Biosystems Diversity (E-Journal - Dnipro National University)
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Spatiotemporal dynamics of endemic macroinvertebrates in the Martil Basin (Morocco): Responses to hydroclimatic variability and anthropogenic disturbances
Get PDFThis study investigates the responses of endemic macroinvertebrate species in the Martil River Basin (Morocco) to physic o chemical (T, pH, Cond and DO), land use, biotic indices (IBMWP, IHF and QBR), and hydro-morphological factors. Sampling was conducted over four seasons (2017) at 19 stations, revealing 1,768 individuals belonging to 32 endemic species. Hydro p syche iberomaroccana was the most abundant species, while Choroterpes volubilis was the most widespread. Biogeographical analysis highlighted a high proportion of Ibero-Maghrebian endemics. Multivariate analyses revealed significant biotypological differences among stream types, with sensitive endemic species predominantly found in highland / midland permanent stations, positively correlated with dissolved oxygen, altitude, and biotic indices. In contrast, lentic, thermophilic, and eurytopic species were more common in downstream areas, exposed to agricultural, industrial, and urban activities, and associated with higher temperatures and pollution levels. Seasonal and spatial variability in taxonomic composition was strongly influenced by hydr o logical intermittency and human pressures, with endemic species diversity and abundance peaking in spring. Despite their ec o logical importance, with the exception of Odonata, none of the species from other orders are currently listed on the IUCN Red List or in Annex IV of Moroccan Law 29-05 concerning the protection of wild flora and fauna species and the control of their trade. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted conservation strategies to address threats from climate change, habitat degradation, and anthropogenic activities
Copper for crop nutrition
Get PDFCopper (Cu) is a transition redox-active metal, one of eight essential trace elements and one of 17 essential elements required by humans, animals, and plants in limited ranges of low concentrations. Copper exists in two oxidation states, Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺. This property makes copper a key structural component and catalytic cofactor in many metalloproteins. These include enzymes involved in photosynthesis, respiration, stress protection, and lignin metabolism. Plant genomes contain an average of more than 70 copper enzyme genes, indicating its broad importance. Therefore, copper research is important for establishing the scientific basis for nutrition systems with high levels of resource efficiency. In classical plant physiology, redox homeostasis was considered primarily protective; however, recent results show that Cu pools are essential for growth and development, as well as for numerous interactions between plants and their environment. The components of redox homeostasis are also factors in the formation of high levels of nitrogen use efficiency and carbon accumulation during vegetation, as well as in the formation of increased levels of plant adaptation to extreme environmental conditions. Copper is an important regulator of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). It improves nitrogen uptake and efficient consumption, which is key to reducing nitrogen losses in the env i ronment and increasing crop profitability. This is of paramount importance for the development of crop cultivation technologies in resource-poor environments. An important component of copper's biological activity is its ability to increase plant resistance to disease pathogens. Copper deficiency systematically inhibits NUE, causing growth retardation, decreased enzyme activity, and chlorosis, leading to susceptibility to pests and diseases, impaired root system development, and reduced crop yield and quality. Thus, copper plays a very important role in achieving high levels of nitrogen use efficiency in cereal crops. Cu is also needed in legume crops (soybeans, peas, chickpeas). Unlike other micronutrients, copper is essential for the productivity of cultivated plants throughout the country. With the formation of optimal pools of available copper, the productivity of winter wheat reached 11.0 – 14.4 t/ha, and triticale – 16.6 t/ha in 2021 – 2024 in Kyiv region under moderate nitrogen nutrition
Molecular genetic characterization and phylogenetic placement of Teratoscincus rustamovi (Squamata, Sphaerodactylidae)
Get PDFThis study examines the molecular-genetic and phylogenetic status of Teratoscincus rustamovi , a gecko species endemic to the sandy deserts of southwestern Uzbekistan. Formerly considered a subspecies of T. scincus , it has recently been recognized as a distinct species, yet molecular evidence has been limited. We analyzed mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences obtained from new samples and compared them with congeneric taxa using Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic reconstruction, pairwise genetic distances, and Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD). Results revealed that T. rustamovi forms a strongly supported monophyletic clade (100% bootstrap) and shows clear divergence (0.07–0.12) from T. keyserlingii , T. scincus , T. roborowskii , and T. przewalskii . Heatmap visualization and ABGD consistently confirmed its recognition as an independent molecular unit. Importantly, the sequence of T. rustamovi was submitted for the first time to international databases. These findings validate the taxonomic status of T. rustamovi as a separate evol u tionary lineage and highlight the role of mitochondrial markers in resolving reptile ph y logenetics. Given its restricted distribution and vulnerability to habitat change, the results also provide a molecular basis for conservation strategies in Central Asian desert ecosystems
Demutation of forests on fallow lands of Ukraine: The context of econiche replacement in successions
Get PDFNatural afforestation of former agricultural lands is an actual modern problem of forestry, ecology and phyto coenology in Ukraine. The European Commission adopted the European Green Deal with the general aim of making the European continent climate-neutral by 2050. Its main goals, among others, are the return of nature to agricultural lands and the restoration of forests. Manifestations of sylvatization have become widespread in Ukraine as a process of renaturalization of forest ecosystems on fallow lands, which in the past arose on the deforested sites. An analysis of scientific works that highlight the problem was conducted. The aim of the study was a systematic assessment of the process of replacing ecological niche with plant species in the process of demutation of self-seeded forests on fallow lands, as well as an assessment of the state, floristic composition and dynamics of the formation of self-seeded forest communities on fallow lands in the three natural and geographical regions of Ukraine (Ukrainian Polissya, Forest-Steppe and Steppe). During the field work, the main geobotanical research methods were applied: vegetation plot records, route reconnaissance, spatial-temporal dynamical ecological-phytocenotic series. During the cameral stage of research, data systematization and their analysis were performed. The results of the study of sylvatization show signif i cant variability in its causes and manifestations. Afforestation of former agricultural lands occurs depending on the type of land, the intensity of their previous cultivation, the richness and humidity of the soil, the type of forest phytocenoses and the proximity of fallows to the forest. The species composition of trees of self-afforested areas on fallow lands is determined by the species composition of forest stands of nearby forests and forest belts, their biological properties, and ecological conditions for seed germination. The herbage is characterized by a variety of species of different phytocenotic types with a predominance of synanthropic and meadow cenogroups; self-seeded forest communities are characterized by an unformed forest environment. Self-seeded forest areas on fallow lands are currently in an unstable sanitary state due to the lack of appropriate forestry measures. Modern self-afforested areas should be considered in future as formed forest communities with the adaptation of tree species to existing ecological conditions and with the gradual organiz a tion of vegetation and floristic complexes. Therefore, it will be necessary to organize research to identify their current ecological state, floristic and syntaxonomic diversity, to establish the patterns of forest environment formation and to develop scientific foundations for optimizing ecologically balanced forest use
Impact of climate change on populations and resources of Convallaria majalis
Get PDFThis study investigates the long-term effects of climate change on the populations and resource potential of Convallaria majalis L. in deciduous forest communities of Kyiv region, Ukraine. From 2005 to 2024, five monitoring plots located in oak-dominated phytocenoses were observed to assess changes in species composition, plant population parameters, and resource indicators due to increasing temperatures and decreasing precipitation. Over the study period, the structure of forest communities underwent notable transformations, including a decline in tree layer density – especially Pinus sylvestris , Robinia pseudoacacia , and Populus alba – and an increased dominance of shrub species such as Sambucus nigra , Euonymus europaeus , and Crataegus rhipidophylla . Simultaneously, a shift was observed in the herbaceous layer towards species with broader ecological amplitude and higher tolerance to environmental stressors. The analysis of C. majalis populations revealed a substantial reduction in projective cover, shoot density, and raw material stock density across all monitoring areas, with the most significant changes recorded after 2014. Although average plant height and shoot weight varied inconsistently across sites, sometimes increasing due to reduced competition, these parameters were also strongly influenced by meteorological conditions. Correlation analyses demo n strated a pronounced positive relationship between precipitation during the April–June growing season and plant height and biomass, while elevated temperatures, particularly from the previous year, exerted a stable negative influence on shoot density and resource availability. The results highlight the vulnerability of C. majalis to climate-induced hydrothermal stress and point to the cumulative effects of coenotic transformation, drought, and heat on its reproductive capacity and spatial structure. Continued climatic changes may lead to a reduction in the species’ distribution, fragmentation of its populations, and depletion of its natural resources. These findings underscore the urgent need for long-term ecological monitoring, adaptive conservation strategies, and sustainable management practices to preserve valuable medicinal plant populations under changing environmental conditions
Phylogenetic and biogeographic reconstruction of Lamiini sensu lato (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) reveals South Gondwanan origin and Panthalasso-Tethyan dispersal pathways
Get PDFIn this study I conduct the phylogenetic and biogeographical analysis of Lamiini sensu novo (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae), confirming it as a monophyletic group that is broader than previously assumed and supporting the redefinition of it as a unified tribe – Lamiini sensu novo. The group consist of eight major clades (TAENI, DORCA, ACALO, BATOC, PSACO, ANOLPL, MONOC, LAMIA) and integrates together several traditionally recognized tribes (Dorcaschematini, Batocerini, Petrognathini, Rhodopini, Monochamini, Dorcadionini, Phrissomini). Most of them, including Monochamini, Petrognathini, Dorcadionini, and Phrissomini are polyphyletic, representing multiple lineages with intricate evolutionary history. Phylogeographic analysis suggests a South Gondwanan origin of Lamiini s. l., with its ancestral lineage (LaCA) emerging in the Antarctica–South America suture zone before global expansion through three key migration routes: northeast Pantalassic, Trans-Tethyan, and southwest Pantalassic. Continental drift and climate oscillations influenced this process. Initial diversification (~70–60 Ma) led to vicariant taxa due to continental isolation, with basal clades (TAENI, DORCA, ACALO) distributed across South America, North America, and Australia. Extinction events, including the K–T boundary (~66 Ma) and Cenozoic glaciations, further shaped diversification. The rise of the BATOC and PSACO clades marked the early diversification of crown-group Lamiini s. l. within the island continent of Greater India and the multiple archipelagos of the Trans-Tethyan Arc (~60–50 Ma). The collision of Greater India with Asia (~50–45 Ma) facilitated faunal exchanges, aiding dispersal into Africa and Southeast Asia and driving ANOPL diversification (45–35 Ma). The ACALO clade underwent secondary diversification during the initial collision of Australia and Eurasia (~25–20 Ma), coinciding with the uplift of New Guinea in the Miocene. The LAMIA clade likely originated in East Asia (~25–20 Ma). During the Miocene Climatic Optimum, it expanded into Africa via the Gomphotherium Land Bridge (~16 Ma) and colonized Europe. Later cooling and aridification (~5–11 Ma) drove further diversification, particularly in Eurasian steppes. The MONOC clade also originated in East Asia, adapting to montane coniferous forests during the Miocene cooling. It spread across Eurasia during the Miocene glaciations (~20 Ma, ~14 Ma) and entered North America via Beringia. Expansion into Mesoamerica, northern South America, and the Caribbean likely occurred during the Pleistocene glaciations (~0.01–2 Ma) when climate and fluctuating sea levels enabled dispersal. In summary, the findings refine Lamiini s. l. phylogeny and highlight the impact of geological and climatic events on its evolution. This study clarifies taxonomic ambiguities and provides a framework for future research on diversification and biogeographic patterns
Peculiarities of the formation of phytocoenotic ranges of vegetatively propagated herbs and shrubs in forest plant groups of the Ukrainian Polissia
Get PDFForest ecosystems are characterized by a vast biological diversity, comprising millions of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, which interact and form complex food chains and interdependencies. Forest ecosystems contain several strata, from the litter vegetation and shrubs to the tree tops, each supporting an array of life forms and performing specific functions. The upper tier of forest provides the protection from the sun, thus controlling the microclimate at the lower levels, influencing the temperatire and soil humidity. Forests play a crucial role in the global biogeochemical cycles, such as carbon and water cycles. Trees consume carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere and produce oxygen through phosynthesis, mitigating the climate change. Water circulates through forest ecosystems, evaporates from the leaf surface, condenses in the clouds, and returns back to Earth as precipitation. Forest ecosystems continuously change subject to both natural and anthropogenic factors. Forests provide a variety of ecosystemic services, ranging from regulation of climate and preservation of soils to filtration of water and support of biodiversity. They also serve as living places for numerous vulnerable and endemic species, thus performing the role of natural reservoirs of genetic resources. Therefore, forest ecosystems are extremely ecologically valuable, and their preservation is crucial to a balanced functioning of the planet. Our studies were conducted in the forest ecosystems of the Desna-Stara Huta National Nature Park, located in the Ukrainian Polissia. The materials and methods of the study included systematic collection of data on the frequency of occurrence of vegetatively propagated herbs and shrubs in forest ecosystems of the Ukrainian Polissia. For the data analysis, we used statistical methods. In the studied group of plants, the largest phytocoenotic ranges, which included 7–9 types of phytocoenoses, were observed for Vaccinium myrtillus and Maianthemum bifolium. Narrow phytocoenotic ranges, which included only 3-4 phytocoenoses, were noted for Calluna vulgaris and Aegopodium podagraria. The narrowing of phytocoenotic ranges of the forest herbs and shrubs was found attributable to the populations spreading farther away from their hytocoenotic optima. As the stress factors increased, the species and populations underwent the following transformations: decline in the level of productive process, with decrease in the size of phytomass of individuals – diminution of plant size; their reproductive potential; reduced population density; changes in the age composition of populations, where the share of plants of older ages increased, while the share of pre-generative plants declined; changes in the vital structure of populations that reflected their diversity by vital condition, shifting from prospering to depressing. In total, those processes act as a limiting mechanism of expansion of the plants’ phytocoenotic ranges. The comparative analysis of the yielded results revealed that the species individuality of phytocoenotic ranges of forest herbaceous and shrub plants of the Ukrainian Polissia is characterized by two main parameters: the width of phytocoenotic range and the abundance distribution in the phytocoenoses within their phytocoenotic range
Effects of organic pollutants on the locomotor activity of Rossiulus kessleri (Diplopoda, Julida)
Get PDFRossiulus kessleri (Lochmander, 1927) is one of the commonest Diplopoda species in the moderate climate zone of Eurasia. This millipede is often subject to numerous industrial pollu-tants, but their effects on this species have not been studied so far. For laborat o ry studies, we made a 150 cm-long and 10 cm-wide experimental chamber, with marks every 10 cm. In the middle of the chamber, we placed 60 individuals that had an opportunity to move toward the source of odor or away from it. The behavior of the millipedes was recorded on video, and the direction in which each individual moved was observed for 5 minutes. In the experiments, we used 30 organic compounds: butyl acetate, diethyl oxalpropionate, butyl acrylate, diethyl ma-lonate, ortho-xylene, thymol, α-methylbenzylamine, carvacrol, hexane, pentane, biphenyl, cyclohexane, 2-methylfuran, 5-methylfurfural, furfuryl alcohol, 2-methyl butanoic acid, 3,7-dimethyl-6-octenoic acid, isovaleric acid, tert-butylacetic acid, propionic acid, 4-methyl-2-pentanol, 3-methyl-2-butanone, 2-pentanone, methyl acetoacetate, ethyl pyruvate, isobutyraldehyde, 2-ethoxyethanol, potassium sulfite, calcium sorbate, and sodium diacetate. These compounds are used in various industrial spheres, construction, agriculture, and food industry. With industrial waste, they are released into the environment and can potentially affect populations of R. kessleri . Of the 30 compounds, 23 had no significant effect on the locomotor activity of R. kessleri . The strongest repellent activity was exerted by isobutyraldehyde (the attractant coefficient measured 0.43 ± 0.40) and biphenyl (0.49 ± 0.11). A weak repellent effect on R. kessleri was displayed by th y mol (the attractant coefficient equaled 0.66 ± 0.26), pentane (0.73 ± 0.43), tert-butylacetic acid (0.82 ± 0.72), and cyclohexane (0.88 ± 0.34). A weak attractant effect on R. kessleri was produced by 2-methylbutanoic acid (the attractant coefficient measuring 1.32 ± 0.48). Therefore, seven of the 30 compounds that are broadly used in industries and agriculture exerted either repellent (six co m pounds) or attra c tant (one compound) effect on the millipede
Chemical composition of essential oil, FTIR, phytochemical profile of crude extract and biological activity of Pistacia lentiscus from Algeria
Get PDFPistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiacae) has been known in Algeria since ancient times for its medicinal properties. The purpose of the present study was to identify the chemical composition of the essential oil of P. lentiscus leaves growing in Chlef region using GC-MS. The plant organic fractions of the leaf powder were investigated by FTIR, determination of total phenolic and total flavonoids content, evaluation of antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extract. The essential oil was rich in thirty-nine compounds . L imonene (17.7%) and α-pinene (15.8%) were the major co m ponents detected. The FTIR results showed a fairly wide and significant characteristic band of the -OH hydroxyl function group. TPC and TFC were determined to be 173.79 µg GAE/mg, and 58.73 µg QE/mg, respectively. The antioxidant a c tivity was found to be IC 50 = 14.90 µg/mL . The antimicrobial results, MIC, MBC, and MFC measurements indicated that P. lentiscus exhibited significant antimicrobial and antifungal activities. Overall, these data indicate that P. lentiscus leaves may be used for pharmaceutical application, nutraceutical and functional food industries
Evolution of immune mechanisms in monocots and dicots in response to microbial pathogens and abiotic stressors
Get PDFAn in-depth comparative analysis of the evolutionary features of non-specific immune mechanism formation in mon o cotyledonous ( Triticum aestivum L.) and dicotyledonous ( Helianthus annuus L.) plants has been conducted. The main focus is on the differential role of key protein families – ABC transporters, lipid transfer proteins (LTPs), and wall-associated k i nase receptors (WAKs) – in modulating immune signaling cascades in response to various pathogenic and stress factors. The study demonstrates that winter wheat effectively implements systemic acquired resistance (SAR) mechanisms, particularly through the functioning of ABCG transporters (e.g., Lr34), ensuring long-term, quantitative resistance to a wide range of microbial pathogens. In contrast, sunflower predominantly exhibits a localized immune response (LAR), where ROS signa l ing, activated via WAK receptors, plays a key role, ensuring rapid response to necrotrophic pathogens and abiotic factors. The analysis indicates significant functional divergence of orthologous proteins: in wheat, WAK receptors and LTPs are primarily involved in strengthening physical barriers, whereas in sunflower, WAKs function as primary damage sensors (DAMPs) and activators of local stress pathways, and LTPs participate in signaling processes and membrane stabilization. Different immune strategies correlate with physiological-anatomical features and evolutionary adaptation to dominant p a thogen types. The obtained results underscore the importance of integrating knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of non-specific immunity into breeding programs and biotechnological approaches to create cultivars with enhanced and dur a ble resistance. Unresolved questions, particularly regarding the precise activation mechanisms of WAK receptors, and pro s pects for further research are discussed