Faunistic complex of mycetophilous beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) of the xylotrophic fungus Fomes fomentarius (Basidiomyceta) in the territory of the Saratov region

This article describes the characteristics of the beetle fauna – inhabitants of fruiting bodies and the mycelial layer of the true tinder fungus Fomes fomentarius L.: Fr. and are considers some important aspects of the ecology of mycetophilous beetles. Coleopteran population of fruiting bodies of the fungus in five districts of the Saratov region is 63%. Two species from the family Staphylinidae (Gyrophaena joyi Wendeler, 1924 and Scaphisoma boreale Lundblad, 1952) have been recorded on growing and / or spore bearing fruiting bodies. The complex of the main distructors is confined to dying fruiting bodies (20 species). The predominant group (61%) is Diaperis boleti (Linnaeus, 1758) (Tenebrionidae) and Erotylidae. At the trophic level, obligate mycetophages and mycetosaprophages prevail among coleopterans (95%). The most similar are the mycetophilous communities of the residential areas of Saratov and Engels (Kf = 0.7), extremely low similarity was noted for Saratov and Bazarno-Karabulak district (Kf = 0.1).

Bryozoans of the Kara Sea: estimation of species diversity and patterns of biogeographic composition

Until now, information on the bryozoan fauna of the Kara Sea was as the most unordered in comparison to other Arctic seas of Russia. The information in literature is mainly based on the data collected more than 80 years ago. Collections carried out over the last 30 years made it possible to expand the understanding not only of the species richness of this group, but also to study its spatial variation within the sea. At the moment, the species list of bryozoans in the Kara Sea includes 230 names. Of these, 42 species were recorded for the first time in this area of the Arctic. The fauna richness varies with depth and geographic location of sampling sites. Comparison of the species composition of bryozoans within 6 sectors defined on the basis of differences in environmental parameters indicates the presence of a single faunistic complex. The biogeographic composition of the fauna is characterized by the predominance of the boreal-arctic species (67%) over the arctic (30%); the share of boreal species is only 3%. Comparison of bryozoans from the Kara Sea with faunas from other areas of the Arctic region indicates a closer similarity of its fauna with the fauna of the Barents Sea than with the fauna of bryozoans from the Laptev Sea.

ECOLOGICAL FEATURES OF ARTIFICIAL BREEDING OF SNAKEHEADS CHANNA NOX (SCOPOLI, 1777) (TELEOSTEI: CHANNIDAE) IN AQUARIUM SYSTEMS

The issues of keeping and breeding of the Nox snakehead («Red Moon»), one of the most interesting representatives of the tropical faunistic complex of Southeast China in aquarium systems, are considered, the methods and conditions of its artificial breeding and keeping are analyzed. It has been established that for the successful production of offspring, it is necessary to create specific conditions close to natural ones, as well as the use of some specific techniques that simulate seasonal changes. The features of reproductive behavior of producers and the specificity of the growth of offspring in aquarium systems are shown. The article provides a short guide to breeding Channa nox, an interesting fish from the snakehead family, a fairly new object in ornamental fish farming.

Distribution of migratory fish in the stream (depth, velocity, body size, predators)

In order to supplement the available information for the eco-hydraulic approach to designing fish passages, taking into account the taxonomic, dimensional structure, as well as taking into account the presence of predatory fish in the stream, the distribution of migratory fish of the boreal plain faunistic complex (Russian Federation) was studied. Three depth-velocity sections from the shore to the midstream were investigated: 5 m and 27.8 cm/s, 8 m and 44.4 cm/s, 11 m and 55.6 cm/s. Analysis of the migration distribution of fish showed that in the direction from the shore to the midstream, the proportion of representatives of Cyprinidae decreases from 41.8–24.3% and that of Percidae decreases from 25.0–18.4%. For individuals of two groups: the Acipenseridae and Lotidae, Coregonidae and Esocidae, patterns of distribution in the structure of migratory fish are opposite – their share increases with increasing speed and depth characteristics: 23.0–40.2% and 10.2–17.1%, respectively. An assessment of the dimensional structure revealed a feature of increase in the size range of fish from the shore to the midstream: the dominance of small individuals (<10 cm) in the shore area is replaced by the dominance of large fish (> 30 cm) in the area of higher speeds and depths. A significant difference in the distribution for all studied taxonomic fish groups between the shore and the midstream was shown. Thus, it has been established that for Cyprinidae during the migration period, the choice shifts in favour of minimizing energy costs, and the choice to avoid the risk of predation from individuals of the groups: Coregonidae and Esocidae, and also Percidae, shifts in favour of the former. The distribution of perch is influenced by the reduction of energy costs and the simultaneous avoidance of predation and cannibalism. For the fish group Acipenseridae and Lotidae, their predominance in the deeper area is due to their less developed visual orientation mechanism in the stream because they are bottom-living fish species.

Monogeneans of fish of the Mingechevir Reservoir of the Kura River basin

In 2010–2013, a study on fish of the Mingechevir Reservoir of the Kura River basin, for infestation with parasites belonging to the Monogenea class was conducted. 297 specimens of fish were subjected to parasitological dissections. These fish belong to the following 23 species: roach – Rutilus rutilus caspius, Caucasian chub – Leuciscus cephalus orientalis, asp – Aspius aspius taeniatus, tench – Tinca tinca, Kura nase – Chondrostoma cyri, Kura khramulya – Capoeta capoeta, chanari-barbel – Luciobarbus capito, goldfish – Carassius auratus gibelio, carp – Cyprinus carpio, Kura beardie – Barbatula brandti, Transcaucasica spined loach – Cobitis taenia satunini, catfish – Silurus glanis, mosquito fish – Gambusia affinis, pike – Sander lucioperca, big headed goby – Neogobius kessleri gorlap, monkey goby – N. fluviatilis pallasi. As a result of the research, 34 species of monogeneans belonging to 3 orders of 4 families and 5 genera were identified. The overwhelming majority (32 species) of monogeneans found are parasitic on the gill petals of fish, from two to six species are also found on the surface of the body and fins, in the nasal cavity of fish. Of the found monogeneans, 24 species (70.6%) are specific for one species or one genus of fish. It has been established that monogeneans parasitizing on several hosts infect the main of them more than others fish, and the intensity of invasion of fish with large sizes was higher than that of relatively small fish. By their origin, 23 species or 67.7% of all species belong to the boreal lowland faunistic complex. According to the ecological groups of this complex, they are distributed as follows: in the Ponto-Caspian group – 17 species, in the Palaearctic and amphiboreal groups – 3 species each. The Middle East faunistic complex is represented by six, the Indian lowland complex is represented by three, and the Ponto-Caspian marine complex by two species. Among the monogeneans of fish of the Mingechevir Reservoir, two species, Dactylogyrus extensus and D. vastator destroy gill petals of their hosts and cause their diseases. They are the cause of the mass death of juvenile fish.

First record of parasitoids associated with insects inhabiting capsules of Papaver rhoeas in Greece

A faunistic complex of chalcidoid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) associated with cynipids and cecidomyids (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae; Diptera: Cecydomyiidae) inhabiting capsules of the annual weed Papaver rhoeas L. (corn poppy) was recorded in Amynteo, Northern Greece (2012) and Orchomenos, Voeotia, Central Greece (2013). The parasitoids are Idiomacromerus papaveris (Forster, 1856), Idiomacromerus sp., Pseudotorymus papaveris (Thomson, 1876) (Torymidae), Aprostocetus epicharmus Walker, 1839 (Eulophidae), and Cyrtoptyx sp. (Pteromalidae). Aprostocetus epicharmus was recorded only in Amynteo while Idiomacromerus spp. and Cyrtoptyx sp. only in Voeotia. This is the first record of these parasitoid species in corn poppy capsules in Greece. All parasitoids except the eulophid, which probably parasitizes Cecydomyiidae, are most likely parasitoids of Aylax papaveris (Perris, 1840) (Cynipidae)

On the fauna of house flies (Diptera, Muscidae) of Samara Region

For the first time the resulting data of flies investigation (Diptera, Muscidae) in Samara Oblast territory are given. Up to the present time the revealed fauna of the houseflies is differed by the high taxonomic diversity and includes 75 species belonging to 26 genera. Among them 11 are the most frequent species Coenosia mollicula Fll., Coenosia testacea R.-D., Helina ciliatocosta Ztt., Helina moedlingensis Schnabl, Hydrotaea ignava Harris, Musca domestica L., Muscina levida Harris, Mydaea setifemur Ringdahl, Neomyia cornicina F., Pyrellia vivida R.-D. and Thricops semicinereus Wied. consisted of 15% of the all species regional muscid diversity. Main body of revealed muscid fauna in the region are represented by widely distributed and palaearctic species (by 45% in each group of distribution). Faunistic complex of muscid is characterized by richness of biotope clustering, habitat versatility of mostly species, and the most intensive flying period of the main species imagoes is noted in the summer period. It is supposed that compound of family in the generic level is revealed approximately of 79% and it is additionally expected 7 genera. Specific compound of the family is revealed approximately of 64% and it is additionally expected about 43 species of muscid in Samara Oblast fauna