Siberian Species Research Articles

Encapsulation of alimentary bioactive oils of the Baikal Lake area into pH-sensitive micro- and nanoparticles

Natural oils that are rich in biologically active polyunsaturated fatty acids have many health benefits. However, these natural oils have insufficient bioavailability and may oxidize in the gastrointestinal tract. For these reasons, the possibility of incorporating natural oils extracted from Siberian species, such as Baikal fish oil and Siberian cedar seed oil, and free fatty acids extracted from Baikal fish oil into pH-sensitive nano- and microparticles (Eudragit® L 100-55, S 100, L 100) was investigated. Emulsification-diffusion and precipitation methods have been used to incorporate natural oils into nano- and microparticles. The influence of parameters such as stirring speed, polymer-oil ratio, surfactant concentration and oil type was investigated. The particles were characterised in terms of their morphology, size distribution, encapsulation efficiency and pH sensitivity. The percentage of encapsulated oil ranged from 11 to 99% depending on the formulation parameters. Given the high encapsulation efficiency and pH sensitivity of the nano- and microparticles obtained, these formulations are promising systems for improving the site-specific delivery and bioavailability of bioactive oils, fatty acids and dissolved liposoluble active ingredients.

Using synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence analysis in a chemotaxonomic study of some Siberian species of the genus Pentaphylloides hill

The elemental composition of four species of the genus Pentaphylloides Hill is determined by means of synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence analysis (SRXRF). Each of the studied species is characterized by specific concentrations of elements that are typical of it and can be used in a comparative analysis of other species and be included in a corresponding database. In the case of P. fruticosa and P. x mandshurica, a high content of microelements is observed in all organs that distinguishes them from other species.

Rhaphium Meigen (Diptera, Dolichopodidae) from the Taimyr Peninsula (Russia), with description of a new species

Eight species of Rhaphium Mg. are recorded from the southern tundra of the Taimyr Peninsula (Russia), including the description of a new species, Rhaphium borisovi Negrobov, Barkalov & Selivanova sp. nov. The new species is similar to Rhaphium gruniniani Negrobov and differs from it by yellow fore coxa, equal length of hind tarsomeres 1–2 and broader inner lobe of cercus. The female of Rhaphium beringiense Negrobov & Vockeroth is described. A key to Siberian species (exclusive of Far East species) of the genus Rhaphium is presented and morphological characters of all species are illustrated.

South Siberian fruits: Their selected chemical constituents, biological activity, and traditional use in folk medicine and daily nutrition

The aim of this work was to determine the content of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds; to evaluate the total antioxidant capacity (ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods); to determine selected trace elements (Zn, Cu) content; to identify the selected organic acid composition; and to determine cytotoxic activity against human prostate cancer cells of six selected South Siberian fruits (Siberian mountain ash, bird cherry, Nanking cherry, Siberian apricot, Siberian elder, and prickly wild rose). These fruits have been used in traditional Siberian medicine before conventional medications were developed. During our scientific expedition, different places as big city, small villages near the lake Baikal and in the mountains were visited. We observed local customs and also interviewed women, responsible for preparing meals, about typical usage, recipes, and practical or medical application of native fruits. Siberian apricots revealed the highest total antioxidant activity, concentration of polyphenols and also the best cytotoxic activity among the examined fruits. Bird cherry and Siberian elder had the highest content of copper and zinc among all the evaluated Siberian fruits. The fruits of some of Siberian species, especially apricots and prickly wild rose, can be a good source of antioxidant compounds. Moreover, Siberian apricot, Siberian mountain ash, and bird cherry, due to their interesting activity against prostate cancer cells, may be considered as a potential anticancer prophylaxis. The findings suggest that ethno-medicinal and ethno-nutritional aspects of Siberian fruits should not be neglected. Key words: Siberian fruits, antioxidant activity, trace element, organic acids, cytotoxic activity, ethno-nutrition, ethno-medicine.

Structure of Collembolan populations (Hexapoda, Collembola) in low-mountain coniferous forests of Southern Siberia

A total of 108 species of Collembola have been found in seven types of low-mountain coniferous forests in Southern Siberia, 16 species being probably new to science. The springtail populations of subnemoral smallleaved-dark coniferous forests (the so-called “chern” or tall-grass fir-aspen forests) are considered. Such forests are present only in the Altai-Sayan mountain system and have been studied in the Salair Range, Kuznetskii Alatau, and Northeast Altai. Data on piedmont pine forests (the Nazarovskaya Hollow) are used for comparison. The springtail community in the chern forests of Kuznetskii Alatau is the most specific (61 species) and characterized by the presence of conventional endemics and the prevalence of Siberian mountain-taiga species. The range types and latitudezonal groups of species are characterized.

Phylogeny of Siberian species of Carex sect. Vesicariae based on nuclear and plastid markers

Carex sect. Vesicariae is a group of about 30 sedge species widespread in temperate and cold regions of Eurasia and North America. In this study we performed a phylogenetic analysis of ten taxa (9 species and one subspecies) found in Siberia based on two plastid sequences (matK and atpF‐H) and the nuclear ribosomal ITS2 sequence. We also developed a novel sequence marker for the genus Carex, an intron of the nuclear hsp90 gene, which was found to be several times more variable than plastid and nuclear ribosomal sequences. Total nucleotide variation within the Vesicariae section was found to be very low, comparable to that within single other sedge species. Phylogenetic analysis supported the existence of two groups within this section: clade A (C. vesicata, C. vesicaria, both subspecies of C. saxatilis and C. pamirica) and clade B (C. rostrata, C. mollissima, C. jacutica, C. rotundata and C. membranacea). Carex rhynchophysa holds an intermediate position between these groups. The main morphological difference between these clades lies in the nature of the transition of the utricle into the beak: it is gradual in clade A and abrupt in clade B. This division is in good accordance with the results of previous allozyme studies and with current taxonomy. These results may become the basis for consideration of subsectional taxa within this section.

Extra-Mediterranean refugia: The rule and not the exception?

Some decades ago, biogeographers distinguished three major faunal types of high importance for Europe: (i) Mediterranean elements with exclusive glacial survival in the Mediterranean refugia, (ii) Siberian elements with glacial refugia in the eastern Palearctic and only postglacial expansion to Europe and (iii) arctic and/or alpine elements with large zonal distributions in the periglacial areas and postglacial retreat to the North and/or into the high mountain systems. Genetic analyses have unravelled numerous additional refugia both of continental and Mediterranean species, thus strongly modifying the biogeographical view of Europe. This modified notion is particularly true for the so-called Siberian species, which in many cases have not immigrated into Europe during the postglacial period, but most likely have survived the last, or even several glacial phases, in extra-Mediterranean refugia in some climatically favourable but geographically limited areas of southern Central and Eastern Europe. Recently, genetic analyses revealed that typical Mediterranean species have also survived the Last Glacial Maximum in cryptic northern refugia (e.g. in the Carpathians or even north of the Alps) in addition to their Mediterranean refuge areas.

The rheophilic fauna and invertebrate communities of the tundra zone: A case study of the Southern Yamal

The invertebrate fauna of rivers and streams of the Southern Yamal has been studied using original specimens (122 bottom and vegetation samples). A total of 158 taxa have been recorded, many of which are new for this region. Among them, 18 types of rheophilic macrobenthic communities have been distinguished which mainly correspond to certain types of habitats and watercourses. A depletion in the set of rheophilic communities (including the loss of almost all crenal and many phytal ones), the taxonomic structure of communities (the loss of large bivalves and most gastropods, hemipterans, and dragonflies), and the total species composition of the fauna, as well as changes in the balance of life forms towards filter feeders (larvae of the family Simuliidae midges and pea clams) and leveling of the differences between the communities of large and small watercourses when compared with the communities of the Russian forest zone, have been recorded. Widespread Eurosiberian species are the most abundant in the rheophilic fauna of the examined region, Arctic species account for ∼20% of all species, and six East Siberian species have been found. No endemic species have been discovered.

West European arvicolid evidence of intercontinental connections during the Early Pleistocene

Abstract Early Pleistocene arvicolid faunas from the Norwich Crag Formation of the UK contain species found across Eurasia, indicating that this was then a single faunal province. Several examples of arvicolid evidence for intercontinental connections are discussed, with reference particularly to new material from the locality Easton Wood, Suffolk, UK. This includes teeth referred to Mimomys glendae sp.nov., apparently closely related to Siberian and North American species. The locality also provides the earliest UK occurrences of Lemmus kowalskii and Mimomys tigliensis , a wide ranging and biostratigraphically important species. The immigration of M. tigliensis to West Europe took place in arvicolid zone MNR2 at a time apparently close to its appearance in Russian faunas. The faunas from Easton Wood and the Netherlands support the current arvicolid Early Pleistocene biozonation of South East Europe suggesting that it is applicable to at least the northern part of West Europe. The age of the Norwich Crag deposits at Easton Wood is estimated according to this scheme at between 2.25 and 2.35 Ma, indicating that palaeomagnetic inferences previously used to support a younger age require review.

Martes zibellina (Carnivora: Mustelidae)

Martes zibellina (Linnaeus, 1758) is a mustelid commonly called the sable. It is a widespread Siberian species that inhabits a spectrum of localities in the mountain and plain taiga, and also coniferous and deciduous forests in 6 countries. Main resources and largest part of its distribution area are located in Russia. M. zibellina is common in many zoos of large cities and breeding populations are maintained in fur farms in the Russian Federation, Finland, and probably other countries. M. zibellina is comparatively well studied, primarily because of its value as a furbearer. The number of individuals is estimated in the range of 1.1–1.3 million and recent estimates of annual production (after 2000) are 300,000–400,000 pelts from the wild. Annual sales at auctions from fur farms are about 10,000–20,000 pelts.

Interspecific variability of telomeric DNA length in some siberian and endemic baikal planarians (Plathelminthes, Tricladida)

The length of the telomeric DNA in nine species of planarians inhabiting Lake Baikal and one Siberian species from Baikal rivers was determined using Southern hybridization. According to preliminary estimations, it varied in the range of 25-30 kb (Rimacephalus arecepta, Rimacephalus pulvinar, Sorocelis hepatizon, Sorocelis nigrofasciata, Protocotylus sp., Baikalobia guttata, Bdellocephala baikalensis, Phagocata sibirica) and 50 kb (Baikaloplana valida, Baikalobia copulatrix). It is the first estimation of the values of telomeric region lengths for Baikal free-living flat worms.

South Siberian plant species in the flora of Amur oblast and their conservation

Data on 24 South Siberian plants of the Amur oblast are listed with brief taxonomic, geographical, ecocenotic analyses. Problems of conservation of rare plant species are considered. It is proposed to establish two regional refuges in the Amur Basin for the conservation of South Siberian steppe species included in the Red List.

The mode of interaction between Vitis and Plasmopara viticola Berk. & Curt. Ex de Bary depends on the host species

In order to obtain insight into host responses to grapevine downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola), we compared pathogen development on a panel of Vitis species from North America, Asia and Europe. Leaf discs from different host species were inoculated in parallel, and the colonisation of the mesophyll was visualised by aniline blue staining and quantified with respect to infection incidence and mycelial growth. In parallel, the morphology of guard cells was screened for the presence of an internal cuticular rim after staining with acridine orange and using low-temperature scanning electron microscopy. We observed three response patterns: (i) inhibition of pathogen development early after attachment of zoospores; (ii) successful colonisation of the mesophyll by the pathogen; and (iii) aberrant development, where the pathogen does not attach to guard cells, but produces hyphae on the leaf surface without formation of viable sporangiophores. Inhibition is observed in the North American and Siberian species, successful colonisation prevails in the European hosts, and surface hyphae are found on non-Siberian Asiatic species. We propose that the interaction between host and pathogen is under control of specific signals that have been subject to evolutionary diversification.

A faunistic review of carabids (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of the Barguzin Mt. Range (Northern Baikal Area)

The list of carabids from the Barguzin Mt. Range includes 132 species belonging to 29 genera of 17 tribes. Five new species endemic or subendemic to the Barguzin Mt. Range have been discovered. The carabid fauna of the Northern Baikal Area has a high percentage of species with wide distribution in the Palaearctic. The bulk of the fauna consists of species with Circumholarctic, Transpalaearctic, Euro-Siberian, Siberian, and Asian-American ranges. Sayano-Baikalian, Southern Siberian, Baikalian, and Transbaikalian species with local distribution are less numerous than the Mongolian, Kazakhstan, Amur, and Okhotian species. Lake Baikal and mountain ranges framing it form a meridional barrier for the distribution of some species.

The Dolichopus latipennis species group (=Hygroceleuthus Loew) in the Palearctic Region (Diptera: Dolichopodidae)

The Dolichopus latipennis species group in the Palearctic Region is reviewed. It comprises twelve species including two new Siberian species: Dolichopus tumicosta sp. nov. and D. lantsovi sp. nov. A revised key to species is provided, as well as remarks on the geographical distribution of the group.

Experimental study of some Siberian and Baikal endemic species of hydrobionts: Comparative analysis of oxyphility and frigophility

Adaptive features of some hydrobionts of the Baikal and Siberian faunas have been studied. It is revealed that the studied groups of invertebrates living in near-Baikal water bodies and streams are less stable to the action of some abiotic factors than representatives of the Baikal endemic fauna. Some of the hypotheses proposed to explain the “immiscibility” of Baikal endemics and Siberian ubiquists are questioned.

Withdrawn food rate for larvae of Siberian moth on conifers of Siberia

Experimental evaluation of the mass of food withdrawn by larvae of the Siberian moth during their development on larch, cedar pine, fir, spruce, and common pine was carried out. The obtained dependences between the masses of larvae and food withdrawn by them can be directly used to determine the withdrawn food rate of Siberian moth on each of the Siberian conifer species.

Springtails (Hexapoda, Collembola) in karst landscapes of the Pinega State Reserve

The collembolan fauna of the Pinega State Reserve (Arkhangelsk Province) was examined. The study area is highly specific due to its karst topography. In all, 126 Collembola species were recorded in the reserve, a significant fraction of their diversity being restricted to karst habitats. Several species that had never been recorded in plain forest biotopes were of special interest. Such forms with distribution ranges mainly limited to the tundra zone comprised about 10% of the local fauna. Regarding the longitudinal sizes of the ranges, this group was not homogeneous and included both widespread circumpolar and east-Palaearctic (Siberian) species. Several arctoalpine forms were also recorded. Most of these arctic species were not numerous over the area studied and in general, the collembolan assemblages at the coldest sites of the reserve did not differ significantly from those typical of the forest zone, with the exception of two species, Desoria tshernovi and D. inupikella, which often predominated in the karst communities. The origin and appropriateness of the term relict for the revealed “insular” populations of arctic species are discussed.

A New Species of Alkali Grass (Puccinellia, Poaceae) from the Western North American Arctic

A new species of alkali grass, Puccinellia banksiensis Consaul from Banks Island, Northwest Territories, in the Canadian Arctic, is described and illustrated. This diploid species is most similar to the Russian and Alaskan tetraploid P. hauptiana (Trinius ex V. I. Krecznetowicz) Kitagawa, from which it differs by having dense panicles with erect branches and palea keels with curly hairs in the proximal half; to the Siberian species P. neglecta (Tzvelev) Bubnova, which is larger with less dense inflorescences and wider leaves; and to the circumpolar hexaploid P. angustata (R. Br.) E. L. Rand & Redfield, from which it differs by having smaller spikelets and florets. It differs from other Puccinellia Parlatore species on Banks Island and the northern coast of Alaska by having lemmas shorter than 2.7 mm with scabrous apical margins and anthers shorter than 0.9 mm. Although morphology suggests a close relationship with P. angustata, P. hauptiana, and P. neglecta, genetic evidence suggests it is a distinct species. It is local and rare, and grows in low-elevation, Dryas L.–dominated tundra beside coastal lakes.

A review of the weevil subgenus Metaphyllobius Smirnov (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae) from Eastern Europe and Siberia

A review of the subgenus Metaphyllobius Smirnov of the weevil genus Phyllobius Germ. is given. The name Ph. maculatus Tournier, 1880 is restored from synonymy with Ph. pomaceus fessus Boheman, 1843. A new synonymy is established: Ph. maculatus Tournier, 1880 (= jacobsoni Smirnov, 1913, syn. n.). Ph. fessus Boheman, 1843 is downgraded to a subspecies of Ph. pomaceus Gyllenhal, 1834—Ph. pomaceus fessus Boheman, 1843, stat. n. Data on the distribution and hosts of, and a key to European and Siberian species of the subgenus Metaphyllobius are given.