Biosystems Diversity (E-Journal - Dnipro National University)
Not a member yet
1129 research outputs found
Sort by
Accumulation of a multi-component mixture of pesticides in soil, plants, bee organisms, and beekeeping products
Get PDFEnvironmental pollution worldwide is systemic in nature and is associated with the use of pesticides from various groups as plant protection products. Agricultural pesticides accidentally affect beneficial, non-target insects, particularly the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.), which leads to mass poisoning and contamination of beekeeping products with toxic compounds. The aim of the research was to determine the accumulation of pesticides from different groups in soil, plants, dead bees, and beekeeping products in apiaries in various regions of Ukraine during the mass deaths of bee colonies in 2021–2022. Pesticide content in biological samples was determined using liquid mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and gas mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The main pesticides that contaminate the soil, plants, and beekeeping products, causing the death of bee colonies, are insecticides and fungicides in various combinations. In isolated cases, bee colony deaths were registered from a single insecticide. More often, two or more pesticides were found in the soil, plants, dead bees, and beekeeping products. The total list of detected pesticides in soils, grain, plant biomass, bees, brood, bee bread, and honey included 23 compounds. The maximum number of pesticides forming a cocktail in biological samples included 5 substances. Most frequently, pesticide combinations that contaminated the soil and plants and caused bee deaths included insecticides from the pyrethroid group: lambda-cyhalothrin and cypermethrin, and from the neonicotinoid group: clothianidin and imidacloprid, as well as fungicides from the triazole group: tebuconazole, cyproconazole, and strobilurins: azoxystrobin in various concentrations. The cause of bee poisoning was the contamination of the inflorescences of non-target crops, such as maple and meadow grasses, as well as wind-pollinated and self-pollinated crops, including wheat, peas, soybeans, and potatoes, located within the flight radius of bees. Among entomophilous plants, rapeseed and sunflower were the main crops, the pesticide treatment of which contributed to soil contamination, plant biomass, and bee poisoning during honey collection. It was found that the concentration of certain pesticides in dead bees reached, and in some cases exceeded, the acute oral toxic dose LD50 by tens of times. The results of the research could form the basis for determining the cumulative toxicity of combinations of different pesticides for beneficial insects and for developing biological plant protection products
The effect of spices, essential oils and extracts on the locomotor activity of Porcellio laevis (Isopoda, Porcellionidae)
Get PDFPorcellio laevis Latreille, 1804 plays a significant role in soil formation processes, in particular in the decomposition of organic residues. It is also an important component of food chains. At the same time, when present in excessive numbers, woodlice can act as secondary pests, particularly in the storage of plant products. This study examines the effects of 20 natural aromatic plant materials – spices, essential oils, and plant extracts – on the locomotor activity of P. laevis. The movement of the individuals was analyzed over a 3-min period using a T-shaped experimental chamber. Most of the tested materials significantly reduced the isopod motility compared with the control conditions. Notably, nutmeg, coffee, and basil demonstrated both attractant and deterrent effects, while allspice, clove, essential oils of Mentha piperita and Melaleuca alternifolia, and extract of Petroselinum crispum acted as repellents. These findings highlight the potential of natural aromatic compounds as environmentally friendly means to regulate isopod populations without the use of toxic insecticides
Morphological and molecular identification of Nematodirus species (Nematoda, Molineidae) from domestic ruminants in Uzbekistan
Get PDFThe species composition and distribution of the genus Nematodirus ha ve not been studied in Uzbekistan for a long time , even though nematodes are widespread in the digestive tract of domestic and wild ruminants and are one of the main components of the Molineidae fauna . The article presents the results of a study on the morphometric and molecular analysis of the genus Nematodirus Ransom, 1907 , nematode s of the digestive system of ruminant ungulates living in the territory of Uzbeki s tan. In the study, the species of Nematodirus identified from domestic sheep and goats can mainly be distinguished by the shape of the male spicules and the structure of the bursa. Nematodirus abnormalis can be distinguished from other species because the tip of the spicule is slightly curved and covered with an asymmetrical lanceolate membrane, N. oiratianus has a fused tip and a thin tube-like shape, and N. spathiger has a slightly curved distal tip of the spicule. Furthermore, based on the nucleotide sequence results of the rDNA ITS-2 region, the N. abnormalis samples studied were found to match Nematodirus sp. in the GenBank database, while the N. oiratianus and N. spathiger samples were 98 – 99% similar to the respective species. Phylogenetic analysis using ITS-2 nucleotide sequences revealed that N. oiratianus and N. abnormalis are closely related and sister species and N. spathiger and N. helvetianus are also phylogenetically close. The species N. abnormalis w as deposited for the first time in the GenBank database
Helminths of reptiles from Southern Uzbekistan
Get PDFIn the present study, the results of research on endoparasites of reptiles in S outhern Uzbekistan are di s cussed. As a result of the investigations, 37 species of helminths belonging to 3 phyla, 4 classes, 8 orders, 17 families, and 27 genera were recorded in the reptiles. Among them, 26 species were found in the adult stage, while 10 species occurred in the larval stage. The nematode of the genus Pseudabbreviata sp. could not be identified to the species level. Out of 366 examined reptile specimens, 86 individuals (23.5%) were found to be infected with helminths. It was revealed that the class Trematoda was represented by 5 species (13.5%), Cestoda by 6 species (16.2%), Acanthocephala by 1 species (2.7%), and Nematoda by 25 species (67.6%). The number of helminth species in different reptile hosts ranged 1 to 11, with the highest species diversity recorded in the dice snake ( Natrix tessellata ). The occurrence of helminths varied among different reptile suborders. In the representatives of the suborder Cryptodira, 2 nematode species ( Atractis dactyluris and Atractis emilii ) were recorded, which are considered specific parasites of tortoises. In the suborder Lacertilia, 24 helminth species were found, 75.0% of which belonged to the class Nematoda. In the suborder Serpentes, 16 helminth species were identified, of which 50% were nematodes. The species Telorchis assula , Macrod e ra longicollis , Oochoristica fedtschenoi , Rhabdias fuscovenosus , Strongyloides mirzai , Polydelphis attenu a ta , Amplicaecum schikhobalovi , and Pharyngodon mamillatus were recorded as specific parasites of snakes. Based on the life cycle characteristics, it was determined that out of the 37 helminth species recorded, 24 species (64.8%) we re heteroxenous, while 13 species (35.1%) we re monoxenous. These findings expand the knowledge of reptilian helminth biodiversity in Uzbekistan and highlight their importance in epizootology and parasite transmission
Trophic relationships of birds in forest plantings of the Azov region (Ukraine)
Get PDFThe elements of the trophic structure of birds in the Ukrainian Azov region include: availability of food resource s in hab i tats, feeding behavior and foraging methods, and specialization or euryphagous feeding patterns of certain species. Green plants form the basis of trophic relationships, but feeding schemes are much more complex and include animal organisms as well . The trophic relationships of birds in shelterbelts were conducted research during 2019 – 2021 . Adjacent biocenoses, pr i marily agricultural lands, also serve as feeding sites. We analyzed trophic relationships within the framework of research on consortional relationships between birds and dominant tree sp ecies in shelterbelts: Robinia pseudoacacia , Elaeagnus argentea , and Fraxinus excelsior . During the study period, 1–4 bird species fed on Elaeagnus argen tea on diff erent days of the breeding period, and the correlation between the number of bird species and the number of trees on which birds fed was very weak. On Robinia pseudoacacia trees, 1–6 species fed, but this relationship also proved to be very weak. A significant correlation was found for Fraxinus excelsior ; however, the functioning of this trophic consortium was sustained by an average of only 1.8 0 ± 0.33 (1–4) bird species. In the shelterbelts of the study region, 62 breeding species were identified and classified by dominant food sources into the following groups: entomophages – 25 species – birds whose food resources consisted of insects and arachnids; phytophages – 15 species – birds feeding on seeds, grain, fruits, and green plant organs; myophages – 9 species – birds feeding on mouse-like rodents and small mammals; pantophages – 8 species – birds feeding on various foods; and ic h thyophages – 5 species – feeding on fish and small aquatic animals. According to foraging methods, the following categories of birds were identified: birds that perch on tree trunks, mov e along them, and extract insects and their larvae from under tree bark; birds feeding on insects and fruits on thin branches or leaves; predatory birds that capture small birds and insects on branches; birds that collect food primarily on the foliage of trees and shrubs; birds that peck food (insects, seeds) from the ground and search for it in the litter; predatory birds that catch their prey on the ground; species that find food (insects, seeds, grain) in open landscapes (agricultural lands, steppe, meadows, clearings, etc.); and birds that capture food in flight. In our research, we identified a trend of increase or decrease of certain bird groups in shelterbelts of different age. Thus, the number of entomophages in creased from 20.0% (of the total number of breeding species in the studied shelterbelts) in young shelterbelts to 53.1% in old shelterbelts; the number of phytophages decreased with shelterbelt age (from 53.3% to 18.8%); and the my o phage assemblage gradually increased depending on shelterbelt age (from 14.5% to 20.9%). Given the complexity of bioceno t ic relationships, we consider promising areas of research to include studying the relationship between the feeding patterns of avian populations in shelterbelts and a complex of factors: proximity to water bodies, shelterbelt structure, maturity and stabil i ty of plant ing s, and plant cover diversity. Also, in the context of trophic activity of birds, the phenomenon of zoochory is e x tremely interesting – the transport of plant propagules by animals, particularly birds, in various ways. By consuming plant seeds and fruits, birds leave undigested food remains in various locations, where over time we observed the emergence of vegetation patches
New record of Sumatran barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) as an introduced species in Lake Toba, Indonesia: Invasiveness risk
Get PDFLake Toba is an important habitat for native Indonesian fish species, but in recent years it has experienced pressure due to invasive introduced fish species. Introduced fish species that have been identified include Amphilophus labiatus, Aplocheilus panchax, Cyprinus carpio, Mystacoleucus marginatus, M. padangensis, Oreochromis mossambicus, O. niloticus, and Parambassis siamensis, while a newly recorded species has been discovered, namely Puntigrus tetrazona. Therefore, data are needed regarding the distribution, density, growth pattern, and risk of invasiveness of this species in Lake Toba as a basis for future management. This research uses an exploratory method. The frequency index value of P. tetrazona reached 70%, where absences were found in three locations, namely Ajibata, Silalahi, and Tongging. Population density values show that P. tetrazona has average value reaching 0.08 ind./m2, where the highest density was found in Muara reaching 0.39 ind./m2. The results of the Fish Invasiveness Screening Test (FIST) analysis showed that P. tetrazona was within the moderate risk category for the biodiversity of Lake Toba with frequency distribution (FD) values reaching 50%. The results of the length-weight relationship analysis of P. tetrazona showed a value of 3.027 (isometric growth pattern). The relative weight (Wr) condition factor showed a value of 102.96, which indicates a stable condition. The growth pattern values indicate that Lake Toba is a suitable habitat for P. tetrazona. Available food sources and a low level of competition are beneficial for P. tetrazona in this new habitat. The moderate risk posed by P. tetrazona to biodiversity in Lake Toba could possibly turn into a high risk if the P. tetrazona population is not controlled. Moreover, if the species that are natural enemies of this fish do not yet exist in Lake Toba, then in the next few years the population of P. tetrazona could experience an explosion. This will add pressure and threats to the survival of native fish species in Lake Toba, namely the Neolissochilus and Tor groups. The results of this research are useful for managing the population of P. tetrazona as a newly recorded species in Lake Toba, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Morphological characteristics of Dermanyssus gallinae (Mesostigmata, Dermanyssidae)
Get PDFThe red mite Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778), a dangerous parasite of poultry which causes significant economic losses to poultry farming, is widespread, including in economically developed countries. These mites are transient blood-sucking parasites that can attack not only birds and other mammals, but also humans, causing itching and dermatitis. A deeper understanding of the morphology and identification of D. gallinae will allow us to avoid complications in their differentiation from similar dermanyssid parasites, which may share the host species and environment. The aim of the research was to describe the morphological features and metric parameters of gamasid mites of the species D. gallinae, isolated from chickens in Ukraine. Morphometric studies have identified 30 parameters in male and 40 indicators in female mites, which characterize the general structure of the body, species-specific morphological features, as well as characters of sexual dimorphism. In male and female mites, the structure and dimensions of the body, gnathosoma, idiosoma, tagmas, dorsal shield, specific arrangement of dorsal setae, length of adanal and postanal setae, as well as the distance between sternal setae st1–st1, st2–st2, st3–st3, st1–st2, st1–st3, metasternal setae mst–mst, ventral setae vl1–vl1, adanal setae ad–ad are described. A characteristic feature of females of D. gallinae is the presence of a stylet-like second cheliceral article, while in males there are no cheliceral articles of a stylet-like shape. In males, the dimensions of the sternogenital and ventroanal shields are additionally described and determined. In females, the dimensions of the sternal, genitoventral and anal shields, the genitoventral valve, the length of the setae st1, st2, st3, mst, and the distance between the setae st1–mst were additionally described and determined. For the first time, the dimensions of females with a formed egg in their body cavity were described and compared with the dimensions of female mites without eggs. The data obtained in this study expands existing data on the morphometric characteristics of male and female D. gallinae
Feeding ecology of Tropidophoxinellus callensis (Cyprinidae) in Algeria
Get PDFUnderstanding species diet is crucial for comprehending ecosystem functions and trophic dynamics within food webs. The Maghreb b leak Tropidophoxinellus callensis (Guichenot, 1850 ) ( Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae) is an endemic fish species with populations isolated in Algeria and Tunisia. Unlike other species within the genus, ecological studies on the Maghreb b leak, particularly regarding its diet, are lacking. This study analyzed the diet composition of the Maghreb bleak over an annual cycle in northeastern Algeria. Diet analysis was conducted by examining the contents of 212 digestive tracts collected during seasonal sampling from February to September 2023. The diversity of the Maghreb bleak 's diet was assessed based on the presence and abundance of each prey, differentiating between terrestrial and aquatic prey. Additionally, Costello’s graphical method was utilized to evaluate potential prey and feeding strategies. Results indicate that insects (relative abundance = 86.1%) were more prevalent in the diet compared to plant material (relative abundance = 7.1%). The diet composition was more diverse in summer (Shannon-Weaver index H' = 4.43) and less diverse in spring (Shannon-Weaver index H' = 1.04). The Maghreb bleak exhibits a diverse diet with an omnivorous feeding strategy. The main prey and their abundance varied seasonally, with a consistent preference for dipteran larvae, namely, Chironomus sp. and Simuliidae sp. and plant material of Alnus glutinosa as predominant prey items throughout the year. The species also demonstrated opportunistic feeding behavior when these primary prey types were less abundant. These findings provide significant insights into the feeding ecology of th e Maghreb bleak , with implications for understanding its role in the ecosystem and infor m ing conservation efforts
Nematodes fauna of the genus Nematodirus (Nematoda) in domestic and semi-free-ranging ruminants of Central Uzbekistan
Get PDFSome features of the nematode fauna of the genus Nematodirus Ransom, 1907 in domestic (sheep , goats, cattle) and semi-wild (goitered gazelle) ruminants of the Bukhara Region in Central Uzbekistan were studied. The aim of the research was to conduct a comparative analysis of the species composition and distribution of nematodes of the genus Nematodirus among di f ferent groups of ruminants in the region. A total of 53 sheep, 15 goats, and 14 cattle were examin ed. The material was processed using coprological methods and complete helminthological dissection, which enabled the detection and identification of nem a todes from different sites of localization. Nine species of the genus Nematodirus were identified in the examined animals: N. abnormalis , N. helvetianus , N. oiratianus , N. gazellae , N. schulzi , N. dromedarii , N. mauritanicus , N. spathiger , and N. sugatini . Among these, 7 species were found in sheep, 4 in goats, and 2 in goitered gazelles ( N. battus and Nematodirus sp.). N. battus was recorded for the first time in the nematode fauna of Central Asia. The identification of larvae belonging to N. battus was confirmed both morphologically and by molecular-genetic analysis. The i nfection rates of animals with individual species under natural conditions varied widely, ranging from 3% to 46.5%. For the first time, N. filicollis and N. sugatini were recorded in the steppe zones of Uzbekistan in sheep. The complex of Nematodirus species found in ruminants of the studied region undou b tedly affects the productivity of sheep and goats, necessitating systematic monitoring
The precipitation levels during the warmest quarter are the primary factor influencing the spatial distribution of Opatrum sabulosum
Get PDFThe present investigation aims to analyse the influence of bioclimatic predictors on the geographical distribution of the species Opatrum sabulosum (Linnaeus, 1761) and to predict changes in its range in the context of global warming. Opatrum sabulosum, a species belonging to the Tenebrionidae family, exhibits a high degree of plasticity in its environmental requirements, yet remains susceptible to the impacts of climate change. The maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt) was employed to model the ecological niche, with the species distribution data from the GBIF database and key bioclimatic variables such as temperature, precipitation, and their seasonality being utilised. Forecasts were made for the present and up to 2080 under four climate change scenarios: SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5. The results indicate that the key factors affecting the distribution of O. sabulosum are the minimum temperature of the coldest month, the average temperature of the coldest quarter, and the amount of precipitation in the warmest and wettest quarters. The analysis indicates that, under current conditions, the most favourable habitats for the species are located in Western Europe, southern Britain, Scandinavia and the northern Black Sea region. In the context of a moderate warming scenario (SSP1-2.6), the species' range is projected to expand in an eastward and northeasterly direction, driven by rising average temperatures and an enhanced water balance. Conversely, under extreme scenarios (SSP3-7.0, SSP5-8.5), a decline in habitat quality in the southeastern part of the species' range is projected due to elevated temperatures, reduced humidity, and instability in climatic parameters. The practical significance of these results lies in the possibility of using these data to develop adaptation strategies for biodiversity conservation and effective management of natural resources. Forecasts of the distribution of O. sabulosum can serve as a basis for assessing the risks of ecosystem changes and creating new protected areas. Information regarding the species' sensitivity to climate change is also important for the sustainable development of agroecosystems, in which this species plays a role in maintaining soil fertility. The findings of this study are directly pertinent to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations in 2015. Specifically, the study contributes to the implementation of SDG 13 'Combat climate change' by providing a more nuanced understanding of the effects of climate change and the adaptation of ecosystems to new conditions. The findings are also pertinent to SDG 15, 'Conserve terrestrial ecosystems', as predicting species distribution helps to conserve biodiversity and restore degraded ecosystems. The integration of these findings into environmental management practices is expected to contribute to ensuring environmental sustainability, efficient use of natural resources, and the creation of a harmonious environment for future generations. Prospects for further research include long-term monitoring of O. sabulosum populations, integration of genetic data to assess the species' adaptive potential, and expanding the analysis to include anthropogenic factors such as land use change, urbanisation and agricultural activities. This will allow more accurate forecasting of ecosystem changes in the future