Chloroplastic SaNADP-ME4 of C3–C4 Woody Desert Species Salsola laricifolia Confers Drought and Salt Stress Resistance to Arabidopsis

The NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME) catalyzes the reversible decarboxylation of L-malate to produce pyruvate, CO2, and NADPH in the presence of a bivalent cation. In addition, this enzyme plays crucial roles in plant developmental and environment responses, especially for the plastidic isoform. However, this isoform is less studied in C3–C4 intermediate species under drought and salt stresses than in C3 and C4 species. In the present study, we characterized SaNADP-ME4 from the intermediate woody desert species Salsola laricifolia. SaNADP-ME4 encoded a protein of 646 amino acids, which was found to be located in the chloroplasts based on confocal imaging. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that SaNADP-ME4 was highly expressed in leaves, followed by stems and roots, and SaNADP-ME4 expression was improved and reached its maximum under the 200 mm mannitol and 100 mm NaCl treatments, respectively. Arabidopsis overexpressing SaNADP-ME4 showed increased root length and fresh weight under mannitol and salt stress conditions at the seedling stage. In the adult stage, SaNADP-ME4 could alleviate the decreased in chlorophyll contents and PSII photochemical efficiency, as well as improve the expression of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase genes to enhance reactive oxygen species scavenging capability and proline levels. Our results suggest that SaNADP-ME4 overexpression in Arabidopsis increases drought and salt stress resistance.

Three new species of Olivierus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

Following Graham et al. (2019), the recently described desert species Olivierus gorelovi (Fet et al., 2018) from Central Asia is herein restricted to Turkmenistan and southern Uzbekistan. In this contribution, we described other populations formerly included in O. gorelovi as three new species: O. mikhailovi sp. n. (southern Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan), O. tarabaevi sp. n. (Kazakhstan) and O. voldemari sp. n. (Uzbekistan: Ferghana Valley).

RESEARCH TO CREATE A BIODIVERSITY DATABASE IN THE AREA OF THE CEMENT PLANT «CASPIAN-CEMENT»

. The result of field studies the state of biological diversity, in order to create a database for monitoring the state of the animal world, on the territory of the existing cement plant. The following taxonomic groups were studied: birds (the largest numerous groups, easily identifiable), mammals (requiring special research methods), reptiles and amphibians. The identification of species that occurred in the study area of the chalk Deposit was carried out and the bio topic requirements for each of these species were studied. Along with the classical methods of environmental assessment and monitoring, a new method for studying biological diversity in the mining area is used. The method is based on geoinformation analysis and mapping data. All data on biodiversity were obtained using a map divided into grid squares (500×500 m), and were collected in a qualitative way (the number of representatives of animal species per grid square). The study area on the South Shetpe Cretaceous Deposit in the area of the plant "Caspian Cement" met with widespread desert species (mole lemming, tushkanchik). In the local fauna there are absolutely no true steppe species, and there are few semi-desert species (small gopher, korsak, saiga). A qualitative assessment of the importance of biodiversity was presented, taking into consideration the landscape-stabilizing factor, maps of "natural habitats". A map of the territory of the cement plant with the site of the chalk quarry with the indication of the natural habitats of biodiversity and their database was compiled.

DESERT SPECIES IN THE REGION AS INDICATORS OF DESERTIFICATION

The distribution of desert species of plants and animals in the Ulyanovsk region (Middle Volga region) is associated with two main reasons: native origin and penetration (entry) from arid and semiarid regions. Deserted species of indigenous origin, as a rule, are located on the northern border of the range and move north along similar biotopes - salt marshes, saline steppe areas, arid steppes with elements of semi-deserts, etc. Most of these species are rare and are listed in the regional Red Book. Intertile desert species are often occupied by ruderal biotopes - silver goof, tamarix, etc. In general, in the biota of the Ulyanovsk region, desert species account for about 5%.