Northeastern Limit Research Articles

Cold hardiness and overwintering conditions of larvae of the Siberian moth, <i>Dendrolimus sibiricus</i> (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae) from Central Yakutia’s population

The Siberian moth, Dendrolimus sibiricus Tschetverikov 1908, is a dangerous pest of the conifer family Pinaceae that inhabits the Asian part of Russia, northern Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China and the Korean Peninsula. Its range is gradually expanding both westwards and northwards: the species is currently recorded at 46°–47° E over the Eastern European Plain, around 60° N in the Krasnoyarsk Krai and at 63° N in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). A number of studies have been devoted to predicting further dispersal of D. sibiricus, but the assessment of the pest’s invasion potential is hampered, among other things, by insufficient information on the requirements of the overwintering stage (larvae) to winter conditions. We evaluated the main features of pest biology, determined the cold hardiness of its larvae, and revealed the temperature conditions in the wintering places at the northeastern limit of its distribution in Central Yakutia. The average supercooling point of larvae was –18.5 ± 0.4°C, being significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) between individuals of younger (II–III and III–IV) and older (IV–IV) instars: –20.0 ± 0.6 and –18.8 ± 0.8°C, vs –16.7 ± 0.8°C, respectively. A prolonged (2 days) stay at –15.5°C leads to death of 53% individuals, 63% mortality at –17.5°C and already 91% at –20°C. Comparing larval cold hardiness and the temperatures in hibernation horizons in one of the coldest regions within the natural range of the pest shows suitability of large areas of Yakutia for D. sibiricus survival, especially currently due to climate warming.

Differentiation of <i>Juniperus deltoidеs</i> R.P. Аdams in the Crimean-Caucasian Region According to the Variability of Microsatellite DNA Markers

*e-mail: hantemirova@ipae.uran.ru The structure of genetic variability of the prickly juniper Juniperus deltoides R.P. Adams (family Cupressaceae), an important component of Mediterranean arid and semi-arid ecosystems was studied. We used for the first time 5 nuclear microsatellite loci developed for another juniper species J. cedrus Webb Berthel. to genotype samples from 5 populations of J. deltoides located at the northeastern limit of the range in Eurasia (Western Crimea, Transcaucasia) and one Balkan population (Bulgaria). J. deltoides is characterized by an average level of genetic variability (He varies from 0.428 to 0.602) with the lowest values in the Crimean populations. Phylogenetic analyses revealed three genetic groups: Western Crimea, Transcaucasia (Krasnodar Territory) and Bulgarian population. Application of AMOVA to these groups showed statistically significant differentiation (9.9% of total variability, P 0.001). The first two groups correspond to the previously identified Asian group of J. deltoides, and the third group corresponds to the Balkan group. The differentiation of the Crimean populations from geographically close Caucasian populations is shown by us for the first time.

Tree-ring formation dynamics in Fagus sylvatica and Quercus petraea in a dry and a wet year

European beech Fagus sylvatica and Sessile oak Quercus petraea are reaching the north-eastern limits of their natural ranges in northern Poland. According to the projected changes in potential ranges in this region, climatic conditions for both species until 2080 will remain stable. On the other hand, a decrease in the vitality of mature trees and a reduction in their radial growth are currently observed. To understand these contradictory findings, we monitored the cambial activity in both species during two vegetation seasons. 2015 was characterized by a negative water balance, while 2017 was wet. This provided an opportunity to compare how the xylogenesis proceeds in diffuse-porous beech and ring-porous oak during contrasting in the summer precipitation seasons. The forming annual increments were sampled with Presler borer at variable time intervals depending on the leaf phenological phases. The cores were prepared using a sledge microtome and double-stained with safranin and astra blue. Observations of the phases of wood formation and measurements of the width of the forming increments were analysed on the microslide digital images. Differences in the dates of the phenological phases were analysed using Two-Way ANOVA, while the dynamics of the formation of annual increments were fitted to the Single and Double Gompertz function for beech and oak, respectively. The beginning of vessel formation started earlier in both seasons compared to previous studies. Inter-seasonal differences in the duration of spring phenological phases were insignificant for both species, while inter-species differences were significant due to physiological diversity between diffuse-porous beech and ring-porous oak. In dry 2015, cambial activity ceased sooner in both species than in 2017. Differences between oak and beech were insignificant in both years, but statistically significant disparities existed within each species due to varying in precipitation seasons. Rainfall significantly elongated the duration of cambial activity and caused wider tree-rings. According to our study, despite predicted maintaining their climatic niche, both species, situated at the north-eastern cooler range boundary, are expected to produce wood at a lower rate due to the projected warmer central European climate with increased heatwaves and summer droughts.

Lesser white-toothed shrew Crocidura suaveolens (Soricidae, Mammalia) in the diet of Tyto alba from the Lower Vistula Valley (north Poland).

The species composition of a small mammal community in the diet of the Barn Owl Tyto alba was examined at two sites near the town of Świecie nad Wisłą (northern Poland). Bones of 161 prey were extracted from T. alba pellets collected in 2021 and 2023. A total of 14 mammalian species were recorded: Soricomorpha (3) and Rodentia (11). The dominant species in the diet of T. alba at both sites was Microtus arvalis, accounting for 24–48%. The second most common species in the diet of owls was Sorex araneus. A significant difference between the sites is the ratio of Microtidae to Muridae in the food of the Barn Owl. The most interesting species was Crocidura suaveolens, whose localities are located outside the previously known north-eastern limit of its range. Possible pathways for the spread of this species beyond its current geographic range are discussed.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ЭКОЛОГО-ГЕОГРАФИЧЕСКОЙ ПРИУРОЧЕННОСТИ РЕДКОГО ВИДА TULIPA BORSZCZOWII REGEL (LILIACEAE) В ПРЕДЕЛАХ КАЗАХСТАНА

The article presents the results of critical review of available herbarium specimens of Tulipa borszc-zowii Regel (Liliaceae) – a rare species listed in the List of Rare and Threatened Plant Species (2006); Red Books: Kazakh SSR (1981), South Kazakhstan (Turkestan) region (2002); Republic of Kazakhstan (2014), Kyzylorda region (2014). The aim of the study was to investigate its current distribution and ecological habitat to identify potential growing sites within the Republic. Specimens of the studied species stored in such major Herbaria as: AA, TASH, MW, LE were reviewed. A total of 147 herbarium specimens were viewed during the study. Also, in the process of work was carried out screening of domestic and foreign sources (including electronic databases) containing information on the places of Tulipa borszczowiigrowth. As a result of the research: the morphological description of the species was supplemented with detailing the range of color gamma of perianth lobes; the northern boundaries of the Kazakh part of the Tulipa borszczowii area were specified, which are simultaneously the northern limits of distribution of the species as a whole and the list of floristic areas of Kazakhstan in which it is fixed was expanded; a map-scheme of the species locations within the Republic was drawn up; The tasks for further research are formulated, in particular, the need for biometric studies and clarification of both the northwestern and northeastern limits of Tulipa borszczowii growth.

Smicromyrme ceballosi Surez, 1959 and S. plantourianus Schwartz, 1986: two little known species new for Portugal (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae).

The mutillid wasps (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae) of the Iberian Peninsula, and particularly of Portugal, are insufficiently researched. In this paper, two species in the genus Smicromyrme are added to the Portuguese fauna: S. ceballosi Surez, 1959 and S. plantourianus Schwartz, 1986, both currently poorly known species. The former was hitherto recorded only from Spain, for which notes complementing the original description are given. The latter species was unexpected, as it was known only from Southern France and is thus also new for the Iberian Peninsula; given its original description may be considered insufficient by modern standards, a full redescription is here presented; the presently known localities in Portugal suggest S. plantourianus has a wide distribution and is probably a mainly Iberian species, which thus reaches in France the north-eastern limit of its distribution. In addition, the putative male of S. plantourianus is here newly described. A key to the Iberian Smicromyrme is presented, currently represented by 13 species and three subspecies.

LIVING AT THE EDGE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE CENTRAL AND MARGINAL POPULATIONS OF DACTYLORHIZA TRAUNSTEINERI (ORCHIDACEAE) IN EUROPEAN NORTHEAST OF RUSSIA

Peripheral populations are considered more vulnerable than central ones, but recent studies have questioned the existence of clear patterns within species ranges. We studied reproductive and demographic characteristics of the rare orchid Dactylorhiza traunsteineri at the northeastern limit of its distribution range (the Subpolar Urals) and compared them with the data of four populations located closer to the center of the range (south of the Komi Republic). In peripheral populations, number of individuals per population, plant sizes, number of owers per individual and seeds per fruit were signi cantly lower than those in populations located closer to the center of the area. Contrary to expectations, the peripheral populations were renewed better than the central ones, which may be due to the high level of moisture availability in the Subpolar Urals. The proportion of juvenile individuals in the peripheral populations was 18.7%, in populations in the south of the Komi Republic - 6.3-6.9%. In addition, we found that in the direction from the center to the periphery of the species range, the proportion of empty space in seeds increased (from 63.9 to 75.6%). This provides the seeds with better volatility and increases the chances of reaching places favorable for germination, which are becoming fewer at the edge of the range.

Spatial determinants of tree recruitment in mixed stands in southeastern Poland- silver fir's interaction with lowland tree species

Spatial determinants of tree recruitment in mixed stands in southeastern Poland- silver fir's interaction with lowland tree species

Short range extension delineating the north-eastern limit, and use of atypical habitat by highland Leadbeater’s possum

Within its core highland range, Leadbeater’s possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) occurs predominantly in tall montane ash forest dominated by Eucalyptus regnans, E. delegatensis and E. nitens. To improve predictive modelling of suitable habitat, we surveyed ash/non-ash ecotones and also explored the species’ recently extended eastern distribution. We detected Leadbeater’s possums at 19 sites, including six in non-ash forest dominated by E. dalrympleana, E. viminalis or E. kybeanensis. This extends its known distribution by 5.5 km and appears to delineate the north-eastern limit of its range. Our results add to previous findings indicating Leadbeater’s possums have slightly broader range limits and habitat flexibility than previously thought.

Acceleration of Late Pleistocene activity of a Central European fault driven by ice loading

We studied the southern part of the NW-SE trending Sudetic Marginal fault (SMF), situated at the northeastern limit of the Bohemian Massif in central Europe, to assess its Quaternary activity. Eighteen trenches and thirty-four electric resistivity profiles were performed at Bílá Voda to study the fault zone and 3-dimensional distribution of a beheaded alluvial fan on the NE side of the fault. We interpret a small drainage, located about 29–45 m to the SE of the fan apex, as the only plausible source channel implying a similar amount of left-lateral offset. The alluvial fan deposits' radiometric ages range between about 24 and 63 ka, but postglacial deposits younger than 11 ka are not displaced, indicating that all motion occurred in the late Pleistocene. The site lies ∼150 km south of the late Pleistocene Weichselian maximum (∼20 ka) ice sheet front. We model the effects of the ice load on lithospheric flexure and resolved fault stresses, and show that slip on the SMF was promoted by the presence of the ice sheet, resulting in a late Pleistocene slip rate of ∼1.1+2.3/−0.6 mm/yr. As the most favorable time for glacial loading-induced slip would be during the glacial maximum between about 24 and 12 ka, it is doubtful that the slip rate remained constant during the entire period of activity, and if most slip occurred during this period, the short-term rate may have been even higher. Considering that the modern maximum principal stress (σ1) is oriented nearly parallel to the Sudetic Marginal fault (NNW-SSE) and is thus unfavorable for fault motion, our observations suggest that the likelihood of continued motion and earthquake production is much lower in the absence of an ice sheet.

New records, extended and updated geographic distribution of the South American native antlion Dimares elegans (Perty, 1833) (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae)

An extensive review of primary and secondary occurrence data, including several new records, of the South American native antlion Dimares elegans (Perty) revealed that this species is endemic to regions of stressful water regime (Caatinga, Cerrado, Chaco and temperate fields) and adjacent areas in Amazon rainforest, Atlantic forest and Pampas. Its known distribution is from Santarém, Pará state, northern Brazil to Río Negro, Chimpay, northwestern Argentina. The known distribution of the species in Brazil has been extended, registering several areas above the São Francisco River (former possible northeastern limit). New limits further east were established from new primary records. For the first time the species is registered from the Brazillian states of Maranhão, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, Bahia, Goiáis, Tocantins, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, São Paulo and Paraná, Brazil. Historical data of occurrence in Goiás (Cerrado) have been geopolitically rectified (Tocantins) and, present occurrence in Goiás is reported by primary data in two new localities. Antlions are mostly xerofilous species, however with recent data this species might present much wider distribution than restricted to seasonally dry forests.

Epipactis albensis (Orchidaceae) species new to the flora of Lithuania. Data from the northeastern limit of the species distribution area

Epipactis albensis Nováková & Rydlo (Orchidaceae), a species new to the flora of Lithuania, was found in the southwestern part of the country, in the Bukta Forest (the Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve, Marijampolė district) in 2020, and the nearby Dalginė Forest (the Dalginės Botanical Reserve) in 2021. The closest isolated population is located ca. 340 km southwest, and newly recorded populations form an island outside the main distribution area. Species populations occur primarily in the Tilio-Carpinetum betuli plant community showing ecological plasticity. A part of the population occurs in habitats with anthropogenic influence. Epipactis albensis is the only obligate autogamous Epipactis species known in Lithuania until now. Although its flowering season starts at the end of July or the beginning of August, solitary flowering specimens can be found in September or even later. According to the assessment applying the IUCN criteria, species should be treated as endangered (EN) [B2a,b(ii)c(iv) D] in Lithuania.

Flatfoot in Africa, the cirripede Chthamalus in the west Indian Ocean.

Barnacles of the genus Chthamalus are commonly encountered rocky intertidal shores. The phylogeography of the different species in the Western Indian Ocean is unclear. Using morphological characteristics as well as the molecular markers mitochondrial cytochrome oxygenase subunit I (COI) and the nuclear sodium-potassium ATPase (NaKA), we identified four clades representing four species in the Western Indian Ocean and its adjacent seas. Among these species, a newly identified species, Chthamalus barilani, which was found in Madagascar, Zanzibar and Tanzania. Chthamalus from the coasts of Tanzania and Zanzibar is identified morphologically as C. malayensis, and clusters with C. malayensis from the Western Pacific and the Indo Malayan regions. C. malayensis is regarded as a group of four genetically differentiated clades representing four cryptic species. The newly identified African clade is genetically different from these clades and the pairwise distances between them justify the conclusion that it is an additional cryptic species of C. malayensis. This type of genetic analyses offers an advantage over morphological characterization and allowed us to reveal that another species, C. barnesi, which is known from the Red Sea, is also distributed in the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf. We could also confirm the presence of the South African species C. dentatus in the Mozambique channel. This represents the Northeastern limit of C. dentatus, which is usually distributed along the coast of southern Africa up to the Islands of Cape Verde in West Africa. Altogether, based on a combination of morphology and genetics, we distinct between four clusters of Chthamalus, and designate their distribution in the West Indian Ocean. These distinctions do not agree with the traditional four groups reported previously based merely on morphological data. Furthermore, these findings underline the importance of a combining morphological and genetics tools for constructing barnacle taxonomy.

Polystichum setiferum at the Northeastern Limit of Its Distribution Range

Abstract During field studies in 2019 in the Beskid Śląski mountain range in southern Poland, one individual morphologically resembling Polystichum setiferum was found. Nuclear DNA content analysis confirmed the species identity. The new stand of P. setiferum corresponds to historical literature reports and herbarium specimens from the Czech Republic and Poland, and extends the northeastern limit of the distribution of this species. As the historical stands in both countries have not been confirmed, the newly discovered stand is at present strongly isolated, as the nearest extant locations of P. setiferum in Austria, southern Hungary, and western Romania are nearly 500 km away. Therefore, this unique stand deserves special attention and protection.

Ontogenetic and vitality structure of Muscari botryoides (L.) Mill. (Asparagaceae Juss.) populations at the northeastern limit of its 7nature area

Досліджено онтогенетичну та віталітетну структуру восьми популяцій Muscari botryoides з території України. M. botryoides – це рідкісний, ендемічний вид з родини Аsparagaceae, який перебуває на північно-східній межі ареалу та занесений до третього видання «Червоної книги України» зі статусом «зникаючий». Подано характеристику основних онтогенетичних станів виду. Побудовано вікові спектри популяцій. Розраховано онтогнетичні індекси за І.М. Коваленко. У складі досліджуваних популяцій M. botryoides виявлено особини восьми вікових станів: насіння (sm), проростки (p), ювенільні (j), іматурні (im), віргінільні (v), молоді генеративні (g1), зрілі генеративні (g2) та старі генеративні (g3). Субсенільні (ss) та сенільні (s) особини не зареєстровані. Вікові спектри всіх досліджуваних популяцій лівосторонні з переважанням рослин ювенільного онтогенетичного стану. За ознаками онтогенетичної структури усі досліджувані популяції – нормальні, неповночленні. Згідно з класифікацією популяцій О.О. Уранова та О.В. Смірнової вони є нормальними молодими, згідно з класифікацією «Дельта-Омега», запропонованою Л.А. Животовським – молодими, згідно з Л.О. Жуковою та Т.А. Полянською – перспективними. Індекси відновлення популяцій дуже високі, а індекси генеративності, старіння та віковості – низькі. Проведено факторний аналіз з урахуванням 17 морфопараметрів M. botryoides, встановлено, що ознаками, які детермінують життєвість особин є: довжина першого листка, ширина цибулини, довжина суцвіття та кількість квіток у суцвітті. Віталітетний аналіз засвідчив, що у більшості досліджуваних популяцій домінують особин середнього рівня життєвості. За віталітетною структурою шість з восьми популяцій відповідають процвітаючому якісному типу, дві популяції перебувають у депресивному стані.

Monitoring through Community Science: Anna’s Hummingbird Winter Range Expansion into Idaho

Increased urbanization and supplementary feeding are implicated in driving the expansion of the range of the Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna). In many areas this range expansion has been well described, but the recent expansion of the northeastern limit of the nonbreeding distribution, in winter in Idaho, has not yet been summarized. Using data from the Idaho Bird Records Committee database and www.eBird.org from 1976 through 2020, we collated records for Idaho and supplemented them with data from a community-science program of monitoring by homeowners. Our additional effort to solicit records from the community shows that database records and feeder observations alone underestimate the number of individuals present in the state. Through banding and color-marking of 58 individual hummingbirds at private residences, we documented six instances of Anna’s Hummingbirds returning to a site in successive winters, found a roughly even sex ratio, and found a ratio of adults to juveniles of about 3:1. Anna’s Hummingbird may now be a sparse year-round resident in parts of Idaho.

Predicting the hatching date of Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata eggs without excavating the mound

The Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata (Family Megapodiidae) has suffered a major contraction in its distribution across Australia and is considered vulnerable to extinction. It incubates its eggs in a mound. A key conservation concern for this species is the level of recruitment of young into the breeding population. One approach for measuring recruitment success is to mark chicks as they emerge from the mound. Traditional methods have involved excavating the mound in order to determine the rate of egg production, hatching success and to predict the timing of hatching. This is laborious, involves significant disturbance and may pose a risk to the eggs or chicks. A less invasive method, using remote cameras to determine the date of egg-laying and hatching, and length of incubation, was tested to help predict when chicks emerge from their mound. In the mound studied at Matuwa in central Western Australia, 19 eggs were laid from 26 August 2017 to 27 January 2018, with eggs being laid earlier in the day as temperature increased and as time progressed. An average incubation period of 61.25 days was observed for four chicks that were recorded emerging from the mound. This study has provided evidence that remote cameras can be used to help determine the number of eggs laid and their hatching success and to predict emergence times of Malleefowl chicks without needing to excavate mounds. Further development of this technique as a more cost-effective and passive alternative for providing information on chick recruitment is recommended to help facilitate the recovery of the species. It was also of interest to record details of the mound observed here as the study site was located on the north-eastern limit ofthe known Malleefowl range in Western Australia, where there are few detailed records.

Indicators for Interactions from Legacy Worked and Unworked Faunal Assemblages from the Quackenbush Site, a Late Woodland Site in the Kawartha Lakes Region, Ontario

The Quackenbush site (BdGm-l) is located in what is now Ontario, at the northeastern limit of the area known to have been occupied by the Huron-Wendat pre-dispersal and visited by the Anishinaabeg of the Canadian Shield. Excavations of portions of the site half a century ago uncovered parts of three longhouses and midden deposits. We generated the data presented here as part of a larger scholarly effort aimed at analyzing and writing up all of the material culture from the site. We investigate ways in which faunal remains can be used to inform on the nature of the activities conducted at the site and to trace past interactions between the site’s occupants and people living on the Canadian Shield and in the St. Lawrence Valley at that time, finding tentative evidence for the former and more conclusive evidence for the latter. We hypothesize that people originating from the St. Lawrence Valley were present at the Quackenbush site and making bone artifacts as a way of maintaining or negotiating identity.

From mountains to cities: a novel isotope hydrological assessment of a tropical water distribution system

ABSTRACT Water use by anthropogenic activities in the face of climate change invokes a better understanding of headwater sources and lowland urban water allocations. Here, we constrained a Bayesian mixing model with stable isotope data (2018–2019) in rainfall (N = 704), spring water (N = 96), and surface water (N = 94) with seasonal isotope sampling (wet and dry seasons) of an urban aqueduct (N = 215) in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Low δ 18O rainfall compositions corresponded to the western boundary of the study area, whereas high values were reported to the northeastern limit, reflecting the influence of moisture transport from the Caribbean domain coupled with strong orographic effects over the Pacific slope. The latter is well-depicted in the relative rainfall contributions (west versus east) in two headwater systems: (a) spring (68.7 ± 3.4 %, west domain) and (b) stream (55.8 ± 3.9 %, east domain). The aqueduct exhibited a spatial predominance of spring water and surface water during a normal wet season (78.7 %), whereas deep groundwater and spring water were fundamental sources for the aqueduct in the dry season (69.4 %). Our tracer-based methodology can help improve aqueduct management practices in changing climate, including optimal water allocation and reduced evaporative losses in the dry season.

Characterizing phytoplankton biomass seasonal cycles in two NE Atlantic coastal bays

The seasonal and interannual variability of chlorophyll a was studied between 2008 and 2016 in two coastal bays located in the northeastern limit of the Iberia/Canary upwelling ecosystem. The work aims (i) to understand if small latitudinal distances and/or coastline orientation can promote different chlorophyll a seasonal cycles; and (ii) to investigate if different meteorological and oceanographic variables can explain the differences observed on seasonal cycles. Results indicate three main biological seasons with different patterns in the two studied bays. A uni-modal pattern with a short early summer maximum and relatively low chlorophyll a concentration characterized the westernmost sector of the South coast, while a uni-modal pattern characterized by high biomass over a long period, slightly higher in spring than in summer, and high chlorophyll a concentration characterized the central West coast. Comparisons made between satellite estimates of chlorophyll a and in situ data in one of the bays revealed some important differences, namely the overestimation of concentrations and the anticipation of the beginning and end time of the productive period by satellite. Cross-correlation analyses were performed for phytoplankton biomass and different meteorological and oceanographic variables (SST, PAR, UI, MLD and precipitation) using different time lags to identify the drivers that promote the growth and the high levels of phytoplankton biomass. PAR contributed to the increase of phytoplankton biomass observed during winter/mid-spring, while upwelling and SST were the main explanatory drivers to the high Chl-a concentrations observed in late-spring/summer. Zonal transport was the variable that contributed most to the phytoplankton biomass during late-spring/summer in Lisbon Bay, while the meridional transport combined with SST was more important in Lagos Bay.