Microlepidoptera of Omsk Region (Russia). Communication 2. Families: Eriocraniidae, Nepticulidae, Opostegidae, Adelidae, Prodoxidae, Incurvariidae, Psychidae, Tineidae, Roeslerstammiidae, Bucculatricidae, Yponomeutidae, Argyresthiidae, Plutellidae, Acrolepiidae, Glyphipterigidae, Ypsolophidae, Lyonetiidae, Bedelliidae, Elachistidae, Parametriotidae, Scythrididae, Momphidae, Blastobasidae, Batrachedridae, Cosmopterigidae, Epermeniidae, Choreutidae

The second сommunication on the Microlepidoptera fauna of Omsk Region of Russia includes information about 115 species. Most part of them is new to the regional fauna. The list includes 14 species recorded from the Asian part of Russia for the first time, among them Opostega salaciella (Treitschke, 1833), Myrmecozela ochraceella (Tengström, 1848), Bucculatrix ulmella Zeller, 1848, Euhyponomeutoides ribesiellus (Joannis, 1900), Glyphipterix equitella (Scopoli, 1763), Mendesia farinella (Thunberg, 1794), Elachista humilis Zeller, 1850, Elachista littoricola Le Marchand, 1938, Elachista pollutella Duponchel, 1843, Elachista pullicomella Zeller, 1839, Biselachista albidella (Nylander, 1848), Scythris flavilaterella (Fuchs, 1886), Pyroderces argyrogrammos (Zeller, 1847), Epermenia iniquella (Wocke, 1867).

Spiders of the Udmurt Republic, Russia

The long-term project "Spiders of the Udmurt Republic" (2007–2018) aimed to research spiders' regional fauna and zoogeography, diversity (including spatial and seasonal patterns) and habitat preferences. We performed the collection of spiders in all natural zones of the republic, habitats and vegetation layers, both at permanent sampling plots and through ad-hoc sampling en route. The dataset includes occurrences from 53 geographical points with 10,500 records and more than 35,000 specimens. This increases the existing data on Russian spiders on GBIF by four times, from 11,000 (excluding iNaturalist observations) to 46,000. The dataset allows for the exploration of regional fauna, local and general species distribution, spider phenology and habitat preferences for the purposes of monitoring and conservation.

South African Acrothoracica (Crustacea: Cirripedia)

Prior to this review, only three publications, all species descriptions published over 50 years ago, had focussed on South African acrothoracicans. We collected samples from three of South Africa’s major marine ecoregions (Benguela, Agulhas and Natal) and used these to produce a revised account of the known regional fauna. This includes a key to known South African acrothoracicans and a systematic account of the species, each description being accompanied by scanning electron and light microscopy images. The number of known South African acrothoracicans is increased from four to eight species, with three new distribution records and two new species added to the fauna, while one existing record is determined to be a nomen nudum. Although this represents a doubling of the known regional acrothoracican fauna, much more remains to be explored, and further research in deeper waters and examination of other potential hosts (such as corals and hermit crabs) are likely to reveal many additional taxa.

An annotated checklist of the chondrichthyans of South Africa

An annotated checklist of chondrichthyan fishes (sharks, batoids, and chimaeras) occurring in South African waters is presented. The checklist is the result of decades of research and on-going systematic revisions of the regional fauna. The chondrichthyan fauna of South Africa is one of the richest in the world with 191 species, comprising 50 families and 103 genera. It consists of 30 families, 64 genera, and 111 species of sharks; 17 families, 36 genera, and 72 species of batoids; and, 3 families, 5 genera, and 8 species of chimaeras. The most species-rich shark families are the whaler sharks Carcharhinidae with 20 species followed by the deepwater catsharks Pentanchidae with 13 species. The most species-rich batoid families are the hardnose stakes Rajidae with at least 21 species followed by the stingrays Dasyatidae with 13 species. This monograph represents the first detailed annotated checklist of chondrichthyans from South Africa in over 30 years.

Records of ctenophores from South Africa

Although ctenophores can be conspicuous components of the plankton in coastal marine ecosystems, only six species have been formally described from around South Africa. Using photographs from local community scientists, we add a further three species (Cestum veneris, Beroe forskalii?, Ocyropsis maculata?) and six morphospecies to the regional fauna. These additions suggest that South Africa has a ctenophore fauna that is amongst the most diverse, globally; an observation in agreement with information from other taxa. Tips on how community scientists can improve their photographic contributions to understanding ctenophore diversity are provided.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE MIGRATION STOPS IN THE SURGUT DISTRICT OF THE KHANTY-MANSIYSK AUTONOMOUS OKRUG - UGRA AND THE PROBLEM OF SPECIES CONSERVATION

The analysis of the photographs sent by the hunters from Sytomino village, Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug - Ugra, together with the further survey detected the place of migration stops of Lesser White-fronted Geese in the Middle Ob valley. The birds were staying at the small lake 3.5 km east of the village. On September 12, 2011, one wounded individual was found near the lake at the complex raised bog 9.5 km southwest of the city of Lyantor. Several ways can be suggested by us to save flying Lesser White-fronted Geese and other species of vulnerable animals at the territory of the autonomous okrug. This will include the following measures to take: an obligatory exam for hunters to be able to identify some species of the regional fauna; large penalties for illegal hunting, more active propaganda of respect for nature and educational work and developing hunting culture. The article also covers economic and organizational issues.

Phytochemical Screening and Betaxanthines of Pilosocereus catingicola (Gürke) Byles & Rowley Subsp. salvadorensis (Werderm.) Zappi (Cactaceae)

In the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil, we find several cacti that are very important for the regional fauna and flora, including the “facheiro” (Pilosocereus catingicola (Gürke) Byles & Rowley subsp. salvadorensis (Werderm.) Zappi, a species that belongs to this botanical family and is widespread in the Paraiba semiarid region. The objective of this study was quantify and characterize the chemical constituents of the fruits and cladodes of Pilosocereus catingicola subsp. salvadorensis. The fruits were lyophilized and the samples were subsequently ground. A 2 gram aliquot of the lyophilized material was solubilized in 5 mL of 50% MeOH and 50 mmol L-1 of sodium ascorbate and distilled water. The extractive content was monitored by absorbance in a UV-VIS Meter® SP2000 (600 nm) spectrophotometer. Analyzes were performed using the SAS® Program (North Carolina, USA), version 9.2. The constituent groups identified on the stem were the phenolic and tannin groups: steroids, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins. Betalains are the group of alkaloids of greater expression in the fruits of this species, from which the betaxanthines are its main constituents, such as vulgaxanthin III, muscarine and dopaxanthin. Pilosocereus catingicola is a potential source of these metabolites in different parts of the plant, which, therefore, justifies encouraging the best employment of the species.

Contribution to the knowledge of the bumblebee fauna in the Southern Taymyr

The bumblebee fauna of the Southern Taymyr region, northern Siberia, is represented by 10 species, i.e., Bombus consobrinus, B. flavidus, B. lapponicus, B. hypnorum, B. jonellus, B. cingulatus, B. balteatus, B. pyrrhopygus, B. hyperboreus, and B. cryptarum. During the field research for this study, 7 species of bumblebee on the Putorana Plateau (or the Putorana Mountains, on the northwestern edge of the Central Siberian Plateau) and 6 species near Dudinka Town were observed and B. consobrinus was found for the first time on the Putorana Plateau. To date, B. consobrinus was known only in the southern and central parts of the Krasnoyarsk Krai. Regarding the regional fauna, Transpalaearctic and Holarctic species are presented. According to the latitudinal aspect, in this region there are arcto-boreal, arcto-temperate, boreal and temperate species. An analysis of the community was carried out regarding bumblebees that live on the Putorana Plateau. It was found that species of the subgenus Pyrobombus and Alpinobombus, that are typical for the tundra and forest-tundra zones in the Northern Palaearctic, are dominant within the bumblebee community.

Contribution to the knowledge of the fauna of the long-tongued bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea: Megachilidae, Apidae) in the north of the Arkhangelsk Region

This article is devoted to a study of the fauna of the long-tongued bees in the north of the Arkhangelsk Region, which is located in the northeast of the European part of Russia, but excludes the Arctic islands. This group includes the bees of the families Megachilidae and Apidae. Forty-four (44) species of bees were found in this region. Most of them (29) are bumblebees (genus Bombus). Fourteen (14) species are megachilid bees (genus Osmia, Coelioxys and Megachile) and one species is Apis mellifera. The largest number of species (39) was recorded in the lower reaches of the Northern Dvina River, due to the long research on this territory. The lowest number of species (16) was recorded in the Mezensky District. In the north of the studied region, the tundra species of B. lapponicus is only presented for the Mezensky District. Many species of bumblebees in the regional fauna belong to the ecological group of the meadow species. These are B. soroeensis, B. ruderarius, B. rupestris and a number of others. They are typical for meadow and ruderal habitats, and are usually not presented in the native taiga habitats. These meadow species are widely represented in the valleys of large rivers, such as the Northern Dvina, the Onega, and the Mezen. Compared to bumblebees, megachilid bees are much rarer in the north of the Arkhangelsk Region. Apis mellifera is presented in the lower reaches of the Northern Dvina River, but here it is rare, compared to the southern part of the Arkhangelsk Region.

A Review of Species Diversity, Distribution and Ecology of Freshwater Gastropod Molluscs Inhabiting the Ukrainian Transcarpathian

The diversity of freshwater gastropods recorded in the Transcarpathian Region of Ukraine is reviewed and comments on their distribution and ecology are provided. Thirty-five species were revealed in samples collected from the lowland and mountainous parts of the Ukrainian Transcarpathia. Three species are recorded for the first time in the regional fauna: Viviparus sphaeridius, Bithynia troschelii and Segmentina montgazoniana. For species found in the region brief remarks on the biotopes in which they were registered and relevant taxonomic comments are given. The most distinctive features of the mollusc fauna of Ukrainian Transcarpathia are considered; the presence as well as the absence of some taxa in comparison with adjacent regions is discussed. The results of our observations confirm that the distribution of gastropod species depends on the types of waterbodies and their altitude location. The presented data contribute to the knowledge of the regional malacofauna and should help to assess the biogeographic status of the Transcarpathian Region more clearly.