Siberian Populations Research Articles

On the origin of certain Early Iron Age populations of Western Siberia. Part I. Synchronic analysis

Ten male Early Iron Age cranial samples from Western Siberia — early Bol’shaya Rechka (Zavyalovo), three Kamen’, three Sargat, Gorokhovo, Kashino, and Kulay — were compared with 62 samples of the same period from adjacent territories using the D2 distance measure corrected for sample size. The distance matrix was subjected to nonmetric multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis. A new graphic method of combining two-dimensional representation with clustering is proposed. The vast majority of samples are arranged into two clusters, unequal in size. The morphologically “western” one includes 67 samples, the morphologically “eastern” one, four. All Western Siberian groups of the Early Iron Age, except Kulay, fall into the central part of the “western” cluster, evidently attesting to admixture between them; Kulay belongs to the “eastern” cluster, taking an isolated position within it. Within the “western” cluster”, two vectors of between-group variation are observed. The first one evidences admixture of two autochthonous components, Bol’shaya Rechka (Zavyalovo) and Kulay, with Saka immigrants. resulting in the emergence of the Kamen’ populations, among which the Novosibirsk population is not closer to Early Bol’shaya Rechka (Zavyalovo) but further from it than are the other two Kamen’ groups. The second vector mirrors the decline of the Andronovo component, mostly expressed in the Tagar samples. This vector links the Pazyryk group from the Ursul Ri­ver, obviously Tagar by origin, with Sargat, Kashino, and early Bol’shaya Rechka (Zavyalovo). The origin of the latter group could have been affected by pre-Sauromatians; that of Sargat and Kashino, by Sauromato-Sarmatian tribes. Gorokhovo is intermediate between the two vectors. Kulay is opposed to other Western Siberian populations, showing the highest concentration of eastern traits and resembling only two Altai-Sayan groups — Kopto and Kara-Koba. The Permian tendency of Kashino is not supported. Resemblance betweet Kamen’, early Sargat, and early Ananyino may be related to the “Uralic” tendency displayed by cranial nonmetrics in these Western Siberian groups.

Study of the Genetic Mechanisms of Siberian Stone Pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) Adaptation to the Climatic and Pest Outbreak Stresses Using Dendrogenomic Approach.

A joint analysis of dendrochronological and genomic data was performed to identify genetic mechanisms of adaptation and assess the adaptive genetic potential of Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) populations. The data obtained are necessary for predicting the effect of climate change and mitigating its negative consequences. Presented are the results of an association analysis of the variation of 84,853 genetic markers (single nucleotide polymorphisms-SNPs) obtained by double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) and 110 individual phenotypic traits, including dendrophenotypes based on the dynamics of tree-ring widths (TRWs) of 234 individual trees in six natural populations of Siberian stone pine, which have a history of extreme climatic stresses (e.g., droughts) and outbreaks of defoliators (e.g., pine sawfly [Neodiprion sertifer Geoff.]). The genetic structure of studied populations was relatively weak; samples are poorly differentiated and belong to genetically similar populations. Genotype-dendrophenotype associations were analyzed using three different approaches and corresponding models: General Linear Model (GLM), Bayesian Sparse Linear Mixed Model (BSLMM), and Bayesian-information and Linkage-disequilibrium Iteratively Nested Keyway (BLINK), respectively. Thirty SNPs were detected by at least two different approaches, and two SNPs by all three. In addition, three SNPs associated with mean values of recovery dendrophenotype (Rc) averaged across multiple years of climatic stresses were also found by all three methods. The sequences containing these SNPs were annotated using genome annotation of a very closely related species, whitebark pine (P. albicaulis Engelm.). We found that most of the SNPs with supposedly adaptive variation were located in intergenic regions. Three dendrophenotype-associated SNPs were located within the 10 Kbp regions and one in the intron of the genes encoding proteins that play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of the plant's genetic information, particularly under environmental stress conditions that can induce DNA damage. In addition, we found a correlation of individual heterozygosity with some dendrophenotypes. Heterosis was observed in most of these statistically significant cases; signs of homeostasis were also detected. Although most of the identified SNPs were not assigned to a particular gene, their high polymorphism and association with adaptive traits likely indicate high adaptive potential that can facilitate adaptation of Siberian stone pine populations to the climatic stresses and climate change.

Paleoasian Substrate in the Gene Pool of Koryaks According to Data on Autosomal SNP Polymorphism and Y-Chromosome Haplogroups

The gene pool of the Koryaks was studied in comparison with other Far Eastern and Siberian peoples using a genome-wide panel of autosomal single-nucleotide polymorphic markers and Y-chromosome markers. The results of analyzing the frequencies of autosomal SNPs using various methods, the similarity in the composition of Y-chromosome haplogroups and YSTR haplotypes indicate that the gene pool of the Koryaks is as close as possible to the Chukchi one and was formed as a result of the unification of several groups whose ancestors moved from the territory of modern Yakutia and the Amur region. The two dominant Y-chromosome haplogroups of the Koryaks with different sublineages and haplotype clusters demonstrate their contacts with the Chukchi, Evens, Yukaghirs and Eskimos. Analysis of the composition of genetic components and IBD blocks on autosomes indicates the maximum genetic proximity of the Koryaks to the Chukchi. Among the Siberian populations, the Chukchi, Koryaks and Nivkhs form a separate cluster from the main group of Siberian populations, while the Chukchi and Koryaks are more closely related. Far Eastern populations are divided in full accordance with geographic localization into the northern group (Chukchi and Koryaks) and the southern group, including the Nivkhs and Udege. A more detailed analysis of the component composition of gene pools in some populations reveals components specific to them. The isolation of such components is associated with founder effects and a shift in allele frequencies for these populations. The Koryaks and Chukchi are one of the most striking examples of long-standing genetic kinship. In their populations, maximum values of the level of genomic inbreeding FROH 1.5 (0.0422, 0.0409) were found, which is natural due to their relative isolation.

Traces of Paleolithic expansion in the Nivkh gene pool based on data on autosomal SNP and Y chromosome polymorphism.

The Nivkhs are a small ethnic group indigenous of the Russian Far East, living in the Khabarovsk Territory and on Sakhalin Island, descending from the ancient inhabitants of these territories. In the Nivkhs, a specific Sakhalin-Amur anthropological type is prevalent. They are quite isolated, due to long isolation from contacts with other peoples. The gene pool of the Nivkhs and other Far Eastern and Siberian populations was characterized using a genome-wide panel of autosomal single-nucleotide polymorphic markers and Y chromosome haplogroups. Bioinformatic processing of frequencies of autosomal SNPs, Y chromosome haplogroups and YSTR haplotypes showed that the Nivkh gene pool is very different from the other populations'. Analysis of the SNP frequencies using the PCA method divided the Far Eastern populations in full accordance with the territories of their residence into the northern group of the Chukchi and Koryaks and the southern group, including the Nivkhs and Udege. The remoteness of the Nivkhs coincides with their geographic localization, with the Nivkhs and Udege demonstrating the greatest kinship. The Nivkhs have a specific component of their gene pool, which is present with much less frequency in the Udege and Transbaikal Evenks. According to the IBD blocks, the genotypes of the Nivkhs show a very small percentage of coincidence with the Udege, Koryaks, Evenks and Chukchi, the value of which is the lowest compared to the IBD blocks among all other Siberian populations. The Nivkh-specific composition of haplogroups and YSTR haplotypes was shown. In the Nivkhs, the C2a1 haplogroup is divided into three sublines, which have a fairly ancient origin and are associated with the ancestors of modern northern Mongoloids. The Nivkh haplogroup O2a1b1a2a-F238 is found among residents of China and Myanmar. The Q1a1a1-M120 line is represented among the Nivkhs, Koryaks, Evenks and Yukaghirs. Phylogenetic analysis of individual Y chromosomal haplogroups demonstrated the closeness of the Nivkh gene pool with the ancient population of the Amur and Okhotsk regions, the Koryaks, the Tungus peoples and the population of Southeast Asia. The Nivkh gene pool confirms the relative smallness of their ancestral groups without mixing with other populations.

Рецензия на книгу: Кузембайулы А., Абиль Е., Алибек Т. Сибирский улус и казахи: проблемы этнической преемственности и исторической памяти

Results and scientific novelty. The reviewed book consists of four chapters. The first one is devoted to the history of research of the Shaybanids and the Taibugid statehoods in the south of Western Siberia, as well as to the theoretical and methodological approaches to the issues of ethnic history reconstruction in the Russian and Kazakh historical fields. The second chapter deals with “Historical memory as the source of the history of the Siberian ulus”. It presents memory artefacts of the so-called Siberian ulus in the Kazakh epos poetry and in historical legends on “The materials on Kyrgyz land use”. The sources presented here are virtually unknown to Russian researchers and they open new opportunities for the study of some issues of the late medieval Siberian statehood history. The third chapter raises issues of the prehistory of the Siberian ulus, with special attention given to the ulus of Taibugi, the study of whose descendants has recently taken the lead in Kazakh medieval studies. The fourth chapter is devoted to the history of the Siberian ulus, divided into separate stages (13th–14th centuries, the period of the collapse of the Golden Horde, the Siberian Khanate). The reviewed monograph is an important stage in the formation of modern Kazakh historiography on the issues of further study of the late medieval history of Western Siberia. It reveals some new sources, unknown or little known in earlier Russian historical science; there are interesting and original ideas on ethnic relations of the Siberian and Kazakh population and the origin of the Siberian princely dynasty of the Taibugids, which need further reflection. However, ignoring many achievements of the latest Russian historiography and its selective quoting, refusal to build an accurate chronology, skipping entire decades in the generalising conclusions, and the choice of the term “Siberian ulus”, which has not revealed its full potential, raise the question as to what extent the authors were really able to create a quality study on the role of the Shibanid statehood in the history of the formation of the Kazakh people.

Application of the Decision Tree Method for Differentiating Human Groups

One of the tasks of modern biological anthropology is to develop a system that could objectively classify humanity on the basis of measurements. Here, the decision tree algorithm was chosen to create a classification of groups. The method helps to evaluate the differentiating power of specific dimensions for separating samples and to assess the composition of clusters at each step of the analysis. Standard cranial measurements were used, and the entropy index was chosen as a heterogeneity measure. Classification units were 39 ethno-territorial groups from 13 major regions of the Old World. At the first step, differentiation is made between broad-faced and narrow-faced groups, demonstrating the classificatory value of this trait. The first cluster includes only Mongoloids, admixed Southern Siberian populations, and Ainu. The second cluster is heterogeneous, but its further subdivision is more in line with the traditional classification. Traits underlying the branching of the tree may be the same in different branches, evidencing their taxonomic importance. Capabilities of the decision tree method proved sufficient to construct a system largely similar to the traditional one. Certain traits separate large groups of populations, while others are efficient at the regional level. The method, therefore, can be recommended as a supplementary tool at the intraspecific level.

Cardiovascular risk factors and all-cause mortality in older age (15-year cohort study)

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) occupy a leading position in the structure of all-cause mortality. Prospective and interventional studies have identified the major risk factors for CVD and shown their associations with the risk of cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause death. The impact on the individual risk of death may vary by age, sex, study design, and may be population-specific. We aimed to study the contribution of major CVD risk factors to the 15-year risk of all-cause death in the Russian (Siberian) population cohort aged 45–69 years.Material and methods. A random population sample (men and women 45–69 years old, n = 9360) was examined at baseline in 2003–2005 (Novosibirsk, Russian branch of the HAPIEE project) and re-examined twice in 2006–2008 and 2015–2018. Current analysis included individuals without baseline CVD (n = 8087), the average follow-up period – 15.6 (SD 0.69) years. The fatal events were registered based on death certificates from the Population Registration Bureau (ZAGS), and using the data received at serial examinations and postal interview. We analyzed the association between CVD risk factors and all-cause death using multivariate Cox regression.Results. In a cohort aged 45–69, in the adjusted model, 15-year risk of all-cause death was positively associated with age (HR = 1.08; 95 % CI 1.07–1.09), male sex (HR = 1.46; 95 % CI 1.24–1.71), hypertension (HT) (HR = 1.39; 95 % CI 1.25–1.55), smoking (HR = 2.37; 95 % CI 2.08–2.70), high WHR (HR = 1.19; 95 % CI 1.06–1.33), and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (HR = 1.52; 95 % CI 1.34–1.73), and it was negatively associated with elevated total cholesterol (TC) or LDL-C in blood. In age- and sex-adjusted model, the risk was additionally associated with high triglycerides (HTG), obesity and elevated fasting plasma glucose (FPG). In men, the risk of death was independently associated with age, HT, smoking, low HDL-C, high WHR, and T2DM. In women, the risk of death was independently associated with age, HT, T2DM smoking, and, in age-standardized models, obesity, high WHR, and hyperglycemia.Conclusions. In a population cohort of 45 years and older, among CVD risk factors male sex, HT, smoking, central obesity, and T2DM independently contributed to the risk of all-cause death. Among lipid parameters, low HDL-C and high TG levels increased the risk of death in men. Associations between cardiovascular risk factors and the risk of all-cause death in older people have the patterns specific for older age; these features are important to take into account in a strategy to reduce mortality in the population.

Does the distribution of Wormian bone frequencies across different world regions reflect genetic affinity between populations?

BackgroundWormian, or sutural bones, are additional, irregularly shaped bone fragments that can occur within cranial sutures. These bones may arise due to various factors, including mechanical pressure on skull bones during early ontogenetic stages, such as during artificial cranial deformations, or due to genetic and environmental influences. This study investigates the potential genetic basis of sutural bones by comparing their frequencies across diverse global regions. It analyzed 33 craniological series, encompassing 2059 crania, to assess the frequency of sutural bones in the coronal, squamous, lambdoid, and occipitomastoid sutures among skeletal populations from regions including Aboriginal Australia, Melanesia, Southeast Asia, Siberia, Europe, and Native America. Biological distances between populations were calculated using Smith’s mean measure of divergence (MMD), with results visualized through multidimensional scaling.ResultsThe analysis identified distinct clusters of Caucasian and Siberian populations. Siberian aboriginal populations are compactly grouped, consistent with mtDNA data indicating genetic roots dating back to the Neolithic inhabitants of the Lake Baikal region. Further, differentiation within these populations is linked to the founder effect and gene flow. Notably, genetically related groups like the Inuit and Chukchi of Chukotka differ from other Siberian groups. In contrast, southern Siberian populations, such as the Buryats and Mongols, are closely positioned, aligning with genetic data. The differentiation between Southeast Asian and African regions was subtler, with their clusters largely overlapping. Yet, genetic links between populations were observed in some cases. Thus, Australians, Melanesians, and Papua New Guineans were located close to each other on the multidimensional scaling map, as were two African populations.ConclusionsThe findings tentatively suggest a potential genetic component in the expression of Wormian bones, although this hypothesis requires further empirical support, particularly through genetic studies. While genetic factors may influence the expression of Wormian bones, environmental conditions and pathological processes also play significant roles. It can be suggested that Wormian bones could potentially serve as an additional tool in kinship analysis within burials; however, their utility significantly depends on the extent of their genetic influence. If future genetic studies confirm a substantial genetic component and its dominance over environmental factors, the use of these bones in anthropological and forensic analyses would receive additional validation.

<i>FADS</i> gene polymorphism and the history of the formation of the indigenous populations of Siberia

The polymorphism of the rs174570, rs74771917, and rs7115739 FADS-gene loci in Siberian populations was studied. It was shown that the frequency of the rs174570-T variant marking haplotype A with a reduced level of fatty acid desaturase expression in the modern indigenous populations increases in the direction from the south to the north of Siberia. Similarly, an increase in the frequency of the TTT haplotype at the rs174570, rs74771917, and rs7115739 loci was observed in the northern direction. However, in ancient times, the populations of Eastern Siberia (its northeastern part, Baikal region, and Primorye) were characterized by an equally high frequency of the rs174570-T variant (over 80%). It was shown that the main influx of the rs174570-C allele (and the CCG haplotype) to northeast Siberia occurred relatively recently, over the past 300 years, as a result of mating contacts between indigenous populations and immigrant groups of predominantly eastern European origin. The gene flow intensity (for the rs174570-C allele) is estimated to be 1.5-4.4% per generation. The appearance of the rs174570-C variant in the population of the Baikal region has been registered since the Eneolithic epoch, which is apparently associated mainly with the advance of the Afanasievo culture tribes to the east of Siberia. Meanwhile, analysis of paleogenomic data showed that the TTT haplotype, with high frequency distributed in modern Eskimos and Amerindians, was present in the upper Paleolithic population of the Amur region, and therefore its carriers apparently took part in the formation of the ancient Beringian population.

Predictive accuracy of genetic variants for eye color in a Kazakh population using the IrisPlex system

ObjectiveThis study assesses the accuracy of the IrisPlex system, a genetic eye color prediction tool for forensic analysis, in the Kazakh population. The study compares previously published genotypes of 515 Kazakh individuals from varied geographical and ethnohistorical contexts with phenotypic data on their eye color, introduced for the first time in this research.ResultsThe IrisPlex panel’s effectiveness in predicting eye color in the Kazakh population was validated. It exhibited slightly lower accuracy than in Western European populations but was higher than in Siberian populations. The sensitivity was notably high for brown-eyed individuals (0.99), but further research is needed for blue and intermediate eye colors. This study establishes IrisPlex as a useful predictive tool in the Kazakh population and provides a basis for future investigations into the genetic basis of phenotypic variations in this diverse population.

Embryonic death as a probable reason for the collapse of population densities in Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Lymantriinae)

For the first time the causes of mass death of embryos in a population of Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus, 1758) with biochemical and molecular methods are investigated. In this study egg masses were collected in the territory of Russia from two populations, with low (the West Siberian population) and high (Trans-Ural) density and analyzed. Spring hatching of larvae from the eggs stored under constant laboratory conditions at 2º C was two times lower for insects of the Trans-Ural (TU) population compared to the West Siberian (WS) population (43 ± 6 % and 86 ± 7 % accordingly). The level of virus defined by PCR for TU and WS populations was 76±9 % and 36±6%, respectively. The major components of eggs were the same between populations. However, we found decreased concentrations of proteins important for embryogenesis in TU population, such as an arilforin-like molecule and no vitellin 2-like component. Field data were comparable to those of the laboratory, and in TU populations there was a decrease of density. The obtained results suggest that alteration in hormonal balance of the infected with nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) insects may lead to a decrease or absence of some key proteins of embryogenesis in eggs. It can influence hatching of larvae from eggs and, accordingly, population dynamics of the lepidopteran.

New Updates on the Distribution of Scapania umbrosa (Schrad.) Dumort. (Scapaniaceae, Marchantiophyta) in Pacific Asia

The distribution of liverworts in the North Pacific is still poorly understood. Scapania umbrosa, which is rare in Asia, was first recorded during the study of the liverwort flora of the Commander Islands (the westernmost Aleutians). The results of the molecular genetic analysis not only confirmed that the specimen belonged to Scapania umbrosa but also demonstrated the genetic specificity of the discovered population in comparison with the European, Siberian, and Alaskan populations. The island population of Scapania umbrosa is likely a recently diverged isolate of the species. Previously reported data on the distribution of Scapania umbrosa in the Russian Far East from Kamchatka and Kunashir (VBGI Herbarium), as well as from Sakhalin and Southern Primorye (reported in GBIF), are based on misidentifications. Morphological descriptions, distinguishing characters, line drawings, and photographs of Scapania umbrosa based on the collected material are provided.

Характеристика микрогаплотипа гена FADS2 у коренного населения Сибири

Our study of the FADS2 gene polymorphism in the indigenous populations of Siberia resulted in finding a microhaplotype of 150 nucleotides in length, represented by various combinations of polymorphism variants in four loci (rs174609, rs174610, rs174611, rs74771917). By these loci, 5 microhaplotype variants were identifie d in the studied populations of the northeastern (Chukchi, Koryak, Even) and southeastern (Buryat) parts of Siberia, the effective numbe r of which (Ae) varies from 2.16 in Buryats to 3.89 in Koryaks. Heterozygosity values in the populations vary from 0.624 in Buryats to 0.805 in Evens. The analysis of genetic differentiation showed highly authentic differences between the northern and southern populations of Siberia's eastern part in the distribution of the FADS2 gene microhaplotype variants. Thus, this microhaplotype has a sufficiently high informativity for detecting genetic differences between Siberian indigenous populations and can, therefore, be used in panels of markers designed for genetic identification at the population and individual level.

Reconstructing the Genetic Relationship between Ancient and Present-Day Siberian Populations.

Human populations across a vast area in northern Eurasia, from Fennoscandia to Chukotka, share a distinct genetic component often referred to as the Siberian ancestry. Most enriched in present-day Samoyedic-speaking populations such as Nganasans, its origins and history still remain elusive despite the growing list of ancient and present-day genomes from Siberia. Here, we reanalyze published ancient and present-day Siberian genomes focusing on the Baikal and Yakutia, resolving key questions regarding their genetic history. First, we show a long-term presence of a unique genetic profile in southern Siberia, up to 6,000 yr ago, which distinctly shares a deep ancestral connection with Native Americans. Second, we provide plausible historical models tracing genetic changes in West Baikal and Yakutia in fine resolution. Third, the Middle Neolithic individual from Yakutia, belonging to the Belkachi culture, serves as the best source so far available for the spread of the Siberian ancestry into Fennoscandia and Greenland. These findings shed light on the genetic legacy of the Siberian ancestry and provide insights into the complex interplay between different populations in northern Eurasia throughout history.

Ovarian Morphology in Non-Hirsute, Normo-Androgenic, Eumenorrheic Premenopausal Women from a Multi-Ethnic Unselected Siberian Population.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent disorder in women, and its diagnosis rests on three principal features: ovulatory/menstrual dysfunction, clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM). Currently, data on age- and ethnicity-dependent features of PCOM remain insufficient. We aimed to estimate ethnicity- and age-dependent differences in ovarian volume (OV) and follicle number per ovary (FNPO) in a healthy, medically unbiased population of Caucasian and Asian premenopausal women, who participated in the cross-sectional Eastern Siberia PCOS epidemiology and phenotype (ESPEP) study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05194384) in 2016-2019. The study population consisted of 408 non-hirsute, normo-androgenic, eumenorrheic premenopausal women aged 18-44 years. All participants underwent a uniform evaluation including a review of their medical history and a physical examination, blood sampling, and pelvic ultrasonography. The statistical analysis included non-parametric tests and the estimation of the upper normal limits (UNLs) by 98th percentiles for OV and FNPO. In the total study population, the upper OV percentiles did not differ by ethnicity or age group. By contrast, the UNL of FNPO was higher in Caucasian women than in Asian women, and women aged <35 years demonstrated a higher UNL of FNPO compared to older women. In summary, these data suggest that the estimation of FNPO, but not OV, should take into account the ethnicity and age of the individual in estimating the presence of PCOM.

Chemodiversity of Arctic Plant Dryas oxyodonta: LC-MS Profile and Antioxidant Activity

Dryas oxyodonta Yuz. is a perennial evergreen shrub from the Rosaceae family. D. oxyodonta thrives in subalpine and subarctic regions, as well as in highlands spanning from Central Asia to Siberia and Mongolia. Owing to a lack of information on its chemical composition, we conducted qualitative and quantitative chromatographic analyses on extracts from the leaves and flowers of D. oxyodonta sourced from various Siberian habitats. Employing high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection and electrospray ionization triple-quadrupole mass spectrometric detection, we identified 40 compounds, encompassing gallotannins, hydroxycinnamates, procyanidins, catechins, flavonoids, and triterpenes. All Siberian populations of D. oxyodonta exhibited a notable abundance of phenolic compounds. Furthermore, we identified rare glycosides, such as sexangularetin and corniculatusin, as potential markers of the chemodiversity within the Dryas genus. Extracts from the flowers and leaves were effective scavengers of free radicals, including DPPH•, ABTS•+−, O2•−, and •OH radicals. Our findings unequivocally establish D. oxyodonta as a rich source of phenolic compounds with potent antioxidant activity, suggesting its potential utility in developing novel functional products.

From Siberia to Indonesia: tracking the migration of the Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis

Little is known regarding the migration routes of Siberian songbird populations. Here we provide the first geolocator tracking data for an Arctic Warbler breeding in Central Siberia and compare its movements with eight long-distance ring recoveries of this species. In autumn, the tracked individual migrated eastward to a stopover site in eastern Siberia, before migrating southward through Taiwan to its non-breeding sites in the Philippines and Indonesia. During spring migration, the bird spent at least one month at stopover sites in Mongolia, before migrating to its breeding site in June. Ring recovery data confirmed the movement between the Central Siberian breeding grounds and stopover sites in northern Mongolia.

Warm spells in winter affect the equilibrium between winter phenotypes

Each phenotype is a product of the interaction of the genes and the environment. Although winter phenotype in seasonal mammals is heritable, its development may be modified by external conditions. In today's world, global climate change and increasing frequency of unpredictable weather events may affect the dynamic equilibrium between phenotypes. We tested the effect of changes in ambient temperature during acclimation to short photoperiod on the development of winter phenotypes in three generations of Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Based on seasonal changes in fur colour, body mass, and expression of daily torpor we distinguished three different winter phenotypes: responding, non-responding, and partially-responding to short photoperiod. We found that warm spells in winter can increase the proportion of non-responding individuals in the population, while stable winter conditions can increase photoresponsiveness among the offspring of non-responders. We conclude that the polymorphism of winter phenotype is an inherent characteristic of the Siberian hamster population but the development of winter phenotype is not fixed but rather a plastic response to the environmental conditions.

State of the Siberian sturgeon population in the Middle Lena in summer

The purpose: to obtain modern data on the distribution, abundance, size composition and biological state of the sturgeon in the middle reaches of the Lena River.Material: data of scientific accounting survey using bottom drift nets in summer 2022.The results: Siberien sturgeon is dstributed irregularly on a 400‑kilometer stretch of the river from the city of Yakutsk to the Vilyui River, with the highest average density near the Vilyui River mouth 163 ind./km2, while sturgeon densities in the areas of Yakutsk and the Aldan River mouth were 71 and 44 ind./km2 respectively. The highest density of fish with the smallest average size in the area near the Vilyui mouth indirectly indicates the presence of a separate herd in the Vilyui River. The average density of fish over the entire 400‑km area was 93 ind./km2. The sturgeon length to the end of the middle rays (ac) was from 21 to 86 cm; on average 43.4 ± 10.7 cm. The modal size class for the sturgeon in catches in 2022 was 41–50 cm (44% of the total catch). The fish weight ranged from 40 to 3800 g. The average weight of individuals was 0.557. More than 80% of fish from all catches weighed up to 700 g. The weight of fish with a length ac 62–71 cm ranged from 0,400 to 1.415 kg, on average 1.0 kg. There were only 2.5% of commercial individuals in the total harvest. Sexually mature females were noted only near the Aldan mouth, where their share was 11% that may indicate the presence of spawning grounds in its channel. In the sample of fish that underwent a complete biological analysis (one third of the catches), sexually mature males were not observed. Estimated number of sturgeon: in Yakutsk city area — 17000 ind., in the Aldan mouth area — 47000 ind., in the Vilyui mouth area — 55000 ind. The total number of Siberian sturgeon on a 400‑kilometer stretch of the Lena River was at least 120000 ind. The state and structure of sturgeon population corresponds to the average statistical retrospective data.Practical value: the results obtained will improve the efficiency of assessing the distribution and stock of sturgeon in the Lena River.

«Святое поле»: социальная и культурная память о депортациях в сельском ландшафте юга Западной Сибири (на примере Алтайского края)

Introduction. The article deals with the memorialization of victims of deportations and contemporary commemoration practices witnessed in Siberian recipient society. Goals. The study attempts an insight into the deportation-related memories of recipient communities, memorialization means and trends, commemoration forms in the region’s society and cultural environment. The hypothesis is that the memorialization processes were actually (and largely) ignited among the deported peoples (and their local autonomies) by Russian government policy of the 1990s. It was the rehabilitation of Soviet ethnic deportees that triggered the memorialization movement and the emergence of related commemorations. The publication presents results of the long term research into memories of rural Siberians conducted through the methods of oral history and ethnology. Materials and methods. The study focuses on eyewitness accounts and interviews with individuals representing the once recipient communities, commemoration sites that include not only monuments to deported victims installed in the Altai but also some traces of deportations evident from folk toponymy, rural housing stock, burials across local cemeteries, and other types of ‘memory solidification’. Results and conclusions. The paper seeks to supplement the published history and historiography of deportations — largely based of the deportees’ memories and experiences — with insights into perceptions of recipient communities and Siberian cultural landscapes. Special attention is paid to certain distinguishing features of the memorialization processes and ways in places of actual residence and death of the deportees and related commemoration forms. The work also strives to reveal an actual correlation between the ‘downward’ (from government agencies) and ‘upward’ (from the public) initiatives, and specifically the contribution of rural Siberian population to the memorialization of deportations in the 1990s–2020s.