Аловиди гризунів групи Sicista «betulina»: просторові взаємини з огляду на концепцію лімітувальної схожості

Spatial relationships of “small” species from the group Sicista betulina in the territory of Eastern Europe are investigated. It is shown, that species have ranges of distribution which are not overlapped. New findings support continuous range of S. strandi from East-Russian Highland to Northern Caucasus, and border between two species pass through watershed of the Oka basin and the Don basin. Correspondence of parapatry to lower level of ecomorphological differentiation of species is shown: Hutchinsonian ratio for craniometrical characters of allospecies reach just 1,03 (with maximum 1,13). For exterior characters, HR in sympatric pairs reach value 1,37. As a whole, wide sympatry among “small” species of Sicista occurs just in cytogenetically most different forms, that close the loop strandi–betulina–subtilis–severtzovi. All the data confirm a concordance of biogeographical, ecomorphological and cytogenetical levels of differentiation in studied mammal group. Досліджено просторові взаємини «малих» видів групи Sicista betulina на території Східної Європи. Показано, що ці види характеризуються ареалами, які не перекриваються. Нові знахідки підтверджують думку про суцільний ареал S. strandi від Східноруської височини до Передкавказзя. Межа між видами проходить вододілом між Окським та Донським басейнами. Показано відповідність парапатрії до низького рівня екоморфологічної диференціації видів. Хатчин­сонівське відношення для всього комплексу краніометричних ознак аловидів складає лише 1,03 з максимумом 1,13. За екстер’єрними ознаками в симпатричних парах HR = 1,37. Загалом у групі «малих» видів Sicista широка симпатрія має місце лише у цитогенетично найбільш диференційованих форм, які замикають коло strandi–betulina–subtilis–severtzovi. Усі дані свідчать про збіг рівнів екоморфологічної та цитогенетичної диференціації дослідженої групи ссавців.Досліджено просторові взаємини «малих» видів групи Sicista betulina на території Східної Європи. Показано, що ці види характеризуються ареалами, які не перекриваються. Нові знахідки підтверджують думку про суцільний ареал S. strandi від Східноруської височини до Передкавказзя. Межа між видами проходить вододілом між Окським та Донським басейнами. Показано відповідність парапатрії до низького рівня екоморфологічної диференціації видів. Хатчин­сонівське відношення для всього комплексу краніометричних ознак аловидів складає лише 1,03 з максимумом 1,13. За екстер’єрними ознаками в симпатричних парах HR = 1,37. Загалом у групі «малих» видів Sicista широка симпатрія має місце лише у цитогенетично найбільш диференційованих форм, які замикають коло strandi–betulina–subtilis–severtzovi. Усі дані свідчать про збіг рівнів екоморфологічної та цитогенетичної диференціації дослідженої групи ссавців

Steppe rodents at the edge of their range: A case study of Spalax microphthalmus in the north of Ukraine

Based on results obtained during 2000–2018 by field research, polls of colleagues, and OSINT analysis, features of distribution of the greater mole rat Spalax microphthalmus in the eastern forest steppe of Ukraine were considered. The studied part of the species’ range is unique and represents the northern range edge of the entire Spalacidae family and of European steppe faunal assemblages in general. In total, data on 146 record localities were amassed, including 13 localities in the fragmented and 133 in the continuous part of the range. The offshoots of the Central Russian Upland in the valley of the Psel river (east of Sumy Oblast) are the sites with the highest density of settlements, while the species’ type biotopes are steppe balka slopes. The abundance of the greater mole rat decreased from the east to the west, and its colonies are the most fragmented along the Dnipro River. The species occurs in steppe and meadow habitats of an area of at least 20–50 ha. Analysis of the current and former distribution of the greater mole rat revealed that the species range contracts from the west; earlier it was a common species in different regions of the Middle Dnipro Area (including Kyiv city), but the current range edge runs along the line connecting Buryn – Nedryhailiv – Lokhvytsia – Myrhorod – Hadiach – Zinkiv – Zaliznychne. Isolated settlements exist in adjacent territories, particularly in Ichnia Raion of Chernihiv Oblast, and Lubny, Khorol, and Kobeliaky Raions of Poltava Oblast. The study showed that the species’ range contracted by two times to 35,000 km2 for the last 100 years, which includes only 430,000 ha of suitable habitats (15% of the range), allowing the existence here of 86,000–215,000 individuals. In fact, the species remained only in habitats that have been minimally affected by arable farming and other forms of active agricultural use. Besides, the species shows a clear confinement to habitats located near human settlements such as untilled lands, pastures with moderate grazing, waste and neglected lands, which constitute a separate group of transformed and semi-natural habitats. Formally, this allows the greater mole rat to be considered as a synanthropic species, because its inhabited biotopes, beside the zone of offshoots of the Central Russian Upland, have remained only near villages and along roads. The species also has an important biocoenotic role due to its burrowing activity and as prey of predatory birds (e.g., of the long-legged buzzard and Eurasian eagle owl) and mammals. The feeding period of the offspring of these predators generally coincides with the aboveground activity of mole rats, which lasts during May–July with a peak in June. Aboveground activity is mainly related to the resettlement of mole rats to new sites and dispersal of the young, due to which they became victims of predators

Biodiversity surveys of grassland and coastal habitats in 2021 as a documentation of pre-war status in southern Ukraine

Background This paper presents two sampling-event datasets with occurrences of vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens collected in May-June 2021 in southern Ukraine. We aimed to collect high-quality biodiversity data in an understudied region and contribute it to international databases and networks. The study was carried out during the 15th Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) Field Workshop in southern Ukraine and the Dark Diversity Network (DarkDivNet) sampling in the Kamianska Sich National Nature Park. By chance, these datasets were collected shortly before the major escalation of the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Surveyed areas in Kherson and Mykolaiv Regions, including established monitoring plots, were severely affected by military actions in 2022. Therefore, collected data are of significant value in the context of biodiversity documentation. The knowledge about the biodiversity of this area will help to assess the environmental impact of the war and plan restoration of the damaged or destroyed habitats. The first preliminary analysis of collected data demonstrates the biodiversity richness and conservation value of studied grassland habitats. New information We provide sampling-event datasets with 7467 occurrences, which represent 708 taxa (vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens) collected in 275 vegetation relevés. Amongst them, vascular plants are represented by 6665 occurrences (610 taxa), lichens - 420 (46) and bryophytes - 381 (51). Several new species were reported for the first time at the national or regional level. In particular, one vascular plant species (Torilis pseudonodosa) and two lichen species (Cladonia conista, Endocarpon loscosii) were new to Ukraine. One vascular plant (Stipa tirsa), two species of bryophytes (Rhynchostegium megapolitanum, Ptychostomum torquescens) and three species of lichens (Cladonia cervicornis, C. symphycarpa, Involucropyrenium breussi) were recorded for the first time for the Kherson Region. Additionally, these datasets contain occurrences of taxa with narrow distribution, specialists of rare habitat types and, therefore, represented by a low number of occurrences in relevant biodiversity databases and particularly in GBIF. This publication highlights the diversity of natural vegetation and its flora in southern Ukraine and raises conservation concerns

‘Good fences make good neighbours’: Concepts and records of range dynamics in ground squirrels and geographical barriers in the Pleistocene of the Circum-Black Sea area

Ground squirrels were an important member of the Pleistocene steppe-tundra mammal community. They evolved ecological specialisations and exhibit behaviours that make them particularly informative subjects to study palaeoenvironmental constraints affecting species distribution and speciation. Interspecific competition and isolating geographical barriers are considered as the principal factors that define species range boundaries. The present paper provides a first comprehensive compilation of the living and extinct Spermophilus species in Europe. These data suggest ‘patchwork quilt’ model for the expansion and spatial distribution of ground squirrel species. Here we consider mainly small-sized Spermophilus species because large-sized (e.g., S. superciliosus) ground squirrels consist another ‘patchwork quilt’, which overlap the first one. This overlapping of the species ranges is possible because of the size difference that lowers interspecific competition (Hutchinson's rule). We consider two main types of range boundaries. One type includes roughly ‘sub-parallel’ boundaries that oscillate in concert with climatic and vegetational changes (a case of climatically controlled competitive exclusion). The other type consists of roughly ‘sub-meridional’ boundaries corresponding to geographical barriers (e.g., water barriers, mountain ridges); these boundaries are rather stable. Examples of ‘sub-parallel range modifications include: oscillations of boundaries between S. pygmaeus and S. suslicus; the immigration of S. citellus into the Pre-Carpathian area; the branching of S. suslicus from S. pygmaeus; the regional appearance of the Late Pleistocene species S. severskensis and S. citelloides. Examples of ‘sub-meridional events’ are: the crossing of the Danube by S. citellus; the appearance of an isolated population of S. pygmaeus on right bank of the Dnieper during the Late Pleistocene to Middle Holocene; a crossing of the Dnieper river by S. pygmaeus, which resulted in the appearance of S. odessanus; the intrusion of eastern populations of S. pygmaeus into the Trans-Volga areas. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd and INQU

The desmosome and pemphigus

Desmosomes are patch-like intercellular adhering junctions (“maculae adherentes”), which, in concert with the related adherens junctions, provide the mechanical strength to intercellular adhesion. Therefore, it is not surprising that desmosomes are abundant in tissues subjected to significant mechanical stress such as stratified epithelia and myocardium. Desmosomal adhesion is based on the Ca2+-dependent, homo- and heterophilic transinteraction of cadherin-type adhesion molecules. Desmosomal cadherins are anchored to the intermediate filament cytoskeleton by adaptor proteins of the armadillo and plakin families. Desmosomes are dynamic structures subjected to regulation and are therefore targets of signalling pathways, which control their molecular composition and adhesive properties. Moreover, evidence is emerging that desmosomal components themselves take part in outside-in signalling under physiologic and pathologic conditions. Disturbed desmosomal adhesion contributes to the pathogenesis of a number of diseases such as pemphigus, which is caused by autoantibodies against desmosomal cadherins. Beside pemphigus, desmosome-associated diseases are caused by other mechanisms such as genetic defects or bacterial toxins. Because most of these diseases affect the skin, desmosomes are interesting not only for cell biologists who are inspired by their complex structure and molecular composition, but also for clinical physicians who are confronted with patients suffering from severe blistering skin diseases such as pemphigus. To develop disease-specific therapeutic approaches, more insights into the molecular composition and regulation of desmosomes are required

Pemphigus autoimmunity: Hypotheses and realities

The goal of contemporary research in pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus is to achieve and maintain clinical remission without corticosteroids. Recent advances of knowledge on pemphigus autoimmunity scrutinize old dogmas, resolve controversies, and open novel perspectives for treatment. Elucidation of intimate mechanisms of keratinocyte detachment and death in pemphigus has challenged the monopathogenic explanation of disease immunopathology. Over 50 organ-specific and non-organ-specific antigens can be targeted by pemphigus autoimmunity, including desmosomal cadherins and other adhesion molecules, PERP cholinergic and other cell membrane (CM) receptors, and mitochondrial proteins. The initial insult is sustained by the autoantibodies to the cell membrane receptor antigens triggering the intracellular signaling by Src, epidermal growth factor receptor kinase, protein kinases A and C, phospholipase C, mTOR, p38 MAPK, JNK, other tyrosine kinases, and calmodulin that cause basal cell shrinkage and ripping desmosomes off the CM. Autoantibodies synergize with effectors of apoptotic and oncotic pathways, serine proteases, and inflammatory cytokines to overcome the natural resistance and activate the cell death program in keratinocytes. The process of keratinocyte shrinkage/detachment and death via apoptosis/oncosis has been termed apoptolysis to emphasize that it is triggered by the same signal effectors and mediated by the same cell death enzymes. The natural course of pemphigus has improved due to a substantial progress in developing of the steroid-sparing therapies combining the immunosuppressive and direct anti-acantholytic effects. Further elucidation of the molecular mechanisms mediating immune dysregulation and apoptolysis in pemphigus should improve our understanding of disease pathogenesis and facilitate development of steroid-free treatment of patients

Bechstein's Bat (Myotis bechsteinii) in Transcarpathia, Ukraine

Bechshtein’s bat is a rare but typical species that inhabits broadleaf forests of western Ukraine, where the easternmost European populations of the species are distributed. In practice, this species is often confused with species of the genus Plecotus, as it was shown by a series of re-identifications in collections and photographs available for analysis. This is partly due to the rarity of the species and the "formulaic" identification, which has often no place for very rare species. Because of this, the real number of known established records, which are confirmed by collections or detailed descriptions, is very small (without consideration of nomen nudum records). Here we describe all available collection specimens and a new, previously unknown, record of the species from the lowland part of Transcarpathia, namely from the Chorna Hora tract, which is near Vynohradiv city. The diagnostic features of the species are considered as well, since a significant number of currently known misidentifications indicate typical diagnostic errors, in particular the identification of this species as Plecotus auritus. Among other formalised features available for analysis, even for low-quality photos, attention was paid to the size and shape of the ears and the shape and distal placement of rhinarium. In total, 18 record localities of the species are known in Transcarpathia

Vernacular Ukrainian names of mammals in V. F. Nikolaiev’s book “Materials to the Ukrainian Scientific Terminology” (1918)

The data on the legacy of V. F. Nikolaev, a celebrated Ukrainian naturalist and Head of Poltava Natural History and Historical Museum in 1916–1923 are summarized. The book ‘Materials to the Ukrainian scientific terminology’ published in 1918 was among the most important achievements of V. F. Nikolaiev. He managed to produce an early synthesis of Ukrainian zoological nomenclature based on materials borrowed from available lexicographical sources and using the vernacular names collected by questionnaires mainly in Left-Bank Dnipro Region. Here we reproduced a part of V. F. Nikolaiev’s book, namely the dictionary of the names of mammals, in total, 152 records on 145 taxa (mainly species and genera) of mammals of Ukrainian and world fauna. The names are given in the following order: Russian — Latin (if applicable) — Ukrainian (with synonyms) — source. The collection of names by V. F. Nikolaiev may be considered as a key work in the history of Ukrainian zoological nomenclature and an important source for the selection of names for yet unnamed taxa using synonyms and names which are now out of use for referring other groups of mammals

Mole-rats Nannospalax leucodon and Spalax zemni in Ukraine: identification criteria and border between their ranges

The differences between two mole-rat species are shown according to the complex of exterior and cranial characters, each of which is reliable in species diagnostics. In particular, they include the color of rhinarium, shape of the rostrum, development of lateral occipital apertures and pharyngeal tubules, also the flexion of the base of the skull, and expressiveness of the intercrestal fossa in the mandible. A number of collection materials were re-identified, which significantly changed the views on geographical ranges of these species. The boundary between species should be considered substantially shifted to the west: the Bug–Tylihul interriver area is inhabited not by N. leucodon, as it was believed so far, but by S. zemni. It is confirmed by both old specimens (1930–1950s) and modern materials (2010–2016), thus it is not associated with habitat changes. At the same time, monitoring of the dynamics of settlements of these species shows significant changes in the scope of inhabited areas, as well as recent colonization of the most part of the region from coastal refugia