Southeast Kazakhstan Research Articles

Earliest direct evidence for broomcorn millet and wheat in the central Eurasian steppe region

Before 3000 BC, societies of western Asia were cultivating wheat and societies of China were cultivating broomcorn millet; these are early nodes of the world's agriculture. The authors are searching for early cereals in the vast lands that separate the two, and report a breakthrough at Begash in south-east Kazakhstan. Here, high precision recovery and dating have revealed the presence of both wheat and millet in the later third millennium BC. Moreover the context, a cremation burial, raises the suggestion that these grains might signal a ritual rather than a subsistence commodity.

Estimates of the variations of the aerosol optical depth according to observations of directional scattering coefficients in southeast Kazakhstan

Archival data of measurements of the spectral atmospheric transparency and directional scattering coefficients in southeast Kazakhstan are analyzed. The results of the solution of the radiative transfer equation for the suggested atmospheric radiation model are used to study the diurnal variations of the aerosol optical depth. The data are separated into three basic groups corresponding to the stability of the atmospheric optical parameters, the gradual increase of turbidity with a decrease of the atmospheric mass, and jumplike variations of the aerosol optical depth. The observational data are analyzed taking into account the effects of absorption, multiple scattering, and reflection from the underlying surface.

A new species of the genus Depressaria Haworth, 1811 (Lepidoptera: Depressariidae) from Kazakhstan and Tajikistan

Depressaria kailai sp. n. from the south-east Kazakhstan and Tajikistan is described. The new species is closely related to D. hannemanniana Lvovsky, 1990, being different in the structures of male and female genitalia.

A review of Palaearctic Metachrostis Hübner, [1820] 1816 with description of three new species (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae, Eublemminae)

Eleven of the thirteen Palaearctic species of the genus Metachrostis Hübner, [1820] 1816 are reviewed. Three new species, M. djakonovi sp. n., M. hoenei sp. n. and M. sinevi sp. n. are described from south east Kazakhstan and western Mongolia, south China, Sichuan Prov. and south of Russian Far East. Metachrostis miasma (Hampson, 1891), comb. n. and M. batanga (Draudt, 1950) comb. n. are transferred from the genus Eublemma to Metachrostis. The combination Eublemma melabela Hampson, 1910, comb. rev. for Metachrostis melabela is revalidated. Most treated species are redescribed and the adults and genitalia are illustrated. The genus Metachrostis is reported for the first time from Russia. A checklist of the genus Metachrostis is presented.

Late orogenic, large-scale rotations in the Tien Shan and adjacent mobile belts in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan

Most of Kazakhstan belongs to the central part of the Eurasian Paleozoic mobile belts for which previously proposed tectonic scenarios have been rather disparate. Of particular interest is the origin of strongly curved Middle and Late Paleozoic volcanic belts of island-arc and Andean-arc affinities that dominate the structure of Kazakhstan. We undertook a paleomagnetic study of Carboniferous to Upper Permian volcanics and sediments from several localities in the Ili River basin between the Tien Shan and the Junggar–Alatau ranges in southeast Kazakhstan. Our main goal was to investigate the Permian kinematic evolution of these belts, particularly in terms of rotations about vertical axes, in the hope of deciphering the dynamics that played a role during the latest Paleozoic deformation in this area. This deformation, in turn, can then be related to the amalgamation of this area with Baltica, Siberia, and Tarim in the expanding Eurasian supercontinent. Thermal demagnetization revealed that most Permian rocks retained a pretilting and likely primary component, which is of reversed polarity at three localities and normal at the fourth. In contrast, most Carboniferous rocks are dominated by postfolding reversed overprints of probably “mid-Permian” age, whereas presumably primary components are isolated from a few sites at two localities. Mean inclinations of primary components generally agree with coeval reference values extrapolated from Baltica, whereas declinations from primary as well as secondary components are deflected counterclockwise (ccw) by up to ∼ 90°. Such ccw rotated directions have previously also been observed in other Tien Shan sampling areas and in the adjacent Tarim Block to the south. However, two other areas in Kazakhstan show clockwise (cw) rotations of Permian magnetization directions. One area is located in the Kendyktas block about 300 km to the west of the Ili River valley, and the other is found in the Chingiz Range, to the north of Lake Balkhash and about 400 km to the north of the Ili River valley. The timing of the ccw as well as cw rotations is clearly later than the disappearance of any marine basins from northern Tarim, the Tien Shan and eastern Kazakhstan, so that the rotations cannot be attributed to island-arc or Andean-margin plate settings — instead we attribute the rotations to large-scale, east–west (present-day coordinates), sinistral wrenching in an intracontinental setting, related to convergence between Siberia and Baltica, as recently proposed by Natal'in and Şengör [Natal'in, B.A., and Şengör, A.M.C., 2005. Late Palaeozoic to Triassic evolution of the Turan and Scythian platforms: the pre-history of the palaeo-Tethyan closure, Tectonophysics, 404, 175–202.]. Our previous work in the Chingiz and North Tien Shan areas on Ordovician and Silurian rocks suggested relative rotations of ∼ 180°, whereas the Permian declination differences are of the order of 90° between the two areas. Thus, we assume that about 50% of the total post-Ordovician rotations are of pre-Late Permian age, with the other half of Late Permian–earliest Mesozoic age. The pre-Late Permian rotations are likely related to oroclinal bending during plate boundary evolution in a supra-subduction setting, given the calc-alkaline character of nearly all of the pre-Late Permian volcanics in the strongly curved belts.

Mapping locust habitats in River Ili Delta, Kazakhstan, using Landsat imagery

The River Ili delta in southeast Kazakhstan is an important permanent breeding area for the Asian migratory locust (Locusta migratoria migratoria). Preventing locust swarms from flying out of the delta and damaging crops in adjacent areas is the primary objective of locust management programs in the region. In this study the utility of Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) data was tested for mapping land cover and identification of reed areas within River Ili delta. Through digital processing of the satellite data, a land cover map was generated (overall accuracy = 79%, Kappa value = 0.745) and potential locust habitats of importance to pest managers were identified. ETM+ data were effective in identifying areas with reed monoculture, the primary locust habitat (Conditional Kappa value = 0.905), and areas with reeds and water (Conditional Kappa value = 0.865). However, ETM+ data were less effective in identifying sites where reeds were mixed with other vegetation (Conditional Kappa value = 0.414). Based on the results from this study, approximately 26% of the delta was identified at high risk as a potential locust habitat.

The loess sequence from Remisowka (northern boundary of the Tien Shan Mountains, Kazakhstan)—Part I: Luminescence dating

Similar to the Chinese loess, the loess deposits surrounding the high mountain regions of Central Asia play an important role in understanding the climate and environmental change during the Pleistocene in Eurasia. Despite their thickness and widespread distribution, the loess deposits in southeast Kazakhstan have so far not been investigated in detail. The Remisowka loess–palaeosol sequence is located in the vicinity of the North Tien Shan Mountains at an altitude of 1070 m above sea level. In the profile under study nine loess layers were distinguished, intercalated by eight pedocomplexes and so indicating a similar cyclicity like the loess–palaeosol sequences in Central Asia and China. At the Remisowka section, 12 loess samples were taken to set up a more reliable chronological model for the section, using a luminescence dating approach. Polymineral fine grains were investigated by infrared optically stimulated luminescence applying the multiple aliquot additive dose protocol. Preliminary fading experiments were carried out for one sample taken from the uppermost loess layer. While the results of the uppermost layer are in agreement with geological age estimates and indicate a correlation to the Late Glacial, age underestimation is very likely for the samples below the first weak palaeosol. No significant age increase with depth was recognised. The reason for this age underestimation is not yet fully understood but could be related to anomalous fading. Further methodological approaches are necessary as well as a combination of different chronometric techniques for improvement of the results.

Niksergievite, [Ba1.33Ca0.67Al(CO3)(OH)4][Al2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2]{middle dot}nH2O, a new phyllosilicate related to the surite-ferrisurite series

Niksergievite, [Ba 1.33 Ca 0.67 Al(CO 3 )(OH) 4 ][Al 2 (AlSi 3 O 10 )(OH) 2 ]• n H 2 O, is a new phyllosilicate closely related to the surite-ferrisurite series. It was found at the −400 m level of the Tekeli Pb-Zn mine, southeast Kazakhstan (44° N, 78° E). The mineral occurs as curved plates 3–5 mm in size forming rosette-like aggregates up to 5 cm across. Associated minerals include calcite, quartz, dolomite, celsian, sphalerite, pyrite, barite, and montmorillonite. Niksergievite is white with a light greenish tint and pearly luster on cleavage planes. The streak is white and the mineral is non-fluorescent. The Mohs hardness is 1–1½. The cleavage is perfect (mica-like) on {001}. D m = 3.16 g/cm 3 and D x = 3.21 g/cm 3 . The IR spectrum shows the following peaks (* shoulder): 3665*, 3640, 3405, 1630, 1454, 1105*, 1080*, 1035, 1020*, 980*, 960*, 920*, 876, 835*, 750*, 704, 625*, 560*, 535, 474, and 417 cm −1 . Optically, the mineral is colorless, non-pleochroic, biaxial (–), 2 V = 0–10°, α= 1.580(2), β= 1.625(2), γ = 1.625(2), and X ~ c . The chemical composition (electron microprobe, CO 2 and H 2 O by TGA) is K 2 O 0.1, CaO 5.1, BaO 27.1, MgO 0.4, FeO 0.2, Al 2 O 3 24.8, SiO 2 28.7, CO 2 6.1, and H 2 O 8.3, with a total of 100.8 wt%. The empirical formula based on (Si + Al + Mg + Fe 2+ ) = 7 is (Ba 1.27 Ca 0.65 K 0.02 ) 1.92 (Al 3.49 Si 3.42 Mg 0.07 Fe 0.02 ) 7.00 O 10.00 (CO 3 ) 0.99 (OH) 6.20 •0.20H 2 O. The simplified formula is (Ba,Ca) 2 (Al,Si) 7 O 10 (CO 3 )(OH) 6 • n H 2 O and the proposed structural formula is [Ba 1.33 Ca 0.67 Al(CO 3 )(OH) 4 ][Al 2 (AlSi 3 O 10 )(OH) 2 ]• n H 2 O. The mineral is monoclinic, C 2/ c , C 2, or Cm , a 5.176(3), b 8.989(3), c 16.166(5) A, β 96.44(6)°, V 747.4(9) A 3 , Z = 2. The strongest reflections in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are as follows [ d in A, ( I ) ( hkl )]: 16.1(40)(001), 4.49(90)(020), 3.68(60)(014,113), 2.585(100)(130, 201, 131), 2.230(90)(134,220), 2.069(80)(043), 1.692(60)( 311, 151,240). It is named in honor of Prof. Nikolai Grigorievich Sergiev (1901–1960) for his contributions to the geology of Kazakhstan.

Detection and Partial Molecular Characterization of Two Plum pox virus Isolates from Plum and Wild Apricot in Southeast Kazakhstan.

Plum pox virus (PPV) was detected in wild apricot and cultivated plum maintained in a germ plasm collection in Kazakhstan. Both isolates were typed as D strain, with no evidence of recombination. The virus was detected by triple-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) utilizing the universal PPV-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) 5B as the secondary antibody, and by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay using primers that amplified a 243-bp fragment in the C-terminus of the coat protein (CP) coding region. Immunocapture (IC) RT-PCR was used to detect PPV in nine wild apricot accessions, including eight ELISA-negative and one ELISA-positive. The plum and apricot isolates reacted positively in Western blot assay with the universal MAb 5B, and negatively with the strain-M-specific MAb-AL. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis applied to the amplified 243-bp fragment showed that restriction sites for AluI and RsaI were present in the were present in the plum and apricot samples. An amplified 836-bp cDNA fragment derived from the P3-6K1 coding region of both isolates had restriction profiles typical for strain D. Nucleotide identities of 99 to 100% were observed for the 243-bp fragments of the Kazakhstan isolates when compared with the corresponding regions of strain D, and 94 to 95% identity with strain M. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the entire CP coding region of the plum and apricotisolates resulted in the identification of a unique deletion of six nucleotides (two deduced proline amino acid residues) in the N-terminal region in the plum isolate. This is the first deletion of this nature observed among PPV isolates. The DAG motif was present in both isolates. Several nucleotide substitutions in the CP coding region were common to the plum and apricot isolates and appear to be unique to the Kazakstan isolates. This suggests a close relationship between the isolates.

Les structures funéraires à crémation de l'Âge du Bronze au Semirech'e, Kazakhstan (nécropoles de Kul'Saj, de Kyzyl-Bulak et d'Oj-Dzhajljau)

This article presents a bio-anthropological study of an assemblage of cremations found in various sites of the Late and Final Bronze Ages of the Semirich'e area (southeast Kazakhstan). The results indicate that burning took place once or twice and concerned not only adults of both sexes but also immature individuals. In the case of vety young individuals, it seems that there was a specific process at the time of deposition in the pit. Double burials could contain either two cremated individuals, or one cremated and one buried individual, especially among the immature examples. The simultaneity of these two funeral practices is not demonstrated, and in certain cases it could well be related to secondary "inhumation ". A radiocarbon date shows that these features, even though they are dated to the Final Bronze Age by their discoverers, a radiocarbon date shows that these features could be older, Early or Late Bronze Age (1 700-1 500 ВС). Thus, this region could have been inhabited Andronovo populations well before the date advanced a researchers.

Iron Age society and chronology in South-east Kazakhstan

This new view of Iron Age society in Kazakhstan breaks away from the old documentary and ethnic framework and offers an independent archaeological chronology. Excavated house types and new environmental data show that nomadism and cultivation were practised side by side. Scholars had previously tended to emphasise the ability of documented Saka leaders to plunder and collect tribute from sedentary agriculture groups through military aggression. But what really gave them a political and economic edge over other steppe groups was a dual economy based upon farming and herding.

Biological Control of Infestations of Ditchweed ( Cannabis sativa ) with Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Cannabis in Kazakhstan

Ditchweed ( Cannabis sativa L.) is widely distributed in the Chu Valley of southeast Kazakhstan and is difficult to control using conventional chemical or mechanical control. Thus, plant pathogens were investigated as potential biocontrol agents. Fusarium oxysporum was isolated from symptomatic C. sativa plants from this area. Twenty-five of the isolated strains of F. oxysporum were pathogenic and host-specific to C. sativa in greenhouse studies. These strains of F. oxysporum f. sp. cannabis were further evaluated as mycoherbicides for control of ditchweed in natural field infestations. Twelve strains showed field control of C. sativa , and the most virulent strain elicited wilt symptoms within 2 weeks of inoculation of field plants. Three different mycoherbicide formulations were evaluated. A birch sawdust formulation was the most effective carrier in the field. Food based formulations were heavily predated by birds, rodents and insects.

The Palaeobiogeography of Eastern Australian lower carboniferous corals

Eastern Australian Lower Carboniferous (EALC) corals are characterized by high endemism, with ende‐mism indices of 50 in the Tournaisian and 44 in the Visean. The most closely related coral faunas occur in the Akiyoshi and Kitakami Terranes of Japan. Less robust faunal linkages exist with southeast Asia, south China, northern Siberia and Kazakhstan, suggesting east to north Tethyan linkages on most tectonic reconstructions. Amygdalophyllum appears to have originated in the eastern Australian‐Japanese region and then migrated throughout the Palaeotethys during the late Tournaisian and early Visean. Eastern Australian taxa that lacked such a widespread distribution during the Tournaisian did not spread throughout the Palaeotethys during the Visean. EALC coral distributions can be explained by a palaeobiogeographical model wherein: 1) shallow‐water coral faunas were largely depleted following the Frasnian/Famennian extinction event; 2) dispersal occurred during the late Famennian to early Tournaisian from an oceanic centre to the northeast, in western Panthalassa; 3) eastern Australian coral faunas were isolated from the north by the prevailing southerly current direction and possible coastal upwelling in northernmost Australia and New Guinea, and from the south by cooler high latitudes; 4) endemic taxa arose by vicariance subsequent to geographic isolation. Sampling of EALC corals is incomplete owing to the restriction of most taxa to shallow carbonate facies, which have very limited geographic and stratigraphic distributions. Hence, EALC coral diversity is probably controlled largely by sample density. Better sampling will be required before coral data can be used to independently constrain EALC palaeolatitude, but the limited incidence of coral‐bearing facies may preclude a definitive analysis. High EALC coral endemism is puzzling in light of the apparently cosmopolitan nature of co‐occurring shallow benthos. Hence, either EALC corals were particularly subject to genetic isolation for ecological and/or other reasons, or other EALC invertebrates may prove to have higher levels of endemism than has been assumed. Increased emphasis on detailed reconstruction of phylogenies, and the recognition of homo‐plasy, in particular, in other EALC benthic invertebrates suggest that they may be less cosmopolitan than is currently accepted.

Infection of the fresh-wter fishes by coccidia in small reservoirs of the south-east of kazakhstan

Infection of the fresh-wter fishes by coccidia in small reservoirs of the south-east of kazakhstan

Two new species of ants of the genus Tetramorium (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from south-east Kazakhstan.

Two new species of ants of the genus Tetramorium (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from south-east Kazakhstan.

NATURAL CAUSE-AND-EFFECT RELATIONSHIPS AND THE PREDICTION OF ENDEMIC GOITER

The incidence of endemic goiter in southeast Kazakhstan, a highly goitrogenic province of the Soviet Union, is related to the geochemical setting of the region's natural areal complexes. The occurrence of endemic goiter is usually attributed simply to iodine deficiency. However other chemical elements also tend to reduce or enhance the goitrogenic properties of a particular environment. A detailed analysis of the various environments in southeast Kazakhstan shows that not all parts of the region are equally goitrogenic and that high, medium and low risk areas may be distinguished. The various natural areal complexes of different levels of goitrogenicity are mapped together with actually observed incidence of the disease. It is recommended that public health activities, such as the provision of iodized salt, be directed in particular at the high and medium risk areas.

Some new species of Silurian and Devonian tabulata of Southeast Kazakhstan

One new species for each of the following genera is described: Taxopora Sokolov (Upper Wenlock), Scoliopora Lang, Smith, and Thomas (Ludlow), Rachopora Sokolov (Givetian), Placocoenites Sokolov (Givetian), and Tyrganolites Tchernychev (Givetian). — D. J. McLaren.