Kunashir Island Research Articles

New records of the noctiud moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Noctuidae) from Kunashir Island, collected in late autumn 2023

New records of the noctiud moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Noctuidae) from Kunashir Island, collected in late autumn 2023

Review of the subtribe Gyrophaenina Kraatz, 1856 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Homalotini) of Kunashir Island, with notes on species of Far Eastern Russia

Taxonomic, diagnostic and faunistic data for 30 species of three genera (Agaricochara Kraatz, 1856 (one species), Gyrophaena Mannerheim, 1830 (27 species) and Sternotropa Cameron, 1920 (two species) of the subtribe Gyrophaenina Kraatz, 1856 of Kunashir Island (Kuril Islands, Far Eastern Russia) are provided. All these species are recorded from Kunashir and Kuril Islands, and the genera Agaricochara and Sternotropa from Russia, for the first time. Eleven new species are described and illustrated: Agaricochara verrucosa Enushchenko, sp. nov., G. (s.str.) ainuorum Enushchenko, sp. nov., G. (s.str.) rama Enushchenko, sp. nov., G. (s.str.) robertopacei Enushchenko, sp. nov., G. (s.str.) semenovi Enushchenko, sp. nov., G. (s.str.) volkeri Enushchenko, sp. nov., Sternotropa aiaia Enushchenko, sp. nov. and S. kamuy Enushchenko, sp. nov. from Kunashir Island, G. (s.str.) kerzhneri Enushchenko, sp. nov. and G. (s.str.) melanoceta Enushchenko, sp. nov. from Maritime Province and Kunashir Island, and G. (s.str.) rebrievi Enushchenko, sp. nov. from Khabarovsk Territory, Maritime Province and Kunashir Island. Three species of Gyrophaena are redescribed and illustrated: G. (s.str.) anastasiarum Glotov, 2022, G. (s.str.) bernhaueri Jakobson, 1909, and G. (s.str.) plutenkoi Glotov, 2014. Besides that, 18 species of the genus Gyrophaena were recorded from the mainland provinces of Far Eastern Russia, including description of G. (s.str.) frolovi Enushchenko, sp. nov. from Amur Area, Khabarovsk Territory and Maritime Province. Based on the study of the types and additional material, the following new synonymies are established: G. (s.str.) bihamata Thomson, 1867 = G. guttula Pace, 2010 syn. nov., G. (s.str.) cariniventris Cameron, 1933 = G. monospina Pace, 2003 syn. nov., G. (s.str.) gonggamontis Pace, 2010 = G. (s.str.) aedugena Enushchenko, 2011 syn. nov., G. (s.str.) harmandi Fauvel, 1901 = G. alexandrovi Bernhauer, 1939 syn. nov., G. (s.str.) taeniae Pace, 2007 = G. ashei Kim & Ahn, 2009 syn. nov., G. (s.str.) permixta Pace, 2003 = G. bifurcata Assing, 2005 syn. nov., and G. (s.str.) zhagaensis Pace, 2003 = G. peniculi Pace, 2007 syn. nov. Habitus, aedeagi, apical abdominal segments and spermathecae of several little-known species of Gyrophaenina are illustrated. A key to species of the bihamata group of Gyrophaena is presented. Several species are recorded for the first time from certain regions: G. (s.str.) bernhaueri, G. (s.str.) cariniventris, G. (s.str.) deprehendens Pace, 2007, G. (s.str.) discoidea Pace, 2003, G. (s.str.) harmandi, G. (s.str.) pasniki Assing, 2005, G. (s.str.) permixta, G. (s.str.) schuelkei Pace, 2003, G. (s.str.) taeniae, G. (s.str.) taiwanova Pace, 2007, G. (s.str.) torta Assing, 2005, G. (s.str.) triquetra Weise, 1877, G. (s.str.) williamsi A. Strand, 1935, G.(s.str.) yotsudeba Cameron, 1933, G. (s.str.) zhagaensis and G. (Phaenogyra) tetracuspidata Assing, 2005 from Russia, G. (s.str.) joyi Wendeler, 1924, G. (s.str.) obsoleta Ganglbauer, 1895, G. (s.str.) orientalis A. Strand, 1938, G. (s.str.) pseudonana A. Strand, 1939, G. (s.str.) pulchella Heer, 1839 and G. (Phaenogyra) strictula (Erichson, 1839) from Far Eastern Russia, G.(s.str.) gonggamontis from Zabaykalsky Krai, Jewish Autonomous Area, Sakhalin Area and Mongolia, G. (s.str.) rugipennis Mulsant & Rey, 1861 from Zabaykalsky Krai, Khabarovsk Territory and Sakhalin Area, G. (s.str.) congrua Erichson, 1837 from Amur Area, Khabarovsk Territory and Sakhalin Area, G. (s.str.) kaunshanchiensis Pace, 2007 from Khabarovsk Territory and Sakhalin Area, G. (s.str.) pseudonitidula Semenov, 2015 from Sverdlovsk, Irkutsk and Amur areas, G. (s.str.) affinis Mannerheim, 1830, G. (s.str.) congrua Erichson, 1837 and G. (s.str.) poweri Crotch, 1867 from Amur Area and Khabarovsk Territory, and G. (s.str.) anastasiarum and G. (s.str.) plutenkoi from Sakhalin Area. In general, based on the published and new data, 53 species of four genera of Gyrophaenina are known from Far Eastern Russia: Agaricochara (one species), Encephalus Stephens, 1832 (one species), Gyrophaena (49 species) and Sternotropa (two species). The composition of the fauna and zoogeographic and bionomical features of Gyrophaenina of Kunashir Island and Far Eastern Russia are briefly discussed. Besides that, we noted the richness of the fauna of Kunashir in comparison with adjacent territories.

Specifics of modern fishery of marine fish in the coastal zone of Kunashir Island

Specifics of modern fishery of marine fish in the coastal zone of Kunashir Island

New Viruses Infecting Hyperthermophilic Bacterium Thermus thermophilus.

Highly diverse phages infecting thermophilic bacteria of the Thermus genus have been isolated over the years from hot springs around the world. Many of these phages are unique, rely on highly unusual developmental strategies, and encode novel enzymes. The variety of Thermus phages is clearly undersampled, as evidenced, for example, by a paucity of phage-matching spacers in Thermus CRISPR arrays. Using water samples collected from hot springs in the Kunashir Island from the Kuril archipelago and from the Tsaishi and Nokalakevi districts in the Republic of Georgia, we isolated several distinct phages infecting laboratory strains of Thermus thermophilus. Genomic sequence analysis of 11 phages revealed both close relatives of previously described Thermus phages isolated from geographically distant sites, as well as phages with very limited similarity to earlier isolates. Comparative analysis allowed us to predict several accessory phage genes whose products may be involved in host defense/interviral warfare, including a putative Type V CRISPR-cas system.

Изучение дизъюнктивной сети о. Кунашир (Курильские острова) с целью реконструкции особенностей его тектонического развития

The paper is devoted to the study of the faults on Kunashir Island, focusing on their classification, morphology, kinematics, timing, and causes of formation, which are key to understanding the tectonic evolution of the area. The magma-supporting role of these faults is noted, contributing to the understanding of the distribution of volcanic and plutonic formations in the Great Kuril Ridge. The ore-controlling role of the faults was evaluated, which may contribute to the discovery of new mineral deposits. Additionally, studying these faults is important for improving the prediction of earthquakes and tsunamis. The research methodology includes an integrated approach that combines traditional geological observations with modern remote sensing methods, allowing us to detail the map of the Kunashir Island rupture faults. The results of the work confirm the presence of three systems of tectonic structures that differ in depth of emplacement, length, timing, kinematics, and causes of formation. The study contributes to our understanding of the complex geological structure of Kunashir Island and the entire island arc and provides a basis for further research in this area."

The state of spawning grounds, a study of the biology and population dynamics of pacific salmon on Kunashir Island (Southern Kuril Islands) in 2023

The purpose: formation of scientific foundations for improving the efficiency of salmon management on Kunashir Island (South Kuril zone) to ensure the sustainable exploitation of the commercial stock of Pacific salmon, maintain the necessary level of their reproduction, preserve the habitat, as well as improve scientific approaches to forecasting commercial catches.Methods used: the work was carried out in accordance with the methods generally accepted in fisheries research.Result: information was obtained on the dynamics of Pacific salmon entry, the filling of spawning grounds and the state of reservoirs on Kunashir Island. The collection of materials characterizing the biological indicators of chum salmon producers was carried out. Statistical information was obtained on catches of chum salmon and artificial reproduction of salmon fish on Kunashir Island.Practical significance: information on the filling of the spawning grounds of Pacific salmon on Kunashir Island and the quality indicators of their producers will be used to substantiate fishing regulation measures. Data on the state of artificial and natural reproduction of Pacific salmon are intended to develop a strategy for the development of artificial reproduction on Kunashir Island.

The state of the Ahnfeltia field and species composition of macrophytes in Izmena Bay of Kunashir Island (Southern Kuriles Islands)

Aim: the generalization of long-term results of a study of the Ahnfeltia formation and the species composition and distribution of the macrophytes in Izmena Bay (Kunashir Island).Method: data analysis was carried out on the basis of data obtained in 1989–2019 according on recommended methods of fisheries research.Novelty: data on the state of the Ahnfeltia formation and the species composition and distribution of macrophytes in Izmena Bay of Kunashir.Result: Since 2014, there has been a decrease in all parameters of the Ahnfeltia field: average layer height, biomass, total area and field reserve. The decline was particularly significant in 2019. The likely reason is fishing in the center of the field with fracturing against the backdrop of a general decline in the stock. In despit of a fairly significant species composition of macrophytes in the Izmena Bay, except for two species of sea grasses, in 1989–2019, most often, 3 types of algae are found — Chondrus armatus, Chorda asiatica and Chaetomorpha linum, which form settlements of varying densities. The general list of macrophytes found includes 79 species. Of these, more than 40 species are facultative epiphytes.Practical significance: The results will be used to make recommendations for the sustainable use of the commercial seaweed Ahnfeltia fastigiata var.tobuchiensis.

Redescription of Erebia scoparia doii Nakahara, 1926 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae)

The subspecies Erebia scoparia doii Nakahara, 1926 described from the Kuril Islands is one of the poorly studied taxa of butterflies. The images of the external morphology and the male genitalia of this taxon are not freely available to researchers that causes difficulties during ecological and biogeographic studies, as well as various environmental protection measures. In this paper, we present a redescription of Erebia scoparia doii Nakahara, 1926 and illustrate the male genitalia and the external morphology of both sexes based on the topotypes from Kunashir Island. Also, we provide DNA sequence data of this subspecies for the first time. In addition, Erebia scoparia expleta Churkin, 2005 syn. nov. is considered here as a junior synonym of the nominotypical subspecies.

New data on the subgenus Callophrys (Ahlbergia) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) from East Asia, with description of a new species from China and confirmation of the record of C. (A.) ferrea from Russia

A new species of elfin butterflies, Callophrys (Ahlbergia) abae sp. n., previously misidentified as the widely distributed North Asian species C. (A.) frivaldszkyi (Lederer, 1855), is described from Aba Prefecture in Sichuan Province, China. The new species differs from the latter in the absent androconial spot on the forewing, more distinct paler pattern of the ventral side of the wings, curved outer margin of the valva in the male genitalia and strongly sculptured lamella postvaginalis in the female genitalia. Additionally, the finding of C. (A.) ferrea (Butler, 1866) in Kunashir Island and thus Russia in general is confirmed on the base of an analysis of the male genitalia and the barcode region of COI gene.

Broad-leaved and mixed cooltemperate forests from the class Fagetea crenatae Miyawaki, Ohba et Murase 1964 on Kunashir Island (the Kurils archipelago)

This study presents the classification and description of three new associations of cool-temperate zonal forests of the vegetation class Fagetea crenatae Miyawaki, Ohba et Murase 1964 on Kunashir and Hokkaido islands. The Filipendulo camtschaticae–Aceretum mayrii ass. nov. encompasses broad-leaved forests in eutrophic moist ecotopes dominated by Acer mono subsp. mayrii. The Abieti sachalinensis–Quercetum crispulae ass. nov. represents zonal mixed forests dominated by Quercus mongolica var. crispula with an admixture of coniferous tree species Abies sachalinensis, Taxus cuspidata, and Picea jezoensis (the latter only on Kunashir Island, in forests of the subass. piceetosum jezoensis). The Hydrangeo paniculatae–Quercetum crispulae ass. nov. includes secondary species-poor forests dominated by Q. mongolica var. crispula, Betula ermanii, or B. pendula subsp. mandshurica. All associations feature a dense understory of dwarf bamboo species Sasa spp., with the densest tickets found in Hydrangeo paniculatae–Quercetum crispulae forests. We also validated the union Carpino cordatae–Quercion crispulae Takeda, Uemura et Nakanishi ex Korznikov, Dzizyurova et Petrenko all. nov. which represents the zonal cool-temperate broad-leaved and mixed forests in Hokkaido, Sakhalin, Iturup and Kunashir. Broad-leaved forests of Kunashir exhibit lower species diversity compared to Hokkaido, missing typical temperate tree species such as Acer palmatum, Carpinus cordata, and Tilia japonica.

Studying and mapping natural complexes of the piedmont plain of the Dokuchaev ridge (Kunashir island, Great Kuril ridge)

The article presents the findings of geosystems studies of the piedmont accumulative plain located between the mountain massifs of Dokuchaev ridge and Tyatya volcano on the Kunashir island. The plain is a unique natural object, as denudation prevails in the Kuril Islands and accumulative forms are not widespread here. Field surveys of vegetation, soils and topography were carried out according to standard methods. Ultrahigh spatial resolution satellite image, topographic maps and scientific literature were also used as materials. As a result, thematic maps were compiled and features of spatial distribution of geosystems were identified.

Boreal to temperate forests transition within Kunashir Island (the Kuril Archipelago): Insights from the novel vegetation map

The vegetation of the Kuril Islands remains insufficiently explored due to their remote location and harsh environment. Understanding the factors that influence vegetation distribution in this extensive volcanic chain of islands, spanning over a thousand kilometers, is important for global biogeography. Our paper presents the first vegetation map of Kunashir Island from the Kuril archipelago, compiled using Sentinel-2 medium-resolution multispectral satellite imagery, incorporating original field research data and the Random Forest machine-learning algorithm. The temperate broad-leaved forests are mainly composed of Acer mono subsp. mayrii and Quercus mongolica, predominantly limited to the southwestern coast, and true-boreal dark-coniferous Abies sachalinensis–Picea jezoensis forests located in the northeast part of Kunashir. The vegetation distribution pattern is associated with the warming effect of the Soja current on the east coast of Kunashir Island and the cooling effect of the Kuril current on the west coast. Kunashir's vegetation displays features of an ecotone between temperate and boreal zones. Still, the boundary between these zones should be drawn within the island, rather than between Kunashir and Hokkaido or Kunashir and Iturup, as suggested in some previous biogeographic generalizations.

Cestode diversity in shrews from islands in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk.

A comparative analysis of taxonomic diversity on shrew cestodes among four islands in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk (Sakhalin, Kunashir, Hokkaido, and Moneron) was performed. Cestode species shared among the islands were identified and their host specificity was investigated. On Sakhalin Island, 33 species of the families Hymenolepididae, Dilepididae and Mesocestoididae were recorded in four shrew species (Sorex caecutiens, S. gracillimus, S. minutissimus and S. unguiculatus). In S. caecutiens, S. gracillimus, and S. unguiculatus on Kunashir Island, 22 species of the same families were found and, on Hokkaido Island, 23 species of the families Hymenolepididae and Dilepididae were recorded. On Moneron Island, three species of cestodes were registered in S. tundrensis. The Sakhalin-Hokkaido-Kunashir complex of shrew cestodes includes eastern-Palearctic, trans-Palearctic and endemic species. High endemism (~22%) of shrew tapeworms in the Sakhalin-Kunashir-Hokkaido Islands was noted as compared to continental territories. The different numbers of cestode species in S. unguiculatus (31), S. caecutiens (29), S. gracillimus (19) and S. minutissimus (1) were found. It was concluded that the cestodes species diversity of shrews of Sakhalin-Kunashir-Hokkaido depended primarily on the history of island formation, their modern physical and geographical features, the abundance of definitive and intermediate cestodes hosts and, to a lesser extent, on the size and remoteness of the islands from the mainland and the diversity of host species.

Impact of aquatic habitat environment on the elemental composition and shell shape variability of the Beringian freshwater mussel Beringiana beringiana (Bivalvia, Unionidae)

Concentrations of the chemical elements were analyzed in the shells of a bivalve mollusk species (Beringiana beringiana), water, and bottom sediments from seven lakes located on the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Kurile Islands, Sakhalin Island, and Primorsky Krai (Northeast Asia). A principal component analysis allowed to determine three factors those were related to environments in the waterbodies. We revealed two groups of samples corresponding to large geographical regions using the determined factors. Statistically significant differences were found between geographical groups of samples, and higher values of element distribution coefficients were determined for samples from lakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The highest concentrations of lithophilic elements were measured in the shells from Lake Kurazhechnoye (Kamchatka Peninsula). The highest concentrations of Al and Mg were detected in shells from Lake Peschanoye (Kunashir Island). In Lake Chernoye (Sakhalin Island), the highest concentrations of Sr and Sb in the shells were detected. Zn, Fe, Pb, and rare earth elements were present in large concentrations in the shells from Lake Vaskovskoye, Primorsky Krai. The shells of the Beringian freshwater mussel show large phenotypic plasticity, and their shape demonstrates significant relationships with various environmental parameters, that were assessed based on the geochemical indicators.

Complex field survey of the Tyatinskiy part of the “Kurilskiy” state nature reserve, Kunashir island, Kuril islands

The study describes the results of field expeditionary research conducted by the authors on the territory of the Tyatinskiy cluster of the “Kurilskiy” state nature reserve (Kunashir island, the Great Kuril Ridge). The nature of the island is distinguished by its bright originality and is interesting for research both from the point of view of increasing the tourist, recreational and education attractiveness, and from the point of view of the implementation of environmental activities. During the research, a study of soils, vegetation cover and some climatic characteristics of the territory was carried out. It was revealed that the soils of the study area are mainly soils that combine the features of brown soils and volcanic soils; local plant communities are represented mainly by dark coniferous forests with a rich and varied admixture of broad-leaved species in the forest stand, the absence of pronounced undergrowth, a diverse grass-shrub canopy and a well-developed moss-lichen layer.

Morphological Peculiarities of Molars in the Large Japanese Field Mouse (Apodemus speciosus, Rodentia, Muridae) from Kunashir Island

Morphological Peculiarities of Molars in the Large Japanese Field Mouse (Apodemus speciosus, Rodentia, Muridae) from Kunashir Island

First data on spring Geometridae (Lepidoptera) on Kuril Islands

The late-spring fauna of geometrid moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) from Kunashir Island is considered for the first time. Thirty-six species are listed, among which one species, Myrioblephara cilicornaria (Püngeler, 1903) is recorded for the fauna of Russia for the first time, and 7 species are newly indicated for the Kuril Islands: Cleora leucophaea (Butler, 1878), Trichopteryx fastuosa Inoue, 1958, Trichopteryx terranea (Butler, 1878), Trichopteryx ussurica (Wehrli, 1927), Esakiopteryx volitans (Butler, 1878), Eupithecia clavifera Inoue, 1955 and Eupithecia daemionata Dietze, 1904.

The Colonization History of Iturup Island by the Red-Backed Vole <i>Craseomys rufocanus</i> according to the Analysis of the Cytochrome <i>b</i> (<i>cytb</i>) Fragment

The hypotheses on colonization history of red-backed vole of Iturup Island comparative analysis of distribution and number of haplotypes of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (662 bp) in vole sampled at various sites along the Iturup Island perimeter and Hokkaido, Kunashir and Sakhalin Islands and adjacent regions of the mainlandhas been carried out. All studied samples from the Iturup Island (68) belonged to the only one haplotype most close to the haplotypes of voles from the Sakhalin Island. The only sample from the Kunashir Island, nearest to the Iturup Island possessed the same haplotype, three additional samples from this island have haplotypes related to haplotypes of voles from the Sakhalin Island and fall within the so called “Sakhalin” clade, while the majority of haplotypes of voles from the Kunashir Island appeared to be close to haplotypes of voles from the Hokkaido Island and make up with them one independent clade, genetically very different from clade of Sakhalin and Iturup samples. The obtained data on the genetic variability of voles from the Iturup Island provides convincing evidence in favour of the recent introduction of the red-backed vole C. rufocanus to the Iturup Island, most likely with sea transport from Sakhalin.

LITTORAL ICHTHYOFAUNA OF MATUA ISLAND, KURIL ISLANDS

As part of the XXI Kamchatka-Kuril expedition of the Russian Geographical Society, with the assistance of the Russian Federation Ministry of Defense, a survey of the littoral ichthyofauna of Matua Island was carried out in 2017. Fishes were caught by hand under stones in tidal pools and with a net during low tide. Fishing was performed in three areas: Cape Klyuv, Cape Yurlova, and Dvoynaya Bay. The fish caught were fixed in 6% formalin. Laboratory processing was carried out: the total length TL was measured with an accuracy of 1 mm, weighed with an accuracy of 0.1 g. Representatives of the families Cottidae, Hexagrammidae, Liparidae, Pholidae, Stichaeidae, Zoarcidae were found in the littoral areas. The size characteristics of the family representatives discovered, and the areas and depth of their capture were presented. In the littoral zone, we found a number of species previously not recorded from this area in the literature. The species compositions of the littoral ichthyofauna of Paramushir Island, Matua Island, Iturup Island, Shikotan Island and Kunashir Island were compared. Only the Stippled gunnel, Rhodymenichthys dolichogaster and the Frog sculpin, Myoxocephalus stelleri were found shared by all those islands. The ichthyofauna of Matua Island shows the greatest similarity to that of Paramushir Island.

Partial Melting under Shallow-Crustal Conditions: A Study of the Pleistocene Caldera Eruption of Mendeleev Volcano, Southern Kuril Island Arc

Abstract The southern part of the Kuril Island Arc is one of the world’s most active modern volcanic zones, with widespread felsic caldera volcanism, but it has been less well studied compared with other arcs. The Mendeleev caldera-forming eruption (40 ka) on Kunashir Island, southern Kurils, is one of the most explosive Pleistocene eruptions to have occurred in this region. This study aimed to establish the origin and storage conditions of magma preceding the Pleistocene caldera eruption of Mendeleev volcano. Mineralogical and melt inclusion analyses reveal that the primary melts had felsic compositions and that the early stage of magmatic evolution involved amphibole breakdown into a two-pyroxene, plagioclase, and Fe–Ti oxide assemblage under pressure–temperature conditions of 107–314 MPa and 807–932°C. The caldera-forming products are represented by dacitic pumice composed of plagioclase + augite + hypersthene+ quartz + Fe–Ti oxides and melt with uniform low-K rhyolite composition. Pre-eruptive magma was stored in a reservoir at 77–195 MPa (3.0–7.6 km depth) and 830–890°C under H2O-saturated conditions. The mechanism of magmatic evolution implies the following two-step scenario: (1) generation of magma by the partial melting of an amphibole-bearing substrate accompanied by the formation of early Mg-rich clino- and orthopyroxene, plagioclase, Fe–Ti oxides, and peritectic rhyolitic melt; and (2) crystallization of late plagioclase and quartz directly from these partial melts. Local or regional extension during the Pleistocene, accompanied by increasing heat flow in the supra-subduction mantle, generated an active mafic intrusion into the upper crust. This process was accompanied by abundant subaerial eruptions of basaltic volcanoes and could have caused intense heating and partial melting of upper-crustal rocks. Our results indicate that the partial melting of amphibole-bearing substrates in island arcs may serve as a universal mechanism for the generation of silicic magmas during powerful caldera eruptions in young island arcs.