Mountain Steppe Research Articles

Mountain steppes and xerothermal florocenotypes of the Trans-Asian mountain belt: diversity and phytogeographic peculiarities

Mountain steppes, as well as distinctive xerothermic types of vegetation in the mountains, occupy the most important place in Eurasia. They represent an amazingly diverse and contrast transcontinental orobiome, stretching from the Pamir tragacanth communities in the southwest of the mountain belt to the Chukotka-Anadyr “tundra-steppes” on the outskirts of Northeast Asia, wedged deep into the Subarctic. Many outstanding Soviet and Russian botanists have made a great contribution to the knowledge of many phenomena of the plant world of mountain steppes and xerothermic florocenotypes in this vast territory. The article provides a brief analysis of typological diversity, an overview and reflections on the xerothermic types of vegetation of the Asian mountain belt on a wide geographical range (37−67° N, 72–163° E), which differ significantly in different climatic sectors.

Surface soil phytolith assemblages across an altitudinal transect in the Qilian Mountains of Northwestern China, and their implications for palaeoecologic analysis in arid alpine regions

Reconstructing changes in altitudinal vegetation belts is crucial for comprehending vegetation response to past environmental changes in arid alpine regions, however, proxy data are limited. In this study, we report 51 surface soil phytolith samples from various vegetation types across an altitudinal transect in the arid alpine region of the Qilian Mountains, to elucidate the relationships between vegetation types and phytolith assemblages. Our results show that phytolith morphotypes in surface soil samples could be categorized into 16 classes, with Gobbet, Crenate, Rondel, Elongate entire, and Acutebulbosus being the predominant classes. The characteristics of surface soil phytolith assemblages vary across an altitudinal transect, reflecting differences in local vegetation. Discriminant analysis identifies Cubic, Elongate entire, Crenate, Gobbet, and Rondel as discriminant variables that correlated with five vegetation types (desert vegetation, mountain steppe vegetation, mountain coniferous forest vegetation, subalpine shrub meadow vegetation, and alpine meadow vegetation). We establish five discriminant functions based on the relationships between vegetation types and phytolith assemblages, demonstrating a high accuracy of our method for distinguishing between different vegetation types. These discriminant functions are applicable for distinguishing between diverse vegetation types in the mountains of arid inland regions of Asia. They are also effective in identifying coniferous forest vegetation in mid-latitude mountains. Therefore, these discriminant functions hold significant potential for reconstructing changes in altitudinal vegetation belts in mountainous regions and determining the vegetative types recorded by terminal lakes in arid regions. Our study introduces a new perspective on palaeoecologic analysis in arid alpine regions, advancing our understanding of ecosystem dynamics in response to environmental fluctuations.

Relative contributions of taxonomic and functional diversity to the assembly of plant communities hosting endemic Dianthus species in a mountain steppe

Plant community assembly is the outcome of long-term evolutionary events (evident as taxonomic diversity; TD) and immediate adaptive fitness (functional diversity; FD); a balance expected to shift in favour of FD in ‘harsh’ habitats under intense selection pressures. We compared TD and FD responses along climatic and edaphic gradients for communities of two species (Dianthus pseudocrinitus and D. polylepis) endemic to the montane steppes of the Khorassan-Kopet Dagh floristic province, NE Iran. 75 plots at 15 sites were used to relate TD and FD to environmental gradients. In general, greater TD was associated with variation in soil factors (potassium, lime, organic matter contents), whereas FD was constrained by aridity (drought adaptation). Crucially, even plant communities hosting different subspecies of D. polylepis responded differently to aridity: D. polylepis subsp. binaludensis communities included a variety of broadly stress-tolerant taxa with no clear environmental response, but TD of D. polylepis subsp. polylepis communities was directly related to precipitation, with consistently low FD reflecting a few highly specialized stress-tolerators. Integrating taxonomic and functional diversity metrics is essential to understand the communities hosting even extremely closely related taxa, which respond idiosyncratically to climate and soil gradients.

The diet of the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) in various natural environments across Eurasia

Abstract The Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) has adapted to hunt local fauna that are subject to the influence of human agricultural activities. In the sparse forests, marshes and lakes of the mountainous regions of central Norway, the eagle-owl’s diet is dominated by small mammals and gallinaceous birds, but the common frog Rana temporaria features more frequently in regions near the fjords, with various species of seabirds predominating on some islands. The eagle-owls, breeding in several protected regions of the Czech Republic, hunting in agricultural areas small mammals and game animals in addition to waterbirds nesting by fishponds. In Slovakia, the majority of the eagle-owl population nests on the edges of mountain valleys. In the past, they hunted small mammals and amphibians on pastureland located deep in the mountains, but they have adapted to hunting larger prey in more intensively farmed valleys. Predominantly in the eastern part of Turkey, the diet of Eurasian eagle-owl hunting on natural mountain steppes has been studied, where mammals of the family Cricetidae dominate. In the arid conditions of the southern countries of Syria, Jordan and Israel, mammals of the Gerbillinae sub-family predominated in addition to a higher proportion of birds. In the more variable areas of Iran, eagle-owl diets feature a wide range of indigenous mammals and birds, with different species represented in several territories. Studies from the edges of the Fergana Valley in southern Kyrgyzstan found differences in the diets of eagle-owls living at lower elevations and those living higher in the mountains, while birds were the predominant prey in the Kalek site. Smaller samples of eagle-owl diets were also collected in the Altai Mountains of Mongolia, the Barguzinsky Mountains to the east of Lake Baikal and the Vaida Mountain on Sakhalin Island. The results presented in this study can also contribute to our knowledge about the fauna of the above-mentioned regions.

Birds as potential bioindicators for terrestrial ecosystems

Considering the lack of ecosystems’ monitoring in Armenia and the urgent necessity of setting up such a system for decision making in nature conservation and natural resource management, the current paper aims at identification of indicator bird species for the key types of ecosystems in the country and crosscutting influence of climate change. In the forests, the study identified the bird species composition, total number of all birds, and 11 species as indicators of degradation, fragmentation, and aridization. In grasslands, the total number of all birds and seven species indicate degradation of the mountain steppes and meadows due to overgrazing and uncontrolled mowing. In arid lands, the change of bird species composition and total number of all birds indicate degradation of semi-deserts, scrublands, and juniper woodlands due to their transformation into orchards, while six species indicate degradation of these habitats due to overgrazing. In rivers and streams, four species indicate fragmentation of the rivers. In wetlands, at least seven species indicate drainage of the wetlands, and at least one indicates wetlands’ pollution. Also, the study identified seven species, which indicate the influence of climate change on birds’ distribution at the Eurasian scale. There is still a need for additional study of the indicators of wetlands and lakes, and influence of climate change. A need for improvement of the policy and institutional framework is important as well.

Hybridization and introgression events in cooccurring populations of closely related grasses (Poaceae: Stipa) in high mountain steppes of Central Asia.

Stipa is a genus comprising ca. 150 species found in warm temperate regions of the Old World and around 30% of its representatives are of hybrid origin. In this study, using integrative taxonomy approach, we tested the hypothesis that hybridization and introgression are the explanations of the morphological intermediacy in species belonging to Stipa sect. Smirnovia, one of the species-rich sections in the mountains of Central Asia. Two novel nothospecies, S. magnifica × S. caucasica subsp. nikolai and S. lingua × S. caucasica subsp. nikolai, were identified based on a combination of morphological characters and SNPs markers. SNPs marker revealed that all S. lingua × S. caucasica samples were F1 hybrids, whereas most of S. magnifica × S. caucasica samples were backcross hybrids. Furthermore, the above mentioned hybrids exhibit transgressive morphological characters to each of their parental species. These findings have implications for understanding the process of hybridization in the genus Stipa, particularly in the sect. Smirnovia. As a taxonomic conclusion, we describe the two new nothospecies S. × muksuensis (from Tajikistan) and S. × ochyrae (from Kyrgyzstan) and present an identification key to species morphologically similar to the taxa mentioned above.

Mountain Steppes And Upland Xerophytes ― As an Element of Landscape Diversity in The Eastern Central Caucasus

Long-term observations of dynamic processes in the landscapes of intra-mountain basins on the territory of North Ossetia-Alania have shown that changes in them can be both progressive and regressive, which is associated with natural external factors that are imposed by anthropogenic influences. For a long time, arid landscapes in the eastern part of the Central Caucasus (within the North Ossetia-Alania) were intensively exploited as pasture (less often arable) land and underwent significant anthropogenic degradation. The situation began to change in the last decade of the 20th century due to the general crisis state of the country's economy, the collapse of collective farms and state farms, a sharp reduction in the number of cattle and small cattle. The removal of agricultural load on mountain landscapes led to the gradual restoration of their natural state. Currently, there is a trend towards a change in traditional nature management to recreational, and the problem of protecting natural geological systems is again emerging from recreational impact. The most vulnerable are arid dry-steppe and upland xerophytic formations, occupying a little more than 6 thousand hectares (8.4%) of the area of intracity basins, but are habitats included in the Red Book of North Ossetia-Alania, endemic and rare vascular plants (more than 20 species) and invertebrate animals (about 60 species).

Континентальность климата и теплообеспеченность почв степных склонов в верховьях Индигирки и Колымы

Steppe biotopes on the southern slopes of the Indigirka and Kolyma headwaters, judging by vegetation and invertebrate population, are analogous to South Siberiaвs mountain steppes. At the same time, the area of steppe slopes and the number of steppe plant and animal species decrease from the Indigirka to the Kolyma. Climate continentality decreases in the same direction, which permits to consider it the main factor impacting the distribution of thermophytic steppes in Northeast Asia. Measurements of temperatures in thermophytic steppe soils in the named river basins revealed no soil heat supply differences related to climate continentality. Comparison of the measurement results with long-term observation data on xeromorphic biotopes of southern slopes in the upper reaches of the Kolyma River permitted to extend this conclusion to the soils of all open dry southern slopes in the headwaters of the Kolyma and Indigirka rivers. Thus, the role of climate continentality and summer soil temperature regime in the long-term preservation of "islands" with a large number steppe species of plant and animal surrounded by permafrost mountain-taiga ecosystems in the upper reaches of the Indigirca River is questioned. It is shown that restrictions in the spatial distribution of some steppe invertebrate species are not determined by differences in the summer temperature regime of soil in the headwaters of the Indigirka and Kolyma Rivers, either.

The Electric State of the Surface Atmosphere in the Mountain–Steppe Landscapes of Southern Siberia According to the Measurement Data in the Khakass–Tyva Expedition in 2022

Currently, many researchers are interested in investigating the electric field in the fair-weather electric environment, along with its diurnal and seasonal variations across all regions of the world. However, a similar study in the southern part of Siberia has not yet been carried out. In this regard, this study aims to estimate the mean values of the electric field and their variations in the mountain and steppe landscapes using the measurement data from the Khakass–Tyva expedition in 2022. The maximum values of positive ion density were noted at the site in the Iyussko-Shirinsky steppe between Belyo and Tus salt lakes in the Khakass-Minusinsk Basin. The maximum values of negative ion density were observed at the site in the Shol tract in the center part of the Tyva depression. The potential gradient tends to increase with altitude and reaches a maximum in the highlands. The maximum values of the potential gradient were noted in the highlands plateau near the Mongun-Taiga Mountain Massif and Khindiktig-Khol Lake. The diurnal cycles of potential gradient at different observation sites were divided into two groups: (1) a diurnal cycle in the form of a double wave; and (2) a daily cycle with a more complex course due to the strong influence of local factors.

Effects of Vegetation Types and Seasonal Dynamics on the Diversity and Function of Soil Bacterial Communities in the Upper Reaches of the Heihe River

The process of interaction between the plant and soil microbial communities holds the key to understanding the biogeochemical cycle and preserving the stability of vegetation ecosystems. Owing to this significance, the primary goal of this research was to give a starting point and reference methods to restore local vegetation. The vegetation distribution in the mountainous area of the upper reaches of the Heihe River Basin had notable vertical zonality, which was characterized by five typical vegetation types, including cushion vegetation(CV), herbage meadow(HM), forest steppe(FS), mountainous steppe(MS), and desert grassland(DG). The organization and diversity of soil bacterial communities in various vegetation types were examined using high-throughput sequencing techniques in both the winter and summer seasons. Sampling sites were chosen in each of the five common vegetation types in turn. Additionally, based on the FAPROTAX database, the predicted functions of microbial communities were evaluated for different vegetation types and seasons. The redundancy analysis and structural equation model were also used to investigate the primary environmental elements and uncover the mechanisms affecting the soil bacterial populations. The findings revealed that:① the physical and chemical properties of soil differed significantly among vegetation types and seasons, and the property indices varied dissimilarly with depth. In particular, the soil water content(SWC) and nutrient content of total organic carbon(TOC) and total nitrogen(TN) were significantly higher in forest grassland(FS). ② The divergences of α-diversity indices among seasons(P<0.05) were greater than that of vegetation types(P>0.05). The Chao1 index measuring the abundance of the bacterial community was higher in winter. According to the Shannon index, the species of the bacterial community were dispersed in a "W" shape in the summer and a "hump" form in the winter with altitude. ③ The predominant phyla of the bacterial community, composed of Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria, did not significantly differ from one another. However, the organization of the bacterial community presented a significant variation seasonally at the genus level. ④ The primary functions of the soil bacterial population, which largely consisted of chemoheterotrophy, nitrification, and aerobic ammonia oxidation, were not significantly different among vegetation types and seasons. ⑤ The key factors affecting soil bacterial communities at the genus level varied significantly among seasons, with soil temperature(ST), total organic carbon(TOC), and pH in winter and soil water content(SWC), carbon-nitrogen ratio(C/N), and pH in summer. ⑥ Synergized by interrelated environmental factors, soil physical and chemical features exerted a more direct impact on the diversity and functionality of bacterial communities compared with vegetation types, including significantly changing the abundance of Acidobacteria and Bacteroidetes, as well as the role of nitrification and ammonia oxidation. Hence, improving the carbon and nitrogen contents in soil nutrients would help to enhance the diversity and function of bacterial communities. The findings of this study provided a model for determining the mechanism of regional vegetation degradation and preserving the stability of alpine ecosystems in this area by revealing the seasonal distribution pattern of bacterial communities and the key biological processes beneath the typical vertical vegetation band in the upper reaches of the Heihe River.

Effects of precipitation and temperature on the aboveground biomass of the forb-grass community in the Mountain Steppes

This study was carried out from 2009 to 2022, conducted in the long-term monitoring research area of the vegetation community in the mountain steppe of Mungunmorit soum, Tov Province. The plants of the community were divided into seven groups based on their life form: shrubs, subshrubs, grasses, perennials, sedges, legumes, annuals, and biennials, and how they depended on four climate parameters: annual and growing season precipitation, air temperature. As a result of the study, the above-ground biomass of the subshrub group was favorably connected to annual precipitation from 2009 to 2022, whereas the above-ground biomass of grass, perennial, annual, and biennial was positively related to growing season precipitation. As a result, when precipitation increases by 1 mm, biomass on the ground grows by 0.0068-0.0391 times. The above-ground biomass of subshrub and grass, on the other hand, is inversely related to the average air temperature during plant growth, with the above-ground biomass decreasing 14.611-41.703 times when the average air temperature rises by 1°C. Our findings revealed that precipitation has a significant impact on the above-ground biomass of subshrubs and grasses.&#x0D; Уулын хээрийн Үетэн-алаг өвст бүлгэмдлийн газрын дээрх биомасст хур тунадас, температурын нөлөө&#x0D; Хураангуй. Энэхүү судалгаа нь Төв аймгийн Мөнгөнморьт сумын уулын хээрийн Үетэн-алаг өвст бүлгэмдлийн урт хугацааны мониторинг судалгааны талбайд 2009- 2022 онд хийгдсэн. Тус бүлгэмдлийн ургамлуудыг аж ахуйн бүлгээр нь сөөг, заримдаг сөөгөнцөр, олон наст өвс, үетэн, улалж, буурцагтан ба цөөн наст гэж 7 ангилж жилийн болон ургамал ургалтын хугацааны нийлбэр хур тунадас, агаарын дундаж температур гэсэн 4 цаг агаарын үзүүлэлтээс хэрхэн хамааралтайг шугаман регрессийн анализ ашиглан тодорхойлов. Судалгааны үр дүнд 2009-2022 онд сөөгөнцөр ургамлуудын газрын дээрх биомасс жилийн нийлбэр хур тунадаснаас, харин үетэн, олон наст өвс, цөөн наст ургамлуудын газрын дээрх биомасс нь ургамал ургалтын хугацааны хур тунадаснаас эерэг хамааралтай байсан. Цаашид ургамал ургалтын хугацааны хур тунадас 1 мм-ээр нэмэгдэхэд олон наст өвслөг ургамлуудын газрын дээрх биомасс 0.039298 дахин, ургамал ургалтын хугацааны хур тунадас 1 мм-ээр нэмэгдэхэд олон наст өвслөг ургамлуудын газрын дээрх биомасс 0.039298 дахин, үетэн ургамлуудын газрын дээрх биомасс 0.012055 дахин, цөөн наст ургамлуудын газрын дээрх биомасс 0.039298 дахин, нэмэгдэх нэмэгдэх хандлагатай байна. Харин ургамал ургалтын хугацааны агаарын дундаж температураас заримдаг сөөгөнцөр, үетэн бүлгийн ургамлуудын газрын дээрх биомасс урвуу хамааралтай ба цаашид агаарын дундаж температур 1оС-ээр нэмэгдэхэд газрын дээрх биомасс 14.611-41.703 дахин буурах хандлагатай байна. Үүнээс үзэхэд заримдаг сөөгөнцөр, үетэн ургамлуудын газрын дээрх биомасст хур тунадас чухал нөлөөтэй байгааг харуулж байна.Түлхүүр үгс: Газрын дээрх биомасс, үетэн, заримдаг сөөгөнцөр ургамлууд, хур тунадас, агаарын температур, шугаман хамаарал&#x0D;

Aegokeras gazipashensis (Apiaceae), a new species from South Anatolia, Turkey

A new species, Aegokeras gazipashensis (Apiaceae), is described from South Anatolia, Turkey. It grows in mountain steppe formation of the Taurus Mountains in the district of Gazipaşa (Antalya province). The taxonomic affinities of the new species were determined by analyzing morphological data and a molecular phylogenetic study of nrITS. Aegokeras gazipashensis is morphologically similar to A. caespitosa but it differs mainly with growing habitat, non-caespitose habit, remains of old leaf bases, morphology of roots, leaves, and leaflets, presence of petiole, and stylopodium rim features. The anatomical structure of the fruit is given. The diagnostic morphological characters of A. gazipashensis are discussed. In addition, the geographical distribution of the new species and the morphologically related A. caespitosa species is mapped. In this study, an identification key with a description of the new species is provided along with statements about the habitat, ecology, phenology, and conservation status of the new species.

Variation in plant composition along a gradient of increasing distance from wells in a mountain steppe in southern Mongolia

Habitat degradation and heavy grazing by livestock are common conservation challenges across the steppes of Mongolia and Central Asia. Livestock grazing patterns are generally not uniform and are typically greater near campsites and watering holes. In this study, we examined how plant composition in a mountain steppe in southern Mongolia varied along a gradient of increasing distance from wells. We found that the cover and average height of Ephedera prezewalskii increased with increasing distance from the wells whereas soil chemistry and the other variables of plant composition that we examined were similar along the gradient of increasing distance from the wells. These results suggest relatively limited impact of livestock grazing on plant composition in our study. However, our study was limited in space and time and further studies are needed to understand the impact of livestock grazing in this mountain steppe in southern Mongolia.

Traditional Nomadism Offers Adaptive Capacity to Northern Mongolian Geohazards

Mongolia’s northernmost province, Khövsgöl Aimag, famous for its massive Lake Khövsgöl set among the mountainous steppe, taiga, and tundra forests, increasingly attracts both domestic and international tourists. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Mongolia received over 500,000 tourists annually. The aimag is also home to Indigenous, nomadic Dukha reindeer herders and semi-nomadic Darkhad cattle herders. Using a multidisciplinary approach, this study uses an analytical hierarchy process to map areas in Khövsgöl Aimag, where the infrastructure, including buildings, dwellings, formal and informal roads, and pastureland, is subject to geohazards. The hazards of interest to this mapping analysis include mass wasting, flooding, and permafrost thawing, which threaten roads, pastures, houses, and other community infrastructure in Khövsgöl Aimag. Based on the integrated infrastructure risk map, an estimated 23% of the aimag is at high to very high risk for localized geohazards. After a discussion of the results informed by the interviews, mobile ethnographies, and local and national land use policies, we postulate that communities exercising more traditional nomadic lifestyles with higher mobility are more resilient to these primarily localized geohazards.

Phytocenological Characteristics of the Woody Species of the Rosaceae Family in the Steppe Vegetation of the Flora of Nakhchivan

The article provides information about the shrub vegetation of the high mountain steppes of the woody species of the Rosaceae family, which spread in the flora of the Nakhchivan. Typical highland steppes of the study area are found mainly on the steep southern slopes of mountains, hills, ravines and valleys. 3 formations, 13 associations and 1 subassociation were identified in the class of shrub vegetation of the high mountain steppes, and a phytocenological classification of the vegetation was given for the first time.

Dietary overlap and selectivity among mountain steppe river fish in the United States and Mongolia.

Lotic systems in mountain regions have historically provided secure habitat for native fish populations because of their relative isolation from human settlement and lack of upstream disturbances. However, rivers of mountain ecoregions are currently experiencing heightened levels of disturbance due to the introduction of nonnative species impacting endemic fishes in these areas. We compared the fish assemblages and diets of mountain steppe fishes of the stocked rivers in Wyoming with rivers in northern Mongolia where stocking is absent. Using gut content analysis, we quantified the selectivity and diets of fishes collected in these systems. Nonnative species had more generalist diets with lower levels of selectivity than most native species and native species had high levels of dietary specificity and selectivity. High abundances of nonnative species and high levels of dietary overlaps in our Wyoming sites is a cause of concern for native Cutthroat Trout and overall system stability. In contrast, fish assemblages characterizing Mongolia mountain steppe rivers were composed of only native species with diverse diets and higher selectivity values, suggesting low probability for interspecific competition.

A planted forest in the mountain steppe of Tabriz, Iran: Visitor’s perceptions of Eynali Urban Woodland Park

Eynali Urban Woodland Park (EWP) is a large mountain park in Tabriz, Iran, and is the largest urban woodland park in Iran. It was developed to increase the urban green space in the growing city of Tabriz for recreation, climate improvement, biodiversity, and ecological connection between the city and its natural surroundings. The planted hilly woodland is located in a natural mountain steppe in a semi-arid region and needs intensive management, including irrigation. By questioning 277 randomly selected park visitors’ frequency of visits, activities, accessibility, preferences, and especially nature preferences were analyzed using visualization of different nature types by photographs. The management targets were compared to visitors’ perceptions, preferences, and acceptances. The results show, that visitors prefer natural surroundings instead of artificial landscape design. Expectations of visitors for specific natural design attractions are lower than the actual status offers, and higher for social security, quality of infrastructure, accessibility, and utilization. Especially important are security by monitoring and guarding, enhancing picnic sites, improving the lighting system for evening visits, continuing forestry, public transport, and providing natural risk protection. Most visitors prefer nature-near vegetation, dry grassland with shrubs partly planted with trees and bushes, followed by planted forest. The planted forest is not the preferred preference. Vistors’ mental nature imagination matches quite well with the nature experience they have from the surrounding mountain steppe with forest patches. The use of the visitors’ expectations can improve the park landscape management can reduce the management costs.

Population estimate and conservation status of the Persian Leopard, Panthera pardus tulliana, in the Bamo and Khoshk Mountains in Kurdistan Region, northern Iraq

In Iraq, the endangered Persian Leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana) is distributed in the northern part (Kurdistan Region) along the Zagros mountain steppe ecoregion, which includes the Bamo and Khoshk Mountains, where we carried out a field survey between October 2020 and November 2022 including camera trapping and interviews with local communities. At least five individuals were recorded during this study, including males, a female, and a family, given a population density of 1.25 indivuduals/100 km2. Bezoar Goat and Wild Boar are their key prey species in the area. Poaching and wildlife trafficking, decreasing natural water sources, overgrazing, minefields, and forest fires are identified as key threats facing the Persian Leopard population, their prey species, and their natural habitats in the Bamo and Khoshk Mountains. It is suggested to designate the study area as a national protected area or a transboundary conservation area between Iraq and Iran.

Gamasid Ticks as Vectors of Tularemia in the Southeast of Armenia.

Background: The natural environment of southeastern Armenia, which includes the Syunik and Vayots Dzor regions, provides a high biodiversity of flora and fauna, including ectoparasites. Currently, the fauna and ecology of gamasid ticks and their role in the circulation of tularemia in this area are unclear and incomplete. To better understand the persistence of tularemia in Armenia, an assessment of specific hosts and their vectors is needed to evaluate their role in perpetuating tularemia. Materials and Methods: Utilizing data and samples collected from 1970 to 2020, we have evaluated the species composition of gamasid ticks found on the common vole and in their nests and burrows, and identified the presence of tularemia over time. We evaluated five different geographical landscapes: semidesert, dry mountain steppe, mountain steppe, mountain forest, and high mountain in the communities and open areas of Kapan, Goris, Sisian, Meghri, and Jermuk. Results: We determined the density of gamasid ticks in southeastern Armenia over the 50-year period and isolated 20 cultures of tularemia in 12 separate years. Conclusions: It is important to regularly monitor gamasid ticks in southeastern Armenia to clarify the risk factors for the occurrence of tularemia epizootics, among both carriers and vectors, to better understand the full epidemiological picture.

A new Kalidium species (Amaranthaceae s. l.) from northern Central Asia

Kalidium juniperinum Sukhor. et Lomon. is described as a species new to science. It is similar to K. foliatum in having a short leaf blade but differs by the presence of numerous slender, prostrate, or ascending stems forming mats vs. the stout main upright stem; acuminate bracts slightly exceeding the flower cyme vs. obtuse bracts equal to the flower cyme; the exserted pericarp looking like a bulge on the one-seeded diaspore vs. not or slightly elevated top of the diaspore; shorter anthers; the geographic range in the highlands and mountainous steppe zone vs. Eurasian lowland (semi-)desert regions. K. juniperinum is recorded in Russia (West Siberia and Sayan Mountains), Eastern and Northern Kazakhstan, the Mongolian Altai, and NW China. The names K. foliatum α [var.] glomeratum Fenzl and Kalidium foliatum β [var.] brevifolium Fenzl are lectotypified and synonymized with K. juniperinum.