Flora Of Russia Research Articles

Contribution of Citizen Science to Biodiversity Data Mobilization in Russia

Currently Russia doesn't have a national biodiversity information system, and is still not a GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) member. Nevertheless, GBIF is the largest source of biodiversity data for Russia. As of August 2020, >5M species occurrences were available through the GBIF portal, of which 54% were published by Russian organisations. There are 107 institutions from Russia that have become GBIF publishers and 357 datasets have been published. The important trend of data mobilization in Russia is driven by the considerable contribution of citizen science. The most popular platform is iNaturalist. This year, the related GBIF dataset (Ueda 2020) became the largest one for Russia (793,049 species occurrences as of 2020-08-11). The first observation for Russia was posted in 2011, but iNaturalist started becoming popular in 2017. That year, 88 observers added >4500 observations that represented 1390 new species for Russia, 7- and 2-fold more respectively, than for the previous 6 years. Now we have nearly 12,000 observers, about 15,000 observed species and >1M research-grade observations. The ratio of observations for Tracheophyta, Chordata, and Arthropoda in Russia is different compared to the global scale. There are almost an equal amount of observations in the global iNaturalist GBIF dataset for these groups. At the same time in Russia, vascular plants make up 2/3rds of the observations. That is due to the "Flora of Russia" project, which attracted many professional botanists both as observers and experts. Thanks to their activity, Russia has a high proportion of research-grade observations in iNaturalist, 78% versus 60% globally. Another consequence of wide participation by professional researchers is the high rate of species accumulation. For some taxonomic groups conspicuous species were already revealed. There are about 850 bird species in Russia of which 398 species were observed in 2018, and only 83 new species in 2019. Currently, the number of new species recorded over time is decreasing despite the increase in observers and overall user activity. Russian iNaturalist observers have shared a lot of archive photos (taken during past years). In 2018, it was nearly 1/4 of the total number of observations and about 3/4 of new species for the year, with similar trends observed during 2019. Usually archive photos are posted from December until April, but the 2020 pandemic lockdown spurred a new wave of archive photo mobilisation in April and May. There are many iNaturalist projects for protected areas in Russia: 27 for strict nature reserves and national parks, and about 300 for others. About 100,000 observations (7.5% of all Russian observations) from the umbrella project "Protected areas of Russia" represent >34% of the species diversity observed in Russia. For some regions, e.g., Novosibirsk, Nizhniy Novgorod and Vladimir Oblasts, almost all protected areas are covered by iNaturalist projects, and are often their only source of available biodiversity data. There are also other popular citizen science platforms developed by Russian researchers. The first one is the Russian birdwatching network RU-BIRDS.RU. The related GBIF dataset (Ukolov et al. 2019) is the third largest dataset for Russia (>370,000 species occurrences). Another Russian citizen science system is wildlifemonitoring.ru, which includes thematic resources for different taxonomic groups of vertebrates. This is the crowd-sourced web-GIS maintained by the Siberian Environmental Center NGO in Novosibirsk. It is noteworthy that iNaturalist activities in Russia are developed more as a social network than as a way to attract volunteers to participate in scientific research. Of 746 citations in the iNaturalist dataset, only 18 articles include co-authors from Russia. iNaturalist data are used for the management of regional red lists (in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Novosibirsk Oblast and others), and as an additional information source for regional inventories. RU-BIRDS data were used in the European Russia Breeding Bird Atlas and the new edition of the European Breeding Bird Atlas. In Russia, citizen science activities significantly contribute to filling gaps in the global biodiversity map. However, Russian iNaturalist observations available through GBIF originate from the USA. It is not ideal, because the iNaturalist GBIF dataset is growing rapidly, and in the future it will represent more than all other datasets for Russia combined. In our opinion, iNaturalist data should be repatriated during the process of publishing through GBIF, as it is implemented for the eBird dataset (Levatich and Ligocki 2020).

Biotechnological methods of propagation for some rare endemic plant species of the southern Russian flora

ISHS XXX International Horticultural Congress IHC2018: II International Symposium on Micropropagation and In Vitro Techniques Biotechnological methods of propagation for some rare endemic plant species of the southern Russian flora

Seed quality of Aristolochia macrophylla Lam. and A. manshuriensis Kom. in St. Petersburg

Background. The study and mobilization of natural flora species in botanical gardens allow the curators to save biological resources of useful plant species, and recommend them for urban landscaping. In the flora of Russia, one species of a woody vine from the genus Aristolochia L. is A. manshuriensis Kom.; it is included in the Red Data Book of Russia.Methods The material for the study was A. macrophylla Lam. and A. manshuriensis from the collection of the Peter the Great Botanical Garden maintained by the Komarov Botanical Institute of the RAS. Winter hardiness was assessed; plant height, stem diameter, and crown diameter were measured. The sizes and age are given according to the state of the plants in the fall of 2017. Seed quality was assessed with due regard to the approved guidelines. X-ray analysis of fruits and seeds was carried out using the methods developed for the use of microfocus radiography for seeds and fruits.Results. A. manshuriensis has been grown in the Peter the Great Botanical Garden since 1909. The first flowering was observed in 1918 and 1919, the first fruiting in 1924. Currently, plants of the third or fourth generation are present in the collection. A. macrophylla has been known in St. Petersburg since 1816. Over a 200-year period of introduction, only flowering was observed. For the first time, fruiting in this species was registered in 2007; since 2014, second-generation plants have been grown. Analysis of the seeds collected in 2016 and 2017 showed that they are viable and of high quality in both species of Aristolochia. These species are winter-hardy, demonstrate rapid growth, and may somewhat vary in the timeframe of the passage of main phenological phases in their seasonal rhythm of development.Conclusion. For laying out plantations, it is better to use seeds. A. macrophylla and A. manshuriensis are promising for wider cultivation and use in vertical landscaping.

Diatoms (Bacillariophyta, Fragilariophyceae, and Bacillariophyceae) of Lake Bolshoye Toko (South Yakutia)

A study of phytoplankton in Lake Bolshoe Toko (Yakutia) using scanning electron microscopy has made it possible to obtain the first data on the species composition of Bacillariophyta. A total of 162 species and varieties from 47 genera have been identified, including 96 taxa new for the Aldan River basin, 67 taxa new for Yakutia, and 6 taxa (Сymbopleura cf. lura, Fragilaria perminuta, Gomphonemaparallelistriatum, Pinnularia cf. neomaior var. inflate, Pinnularia cf. stidolphii, and Planothidium cf. distinctum) new for the flora of Russia. The systematic position and authorship of 22 taxa from 5 genera of Bacillariophyta (Fragilariophyceae and Bacillariophyceae) from reservoirs and watercourses of the Aldan River basin is specified.

On the diagnostics of Adonis L. species (Ranunculaceae) of the Russian flora

The article provides brief information about cardiotonic, sedative, cytostatic, diuretic, and antibacterial effects of biologically active compounds of Adonis L. (Ranunculaceae) species. Chemical studies allowed to identify the cardiac glycosides, or cardenolides: or cardenolides: adontoxin, adonitol, adonitoxigenin, acetyldigitoxin and others. In scientific medicine, it is currently allowed to use Adonis vernalis L. Other types of Adonis have a similar chemical composition and are offered as substitutes for this official species, for example, Adonis apennina L. Many Adonis species have limited natural resources, and in some regions are rare, requiring conservation of their natural populations. The search for alternative sources of medicinal plant raw materials, based on this, is relevant. The experimental part of our research was carried out using the morphological and geographical method with the involvement of information on ecology and phenology. For the first time summarizes the diagnostic features of Adonis flora of Russian flora. Previously unknown structural features (shape and size of anthers) were identified that characterize the subgenera Adonanthe and Adonis. Taxonomic study of the genus Adonis of the Russian flora allowed us to determine its species composition, clarify its systematic affiliation, and nomenclature synonyms. 9 species were identified. Of these, 6 are perennials belonging to the subgenus Adonanthe, section Consiligo, which includes 2 subsections: Amurenses (2 species) and Vernales, which is differentiated into 2 rows: Apenninae (2 species) and Vernales (2 species). Subgenus Adonis is represented by 2 sections: Adonis (1 species) and Lophocarpa with sections Aestivales (1 species) and Dentatae (1 species). For all the considered species and varieties, the main distribution areas are given. A key has been compiled to determine the wild Adonis species distributed in Russia.

The genus Adoxa L. (Adoxaceae Trautv.) in the flora of Russia

In this paper, species of the genus Adoxa L. were analyzed that occur in the flora of Russia. We noted that three species have been found on the territory of Russia: Adoxa moschatellina L., Adoxa orientalis Nepomn. and Adoxa insularis Nepomn. A. moschatellina has a circumpolar areal. The species A. orientalis rarely occurs in Far East. It was determined that this species has more primitive flower structure as compared with A. moschatellina. The lateral flowers of A. orientalis in the inflorescence are trimerous (Ca(3)CO(6)A6G(3)),, whereas anther filaments are integral. On islands Kunashir and Sakhalin, we noted the presence of A. insularis whose flower structure has signs of more complete organization. In A. insularis, petals are oval, with a pointed tip, and have straight veinlets; A. insularis possesses 3- to 4-fold fewer nectar glandules, which are located directly on the petals’ surface, rather than in depressions on the petals as in A. moschatellina. Anther filaments in A. insularis are longer, and the angle between cleft filaments in A. insularis is 30–40° (rather than 90° or more as in A. moschatellina). It was concluded that in Adoxa species, there has been an obvious process of evolutionary reduction of flower structure.

Диатомовые водоросли рода Navicula из водных объектов Воронежской области, Россия

The diversity of the genus Navicula including 29 species, one species new to science (Navicula trophicatrixoides Chudaev, sp. nov.), one new to the flora of Russia (N. alineae), and 15 species new for the Voronezh Region, is documented from waterbodies located in the museum-reserve “Divnogorye” and areas in its vicinity. It is supposed that N. antonii as currently understood represents a complex with at least two semicryptic species. The most frequent taxa in the studied materials are Navicula cf. antonii, N. capitatoradiata and N. cryptotenella. The majority of the species found prefer waters with higher electrolyte content.

Новые и интересные для флоры России виды золотистых водорослей (Chrysophyta)

The first electron-microscopic investigation of silica-scaled chrysophytes in water bodies of the protected area Kurgalsky Nature Reserve located in the North-West of European Russia has resulted in the discovery of two species that are new for the Russian flora, Mallomonas favosa and M. teres. Mallomonas teres is reported for the first time since its original descriptions. In addition, Paraphysomonas cf. ovalis and an unknown species of Mallomonas were observed. Descriptions, original photos, and habitat features of these four species are given.

New Species of the Genus Cyclotella (Kützing) Brébisson (Bacillariophyta) for the Flora of Russia

Until recently, about 40 modern freshwater representatives of the genus Cyclotella were known in Russia. Most of them have been recently transferred to the genera Discostella Houk et Klee, Handmannia M.Peragallo, Pantocsekiella K.T.Kiss et Ács, and to date 11 species and varieties of the genus: C. ambigua Grunow, C. atomus Hustedt var. atomus, C. atomus var. gracilis Genkal et Kiss, C. baicalensis et Meyer, C. caspia Grunow, C. choctawhatcheeana Prasad, C. cryptica Reimann, Lewin & Guillard, C. distinguenda Hustedt, C. meduanae Germain, C. meneghiniana Kützing and C. minuta (Skvortzow) Antipova are known from water bodies and watercourses in Russia. Cyclotella cryptica and C. distinguenda belong to rare species of Russian flora. The study of the species morphology was undertaken from the river mouth of the Khara River, a tributary of hyperhaline Lake Elton (Volgograd Region, Russia). Scanning electron microscopy has made it possible to estimate the variability ranges of the main diagnostic quantitative features (valve diameter, number of striae in 10 μm, number of central fultoportulae and location of marginal fultoportulae). The literature data on morphological variability of C. cryptica is limited and our studies address the shortcomings. Findings of the species in fresh water bodies of Russia and published illustrations cast doubts on the accuracy of identification of C. cryptica, and this finding in the Khara River is suggested to be the first for Russia. For C. distinguenda, the maximum diameter of the valve is specified, ranges of variability of the number of striae in 10 μm and the size of initial cells are disclosed.

Flora of Bacillariophyta in the Plankton of Tundra Ecosystems in the Exploration Area of the Gas Condensate Field (Yamal Peninsula)

This scanning electron microscopy study of phytoplankton from the watercourses and water bodies of the Mordyyakha River basin (Yamal Peninsula) has made it possible to expand the taxonomic spectrum of Bacillariophyta: a total of 281 taxa of specific and intraspecific ranks of diatom algae of 63 genera have been identified. Among them, 14 species and varieties are new for the flora of Russia and 30 forms of the 14 genera have been identified only to the genus level. The highest taxonomic diversity is recorded in Lake Pebtavyto (116) and the channel between two lakes (125). Diatoma tenuis, Encyonema silesiacum, Fragilaria vaucheriae, Tabellaria flocculosa, and Ulnaria ulna are the most widespread in the studied water bodies.

Application of biostimulants for vegetative propagation of endangered Abies gracilis

Abies gracilis Kom. (Pinaceae) is one of the rarest and endangered conifers in the Russian flora, which must be cultivated ex situ to ensure its survival. Cuttings of A. gracilis do not take root without biostimulants. We used a selection of biostimulants, concentrations, and conditions of their use to significantly increase Abies gracilis rooting, and to accelerate the production of planting material, and to reduce rooting time to one season. We tested 4 rooting systems: IBA, IBA with glucose and glycine, and original biostimulants (S-try and S-5). The original S-5 biostimulating system had the most balanced ratio of components. The number of rooted samples increased 2.7 times and the length of roots increased 1.8 time when using S-5 as compared to IBA. S-try and S-5—original biostimulant systems were synthesized and collected in 2011 and 2014, respectively, and were tested in St. Petersburg Forest Technical University.

ADDITIONS TO THE FLORA OF EUROPEAN RUSSIA

Data on two vascular plant species new to Russian flora and other 32 notable regional records made in seven regions of European Russia (Vologda Region, Kostroma Region, Leningrad Region, Pskov Region, Yaroslavl Region, Saint-Petersburg and Udmurt Republic) are given. The presented material is derived from the floristic inventories conducted in 2006-2017, and critical study of the available herbarium. Euphrasia micrantha Rchb. and Senecio inaequidens DC. are reported as new to Russia, the first species as native and the secong one as alien. Bupleurum falcatum L. is reported as a new alien species for the flora of NW European Russia. Bidens frondosa L. is new for the Pskov Region. Cardamine flexuosa With. is reported for the Yaroslavl Region for the first time. Eight taxa are reported as new to the Kostroma Region, five of them (Alnus x hybrida R. Br. ex Rchb., Carex bohemica Schreb., Cladium mariscus (L.) Pohl, Sedum maximum (L.) Hoffm. and Urtica galeopsifolia Wierzb. ex Opiz) considered native, and three others (Collomia linearis Nutt., Gypsophila elegans Bieb. and Silene armeria L.) as alien. Dryopteris x uliginosa (A. Br. ex Doll) Kuntze ex Druce is a new hybrid for the Kostroma Region, Leningrad Region and Udmurt Republic. In addition, 20 species with lacking regional records are reported to. The data presented points to a continuing spreading of alien plants across European Russia. On the other hand, the native flora of some regions is still poorly investigated.

The family Orthotrichaceae (Bryophyta) in flora of Russia: results of revision and biogeographical review

Recent studies on Orthotrichoid mosses in Russia are summarized genus by genus. Orthotrichum furcatum Otnyukova is synonymized with Nyholmiella obtusifolia. Orthotrichum vittii is excluded from the Russian moss flora. Description of O. dagestanicum is amended. Fifty four currently recognized species from 9 genera of the Orthotrichaceae are presently known to occur in Russia; list of species with common synonyms and brief review of distribution in Russia is presented. Numerous problematic specimens with unresolved taxonomy were omitted for future. Revealed taxonomical inconsistencies in the genera Zygodon, Ulota, Lewinskya, Nyholmiella, Orthotrichum are briefly discussed. Main regularities of spatial differentiation of the family Orthotrichaceae in Russia are considered. Recently presented novelties contribute to the certain biogeographic pattern, indicating three different centers of diversity of the family, changing along longitudinal gradient. Unlike European one, continental Asian diversity of Orthotrichaceae is still poorly known, the Siberian specimens which were previously referred to European species in most cases were found to represent other, poorly known or undescribed species. North Pacific Region houses peculiar and poorly understood hot spot of diversity of Orthotrichoid mosses. Thus, these hot spots are obligatory to be sampled in course of revisions of particular groups, since they likely comprise under-recorded cryptic- or semi-cryptic species. Latitudinal gradient also contributes to the spatial differentiation of the revealed taxonomic composition of Orthotrichaceae.

A record of Silene viscaria (L.) Jess. (Caryophyllaceae) with achromatic flowers in the Mordovia State Nature Reserve (Central Russia)

Silene viscaria (L.) Jess. is a common species of Central Russian flora. It has attractive purple, crimson, or darkpink inflorescences. Some literature sources indicate the possibility of white-colour flowers. However, there are no reliable published evidences of these cases. In this report, a record of S. viscaria plants with achromatic, white, flowers at the southern border of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve is presented. Some morphological traits of flowering individuals were measured: the height of reproductive individuals, the number of whorls of lateral branches per an inflorescence, the number of flowers per an inflorescence, the length of an inflorescence, and the percentage of an inflorescence length from a flowering plants height. Data on the flora accompanying S. viscaria are presented. As a result, no significant differences between plants with achromatic flowers and plants with coloured flowers have been found. However, the height of white-flower individuals was slightly higher. We suggest accumulating data on a phenomenon of the flower’s achromatism amongst different groups of plants in order to try to understand the frequency of this phenomenon and perhaps its impact on plants biology.

The role of expansin genes PtrEXPA3 and PnEXPA3 in the regulation of leaf growth in poplar

The genes of α-expansins of woody plants are of great interest for genetic engineering, since they can potentially be used to improve the tree growth parameters. In the flora of Russia, model woody plants for plant biotechnology are aspen (Populus tremula L.) and black poplar (Populus nigra L.). The objective of this study was to determine the role of α-expansin-encoding genes, aspen PtrEXPA3 and black poplar PnEXPA3, in the regulation and maintenance of woody plant growth. To achieve this goal, the PtrEXPA3 expression level were determined upon exogenous phytohormone treatment, the action of stress factors, and constitutive expression of the PnARGOS-LIKE gene. In addition, transgenic aspen plants with constitutive expression of the black poplar PnEXPA3 gene were generated, and their morphological analysis was carried out. The highest PtrEXPA3 mRNA level was detected in young intensely growing aspen leaves, and furthermore, expression of the gene was induced by exogenous cytokinins and auxins. In response to NaCl and constitutive expression of the PnARGOS-LIKE gene, the PtrEXPA3 mRNA level decreased. Transgenic aspen plants with constitutive PnEXPA3 expression were characterized by the decreased size of leaves, petioles, and internodes, as well as the increased size of leaf epidermal cells, while the stem size remained unchanged. Taken together, the data obtained enable the suggestion that the PtrEXPA3 and PnEXPA3 genes encode cytokinin- and auxin-regulated, leaf-specific expansins that are involved in the cell expansion.

The genus Synura (Synurales, Synurophyceae) in small urban rivers of Nizhniy Novgorod

The latest special studies of the genus Synura in Russia were conducted in the 1970s. In the last decade, 14 new species of the genus were described based on molecular and morphological data. The total number of valid taxa of the genus has increased to 49. Only 18 taxa of Synura are known in Russia up to date, and the diver sity of the genus on this huge territory is strongly underestimated. Previous studies of the genus were focused mainly on large lakes or reservoirs. To reveal a more complete flora, it is necessary to include other habitats into account. Small urban rivers can be prospective habitats for interesting taxa including synuralean algae. Our study focuses on the taxonomic composition of the genus Synura in four small rivers in Nizhniy Novgorod (European Russia): Chyornaya, Levinka, Borzovka and Rzhavka. All the rivers flow in the city and fall under strong anthropogenic impact. The genus Synura was studied by means of transmission and scanning electron microscopy during 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015. In total, eight species and one form of Synura have been found: S. conopea, S. curtispina, S. echinulata, S. glabra, S. macropora, S. petersenii, S. spinosa f. spinosa, S. spinosa f. longispina, S. uvella. All nine taxa were observed in the river Chyornaya. Five taxa were found in the rivers Levinka, Borzovka and Rzhavka. One species (Synura conopea) is a new record to the flora of Russia. It was found in all studied rivers. Four taxa (S. conopea, S. glabra, S. macropora, S. spinosa f. longispina) are new records to the Middle Volga river basin.

Morphology and distribution of the North American diatom Aulacoseira pardata English & Potapova in Russia

Diatom species Aulacoseira pardata English & Potapova, new for the flora of Russia, has been found in the course of studying samples from Lake Frolikha (Transbaikal region) by scanning electron microscopy. Numerical morphological features of the species in the studied population differ from the type population, which indicates their greater variability. It is shown that A. pardata is distinguished from the similar species A. septentrionalis (Camburn & Charles) Genkal & Kulikovskiy by the shape of spines and shape and size of areolae on the valve mantle. Species A. septentrionalis, new for the lake, as well as for Cis-Baikal and Transbaikal regions, has also been recorded in Lake Frolikha.

Materials on the flora of Bacillariophyta in aquatic ecosystems of the Yarayakha River basin (Yamal Peninsula)

The study of phytoplankton in lakes, sors, streams, and rivers of the Yarayakha River basin with the help of scanning electron microscopy has made it possible to broaden the taxonomic spectrum of Bacillariophyta; 236 specific and intraspecific taxa from 63 genera are detected. A total of 16 species and varieties that are new for the flora of Russia were documented; 30 forms from 18 genera are identified only to the species. The maximum species diversity is recorded in a stream in the Yarayakha River mouth (82 species) and in the channel of the Khureikhotarka River (105 species). Species such as Cyclotella meneghiniana, Fragilaria exiguiformis, Navicula hanseatica, Neidium bisulcatum, Stauroneis anceps, Thalassiosira inserta, and Tabellaria flocculosa are the most widespread in the waterbodies.

Cymbelloid diatoms (Bacillariophyta) of relict Lake Mogilnoye (Kildin Island, Barents Sea)

New data on morphology of 7 pennate diatom species from the order Cymbellales found in subpolar meromictic Lake Mogilnoye, are presented. A new species, Rhoicosphenia murmanica Gogorev et E. Lange, sp. nov., is described. Its frustules are 13–40 μm long, 3.5–6 μm wide, 4–9 μm high and have 16–20 striae per 10 μm on the convex valve and 14–18 on the concave valve. The new species is characterized by a variable length of diminutive raphe branches on convex valve (1/6–1/3 of valve length). R. murmanica is similar to R. adriatica, R. baltica, R. marina and R. omblaensis in size of valves and number of striae, but differs in valve outline, number of striae, or width of valves. All the species are found for the first time in the lake. Cymbopleura frequens is recorded in the first time for the flora of Russia; four taxa, Encyonema minutum, E. silesiacum, Geissleria acceptata and Placoneis clementioides are recorded for the first time in the flora of the Murmansk Region.

Materials on the flora of Bacillariophyta in rivers of the white sea basin in the Republic of Karelia

A total of 290 species and varieties of Bacillariophyta including 32 that were new for the flora of Karelia and 18 that were new for the flora of Russia, have been recorded in phytoplankton in nine rivers of the White Sea basin. The genera Aulacoseira, Pinnularia, Eunotia, and Navicula s. l. are the richest in taxonomy. The maximum species diversity was recorded in the Suma (73), Kolezhma (91), and Chirko-Kem (146) rivers. The following species are the most widespread in the rivers that were under study here: A. ambigua, A. subarctica, A. subborealis, {tiA. tenella}, Asterionella formosa, and Tabellaria flocculosa.