Scientific achievements of Antoni Andrzejowski (on the 235th anniversary)

The article presents an analysis of scientific heritage of the biologist Antoni Andrzejowski (1785–1869), whose name is well known in Ukraine and abroad as a naturalist and a scientist. Antoni Andrzejowski had been cooperating with V. Besser for many years and accompanied him in his trips, he was the first botanist in Kremenets that was born in Volyn, and, at the same time, the first who graduated from the Kremenets Lyceum. His contribution to botanical, zoological, palaeontological, and geological sciences is also recognised, in particular he authored the first geological map of Podillia. The scientist is known primarily for pioneering research on plant diversity: together with W. Besser, he initiated the floristic study of Volyno-Podillia and the Right-Bank Ukraine. He was a traveller, a researcher of the flora, fauna (both modern and fossil) and geology of Podillia, Polissia, the Dnieper, and the Black Sea, as well as the author of a number of original scientific works. During his numerous trips, he collected a variety of scientific materials, including a herbarium, most of which is stored at M. G. Kholodny Institute of Botany NAS of Ukraine. As a taxonomist, he described more than 250 new taxa of vascular plants from 37 families (Brassicaceae, Asteraceae, Boraginaceae Rosaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Lamiaceae, etc.). As an expert of flora and landscape art, A. Andrzejowski took part in the creation of parks (primarily within estates in Podillia), some of which have survived (e.g., in Stavyshche, Kyiv Oblast), but most of them have been lost. A. Andrzejowski almost constantly combined his research activities with pedagogical work: he taught pupils and students of the Volynian Gymnasium (Kremenets Lyceum), St Volodymyr Imperial University of Kyiv, and the Prince Bezborodko Physical and Mathematical Lyceum of Nizhyn. He belonged to the Vilna-Kremenets Scientific School with the classical traditions of an integrated approach to the study of nature. Most of the biography and various aspects of A. Andrzejowski’s activity are discussed in numerous studies, including some of our previous publications. His preserved scientific heritage, in particular botanical works and herbarium collections, also have not escaped the attention of scientists.

Lodgments of expansion of alien animal species: the biota of a key site of anthropochory in Transcarpathia (Ukraine)

The new cases that indicate the repeated entry of alien species, including invertebrates (molluscs, insects and other arthropods), to the Transcarpathian region (i.e. Zakarpattia Oblast) of Ukraine are considered. One of the main reasons of appearance of species in new territories is anthropochory — the transfer of specimen by human factors: road, air, water, or rail transport. This plays a significant role in the spread of living organisms to new territories. Usually the term is used for the transfer plants, but in this work and in a previous work of one of the authors, we focus on animal organisms, mainly invertebrates – insects and other arthropods, as well as molluscs. Most often, it happens unforeseen, but cases of intentional transportation of animals with their subsequent planned release into the environment are known too. Alien species of plants and animals entered Ukraine repeatedly through Transcarpathia. Unintentional spread of new species of animals through the territory due to the transportation of various foods and other kinds of goods, raw materials, including wood, and agricultural products. The paper presents not only the primary records of gastropods, arachnids, insects and other invertebrates, as well as some vertebrates found in trailers, etc., but also the findings of animals that have already been able to form self-reproducing populations in the region. In general, the authors had the opportunity to regularly inspect trailers during 2003–2007 and 2010–2017, working with imported raw materials (route from Italy via Slovenia and Hungary). Specimens were found on worn or old pallets with traces of moisture and soil, as well as traces of invertebrates that feed or live in wood and wood-destroying fungi. Dead insects were found in the cracks and between the boards (bedbugs, butterflies, beetles, orthopterans, and arachnids). There were also finds of live animals, which sometimes we managed to catch and photograph. The most important of them are presented by the authors in this publication.

Some new ichnospecies stored in the Geological Department of the National Museum of Natural History, NAS of Ukraine

During the last decades, many scientists worldwide have focused on the study of activity signs of animals. Such signs of various animals have appeared in the geological history since Ediacaran rocks and can be found until today. They can be signs of sedentary lifestyle or tracks of moving of animals (both vertebrates and invertebrates), evidence of birth (e.g., eggshell fragments), sliding traces of molluscs and other organisms. In some cases, the study of ichnofossils is of great importance, especially for the so-called "palaeontologically dumb" sequences. However, the identification of the nature of ichnofossils is an issue. Sometimes, particular kinds of animals can be identified based on the shape and trajectory of traces. But usually such identifications are impossible, therefore an artificial nomenclature is used for these ichnospecies. In particular cases, ichnofossils help to resolve the problem of identification of ancient facies. It is often impossible to identify their position in the biological system, but the behaviour of animals can be clarified. Different animals leave imprints of their traces and tracks depending on the specifics of facies in the bottom of the sea or on the surface of the ground nearby to continental waterbodies. These can be traces of invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Soft soil is the most favourable for the formation of traces, although specific conditions are required for the preservation of these traces. There are organisms that leave signs of drilling on the solid bottom and on rocks. In the results, we can obtain some information, but only a part of it allows to obtain correct identifications. It is often impossible to identify animals according to their traces. Ichnofossils from deposits of various age and facies are studied by specialists in all continents and in the seabed. Ichnology, a new scientific branch emerged that develops rapidly. Ichnological approaches allow to identify ecological (facies) conditions of the geological past and are used in searches for oil and gas fields. The disadvantages of ichnology are the ambiguous interpretation of ichnospecies and the use of the same name for different objects (synonyms). In this paper, some new ichnospecies of various geological age are identified and described along with images of traces of unknown animals in situ.

The current state and specifics of taxonomic structure of trematodes of freshwater molluscs in the Ukrainian Polissia

The paper presents results on the analysis of the taxonomic structure of the trematode fauna of the Ukrainian Polissia. It was found that the trematode fauna of freshwater molluscs in the Ukrainian Polissia is represented by 62 species. We supplemented the species composition of larvae of trematodes in the region with 23 species, 13 of which were first recorded in Ukraine. The results showed that the number of trematode species the definitive hosts of which are fishes have decreased. According to the obtained data, the most abundant trematode species of freshwater molluscs in the Ukrainian Polissia are those of the families Echinostomatidae, Plagiorchiidae, Diplostomidae, and Notocotylidae. The combined analysis of literature and original data revealed that in the basis of the regional trematode fauna of molluscs are species of the families Echinostomatidae (13 species) and Plagiorchiidae (10 species), which make up almost one-third of the total number of trematode larvae detected. A quite large portion of larvae belong to species of the families Notocotylidae (8 species), Strigeidae (7 species), Diplostomidae (5 species), and Haematolechidae (5 species). Most families (Diplodiscidae, Opisthorchiidae, Leucochloridiomorphidae, Prostogonimidae, Cathaemasiidae, Cyclocoelidae, Prohemistomatidae, and others) are represented only by 1–2 species. In freshwater molluscs of the studied region, we have found only 38 % of trematode species recorded in definitive hosts. Species found in vertebrate animals of the region potentially can also occur in intermediate hosts, but most of these species parasitize in birds that could be infected in other areas. When comparing the taxonomic structure of the trematode fauna of the Polissia with other well-studied regions of Ukraine (Northern Pryazovia and Crimea), some specifics were noted between them. In particular, it was found that the most abundant trematode species in the region as well as in the whole of Ukraine are those of the families Echinostomatidae, Plagiorchiidae, Diplostomidae, Notocotylidae, and Strigeidae. The obtained data allow considering that the trematode fauna of freshwater gastropods of the Ukrainian Polissia is an integral part of the Central European fauna of trematodes.

Symbol species, days and years of animals in natural history events and museum activities

The paper presents an analytical review of focal animal species as those that are important in sharing natural history knowledge and in the development of environmental initiatives. A detailed analysis of the history and experience of using such animals in the practice of education and museology in the world and in Ukraine is presented. Among the most famous areas of the topic are as follows: 1) attention to wild animals versus attention to domestic ones, 2) formation of a pool of zoo-mascots for different activities and increase the ranking of such species or groups of species, 3) development of zoosymbolism in all forms of activities related to nature (scientific societies, publications, schools-seminars, natural history museums), 4) formation and development of the idea of years of animals (mammal of the year, bird of the year, insect of the year), and 5) formation, share, and development of ideas of special days (bat night, lark day, etc.). The analysis of world and Ukrainian experience showed that the most effective forms of dissemination of knowledge are as follows: 1) production of various small printed products (stickers, calendars, envelopes, stamps, prints), 2) production of more complex forged or minted products (badges, coins, medals), 3) use of paraphernalia on various consumer goods (caps, T-shirts, mugs, balloons, fountain pens, notebooks), 4) holding special promotions, quizzes, contests or quests on thematic days (European Bat Night, International Bird Day, Whale Protection Day), and 5) production and participation in the production of special media products or initiation of social networks (social advertising, documentaries, round tables on the radio and flash mobs on social networks). All these forms of activity can be developed within the "background" work of natural history museums, among them the simplest and least expensive are the days and years of certain animal species that can be performed within the existing exhibitions, complementing such events with interactive forms of work with visitors (competitions, excursions, lectures, presentations of thematic paraphernalia). All this is aimed at sharing knowledge and increasing social attention to the issues of biological diversity, sustainable nature and sustainable community development.

On species, its reality and types of species

An analysis of the concept of "species" in view of the reality of its existence in the theoretical constructions of eidologists and in the practice of research and description of biotic diversity (BD) is presented. The work includes five main sections. The first considers the concept of species as a designation of individuality (speciesness) in the structure of BD. The etymology and connotations of the terms that were used previously or are used now to denote the category of eidos in Ukrainian, English, and related to Ukrainian Slavic languages are considered (genus, specie[s], kind). The significant influence of the connotative load on dominant species concepts and, in particular, the stable and long-lasting predominance of typology is noted in works of scientists of the 20th century, after the introduction of the term “species”. In the second part, the issue of reality of species and the phenomenon of diversity of its realities, in particular different realities in different contexts, are analysed. It is postulated that the reality of the concept of species is actually determined by the concept of separateness (individuality), three distinct forms of which are proposed: morphological (mostly in museum collections), phyletic (in phylogenetic studies), and biotic (within communities). The third section "On kinds of species and the diversity of species concepts" is devoted to the analysis of systems that describe the diversity of species as concepts, including species categories, kinds (classes) of species, and types of species. The fourth section "Emergent properties of species" discusses emergence and key features of species common for most concepts, as well as biosemiotics as one of the systems for maintaining the integrity of species. Finally, the last (fifth) section deals with the one-dimensional model of "species", the actual concept of "species within a community", when a species is defined not through the closest sister forms (with which it essentially does not intersect anywhere), but through other species with which it is part of the same guilds and communities. It is shown that this aspect of consideration of a species is the closest to its initial interpretation as an object of actual BD within local or regional biotic communities, in which the species is determined through other species with which it coexists and interacts. This significantly distinguishes the species as an element of BD among other interpretations, especially of the phyletic type, in which the species is determined not through ecosystem interactions with sympatric species, but through sister taxa.

Patterns of formation and functioning of geosystems of Stebnyk tailings dam

The specifics of the landscape structure within the first section of the Stebnyk tailings dam are considered. Two landscape terrains (of natural and anthropogenic genesis), 3 separate landscape belts, 8 types of landscape tracts, and 30 types of landscape sub-tracts have been identified. Geosystems are dominated by flat sloping surfaces of the tailings dam, the external embanked of which forms closed drainless areas requiring systematic regulation of the level of the final reservoir. Features of filling the tailings surfaces played an important relief-forming role. At the same time, there were raised areas (0.5‒2.5 m) confined to the southern and south-western parts of it. Actually, conditions for the formation of tree-bush and meadow-marsh vegetation of different stages of succession were created in these areas. Spatial-temporal regularities of the occurrence and development of plant communities within the first section of the Stebnyk tailings dam were determined based on the decryption of space images for 2006‒2018. Primary meadow-marsh, bush-meadow, and tree-bush communities on surfaces with different levels of salinization were distinguished. In fact, these communities form the primary succession series in the formation of vegetation cover of post-mining geosystems. To decipher the boundaries of plant communities, 16 space images were obtained from the publicly available Google Earth Pro program. The tendencies of changes in the number and area of the plots occupied by different plant groups have been determined. Currently, the area of tree-bush communities is 5.59 hectares (7.87 % of the total area). Bush-meadow and meadow-marsh communities recorded an intensive increase in areas by 2014, followed by a rapid decrease caused by salinization of areas due to significant elevations of the reservoir’s level. In 2014, maximum areas of plant communities (37.55 ha) were identified, covering more than half of the study area (52.84 %), and in 2018 they occupied 21.71 ha (30.55 %). The gradual differentiation of phytocoenoses by moisture gradients and soil salinization continues. To maintain the rate of overgrowth of the first section of the Stebnyk tailings dam, it is necessary to reduce the level of brines regularly.

Alien fishes in the Black Sea waters of Crimea (Ukraine)

The paper is devoted to alien fish species that have appeared in coastal waters of the Black Sea near Crimea for the past 50 years. The fish fauna of the Black Sea mainly comprises species that represent the Ponto-Caspian and Atlantic-Mediterranean faunal complexes. According to the generalised literature data, 158 fish species of 107 genera of 60 families have been recorded in the Black Sea since the publication of K. F. Kessler’s work (Kessler 1877), all of them representing the Atlantic-Mediterranean complex. In waters of Crimea, 116 species of 86 genera of 51 families have been recorded for the same period. A full checklist of fishes of this complex is presented indicating 31 alien species that have appeared since the 1970s and which belong to 27 genera and 16 families. In waters of Crimea, alien fishes make up 26.5 % of all species, 31.0 % of all genera, and 31.4 % of all families of the Atlantic-Medirranean complex. According to the level of their occurrence in marine waters of Crimea, all recently introduced species are grouped into three categories: regular, sporadic, and casual. Their brief characterisics are given, including synonymy, representation in the fish collection of the NMNH NASU, brief description, distribution, and vector of introduction. It was found that benthic species predominate among introduced fishes that occur regularly in waters of Crimea (12 species, or 80.0 %), while bentho-pelagic and pelagic species are less represented (6.7 % and 13.3 %, respectively). Pelagic and bentho-pelagic species prevail (50.0 % and 37.5 %, respectively) among fishes that occur sporadically. Bentho-pelagic species predominate (57.1 %) among fishes that occur casually. It was discovered that among the 31 alien fishes recorded in the Black Sea waters of Crimea for the past 50 years predominate those that have appeared here due to the natural process of mediterranisation (22 species, 71.0 %). It was imposibble to determine the vector of introduction of 4 species (12.9 %). The appearance of 5 species, which represent 16.1 % of all alien species, is related to anthropogenic factors. It can be also concluded that benthic species predominate among the alien fishes (14 species, or 45.2 %), while bentho-pelagic (9 species) and pelagic (8 species) fishes make up 29.0 % and 25.8 %, respectively. Of the 31 introduced fishes, 10 (32.2 %) have naturalised and acclimatised in marine waters of Crimea and have founded independent breeding populations. Among them, representatives of the family Gobiidae notably prevail, followed by the taxonomically close family Oxudercidae, whereas one species belongs to the family Blenniidae. The so-iuy mullet, which is the only representative of the pelagic ecological group, was introduced intentionally.

Invasive species in the flora and fauna of Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park (Ukraine)

The territory of Podilski Tovtry National Natural Park covers an area of 261 315 ha, 72 % of which are cultivated lands that facilitated the expansion of 335 adventive species. Research on invasive plant and animal species was carried out during field surveys in 1996–2019. More than 220 geobotanical descriptions were compiled applying the Brown-Blanque method. In this territory, 26 species display distinct aggression and are referred to as invasive, which belong to 15 families of the class Magnoliopsida and division Magnoliophyta. By origin, Northern American species prevail (15 species) followed by Asian (6) and European (5) species. By life form, annual herbal plants (therophytes) and trees predominate. Тherophytes mainly represent the family Asteraceae. The studies of the phytocenosis showed that the invasive species are part of 19 vegetation classes. The invasive species settled in 14 natural communities and they grow in 10 rare (singular) aggregations. To reduce the impact of invasive species on rare habitats and communities it is necessary to take measures to restore the natural vegetation cover. In the territory of Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park, 7 species of vertebrate animals are considered invasive, the naturalisation of which threatens and has negative influence on the local fauna. Another 6 species of birds and mammals, due to natural range expansion and anthropogenic changes of abiotic environmental factors, settled in urban landscapes and were introduced by means of synanthropisation; they can be considered as close invaders. Motacilla citreola occurs in wet meadows and has an unstable abundance, thus it belongs to propulsive species. Another 11 bird species appear in the surveyed territory during the autumn and winter periods or in separate years. Their invasiveness is possible due to abundance fluctuations during migration and changes in their migration routes because of the influence of trophic factors.