Habitat selection of sympatric Siberian Grouse and Hazel Grouse in natural and exploited forests of the lower Amur region

The Siberian Grouse (Falcipennis falcipennis), which is endemic to the “dark-needle” taiga of the Russian Far East, is one of the least studied grouse species in the world. We examined post-breeding habitat selection of Siberian Grouse and contrasted it with that of the better examined Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia) in two areas near Komsomolsk na Amure, Russia. To infer species-specific preferences, we used field sampling, logistic regression, and AIC model selection, and compared late summer habitats of Siberian Grouse and Hazel Grouse in a mountain- and hilly area in the dark needle taiga. Our study is the first to explain Siberian Grouse habitat relationships with an empirical modelling approach. Results indicate proportions of coniferous/ pioneer trees forest and rejuvenation to be the most important covariates separating Siberian and Hazel Grouse observation sites in forests from both areas. Siberian Grouse tended to select sites with low proportions of pioneer trees and rejuvenation but availability of dwarf shrubs. Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) appeared to be of high importance for the presence of Siberian Grouse in both regions. Hazel Grouse were common in places dominated by pioneer trees with high canopy cover, and high proportions of grass/herb cover. Hazel Grouse also occurred more often in forest sites with dense vertical layering and rejuvenation. Modern forestry, which results in increasing amounts of forests at younger successional stages, is likely to favour the Hazel Grouse at the expense of the Siberian Grouse.

A new species of the genus Pterostichus Bonelli, 1810 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from the Russian Far East

Pterostichus (Phonias) neglectoides sp. n. is described from the Jewish Autonomous Region, Russia. New species is similar to P. neglectus A. Morawitz, 1862 but differs from latter in the structure of endophallus, and colouration of palps and legs.

Traditional Selection Potato Varieties and Their Resistance to the 28-punctata Potato Ladybug Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in the Southern Russian Far East

Background: Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata is a polytrophic pest, causing the greatest damage to plants from the nightshade family. The study aimed to research the resistance of potato cultivars that are promising for breeding to damage by a potato ladybug in laboratory and field experiments. Methods: In laboratory experiments, the indicators of fertility, mortality and duration of development, morphological anomalies and the effect of potato varieties on the composition of Epilakhna’s hemolymph were studied. The sample consisted of 50 individuals with a slight predominance of females. The experiment used 13 varieties of potatoes. Result: A specific dependence of the frequency of phytophage anomalies on the variety was revealed. The influence of nutrition on survival and the timing of ontogenesis has been established. The results obtained indicate the high breeding value of the material when recommending it for cultivation in regions with a high number of pests, as well as when creating new varieties.

Strategic diagnostics at the at the Russian Far East gas industry

World and regional economics are nonstationary, and due to this it becomes a strategically important task to ensure social and economic development of the regions which considers the existing tendencies and the arising opportunities. The task can be fulfilled by means of uncovering the accumulated scientific-technical and industrial-production potentials of the industries. The Far Eastern Federal district possesses such a strategic opportunity, and gas industry can become such a driver. Therefore, the purpose of the study is performing strategic diagnostics of the Far Eastern gas industry in order to determine the position of the object of strategizing within the global and regional economic system, to form the information basis for further strategic analysis and to define the type of the potential industrial strategy. To this end the authors carried out analysis and presented the main results of strategic diagnostics of the Far Eastern gas industry as the object of strategizing including the key historical aspects and the dynamics of development of the gas industry of the Far East, assessment of the resource base and human resources potential, technological potential of the industry, analysis of the major industrial indicators and structure, assessment of the export potential and market positioning, analysis of the regulatory environment for operation and development of the gas industry in the Far East. For each direction of strategic diagnostics the authors have detected the specificity, features and factors which influence or are able to influence the Far Eastern gas industry in a long-term perspective. The results of the analysis revealed high concentration of national, public, regional, industrial, commercial interests, high level of technological potential of gas industry of the Far East, its deep integration into international economic relations and favorable regulatory environment encouraging effective operation and development. The study made it possible to conclude that the strategy of the gas industry of the Far East ought to be that of the innovative type and ought to be aimed at realization of all groups of interests and at involvement and efficient employment of all existing regional resources and competitive advantages.