Northern Ones Research Articles

Introduction

Introduction

Eco-efficiency measurement and spatial–temporal evolution of forest tourism

Our study uses the SBM-undesirable output model of DEA to measure the eco-efficiency of 28 national forest parks and spatial autocorrelation in order to analyze the evolution of spatial–temporal evolution. The conclusions are as follows: (1) the average eco-efficiency of forest tourism in Liaoning is 0.88 between 2007 and 2016, at a relatively high level. The trend is upward although there is a small fluctuation. (2) The eco-efficiency in eastern and southern regions is obviously higher than that in northern and western ones. Fenghuang, Dahe, Huancheng, and Hemu have always been in effective frontier. The eco- efficiency increases greatly in eastern and southern regions but slowly or even stagnantly in northern and western ones. (3) According to the Moran index of forest tourism, regions with a similar level of eco-efficiency show the phenomenon of volatility agglomeration in space. From the local analysis, due to the positive radiation in eastern and southern regions, the eco-efficiency of forest tourism in Liaoning has been constantly improving. The original regional polarization situation has been improved, and the regional differences have been reduced.

Uncovering endemism in a lake of invasive species introgression.

Species distributions are rapidly being altered by human globalisation and movement. As species are moved across biogeographic boundaries, human-mediated secondary contacts between historically allopatric taxa may promote hybridisation between closely related native and introduced species. The outcomes of hybridisation are diverse from strong reproductive barriers to gene flow to genome-wide admixture that may enhance (Fitzpatrick et al., 2010; Mesgaran et al., 2016; Valencia-Montoya et al., 2020) or impede (Kovach et al., 2016) invasive spread. For native species, introgressive hybridisation may disassemble locally adapted genomes, and in extreme cases, extensive asymmetric introgression may lead to the 'genomic extinction' of endemic diversity (Rhymer & Simberloff, 1996; Todesco et al., 2016). Undoubtedly, introgressive hybridisation can rapidly alter the evolution of introduced and endemic populations. This is a major conservation issue (Leitwein, Duranton, Rougemont, Gagnaire, & Bernatchez, 2020), with the greatest potential consequences on small, range-restricted native populations where introduced species may reach higher relative densities (Currat, Ruedi, Petit, & Excoffier, 2008). In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Blackwell et al. (2020) explore the history of divergence and admixture between the highly invasive Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, and a recently discovered Oreochromis lineage that is endemic to the coastal lakes of southern Tanzania. Oreochromis tilapias belong to the African cichlids and the most diverse family of vertebrates (Cichlidae), with almost 2000 species inhabiting the Great Lakes and river environments of Eastern Africa (Kocher, 2004; McGee et al., 2020). By analysing previously unrecognised cichlid diversity from southern lakes, Blackwell et al. (2020) provide novel evidence for how introgressive hybridisation with introduced species can alter native genetic makeup, illustrating the potential susceptibility of Tanzania's endemic biodiversity to genetic threats from introduced taxa.

On the proper type designation for Camelina microcarpa, a wild relative and possible progenitor of the crop species C. sativa (Brassicaceae)

Mosyakin, S.L. & J.R. Brock (2021). On the proper type designation for Camelina microcarpa, a wild relative and possible progenitor of the crop species C. sativa (Brassicaceae). In English, English abstract. Candollea 76: 55–63.The proper type designation of the name Camelina microcarpa Andrz. ex DC. (Brassicaceae) is discussed. This taxon is currently considered to be a wild relative and possible progenitor of the oilseed crop Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz, and thus the proper typification of the name C. microcarpa is important for further germplasm research and improvement of the crop species. At present, several (at least four) specimens deposited in herbaria G-DC, KW, and LE, are listed in literature and/or annotated in herbaria or online databases as the type (holotype or lectotype) of C. microcarpa. The original material deposited in G-DC [G00203789] is accepted here as the holotype of C. microcarpa because it appears to be the only original element used by Candolle when preparing his description of the new taxon. Isotypes from the Besser herbarium at the National Herbarium of Ukraine in Kyiv (KW-BESS) are discussed and illustrated. It is concluded that the holotype from G-DC and two well-preserved isotypes from KW-BESS [KW001003103, KW001003104] are sufficient for precise morphology-based application of the name C. microcarpa. Our analysis provided evidence that original material was collected by Andrzejowski no later than 1818 in the Podolian Governorate of the former Russian Empire, most probably in the eastern part of Moldova or adjacent southwestern parts of Ukraine, along the Dnister (Nistru, Dniester) River between the present-day town of Camenca (Kamenka) and the confluence of the Dnister and Yagorlyk (Iagorlîc) rivers, probably on limestone outcrops. It means that the type of C. microcarpa may belong to the southern Ukrainian populations, which are genetically different from northern and central Ukrainian ones; however, further field and molecular studies are needed because more than one genotype may in fact occur in that area.Received: August 7, 2020; Accepted: November 26, 2020; First published online: February 1, 2021

Divergent Seasonal Reproductive Patterns in Syntopic Populations of Two Murine Species in Southern Spain, Mus spretus and Apodemus sylvaticus.

Simple SummaryIn temperate zones of the Earth, most species reproduce in seasons providing the most favourable environmental conditions. Producing gametes is expensive in energetical terms, so both males and females either reduce or abolish gametogenesis during the non-breeding period. We thoroughly studied the testes of sexually inactive males of two rodents, the wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus, and the Algerian mouse, Mus spretus, in southern Iberian peninsula. These populations are syntopic, that is, animals of the two species share their territories and resources, so one would expect them to show similar or identical seasonal reproduction patterns. Contrarily, we found that both species reproduce during most of the year, but wood mice stop breeding in the summer whereas Algerian mice do it in winter. These divergent seasonal breeding patterns imply that either very subtle animal features and/or environmental cues operate to determine reproduction timing and support the notion that multiple models of circannual reproduction patterns are possible for different populations of the same species, showing that the mechanisms controlling seasonal reproduction are in fact very plastic and fast evolving. Hence, small mammals probably have multiple ways available to get adapted to the unstable environmental conditions derived from the ongoing global climate change.In most mammals with seasonal reproduction, males undergo testis regression during the non-breeding period. We performed a morphological, hormonal, functional, and molecular study of the testes of sexually inactive males of two species of murine rodents, the wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus, and the Algerian mouse, Mus spretus, in syntopic populations of southern Iberian peninsula. Both species reproduce during most of the year, but wood mice stop breeding in the summer whereas Algerian mice do it in winter. Sexually inactive males of A. sylvaticus show complete testis regression with reduced levels of serum testosterone and abnormal distribution of cell-adhesion molecules. Contrarily, inactive males of M. spretus maintain almost normal spermotogenesis despite a significant reduction of androgenic function. The lack of an evident explanation for the divergent seasonal breeding patterns found in southern populations of A. sylvaticus and M. spretus, compared with northern ones, implies that very subtle species/population-specific features and/or non-conspicuous environmental cues probably operate to determine their seasonal breeding pattern. These results also support the notion that multiple models of circannual testis variation are possible for different populations of the same species, showing that the mechanisms controlling seasonal reproduction are in fact very plastic and fast evolving.

ОЦЕНКА ВЛИЯНИЯ ФАКТОРОВ АБИОТИЧЕСКОЙ ПРИРОДЫ НА ФЕРМЕНТАТИВНУЮ АКТИВНОСТЬ ПОЧВЫ

Аn attempt is made in this work to establish correlations between the level of enzymatic activity of the soil and factors of an abiotic nature. It was found that the activity of invertase and urease in the soils of more southern territories is higher than that of northern ones. In soils with a pH value of the soil environment close to neutral reaction, the level of enzymatic activity is higher than in more acidic ones. The most sensitive to soil acidity among the studied urease enzymes. In relation to zinc, an inverse correlation was established between its content in the soil and the level of invertase activity. According to the degree of resistance to salinity, the enzymes are arranged in the following order: catalase> invertase> urease. An increase in the mineralization of the soil solution leads to an increase in the activity of urease. Of the studied enzymes, the most labile are representatives of the class of hydrolases (invertase and urease), less labile are oxidoreductases (catalase). Thus, when diagnosing the state of the soil by the level of enzymatic activity, it is necessary to take into account the main abiotic factors affecting the activity of enzymes: the average annual air temperature; pH and mineralization of the soil solution; the content of substances that inhibit microorganisms and block exozymes.

«One Belt - One Way»: Characteristics of the Largest Partner Companies of the Project

The global economic development project, called «the Silk Road», as well as «the One Belt — One Road» initiative, implemented on the basis of an initiative of the PRC government, combines many areas and individual projects. Each of them — the northern, southern and marine ones, requires significant investments and sound political decisions. The PRC is working in this direction today, redistributing resources for development of each branch of «the Silk Road». The confidence in the need of developing not only the economy, but also the socio-social relations, the culture of the territories of penetration, creates special requirements for both direct developers and companies implementing projects in terms of the global initiative. In the annual summaries of economic and exchange news, of course, a special place is occupied by information about the leaders of the project. Among dozens of the leaders, one can single out the top three companies that have made a massive investment breakthrough over the past three years. Among these companies is the All-China Civil Engineering Corporation operating on the open market since 2007 after a series of structural transformations of the largest leaders in construction and oil sectors. The second place is occupied by the company «Chinese Railways», the number of personnel of which today exceeds 10 million people. The third place belongs to the Chinese Railway Construction Company, as the successor to the Chinese Railway Engineering Corps. These three leaders in this article are analyzed on the basis of exchange indicators (all companies have the form of public companies), as well as financial reporting indicators. To compare the activity intensity of the silk road investors, the article presents the data of the Russian PJSC «Gazprom».

Is afforestation a driver of change in italian rivers within the Anthropocene era?

For eight rivers situated from northern to southern Italy, the evolutionary trajectories since the middle 19th century and the key controlling factors of channel adjustments were reconstructed using a combined diachronous-synchronous approach, integrating data from catchment- to reach-scale. The analysis takes advantage of multi-temporal GIS analysis of maps, aerial photographs, and orthophotos, and data from literature, archives, and official surveys of population and agrarian censuses. The main aims were to link historical channel responses to human and climate disturbances evidencing regional scale similarities and dissimilarities and to explain the role of upland and floodplain land use changes in the interpretation of channel adjustments.From the middle 19th century to the 1950s, both channel widening and narrowing were observed. These processes were related to land use disturbances (e.g., afforestation versus deforestation) acting at both reach and catchment scales. From the 1950s to 1970s, channel narrowing in some rivers accelerated simultaneously with forests encroachment on fluvial corridors and human abandonment of intense floodplain uses, before the action of any other factors. In southern Italian rivers, channel adjustments were more intense and occurred later than in northern ones, but they remained more active once adjustment ended. Even though these rivers underwent a rural decline, their floodplains were little colonized by mature forests, probably because of drier climatic conditions exacerbated by dewatering due to channel incision. This also means that upland afforestation, with its effects on bedload delivery, was a more critical driver in controlling narrowing than floodplain afforestation, as in this southern context we do not observe floodplain afforestation but grazing expansion. When forest can establish along the channel, as seen on the Volturno River, narrowing is even more important. River widening in the early 2000s–2010s did not compensate for longer term narrowing, demonstrating a shift in river responsiveness that was partly due to upland and floodplain afforestation inducing higher channel resistance to bank erosion and bedload deficit. Such morphological evolution was also observed in Southeastern France, but occurred a bit earlier, with stronger similarities with northern Italy and the Apennines. These drivers of change must not be underestimated in geomorphic diagnosis, even if they are more difficult to assess.

Variability of hydrometeorological situation during fish kill events in the summer seasons of 2010–2018 in the Sea of Azov

Hydrometeorological situations during the fish kill events that took place in the Belosaray, Obitochny and Kazantip Bays in the summer seasons of 2010–2018 have been analyzed. Average monthly background water and air temperatures and wind velocity are considered, as well as their average daily values before, during and after a fish kill event. It is shown that background characteristics of water temperature and wind velocity influenced the development of a fish kill event more directly and definitely than air temperature, which influence was only indirect. In the majority of cases, hydrometeorological situation, leading to fish kill event, developed according to the typical pattern with increasing air and water temperature and decreasing wind activity. In the northern bays, the Belosaray and Obitochny Bays, fish kill events were recorded during the first half of summer season, and in the southern bay, the Kazantip Bay, they occurred in the second half of it. Since 2012, due to significant decrease in vertical thermohaline stability and increase in water homogeneity, no significant fish kill events were recorded under various temperature and wind conditions. Satellite imaging of sea surface temperature confirmed typical course of fish kill event development: the temperature increased in the pre-event period and then, after the event, stayed high in the southern bays and decreased in the northern ones.

SMEs debt financing in the EU: on the eve of the coronacrisis

SMEs are the main drivers of economic development. As the debt crisis and coronavirus crisis show, despite their importance, they are extremely sensitive to economic downturns. Therefore, SMEs need to be supported through various tools. The paper is aimed at evaluating the SMEs’ bank and governmental support in the northern and southern EU countries in two crisis periods and assessing the financial state of SMEs on the eve of coronacrisis using micro-level data. It was proved that bank loans and credit lines remain the main sources of SMEs’ financing. After the debt crisis, banks are becoming more loyal to SMEs.It was proved that SMEs from the northern EU countries suffered less from the previous crisis and therefore started their recovery earlier than the southern ones in terms of profitability, liquidity and debt burden. In addition, it was shown that both groups on the eve of the new turbulence period were in better financial state compared to the previous debt crisis. The southern EU countries suffered more from both crises. At the same time, due to effective governmental support and bank loyalty, their SMEs entered the coronacrisis at the same level of financial stability as the northern ones. Since the new support measures are concentrated primarily in the banking sector through loan guarantee schemes and reduced interest rates, it is essential to provide debt financing to high-quality borrowers and avoid the debt crisis in southern counties.

Spatio-temporal variability of oceanographic conditions in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cuba

In this work we assessed the spatio-temporal variability of the oceanographic conditions in the period 1998–2017 in four sectors of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Cuba, referred to as the northwest, northeast, southwest and southeast sectors (i.e., NWS, NES, SWS and SES, respectively). We relied upon remote-sensing observations of wind speed, sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface height anomaly (SSHA) and chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration along with model predictions of mixed layer depth (MLD), nitrate concentration and net primary production (NPP). We found evidence of the spatially heterogeneous oceanographic conditions of the EEZ of Cuba, since the analysed variables fluctuated spatially with meridional and zonal gradients. Overall, the southern sectors were warmer and less productive than the northern ones, thereby showing the influence of the Caribbean Sea. The NWS showed the highest variability of the physical and biological variables analysed, given the convergence of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico waters and the Loop Current variability. The NES was strongly influenced by coastal conditions given its limited area and long coast line. Besides, a significant decadal increase in SSHA was linked to that in SST. Still, this warming trend was not reflected in the chl-a concentration and NPP trends, which is consistent with the fact that there has been no change over the studied 20 years in mean wind regime and MLD. Furthermore, the strong El Niño Southern Oscillation events of 1997–1998 and 2015–2016 appear to have considerably impacted the surface chl-a concentration, which was partially governed by the variability of the MLD.

THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS FORMS OF NITROGEN FERTILIZERS ON THE YIELD OF TOMATO

Tomato cultivation is a time consuming process, but high plasticity, yield, and a great variety of varieties make it possible to cultivate crops not only in the southern regions of the country, but also in the northern ones. Tomatoes, like other vegetable crops, are in dire need of periodic top-dressings, especially in the first period of growth and development. The health of the plant, as well as the future harvest and its quality, largely depend on the correct choice of fertilizers and the timing of their application.

Annotated catalogue of the true bugs (Heteroptera) of Yakutia

The catalogue of the Heteroptera of Yakutia, the largest administrative territory of the Russian Federation, located in Eastern Siberia, is based on the richest collection of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (St Petersburg), the collection of the Institute for Biological Problems of the Cryolithozone of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Yakutsk), and also on published data. A brief description of the nature and climate of Yakutia with colour illustrations of typical landscapes, and a review of the literature on the regional fauna are given. An annotated list includes data about 421 species and 2 subspecies belonging to 199 genera, 28 families, and 6 infraorders. The list of localities includes more than 600 collection points provided with geographic coordinates. For all species and subspecies, points of findings for the geographical subregions of Yakutia (northern, north-western, north-eastern, western, central, south-western, and southern ones), with literature references are given, and point maps of native ranges are compiled. Additional, not published earlier, records from Yakutia are given for the vast majority of taxa; new records from the sudregions of Yakutia are also provided. The catalogue contains 16 illustrations, 3 tables and 423 maps.

Dead wood provides habitat for springtails across a latitudinal gradient of forests in Quebec, Canada

Understanding the importance of dead wood-associated biodiversity and related ecological functions has become increasingly important in forest ecosystem management. Yet, studies on dead wood diversity frequently focus on conspicuous organisms such as birds or saproxylic beetles, and are rarely deployed across significant climatic gradients. Here, we investigated the potential role of deadwood as a habitat for springtails, an understudied group of invertebrates generally associated with soils, and tested how these communities were influenced by climate. Black spruce logs were placed in 13 natural forest sites which were distributed among 3 latitudinal zones (southern, central and northern Quebec, Canada). We compared the springtail communities that colonized the logs through different metrics: abundance, richness and species composition. Our results indicated that dead wood was used as a habitat by 74 springtail species. A clear latitudinal diversity gradient was observed, with southern communities being on average two times richer and over 13 times more abundant than the northern ones per log. Moreover, distinct community compositions were observed in the three zones. Overall, our results suggest that (1) dead wood retention could be beneficial for small invertebrates such as springtails and (2) such biodiversity conservation measures would be more efficient if done systematically along large geographic gradients encompassing different biomes, particularly in the context of climate change.

Species specificity and sexual dimorphism in tooth shape among the three sympatric haplochromine species in Lake Kivu cichlids.

Tooth shape is used to differentiate between morphologically similar species of vertebrates, including fish. This study aimed to quantify tooth shape of three sympatric species: Haplochromis kamiranzovu, H. insidiae, and H. astatodon endemic to Lake Kivu, whose existing identification criteria are currently only qualitative. A quantitative tooth shape analysis was performed based on digitized tooth outline data with a subsequent elliptic Fourier analysis to test for differences among the three species. We looked at crown shape and size differences within H. kamiranzovu and H. insidiae at geographical, habitat, and gender levels. No comparison at habitat level was done for H. astatodon because it is found only in littoral zone. The analysis revealed significant tooth shape differences among the three species. Haplochromis astatodon had a significantly longer major cusp height and a longer and larger minor cusp than that of H. insidiae. It had also a longer major cusp height and a longer and larger minor cusp than that of H. kamiranzovu. Tooth shape differences of H. kamiranzovu and H. insidiae species were not significantly different between littoral and pelagic fish (p > .05) while differences were significant between southern and northern Lake Kivu populations (p < .05). Tooth sizes in H. kamiranzovu and H. insidiae were significantly different, both in height and width as well as in their ratios, and this was true at sex and geographic levels (p < .05), but not at habitat level (p > .05). Tooth shape was also significantly different with sharp teeth for males compared with females of southern populations versus northern ones. These shape‐ and size‐related differences between sexes suggest differences in the foraging strategies toward available food resources in the lake habitat. Further research should explain the genetic basis of the observed pattern.

Covid-19 Outbreak Progression in Italian Regions: Approaching the Peak by the End of March in Northern Italy and First Week of April in Southern Italy.

Epidemiological figures of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Italy are higher than those observed in China. Our objective was to model the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak progression in Italian regions vs. Lombardy to assess the epidemic’s progression. Our setting was Italy, and especially Lombardy, which is experiencing a heavy burden of SARS-CoV-2 infections. The peak of new daily cases of the epidemic has been reached on the 29th, while was delayed in Central and Southern Italian regions compared to Northern ones. In our models, we estimated the basic reproduction number (R0), which represents the average number of people that can be infected by a person who has already acquired the infection, both by fitting the exponential growth rate of the infection across a 1-month period and also by using day-by-day assessments based on single observations. We used the susceptible–exposed–infected–removed (SEIR) compartment model to predict the spreading of the pandemic in Italy. The two methods provide an agreement of values, although the first method based on exponential fit should provide a better estimation, being computed on the entire time series. Taking into account the growth rate of the infection across a 1-month period, each infected person in Lombardy has involved 4 other people (3.6 based on data of April 23rd) compared to a value of , as reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan. According to our model, Piedmont, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany and Marche will reach an R0 value of up to 3.5. The R0 was 3.11 for Lazio and 3.14 for the Campania region, where the latter showed the highest value among the Southern Italian regions, followed by Apulia (3.11), Sicily (2.99), Abruzzo (3.0), Calabria (2.84), Basilicata (2.66), and Molise (2.6). The R0 value is decreased in Lombardy and the Northern regions, while it is increased in Central and Southern regions. The expected peak of the SEIR model is set at the end of March, at a national level, with Southern Italian regions reaching the peak in the first days of April. Regarding the strengths and limitations of this study, our model is based on assumptions that might not exactly correspond to the evolution of the epidemic. What we know about the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic is based on Chinese data that seems to be different than those from Italy; Lombardy is experiencing an evolution of the epidemic that seems unique inside Italy and Europe, probably due to demographic and environmental factors.

Spatial Characteristics and Controlling Factors of the Strike‐slip Fault Zones in the Northern Slope of Tazhong Uplift, Tarim Basin: Insight from 3D Seismic Data

AbstractThe detailed characteristics of the Paleozoic strike‐slip fault zones developed in the northern slope of Tazhong uplift are closely related to hydrocarbon explorations. In this study, five major strike‐slip fault zones that cut through the Cambrian‐Middle Devonian units are identified, by using 3D seismic data. Each of the strike‐slip fault zones is characterized by two styles of deformation, namely deeper strike‐slip faults and shallower en‐echelon faults. By counting the reverse separation of the horizon along the deeper faults, activity intensity on the deeper strike‐slip faults in the south is stronger than that on the northern ones. The angle between the strike of the shallower en‐echelon normal faults and the principal displacement zone (PDZ) below them is likely to have a tendency to decrease slightly from the south to the north, which may indicate that activity intensity on the shallower southern en‐echelon faults is stronger than that on the northern ones. Comparing the reverse separation along the deeper faults and the fault throw of the shallower faults, activity intensity of the Fault zone S1 is similar across different layers, while the activity intensity of the southern faults is larger than that of the northern ones. It is obvious that both the activity intensity of the same layer in different fault zones and different layers in the same fault zone have a macro characteristic in that the southern faults show stronger activity intensity than the northern ones. The Late Ordovician décollement layer developed in the Tazhong area and the peripheral tectonic events of the Tarim Basin have been considered two main factors in the differential deformation characteristics of the strike‐slip fault zones in the northern slope of Tazhong uplift. They controlled the differences in the multi‐level and multi‐stage deformations of the strike‐slip faults, respectively. In particular, peripheral tectonic events of the Tarim Basin were the dynamic source of the formatting and evolution of the strike‐slip fault zones, and good candidates to accommodate the differential activity intensity of these faults.

Climate change effects on phytochemical compounds and antioxidant activity of Olea europaea

To tolerate water shortage and high temperature, olive cv. ‘Meski’, the main variety of table olives in Tunisia, developed several biochemical changes. The hereby study focused on the adaptation of the olive tree to the climatic conditions, considering the evaluation of phenolic compounds, chlorophylls, carotenoids, saponin and steroid synthesis, as well as the evaluation of the antioxidant activity. The analyses were made upon fresh leaves collected from three coastal areas of Tunisia (North (sub-humid), center (higher semi-arid) and South (lower arid)) and using different leaves’ extracts. The results emphasized that Southern ‘Meski’ trees had leaves with more polyphenols, flavonoids, o-diphenols and tannins compared with the Northern ones. From the North to the South, ‘Meski’ leaves showed an increase of carotenoids and a decrease of chlorophyll a and b contents. The highest level of antioxidant compounds of Southern leaves could be contributed to reduce the oxidative stress of the olive tree. The spectrophotometric analysis of the antioxidant capacity of leaves collected from central and Southern areas, based on DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activity, showed a higher value of antioxidant activity than the Northern ones, at different extract concentrations. Therefore, the increase of the analyzed bioactive compounds can be considered as a response of the tree to surround aggressions and to oppose the oxidative stress that results from the severity of climatic conditions, characteristic of the Southern area.

Rapid spread and emergence of heartworm resulting from climate and climate-driven ecological changes in Hungary

In Europe, Dirofilaria immitis persists mainly in the southern countries with a Mediterranean climate. Because spreading of heartworms from these countries towards the northern ones could be observed in the past decades, necropsy records of 4076 Hungarian dogs were reviewed for heartworm infections. The first autochthonous canine D. immitis case was detected on the Great Hungarian Plain in 2007. Until 2011, the number of heartworm infection cases was low, and these cases were restricted to a small part of the Great Hungarian Plain. Since 2012, the number of cases has increased considerably, and the rapid expansion of the parasite’s geographic range could also be observed. Our retrospective study has revealed that most of the Hungarian territory became a heartworm endemic region, and the prevalence of infection greatly multiplied over the past 12 years. The establishment, rapid spread, and emergence of D. immitis may be mainly explained by the warming climate in Hungary. However, the partly climate-driven spread of the most important reservoir host in wildlife, the golden jackal (Canis aureus) from the Mediterranean Balkan Peninsula might have also played a significant role. This study is an example of the rapid spread and emergence of pathogens resulting from climate and climate-driven ecological changes. Because a continuous increase in the temperature and further dispersal of golden jackals in Europe are projected, further spread and emergence of heartworm can be expected. Similar spread and emergence of D. immitis could be observed in North America. It cannot be excluded that similar reasons (global warming and rapid dispersal and population growth of the most important wild canine reservoir host) are in the background on both continents.

Variability of Morphological Characteristics of Hedysarum grandiflorum (Fabaceae, Dicotyledones) in Various Ecological Conditions of the Southern Volga Upland

In recent decades the interest to the study of Hedysarum has increased. Researchers touched upon the classical issues of morphology and variability of external features of Hedysarum grandiflorum and other species of Hedysarum (to clarify morphology, to more accurately separate existing species, to describe the morphology of new species, including rare ones) providing almost no detailed descriptions. The paper provides information about the morphology of external features of H. grandiflorum in the Southern Volga Upland. The study was conducted in 2007–2018. We have studied 23 H. grandiflorum cenopopulations in habitats with various environmental conditions, where more than 600 counting sites were laid, and concluded that the morphological features of H. grandiflorum are rather variable and the values of morphometric parameters are higher in the northeastern part of the study area. The well-being of the population is achieved due to some heterogeneity in the size of individual plants and by means of suppressing the growth and size of separate cenopopulations. The decrease in the parameters of signs is often associated with a higher anthropogenic load. Dimensional indicators of individuals from the cenopopulations of the species studied depend on the thickness of soil, which decreases from fescue-feather grass to petrophyte steppes. Cluster analysis has allowed us to divide the cenopopulations into southern, northern and northeastern ones, and those with anthropogenic impact. The least variable and most informative morphological features of H. grandiflorum (in the descending order of importance) are: the length of the standard, the diameter of the caudex, the plant height, the number of foliole pairs, the number of inflorescences, the number of leaves, the length of the unpaired foliole, the number of flowers on the inflorescence, the length of leaves and the width of the unpaired foliole. In the overwhelming majority of the plants encountered, all the petals of the corolla were of uniform light yellow color, turning into a white tint to the edges of the petals. In some cenopopulations, the corolla can be colored differently and unevenly, especially at the keel. Approximately 0.3% of individuals of the corolla petals and/or the lower part of the keel and/or veins are light blue or light pink, less than 0.07% has a light magenta or even light purple tint of the veins of the carina, edges of the petals or the whole corolla. Similar individuals are found in other regions. Many scientists noted this peculiarity a long time ago and had already described this phenomenon as a color variation (for example, H. grandiflorum var. violaceum) or less often, as a subspecies (for example, H. grandiflorum ssp. argenteum). Individuals with recessive coloring of the corolla from the area of study are called intraspecific color variations.