Volume 105, Part 2
2000
Publicated at 20.05.2000
CONTENTS
Semenov D. V., Leontyeva O.A., Pavlinov L.J. Analysis of environmental determinants of the amphibian (Vertebrata : Amphibia) distribution on the urbanized territories in Moscow City 3
Rotschild E. V., Zhulidov A. V. Changes in the concentrations of metallic elements in plants as a factor of plague episootic in gerbils 10
Safonkin A.F. Polymorphism and chemocommunication of Archips podana (Scop.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) 21
Yurtseva O.V. The number of stamens and fruit and floral structure in sectio Polygonum (Polygonum L.) 26
Vetlugina ’.Ž. Bark anatomy and taxonomic relationships between Ligustrina Rupr. and Syringa L. (Oleaceae) 35
Scientific communications
Vinogradov G.M. Near-bottom swarms of hyperiidean amphipods Themisto in the Norwegian and Greenland seas 40
Yaferev G.I. Common species of the beetles of the forested area of european southern taiga in Kirov region 43
VekhoffN.V., Kuliev A.N. Adventive species of flowering plants in the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago 47
Floristic notes 53
SUMMARIES
ANALYSIS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS OF THE AMPHIBIAN (VERTEBRATA : AMPHIBIA) DISTRIBUTION ON THE URBANIZED TERRITORIES IN MOSCOW CITY
D.V. Semenov, O.A. Leontyeva, IJ. Pavlinov
Summary
During spring and summer season 1997-1998 reptile habitats were surveyed in differrent parts of the Moscow City. Seven amphibian species were recorded, while no reptiles were found. Nineteen habitat characters were used for statistical analysis of 123 different water bodies of the city. Adult amphibians, their eggs or larvae were found in 66 water bodies. Species richness and densities were low. More than one species in a water body were living together only in 6 cases. Amphibians were avoiding concrete banks of ponds or streams. Presence of the introduced fish Perccottus glenii in a water body also negatively influenced the inhabitancy of amphibians. Effects of isolation of a water body, water current and water transparency were also important. Only the marsh frog, Rana ridibunda, was found to be rather abundant and can be considered as a relatively wealthy species in this urban region.
CHANGES IN THE CONCENTRATIONS OF METALLIC ELEMENTS IN PLANTS AS A FACTOR OF PLAGUE EPISOOT1C IN GERBILS
E.V. Rothschild, A.V. Zhulidov
Summary
Plague epizootics in Rodentia and Lagomorpha can serve as a good model for studying the interrelation between infections and environmental chemistry. A case in point is the occurrence of plague (Yersinia pestis) in geibils (Meriones meridianus, M. tamariscinus) in a sandy semi-desert area of the Caspian lowland. Observations were carried out at a number of sites (natural plague foci) during two years. It has been found out that the disease in these animals occurs, when a sudden shift happens in the microelement content of their forage plants. Levels of copper and zink concentrations in the plants from sites with infected animals have decreased five to six times during a summer season. At control sites with heathy animals, an equal decrese in levels of the cobalt content was .found.
POLYMORPHISM AND CHEMOCOMMUNICATION OF ARCHIPS PODANA (Scop.) (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE)
A.F. Safonkin
Summary
Four morphological forms of females (C, D, L, Z) have been marked for the omnivorous leafroller, which differ in the position and number of cuticular outgrowths on the external side of the antrum at the beginning of the ductus. Previously, the existence of 4 morphological male forms (A, B, A+B, 0), different in the number and position of spines on the aedeagus, was described.
The probable mechanism of copulation has been studied. Spine B is necessary for the correct direction and spine A - for the fixation of the aedeagus in the antrum, which allows the vesica to be opposite the seminal duct. As to the mechanism of copulation, morphological female forms are not identical with those of males.
The comparison of male responses to females and synthetic attractants was made. Males have a broad standard of the reaction to a female pheromone, with a definite probability of coming to females of any form. Females of form C attract males of type A less, and relatively more B and A + B males. Males of type 0 respond only to D and L females.
The pheromone of females consists of several components, cis-ll-/ trans-ll-tetradecenylacetates being as the main components in a 63: 37 ratio. Females D and L can secrete cis-ll-tetradecenol, as an additional pheromone microcomponent, in proportion to the main components as 1/20 and 1/5 respectively. The content of cis-ll-tetradecenol in the pheromone of females C may be less than 1/20. The females Z pheromone may contain 2 microcomponents ofcis-ll-/trans-ll-tetradecenol in a 63 : 37 ratio and in proportion less than 1/20.
When forming parental couples, females of form C with males of type A have posterity more seldom than other forms.
THE NUMBER OF STAMENS AND FRUIT AND FLORAL STRUCTURE IN SECTIO POLYGONUM (POLYGONUM L.)
O.V. Yurtseva
Summary
The number of stamens, perigonium shape and the rate of its dissection are important features for distinguishing Polygonum taxa. The next floral features are typical for subsections: subsect. Maritima Tzvel. - bowl-shaped perigonium dissected to 3/4, 5 or 8 stamens; subsect. Polygonum goblet-shaped perigonium dissected to 2/3-3/4, (7)8 stamens (P. aviculare, P. neglectum) or jugshaped perigonium dissected to 1/2, 5(6) stamens (7*. arenastrum, P. calcatum), subsect. Patula Tzvel. - goblet-shaped perigonium tight to nut, dissected to 2/3-3/4, 8 stamens; subsect. Salsuginea Tzvel. - goblet-shaped perigonium dissected to 1/3-2/3, 7(8) stamens; subsect. Arenaria Tzvel. bowl-shaped perigonium dissected to 5/6, 7(8) stamens.
In particular cases the number of stamens helps to find out hybrid specimens or taxa. Reduction of stamens in Potygonum flowers seems to be caused by nutrition lack, formation of longer tube and expresses the common trend of stamen reduction in Polygonaceae. Fruit asymmetry positiviy correlates with reduction of stamens. Some relationships exist between a pollination mode and the features of reproductive sphere: flower arrangement, reduction of bracts, forming of long perianth tube, number of stamens and fruit symmetry.
BARK ANATOMY AND TAXONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LIGUSTRINA RUPR. AND SYRINGA L. (OLEACEAE)
T.G. Vetlugina
Summary
Bark anatomy of annual stems, perennial branches and trunks of three Ligustrina and twelve Syringa species was studied. The aim was to reveal the attributes confirming generic taxonomic level of the taxa. It was shown that secondary phloem stereome structure has important taxonomic significance. The Ligustrina stereome consisted of sclereids, but Syringa stereome contained fibres.
NEAR-BOTTOM SWARMS OF HYPERIIDEAN AMPHIPODS THEMISTO IN THE NORWEGIAN AND GREENLAND SEAS
G.M. Vinogradov
Summary
Near-bottom swarms of hyperiids of the genus Themisto have been observed during four dives of deep-sea manned submersibles 'Mir' in the Norwegian and Greenland seas at the depth of about I km. Reasons for this swarming are not known, but no doubt this phenomenon is possible becouse of hydrological structure peculiarity of Norwegian and Greenland seas. Observers noticed that animals have picked up some (food?) particles from the bottom surface. This can be a new way of entering of "bottom" organic matter into the pelagic trophic nets.
COMMON SPECIES OF THE BEETLES
OF THE FORESTED AREA OF EUROPEAN SOUTHERN TAIGA IN KIROV REGION
G.L Yuferev
No summary
ADVENTIVE SPECIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS IN THE NOVAYA ZEMLYA ARCHIPELAGO
N.V.Vekhoff, A.N.Kuliev
Summary
Thirty-seven flower plant species has been found in the area of two old settlements, which were built more than 100 years ago in the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago. Apparently, they were grown out from seeds transported with different cargoes. Thirty-five species were found in several habitats in Beloushia Cuba. Adventive species grow on man-made and disturbed soils. Weather variation leaded to strong changes in life span of annual adventive plants. Biennial and perennial plants proved to be less sensitive to the weather variation. Six species, i.e. Deschampsia cespitosa, Taraxacum officinale, Ranunculus acris, R. repens, Barbarea arcuata, Achillea millefolium, have naturalized. They are usual components of secondary communities in different man-made habitats, i.e. road verges, precipices.