Integrative redescription of Canthocamptus (Baicalocamptus) longifurcatus (Harpacticoida: Canthocamptidae), an endemic species from Lake Baikal

A redescription of the Lake Baikal endemic species, Canthocamptus (Baicalocamptus) longifurcatus Borutzky, 1947 (Harpacticoida: Canthocamptidae), is provided. The illustrated redescription of morphology of the female and male is supplemented by a genetic barcoding based on sequences of the mitochondrial COI marker. Canthocamptus (B.) longifurcatus is morphologically very similar to another representative of the subgenus, C. (B.) verestschagini (Borutzky, 1931), but can be well distinguished from the latter by the armature of the female furca and the structure of the last pair of swimming legs in the female and male. An analysis of the obtained COI sequences and their comparison with those of other harpacticoid species confirmed that C. (B.) longifurcatus belongs to the genus Canthocamptus Westwood, 1836: the smallest genetic differences (on average, 29.5%) were observed between the studied Baikal species and C. staphylinus Jurine, 1820 from Europe (Lake Geneva, Switzerland).Peer reviewe

Defensive Structures of the Gremiachy Kliuch Hill-Fort

The article features the results of comprehensive research of defensive structures located in Gremiachiy Kliuch hillfort which corresponds to the Post-Maklasheevka culture of the Ananyino cultural and historical areal. The authors determined the starting time of construction activities (9th – mid-8th centuries B.C.) and the periodization of the erection of the hillfort's earth rampart using archaeological and natural scientific techniques (lithologic and stratigraphic, palynological and geomorphological). The second stage of the construction of defensive structures corresponds to mid-8th – first quarter of 7th centuries B.C. The moat was represented by a natural saddle located in the narrowest area of the headland platform between the ravines. The authors concluded that the rampart construction technique was very archaic, and the inner support wall was used as the foundation. Fine preservation of the earth rampart which has survived almost intact until the present day is accounted for by an optimal ratio of proportions (width and height), lithological composition of the soil and forest coverage of the site in the Post-Ananyino period