Southern Regions Of Russia Research Articles

Effectiveness of Stem Rust Resistance Genes in Southern Russia

ABSTRACTWheat stem rust (caused by Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici) is a damaging disease widespread in all grain‐producing regions of the world. In this work, the effectiveness of Sr genes was analysed under field conditions in the southern region of Russia (Krasnodar Krai, Stavropol Krai and Rostov Oblast) during 2016‐2021. The data were obtained using a set of 46 isogenic lines and varieties with artificial inoculation. The Sr31 gene proved absolute effectiveness in the field. Effective (1R–10R) Sr genes were the following: 5, 12, 35 and 37; moderately effective (10MR–30MR) Sr genes: 1, 6, 9g, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 32, 33, 38 and WLD. Lines with Sr genes 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 9d, 9e, 9f, 16, 17, 19, 21, 26, 27, 29, 30, 36, 39, 40, 44, Dp2, Gt and Tmp were ineffective in the adult plant phase (30MS–70S). Polymorphism of infection types and disease severity was noted for most of these lines in different years. Ongoing analysis of the efficiency of Sr genes in the region is important to prevent the risk of epidemics, and lines with stem rust resistance genes that have shown efficiency can be used as donors in breeding programmes.

Intraspecific Variation of Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus in Russia by D-Loop mtDNA Data.

For the first time in Russia, the intraspecific structure of the brown rat Rattus norvegicus was studied using the mitochondrial control region (D-loop) as a molecular marker. The mtDNA sequence was determined in brown rats from eight regions of European and Asian Russia. Three rat clades were identified, including one in European Russia and two in Asian Russia. The synanthropic subspecies R. n. norvegicus was found to have two, European and Asian, lineages. The European lineage included haplotypes from central and southern regions of Russia, and the Asian lineage included haplotypes from Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East. The exoanthropic subspecies R. n. caraco from the Russian Far East formed a separate genetic lineage.

Structure of subopopulations of Aireshire, Holstin and Jersey cattle in the Southern Regions of Russia by CSN2 (rs43703011), CSN3 (rs43703016) and microsatellite locuses (BM1818, BM1824, BM2113, ETH10, ETH225, ETH3, INRA023, SPS115, TGLA126, TGLA122, TGLA227, TGLA53)

During studies using molecular biological methods, the following loci were genotyped: BM1818, BM1824, BM2113, ETH10, ETH225, ETH3, INRA023, SPS115, TGLA126, TGLA122, TGLA227, TGLA53, CSN2 (rs43703011) and CSN3 (rs43703 016) 3000 cow blood samples Ayrshire, Holstein and Jersey breeds from the herds of the Krasnodar and Stavropol territories. On average, the frequency of occurrence of homozygous genotypes for 12 microsatellite loci in Jersey cattle was 0.38, in Holstein and Ayrshire cattle – 0.30 and 0.27, respectively; the highest allelic diversity was found in Holstein cattle (9.0 ± 1.7 alleles per locus). It should be noted that there are significant differences in the genetic profile of Ayrshire cattle. For Ayrshire animals, the following alleles turned out to be typical (but rare in Jersey and Holstein cattle): 270 locus BM1818, 137 locus BM2113, 213 locus ETH10, 119 locus ETH3, 142 locus ETH225, 87 locus TGLA227, 166 locus TGLA53. In the studied subpopulation of Jersey cattle, the frequency of occurrence of the A2A2 genotype of the CSN2 locus (rs43703011) (beta casein) was 0.68, and in the Ayrshire and Holstein groups it was only 0.25 and 0.31, respectively. The BB genotype of the CSN3 locus (rs43703016) (casein kappa) was found in the Jersey group of animals with a frequency of 0.76, and in Ayrshires and Holsteins – 0.04 and 0.15, respectively. The genotyped groups of Jersey, Ayrshire and Holstein animals are significant in volume; we assume that the identified patterns are typical for cattle of these breeds in the south of Russia. We believe that the data obtained can be used in the future in practical work on classifying certain groups of livestock as typical Holstein, Ayrshire or Jersey and when creating herds that produce milk of a certain type (for example, type A2 milk).

Fungal pathogens of mold of winter wheat grains in Rostov region

Long-term monitoring of the colonization of winter wheat grain by fungal mold pathogens that negatively affect the quality of grain during storage, reducing the quality of seed material, food grains and forage, showed that a high level of occurrence on the grain ofRostov winter wheat samples for the period 2014–2021 was manifested by mold fungiMucorspp.,Aspergillusniger,Aspergillusglaucus,Aspergillus flavus, species of the genusPenicillium.Relatively low occurrence was observed inRhizopus nigricansandCladosporium herbarumspecies.Mold pathogens are producers of the most dangerous mycotoxins: ochratoxinA(species ofPenicillium,Aspergillus niger,A. glaucus), aflotoxinB1 (A.flavus), rhizonins (Rhizopusspp.), etc.In the regions ofSouthernRussia, with severe drought in the soil and on the lower parts of plants, the accumulation of the fungusPenicillium purpureogenumis often noted, for some time it could become dominant.When restoring the level of moisture supply, a decrease in the occurrence ofP. purpureogenumwas observed, often to zero, and an increase in the occurrence of mucor fungi (Fusarium solani,F.semitectum), non-circulatingMycelia sterilia fungi, etc., a noticeable increase in the total density of fungal colonies.The highest level of external infection of grain was due to colonization of grain by fungi from thePenicilliumgroup, as well asA. glaucusandA. niger, the highest level of internal infection was caused by thePenicilliumgroup,Rhizopus nigricans,A. niger.The dominance of external infection over internal infection was observed during colonization by penicilli and aspergillus, the dominance of internal over external infection by rhizopus and cladosporium.

Assessment of the Allergenic Potential of Urban Woody Flora of Rostov-on-Don

Introduction. Plant pollen causes various allergic reactions in humans, including respiratory diseases, immune system disorders, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, and hay fever. These diseases affect up to 30% of the world's population. In large cities, trees and shrubs used in landscaping are significant sources of allergenic dust. Despite this, the greening of cities worldwide often occurs without considering the allergenic properties of plants. With the development of proteomics, it has become possible to assess the degree of allergenicity of proteins that make up plant pollen in detail. Based on this information, a scale of potential allergenicity for woody plants has been developed. The aim of this study is to assess the allergenic potential of woody plants in the urban flora of Rostov-on-Don.Materials and Methods. The object of the study was trees and shrubs used in the landscaping of Rostov-on-Don. The analysis of floristic data was based on the materials obtained during field work in 2023 on the territory of Rostov-on-Don. The author also used the lists of the city's dendroflora compiled between 2007 and 2022. The assessment of the potential allergenicity of woody plant species was conducted on a five-point scale, with 0 indicating plants that did not pose an allergic hazard, 1 indicating a low allergenicity level, 2 indicating a medium class, 3 indicating a high level, and 4 indicating a very high level of allergenicity.Results. In the flora of woody plants in Rostov-on-Don, 61 species of potentially allergenic plants were identified, posing varying levels of danger to human health. The share of all types of potentially allergenic woody plants was 30% of the total number of urban woody flora species in the city. The most powerful sources of allergenic pollen included nine species (Fraxinus Excelsior, Betula Pendula, B. Verrucosa, Platycladus Orientalis, etc.), which posed the greatest threat of hay fever and other allergic reactions. As a rule, these were typically wind-pollinated plants that produced maximum amounts of pollen. The list of potentially allergenic species included a significant number of adventitious species (24 species), which made it difficult to control their spread. A taxonomic analysis of potentially allergenic species was carried out at the order level, for which specific protein reactions were identified and detailed approaches to the prevention and treatment of hay fever were developed. The orders Pinales and Fagales form the bulk of allergenic pollen in the winter-spring period.Discussion and Conclusion. For the first time, studies were conducted on the allergenic activity of urban woody flora in the southern regions of Russia. An assessment of their allergenic potential allowed us to determine the level of threat of allergic reactions in humans. The greatest danger comes from both allergenic and invasive species that can spread actively and increase in numbers. Representatives of the Pinales and Fagales orders have proven to be significant sources of allergenic pollen, as they often have high ornamental qualities and play a prominent role in design projects. In some cases, it may be possible to replace these cultures with less allergenic alternatives, such as representatives of the Rosales order, to reduce the risk of allergic reactions.

Features of Distribution and Spread of <I>Hyalomma marginatum</I> (Acari, Ixodidae) Ticks in the Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever Focus in the Territory of Russia

The review provides the summarized and updated information on the current distribution of the tick Hyalomma marginatum in the natural Crimean hemorrhagic fever (CHF) focus in Russia. The work is based on the analysis of numerous literature sources, as well as the evidence from the personal collecting of ticks during long-term field research. In addition, the collection of ticks of the Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute of the Rospotrebnadzor and the database of H. marginatum collections in various regions of southern Russia were used. When delineating the boundaries of the H. marginatum areal and the CHF focus, we also deployed maps of the epidemiological survey of the focus, weekly and annual final reports on the CHF incidence from the Rospotrebnadzor Administrations. H. marginatum inhabits all regions of the Southern Federal District and the North-Caucasian Federal District, as well as the Crimean Peninsula and the south of the Saratov Region. The northern border of the areal reaches the Lugansk People’s Republic, Rostov, Volgograd, and Saratov Regions. H. marginatum is widely disseminated in the territory of Kalmykia and the Astrakhan Region. In the North Caucasus, it inhabits the entire flatland up to the foothills of the Greater Caucasus. The tick is widely distributed in the Stavropol Territory, populating the entire region. In the mountainous part of the Krasnodar Territory, this species is absent, but common in the rest of the areas. Beyond that, it is found on the Black Sea coast. In Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia and Ingushetia, the tick lives in the northern steppe regions of the republics, in some places it invades the foothills. In Chechnya and Dagestan, the species widely inhabits the steppes and semi-deserts of the Terek-Kuma Interfluve. Moreover, in Dagestan, H. marginatum lives across the plain and foothill territory of the republic and even reaches the highlands up to a height of more than 2000 m above sea level. In addition, it is widely disseminated on the Crimean peninsula, both the flatland and the mountainous part.

НЕКОТОРЫЕ АСПЕКТЫ ВЕГЕТАТИВНОГО РАЗМНОЖЕНИЯ ПЕРСПЕКТИВНЫХ СОРТОВ HIBISCUS X MOSCHEUTOS L.

Hibiscus x moscheutos L. is a promising decorative perennial for inclusion in green plantings in the southern regions of Russia. Currently, there is no data available on the most effective methods of propagating hibiscus in the conditions of southern gardening in Russia. Since 2014, FSBSI «North Caucasian Federal Scientific Center of Horticulture, Viticulture, Wine-making» (Krasnodar) has been carrying out work on introduction and variety study of H. x moscheutos. The collection includes 47 varieties. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the potential of vegetative propagation of promising varieties using the herbaceous cuttings method. The study included 18 varieties and hybrids. In the experiment 2 cutting periods were studied: 1st period – spring (II-III decade of May), 2nd period – summer (III decade of June – 1st decade of July (control). It was established that herbaceous cuttings can be carried out in 2 periods – in the II decade of May, with the placement of mother bushes in protected ground, and in the III decade of June, with the preparation of cuttings from mother plants growing in open ground. For most varieties, spring cuttings are preferable. In this case, young plants overwinter better, and the yield of marketable seedlings after 1 year of growing in pots is higher. During wintering of plants of summer cuttings, a high percentage of death was observed, which is associated with the low winter hardiness of young plants. A significant decrease in the yield of marketable seedlings after 1 year of growing in plants of summer cuttings was detected in the following varieties: Berry Awersome, Midnithe Marvell, Plam Flambe, Perfect Storm – a decrease in the yield of seedlings of I grade was observed by almost 2 times in comparison with plants rooted in spring. The best performance in herbaceous cuttings was found in the following varieties: Cherry Cheescake, Cranberry Crush, Peppermint Schnapps, Jazzberry Jam, Summer in Paradise, Krasny Rusanova, Hybrid № 5. These cultivars combine in their genotype adaptability to abiotic stress factors and increased productivity of uterine bushes during cuttings and provide a high yield of marketable seedlings when grown in pots. Key words: ROSEMALLOW (HIBISCUS MOSCHEUTOS), VEGETATIVE REPRODUCTION, HERBACEOUS CUTTINGS, POT CULTURE

Tomato breeding for open ground in the south of Russia

Relevance. Tomato is the most widespread vegetable crop in the southern regions of Russia and one of the most popular with the population in all natural and climatic zones of the country. The majority of products is produced in large vegetable-growing, farming and private household farms. One of the most important tasks is to improve the assortment taking into account natural and climatic conditions of cultivation and directions of use. In this regard, the selection of industrial tomato with a high level of flexibility and resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors for the south of Russia is an urgent task. The aim of the study is to evaluate economically valuable features of perspective lines and new hybrids of tomato of industrial type, adapted to the conditions of southern Russia. Material and methodology. The work was carried out in the open field conditions of experimental production farm of the Federal Scientific Center of Vegetable Industry (Moscow region) and Biryuchekutskaya vegetable breeding experimental station – branch of the FSBSI FSVC (Rostov region). The objects of research were breeding material and 6 perspective new hybrid combinations of tomato of selection of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific and Scientific Institution of the Russian Federation. Results and discussion. As a result of step-by-step study and selection, the most promising samples were identified for further use as source material for practical breeding: B-6-C-2014, VS-B-№7, VS-B-18, VS-B-20, VS-B-35, VS-B-38. As a result of the competitive testing, the best hybrid combinations were identified: F1 B-1, F1 B-2, F1 B-4, meeting the requirements of commercial production in the south of Russia. It is shown that the hybrid combination F1 B-2 exceeds both standard samples F1 Meteor and F1 Perfectpeel both in terms of total yield (by 10.9 t/ha and 9.6 t/ha), marketability of fruits, and dry matter content in fruits (6.1 % vs. 5.1% and 5.2 %). Taking into account the complex of economic characteristics, a precocious F1 hybrid of tomato F1 B-2 called F1 Profy has been submitted to the State Variety Testing, as it shows stable economic characteristics over several years of study.

Structure of Subpopulations of Ayrshire, Holstein, and Jersey Cattle in the Southern Regions of Russia by CSN2 (rs43703011), CSN3 (rs43703016), and Microsatellite Loci (BM1818, BM1824, BM2113, ETH10, ETH225, ETH3, INRA023, SPS115, TGLA126, TGLA122, TGLA227, TGLA53)

Structure of Subpopulations of Ayrshire, Holstein, and Jersey Cattle in the Southern Regions of Russia by CSN2 (rs43703011), CSN3 (rs43703016), and Microsatellite Loci (BM1818, BM1824, BM2113, ETH10, ETH225, ETH3, INRA023, SPS115, TGLA126, TGLA122, TGLA227, TGLA53)

Results of research on the morphological composition of solid municipal waste in residential buildings in southern regions of Russia

The relevance of the work is determined by the extensive coverage of the «waste reform» in public sources, mass media, and scientific publications. The article provides references to sources confirming the constant changes in the morphological composition of solid municipal waste and its differences based on the source type. The paper presents the results of research on the morphological composition of solid municipal waste in residential buildings in the central regions of the Russian Federation, based on studies conducted from 2016 to 2022. The research was carried out in the Republic of Mordovia, the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Yaroslavl region, and the Tula region at 105 accumulation sites, located in 25 municipalities (urban district, urban or rural settlement). The research results show differences in the composition of solid municipal waste from apartment buildings and individual residential houses in the central regions of Russia. The author draws conclusions about the composition of solid municipal waste for apartment buildings and individual residential houses in the central regions of the Russian Federation. It is determined that the main component of this type of waste is food waste regardless of the type of housing conditions. The main difference in the composition of solid municipal waste from apartment buildings and individual residential houses is the different percentage ratio of the «paper, cardboard» components. Changes in the composition of these waste materials are identified by seasons. It is shown that seven main components of solid municipal waste: food waste, paper, cardboard, garden and park waste, glass, screenings (small fraction, sweepings), miscellaneous, and polymers constitute about 90 % of their total mass.

Livestock breeding development in Siberia

The establishment of the Siberian Research Institute of Animal Husbandry was in the 1930s, a time when the whole country, having survived collectivization and famine, was beginning to form a cultural animal husbandry with livestock productivity capable of providing the population of the region with milk and meat. The vast extent of the territories and the diversity of climatic conditions required animals capable of adapting to the cold long winters and hot short summers to which the cultivated European breeds were not adapted. In this regard, Siberian scientists faced the task of creating new types of dairy and meat specialized cattle, pigs, sheep, horses, combining high productivity and survivability in extreme conditions. If high genetically determined productivity was achieved by combining local improved cattle with European pedigree cattle, it was impossible to surpass the best imported breeds or at least maintain their level due to the inconsistency of natural and climatic conditions and incomparable feeding and housing conditions. It is necessary to create new breakthrough technologies in fodder production and animal housing with more energy-consuming elements, which will make the livestock products produced in Siberia competitive in comparison with the southern regions of Russia, not to mention Germany, France, USA, Australia. For this purpose, it is advisable to combine the efforts of fundamental and applied sciences in the development of breakthrough technologies for obtaining elite delicacy products demanded abroad. There is a need for economic mechanisms to facilitate this process, which in return will bring development and repopulation of remote and underdeveloped territories.

Fusarium Species Causing Pepper Wilt in Russia: Molecular Identification and Pathogenicity.

Fusarium wilt pathogens represent an ongoing threat to pepper production worldwide. This is the first report providing data on the molecular identification of Fusarium fungi that cause wilt in pepper in the southern regions of Russia. Monitoring of the Fusarium infection on pepper was carried out in 2019-2022 in two economically important regions of this culture production: the Krasnodar Krai and Crimea. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of the translation elongation factor (EF1a) and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), as well as the macro- and micromorphological characteristics of the fungi, the causative agents of Fusarium wilt have been identified. The causative agents identified as representatives of the Fusarium species composition included: F. clavus, F. solani, F. oxysporum, F. verticillioides, F. commune, F. torulosum, and F. sporotrichioides. Depending on the region, the specifics of biodiversity and the ratio of these species in pathocomplexes were noted. In Crimea, wilting could be attributed to all of the identified species; in the Krasnodar Krai, F. verticillioides and F. clavus were found to contribute to wilting. The pathogenicity test showed that the pathogens of pepper wilting in Russia, in addition to the already known F. oxysporum and F. solani, are the species F. clavus and F. verticillioides. This is the first report on the ability of these species to cause Fusarium wilt in pepper cultures. The obtained data will be of practical value for the development of biological control measures for fungi of the genus Fusarium, which cause pepper wilt in areas of industrial production and seed production. In addition, data on species composition and aggressive isolates will be used in a pepper breeding program for resistance to Fusarium wilt.

The Use of Solar Energy for Heating Premises in the Southern Regions of the Russian Federation in the Spring-Autumn Period

The task of restoring the housing stock in destroyed cities and towns in the south of Russia is urgent. It will be paramount after the restoration of peaceful life in the DPR, LPR, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions of the Russian Federation. It is known that in the Krasnodar region, in the northern Caucasus, and in other regions of southern Russia there is a shortage of electricity. Restoring energy-intensive industries in Donbass will require large electricity capacities. At the same time, the climate of southern Russia allows the use of the Sun in housing construction as an inexhaustible source of renewable energy. At the same time, the huge scale of restoration of the housing stock requires the design and construction of inexpensive energy-efficient housing, which must comply with the requirements of Federal Law No. 261 of June 11, 2021 “On energy saving and increasing energy efficiency and on introducing amendments to certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation”.

<I>BRCA1/2</I> mutation spectrum in Armenian patients with breast and ovarian cancers

The aim of the study was to compare the spectra of pathogenic BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants in patients with hereditary breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) from two groups of ethnic Armenians: Yerevan and cities of southern Russia.Material and Methods. 106 BC patients from the V.A. Fanardjian National Centre of Oncology (Yerevan, Republic of Armenia) and 117 BC and OC patients of Armenian origin who were referred to the Petrov National Medical Centre of Oncology (St. Petersburg, Russia) from several cancer centers of Russia (Krasnodar, Sochi, Pyatigorsk) were included into the study. The coding sequences of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes were analyzed by the method of targeted high-throughput sequencing.Results. Pathogenic variants of BCRA1 and BCRA2 genes were detected in 16/106 (BRCA1: n=9, BRCA2: n=7; 15%) BC patients from Yerevan. The only recurrent mutation was the BRCA1 nonsense variant c.5444G>A [W1815X], accounting for 44% of all pathogenic alleles identified. In patients of Armenian origin from Russia, pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants were detected in 16/117 (14%) individuals (BRCA1: n=6, BRCA2: n=10). The proportion of samples with mutations was 13% in the group of BC patients and 19% in the group of OC patients. 75% of pathogenic alleles were represented by five recurrent mutations: BRCA1 c.2649_2650insGGCA, BRCA2 c.2808_2808_2811delACAA, BRCA1 c.4065_4068delTCAA, BRCA2 c.9027delT and BRCA2 c.8437G>T [G2813X]. The independent origin of the pathogenic BRCA2 c.2808_2808_2811delACAA variant in Armenian and non-Armenian patients was shown.Conclusion. A significant difference in the spectrum of BRCA1/2 mutations between Armenian patients from Yerevan and patients from southern regions of Russia was found. This should be taken into account when developing diagnostic programs.

ЗЕМЛЕВЛАДЕЛЬЧЕСКАЯ АРИСТОКРАТИЯ РОССИЙСКОЙ ИМПЕРИИ И ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЕ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ ЧАСТНОГО ПРАВА НА НЕДРА В ПЕРИОД "ИНДУСТРИАЛИЗМА" 1890-1914 ГГ.

Based on the study of archival materials (primarily from the funds of the Yusupov princes), the article considers the issue of the realization by the largest landowners of the Russian Empire in 1890–1914 of their right to the subsoil in order to increase the profitability of their estates. As it turns out, that economic strategy was characteristic not only of a small group of Ural owners, but also for many other titled aristocrats whose possessions were located in the central provinces and especially in the regions of Southern Russia (Donbass and the Caucasus), where huge reserves of mineral raw materials were discovered. The analysis of the relevant sources shows what significant opportunities for increasing revenue were provided by coal and oil deposits, and primarily, by the initiative and economic pragmatism of private landowners in organizing extractive production. As a rule, most aristocrats managed to increase their cash receipts immediately due to minimal organizational efforts. But in the future, with the expansion and complication of extractive production, landowners faced a lack of available funds. The way out of that was seen in selling their lands or in the corporatization of the enterprise, which guaranteed the aristocrats a certain dividend from profits, but transferred most of the capital and income of the estate into the hands of industrial or banking companies. In any case, the entry of the Russian economy in 1890-1914 in the “industrial” period turned out to be extremely profitable for the largest landowners, not only for purposes of developing their agricultural estates, but also in terms of the diversification of their economy, including through the active exploitation of mineral resources.

The Australian red-clawed crayfish (Cherax quadicarinatus Von Martens 1868) is a promising aquaculture object for the south of the Russian Federation

The paper presents information about a promising aquaculture object for the south of the Russian Federation - the Australian red-clawed crayfish Cherax quadicarinatus Von Martens 1868. A brief description of its biological characteristics, which are the main factor in the development of specific biotechnologies for its commercial cultivation, is given. The main limiting factor in the artificial cultivation of this species is water temperature. The article indicates that for Russian conditions, three possible directions for growing Australian crayfish can be distinguished: in ponds in the southern regions of Russia in natural climatic conditions (summer); in ponds, cages and pools on warm waters of energy facilities in the summer; in closed water supply installations – year-round. A technology has been proposed for combined cultivation of crayfish, in which the production of juveniles is carried out in controlled basin conditions, and the cultivation of commercial products in earthen ponds in warm seasons, when the water temperature corresponds to the biological needs of the species.

Results of research on the morphological composition of solid municipal waste in residential buildings in southern regions of Russia

Results of research on the morphological composition of solid municipal waste in residential buildings in southern regions of Russia

Specifics of Forming the Territories of Botanical Gardens as the Landscape Objects

Introduction. Botanical gardens are the special research institutions fostering the conservation and introduction of various plant species. They have gone a long way in their development and play an important role in organisation of people’s recreation within the urban nature-based framework. The research revealed, that in the botanical gardens the research activities are combined with the considerable work on the architectural planning and landscape-spatial arrangement of territories, all contributing to the rational layout and functioning of the botanical gardens. The aim of the present research is to analyse and identify the main principles of forming the territories of botanical gardens in the south of Russia, find out their functional set-up and modern trends of development, which have not been studied before.Materials and Methods. The comparative analysis of the state of territories of botanical gardens per time and space, the integrated system analysis of the architectural planning and landscape evolution features of the territories of botanical gardens of the south of Russia and the principles of their design from perspective of the landscape architecture, were carried out. When conducting the evaluative research of the territory of the Botanical Garden of the Southern Federal University in Rostov-on-Don, the graph analytics methods were used, as well as the authors’ graphic materials on reconstruction of the SFU Botanical Garden structure.Results. The main historical stages in the timeline of botanical gardens’ formation in Russia were determined. The evolution of the architectural planning and landscape arrangement of the botanical and dendrological gardens in the southern region of Russia was analysed for the first time. The results of the study allowed making a conclusion about the insufficient consideration of the recreational role of the territories of botanical gardens and principles of their arrangement as the landscape objects during their design and creation. The main principles of forming the territories of botanical gardens in the southern region of Russia were formulated. By the example of the Botanical Garden of the Southern Federal University of Rostov-on-Don, the features of its territory formation, creation of the collection stock, arboretum, etc., were revealed. The disadvantages and advantages of zoning its territory, from perspective of forming it as a landscape object, were determined. Conceptual proposals for the transformation of its territories were given.Discussion and Conclusion. The authors have systemised the data per historical periods of the botanical gardens’ formation and evolution in Russia, which enables considering the revealed features during the reconstruction of such territories. For the first time the specifics of the southern region botanical and dendrological gardens’ formation, as the landscape objects intended for recreational purposes, have been studied. The formulated principles of functional zoning of the botanical gardens of the south of Russia will enhance their architectural-artistic and landscape image. Based on the materials of this study, the conceptual design solutions for the territory of the Southern Federal University Botanical Garden of Rostov-on-Don have been provided.

Caucasian Rapid Racerunner (<i>Eremias velox caucasica</i> Lantz, 1928): The State of the Population on the Sarykum Sand Massif

This article describes the status of the Caucasian rapid racerunner (Eremias velox caucasica Lantz, 1928) population on the Sarykum sand massif. Data collected on its sex-age structure in the first decade of May 2022 were analyzed. Morphometric diagrams based on body length measurements (mm) were built. The results obtained show that the population consists of immature specimens and mature males and females. Adult animals can be divided into two age groups, namely, lizards aged two years and three years or more. The core of the population is made up of immature and two-year-old males and females. Sexual dimorphism related to body length was reliably determined by the nonparametric Mann–Whitney test: males turned out to be larger than females. Although the population is generally stable, it is still negatively affected by the recreational load on the Sarykum territory and the sand overgrowth. These two factors lead to changes in the biotope inhabited by E. v. caucasica. Therefore, it is important to carefully monitor the population of E. v. caucasica on the Sarykum sand massif as this species is listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Dagestan and other southern regions of Russia.

Creation of a Biobank of the Sperm of the Honey Bee Drones of Different Subspecies of Apis mellifera L.

The cryopreservation of gametes and embryos is an important element of biodiversity conservation. One species in need of conservation is the honey bee Apis mellifera L. Changing environmental factors, especially the anthropogenic factor, have led to a reduction in the numbers of this insect species. In this study, we provide an example of the creation of a biobank of honey bee drone sperm. For sperm cryopreservation, drones of the most common subspecies of honey bees common in Russia were selected. These were the dark forest bee, Apis mellifera mellifera, from the Republic of Bashkortostan, with three subspecies (A. m. carnica, A. m. carpatica, and A. m. caucasica) from the southern regions of Russia, as well as two breeding stocks, the Far Eastern bee and Prioksky bee. For subspecies identification, morphometric and genetic methods were used. The subspecies of the studied samples were confirmed via the analysis of the tRNAleu-COII locus of mitochondrial DNA and nine microsatellite markers of nuclear DNA. It was shown that bees of the Prioksky breeding stock belong to the subspecies A. m. caucasica based on phylogenetic analysis, and the Far Eastern breeding stock is a stable hybrid, descending on the maternal line from the evolutionary lineage C or O. The results of the morphometric analysis are consistent with the results of the genetic analysis. For the cryopreservation of sperm, we used a cryoprotectant solution with honey. As a result, the viability of frozen–thawed sperm decreased by 20.3% compared to fresh sperm, and overall motility decreased 25-fold. The measurement of the sperm concentration in the spermatheca of artificially inseminated queens showed that it varied from 0.22 to 4.4 million/μL. Therefore, the use of honey in sperm cryopreservation has great potential.