floodplain zone, there were no changes in the size of landscaping areas and an increase in building areas in this area during the study period.
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PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
Characteristics of the stomatal apparatus of Vigna (Vigna unguiculata) during introduction in the south of Western Siberia
Abstract
Background. The stomatal apparatus of heat-loving legume species reflects the ecological features of its functioning in thе (sub) tropical conditions of the original range. To assess the morphometric parameters of leaves, the density of the arrangement and size of stomata on the adaxial and abaxial sides of the leaves were determined and their relationship with cold resistance in the mature male gametophyte phase in vitro was studied. Materials and methods. Fourteen accessions of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) were used in the study. The Hitachi TM4000 plus scanning electron microscope was used to examine the stomatal apparatus. Pollen viability in vitro was assessed on a 20 % PEG 6000 solution at 25° / 3 hours (control) and at 6° / 24 hours (cold resistance assessment). The similarity of the accessions by the parameters of the stomatal apparatus was determined using cluster analysis. Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between the morphometric parameters of the leaves and the viability of pollen in vitro. Results. The morphological parameters of the stomata of different varieties of Vigna differed significantly. The stomatal density, stomatal long axis and stomatal short axis on the adaxial and abaxial side of Vigna were 74.0–230.0 / mm2, 231.0–439 / mm2, 14.7–20.8 μm, 14.3–20.1 μm, 4.0–6.3 μm and 4.3–8.4 μm, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that the density of stomata on the adaxial side of the leaf significantly correlated with pollen viability at 25°(r = 0.524), and the short axis of the stomata on the adaxial side of the leaf significantly correlated with cold resistance (r = ‒0.513). Conclusions. Systematic clustering divided the above varieties into three categories. Zinder, Kudesnitsa, Blaek Sid is a separate category with the highest stomatal density; Grafinya, Liliana, Niagara, k-802, Nezhnaya, and also Phaseolus vulgaris and adzuki (form RU-1-NOVB-vegYF-0061) are categories with medium stomatal density; the rest of the varieties were divided into one category, which had the lowest stomatal density.
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