Chloroplast DNA Diversity in Populations of P. sylvestris L. from Middle Siberia and the Romanian Carpathians

Scots pine is one of the dominant conifer species in forest ecosystems of the boreal zone in Eurasia. Knowledge of the genetic structure and the level of genetic variability of Scots pine populations is relevant for the development of measures aimed at conservation of species’ diversity. In this study, we used ten paternally inherited chloroplast microsatellite loci to investigate the genetic diversity of nineteen Scots pine populations from Middle Siberia and the Romanian Carpathians. The results of the study showed high genetic diversity (HCP = 0.91–1.00) in all of the investigated populations. The cpSSR analysis yielded a total of 158 haplotypes. The majority of the haplotypes (85%) were detected only once (unique haplotypes). Three common haplotypes were found between the Carpathian and the Siberian populations of Scots pine. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that only 3% of the variation occurred among populations from Middle Siberia and 6% of the variation existed among populations from the Carpathian Mountains. Overall, we found a weak geographic population structure in Scots pine from Middle Siberia and the Romanian Carpathians. The present study on genetic diversity in the Siberian and the Carpathian populations of Scots pine may contribute to the sustainable management and conservation of Scots pine genetic resources in Middle Siberia and the Romanian Carpathians.

Finds of ornitomorphic images of the End of the Early Iron Age in the Lower Angara region

The paper concerns the ornithomorphic images found at the Pinchuga VI burial ground. The site is located in the lower course of the river Angara (Middle Siberia). The chronological boundaries of the study span the second quarter of the 1st millennium AD (end of the Early Iron Age). All burials at the burial ground were performed ac-cording to the rite of cremation outside the cemetery. Two intact objects and fragments of the third image of a bird were found at the necropolis. Figures were found in different contexts. One of them was found in the filling of a grave pit, the second item within an assemblage of various articles in the inter-grave space. The third item was broken and lost as the result of illegal excavations. All articles share similar characteristics. These are realistic images of diurnal birds of prey “frozen” in a diving flight; the images are shown en face, with a high-relief head, with the tucked wings and feet pulled up with talons. A geometric decor conveys their feather, and a stylized mask is present on the chest of one item. The images are slightly convex, their front side is polished. The closest analogies to the Angara images of birds are known in Western Siberia, including the Tomsk burial ground, the Kholmogory treasure, the Ishim collection, and materials from the Parabel cult place. All this makes it possible to attribute the analyzed items to the Kholmogory stylistic group of the Kulai cult casting. Products of this group be-came widespread in Western Siberia in the second quarter of the 1st millennium AD. The ornithomorphic images found at the Pinchuga VI cemetery extend the geographical range of the items of this style to the territory of Mid-dle Siberia. Apart from the figurines of birds, the necropolis also yields other items of the Western Siberian cult casting, including disks with concentric ornaments, a hollow image of a fish head, and a bird-head belt applique. Bronze items were imported, and in the course of exchange they were spreading over considerable distances. This proves the existence of established cultural ties between the populations of the Lower Angara region and Western Siberia at the End of the Early Iron Age.

FUNGI COLONIZING CONIFEROUS SEEDLINGS IN FOREST NURSERIES OF MIDDLE SIBERIA

The study was carried out in four forest nurseries of Middle Siberia. Affected seedlings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Scots Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour), and Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.) were collected for molecular phytopathological examination. In total, 14 fungal taxa were identified in the needles and roots of the plants. The most dominant among them were Sydowia polyspora (Bref. & Tavel) E., Didymella glomerata (Corda) Qian Chen & L. Cai, Cladosporium herbarum (Pers.) Link, Lophodermium seditiosum Minter, Staley & Millar, Phialocephala fortinii C. J. K. Wang & H. E. Wilcox and Cadophora finlandica (C. J. K. Wang & H. E. Wilcox) T. C. Harr. & McNew. The richness of the fungal taxa was higher in the needles than in the roots of all the tree species studied. The obtained results could be used for implementing more effective phytosanitary measures in the studied nurseries.

Geosystems of Middle Siberia southern part: mapping methodology and results

The сlassification of geosystem used in mapping is based on a system-hierarchic approach to detecting the co-involvement of landscape taxons. At the same time, we took into account the positioning of individual territories in the system of physical- geographical regionalization. The complexity of the landscape structure of the studied territory is due to its location at the junction of high- and lowland regions belonging to four physical-geographical areas. In the area under study, we identified and described more than 200 groups of fairies, which were then typed into classes of facies, geomes, and groups of geomes. Geoinformation mapping is performed using vector topographic basis and Earth remote sensing data. The decryption of synthesized space images was carried out manually and was based on field landscape surveys data. Digitization and indexing of landscape contours, creation, design and layout of the map were carried out in GIS MapInfo Professional. The cartographical analysis revealed regional differences in the complexity of landscape horizontal structures of high- and lowland regions, as well as the composition and structure of typological spectra of regional geosystems. Lowland geosystems mostly have a fairly uniform horizontal structure and large areas of landscape patterns. At the same time, mountain areas are characterized by considerable complexity and contrast of landscape structure.

Specifisity of phytocoenotic structure and biomass of ground cover in northern boreal forests of Middle Siberia

We measured biomass of living ground cover and analyzed specificity of carbon accumulation in the litter in different types of larch forests in northern boreal subzone of Middle Siberia.

Morphological development, distribution and ecology of the arctic oribatid mite Hermannia scabra (Acari: Oribatida: Hermanniidae) and synonymy of Hermannia gigantea

The topotypes (adult and juvenile instars) of the arctic oribatid mite Hermannia scabra (L. Koch, 1879) (Oribatida, Hermanniidae) from Vaygach Island (easternmost arctic Europe) were investigated and compared with those of Hermannia gigantea Sitnikova, 1975 collected from southwest Taymyr Peninsula, northern Middle Siberia, resulting in the following new taxonomic proposal: Hermannia scabra (L. Koch, 1879) (= Hermannia gigantea Sitnikova, 1975, syn. nov.). The morphology of its all instars is described and illustrated in detail on the base of specimens collected from the northern West Siberia (Shokalsky Island). The main morphological traits are summarized. Two northern species of Hermannia with granulate notogaster, namely H. scabra and H. nodosa Michael, 1988, were regularly mixed up in the literature. Their differential diagnosis is provided after elaboration of spacious materials. The morphological differences of juvenile instars of five species of Hermannia (H. gibba (C.L. Koch, 1839), H. jesti Travé, 1977, H. nodosa, H. reticulata Thörell, 1871, and H. scabra) are given. The biotopic preferences of arctic members of Hermannia are briefly observed.

Phytopathogenic micromycetes associated with conifers in Middle Siberia

Микроорганизмы, ассоциированные с растениями, в том числе хвойными, играют важную роль в их жизни, формируя микробные сообщества филлосферы, ризопланы и ризосферы. Условно состав таких комплексов можно разделить на патогенную и сапротрофную части. Знание видового разнообразия патогенов, вызывающих заболевания сеянцев и саженцев хвойных, крайне необходимо специалистам сферы лесовозобновления для коррекции агротехнических мероприятий и контроля качества посадочного материала. Цель данных исследований - изучение видового разнообразия патогенных микромицетов хвойных на территории Средней Сибири как в искусственных, так и естественных насаждениях. Применялись классические и современные методы идентификации патогенов. Приводятся данные по видовому составу патогенных микромицетов хвойных за последние 10 лет. Многолетние исследования видового разнообразия микромицетов хвойных на территории Средней Сибири выявили представителей 36 родов, относящихся к различным систематическим группам: Lophodermium Chevall., Lophodermella Höhn., Cyclaneusma DiCosmo, Peredo et Minte, Gremmenia Korf., Hypodermella Tubeuf, Lirula Darker, Sarea Fr., Herpotrichia Fucke, Gremmeniella M. Morelet, Coleosporium Lév., Chrysomyxa Unger, Melampsora Castagne, Melampsorella J. Schröt., Pucciniastrum G.H. Otth., Cronartium Fr., Typhula (Pers.) Fr., Mucor Fresen., Rhizosphaera L. Mangin et Har, Pestalotia De Not., Sclerophoma Höhn. (телеоморфа - Sydowia Bres.), Stagonospora (Sacc.) Sacc. (= Hendersonia Berk.), Lecanosticta Syd., Dothistroma Hulbary, Fusarium Link, Meria Vuill. (телеоморфа - Rhabdocline Syd.), Phoma Sacc., Didymella Sacc., Alternaria Nees, Cladosporium Link, Rhizoctonia DC., Botrytis P. Micheli ex Pers., Septorioides Quaedvl., Verkley et Crous, Epicoccum Link, Trichothecium Link., Verticillium Nees., Cylindrocarpon Wollenw. (телеоморфа - Neonectria Wollenw). Идентифицированные патогены вызывают преждевременную гибель ассимиляционного аппарата, нарушают деятельность корневой и проводящих систем, снижают качество семян хвойных растений. Microorganisms associated with plants, including conifers, play an important role in their life, forming microbial communities of the phyllosphere, rhizoplane, and rhizosphere. Conventionally, the composition of such complexes can be divided into pathogenic and saprotrophic parts. For specialists involved in reforestation, the knowledge of the species diversity of pathogens that cause diseases of seedlings of conifers is essential for correcting agrotechnical measures and controlling the quality of planting material. The goal of this research is to study the species diversity of pathogenic micromycetes of conifers in the Middle Siberia territory, both in artificial and natural plantings. Such long-term studies found representatives of 36 genera belonging to different taxonomic groups: Lophodermium Chevall., Lophodermella Höhn., Cyclaneusma DiCosmo, Peredo et Minte, Gremmenia Korf., Hypodermella Tubeuf, Lirula Darker, Sarea Fr., Herpotrichia Fucke , Gremmeniella M. Morelet, Coleosporium Lév., Chrysomyxa Unger, Melampsora Castagne, Melampsorella J. Schröt., Pucciniastrum G.H. Otth., Cronartium Fr., Typhula (Pers.) Fr., Mucor Fresen., Rhizosphaera L. Mangin et Har, Pestalotia De Not., Sclerophoma Höhn. (teleomorph - Sydowia Bres.), Stagonospora (Sacc.) Sacc. (= Hendersonia Berk.), Lecanosticta Syd., Dothistroma Hulbary, Meria Vuill.( teleomorph- Rhabdocline Syd.), Phoma Sacc., Didymella Sacc., Alternaria Nees, Cladosporium Link, Rhizoctonia DC., Botrytis P. Micheli ex Pers., Septorioides Quaedvl., Verkley et Crous, Epicoccum Link, Trichothecium Link., Cylindrocarpon Wollenw. (teleomorph - Neonectria Wollenw). The identified pathogens cause premature death of the assimilation apparatus, disrupt the activity of the root and vascular systems, and reduce the quality of coniferous plants seeds.