Biosystems Diversity (E-Journal - Dnipro National University)
Not a member yet
1129 research outputs found
Sort by
Analysis of polymorphism and development of a molecular-genetic system for genotyp-ing by the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene
Get PDFThis article explores the genetic variability of the gene that encodes telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), which plays a key role in maintaining telomere length and, as a result, genome stability in various eukaryotic species. The study employs a comprehensive approach that combines phylogenetic and bioinformatic analysis with molecular-genetic research methods. The research involved the screening of genetic databases to investigate TERT gene orthologues across organisms belonging to different systematic groups. The TERT gene, which is prevalent in a wide range of eukaryotic biological species, exhibits polymorphisms that have the potential to influence TERT enzyme function and, consequently, animal phenotypes. The primary focus of this study centers on the pig TERT gene, selected as a model organism due to its genetic similarity to humans and its importance as a productive agricultural species. The article explores the exon-intron structure of the TERT gene, analyzing the size of the corresponding transcript and protein product. Furthermore, it provides data on polymorphisms in the pig TERT gene, including missense and synonymous variants. The chromosomal localization of these polymorphisms is characterized and correlated with the domain structure of the TERT enzyme. For the evaluation of the impact of polymorphisms on the structural and functional properties of the TERT enzyme, a molecular-genetic system based on the PCR-RFLP method has been developed. This PCR-RFLP system serves as a basis for subsequent experimental analyses of missense and synonymous variants in population and association studies, allowing for an assessment of the prevalence of these polymorphisms and their significance for animal phenotypes. Given the significance of further laboratory investigation of the pig TERT gene, the developed PCR-RFLP system becomes necessary for the assessment of the functional implications of the polymorphisms within this gene and the potential identification of causative ones among them. The synergy of bioinformatics and molecular-genetic methods in this study lays the groundwork for future impactful research in this field. The presented study holds promise for marker-associated selection, as it opens the way for the use of the TERT gene as a marker in the genetic improvement of agricultural animal species
How much space is needed for biodiversity conservation?
Get PDFThe EU's 2030 Biodiversity Strategy and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework call for 30% coverage of land and sea protected areas and strict protection for 10% of land area to prevent and reverse biodiversity loss. Ukraine has declared its aspiration to integrate into the European Union and must back up its statements with action and do everything to achieve such ambitious conservation goals. Like many European countries, Ukraine faces great challenges on this route. The significant level of anthropogenic transformation of the territories makes it very difficult to find new areas to expand the boundaries of the nature reserve fund. The practical steps to create nature reserves are significantly limited by legal mechanisms that guarantee land users' ownership of the relevant land plots. An important task in nature conservation is to develop indicators that can clearly and easily demonstrate the importance of areas for conservation. Such tools are necessary to convince policy makers and land users of the need to protect the relevant areas. The indicators of importance for biodiversity conservation should be scale-independent, as both large areas and small areas are important for conservation. In this article, we consider the case of a project to expand the boundaries of the Dnipro-Orylskiy Nature Reserve by adding five areas directly adjacent to it. The number of species included in the various Red Data Lists was chosen as an indicator of the conservation value of the territory. The species-area relationship was used to assess the role of scale. The number of species on the Red Lists was considered instead of the classical relationship that considers the total number of species in a community. The normalised deviation from the regression relationship was considered as an indicator of the conservation value of the respective area, which is statistically independent of the area of the site. The different Red Lists are compiled according to different criteria, so the indicator of conservation value for each Red List focuses on the relevant conservation aspect. The results of the conservation value assessment can be presented graphically, which clearly demonstrates the role of the respective areas in the maintenance of biological diversity. The proposed algorithm for assessing conservation value can be applied to a wide range of environmental protection tasks. In terms of further research, it is important to assess the role of ecosystem function assessment in the design of protected areas
Retrospective analysis of the spread of bacterial poultry diseases on the territory of Ukraine for the period 2012–2020
Get PDFOne of the most important livestock industries in the world is poultry breeding, which meets human needs for high-quality protein products (poultry meat, eggs) and is characterized by rapid return on investment. Bacterial infectious diseases of poultry are a major problem for the poultry industry and its strategic future. Given the relevance of bacterial diseases of poultry in the world and in Ukraine in particular, the authors conducted a retrospective analysis of the spread of these diseases in Ukraine for the period 2012–2020 by analyzing and systematizing the results of bacteriological investigations. In order to analyze the spread of bacterial diseases of poultry in terms of regions in Ukraine, we analyzed data on 20 diseases of poultry, namely: hemophilosis, infectious enterotoxemia, yersiniosis, campylobacteriosis, colibacteriosis, coligranulomatosis, klebsiella, listeriosis, mycoplasmosis, neisseriosis, pasteurellosis, pathogenic proteus, pneumococcosis, pseudomonosis, pullorosis, erysipelas septicemia, salmonellosis, staphylococcosis, streptococcosis and tuberculosis. According to the results of research, it is found that bacterial diseases of poultry are significantly common in Ukraine, the average infection of poultry with bacterial diseases for the period from 2012 to 2020 was 0.8%. The leading role in the etiological structure of pathogens of bacterial diseases of poultry was played by colibacillosis – 56.9% of the total number of all positive samples. Also, the dominant bacterial diseases of poultry in Ukraine during the analyzed period are: salmonellosis (13.5%), staphylococcosis (7.8%), pasteurellosis (7.0%), pseudomonosis (6.8%), pullorosis (3.6%) and streptococcus (2.6%). Significantly fewer positive samples were registered in the bacteriological investigations of other diseases: pneumococcosis 0.5%, tuberculosis 0.4%, infectious enterotoxemia 0.3%, pathogenic proteus 0.2%, erysipelas septicemia 0.1%, klebsiellosis 0.1%, listeriosis 0.1%, neisseriosis 0.08%, coligranulomatosis 0.05% and hemophilosis 0.02%. According to the results of bacteriological research of poultry for such diseases as yersiniosis, campylobacteriosis and mycoplasmosis – no positive test was found for the entire analyzed period. According to the results of ecological and geographical analysis, the heterogeneity of the nosological profile of bacterial diseases of poultry in different regions of Ukraine was established
A review of species of the genus Mocyta (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) in Ukraine
Get PDFA review of the genus Mocyta Mulsant & Rey, 1874, which is represented in Ukraine; a description of the main morphological features and diagnostic features is made, data on ecological features, seasonal activity of adults, the distribution of representatives of the genus in Ukraine and the world and the keys to identify the species are presented. The information on the distribution of species of the genus Mocyta in the territory of Ukraine has been clarified and significantly supplemented by new findings. The results can be used to address a number of theoretical issues of faunistics, zoogeography, and ecology, as well as in compiling the inventory of the fauna of the Ukrainian Carpathians, for comparative faunal research, in the analysis of species distribution, in biogeographic constructions, studies of faunogenesis, ecological monitoring and prediction of consequences of the influence of human activities on natural ecosystems of the region. The genus Mocyta is a widespread genus, which in terms of the combination of morphological and biological features belongs to the tribe Athetini Casey, 1910 of the subfamily Aleocharinae Fleming, 1821 of the family Staphylinidae Latreille, 1802. There are 26 known species in the fauna of Palearctic, 5 of which (Mocyta clientula, M. fungi fungi, M. fussi, M. orbata, M. orphana) are represented in the fauna of Ukraine. However, it is likely that there are two more species (M. amplicollis and M. negligens), identified for the surrounding areas, for which characteristics and comparative diagnoses have also been provided. This paper is a continuation of the initiated series of reviews of genera and species of the tribe Athetini of the fauna of Ukraine. Taking into account the wide geographical distribution and significant individual variability in size, colour and shape of the spermatheca of representatives of the genus, the identification of the latter presents some significant difficulties
Influence of ecological farming on the community structure of epigeic arthropods in crops Triticum aestivum and T. spelta
Get PDFSoil is an irreplaceable natural resource that enables the production of food and raw materials, forms agricultural and forest landscapes, filters and maintains water, ensures the cycle of substances in the ecosystem and contributes to maintaining biodiversity. Agricultural intensification is one of the most important factors for biodiversity loss. Spatial dispersion of epigeic arthropods reflects the ecological status of habitats and points to its quality. The aim of our research was to point out the differences in epigeic arthropod diversity in the examined crops Triticum aestivum, T. spelta and the influence of their ecotones on epigeic arthropods. Between the years 2019 to 2021 an investigation using the pitfall trap method recorded 5,232 individuals belonging to 13 taxonomic groups. The crop T. aestivum was represented by 2493 individuals and 13 taxa while in T. spelta we recorded 2739 individuals and 11 taxa. We observed significantly more taxa in the crop T. aestivum than in the crop T. spelta. We also confirmed the ecotone rule only for the T. aestivum crop. We confirmed the significant influence of crops and environmental variables (pH, potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen) on the spatial dispersion of individuals around pitfall traps. On the basis of our results, both ecological farming and their ecotone systems are important for epigeic arthropods and with topical and trophic conditions, which is important for the production of biomass and also affects crop. In any anthropogenic activity, it is important to give priority to less invasive procedures with non-toxic effects on organisms and to use effective technologies in land management
Impact of hydrotechnical construction on aquatic ecosystems of the Kiliia branch of the Danube Delta
Get PDFResumption of shipping in the Bystryi branch in the Ukrainian part of the Danube Delta, one of the largest aquatic-wetland areas of Europe and the world, has made it necessary to control the anthropogenic impact on the neighboring water areas of the Danube Biosphere Reserve. The objective of the study was comparing the compositions and structure of phytoplankton, microphytobenthos, macrophytes, benthic invertebrates and ichthyofauna of the mouth area of the Bystryi branch with such communities of the mouths of the branches Vostochnyi, Tsyhanka and Starostambulskyi, which are situated in the protected zone and characterized by limited anthropogenic activity. We also determined the correspondence of the descriptors of biotic groups to the categories of the ecological status according to the Water Framework Directive of the EU. The studies were performed in the autumn and summer periods in 2020–2021. We recorded 367 species of animals and plants, the richest biodiversity was seen for the biota of the Bystryi branch – 250 species, and 180–231 species of hydrobionts were found in the undisturbed mouths. We determined 25.3% of shared species for the water areas, and therefore high values of similarity of the species compositions according to Bray-Curtis (47.5% to 81.5%). We determined no significant differences between the groups of the mouths of the examined branches according to most indicators of taxonomic and ecological structure. As the descriptors of ecological status, we chose assemblage indices of phytoplankton and microphytobenthos, which are based on ratios of biomass of functional groups of algae, and also the Macrophyte Biological Index for Rivers, saprobic index of Zelinka & Marvan and Biological Monitoring Working Party Index of Benthic Invertebrates and Representation of Species of Ichthyfauna according to vulnerability to actions of environmental factors. We determined that the range of descriptors of phytoplankton and microphytobenthos corresponded to the “high” ecological status category, such of macrophytes and benthic invertebrates to “good”, and such of ichthyofauna varied “high” to “good”. In general, all the mouth areas were characterized by “good” ecological status. Similarities of the species composition and the structure of biotic communities of the mouths of the studied branches of the delta indicate the absence of negative impact of the deepwater shipping on adjacent ecosystems, which may be related to the peculiarities of reactions of groups in the water areas with natural stress, as well as local impact of the hydrotechnical construction
Influence of cobalt chloride and ferric citrate on purple non-sulfur bacteria Rhodopseudomonas yavorovii
Get PDFHeavy metals that enter the environment due to natural processes or industrial activities, when accumulated, have a negative impact on organisms, including microorganisms. Microorganisms have developed various adaptations to heavy metal compounds. The aim of our work was to investigate the influence of ferric citrate and cobalt (II) chloride on biomass accumulation, indicators of free radical damage and activity of enzymes of the antioxidant defense system of bacteria Rhodopseudomonas yavorovii IMV B-7620, that were isolated from the water of Yavorivske Lake (Ukraine, Lviv region), which was formed as a result of flooding of a sulfur quarry. We used cultural, photometric methods, and statistical processing of the results was performed using two-way ANOVA and factor analysis. It was found that ferric citrate at a concentration of 1–12 mM causes inhibition of the accumulation of biomass of bacteria Rh. yavorovii IMV B-7620 up to 44.7%, and cobalt (II) chloride at a concentration of 1–15 mM – up to 70.4%, compared with the control. The studied concentrations of ferric citrate and cobalt (II) chloride cause free radical damage to lipids and proteins of Rh. yavorovii IMV B-7620. As a result of two-way ANOVA we found that under the influence of ferric citrate statistically significant changes in biomass accumulation, lipid hydroperoxides and thiobarbiturate reactive species content, superoxide dismutase activity were predetermined by increasing the concentration of metal salts as well as increasing the duration of cultivation of bacteria, while the content of diene conjugates and catalase activity changed with increasing duration of cultivation. Under the influence of cobalt (II) chloride, statistically significant changes in all studied indicators were found both due to the increase in the concentration of metal salts and with increasing duration of bacterial cultivation. The studied parameters of Rh. yavorovii IMV B-7620 cells under the influence of ferric citrate and cobalt (II) chloride are combined into two factors, that explain 95.4% and 99.2% of the total data variance, respectively. Under the influence of ferric citrate, the first latent factor included diene conjugates, thiobarbiturate reactive species, carbonyl groups in proteins, which are closely linked by a direct bond and inversely related to the content of lipid hydroperoxides and catalase activity. The second latent factor included duration of cultivation of bacteria, biomass accumulation, and superoxide dismutase activity, which are inversely related to lipid hydroperoxide content and catalase activity. Under the influence of cobalt (II) chloride, the first latent factor included the content of lipid hydroperoxides, carbonyl groups in proteins, as well as catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, which are inversely related to bacterial biomass
Evaluation of grain yield performance and its stability in various spring barley accessions under condition of different agroclimatic zones of Ukraine
Get PDFTwo extremely urgent problems of biological and agronomic research nowadays are ensuring an optimal balance between usage of natural resources to meet rapidly growing needs for food production and preservation of biodiversity. It is also important to extend the genetic diversity of the main crop varieties in agroecosystems. At the same time, modern varieties should be characterized by a combination of high yield and preserving yield stability under variable conditions. Solving the outlined tasks requires comprehensive research and involvement in breeding process of the genetical diversity concentrated in genebanks of the world. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the most important crops that satisfy the various needs of humanity. In respect to this, in 2020–2022, a multi-environment trial was conducted in three agroclimatic zones of Ukraine (Forest-Steppe, Polissia, and Northern Steppe). We studied 44 spring barley collection accessions of different ecological and geographical origin, different subspecies and groups of botanical varieties which were obtained from the National Center for Plant Genetic Resources of Ukraine. Statistical indices (Hom, Sc) and graphical models (GGE biplot, AMMI) were used to interpret the yield performance and its stability. Both individual ecological sites in different years and combinations of different sites and years of trials were characterized for productivity, discriminating power and representativeness. The environments differed quite strongly among themselves in terms of these indicators. It was established that most of the genotypes were characterized by higher adaptability to individual environmental conditions (stability in different years), compared to adaptability for all agroclimatic zones (wide adaptation). A strong cross-over genotype by environment interaction was found for most studied accessions. Nevertheless, both genotypes with very high stability in only one agroclimatic zone (Amil (UKR), Gateway (CAN)) and genotypes with a combination of high adaptability to one or two ecological niches and relatively higher wide adaptability (Stymul (UKR), Ly-1064 (UKR), Rannij (KAZ), Shedevr (UKR), and Arthur (CZE)) were identified. There were also the accessions which did not show maximum performance in the individual sites, but had relatively higher wide adaptability (Ly-1059 (UKR), Ly-1120 (UKR), Diantus (UKR), and Danielle (CZE)). In general, the naked barley genotypes were inferior to the covered ones in terms of yield potential and wide adaptability, but at the same time, some of them (CDC ExPlus (CAN), CDC Gainer (CAN), and Roseland (CAN)), accordingly to the statistical indicators, had increased stability in certain ecological sites. Among naked barley accessions relatively better wide adaptability according to the graphical analysis was found in the accession CDC McGwire (CAN), and by the statistical parameters CDC ExPlus (CAN) was better than standard. The peculiarities of yield manifestation and its variability in different spring barley genotypes in the multi-environment trial revealed in this study will contribute to the complementation and deepening of existing data in terms of the genotype by environment interaction. Our results can be used in further studies for developing spring barley variety models both with specific and wide adaptation under conditions of different agroclimatic zones of Ukraine. The disitnguished accessions of different origin and botanical affiliation are recommended for creating a new breeding material with the aim of simultaneously increasing yield potential and stability, as well as widening the genetic basis of spring barley varieties
The effect of polystyrene foam in different doses on the blood parameters and relative mass of internal organs of white mice
Get PDFDue to their durability, versatility and economy, plastic products are widely used in all spheres of human life. Despite the inertness of polymers, recent studies show the ability of microplastic to overcome natural tissue barriers, accumulate in the animal’s body, affect metabolism and change the intestinal microbiota, negatively affecting it. In a 42-day experiment, changes in the internal organs’ relative mass, blood biochemical and morphological parameters of white mice were established under the influence of different doses of polystyrene foam in their diet. Four groups of white mice consumed crushed polystyrene foam particles (10%, 1% and 0.1% by weight of the feed, control group without the addition of polystyrene foam). At the end of the experiment, the morphofunctional state of the internal organs was determined by the organ mass index and blood biochemical parameters. Adding crushed polystyrene foam to the feed in an amount of 1% causes a significant decrease in the mass index of the heart and stomach, 10% – only the heart, and 0.1% – does not affect this indicator. Polystyrene foam had a significant effect on blood biochemical parameters, regardless of the dose, causing an increase in the activity of aspartate aminotransferase against the background of a decrease in the activity of alkaline phosphatase. The content of total bilirubin, urea, urea nitrogen and cholesterol decreased, and the concentration of creatinine and total protein increased (due to the albumin fraction). The use of crushed polystyrene foam in mice did not cause significant changes in the blood morphological composition, except for a dose-dependent increase in the number of monocytes. In the future, it is planned to determine histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical changes in the organs of laboratory animals under the influence of plastic in a laboratory experiment
The biology of Simulium erythrocephalum and S. chelevini (Diptera, Simuliidae): Morpho-logical, ecological and molecular data
Get PDFThe subgenus Boophthora is a typical Palearctic taxon, which includes only 6 species, among them. Simulium erythrocephalum has a transpalearctic distribution. In Europe, Adler notes only the species S. erythrocephalum, and Yankovsky – two species S. (Boophthora) erythrocephalum and S. (Boophthora) chelevini. According to morphological characteristics, these species differ in their life stages. We have studied the development of S. erythrocephalum and S. chelevini from three rivers of Volyn region, Ukraine (Styr, Chornoguzka, Putylivka) from 2017 to 2019. We used the EPPO PM7 / 129 standard. Collected samples, 615-bp fragments of the COI gene were sequenced from five individuals of S. erythrocephalum and five individuals of S. chelevini and compared with four samples of S. erythrocephalum from the GenBank. We obtained the nucleotide sequence of S. chelevini. All of the S. erythrocephalum samples from Ukraine had 692 bases, the S. erythrocephalum samples from Armenia had 673 bases. S. erythrocephalum and S. chelevini did not have any intraspecific variations. These intraspecific variations were not larger than the interspecific variations. It has been proved that the populations of S. erythrocephalum and S. chelevini from medium and small rivers of Volyn do not differ in biological, behavioural and genetic characteristics. Comparison of S. erythrocephalum and S. chelevini life stages showed clear differences in 20 morphological features, which are probably manifestations of phenotypic variability. Comparison of species with data from the GenBank from Spain and Armenia on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene confirmed the opinion that S. erythrocephalum and S. chelevini are one species. On the phylogenetic tree, the data are not grouped, there is no clear separation of the clades. Bootstrap values are 95–100%, which may indicate a significant similarity of all studied samples and the lack of isolation of individual morphotypes from Volyn, Spain and Armenia. To finally confirm the taxonomic position of these two species, additional research is needed covering more individuals from different parts of Europe and analysis of more genes