Закономерности распределения астилочных беспозвоночных степных экосистем центрального степного Приднепровья

Taxonomic and functional structure of herpetobion mesofauna of steppe ecosystems intheterritory of Dnipropetrovsk region wasanalyzed. With the use off actoranddiscriminantanalysis, the groups of invertebrates with similar response to changing environmental conditions havebeenidentified.Проаналізовано таксономічну та функціональну структуру герпетобіонтної мезофауни ч - ~.нх степових екосистем на території Дніпропетровської області. Із використанням Фяк- і- то та дискримінантного аналізу встановлені групи безхребетних, що однаково реагують на {.■шну умов навколишнього середовища. Проаналізовано таксономічну та функціональну структуру герпетобіонтної мезофауни ч - ~.нх степових екосистем на території Дніпропетровської області. Із використанням Фяк- і- то та дискримінантного аналізу встановлені групи безхребетних, що однаково реагують на {.■шну умов навколишнього середовища

Morphological variability of Bembidion minimum (Coleoptera, Carabidae) populations under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors

Morphological variability is the result of interaction between genetic diversity of the population and environmental selection. Despite the large number of studies of morphological variability of ground beetles, there is very little research dedicated to influence of environmental factors on it. This article discusses the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on the variability of Bembidion minimum (Fabricius, 1792). B. minimum is a West Palearctic species which is distributed in North Africa, Europe, Western Asia. It is a macropterous species that lives in humid biotopes along the shores of seas, rivers and standing water bodies. 410 specimens were collected from 12 ecosystems differing by plant cover, degree of litter development, mechanical composition of the soil, mineralization and acidity of soil solution, type and intensity of anthropogenic impact. 13 linear characteristics, one angular characteristic, density of elytra puncturing and contrast of spots on the beetles’ elytra were measured. Additionally 6 morphometric indices were calculated. More than a third of the variability of imagoes in the studied populations was found to be determined by the general body size. Sexual dimorphism was observed on all linear parameters and most morphometric indices. Females do not differ from males in the back angles of the prothorax. Natural and anthropogenic factors to a greater or lesser degree were shown to affect the morphological variability of B. minimum: soil acidity and mineralization have the greatest impact. The soil acidity causes significant variability of most linear parameters; mineralization – body length, head length, prothorax length and width, elytra width. Plant cover and mechanical composition of the soil have a slight impact on imago morphology. The type and structure of vegetation significantly affect head width, prothorax length and width, and the mechanical composition of the soil – body length and head length. Degree of litter development does not cause significant changes in the linear dimensions of beetles. With thickening of the litter the posterior spots on the elytra become brighter, they have sharper contours, and density of elytra puncturing also changes. The mean value of the back angles is affected by the herb layer of meadow vegetation, soil mineralization and acidity. The variability of morphometric indexes under the influence of natural factors was found to be lower than variability of linear characteristics. The recreational load and cattle grazing cause similar changes in linear measurements and morphometric indexes of B. minimum. With escalation of these factors, the body length, length and width of elytra of both females and males decrease. Assessing the natural morphological variability of populations in ecosystems whose environmental factors are within extreme and sub-extreme values for a given population is a promising direction of research in modern ecology

Influence of air temperature and humidity on Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Acari, Mesostigmata) locomotor activity in a laboratory experiment

Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Womersley, 1956) (Acari, Mesostigmata, Laelapidae) is a predatory soil mite massively produced in laboratories in many countries of the world. The existing spheres of S. scimitus application vary in many parameters, especially temperature and relative humidity. In this article, we analyzed temperature and humidity appropriate for fastest spread of soil predatory mite S. scimitus. Mites should be released to a new environment in such a way that they would distribute in a greenhouse, garden or field as fast as they can (i.e. providing maximum migration activity of S. scimitus), on the one hand, and provide maximum efficient control of number of target phytophage species (i.e. providing maximum trophic activity), on the other hand. In our experiment, at 14 ºC temperature, most specimens of S. scimitus did not leave the migratory circle for 10 seconds. In 15–19 ºC range, only 14.7% of mites left the migratory circle, and their examined activity in 10 s was only 5–10 mm. In 20–24 ºC range, 27.5% of mites left the migratory circle, their migratory activity increased to 15–23 mm. In 25–33 ºC range, the moving activity increased even more, the mites left the migratory circle at the first opportunity that had (some even jumped off the circle to the experimental field), 95.8% of the mites left the circle in 10 s, their examined activity reached 25–60 mm in 10 seconds. Study of thermo- and hygro-preferences for various groups of invertebrates helps to better describe their ecological niche in multidimensional space of ecologic factors

Rare species of Carabidae and Cicindelidae in Dnipropetrovsk Region, Ukraine

Dnipropetrovsk Region is situated in the steppe zone of Ukraine, in conditions of insufficient moisture. Forest vegetation covers only 5.1% of the region. Over 80% of the region’s area is used for agricultural purposes. A total of 281 species of ground beetles is known for the region, of which this article gives the data on biology and distribution of 82 species that need protection: Cephalota atrata, C. besseri, C. elegans, Cicindela maritima, C. soluta, Cylindera arenaria, Leistus terminatus, Notiophilus rufipes, Calosoma sycophanta, C. denticolle, C. investigator, Carabus stscheglowi, C. clathratus, C. excellens, C. hungaricus, C. besseri, C. estreicheri, C. sibiricus, Blethisa multipunctata, Elaphrus uliginosus, Scarites terricola, Dyschirius chalceus, Dyschirius obscurus, Blemus discus, Epaphius secalis, Bembidion ephippium, B. aspericolle, Pogonus cumanus, Pogonistes convexicollis, Patrobus atrorufus, Stomis pumicatus, Pedius inquinatus, Pterostichus chamaeleon, P. elongatus, P. macer, P. melas, Taphoxenus gigas, Laemostenus terricola, Agonum impressum, A. marginatum, A. monachum, A. sexpunctatum, A. viridicupreum, Olisthopus sturmii, Synuchus vivalis, Amara chaudoiri, A. crenata, A. equestris, A. fulva, A. sabulosa, Curtonotus convexiusсulus, Anisodastylus poeciloides, Diachromus germanus, Acupalpus interstitialis, A. suturalis, Stenolophus discophorus, Daptus vittatus, Harpalus cephalotes, H. dispar, H. hirtipes, Н. laeviceps, H. luteicornis, H. melancholicus, H. steveni, H. subcylindricus, Microderes brachypus, Ophonus diffinis, Dixus eremita, Panagaeus bipustulatus, Callistus lunatus, Dinodes decipiens, Chlaenius alutaceus, Ch. festivus, Licinus cassideus, Badister dorsiger, Masoreus wetterhalli, Lebia humeralis, Demetrias imperialis, Cymindis axillaris, Polystichus connexus, Brachinus ejaculans, B. hamatus, Mastax thermarum. To formalize the data on each species, the article provides characteristics of its ecological niche: thermal preferendum, hygro-preferendum, biotopical characteristic, biogeohorizon, trophic preferences, practical significance and protection measures. The main factors of decline in diversity of the fauna of ground beetles in Dnipropetrovsk Region are arable farming, chemical treatment of agricultural land, unregulated cattle grazing, recreational loading, large scale construction in floodplain areas

Influence of organic acids on locomotor activity of Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Mesostigmata, Laelapidae)

Increasing the activity of zoophage Acari in agrocenoses, for example luring them to concentrations of harmful insects, could be effectively performed using attractants, for example organic acids that people use in households and industry. In our experiment, we studied the influence of organic acids on the locomotor activity of Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Womersley, 1956) (Mesostigmata, Laelapidae). Different organic acids caused certain reactions in those zoophages. Acetic acid encouraged this mite to activity and attracted it, while thioacetic acid inhibited and repelled it. Fatty acids such as tridecylic and oleic acids had an activating effect on the locomotor activity of S. scimitus. Three isomers of valeric acid inhibited locomotor activity, and the mites exerted negative chemostasis to them. Maximum locomotor activity of the mites was observed when using asparagine, ornithine, propionic acid, tridecanoic acid, boric acid, and arginine. Locomotor activity of the mites was inhibited by 3,3-dimethylbutanoic acid, thioacetic acid, pivalic acid, maleic acid, formic acid, succinic acid, 2-methylbutanoic acid, isovaleric acid, 6-aminohexanoic acid, and 2-oxoglutaric acid. We propose using attractiveness coefficient and coefficient of migratory activity, which reflect the effects of aroma compounds on mites. Those coefficients are helpful in identification of a behaviour model for mites exposed to aroma compound: attack, motionless state or escape. High attractiveness and migratory-activity coefficients mean attack on victim; low coefficients indicate motionless mites; high migratory activity and low attractiveness coefficient mean escape reaction. Our results indicate complexity of behaviour reactions of mites, which were sensitive to volatile chemical compounds in the environment. We found a high potential of using those compounds in attracting zoophages during their introduction in agrocenoses of greenhouses and open plots

Effect of Echinacea purpurea and Silybum marianum seeds on the body of rats with an excessive fat diet

The impact of excess fat and high-calorie intake on the human body is an acute problem for many economically developed countries. Modelling the effects on the health of rats of supplementing their diet with crushed seeds of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench and Sylibum marianum (L.) Gaertn was carried out in a laboratory experiment. In the control group of animals, body weight increased by 700 mg/day, with the addition of E. purpurea seeds – by 1394 mg/day and with the addition of S. marianum seeds – by only 155 mg/day. A hypercaloric diet supplemented with E. purpurea caused a significant decrease in the relative weight of the liver, thymus, spleen, stomach, and brain. The supplementation with S. marianum seeds to the diet of animals significantly reduced only the relative weight of the thymus. Adding E. purpurea to the diet caused a strong increase in blood alkaline phosphatase activity, an increase in the cholesterol content, and a sharp increase in the atherogenic index. The seeds of S. marianum increased the alkaline phosphatase activity, reduced the glucose concentration, and triglycerides, significantly reduced the atherogenic index and lowered the C-reactive protein concentration in the rats’ blood when compared with the control group. The seeds of E. purpurea contributed to an increase in the erythrocyte and lymphocyte number in the blood, and the seeds of S. marianum – to a decrease in the thrombocyte concentration. The research results show the possibility of wider use of S. marianum fruits as a dietary supplement in the diet of patients with hypertension and impaired liver function

The effect on the organism of rats of adding Helichrysum arenarium inflorescences to a hypercaloric diet, high in sugar and fat

Obesity increases the risk of developing various pathological conditions such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. For mild correction and even treatment of obesity, drugs based on medicinal plants are increasingly being used. This work aims to determine the overall effect of Helichrysum arenarium inflorescences on physiological activity and metabolic processes in model animals fed a diet rich in fat and carbohydrates. In a 27-day experiment on 18 laboratory rats fed a diet with high-fat content and 20% fructose solution, we determined the effect of 0.4% and 4.0% dry inflorescences of H. arenarium from the feed mass on the animals' physiological activity and metabolic processes. The body weight of rats in the control group reached 121.7% of the initial body weight; when consuming 0.4% and 4.0% H. arenarium in the diet, this indicator was lower – 109.6% and 111.2%, respectively. Dry inflorescences of H. arenarium in the rats’ diet at a dose of 0.4% caused a decrease in the relative mass of the heart and thymus and an increase in the relative mass of the caecum and colon. A diet with the addition of H. arenarium caused a change in blood biochemical parameters: an increase in the urea concentration and urea nitrogen, and a decrease in the glucose concentration and protein coefficient. Helichrysum arenarium at both concentrations significantly increased the gamma-glutamyltransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity with a decrease in alpha-amylase activity in the blood. A 0.4% dose of inflorescences of the food mass caused a decrease in AST activity, and 200 g sharply increased blood ALT activity. The consumption of dried H. arenarium inflorescences decreased hematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte and platelet counts, and increased the percentage of eosinophils and monocytes. A decrease in physical activity and an intensification of emotional state were found in the animals after eating dry inflorescences of H. arenarium, regardless of the dose compared with the control group of animals. Significant changes in the orientation activity of the animals were not observed. The obtained results show that adding dry H. arenarium inflorescences as a food supplement to a high-calorie diet is safe, does not cause pathological changes and side effects, and significantly affects metabolic processes. This provides theoretical support for the use of dried H. arenarium inflorescences for the production of nutraceutical and pharmacological products for the correction of metabolic disorders in humans and animals. The doses and duration of their use require further research

Возможности использования напочвенных беспозвоночных для индикации градаций увлажнения эдафотопа в лесных экосистемах

By using the variance analysis the absence of a correlation between the different gradations of soil humidity and the number of dominant taxons of litter invertebrates, the ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae), separate life-forms of the ground beetles and the indices of species diversity is demonstrated. The most sensitive indicator of soil humidity gradations in forest ecosystems is the mixophytophages part in the ground beetles’ complex. Із використанням дисперсійного аналізу показано, що чисельність більшості таксономічних груп наґрунтових безхребетних, значення індексів видового різноманіття, чисельність видів турунів (Coleoptera, Carabidae), а також життєвих форм турунів у градієнті зволоження достовірно не відрізняються у різних гігротопах. Найчутливішим індикатором типу режимного зволоження лісової екосистеми є частка міксофітофагів у карабідофауні.Із використанням дисперсійного аналізу показано, що чисельність більшості таксономічних груп наґрунтових безхребетних, значення індексів видового різноманіття, чисельність видів турунів (Coleoptera, Carabidae), а також життєвих форм турунів у градієнті зволоження достовірно не відрізняються у різних гігротопах. Найчутливішим індикатором типу режимного зволоження лісової екосистеми є частка міксофітофагів у карабідофауні

Nematocidial activity of aqueous solutions of plants of the families Cupressaceae, Rosaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Cannabaceae and Apiaceae

In natural ecosystems of animals, introduction of larvae of parasitic nematodes into the litter layer from excrement facilitates their migration and search of new host vertebrate animals. In such conditions they are constantly affected by biologically active substances of the abundant species of plants which grow in pastures. Currently, the influence of substances present in the above-ground part of plants on the vitality of larvae of helminths in the environment remains unstudied. In this article, we present the results of our research on the nematocidial activity in vitro in the aqueous solutions of 21 species of plants distributed in the territory of Steppe Ukraine: Sanguisorba officinalis L., Rosa canina L., Crataegus sanguinea Pall., Crataegus pentagyna Waldst. & Kit. ex Willd., Armeniaca vulgaris Lam., Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg., Iva xanthiifolia Nutt., Artemisia campestris L., Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh., Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Cannabis sativa L., Humulus lupulus L., Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall., Vicia cracca L., Lotus ucrainicus Klok., Onobrychis arenaria (Kit.) DC., Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Eryngium planum L., Conium maculatum L., Juniperus communis L., Thuja occidentalis L. The level of vitality of nematode larvae of the Strongylida (Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi, 1803)) and Rhabditida (Strongyloides papillosus (Wedl, 1856)) orders varied depending on the species of plant, and also five experimental concentrations in aqueous solutions tested in seven replications. The most notable nematocidial effect was exerted by Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg. – we observed death of larvae of third stage development L3 H. contortus and larvae of first-third stages L1–3 S. papillosus at 24 h exposure to 3% aqueous solution. Three percent aqueous solutions of S. officinalis and A. artemisiifolia displayed nematocidial properties only against S. papillosus: death of L1–3 S. papillosus was observed. Aqueous solutions of R. canina, A. vulgaris, A. minus, H. lupulus, V. cracca, L. ucrainicus, O. arenaria, E. planum, C. maculatum, J. communis, Th. occidentalis had lethal effect only on non-invasive larvae (larvae of the first and second stage L1–2) of S. papillosus. They displayed no nematocidial properties towards invasive larvae of H. contortus and S. papillosus. At exposure to aqueous solutions of the rest of the studied species of plants, over 50% of L3 H. contortus and L1–3 S. papillosus larvae remained alive. The determined patterns allow us to state that while living in the litter and soil in the root zone of plants nematode larvae undergoa negative influence caused by some plant species

Polimorfismo morfológico de una población urbana de Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger, 1798) (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

We examined polymorphism in an urban population of the ground beetle Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger, 1798) in forest plantations on the outskirts of Dnipropetrovsk (Ukraine). We took measurements for 130 males and 95 females according to 14 metric, 10 non-metric parameters and 10 indices. According to 13 out of the 14 metric parameters (except for the length of the flight wings) P. melanarius showed a significant sexual dimorphism. The female specimens showed a normal distribution in body length and the males showed a significant positive excess. The 10 most significant body proportions of the ground beetles showed much lower sexual differences (0.26±0.86%) compared to linear measurements (6.56±0.96%). Females and males are practically isomorphic: when one metric parameter decreases, another decreases proportionally. Statistically significant differences between males and females were registered only for the ratio of elytra to length of prothorax, width of elytra to maximum width of prothorax and length of elytra to their width. A highly significant excess was registered in 6 out of 10 assessments of body proportions for females and 5 out of 10 for males. The coefficient of variation is minimal for body proportions and is maximal for metric parameters, which proves the existence of isomorphic differences between P. melanarius males and females. Out of 10 non-metric parameters a statistically significant sexual dimorphism (P=0.01) was registered only for the shape of the front edge of the labrum (males mostly have a slightly concave, and females a strongly concave front edge of the labrum). Using PCA analysis it was established that 45.2% of the morphological variability of the studied population depends upon the individuals’ sex: the whole complex of metric parameters (length and width of head, prothorax, elytra and parts of head, body height) taken together synchronically varies among individuals of different sex. More or less defined groups (morphotypes) were not found among the studied population of P. melanarius. The normal distribution of individuals in the studied population for a range of characteristics was altered by the impact of significant asymmetry or excess in certain features or ratios of metric characteristics. The data obtained can form the basis for monitoring the condition of P. melanarius populations, the individuals of which accumulate a large amount of toxins in conditions of anthropogenic impact.Se ha examinado el polimorfismo de una población urbana del carábido Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger, 1798) en plantaciones forestales de las inmediaciones de Dnipropetrovsk (Ucrania). Se han estudiado 130 machos y 95 hembras mediante 14 parámetros métricos, 10 no métricos y 10 índices corporales. De acuerdo con 13 de los 14 parámetros métricos (a excepción de la longitud de las alas membranosas), P. melanarius mostró un dimorfismo sexual significativo. Las hembras mostraron una distribución normal en la longitud del cuerpo y los machos una diferencia significativa. Las 10 proporciones corporales más significativas de esta especie mostraron diferencias sexuales mucho menores (0,26±0,86 %) que las mediciones lineales (6,56±0,96 %). Las hembras y los machos tienen prácticamente la misma forma: cuando un parámetro indicador disminuye, otro lo hace también proporcionalmente. Se registraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre machos y hembras solo para las siguientes razones: longitud de los élitros/longitud del protórax, anchura de los élitros/anchura máxima del protórax y longitud/anchura de los élitros. Una diferencia muy significativa se registró en 6 de cada 10 cálculos de las proporciones corporales para las hembras y 5 de cada 10 para los machos. El coeficiente de variación es mínimo para las proporciones corporales y máximo para los parámetros métricos, lo que demuestra la existencia de diferencias de forma entre machos y hembras de P. melanarius. De los 10 parámetros no métricos, se registró dimorfismo sexual estadísticamente significativo (P=0,01) solo en la forma del borde delantero del labro (los machos en su mayoría tienen una ligera concavidad mientras que las hembras muestran dicho borde muy cóncavo). El Análisis de Componentes Principales (PCA) estableció que el 45,2 % de la variabilidad morfológica de la población estudiada depende del sexo de los individuos: los parámetros métricos (longitud y anchura de la cabeza, protórax, élitros y partes de la cabeza, altura corporal) varían en conjunto sincrónicamente entre los ejemplares de distinto sexo. No se encontraron grupos más o menos definidos (morfotipos) en la población estudiada de P. melanarius. La distribución normal de ciertos caracteres en los ejemplares de la población estudiada se vio modificada por una asimetría significativa o un exceso en ciertas características morfológicas o proporciones métricas. Los datos obtenidos pueden servir de base para el seguimiento del estado de las poblaciones de P. melanarius ya que los individuos acumulan una gran cantidad de toxinas en condiciones de impacto antropogénico