Biosystems Diversity (E-Journal - Dnipro National University)
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Morphological and molecular characterization of root-knot nematodes from Uzbekistan
Get PDFPlant-parasitic nematodes are of great economic importance as widespread harmful plant pests of the world. Among them, root-knot nematodes, especially species of the genus Meloidogyne, cause significant damage to agriculture. In this paper the species composition, morphological and molecular genetic characteristics of root-knot nematodes in vegetable crops of the Zarafshan Valley of Uzbekistan were studied. As a result of morphological studies, three species belonging to the genus Meloidogyne were found in Samarkand region of the Zarafshan Valley; these species were Meloidogyne javanica, M. incognita and M. hapla identified by concentric lines in the anal-vulvar part of sexually mature female nematodes. The results show that the anal arch of M. javanica and M. hapla is low, and that of M. incognita is high. In order to additionally characterize the species of the discovered root-knot nematodes, we carried out their molecular identification. However, nucleotide sequence analysis in the 5S–ITS2 region of rDNA showed no differences between M. javanica and M. incognita, the overall difference being to 0.6%. These data indicate that both these taxa belong to the one species based on 5S–ITS2 region, but this datum should be supplemented by additional research with other genes. The sequence differences between the species M. javanica or M. incognita with species M. hapla amounted to 23%. Species analysis based on the analysis of morphological and molecular genetic indicators of root-knot nematodes is important because it was conducted for the first time in Central Asia. The studies conducted indicate that M. hapla, M. javanica and M. incognita are common on tomato farms in Payaryk, Akdarya and Jambay districts of Samarkand region of Uzbekistan
Managing populations of cyst-forming nematodes in agroecosystems of field crops
Get PDFCyst-forming nematodes have been known since the second half of the 19th century as one of the causes of "soil fatigue" and highly harmful agricultural pests. In Ukraine, the sugarbeet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii Schmidt, 1871; cereal cyst nematode H. avenae Wollenweber, 1924; golden potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Wollenweber, 1923; clover cyst nematode H. trifolii Goffart, 1932; alfalfa cyst nematode H. medicaginis Kirjanova & Krall, 1971; hop cyst nematode H. humuli Filipev, 1934 are currently economically significant species. Their distribution mainly coincides with the traditional cultivation of sugar beets, grain cereals, potatoes, clover, alfalfa and hops. Long-term studies of the impact of abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors on their populations made it possible to identify the dominant species and improve the set of protective measures. Anti-nematode crop rotations are the main limiting factor in preventing mass reproduction of cyst-forming nematodes, provided there is scientifically justified crop rotation. To prevent the mass accumulation of alfalfa and clover cyst-forming nematodes, the maximum share of perennial grasses in crop rotations should not exceed 30% (crops under cover of grain cereals + perennial legumes – one-two-year use); oat nematode – 40% of grain cereals; beet nematode – 20% of Chenopodioideae and cruciferous crops; golden potato nematode – 20% of potatoes (10% susceptible + 10% resistant varieties). The rational saturation of modern crop rotations with intermediate crops makes it possible to reduce the level of crop weediness caused by potential host plants of cyst-forming nematodes and to increase their anti-nematode effectiveness in general. The developed ecologically oriented system of phytosanitary control provides mandatory measures, which must be applied regardless of the level of initial population density, and additional measures specific to each culture and species of cyst-forming nematodes. Considering the current high specialization of crop production, the use of biological preparations in modern systems of integrated plant protection will contribute to the greening of agricultural output. Pre-planting treatment of tubers with metabolic biological preparations (Streptomyces avermitilis) of multifunctional action ensured the achievement of a higher (79.2–91.7%) efficiency of biological cleaning of the soil from the golden potato nematode, compared to the use of only potato-resistant varieties. A logical combination of various anti-nematode measures makes it possible to effectively keep the density of populations at an economically insignificant level and prevent crop yield losses
Nematode fauna in Canis lupus familiaris and Felis catus in Karakalpakstan and molecular genetic analysis of Toxascaris leonina
Get PDFThe article analyses the current species diversity of nematodes of dogs and cats in Karakalpakstan. Our research team identified 11 species of nematodes in dogs: Trichocephalus vulpis (Froelich, 1789), Dioctophyme renale (Goeze, 1782), Ancylostoma caninum (Ercolani, 1859), Uncinaria stenocephala (Railliet, 1854), Toxascaris leonina (Linstow, 1902), Toxocara canis (Werner, 1782), Spirocerca lupi (Rudolphi, 1809), Physaloptera praeputialis (Linstow, 1888), Rictularia affinis (Jagerskiold, 1904), Dirofiliaria immitis (Leidy, 1856), and Dirofiliaria repens (Railliet et Henry, 1911). The prevalence of infection in the dog population ranged from 8.3% to 45.8%, with the intensity of infection ranging between 1 and 28 individuals. The nematode fauna of cats consisted of 9 species: D. renale , A. caninum , U. stenocephala , T. leonina , T. canis , Ph. praeputialis , R. affinus , D. immits , and D. repens . In this group of animals, the prevalence ranged from 8.3% to 37.6% and the intensity of infection from 1 to 23 individuals. Toxascaris leonina was the predominant helminth species in both cats and dogs. Toxocara canis showed a prevalence of 37.6% and an infection intensity of 4 to 9 individuals in domestic Canidae, and 33.7% and 3-8 individuals in Felis catus . The research team conducted a molecular genetic analysis of T. leonina . The study showed that Toxascaris leonina from dogs differed from the same species of nematodes from cats and w as characterised by two subclades. One clade identified in dogs (PP865013) is close to an isolate from China (MN329693) and Australia (NC023504), and the other one in cats (PP864705) to an isolate from the tiger (China, MW560284). In addition, the isolates are grouped together irrespective of hosts and location and are related to other species from the family Ascarididae
Dynamics of distribution of introduced mammals in Ukraine and factors influencing them
Get PDFThis article considers changes in the composition of the fauna and in the abundance of alien mammals from the group of introduced species over the past two decades, which in Ukraine are marked by two powerful processes. These are the distinct processes of climate warming and shortening of winters, on the one hand, and the large-scale war waged by Russia against Ukraine on the territory of Ukraine, on the other. Such changes in the natural environment lead to significant shifts in the boundaries of natural zones and, accordingly, the living conditions of all species, not only local biota but also aliens. Among the latter, a special group is made up of introduced species, as those that appeared not as a result of natural dispersal in the context of global climate change, but due to various types of introductions. Among them are three species from the superorder Rodentia ( Oryctolagus cuniculus , Ondatra zibethicus , Myocastor coypus ), three species from the superorder Carnivora ( Nyctereutes procyonoides , Neogale vison , Procyon lotor ), five species from the superorder Ungulata ( Cervus nippon , Dama dama , Ovis gmelini , Equus hemionus , Equus ferus ). The following five factors contributed to the success of the introductions: 1) captivity with the possibility to escape, 2) destruction of various kinds of nurseries (during the war), 3) reduction of the abundance of native species, 4) increase in the share of degraded habitats, 5) reduction of all forms of nature use and population regulation. The factors of successful introductions are analysed in terms of habitat types and the structure of guilds in which the introductions are integrated. It is shown that introductions of species confined to eutrophic habitats and species occupying ‘windows’ or marginal places in the guild structure are successful. Most of the introductions carried out in Ukraine have resulted in the formation of natural populations of alien species, mainly semi-aquatic mammals: rodents ( O. zibethicus , partially M. coypus ) and carnivores ( N. vison , N. procyonoides ). Terrestrial species did not show significant expansion and naturalisation, with the exception of the sika deer. The increase in the number of some alien species ( O. zibethicus , C. nippon , N. vison ) occurred simultaneously with a decrease in the number of their competitors from the native fauna ( Arvicola amphibius , Cervus elaphus , Mustela lutreola ). The most problematic was the entry of N. vison into the mustelid guild. The appearance of alien species has led to the extinction of a significant part of ecologically similar native species, and the total number of these two groups of animals has become almost equal. Hunting of animals as a means of regulating their populations has proved to be ineffective, as the volume of hunting is 1–2 orders of magnitude lower than the annual population growth of these species, which indicates that alien species are not vulnerable to hunters
Landscape diversity mapping allows assessment of the hemeroby of bird species in a modern industrial metropolis
Get PDFThe article proposes a methodology for identifying the hemeroby of avifauna inhabiting a contemporary industrial metropolis. The Landsat 8-9 OLI/TIRS satellite image of the city of Dnipro (Ukraine) dated 14 July 2024 was employed for further analysis. The classification of land cover types was performed in SAGA-9 without training using the k-means procedure. The classification was performed on the basis of geospatial layers represented by spectral indices and road network density. For each cluster, the average value of the hemeroby level was calculated, which was rounded to a whole value and used as an indicator of hemeroby that is typical for the respective cover type. The hemeroby values were extracted from the geospatial data layer obtained using landscape metrics at the points of bird species encounters. The mean value and standard deviation of hemeroby during bird encounters were calculated based on the data obtained. These values were considered indicators of bird species hemeroby and their tolerance to hemeroby. The surface temperature within the city exhibited a range of 29.4 to 33.6 °C. The highest temperatures were recorded in the city centre and in the eastern and northern districts, with the lowest temperatures observed in the eastern region. The principal component analysis enabled the extraction of three principal components with eigenvalues exceeding one. Principal component 1 exhibited a positive correlation with the spectral indices that indicate anthropogenic surfaces and a negative correlation with indices that are sensitive to vegetation density, surface moisture and rock or soil composition. Therefore, Principal c omponent 1 can be interpreted in a meaningful manner as an aspect of hemeroby induced by a decrease in vegetation cover due to an increase in the presence of anthropogenic objects. Principal component 2 was found to be positively correlated with surface temperature and indices that are sensitive to anthropogenic surfaces, as well as road network density. This principal component can be interpreted as an aspect of hemeroby related to thermal pollution. The most significant indicator of principal component 3 is road network density. Therefore, all of the primary extracted principal components are associated with hemeroby, and an integrated hemeroby indicator was calculated. The classification procedure, based on spectral indices and road network density, yielded 20 land cover types and one additional category representing water bodies. The hemeroby of birds exhibited considerable variation, with values ranging from 15 to 89. The birds were classified into the following categories based on the extent of their hemeroby. The ahemerobic group comprised 15 species, the oligohemerobic group 11, the mesohemerobic group 8, the beta-euhemerobic group 8, the alpha-euhemerobic group 10, the polyhemerobic group 9 and the metahemerobic group 5. The stenotopic group comprises 30 species, the mesotopic group 17 species, and the eurytopic group 19 species of birds. In the case of 34 species of bird fauna in the city of Dnipro, estimates have been obtained for the European bird fauna on the basis of the mean hemeroby score, which was calculated for the Eur o pean avifauna. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the hemeroby scores and the mean hemeroby score
Palynotaxonomy of the genus Gladiolus (Iridaceae) of the flora of Armenia
Get PDFThe genus Gladiolus L. (Iridaceae) includes about 250–280 species of perennial herbaceous corms, distributed in Africa, Madagascar and Eurasia. The taxonomy of the genus is not simple, since the characteristics of the species are quite confusing. Our article presents the results of a comparative palyno-morphological analysis of all 9 species and 2 subspecies of the genus Gladiolus of the Armenian flora. The purpose of the work is to identify diagnostic characteristics of pollen used to distinguish individual taxa. Six morphological characters, namely the length of the polar axis (P), as well as the length of the large and small equatorial diameters (E1 and E2, respectively), exine thickness and the number of echinae and perforations per unit area of the pollen surface were measured using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Literature data, as well as the results of our previous studies, showed that the genus is characterized by stenopalynous anasulcate pollen grains with a two-lane operculum. In the presence of significant uniformity in pollen characteristics, our studies revealed that among the species studied, G. hajastanicus and G. kotschyanus have slightly larger pollen grain sizes, and the pollen of the species G. tenuis is characterized by a minimal number of both echinae and perforations per unit surface area of the pollen grain (using SEM). A certain difference has also been established between the subspecies of the species G. kotschyanus. In particular, the sizes of pollen grains of G. kotschyanus subsp. kotschyanus (based on E1) is slightly larger than in G. kotschyanus subsp. distichus. At the same time, the number of echinae and perforations per unit surface of a pollen grain (at the SEM level) in the subspecies G. kotschyanus subsp. distichus is approximately twice as large as G. kotschyanus subsp. kotschianus
Larvae of helminths of molluscs and insects in Karakalpakstan
Get PDFThe work discusses some issues related to the species diversity of helminth larvae developing in the body of freshwater molluscs and insects distributed in the territory of Karakalpakstan, a vast region in Uzbekistan. A total of 42 species of parasites in larval form were identified in the region; 27 species were recorded in aquatic molluscs and 15 species in insects. 29 species were recorded for the first time in Karakalpakstan. We established that the class Gastropoda in the water bodies of Karakalpakstan is represented by 17 species; 9 of them belong to the family Lymnaeidae, 6 species to Planorbidae and 2 to Physidae. 3,477 mollusс individuals of 11 species were infected with larval stages of trematodes. The prevalence of infection in Lymnaeidae (Radix and Lymnaea) ranged from 1.7% to 25.5%. A similar prevalence was recorded in Planorbidae (1.6–25.4%). Physa fontinalis showed a prevalence of infection of 1.3%. 27 species of parasites in cercarial forms were identified in molluscs. The largest number of cercariae of trematode species was found in molluscs from the family Lymnaeidae (14 species). They were followed by representatives of Planorbidae (12 species). The fauna of cercariae identified in molluscs from water bodies in Karakalpakstan was from 12 families of trematodes. The most common were the cercariae of those species of trematodes that complete their life cycle in wetland birds (20 species). Cercariae of 6 species of trematodes turned out to be parasites of mammals, mainly ungulates. 1 species of trematodes in a larval stage was recorded in each of the fish and amphibian groups. The richest species composition in the studied region was shown by trematode cercariae representing Schistosomatidae (6 species), which were followed by Echinostomatidae (4 species). Cercariae of other trematode families were represented by one, two and three species. It was established that the studied molluscs do not play an equal role as intermediate hosts of trematodes. The richest species composition was shown by populations of Radix auricularia (14 species), Planorbis planorbis (12 species), Anisus spirorbis (9 species), and Lymnaea stagnalis (5 species). Populations of L. bactriana, Pl. tangitarensis were infected by only one species. The prevalence recorded in the studied insects infected with helminth larvae ranged widely from 1.1% to 14.4%. The identified larvae turned out to be representatives of Cestoda (3 species), Trematoda (1 species) and Nematoda (11 species). The largest number of species (4) of helminth larvae were found in beetles from the family Scarabaeidae – Gongylonema pulchrum, Spirura rytipleurites, Choanataenia infundibulum and Echinolepis carioca, and mosquitoes – Dirofilaria immitis, D. repens, Dipetalonema ewansi and Setaria labiatopapillosa. 2 species were recorded in flies – Stephamofilaria stilesi and Parabronema skrjabini. The recorded species belong to the classes Nematoda and Cestoda. The intensity of infection ranged from single to 11–17 individuals. The work provides original data on the morphology and biology of the larvae of the studied mollusсs infected with cercariae of trematodes and insects with metacercariae of trematodes, cysticercoids of cestodes and larvae of nematodes, and presents the structure of communities of larval forms of parasitic worms
The impact of climate aridification on rare lichen communities
Get PDFThe global diversity of approximately 25,000 lichen species (e.g., from the genera Usnea, Cladonia, and Peltigera), including rare and endangered ones, highlights the importance of preserving their population in the State National Nature Park “Burabay”. The objective of this study was to investigate the distribution of rare lichen species in the territory of the State National Nature Park “Burabay,” located in the Akmola region of Kazakhstan, in the period from 2018 to 2022, with a particular focus on understanding how aridification may have influenced their presence and abundance. In the course of the study, methods such as route expeditions, the comparative morphological method, as well as some other special methods were used. The collection of information to systematize the taxonomic composition of lichens (genera Lobaria, Rhizocarpon, and Xanthoria) was carried out during route expeditions. The study identified 56 lichen species, with a focus on rare and protected species. Established in 2000, the park's rich biodiversity is showcased, including the discovery of three very rare species (Dermatocarpon miniatum, Psora lurida, and Verrucaria nigrescens) and four species requiring protection (Peltigera spuria, Cladonia coccifera, Haematomma ventosum, and Caloplaca aurantiaca). These findings are significant, considering the absence of data on these species since the 1982 Red Book of Kazakhstan (including genera such as Lecanora, Lecidea, and Pertusaria). The sensitivity of lichens to environmental changes (indicated by genera like Alectoria, Bryoria, and Cetraria) makes them ideal for monitoring ecological health through a cost-effective method known as lichen indication. The increase in the species count over the past five years (highlighting genera such as Stereocaulon, Solorina, and Thamnolia) suggests effective conservation efforts and underlines the park's ecological importance. The study's findings reveal that aridification is reshaping lichen communities in the park, emphasizing their sensitivity to climate change and the need for conservation strategies to address these changes and ensure the preservation of lichen biodiversity in the face of global climate change. The research contributes valuable data for future conservation planning and environmental assessments in the region, emphasizing the need to protect diverse lichen genera (e.g., Evernia, Ramalina, and Parmotrema) for ecological monitoring and conservation
Conflicts between large carnivores and farmers/beekeepers in the Ukrainian Carpathians: Structure, dynamics, spatial distribution and effective coexistence measures
Get PDFConflicts between large сarnivores and humans have been common in mountainous regions, with the Carpathians being particularly affected. Recently, interest among researchers and wildlife managers in studying and managing these conflicts has grown significantly. Unfortunately, the coexistence between humans and wildlife and its implications for nature and society have been largely overlooked in Ukraine. This study analyzed conflicts between large carnivores (Canis lupus, Ursus arctos and Lynx lynx) and farmers/beekeepers within designated model territories in the Ukrainian Carpathians, focusing on the effectiveness of conflict prevention strategies implemented between 2018 and 2023. Among the stakeholders analyzed, 79.0% were farmers (livestock owners) and 21.0% were beekeepers. It was observed that 73.0% of farms and apiaries experienced conflicts with large carnivores during the study period; incidents included 64.8% with wolf attacks, 31.3% with bear attacks, and 24.2% with lynx attacks. Notably, conflicts involving livestock owners and large carnivores decreased nearly fivefold, from 54.9% in 2018 to 11.0% in 2023. Similarly, bear-related conflicts among beekeepers nearly halved, from 29.2% to 16.8%. The adoption of electric fences significantly increased among farms and apiaries from none to 33.9%, and the proportion of farmers using dogs for livestock protection without experiencing large carnivore conflicts rose from 3.3% to 20.9%. These pilot findings highlight the effectiveness of such measures in reducing conflicts and improving coexistence quality. The results provide valuable insights into the structure, dynamics, and spatial distribution of conflicts in the Ukrainian Carpathians, underscoring their importance for the conservation of rare species and the implementation of effective management strategies for wild animal populations, sustainable farming, and habitat conservation in regions inhabited by large carnivores. An integrated approach that considers the needs of both human communities and wildlife, involving collaboration among scientific bodies, public organizations, and government entities at various levels, is crucial for devising and executing effective conflict management strategies in diverse landscapes
Influence of medicinal plants on Blaberus craniifer cockroaches and their parasites, gregarines and nematodes
Get PDFCockroaches, especially those living in forest litter and feeding on foliage, have been consuming plants for millions of years. Can secondary metabolites of plants affect the parasite-host system and successfully treat the cockroaches’ parasites gregarines and nematodes? In our experiment, 204 Blaberus craniifer (Blattodea, Blaberidae) cockroaches consumed the standard diet supplemented with medicinal plants in a dose of 10% of the general fodder mass, particularly, plants of the families Acoraceae (Acorus calamus), Papaveraceae (Chelidonium majus), Rosaceae (Potentilla erecta), Juglandaceae (Juglans regia), Fagaceae (Quercus robur), Brassicaceae (Capsella bursa-pastoris), Hypericaceae (Hypericum perforatum), Gentianaceae (Centaurium erythraea), Lamiaceae (Origanum vulgare, Salvia officinalis, Thymus pallasianus), and Asteraceae (Achillea millefolium, Arctium lappa, Artemisia absinthium, Matricaria chamomilla, and Tanacetum vulgare). With age (i.e. gaining body mass), the intensity of infestation of cockroaches with female and male nematodes Cranifera cranifera significantly increased. The multifactor dispersion analysis found no significant effect of the number of parasites (two gregarines, Blabericola cubensis and Protomagalhaensia granulosae, and one nematode, Cranifera cranifera) on the rates of changes in body mass of the cockroaches during the experiment. Also, there was observed no effect of the number of parasites on the rates of cockroaches’ food consumption. The rates of body-mass gain during the experiment were closely associated with the initial body mass of the cockroaches: the larger the cockroach was in the beginning of the experiment, the greater the increase in its body mass later in the experiment. None of the three species of B. craniifer parasites that we studied significantly changed their numbers when subject to 10% dry medicinal plants in the hosts’ fodder, compared to the control group of cockroaches that did not consume the medicinal raw material. Intake of none of the 16 species of medicinal plants we tested led to significant changes in the rates of body-mass gain in the cockroaches. Compared to the control group, the experimental groups of cockroaches had no significant changes in the fodder consumption rates. Our experiment demonstrated that the cockroaches, together with their parasites, are substantially adapted to the influences of secondary metabolites of the 16 medicinal plants that we studied, although, in their natural range they had most likely never encountered any of those plants. Therefore, on the one hand, the considered parasite-host system was observed to be very balanced, the host being minimally harmed, and on the other hand, secondary metabolites of the plants had no significant effect either on the parasites (two species of gregarines and one species of nematodes) or on their hosts even in the highest tested concentrations (10% of the fodder mass)