Colonizing the High Arctic : Mitochondrial DNA reveals common origin of Eurasian archipelagic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

Funding: The study was supported by the ERC Advanced Grant “Arctic Domus” ERC AdG 295458 based at the University of Aberdeen (http://www.arcticdomus.org/). Funding was recieved by DGA. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Long-distance dispersal of migrant butterflies to the Arctic Ocean islands, with a record of Nymphalis xanthomelas at the northern edge of Novaya Zemlya (76.95°N)

Although migrant butterflies are rare (or sporadically seen) guests on the Arctic Ocean islands, there is a slowly growing dataset on repeated occurrences of these insects in insular tundra and polar deserts. Altogether six long-distance migrant butterfly species were found to cross wide marine barriers north of the Arctic Circle (66.56°N), i.e. Vanessa atalanta, V. cardui, Nymphalis antiopa, N. xanthomelas, Aporia crataegi, and Pieris napi. Migrant individuals of V. cardui discovered on Svalbard (up to 78.27°N in 1978) reflect the farthest dispersal event of butterflies to the Arctic ever reported. Our record of N. xanthomelas at the northern margin of Novaya Zemlya (76.95°N) represents the northernmost finding of this species globally, reflecting the world’s second farthest record of northern poleward immigration of butterflies. This occurrence coincides with an exceptionally warm summer season, when the third highest July and second highest August air temperature occurred (since global records began in 1880). Furthermore, the immigration into Novaya Zemlya coincides with a population explosion and massive expansion of N. xanthomelas in Siberia in 2019–2020. Our air current reconstructions indicate that this species most likely immigrated into Novaya Zemlya from mainland regions situated south-southeast (Polar Urals, Yugorsky Peninsula, and western Yamal) and east (Taymyr) of the archipelago. Overall, our findings reveal that long-distance dispersal events of butterflies to the Arctic islands are always linked to massive expansions of the corresponding species in mainland areas

Alien species in North-West Russian Arctic – Information campaign to prevent travellers bringing alien species to the Arctic

Thomassen, J., Mizin, I., Polikarpov, A., Stokmo, J.A., Bruteig, I.E., Niemivuo-Lahti, J., Josefsson, M. & Westergaard, K.B. 2022. Alien species in North-West Russian Arctic – Information campaign to prevent travellers bringing alien species to the Arctic. NINA Report 2093. Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. Alien species are a serious threat to biodiversity, human health and the global economy, and perhaps especially in the Arctic where the environment is particularly vulnerable. Under the auspices of the Arctic Council through CAFF/PAME, the Arctic Invasive Alien Species (ARIAS) initiative is an important work on alien species in the Arctic. In the ARIAS Strategy and Action Plan 2017 (CAFF & PAME 2017), one of the priority actions is to develop targeted communication and dissemination measures aimed to raise awareness of invasive alien species. The project “Alien species in North-West Russian Arctic – Information campaign to prevent travellers bringing alien species to Arctic” is a direct follow-up to this prioritized action. The project focus on simple measures that travellers can take to prevent them from taking stowaways (alien species) on their trip to the Arctic. A pilot project with Svalbard as case was conducted in 2018-2019 and based on experiences from this pilot the campaign was extended to North-West Russian Arctic in 2020-2021. The main message emerges through an animation film of ca. 2 minutes. The film is produced in two versions, one in English and one in Russian, both with subtitles in 13 languages (English, Norwegian, Finnish, Swedish, Icelandic, Greenlandic, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Mandarin and Japanese). The film and further information can be found on the project's website https://www.stoparcticaliens.com/. The information campaign has been spread through a variety of channels to travellers via, among others, internet and social media. The animation film is built up around a "border guard" (polar bear) who guards the entrance to the Arctic and meets three different types of travellers (cruise tourist, backpacker, researcher/resident) who have come to the Arctic by plane or boat. The polar bear examines the tourists to find stowaways on clothing, equipment or in their luggage. Alien species are symbolized through seeds, insects and parasites that can potentially establish and spread in the Arctic. The message from the polar bear is that each individual can do simple measures (brush, hoover and wash clothes and equipment) before departure and at arrival to protect the vulnerable Arctic environment. In the film, the polar bear speaks English and Russian. The message is spread through various Russian channels reaching travellers directly or indirectly. Due to the covid19 pandemic the numbers of travellers have been low compared to the situation before the pandemic, but we have tried to reach as many as possible and aim for the campaign to be operational and sustainable when the pandemic situation allows for increased travelling activities to the North-West Russian Arctic. The information campaign in North-West Russian Arctic is funded by the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Norway.Й. Томассен, И. Мизин, А. Поликарпов, Й.А. Стокмо, И.Е. Брутейг, Ниемивуо-Лахти, М. Йозефссон, К.Б.Вестергаард, 2022. Чужеродные виды в северо-западной части Российской Арктики - информационная кампания по предотвращению завоза чужеродных видов в Арктику путешественниками. Отчет Норвежского института исследования природы (NINA) 2093. Норвежский институт исследования природы. Чужеродные виды представляют собой серьезную угрозу для биоразнообразия, здоровья человека и мировой экономики, и, возможно, особенно для Арктики, где природа особенно уязвима. Инициатива по работе с инвазивными чужеродными видами в Арктике (ARIAS) является важной деятельностью под эгидой Арктического совета, которая проводится рабочими группами по сохранению флоры и фауны и морской среды (CAFF/PAME). В стратегии и плане действий Инициативы по работе с инвазивными чужеродными видами в Арктике на 2017 год (CAFF и PAME 2017 год) одним из приоритетных видов деятельности является разработка целевых мер по коммуникации и мер по борьбе с распространением семян растений, направленных на повышение осведомленности об инвазивных чужеродных видах. Проект "Чужеродные виды на северо-западе российской Арктики» – представляет собой информационную кампанию по предотвращению завоза чужеродных видов в Арктику и является следующим этапом данного приоритетного вида деятельности. Проект сосредоточен на самых простых мерах, которые путешественники могут предпринять для предотвращения завоза чужеродных видов (так называемых «безбилетников») во время своей поездки в Арктику. Пилотный проект на Шпицбергене проводился в 2018-2019 годах, и основываясь на его опыте информационная кампания была распространена на Северо-Запад Российской Арктики в 2020-2021 годах. Основное послание туристам выражается в анимационном фильме продолжительностью около 2 минут. Фильм выпущен в двух версиях, одна на английском, другая на русском, обе с субтитрами на 13 языках (английском, норвежском, финском, шведском, исландском, гренландском, немецком, французском, испанском, итальянском, русском, мандаринском и японском). Фильм и дополнительную информацию можно найти на сайте проекта https://www.stoparcticaliens.com/. Информационная кампания распространялась по различным каналам среди путешественников, в частности, через Интернет и социальные сети. Анимационный фильм связан с "сотрудником пограничной службы" (белым медведем), который охраняет вход в Арктику и встречает три разных типа путешественников (круизные туристы, пешие туристы, исследователи/местные жители), которые прибывают в Арктику на самолете или лодке. Белый медведь осматривает туристов, чтобы найти «безбилетников» на одежде, снаряжении или в багаже. Чужеродные виды представлены семенами растений, насекомыми и паразитами, которые потенциально могут обосноваться и распространиться в Арктике. Послание белого медведя заключается в том, что каждый человек может предпринять доступные ему простые меры (почистить щеткой, пропылесосить и постирать одежду и снаряжение) до отъезда и по прибытии в Арктику, чтобы защитить уязвимую арктическую среду. В фильме белый медведь говорит на английском и русском языках. Сообщение распространяется по различным российским каналам, прямо или косвенно информируя путешественников. В связи с пандемией коронавирусной инфекции 2019 года число путешественников было достаточно низким по сравнению с ситуацией до начала пандемии, но мы постарались охватить как можно больше людей и стремимся к тому, чтобы информационная кампания была эффективной и устойчивой, к тому моменту, когда ситуация с пандемией позволит увеличить количество экспедиций в северо-западную часть российской Арктики. Информационная кампания финансируется Министерством климата и окружающей среды Норвегии.Thomassen, J., Mizin, I., Polikarpov, A., Stokmo, J.A., Bruteig, I.E., Niemivuo-Lahti, J., Josefsson, M. & Westergaard, K.B. 2022. Fremmede arter i nord-vest arktiske Russland – Informasjonskampanje for å hindre at reisende bringer med seg fremmede arter til Arktis. NINA Rapport 2093. Norsk institutt for naturforskning. Fremmede arter er en alvorlig trussel mot biologisk mangfold, menneskets helse og økonomi globalt, og særlig i Arktis hvor miljøet er spesielt sårbart. I regi av Arktisk råd gjennom CAFF/PAME er Arctic Invasive Alien Species (ARIAS)-initiativet et viktig arbeid når det gjelder fremmede arter i Arktis. I ARIAS Strategy and Action Plan 2017 (CAFF & PAME 2017) er en av de prioriterte handlingene å lage målrettete kommunikasjons- og formidlingstiltak med formål å øke bevisstheten omkring fremmede arter. Prosjektet «Fremmede arter i nord-vest arktiske Russland – Informasjonskampanje for å hindre at reisende bringer med seg fremmede arter til Arktis» er en direkte oppfølging av dette. Prosjektet har fokusert på enkle tiltak som den reisende selv kan iverksette for å hindre at de tar med seg fremmede arter som blindpassasjerer på sin reise til Arktis. Et pilotprosjekt med Svalbard som case ble gjennomført i 2018-2019, og basert på erfaringer fra denne piloten ble kampanjen utvidet til nord-vest Russland i 2020-2021. Hovedbudskapet framkommer gjennom en animasjonsfilm på ca. 2 minutter. Filmen er laget i 2 versjoner, en engelsk og en russisk. Begge versjonene er tekstet på 13 språk (engelsk, norsk, finsk, svensk, islandsk, grønlandsk, tysk, fransk, spansk, italiensk, russisk, mandarin og japansk). Filmen og videre informasjon finnes på prosjektets hjemmeside https://www.stoparcticaliens.com/. Informasjonskampanjen er spredd til de reisende via en rekke kanaler, bl.a. gjennom internett og sosiale media. Animasjonsfilmen er bygget opp omkring en «grensevakt» (isbjørn) som passer på inngangen til Arktis og som møter tre ulike typer reisende (cruiseturist, backpacker, forsker/fastboende) som har kommet til Arktis med fly eller båt. Isbjørnen undersøker turistene for å finne blindpassasjerer på klær, utstyr eller i bagasjen. Fremmede arter er symbolisert gjennom frø, insekter og parasitter som potensielt kan etablere og spre seg i Arktis. Budskapet fra isbjørnen er at den enkelte kan gjøre noe selv (børst, støvsug og vask klær og utstyr) før avreise og ved ankomst for å beskytte det sårbare arktiske miljøet. I filmen snakker isbjørnen engelsk og russisk. Budskapet er spredd til reisende gjennom ulike russiske kanaler, direkte eller indirekte. Grunnet covid19-pandemien har det vært få reisende sammenliknet med situasjonen før pandemien, men vi har likevel forsøkt å nå så mange som mulig med et mål om at kampanjen skal være operativ og bærekraftig når pandemien tillater økt reiseaktivitet til nord-vest arktiske Russland. Informasjonskampanjen i nord-vest arktiske Russland er finansiert av Klima- og miljødepartementet i Norge

Sampling locations and phylogenetic network showing genealogical relationships in the CR between reindeer populations.

<p>Map of Northern Eurasia, with focus on the Eurasian Arctic archipelagos, showing the geographic origin of the samples (a) and a MJ network of the 122 CR sequences (400 bp) (b). Five previously described haplotype clusters (<b>Ic</b>, <b>Id</b>, <b>Ie</b>, and <b>II</b>) [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0165237#pone.0165237.ref026" target="_blank">26</a>, <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0165237#pone.0165237.ref069" target="_blank">69</a>] are identified. The MJ network show haplotype sharing between Svalbard (turquoise), Novaia Zemlia (green) and Pechora River (pink) within sub-cluster <b>Ic</b>. Including the Franz Josef Land samples (asterisk) show that 13 of the 15 ancient samples sequenced were identical to the most common haplotype found on Svalbard and on Novaia Zemlia. We also found one individual with a haplotype belonging to sub-cluster <b>Ie</b>, and one haplotype that is unique for Franz Josef Land. The map (a) is printed here for the first time under a CC BY license, with permission of the cartographer Allessandro Pasquini.</p

Frequencies of CR haplotype clusters in the sampled reindeer populations.

<p>Frequencies of haplotypes belonging to sub-cluster <b>Ic</b>, <b>Id</b>, <b>Ie</b> and cluster <b>II</b> in all seven populations. Haplotypes that did not cluster with any of the previously described clusters were placed in cluster <b>I</b>. Haplotype frequencies are calculated from the 400 bp long fragment for all populations, except haplotype frequencies in the ancient material from Franz Josef Land, which were calculated from the 190 bp long fragment. Haplotype frequencies show that <b>Ic</b> haplotypes are common on Svalbard, Novaia Zemlia and in the ancient material from Franz Josef Land. <b>Ic</b> haplotypes are also found in the Pechora- and Peza River populations, but are absent in the domestic reindeer population sampled on Kolguev.</p

Diversity and Distribution of Helminths in Wild Ruminants of the Russian Arctic: Reindeer (<i>Rangifer tarandus</i>), Muskoxen (<i>Ovibos moschatus</i>), and Snow Sheep (<i>Ovis nivicola</i>)

The Russian Arctic supports wild sympatric ruminants and their data-deficient helminths. In this study, we: (1) collected fecal samples of wild and semiwild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus), and snow sheep (Ovis nivicola) across Palearctic North territories: Arkhangelsk Oblast (including Novaya Zemlya archipelago), Karelia and Sakha Republics, Kola, Yamal, Taimyr, and Chukotka Peninsulas, Bering, Svalbard, and Wrangel Islands; (2) conducted a coprological survey (noninvasive life-time method preferable for protected animals) to obtain eggs and larvae of helminths inhabiting digestive, respiratory, nervous, and muscular systems; (3) identified helminths according to their morphology and DNA sequences; (4) estimated parasite load per host; (5) analyzed our findings. Varestrongylus eleguneniensis (in reindeer) was reported for the Palearctic for the first time, while Orthostrongylus sp. was reported both for R. tarandus and for the Palearctic for the first time. Capillarid-type eggs were reported for snow sheep for the first time. The question of the role of wild Arctic ruminants as vectors for rotifers was raised