Cranometric variability in brown bears of the Russian Far East

Morphometric analysis of 282 skulls of the brown bear Ursus arctos from the Far Eastern part of the range was carried out. The presence of two morphological clusters for both males and females is shown. Samples from two clusters were compared with their geographical location and subspecies. It was found that one cluster or another had no specific reference to the particular region or subspecies of a particular cluster, only the superiority of one over the other in a cluster of different subspecies and regions was changed. A comparison with the spread of brown bear genetic lines in the Far East of Russia is made. It was noted that the precise distribution of a particular cluster to a specific genetic line of haplotypes was not found

Nematode fauna of the digestive tract of Siberian roe deer in Primorsky Krai

The purpose of the research is to supplement information on the species composition of helminths of the Siberian roe deer.Materials and methods. Digestive tracts of seven Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) that died from various causes in Primorsky Krai (Russian Far East) from October 2017 to December 2020 were examined for the presence of helminths. Taxonomic differentiation of detected helminths was carried out basing their morphological peculiarities.Results and discussion. In all studied individuals of Siberian roe deer, only representatives of Nematoda were found. All of the nematodes were found in the abomasa. No helminths were detected in other parts of the digestive tract. There were found three species of Trichostrongylidae: Spiculopteragia spiculoptera, S. asymmetrica and Mazamastrongylus dagestanica. In addition, one species from Spiruridae, Pygarginema skrjabini, was detected. S. spiculoptera was found in all of the examined Siberian roe deer, thus, this species of nematode showed the highest extensity of infection in the study. The highest intensity of infection was noted for S. asymmetrica. And M. dagestanica was found only in one of the studied Siberian roe deer, in single specimens. P. skrjabini was found in single specimens in two of the studied Siberian roe deer. The species S. asymmetrica was recorded in Siberian roe deer for the first time

Biochemical Content of Cambium of Abies nephrolepis

The peculiarity of bears behavior of stripping of bark is typical for all species. We have described the damage to trees, by Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and brown bear (U. arctos) in Primorsky Krai and by brown bears on the Sakhalin Island during 1998–2015. In this study, we studied the damaged bark of the tree only in cases where it was clear that part of the cambium was eaten by bears. Cambium of species Abies nephrolepis is the most preferred for bear consumption in Primorsky Krai. We distinguished very large seasonal fluctuations in the amount of its consumption. The greatest interest of bears in this kind of food is in the summer time. We have analyzed the composition of the cambium of A. nephrolepis. These results suggest that the important purpose of the use of this kind of food is to restore and maintain the normal functioning of the intestines

Helminth zoonoses of wild carnivore mammals in the Primorsky Krai of the Russian Far East

The purpose of the research is to examine the helminthological status of wild carnivore mammals inhabiting the territory of the Primorsky Krai and to give an epidemiological assessment of their role in maintaining the natural foci of zoonotic infections.Materials and methods. Feces of carnivores were collected in natural habitats of wild animals. Species of animals were identified by the characteristic features of feces and animal tracks. The shape, size, texture and composition of feces were analyzed. The samples were placed in containers with 5% formalin. A part of the material was stored in native form at -12 ºС. Muscle tissue samples were obtained from animal carcasses. Feces were examined by flotation techniques with a solution of zinc sulfate, the formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation technique and using an ammonium nitrate solution. After the study, the samples were disinfected by autoclaving at a pressure of 1.5 atm for 2 hours. Muscle tissue samples were examined by digesting in artificial gastric juice using the Gastros device. The species of Trichinella sp. larvae isolated from the positive samples were identified using the nucleotide sequences. In total, 444 feces samples from 13 species of wild carnivore mammals and 449 muscle tissue samples from 13 species were examined.Results and discussion. Wild carnivore mammals inhabiting the territory of the Russian Far East are often infected with various species of helminths localized in the intestine and tissues, which are causative agents of dangerous parasitic zoonoses. A total of 9 species of helminthes in the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), 3 species in the Amur leopard (P. pardus orientalis), 2 species in the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), 4 species in the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), 5 species in the sable (Martes zibellina), 2 species in the yellow-throated marten (M. flavigula), 5 species in the Siberian weasel (Mustela sibirica), 1 species in the American mink (Neovison vison), 2 species in the Asian badger (Meles leucurus), 8 species in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), 2 species in the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), and 9 species in the brown bear and Asiatic black bear (Ursus arctos and U. thibetanus) were identified at studying of 444 feces samples of wild carnivore mammals in the Primorsky Krai. Among the detected helminths were highly pathogenic for humans: Toxocara cati, Paragonimus westermani and nematodes of the family Capillariidae. Trichinella sp. larvae were detected in 96 samples in the study of 449 samples of muscle tissue from wild carnivore mammals. The above types of helminths are of zoonotic nature. The pathogenic role of accidental infection with helminth species Baylisascaris transfuga has not yet been revealed in humans, that makes this type of bear ascaride potentially dangerous for humans. The studies have shown the widespread prevalence of helminth zoonoses in the Primorsky Krai. These data will help to organize properly the work of people whose jobs involve contact with wild animals

Phenology of brown bear breeding season and related geographical cues

© 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited[EN] Knowledge about breeding biology is often incomplete in species with complex reproductive strategies. The brown bear Ursus arctos is a polygamous seasonal breeder inhabiting a wide variety of habitats and environmental conditions. We compiled information about brown bear breeding season dates from 36 study areas across their distribution range in the Palearctic and Nearctic regions and investigated how their breeding phenology relates to geographical factors (latitude, photoperiod, altitude and region). Brown bear matings were observed for 8 months, from April to November, with a peak in May–July. We found a 59-day difference in the onset of bear breeding season among study areas, with an average 2.3 days delay for each degree of latitude northwards. The onset of the breeding season showed a strong relationship with photoperiod and latitude, but not with region (i.e. Palearctic vs Nearctic) and altitude. First observations of bear mating occurred earlier in areas at lower latitudes. Photoperiod ranged between 14 and 18 hours at the beginning of the season for most of the study areas. The duration of the breeding season ranged from 25 to 138 days among study areas. None of the investigated factors was related to the length of the breeding season. Our results support the relevance of photoperiod to the onset of breeding, as found in other ursids, but not a shorter breeding season at higher latitudes, a pattern reported in other mammals. Our findings suggest a marked seasonality of bear reproductive behaviour, but also certain level of plasticity. Systematic field observations of breeding behaviour are needed to increase our knowledge on the factors determining mating behaviour in species with complex systems and how these species may adapt to climate change.SIWe thank Marjan Artnak, Peter Bajc, Matic Brenk, Tomáš Flajs, Uroš Grželj, Robert Hlavica, Aleš Jagodnik, Peter Klančar, Anton Marinčič, Mariusz Nędzyński, Borut Semenič and Vladimir Vician for providing information about their observations of bear mating. Robert Gatzka assisted with data collection in the Biezszcady Mountains. We thank Jon Swenson and Jumpei Tomiyasu for their help in the literature search. AGR and NS were supported by the BearConnect project funded by the National Science Centre in Poland (2016/22/Z/NZ8/00121) through the 2015-2016 BiodivERsA COFUND call for research proposals, with the national funders ANR/DLR-PT/UEFISCDI/NCN/RCN. Additional funding from the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education (project NN304- 294037, NS, IEC, KB), the National Science Centre in Poland (project DEC-2013/08/M/NZ9/ 00469, NS), the National Centre for Research and Development (GLOBE, POL-NOR/198352/85/ 2013, NS, TZK, FZ) and Slovenian Research Agency (P4-0059, MK) is acknowledged. AGR and NS conceived the study and wrote a first draft of the paper; AGR and NS compiled the data, AGR analyzed the data; all authors provided data and comments that improved the manuscript. We thank two anonymous reviewers for useful comments on the previous versions of the manuscript

Гельминтозоонозы диких хищных млекопитающих в Приморском крае Дальнего Востока РФ

The purpose of the research is to examine the helminthological status of wild carnivore mammals inhabiting the territory of the Primorsky Krai and to give an epidemiological assessment of their role in maintaining the natural foci of zoonotic infections.Materials and methods. Feces of carnivores were collected in natural habitats of wild animals. Species of animals were identified by the characteristic features of feces and animal tracks. The shape, size, texture and composition of feces were analyzed. The samples were placed in containers with 5% formalin. A part of the material was stored in native form at -12 ºС. Muscle tissue samples were obtained from animal carcasses. Feces were examined by flotation techniques with a solution of zinc sulfate, the formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation technique and using an ammonium nitrate solution. After the study, the samples were disinfected by autoclaving at a pressure of 1.5 atm for 2 hours. Muscle tissue samples were examined by digesting in artificial gastric juice using the Gastros device. The species of Trichinella sp. larvae isolated from the positive samples were identified using the nucleotide sequences. In total, 444 feces samples from 13 species of wild carnivore mammals and 449 muscle tissue samples from 13 species were examined.Results and discussion. Wild carnivore mammals inhabiting the territory of the Russian Far East are often infected with various species of helminths localized in the intestine and tissues, which are causative agents of dangerous parasitic zoonoses. A total of 9 species of helminthes in the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), 3 species in the Amur leopard (P. pardus orientalis), 2 species in the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), 4 species in the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), 5 species in the sable (Martes zibellina), 2 species in the yellow-throated marten (M. flavigula), 5 species in the Siberian weasel (Mustela sibirica), 1 species in the American mink (Neovison vison), 2 species in the Asian badger (Meles leucurus), 8 species in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), 2 species in the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), and 9 species in the brown bear and Asiatic black bear (Ursus arctos and U. thibetanus) were identified at studying of 444 feces samples of wild carnivore mammals in the Primorsky Krai. Among the detected helminths were highly pathogenic for humans: Toxocara cati, Paragonimus westermani and nematodes of the family Capillariidae. Trichinella sp. larvae were detected in 96 samples in the study of 449 samples of muscle tissue from wild carnivore mammals. The above types of helminths are of zoonotic nature. The pathogenic role of accidental infection with helminth species Baylisascaris transfuga has not yet been revealed in humans, that makes this type of bear ascaride potentially dangerous for humans. The studies have shown the widespread prevalence of helminth zoonoses in the Primorsky Krai. These data will help to organize properly the work of people whose jobs involve contact with wild animals.Цель исследований – изучить гельминтологический статус диких хищных млекопитающих, обитающих на территории Приморского края, и дать эпидемиологическую оценку их роли в поддержании природных очагов зоонозных инвазий.Материалы и методы. Фекалии хищных млекопитающих собирали в естественных биотопах диких животных. Видовую принадлежность фекалий определяли по характерным видовым признакам и следам животных. Анализировали форму, размер, консистенцию и состав фекалий. Пробы помещали в контейнеры с 5%-ным формалином. Часть материала хранили в нативном виде при –12 ºС. Образцы мышечной ткани получали от трупов животных. Фекалии исследовали флотационным методом с раствором сульфата цинка, методом этилацетат-формалинового осаждения и с использованием раствора аммиачной селитры. После исследования образцы материала обеззараживали автоклавированием в течение 2 ч при давлении 1,5 атм. Образцы мышечной ткани исследовали методом переваривания проб в искусственном желудочном соке с помощью аппарата Gastros. Вид личинок Trichinella sp., выделенных из положительных проб, определяли на основании нуклеотидных последовательностей. Всего происследовано 444 пробы фекалий 13 видов диких хищных млекопитающих и 449 проб мышечной ткани 13 видов.Результаты и обсуждение. Дикие хищные млекопитающие, обитающие на территории Дальнего Востока России, часто бывают заражены различными видами гельминтов кишечной и тканевой локализации, являющимися возбудителями опасных антропозоонозов. При исследовании 444 проб фекалий диких хищных млекопитающих в Приморском крае у амурского тигра (Panthera tigris altaica) выявлено 9 видов гельминтов, у амурского леопарда (P. Pardus orientalis) – 3, у евразийской рыси (Lynx lynx) – 2, у бенгальского кота (Prionailurus bengalensis) – 4, у соболя (Martes zibellina) – 5, у харзы (M. flavigula) – 2, у сибирского колонка (Mustela sibirica) – 5, у американской норки (Neovison vison) – 1, у азиатского барсука (Meles leucurus) – 2, у лисицы (Vulpes vulpes) – 8, у енотовидной собаки (Nyctereutes procyonoides) – 2 и у бурого и гималайского медведей (Ursus arctos, U. thibetanus) – 9 видов. Среди обнаруженных гельминтов были высоко патогенные для человека: Toxocara cati, Paragonimus westermani и нематоды сем. Сaрillariidae. При исследовании 449 проб мышечной ткани диких хищных млекопитающих в 96 выявлены личинки Trichinella sp. Вышеперечисленные виды гельминтов имеют зоонозную природу. Патогенная роль при случайном заражении гельминтами вида Baylisascaris transfuga на сегодняшний день у человека не изучена, что делает этот вид потенциально опасным для людей. Исследования свидетельствуют о широком распространении гельминтозоонозов на территории Приморского края. Полученные результаты помогут правильно организовать работу людей, чья профессиональная деятельность предусматривает контакты с дикими животными

Geological nature of mineral licks and the reasons for geophagy among animals

In this paper, the reasons for geophagy (the eating of rocks by wild herbivores) in two regions of the eastern Sikhote-Alin volcanic belt are considered. The mineralogical and chemical features of the consumed rocks, as well as the geological conditions of their formation, are investigated. A comparative analysis of the mineral and chemical composition of the consumed rocks and the excrement of the animals, almost completely consisting of mineral substances, is carried out. It is established that the consumed rocks are hydrothermally altered rhyolitic tuffs located in the volcanic calderas and early Cenozoic volcano-tectonic depressions. They consist of 30–65 % from zeolites (mainly clinoptilolites) and smectites, possessing powerful sorption properties. According to the obtained data, the main reason for geophagy may be connected with the animals' urge to discard excessive and toxic concentrations of certain elements that are widespread in specific habitats and ingested with forage plants

Identification of cement in atmospheric particulate matter using the hybrid method of laser diffraction analysis and Raman spectroscopy

Environmental science; Atmospheric science; Ecology; Environmental chemistry; Environmental pollution; Atmospheric particulate matter, Laser diffraction analysis, PM10, Raman spectroscop

Фауна нематод пищеварительного тракта сибирской косули в Приморском крае

The purpose of the research is to supplement information on the species composition of helminths of the Siberian roe deer.Materials and methods. Digestive tracts of seven Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) that died from various causes in Primorsky Krai (Russian Far East) from October 2017 to December 2020 were examined for the presence of helminths. Taxonomic differentiation of detected helminths was carried out basing their morphological peculiarities.Results and discussion. In all studied individuals of Siberian roe deer, only representatives of Nematoda were found. All of the nematodes were found in the abomasa. No helminths were detected in other parts of the digestive tract. There were found three species of Trichostrongylidae: Spiculopteragia spiculoptera, S. asymmetrica and Mazamastrongylus dagestanica. In addition, one species from Spiruridae, Pygarginema skrjabini, was detected. S. spiculoptera was found in all of the examined Siberian roe deer, thus, this species of nematode showed the highest extensity of infection in the study. The highest intensity of infection was noted for S. asymmetrica. And M. dagestanica was found only in one of the studied Siberian roe deer, in single specimens. P. skrjabini was found in single specimens in two of the studied Siberian roe deer. The species S. asymmetrica was recorded in Siberian roe deer for the first time.   Цель исследований – дополнить сведения о видовом составе гельминтов сибирской косули.Материалы и методы. В период с октября 2017 по декабрь 2020 г. на наличие гельминтов были исследованы пищеварительные тракты от семи особей сибирских косуль (Capreolus pygargus), погибших по различным причинам на территории Приморского края (Дальний Восток России). Таксономическую дифференциацию обнаруженных гельминтов проводили по особенностям морфологии.Результаты и обсуждение. У всех исследованных особей сибирских косуль были обнаружены только представители типа Nematoda. Все нематоды были найдены в содержимом сычуга, в других отделах пищеварительного тракта гельминты не отмечены. Были обнаружены три вида из семейства Trichostrongylidae: Spiculopteragia spiculoptera, S. asymmetrica и Mazamastrongylus dagestanica. Кроме того, обнаружен один вид из семейства Spiruridae – Pygarginema skrjabini. Наиболее высокий показатель экстенсивности инвазии отмечен для S. spiculoptera; этот вид был зарегистрирован у всех исследованных особей сибирских косуль. Наиболее высокий показатель интенсивности инвазии отмечен для вида S. asymmetrica. Нематода M. dagestanica обнаружена в единичных экземплярах лишь у одной из исследованных сибирских косуль. Спируриды P. skrjabini в единичных экземплярах найдены у двух косуль. Вид S. asymmetrica зарегистрирован у сибирской косули впервые.

Distemper, extinction, and vaccination of the Amur tiger

Canine distemper virus (CDV) has recently emerged as an extinction threat for the endangered Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica). CDV is vaccine-preventable, and control strategies could require vaccination of domestic dogs and/or wildlife populations. However, vaccination of endangered wildlife remains controversial, which has led to a focus on interventions in domestic dogs, often assumed to be the source of infection. Effective decision making requires an understanding of the true reservoir dynamics, which poses substantial challenges in remote areas with diverse host communities. We carried out serological, demographic, and phylogenetic studies of dog and wildlife populations in the Russian Far East to show that a number of wildlife species are more important than dogs, both in maintaining CDV and as sources of infection for tigers. Critically, therefore, because CDV circulates among multiple wildlife sources, dog vaccination alone would not be effective at protecting tigers. We show, however, that low-coverage vaccination of tigers themselves is feasible and would produce substantive reductions in extinction risks. Vaccination of endangered wildlife provides a valuable component of conservation strategies for endangered species