9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
Daugavpils University Institute of Life Sciences and Technology
9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH Daugavpils, 26 – 28 April, 2017
BOOK OF ABSTRACTS
Daugavpils University Academic Press “Saule” Daugavpils 2017 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE:
Dr., Prof. Arvīds Barševskis Chairman of the Conference, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia Dr., Prof. Inese Kokina Vice chairman of the Conference, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia Dr., Prof. Sergei Gashev Tyumen State University, Tyumen, Russia Dr. hab. Prof. Stanislaw Huruk Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Kielce, Poland Dr. hab., Prof. Sławomir Mazur Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland Dr., Prof., Algimantas Paulauskas Vytautas Magnus Kaunas University, Kaunas, Lithuania Dr. hab., Prof. Isaak Rashal University of Latvia, Rīga, Latvia Dr. hab., Prof. Jarosaław Sklodowski Associate chairman of the Conference Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland Dr., Prof. Ingrida Šauliene Šiauliai University, Šiauliai, Lithuania Dr., Prof. Artūrs Škute Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia Dr., Prof. Kaljo Voolma Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia Dr., Assoc. Prof. Sakine Serap Avgin Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Kahramanmaraş Turkey Dr., Assoc. Prof. Linas Balčiauskas Nature Research Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania Dr., Prof. Voldemārs Spuņģis University of Latvia, Rīga, Latvia Dr.,Prof. Natālija Škute Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia Dr., Assoc. Prof. Vytautas Tamutis Kaunas Zoological Museum, Kaunas, Lithuania Dr. Alexander Anichtchenko Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia Dr. Maksims Balalaikins Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia Dr. Oleg Borodin Bioresource Research Center of Belarus National Academy of Sciences, Minsk, Belarus Dr. Pēteris Evarts - Bunders Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia Dr. Tālis Gaitnieks Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, Salaspils, Latvia Dr. Dace Grauda University of Latvia, Rīga, Latvia Dr. Anda Ikauniece Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Riga, Latvia Dr. Lucija Šerić Jelaska University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia Dr. Muza Kirjušina Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia Dr. Alexey Shavrin Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
Dr. Muhammadjon Shoev, Tajik National University, Dushanbe, Tajikistan Dr. Juris Soms Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia Dr. Uldis Valainis Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia Dr. Stephen Venn, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland Dr. Rik Jan Vermeulen Willem Beijerinck Biological Station, Loon, The Netherlands
Published by: Daugavpils UniversityAcademic press “Saule”. Publishers registration certficate Nr. 2-0197. Vienibas street 13, Daugavpils, LV–5401, Latvia. Printed by: SIA “Drukātava”, Šampētera str., 36, Rīga, Latvia
WEB support: http://9thbiodiversity.biology.lv/abstracts2017.pdf
ISBN 978-9984-14-796-3 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
CONTENTS
CURCULIONOIDEA (INSECTA: COLEOPTERA) OF THE KALININGRAD REGION (RUSSIA) Alekseev Vitalii, Bukejs Andris...... 17
PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF RARE COASTAL SALT MARSH PLANT TRIGLOCHIN MARITIMA TO SOIL CHEMICAL HETEROGENEITY Andersone-Ozola Una, Gaile Laura, Ievinsh Gederts...... 18
STRICTERIPUS BAENNINGERI (STRANEO, 1953) (COLEOPTERA, CARABIDAE) A NEW SPECIES FOR THE FAUNA OF PANAMA Anichtchenko Alexander ...... 18
BIRCH TREE RESPONSE TO DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL AND METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN LITHUANIA Araminienė Valda, Varnagirytė-Kabašinskienė Iveta, Stakėnas Vidas...... 19
FACTORS AFFECTING DISTRIBUTION OF NEMORAL HERBACEOUS SPECIES IN BROAD-LEAVED TREE WOODLAND Artistova Anna, Brūmelis Guntis...... 19
PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON POPULATION TRENDS OF NORTHERN BIRCH MOUSE IN LATVIA REVEALED BY OWL PREY REMAIN ANALYSIS Avotiņš Andris, Ignatjevs Vitālijs...... 20
THE OCCURRENCE OF FUNGI IN WHEAT GRAINS Bankina Biruta, Bimšteine Gunita, Ruža Antons, Roga Ance, Fridmanis Dāvids...... 20
A BIOGEOGRAPHY OF THE GENUS ACRONIA WESTWOOD, 1863 (COLEOPTERA: CERAMBYCIDAE) Barševskis Arvīds, Cabras Analyn Anzano...... 21
EVALUATION OF THE POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTION OF MITOCHONDRIAL ALTERNATIVE RESPIRATORY PATHWAY IN LEAVES OF TRITICUM AESTIVUM L. UNDER WARMING CLIMATE CONDITIONS Batjuka Anna, Škute Nataļja...... 22
THE EFFECT OF WATER SALINITY (NACL) ON CHANGES IN DNA METHYLATION IN THE INVASIVE MACROPHYTE ELODEA CANADENSIS (MICHX. 1803) Batjuka Anna, Savicka Marina, Petjukevičs Aleksandrs, Škute Nataļja...... 22
EXPERIENCE OF BATS RESEARCH IN THE NORTH OF EUROPEAN RUSSIA Belkin Vladimir, Ilyukha Viktor, Fyodorov Fjodor, Kurhinen Juri, Simonov Sergey, Khizhkin Evgeny, Yakimova Alina, Morozov Artem, Antonova Ekaterina...... 23
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VEGETATION DIVERSITY OF URBAN FOREST-PARKS IN VILNIUS (LITHUANIA) Bernat Ana, Marozas Vitas...... 24
EFFECT OF SOIL PREPARATION METHOD ON OCCURRENCE AND GROWTH OF NATURALLY OCCURRING PINUS SYLVESTRIS SEEDLINGS THREE YEARS AFTER PLANTED STAND ESTABLISHMENT Blate Katrīna, Celma Santa, Dūmiņš Kārlis, Neimane Santa, Štāls Toms, Štikāne Kristīne, Lazdiņa Dagnija...... 24
SEASONAL CHLOROPHYLL A FLUORESCENCE DYNAMICS IN LEAVES OF PENTAPHYLLOIDES FRUTICOSA (L.) O.SCHWARZ IN RELATION WITH THE CHANGES OF RELATIVE SOIL MOISTURE Bojāre Aiva, Dokāne Kristīne, Megre Dace, Evarts-Bunders Pēteris...... 25
LIVERWORT STUDIES IN THE PASVIK STATE NATURE RESERVE (MURMANSK REGION) Borovichev Eugene...... 26
FACTORS INFLUENCING EPIXYLIC CRYPTOGAMIC COMMUNITIES ON FALLEN LOGS IN THE STRICT NATURE RESERVE “KIVACH” (REPUBLIC OF KARELIA, RUSSIA) Borovichev Eugene, Kushnevskaya Elena, Shorohova Ekaterina...... 27
GENETIC DIVERSITY OF DAPHNIA CUCULLATA SARS, 1862 IN LATVIAN LAKES BASED ON NUCLEAR DNA MARKERS (RAPD AND MICROSATELLITES) Brakovska Aija, Škute Nataļja...... 28
GENETIC VARIABILITY STUDY OF PONTO-CASPIAN GAMMARID PONTOGAMMARUS ROBUSTOIDES G. O. SARS, 1894 IN THE ĶEGUMS RESERVOIR Brakovska Aija, Paidere Jana...... 29
THE COMPARISON OF PRODUCTIVITY OF THE PURE AND MIXED LARCH STANDS IN LITHUANIA Brazaitis Gediminas, Godvod Kšištof...... 29
LIFE CYCLE OF COARSE WOODY DEBRIS Brūmelis Guntis, Elferts Didzis, Treimane Agita, Zviedre Egita, Šūba Undīne, Oļehnoviča Evita, Tjarve Didzis, Brūmelis Mārtiņš...... 30
LATVIAN FLEA-BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE: GALERUCINAE: ALTICINI): FAUNA AND BIOGEOGRAPHY Bukejs Andris...... 30
PALAEODIVERSITY OF LATRIDIIDAE (INSECTA: COLEOPTERA) IN EOCENE BALTIC AMBER Bukejs Andris, Alekseev Vitalii, Reike Hans-Peter...... 31
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THE EFFECT OF LONG DISTANCE TRANSFER ON SURVIVAL, WOOD YIELD AND STEM QUALITY OF SCOTS PINE POPULATIONS Buzinskas Linas, Danusevicius Darius...... 32
SELECTED ALIEN APHID SPECIES FOR POLAND Dampc Jan, Żywko Jagoda, Durak Roma...... 32
BIODIVERSITY IN QUARRIES WITH THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUBSTRATE Dmitrakova Ianina, Abakumov Evgeniy...... 33
BAT RABIES VIRUS IN LATVIA Dobroštana Marianna, Pētersons Gunārs, Cvetkova Svetlana, Rodze Ieva, Saulīte Vaira.... 34
DIFFERENCE IN MALE GENITALIA BETWEEN APROPHATA PASCOE, 1864 AND PSEUDAPROPHATA BREUNING, 1961 (COLEOPTERA: CERAMBYCIDAE) Dunskis Aivars, Barševskis Arvīds...... 35
PRELIMINARY TAXONOMIC TREATMENT OF THE RANUNCULUS AGGR. AURICOMUS L. (RANUNCULUS AURICOMUS COMPLEX) IN LATVIA AND LITHUANIA Evarts-Bunders Pēteris...... 35
NEW LOCALITIES OF RARE VASCULAR PLANTS IN PROTECTED LANDSCAPE AREA “AUGŠZEME” Evarte-Bundere Gunta, Evarts-Bunders Pēteris, Krasnopoļska Dana...... 36
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF SPICES AND HERBS AGAINST ASPERGILLUS SPP., INTESTINAL BACTERIAL MICROFLORA AND PATHOGENS SALMONELLA, LISTERIA SPP. Fogele Baiba, Aksjonova Lidija, Valciņa Olga, Bērziņš Aivars...... 37
GENETIC DIVERSITY ANALYSIS OF MACOMA BALTHICA FROM GULF OF RIGA Fokina Oksana, Grauda Dace, Puriņa Ingrīda, Bārda Ieva, Rashal Isaak...... 37
SANITARY CONDITIONS AFTER FOREST FIRE IN FOREST SITE TYPE HYLOCOMIOSA Freimane Lāsma, Miezīte Olga...... 38
PHENOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON GROUND BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE) INHABITING DIFFERENTLY TILLED AND PRE-CROPPED WINTER WHEAT FIELDS Gailis Jānis, Turka Ināra...... 38
FOREST PHYTOCENOTIC CHANGES IN IMPACT ZONE OF MUNICIPAL VILNIUS COUNTY (LITHUANIA) WASTE LANDFILL Gavenauskas Algirdas, Dautartė Anželika, Janina Šepetienė...... 39
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ELECTROCHEMICAL BIOSENSOR BASED ON ZnO NANOSTRUCTURES FOR TARGET DNA DETECTION Gerbreders Vjačeslavs, Kokina Inese, Tamanis Edmunds, Ogurcovs Andrejs, Krasovska Marina, Mihailova Irēna, Sarajevs Pāvels, Mickeviča Ilona, Gerbreders Andrejs, Sļedevskis Ēriks...... 40
MELICA PICTA C. KOCH IN THE LENINGRAD REGION Glazkova Elena...... 41
GROUND BEETLES FAUNA OF “NIZHNYAYA KAMA” NATIONAL PARK Gordienko Tatyana, Vavilov Dmitriy, Sukhodolskaya Raisa, Mukhametnabiev Timur...... 41
IN VITRO METHOD FOR OBTAINING TETRAPLOID RED CLOVER (TRIFOLIUM PRATENSE L.) PLANTS Grauda Dace, Belogrudova Inta, Lisina Nadezda, Rebane Aija, Rashal Issak...... 42
FIRST DATA OF COLEOPTERA STUDIES OF RESTORING SAND - GRAVEL PITS IN LITHUANIA Grendienė Neda, Ivinskis Povilas, Rimšaitė Jolanta...... 43
IMPACT OF HABITAT MANAGEMENT ON THE STATE OF PULSATILLA PATENS POPULATIONS IN LITHUANIA Gudžinskas Zigmantas, Žalneravičius Egidijus...... 43
POSSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF RARE AND ENDANGERED WILD PLANTS IN BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH: FROM IN SITU TO EX SITU AND BACK Ievinsh Gederts...... 44
DATA ON INVESTIGATION OF MASS OCCURRENCE OF STRIPED MILLIPEDES (OMMATOIULUS SABULOSUS, MYRIAPODA) IN LITHUANIA Ivinskis Povilas, Rimšaitė Jolanta...... 45
POPULATION GENETICS IN PARASITOLOGY: TOOL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY Jahundoviča Inese, Kirjušina Muza, Kokina Inese...... 45
FACTORS OF VARIABILITY OF LIGULAS’ FOLDS OF ARION LUSITANICUS AUCT. NON J. MABILLE 1868 Jakubāne Iveta, Adomaitis Mantas, Pilāte Digna,Skujiene Grita, Zolovs Maksims...... 46
LONG-TERM EFFECT OF WHOLE TREE BIOMASS HARVESTING ON VEGETATION IN A DRY SCOTS PINE STAND Jansons Āris, Robalte Linda, Čakšs Roberts, Matisons Roberts...... 47
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VERY LARGE LATVIAN RIVER WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT WITH PHYTOPLANKTON Jekabsone Jolanta, Uzule Linda...... 47
FOREST ECOSYSTEM SERVICE ASSESSMENT AND MAPPING IN MODEL AREAS Jūrmalis Edgars, Lībiete Zane, Bārdule Arta...... 48
DRAGONFLY (ODONATA) DISTRIBUTION IN LATVIA FROM 1778 TO 2016 AND THE MAIN FACTORS OF FOREST MANAGEMENT INFLUENCING ITS DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION SIZE IN LATVIA Kalniņš Mārtiņš...... 49
ECOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING DEMOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS OF CYPRIPEDIUM CALCEOLUS L. IN KEMERU NATIONAL PARK Kārkliņa Annija, Dauškane Iluta, Kļaviņa Dace ...... 49
SULFUR AS SOIL ACIDIFIER FOR BLUEBERRY SOIL ADJUSTMENT Karlsons Andis, Osvalde Anita...... 50
ACCELERATED GROWTH AND ENCAPSULATION REACTIONS OF THE GREATER WAX MOTH (GALLERIA MELLONELLA). Kecko Sanita, Krama Tatjana, Inashkina Inna, Krams Ronalds, Trakimas Giedrius, Krams Indrikis...... 51
OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE VISION OF CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY Kecko Sanita, Jahundoviča Inese, Sidina Anželika, Mežaraupe Ligita, Kirilova Jeļena, Kirjušina Muza...... 51
PROGRESS IN THE STUDY OF APHYLLOPHOROID FUNGI OF THE MURMANSK REGION (RUSSIA) Khimich Yuliia, Isaeva Lyudmila...... 52
SARCOCYSTIS PARASITES IN SMALL MAMMALS FROM LATVIA: FIRST DATA Kirillova Viktorija, Grāvele Evita, Jahundoviča Inese, Pilāte Digna, Pilāts Valdis, Rudaitytė Eglė, Butkauskas Dalius, Prakas Petras, Kirjušina Muza...... 53
SARCOCYSTIS SPECIES DETECTED IN THE MUSCLES OF RED FOXES (VULPES VULPES) FROM LATVIA AND LITHUANIA Kirillova Viktorija, Jahundoviča Inese, Butkauskas Dalius, Prakas Petras, Kirjušina Muza. 54
THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FRUCTIFICATION OF WOOD-INHABITING FUNGI IN BALTIC STATES Klyukina Elena, Motiejūnaitė Jurga...... 54
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CHANGES IN GENOTYPE OF FLAX LINUM USITATISSIMUM AND RUCOLA ERUCA SATIVA IN VITRO CULTURE INDUCED BY DIFFERENT NANOPARTICLES Kokina Inese, Mickeviča Ilona, Jermaļonoka Marija, Bankovska Linda, Gerbreders Vjačeslavs, Ogurcovs Andrejs, Jahundoviča Inese...... 55
THE COMMON HAMSTER (CRICETUS CRICETUS) AS ‘ENDANGERED PEST’ – ITS CURRENT STATUS IN HUNGARY Kondor Tamás, Váczi Viktória, Szitta Tamás, Seres Nándor, Cserkész Tamás...... 56
DIVERSITY AND EVOLUTION OF THE GLANS PENIS MORPHOLOGY IN BIRCH MICE (GENUS SICISTA, SMINTHIDAE, RODENTIA) Kondor Tamás, Fülöp Attila, Almerekova Shyryn, Pavlovich Prokopov Konstantin, Laczkó Levente, Sramkó Gábor, Cserkész Tamás...... 57
APPLICATION OF NEAR-INFRARED REFLECTANCE SPECTROSCOPY FOR DETECTION OF ACRYLAMIDE CONTENT IN POTATO CRISPS AND BREAD Konosonoka Inara Helena, Skrabule Ilze, Dimante Ilze, Kokare Aina, Kronberga Arta...... 58
GENETIC DIVERSITY AND ENDOPOLYPLOIDY OF DIANTHUS ARENARIUS IN LATVIA AND BELARUS Krasņevska Nikole, Grauda Dace, Kruchonak Alesya, Rashal Isaak...... 59
GENETIC DIVERSITY AND SEX RATIO OF EUROPEAN ROLLER CORACIAS GARRULUS IN LATVIA Krasņevska Nikole, Grauda Dace, Račinskis Edmunds, Rashal Isaak...... 59
A BASIC SPECIES OF PILOSELLA HILL IN LATVIA Krasnopoļska Dana...... 60
DEVELOPMENT OF VASCULAR PLANT COMMUNITIES DEPENDING ON TREE SPECIES AND FORECROP IN THE THIRD TO SIXTH YEAR IN AN EXPERIMENTAL TREE PLANTATION ON ARABLE LAND Kreslina Vita, Lazdina Dagnija, Bebre Ieva, Stikane Kristīne, Brumelis Guntis...... 61
DYNAMICS OF SPECIES DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF VOLES IN MODERN LANDSCAPES OF EAST FENNOSCANDIA Kurhinen Juri, Ivanter Ernest, Kutenkov Anatoly, Yakimova Alina, Saburova Lidija...... 62
VEGETATION DEVELOPMENT IN THE CORMORANT COLONY ON THE CURONIAN SPIT Laiviņš Māris, Glazkova Elena, Cekstere Gunta...... 63
REGENERATION OF ACER SSP. SEEDLINGS AND YOUNG TREES IN URBAN PINE FORESTS IN LATVIA Laiviņš Māris, Šnepsts Guntars, Cekstere Gunta...... 63
9 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
TRAMPLING TOLERANCE OF FOREST VEGETATION AFTER ORIENTEERING COMPETITION IN PROTECTED AREAS AND PRODUCTION FORESTS IN LATVIA Liepa Liga, Straupe Inga...... 64
PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF STUDY FOR CLINICAL SIGNS ASSOCIATED WITH GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITE INFECTION IN DOGS AND CATS Mateusa Maira, Deksne Gunita, Keidane Dace...... 65
APPLYING OF FISH TECHNIQUES FOR CHROMOSOME INVESTIGATION IN IN VITRO PLANT CULTURE Mickeviča Ilona, Kirilova Jeļena, Rubeniņa Ilze, Jahundoviča Inese...... 66
SANITARY CONDITION IN NORWAY SPRUCE PICEA ABIES (L.) KARST. 6-12 YEARS OLD FOREST STANDS IN HYLOCOMIOSA Miezīte Olga, Dubrovskis Edgars, Rūba Jeļena, Gailītis Jānis...... 66
DIFFERENTIATION OF TREES IN GREY ALDER ALNUS INCANA (L.) MOENCH STANDS IN LATVIA Miezite Olga, Ruba Jelena, Liepa Imants...... 67
IDENTIFICATION OF FLAX RUST RESISTANCE ALLELES IN REPATRIATED LATVIAN FLAX ACCESSIONS Miķelsone Andra, Kolodinska Brantestam Agnese, Grauda Dace, Isaak Rashal...... 68
THE ANALYSIS OF VALUE OF RARE SPECIES POPULATION’S AREA RESERVED FOR CHARCOAL QUARRY’S DEVELOPMENT (KHAKASSIA, RUSSIA) Mirin Denis...... 68
TRANSPLANTATION OF RARE SPECIES FROM ALLEYS – IS IT A COMPROMISE DURING ROAD RECONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES? CASE STUDY IN DAUGAVPILS, LATVIA Moisejevs Rolands, Balalaikins Maksims, Valainis Uldis...... 69
GENETIC VARIABILITY OF DREISSENA POLYMORPHA (PALLAS) POPULATIONS IN LATVIAN WATERBODIES Morozova Alexandra, Shkute Natalja...... 70
CULTURAL ECOSYSTEM SERVICES FROM BELOWGROUND Motiejūnaitė Jurga, Bakker Mark, Børja Isabella, Brunner Ivano, Mrak Tanja, Oddsdottir Edda, Bjarnadottir Brynhildur...... 70
EFFECTIVENESS OF TWO METHODS FOR MESOCERCARIAE OF ALARIA ALATA DETECTION IN WILD BOARS (SUS SCROFA) Ozoliņa Zanda, Deksne Gunita...... 71
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RECOVERED SUITABILITY OF DEER HABITAT IN HEMIBOREAL WOODLAND 23 YEARS AFTER VAST FOREST FIRE IN SLĪTERE NATIONAL PARK, LATVIA Ozoliņš Jānis, Lūkins Mārtiņš, Howlett Samantha Jane, Ornicāns Aivars, Priedītis Arvīds, Jansons Āris...... 72
INFLUENCE OF COMPOST COMPOSITION ON PRODUCTIVITY OF OIL PUMPKINS Palaityte Grazina, Kubiliene Erika, Marcinkonis Saulius...... 72
FURTHER SPREAD AND IMPACT ON NATIVE CRUSTACEANS OF THE ALIEN GAMMARID PONTOGAMMARUS ROBUSTOIDES IN THE DAUGAVA RIVER, 2016 Paidere Jana, Brakovska Aija...... 73
VARIANCE IN ROE DEER MORPHOMETRICS AMONG SEASIDE AND INLAND SUBPOPULATIONS IN LITHUANIA Pavilonis Vaidas, Pečkaitis Karolis, Sabalinkienė Gintarė...... 73
THE INFLUENCE OF LONG-TERM ORGANIC AND INTENSIVE FARMING ON SPREAD OF SEGETALIC FLORA PLANTS AND THEIR SPECIES COMPOSITION IN AGRO-ECOSYSTEMS Pekarskas Juozas, Dautartė Anželika, Gavenauskas Algirdas...... 74
ECOLOGY AND INVASIVENESS OF SYMPHYOTRICHUM SPECIES IN LITHUANIA Petrulaitis Lukas...... 75
THE IDENTIFICATION OF CAROTENOIDS DISTRIBUTION CHANGES IN LEAVES OF INVASIVE AQUATIC PLANT ELODEA CANADENSIS (MICHX.1803) AFTER THE INFLUENCE OF GRADUAL SALT STRESS BY RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY Petjukevičs Aleksandrs, Savicka Marina, Batjuka Anna, Škute Nataļja...... 75
THE INVASIVE ALIEN SAMBUCUS SP. IMPACT ON PLANT COMMUNITIES DIVERSITY AND COMPOSITION IN LITHUANIAN FORESTS Pratašienė Kristina, Marozas Vitas...... 76
THE AQUACULTURE BIOLOGY RESEARCHES IN LATVIA: THE DIRECTIONS AND PROSPECTS Pupins Mihails, Arturs Skute, Pupina Aija...... 77
FIRST FINDINGS OF ALIEN FRESH-WATER TURTLE PELODISCUS SINENSIS (WIEGMANN 1835) IN LATVIA: VECTORS OF INTRODUCTION AND RISK ASSESSMENT Pupins Mihails, Pupina Aija...... 77
EMYS ORBICULARIS EGGS’ SEMI-NATURAL INCUBATION IN UNHEATED GLASS- HOUSE ZOOCULTURE IN LATVIA: READY FOR WINTERING IN GROUND HATCHLINGS’ CARAPAX LENGTH, WIDTH, AND BODY WEIGHT Pupins Mihails, Pupina Aija...... 78
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THE FIRST RECORDS AND PRESENT DISTRIBUTION OF NATRIX NATRIX IN THE DAUGAVPILS DISTRICT, SOUTHERN MOST PART OF LATVIA, AS A POSSIBLE RESULT OF CLIMATE CHANGES IN THE REGION Pupins Mihails, Pupina Aija...... 79
NATURAL REGENERATION OF ULMUS GLABRA AND ULMUS LEAVIS IN YOUNG STANDS IN LATVIA Pušpure Ilze, Laiviņš Māris, Matisons Roberts...... 79
MANAGEMENT OF PINE TREES FUNGAL DISEASES IN LITHUANIAN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS Raitelaitytė Kristina, Rutkauskas Arvydas, Paulauskas Algimantas, Radzijevskaja Jana, Markovskaja Svetlana, Raitelaitis Mindaugas...... 80
DISTRIBUTION AND STATE OF EQUISETUM TELMATEIA IN LITHUANIA Rasimavičius Mindaugas, Gudžinskas Zigmantas ...... 81
POPULATION DYNAMICS AND STRUCTURE OF LOCALLY RARE FERN ASPLENIUM SEPTENTRIONALE IN ESTONIA Rattur Maris...... 81
VARIATION IN CONE AND SEED MORPHOLOGY TRAITS AMONG THE MITOCHONDRIAL DNA HAPLOTYPES OF SCOTS PINE (PINUS SYLVESTRIS L.) Raskauskaitė Monika, Danusevicius Darius...... 82
SATELLITE TRACKING OF THE EURASIAN BITTERN BOTAURUS STELLARIS IN LATVIA: NOTES ON POST-NUPTIAL MIGRATION, WINTERING AND HABITAT PREFERENCES Reihmanis Jānis, Laubergs Artūrs, Šiliņš Roberts, Zvingule Laura...... 83
DETERMINING FACTORS THAT NEGATIVELY AFFECTS ENVIRONMENT OF LAKE ILZAS GERANIMOVAS BY ANALYZING STRUCTURE OF MACROZOOBENTHOS Reshchenko Raymond...... 84
NEW DATA ON DISTRIBUTION OF EUROPEAN MANTIS (MANTIS RELIGIOSA, INSECTA, MANTODEA, MANTIDAE) IN LITHUANIA Rimšaitė Jolanta, Ivinskis Povilas, Bartkevičienė Galina...... 84
EFFECTS OF LAND-USE CHANGE ON THE INCIDENCE OF SNAKEBITE ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY BOTHROPS ASPER AND PORTHIDIUM LANSBERGII (SERPENTES: VIPERIDAE) IN ANTIOQUIA DEPARTMENT, COLOMBIA Rivera-Prieto Diego, Dra. Botero Fernández Verónica...... 85
DETECTION OF FREE LIVING AMOEBA USING SCANNING CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY Rubeniņa Ilze, Jahundoviča Inese, Mališevs Artjoms, Kirjušina Muza...... 85
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THE GENUS PACHYRHYNCHUS GERMAR, 1824 (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) FAUNA, BIOGEOGRAPHY, MIMICRY AND PLACE IN LANDSCAPE PROTECTION Rukmane Anita, Barševskis Arvīds...... 86
DISTRIBUTION TRENDS OF SOME MUSTARD FAMILY (CRUCIFERAE JUSS.) SPECIES IN LATVIA Rūrāne Ieva, Evarts-Bunders Pēteris...... 87
VALORIZATION POTENTIAL BEETLES CAUGHT ON THE TRUNKS OF DEAD PINES, BASED ON SAPROXYLIC BEETLE ASSEMBLAGES SURFACE TRUNKS Rutkiewicz Artur ...... 88
ABUNDANCE AND COMPOSITION OF DUNG BEETLES IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL CYCLE OF PINE STANDS IN CZŁUCHÓW FOREST (NW POLAND) Rutkiewicz Artur, Byk Adam...... 88
BIOCHEMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF THE INVASIVE WATERWEED ELODEA CANADENSIS (MICHX. 1803) TO GRADIENT SALINITY STRESS Savicka Marina, Petjukecičs Aleksandrs, Batjuka Anna, Škute Nataļja...... 89
OMALIUM RUGATUM MULSANT & REY, 1880 (COLEOPTERA: STAPHYLINIDAE, OMALIINAE), A NEW SPECIES FOR THE FAUNA OF LATVIA Shavrin Alexey ...... 89
THE IMPACTS OF THE AQUACULTURE ON THE BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN LATVIA Škute Artūrs, Pupiņš Mihails...... 90
GENETIC STRUCTURE OF THE PERCH PERCA FLUVIATILIS (L.) POPULATION FROM DIFFERENT PARTICULAR DAUGAVA RIVER SITES Škute Natalja, Oreha Jelena...... 91
DISEASES OF MEDICINAL PLANTS CULTIVATED IN KAUNAS BOTANICAL GARDEN OF VYTAUTAS MAGNUS UNIVERSITY Snieškienė Vilija ...... 91
OCCURRENCE OF PHYTOPHTHORA SPP. IN DECIDUOUS TREES IN LITHUANIA: FIRST RESULTS Snieškienė Vilija, Stankevičienė Antanina, Vitas Adomas...... 92
DIGITIZING NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS IN ESTONIA: CURRENT STATUS AND PERSPECTIVES Soon Villu ...... 92
13 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
POPULATION DYNAMICS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CLOSTRIDIUM MACERANS ON HOST PLANT OF FLAX Stafecka Inga, Grauda Dace, Stramkale Veneranda...... 93
THE SPREAD OF FUNGI ERYSIPHACEAE TUL & C.TUL. ON THE WOODY PLANTS AT THE CITY GREEN PLANTATIONS IN LITHUANIA Stankevičienė Antanina ...... 93
RESEARCH OF MICROSCOPIC FUNGI IN RHIZOSPHERE OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IN LITHUANIA Stankevičienė Antanina ...... 94
EPIPHYTIC LICHEN DIVERSITY IN BROAD-LEAVED TREE FORESTS IN LATVIA Štikāne Kristīne, Brūmelis Guntis, Piterāns Alfons, Moisejevs Rolands...... 95
WOOD PROPERTIES OF NINE PINUS SYLVESTRIS OPEN-POLLINATED FAMILIES ORIGINATING FROM DIFFERENT LITHUANIAN POPULATIONS Stoncelis Adomas, Juškauskaitė Aušra, Baliuckas Virgilijus...... 96
TOLERANCE OF GREAT FEN-SEDGE CLADIUM MARISCUS TO THE VARIABLE WATER REGIME ON THE NORTH-EASTERN LIMITS OF SPECIES RANGE Strode Linda, Dokane Kristine, Megre Dace, Roze Daina...... 97
USE OF LEAF MORPHOMETRIC PARAMETERS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF HYBRIDS BETWEEN BETULA NANA, B. HUMILIS AND B. PUBESCENS Strode Linda, Brūmelis Guntis...... 98
DIVERSITY OF SPIDER ECOLOGICAL GROUPS WITHIN THE CALCAREOUS FENS OF LATVIA Štokmane Maija...... 98
BRYOPHYTE COLLECTIONS FOR ADDITIONS AND AMENDMENTS TO THE BRYOPHYTE FLORA OF THE ŽUVINTAS STRICT NATURE RESERVE Subkaitė Monika, Jukonienė Ilona...... 99
LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE VARIATION OF BODY SHAPE IN GROUND BEETLE PTEROSTICHUS NIGER SCHAL. 1783 Sukhodolskaya Raisa, Saveliev Anatoliy...... 99
THE APPLICATION OF CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR PLANT COMMUNITIES OF LENINGRAD REGION Sukristik Viktor, Sumina Olga...... 100
BREEDING SITES DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE MOSQUITO SPECIES IN MOLDOVA Sulesco Tatiana ...... 101
14 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
DOWN SYNDROME Šulte Ilona ...... 101
SAULESKALNS LAKELAND - HARBOUR OF NAJAS FLEXILIS AND N. TENUISSIMA HABITATS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE Suško Uvis ...... 102
NEW DATA OF GENUS EUPHRASIA L. IN LATVIA Svilāne Inita...... 103
GENUS NAME IN BOTANICAL NOMENCLATURE: CONTENT, ITS UNDERSTANDING IN THE NATIONAL BOTANICAL NOMENCLATURE Šulcs Viesturs, Rūrāne Ieva, Evarts-Bunders Pēteris...... 104
EARLY EFFECT OF CLEAR-CUTS AND THEIR TILLING ON ASSEMBLAGES OF EPIGEIC ROVE BEETLES (COLOEOPTERA, STAPHYLINIDAE) IN PINUS SYLVETRIS STANDS Tamutis Vytautas, Skłodowski Jarosław ...... 105
ZOOPLANKTON AS AN INDICATOR OF RIVER ANTHROPOGENIC POLLUTION Tretjakova Rasma, Misiņa Samanta Marija...... 106
ECOLOGICAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF EUROPEAN UNION PROTECTED FRESHWATER HABITATS OF THE RIVER ABAVA Uzule Linda, Jēkabsone Jolanta...... 106
MOLECULAR KEYS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF APHIS SPECIES ASSOCIATED WITH APPLE TREES IN BELARUS Varabyova Maryia, Voronova Nina...... 107
DEVELOPMENT OF OVERSTOREY IN BROAD-LEAVED FORESTS OF LATVIA Voiceščuka Anna, Brūmelis Guntis, Treimane Agita...... 108
THE EFFECT OF WERMIKOMPOST AND PEAT EXTRACTS ON THE POTATO PLANT AND TUBER CAPABILITY OF SOIL NUTRIENT UPTAKE IN ORGANIC GROWING SYSTEM Vojevoda Lidija, Osvalde Anita, Čekstere Gunta, Karlsons Andis, Gaile Zinta ...... 108
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ABUNDANCE OF PERCH ECTOPARASITES AND WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS OF LAKE SILA, LATVIA Zolovs Maksims, Priekule Madara, Gasperovich Olesia, Kolesnikova Elena, Osipovs Sergejs. 109
PLOIDY LEVEL OF IMMATURE GAMETIC CELL IN BARLEY ANTHER CULTURE Žagata Kārlis, Grauda Dace, Ļisina Nadežda, Rashal Isaak...... 110
15 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
A CASE STUDY ON THE DYNAMICS OF LIPARIS LOESELII POPULATION UNDER NATURAL SUCCESSION OF THE HABITAT Žalneravičius Egidijus, Gudžinskas Zigmantas...... 110
NEW LOCALITIES OF HARMONIA AXYRIDIS IN POLAND AND ITS INFLUENCE ON NATIVE FAUNA Żywko Jagoda, Dampc Jan, Durak Roma...... 111
16 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
CURCULIONOIDEA (INSECTA: COLEOPTERA) OF THE KALININGRAD REGION (RUSSIA)
Alekseev Vitalii1, Bukejs Andris2 1Department of Zootechny, FGBOU VO “Kaliningrad State Technical University”, Sovetsky av. 1. 236000 Kaliningrad, Russia 2Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies, Daugavpils University, Vienības 13, Daugavpils, Latvia [email protected], [email protected]
At the moment, 526 species and 225 genera belonging to seven families (Nemonychidae, Anthribidae, Attelabidae, Brentidae, Dryophthoridae, Brachyceridae, and Curculionidae) are known in the Kaliningrad region (Russia). The family Nemonychidae is represented by 2 species, Anthribidae by 10 species, Attelabidae by 18 species, Brentidae by 59 species, Dryophthoridae by 3 species, Brachyceridae by 11 species, and Curculionidae by 424 species. The most speciose family Curculionidae includes 16 subfamilies (Curculioninae, Bagoinae, Baridinae, Ceutorhynchinae, Conoderinae, Cossoninae, Cryptorhynchinae, Entiminae, Cyclominae, Hyperinae, Lixinae, Mesoptiliinae, Molytinae, Orobitidinae, Scolytinae, Platypodinae). Four subfamilies of them are distinctly dominant in number of species: Curculioninae – 98 species, Ceutorhynchinae – 87, Entiminae – 72, and Scolytinae – 65. Seven subfamilies are middle-sized in species diversity: Molytinae – 16 species, Hyperinae – 15, Lixinae – 15, Bagoinae – 14, Mesoptiliinae – 14, Cossoninae – 13, Baridinae – 7. Five subfamilies are represented by few or single species: Cryptorhynchinae – 3, Cyclominae – 2, Orobitidinae – 1, Conoderinae – 1, and Platypodinae – 1 species. Approximately 70% of the regional curculionoid fauna (367 species) was registered by authors over the period 1989-2015. Almost 30% of the fauna (159 species) is mentioned for the region in the German catalogue (Bercio & Folwaczny 1979), and their occurrence in the region was not confirmed by the present study.
15 species are recorded in the Kaliningrad region for the first time: Ceutorhynchus hampei, C. inaffectatus, Cleopomiarus graminis, Crypturgus subcribrosus, Eutrichapion punctigerum, Phyllobius roboretanus, Pityogenes trepanatus, Polydrusus pilosus, P. fulvicornis, Rhinusa collina, Sibinia viscariae, Sitona cylindricollis, S. lateralis, S. waterhousei, and Trypodendron signatum. The following species recorded during the research period occur in the Kaliningrad region (and mostly in Lithuania) at the northern or northeastern borders of their distribution range: Graptus triguttatus, Ernoporicus fagi, Lasiorhynchites cavifrons, Liparus glabrirostris, Lixus pulverulentus, Magdalis exarata, Mogulones raphanin, Nelasiorhynchites olivaceus, Polydrusus picus, Pseudophloeophagus aeneopiceus, Rhinusa tetra, and Sitona waterhousei.
The most widespread and frequent eurytopic curculionoid species are often associated with ruderal weeds and cultural plants of open and urbanized habitats: Baris artemisiae, Ceutorhynchus obstrictus, C. typhae, Gymnetron pascuorum, Eutrichapion viciae, Hypera meles, H. rumicis, H. nigrirostris, H. suspiciosa, H. viciae, Nedyus quadrimaculatus, Otiorhynchus ovatus, Perapion curtirostre, Phyllobius pomaceus, Protapion apricans, Rhinoncus castor, Rh. inconspectus, Rhinusa antirrhini, Sitona humeralis, S. lineatus, S. suturalis, Tanymecus palliatus, Trichosirocalus troglodytes, Tychius picirostris, Zacladus geranii and some others. The list of almost omnipresent arboreal weevils and bark beetle species should include Apoderus coryli, Archarius salicivorus, Deporaus betulae, Hylobius abietis, Hylurgops palliatus, Ips typographus, Orthotomicus laricis, Phyllobius glaucus, Ph. maculicornis, Polydrusus mollis, Strophosoma capitatum, Tachyerges stigma, and Trypodendron lineatum.
17 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF RARE COASTAL SALT MARSH PLANT TRIGLOCHIN MARITIMA TO SOIL CHEMICAL HETEROGENEITY
Andersone-Ozola Una, Gaile Laura, Ievinsh Gederts University of Latvia, Faculty of Biology, Jelgavas iela 1, Rīga, Latvia, LV-1004 [email protected], [email protected]
Triglochin maritima L. is a rare coastal marsh species. Field studies have revealed extreme spatial and temporal soil chemical heterogeneity in T. maritima sites, manifested by more than 30-fold concentration difference for several mineral elements, e.a. sulphur, eventually causing significant mineral disbalance. In natural conditions, concentration of several elements can reach near-toxic concentrations. Calcium concentration in these soils can reach as high as 14 g kg–1. The aim of the present study was to evaluate possible positive role of high substrate Ca concentration on alleviation of negative physiological impact of the presence of high (4 g kg–1) Mg, S, Fe and Na concentration in the substrate. Plants were grown from seeds collected in nature in garden soil with optimum level of mineral nutrients for 10 weeks then transfered to fresh soil with addition of Na2SO4, MgSO4 and Fe2(SO4)3 with or without additional CaCO3. Plants were cultivated for 6 weeks in a heated greenhouse with supplemented light (250 µmol m–2 s–1, 16 h photoperiod). Throughout the experiment, soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC), leaf chlorophyll concentration and chlorophyll a fluorescence, as well as concentration of Na, Ca, K, NO3 ions in leaves were monitored weekly. Substrate acidification was seen in Mg and Fe treatments, but additional Ca resulted in increase of pH up to 7.5. EC was highest in Na treatment (300%) followed by Mg (270%) and Fe (220%). Highest stimulation of both leaf and root growth was evident in Na treatment, reaching 140 and 170%, respectively, but addition of Ca completely abolished this response. Plants in Mg treatment tended to have higher root mass and this was partially reversed by Ca. Fe treatment resulted in increased leaf mass and this effect was further stimulated by Ca. As Ca treatment significantly lowered Na concentration in leaves, it is reasonable to suggest that high Na uptake is a prerequisite for growth stimulation of T. maritima.
STRICTERIPUS BAENNINGERI (STRANEO, 1953) (COLEOPTERA, CARABIDAE) A NEW SPECIES FOR THE FAUNA OF PANAMA
Anichtchenko Alexander University of Daugavpils, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Parades str., 1a, Daugavpils, Latvia LV-5401 [email protected]
Previously known only from the single Type specimen from Colombia, Stricteripus baenningeri (Straneo, 1953) has recently been captured by author during the expedition to the Darien National Park in Panama. A small serie of five specimens were collected in wet montane forest at night on the ground in Cerro Pirre Mountains. Little known about the biology of species of the genus Stricteripus. Species are known fron two areas: a more southern one in cis-Andean Bolivia and Peru, and more northern locality in Venezuela and now in Panama.
18 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
BIRCH TREE RESPONSE TO DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL AND METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN LITHUANIA
Araminienė Valda, Varnagirytė-Kabašinskienė Iveta, Stakėnas Vidas Institute of Forestry Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Liepų St. 1, Girionys, Kaunas distr., Lithuania, LT-53101 [email protected], [email protected]
The objective of this study was to evaluate impact of meteorological factors (temperature and precipitation) and different soil humidity (from normal to high) and fertility (from very nutrient- poor to very nutrient-rich soils) on crown defoliation and tree mortality of Betula pendula and B. pubescens in Lithuania. This study can provide a comprehensive view of more or less suitable sites for planting productive birch plantations.
The crown defoliation of birch trees was assessed annually starting from 1991 up to 2014 on the permanent observation plots of the Forest Monitoring Level I. For the data comparison, Lithuanian forest sites classification described by Vaičys et al. (2006) was used, and actual meteorological data were included for the correlation analysis. The correlation analysis was used to find the relationships between temperature, precipitation and birch trees condition. The mean annual air temperature and amount of precipitation of the current and previous hydrological years were used. Aiming to find the relationship between the meteorological factors and birch defoliation in the forest sites with different soil humidity, a backwards elimination multiple regression model was used.
The study findings show that lower defoliation of B.pendula was found for the birch trees growing in more humid sites and for B. pubescens – growing in the dryer sites. The highest birch mortality was found in normally moistured and permanently overmoistured forest sites, i.e. no clear dependency between annual birch mortality and site humidity was found. The correlation between meteorological factors and birch crown defoliation mostly was not strong, except some cases in the forest sites with normal humidity.
FACTORS AFFECTING DISTRIBUTION OF NEMORAL HERBACEOUS SPECIES IN BROAD-LEAVED TREE WOODLAND
Artistova Anna, Brūmelis Guntis University of Latvia, Faculty of Biology, Jelgavas iela 1, Rīga, Latvia, LV-1004 [email protected], [email protected]
In Latvia broadleaf forests are on the edge of their north distribution, as broadleaf forests are more common in Central Europe. In Latvia broadleaf forests are rare and cover only ~1% of the total forest area of the country. Broadleaf forests are biologically diverse; they are habitat for many rare and protected species. Due to a warmer climate, broadleaf forests are more common in Kurzeme and Zemgale. Nemoral species are less common in Latvia’s northern and eastern areas, where climate is more continental. Habitat management projects (including broadleaved forest planting) should be conducted in places where there is better spatial continuity. In areas where there has been a large impact of historical fragmentation on nemoral species distribution, or unsuitable climate and soil conditions, habitat management would not improve nemoral species distribution. The aim of this work was to
19 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 determine factors affecting nemoral species distribution in Latvia, by surveying broadleaf forests with different spatial planning and various abiotic factors. In total we surveyed 63 broadleaf forests. Relationships of herbaceous species occurrence with tree and shrub layer cover and composition, fragmentation and other factors are described.
PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON POPULATION TRENDS OF NORTHERN BIRCH MOUSE IN LATVIA REVEALED BY OWL PREY REMAIN ANALYSIS
Avotiņš Andris1, Ignatjevs Vitālijs2 1University of Latvia, Faculty of Biology, Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, Jelgavas str., 1, Rīga, Latvia, LV-1004 2University of Daugavpils, Parades str., 1, Daugavpils, Latvia LV-5401 [email protected], [email protected]
Northern Birch Mouse Sicista betulina is widely known as shy species that is hard to be monitored with traditional snap-trapping or live trapping methods. Yet species is of protection concern throughout its distribution range, therefore information of population dynamics or at least trends must be gathered. As it has been proven by ornithologists, Northern Birch Mouse is often used as a prey of Owls and Owl prey remains may be used as a tool in information gathering regarding the species.
In this research we present preliminary results of partly analysed 413 Owl prey remain collections since 1985 to 2016. Owl prey remains mainly are from Eastern Latvia, collected as a remains after breeding of Long-Eared, Tawny, Ural, Pygmy and Tengmalm`s Owls. To explain possible landscape related differences in population trends, material from many owl species is used and by generalised additive modelling population dynamics is analysed. For better understanding and explaining prevalence of Northern Birch Mouse in owl prey, additional analysis is carried out modelling relationships with different owl prey groups and small mammal abundance indices in nature.
THE OCCURRENCE OF FUNGI IN WHEAT GRAINS
Bankina Biruta1, Bimšteine Gunita1, Ruža Antons1, Roga Ance2, Fridmanis Dāvids2 1Institute of Soil and Plant Sciences, Latvia University of Agriculture, Lielā iela 2, Jelgava, LV 3001 2Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Rātsupītes iela 1, Rīga, LV 1067 [email protected]
The investigations of risk factors which could significantly decrease the yield or the quality of wheat yield are very important. The aim of this study is to clarify the occurrence of fungi in wheat grains depending on agronomic practices.
The wheat grains were obtained from a two-factorial split-plot field trial established at the Study and research farm “Peterlauki” of the Latvia University of Agriculture in the autumn of 2008. The factors studied were: (A) – tillage system and (B) crop rotation. The data obtained in 2012–2016 are analysed in the present study.
20 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
From each grain sample, 100 visually healthy grains were randomly chosen, surface sterilized, and placed on potato-dextrose agar. Fungi were identified by the morphological features of pure cultures, and the results were confirmed by molecular-genetically analyses.
A total of 1895 isolates of different fungi were obtained, of which 59% belonged to potential mycotoxin producers (Fusarium spp., Alternaria spp., etc.), 19% were wheat leaf pathogens, mainly Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, and 22% were the fungi from different ecological niches that are not usually associated directly with wheat.
Overall, 62% of the fungi that can produce mycotoxins were from the genera Fusarium, 13.1% – from Microdochium spp., and 34% – from Alternaria spp.; only 1% was identified as Cladosporium spp. Seven species of Fusarium were detected, of which the most prevalent were Gibberella avenacea (34%) and Fusarium poae (14%); also the most dangerous pathogen Gibberella zeae was found in 7.4% of cases.
The spectrum of pathogens was not influenced by crop rotation or soil tillage method, but an essential tendency was observed in relation to Gibberella zeae: continuous wheat sowings promoted the occurrence of this pathogen.
The research was supported by the State research programme “Agricultural Resources for Sustainable Production of Qualitative and Healthy Foods in Latvia” project No 1 SOIL.
A BIOGEOGRAPHY OF THE GENUS ACRONIA WESTWOOD, 1863 (COLEOPTERA: CERAMBYCIDAE)
Barševskis Arvīds1, Cabras Analyn Anzano2 1Coleopterological Research Center, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvia 2Math and Science Department, College of Arts and Sciences Education, University of Mindanao, Matina, Davao City, 8000, Philippines [email protected], [email protected]
The genus Acronia Westwood, 1863 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) belongs to the tribe Pteropliini Thomson, 1861 of the subfamily Lamiinae Latreille, 1825 and represented by 15 species, all of which are endemics of the Philippine archipelago. This genus have been actively studied in the last decades by several authors and 5 new species were discovered and described.
All species of this genus are very local endemics and known for one or two islands. Acronia gloriosa (Schultze, 1922) is known from Mindanao Isl. and Leyte Isl. A. pulchella (Schultze, 1922), A. superba Breuning, 1947 and A. teterevi Barševskis, 2016 are distributed in Mindanao Island. A. luzonica Schultze, 1934, A. marifelipae Barševskis, 2016, A. perelegans Westwood, 1863, A. pretiosa Schultze, 1917, A. roseolata Breuning, 1947, A. strasseni Schwarzer, 1931, A. vizcayana Vives, 2009 and A. ysmaeli Huedepohl, 1989 are endemics of Luzon Isl. A. principalis (Heller, 1924) and A. streicsi Barševskis, 2016 are distributed in Samar Isl., and A. nigra Breuning, 1947 is described from Siargao Isl.
At present 1 species is endemic of Siargao Isl., 1 species of Mindanao and Leyte Isl., 2 species of Samar Isl., 3 species of Mindanao Isl. and 8 species of Luzon Isl. The highest species diversity is known for Luzon Isl. Several species in nature are at risk and needs in debates about the protection.
21 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
EVALUATION OF THE POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTION OF MITOCHONDRIAL ALTERNATIVE RESPIRATORY PATHWAY IN LEAVES OF TRITICUM AESTIVUM L. UNDER WARMING CLIMATE CONDITIONS
Batjuka Anna, Škute Nataļja Department of Ecology, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parades Str. 1a, Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvia [email protected], [email protected]
As a consequence of climate change, the occurrence of erratic weather conditions such as unpredictable temperature drops, drought or freezing for cereals and other cultivated plants cause significant losses of production and decrease of yield. The abiotic stresses can lead directly or indirectly to a significant generation of reactive oxygen species in the different cell compartments, namely in the peroxisomes, mitochondria, and chloroplasts. Nowadays, there is an increased interest in understanding mechanisms of resistance to changing environmental conditions for conserving biodiversity. The mitochondrial alternative respiration is one of the mechanisms of resistance under stressful conditions. The mitochondrial electron transport of plants has two pathways for the reduction of oxygen: the cytochrome (COX) pathway and the non-phosphorylating alternative electron transport pathway which includes alternative oxidase (AOX) and several alternative NAD(P)H dehydrogenases. In order to evaluate physiological responses of wheat seedlings to high temperature (HT), we aimed to assess the effect of short-term HT on the rate of O2˙ˉ, membrane stability index and superoxide scavenging enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase (SOD)) in the developing organs of wheat seedlings grown under normal daylight as well as under the combined effect of antimycin A (AA) and HT, which was used as a modulator of AOX on the background of suppressing the activity of COX. Results demonstrate an increase of the rate of O2˙ˉ production (17%-26%), membrane stability index (19%- 36%) and changing of mitochondrial Mn-SOD and cytosolic Cu/ZnSOD in the developing organs under short-term HT compared to control. It was revealed that the rate of O2˙ˉ, membrane stability, and SOD enzyme activity was altered in the developing organs of wheat seedling under combined effect of AA and short-term HT.
THE EFFECT OF WATER SALINITY (NACL) ON CHANGES IN DNA METHYLATION IN THE INVASIVE MACROPHYTE ELODEA CANADENSIS (MICHX. 1803)
Batjuka Anna, Savicka Marina, Petjukevičs Aleksandrs, Škute Nataļja Department of Ecology, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parades Str. 1a, Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvia [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Aquatic macrophytes are the most important components of water bodies which are sensitive to salinity causing a variety of physiological, biochemical and metabolic dysfunctions. Evaluation of possible epigenetic changes on aquatic communities increases understanding of mechanisms of epigenetic modification under climate changes. DNA methylation is one of the epigenetic phenomena that play a key role in the regulation of gene expression in plants in response to environmental stresses. In
22 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 the present study, the effect of salt stress on DNA methylation level in Elodea canadensis (Michx.) shoots was assessed. In order to evaluate changes in the level of methylation under salt stress conditions (10mM, 25mM, 50mM, 100mM and 200mM NaCl), DNA methylation was determined by a method using a luminometric technology (LUminometric Methylation Assay (LUMA)) with methylation sensitive restriction analysis and was checked out by pyrosequencing with Pyromax Q24 system. The results indicated that salt stress induced changes in the DNA methylation level in Elodea canadensis shoots. This response was more pronounced in plants treated with 100mM and 200mM NaCl than in control plants. However, changes in DNA methylation in Elodea canadensis were not observed when plants were grown in low salt concentrations (10mM and 25mM NaCl) compared to control. Thus, these results showed an alteration of DNA methylation in Elodea canadensis shoots as a response to salt stress and the effect was dose-dependent. This research was supported by the National Research Programme 2014-2017 “EVIDEnT” sub-project 1.4. “Functioning of food-webs”.
EXPERIENCE OF BATS RESEARCH IN THE NORTH OF EUROPEAN RUSSIA
Belkin Vladimir1, Ilyukha Viktor1, Fyodorov Fjodor1, Kurhinen Juri2,3, Simonov Sergey1, Khizhkin Evgeny1, Yakimova Alina1, Morozov Artem1, Antonova Ekaterina1 1Institute of Biology, Karelian Research Centre RAS, Russia 2University of Helsinki, Finland 3Forest Research Institute, Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Petrozavodsk, Russia [email protected]
The research was carried out in the middle and northern taiga of the Republic of Karelia in 2014-2016. Vesper bats were searched for by visually inspecting 14 man-made caves and underground concrete buildings. Microclimate characteristics inside them were recorded by electronic air temperature, humidity and velocity data loggers. In addition, a thermal imaging camera Testo 875-1i was used to determine the temperature of surfaces inside the shelters and the temperatures of the animals. Chiroptera counting wasperformed by car transect surveys (Russ et al., 2003) using ultrasonic bat detector Song Meter SM 2 BAT+ and Kaleidoscope software, permitting identification of bats by 12 parameters. We also determined the species composition of bats in protected areas, along an extensive latitudinal gradient (61°- 66° N), on a reference water body from a motorboat, at fixed sites throughout night-time. A wide spectrum of variation has been detected in the microclimate parameters of individual shelters and their parts during the winter. It causes considerable variations in bat locations, and tells on the species composition, abundance and also physiological status of hibernating bats and their mortality level (4.7 %). We studied species-specific traits of body temperature in hibernating bats, its connection to external factors, as well as the patterns of warming in animals coming out of torpor. Bat registrations were detected up to 66° N, altering previously held ideas about the distribution of some species in the north of European Russia. The study was carried out under state order(№ 0221- 2414-0037 and № 0221-2414-0031) and within RAS Presidium Programme (№ 0221-2015-0004).
23 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
VEGETATION DIVERSITY OF URBAN FOREST-PARKS IN VILNIUS (LITHUANIA)
Bernat Ana, Marozas Vitas Institute of Environment and Ecology, Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Studentu 11, Akademija, Kaunas distr., LT-53356, Lithuania [email protected] [email protected]
In contemporary urbanized society, the forest being an object of diverse range of interest and use experiences strong anthropogenic impact (Karazija, 2008). The aim of research was to investigate the flora of Vilnius city and identify the main processes of synanthropization. The research was carried out in June–August 2016 in Vilnius Vingis Park and Pavilniai Regional Park. A total of 73 research plots were investigated, dendrometric parameters therein were determined, undergrowth and underbrush were investigated, species composition and abundance of phytocenosis were determined according to J. Braun-Blanquet scale (1951). The processes of plant synanthropization were determined following the methodology of M. Laivinš (1998). The research revealed that processes of synanthropization affected Vingis urban park more prominently. Strong fructification and ruderalization were observed. Although Pinus sylvestis L. was the prevailing species, even 88% of the second layer of investigated plots was dominated by the members of Acer platanoides L. and Tiliaceae Juss. families. In Pavilniai Regional Park, the maple was found in 82% of investigated plots, and linden was found in 55% of investigated plots. Thicker undergrowth of maple and linden was found in Vingis Park. In Vingis Park underbrush the following species were dominant: Crataegus rhipidophylla Gand., Padus serotina Ehrh., Sambucus nigra L., Ulmus glabra Huds, and in Pavilniai Regional Park – Corylus avellana L., Lonicera xylostheum L., Sorbus aucuparia L. More ruderal plant species were found in Vingis Park. Such invasive species as Impatiens parviflora DC. was found in 94% of investigated plots in Vingis Park, and in 66% of investigated plots in Pavilniai Park. Vingis Park occupies a small area, it is surrounded by various barriers from all sides, it has no boundaries with other forests or peri- urban forests, thus stronger anthropogenic impact and more prominent processes of synanthropization are observed there.
EFFECT OF SOIL PREPARATION METHOD ON OCCURRENCE AND GROWTH OF NATURALLY OCCURRING PINUS SYLVESTRIS SEEDLINGS THREE YEARS AFTER PLANTED STAND ESTABLISHMENT
Blate Katrīna, Celma Santa, Dūmiņš Kārlis, Neimane Santa, Štāls Toms, Štikāne Kristīne, Lazdiņa Dagnija Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava, 111 Rigas str., Salaspils, Latvia, LV-2169 [email protected]
Stock used for reforestation of Pinus sylvestris stands tends not to be genetically diverse. Stands with a mix of planted and naturally regenerated trees of the same species provide greater genetic diversity which in turn can provide better resistance to disease and pests for the stand as a whole.
The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion and growth of naturally established Pinus sylvestris seedlings in comparison to planted seedlings in the same stand.
24 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
The proportion of naturally occurring seedlings in disc trenched and mounded sites, their height and root collar diameter was determined and compared to planted seedlings three years after the establishment of Pinus sylvestris stands in drained peat soils of Myrtillosa turf. Mel. and Vacciniosa turf. Mel types in Latvia.
The average proportion of naturally occurring P. sylvestris seedling in mounded sites was determined to be 23.78% and 30.45% in disc-trenched sites. Height and root collar diameter were not significantly different (p<0.05) between soil treatments for naturally occurring seedlings. The ratios between seedling height and root collar diameter in mounded sites were respectively 100cm/21.1cm for planted 100cm/18.8 for naturally established seedlings. In disc-trenched sites the ratios were 100cm/23.6cm for planted and 100cm/19.2cm for naturally established seedlings. Natural seedling height and root collar diameter were significantly, yet proportionately smaller than for their planted counterparts. Such results indicate that natural and planted seedlings have responded similarly to environmental factors.
We would like to thank „Latvian State Forests“ for access to the used study sites and the financing of this project.
SEASONAL CHLOROPHYLL A FLUORESCENCE DYNAMICS IN LEAVES OF PENTAPHYLLOIDES FRUTICOSA (L.) O.SCHWARZ IN RELATION WITH THE CHANGES OF RELATIVE SOIL MOISTURE
Bojāre Aiva1, Dokāne Kristīne2, Megre Dace1, Evarts-Bunders Pēteris3 1National Botanical gardens, Miera Str. 1, Salaspils, LV-2169, Latvia 2Genomics and bioinformatics, Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Miera Str. 3, Salaspils, LV-2169, Latvia 3Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies, Parades Str. 1a, Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvia [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], peteris.evarts@ biology.lv
Ecology of the shrubby cinquefoil in Latvia has not been studied and little is known about the ecophysiological processes leading to the adaptation of the species to specific growth conditions. The aim of the current study was to observe the reaction of the shrubby cinquefoil to the changes of relative soil moisture in its natural habitat during the growth season. Chlorophyll a fluorescence is one of the most commonly used methods to characterize plant ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. The most widely known parameter of chlorophyll a fluorescence is Fv/Fm, which characterizes maximum quantum efficiency of the photosystem II.
The study was performed in summer 2016 in nature reserve “Čužu purvs” in three transects with different growth conditions. Chlorophyll a fluorescence was measured every 2ndweek with the chlorophyll fluorometer PAM 2100. Six (three male and three female) plant leaves were measured in three replicates in each transect. Relative soil moisture was measured with a SM150 KIT Soil Moisture Kit in three replicates at each plant.
Fv/Fm parameter dynamics was similar for female plants in all three transects, statistically significant differences were not found, while in male plants during the whole summer significantly lower (p<0.05)
25 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
Fv/Fm values were found in 3rd transect. In 1st and 2nd transect Fv/Fm dynamics was similar in male and female plants, while in 3rd transect a significantly higher (p<0.05) values were detected in female plants. During the summer the relative soil moisture gradually increased in all three transects. In 1st and 2nd transect the relative soil moisture changes were similar while in 3rd transect it was significantly higher (p<0.05). A weak negative correlation (R= - 0.3639) between male plant Fv/Fm parameter changes and relative soil moisture was detected.
According to these results male plants are more prone to higher soil moisture, while female plants are more capable to adapt to changing habitat soil moisture levels.
This paper has been supported by the National Research Programme 2014-2017 “EVIDEnT” (Agreement No. 10-4/VPP-2/19).
LIVERWORT STUDIES IN THE PASVIK STATE NATURE RESERVE (MURMANSK REGION)
Borovichev Eugene Institute of the Industrial Ecology Problems of the North of the Kola Science Center RAS, Academic Campus, 14a, Apatity, Murmansk Region, 184209, Russian Federation [email protected]
The «Pasvik» is the youngest and the smallest Nature State Reserve in the Murmansk Region. It lies between 69°07’ and 69°25’ N, as a narrow 44 km-long belt on the east bank of the Paz River, along the Russian-Norwegian border. The protected area occupies 147.3 km2 (excluding waters – 117 km2). The Reserve belongs to biogeographic provinces of the Lapponia petsamoënsis (Lps) and is situated in the Northern boreal zone according to T. Ahti et al. (1968).
Special studies of liverwort flora were not carried out in the Pasvik Reserve. In 2011–2014 Dr. M.A. Boychuk (Petrozavodsk, Karelia) studied mosses of the Reserve and collected about 150 liverwort specimens. Ca. 600 specimens were collected by the author in 2011–2016. Moreover, we identified some other collections. Specimens are deposited in KPABG and INEP, the herbarium labels are available in CRIS (Cryptogamic Russian Information System, http://kpabg.ru/cris).
Liverworts flora of the Reserve counts 112 species (including 5 subspecies and 2 varieties) and comprises 54 % of liverworts flora of the Murmansk Region. In spite of small area and a low diversity of habitats, liverworts flora is considered as rich, and further research could enlarge the number of species. The territory of the Reserve is quite representative for protection and sustainable development of rare liverworts species – we found new localities for four red-listed European species (Barbilophozia rubescens, Haplomitrium hookeri, Lophozia ascendens and Nardia japonica); three liverworts are included in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation (2008) (Haplomitrium hookeri, Nardia breidleri and Oleolophozia perssonii) and 13 species are red-listed in the Murmansk Region (Red Data Book…, 2014).
The work was partially supported by the Russian Science Foundation (project no. 15-14-10023), the Russian Foundation of Basic Researches (grants no. 15-29-02662).
26 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
FACTORS INFLUENCING EPIXYLIC CRYPTOGAMIC COMMUNITIES ON FALLEN LOGS IN THE STRICT NATURE RESERVE “KIVACH” (REPUBLIC OF KARELIA, RUSSIA)
Borovichev Eugene, Kushnevskaya Elena, Shorohova Ekaterina Institute of the Industrial Ecology Problems of the North of the Kola Science Center RAS, Academic Campus, 14a, Apatity, Murmansk Region, 184209, Russian Federation [email protected]
The effects of log attributes on wood-inhabiting cryptogamic communities need to be better examined to understand the drivers of forest biodiversity and resilience. We analyzed the effect of log species identity, diameter at breast height and time since tree death as well as moisture and pH of bark on the cover of cryptogams on fallen logs. Species were grouped by floristic groups using generalized linear models (GLZM) and normalized specialization index d’. The studies were carried out in summers 2015- 2016 in a mesic old-growth middle boreal forest in Kivach State Nature Reserve.
Log species identity was the main predictor for the occurrence of all cryptogamic species. Species richness increased with the increase of log decomposition with the maximums on 22 and more than 46 year old logs. Log species identity together with bark pH were the most important factors for the lichens diversity. Total species richness increased with the decrease of bark pH. However, the most specialized lichens such as Biatora helvola, Cladonia cornuta, Peltigera canina preferred the substrate with higher pH. The largest number of lichens was found on pine logs. Aspen was characterized by very specific and stenotopic epiphytic lichens which remain on fallen log and the same was observed for liverworts. The number of liverworts depended mainly on log species and bark moisture. The number of mosses was determined by bark moisture and time since tree death. Our results showed that microhabitats play the key role in the diversity of liverworts.
Eight species indicators of old-growth and virgin boreal forests were recorded including three mosses (Hylocomiastrum umbratum, Orthotrichum obtusifolium, Eurinchium pulchellum) and four liverworts (Crossocalyx hellerianus, Crossogyna autumnalis, Scapania apiculata, Trichocolea tomentella). The liverworts are the red-listed in the Republic of Karelia (2007) as well.
The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (project no. 15-14-10023).
27 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
GENETIC DIVERSITY OF DAPHNIA CUCULLATA SARS, 1862 IN LATVIAN LAKES BASED ON NUCLEAR DNA MARKERS (RAPD AND MICROSATELLITES)
Brakovska Aija1, Škute Nataļja2 1Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Laboratory of Hydroecology, Daugavpils University, Parādes Street 1a; Daugavpils, Latvia 2Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Laboratory of Molecular biology and genetics, Daugavpils University, Parādes Street 1a; Daugavpils, Latvia [email protected]
The research was done to examine genetical biodiversity of Daphnia cucullata clones in Lakes Svente, Riča, Drīdzis and Geraņimovas-Ilzas. RAPD and microsatellites are successfully used for genetic studies for the monitoring of different Daphnia species. The number of polymorphic DNA band of Daphnia cucullata using RAPD markers in the four investigated lakes is different. The biggest number of amplified band was in Lake Riča - 67 and Lake Geraņimovas-Ilzas - 64, but the lowest number was in Lake Svente 49. The biggest number of polymorphic loci were in Lake Drīdzis i.e. 50% and in Lake Geraņimovas-Ilzas (32.8%), but the lowest number of polymorphic loci was in Lake Svente (13%). Number of polymorphic microsatellites loci of Daphnia cucullata population in the lakes Sventes, Riča, Drīdzis and Geranimovas-Ilzas using microsatellites markers ranged from 33% to 100%. The lowest number of polymorphic microsatellite loci of Daphnia cucullata population was found in the Lake Drīdzis (33 %), while the highest number of polymorphic microsatellite loci was found in the lakes Geraņimovas-Ilzas (83.33%) and Riča (100%). The smallest genetic distance (D) (Nei, 1978) in the Daphnia cucullata populations under research was observed between lakes Riča and Geraņimovas-Ilzas (0.163), while the greatest genetic distance was found between lakes Drīdzis and Geraņimovas-Ilzas (0.701) and between lakes Riča and Drīdzis (0.563). The average level of the observed heterozygosity (Hobs) in the Daphnia cucullata populations under research ranged from 0.042 to 0.167, while the average level of the expected heterozygosity (Hexp) ranged from 0.119 to 0.440. The highest level of the observed heterozygosity (Hobs) and level of the expected heterozygosity (Hexp) was found in the Lake Geraņimovas-Ilzas. The highest FST values were between Daphnia cucullata populations of lakes Riča and Sventes (0.501) and between Riča and Geraņimovas-Ilzas (0.487). The lowest FST values were between Daphnia cucullata populations of lakes Riča and Geraņimovas-Ilzas (0.077).
28 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
GENETIC VARIABILITY STUDY OF PONTO-CASPIAN GAMMARID PONTOGAMMARUS ROBUSTOIDES G. O. SARS, 1894 IN THE ĶEGUMS RESERVOIR
Brakovska Aija, Paidere Jana Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Laboratory of Hydroecology, Daugavpils University, Parādes Street 1a, Daugavpils, Latvia [email protected]
For the first time, the genetic variability of Ponto-Caspian gammarid Pontogammarus robustoides population of Ķegums Reservoir was analyzed using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR). RAPD are successfully used for genetic studies for the monitoring of different Gammarus species. RAPD markers for the study of Pontogammarus robustoides population are not enough developed, therefore it may be used for this research the primers designed to related species (Gammarus locusta, Gammarus insensibilis, Gammarus chevreuxi, Pontogammarus maeoticus). The primers used and their respective sequences were (5’- to -3’): OPA2 (TGCCGAGCTG), OPA9 (GGGTAACGCC), OPA10 (GTGATCGCAG), OPA16 (AGCCAGCGAA), OPB7 (GGTGACGCAG). All primers were purchased from Operon Technologies. The size of scored polymorphic DNA fragments ranged from 200 bp to 1200 bp. The number of bands selected from each primer varied between 4 and 7. Number of total DNA loci of Pontogammarus robustoides in the Ķegums Reservoir were 26, but 12 loci were polymorphic i.e. 46 % of total loci.
The research was supported by the national research program “The value and dynamic of Latvia’s ecosystems under changing climate – EVIDENT”, project “Non-native species distribution and impact on the Baltic Sea and freshwater ecosystems”, sub-project “Non-indigenous species distribution and impact on freshwater ecosystems”.
THE COMPARISON OF PRODUCTIVITY OF THE PURE AND MIXED LARCH STANDS IN LITHUANIA
Brazaitis Gediminas, Godvod Kšištof Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Studentų g. 11 440 room, Akademija, Kauno r., Lithuania [email protected]
The aim of the study was to evaluate the main dendrometric parameters and the status of the pure and mixed larch stands. Our research was performed during 2015-2016 in the pure and mixed larch stands of 30-60 years old. We didn’t included younger stands, as on such age the interspecific interactions are still weak, as well as older stands - due to shorter rotation age of larch. The similar comprehensive study performed in Lithuania only more than 60 years ago.
During the research we evaluated 138 stands (207 ha) and established 503 sample plots, measured 21600 trees. Totally the research is performed on the 24.3% of total area of the larch stands in Lithuania. Though in the age of 40-50 years larch stands reach the same volumes as the pine stands reach at the age 100, intense larch stand cultivation is not promoted in Lithuania. The evaluation of the stand volume showed, that the pure larch stands of third - sixth age classes produce the standing volume from 347 m3/ha to 585 m3/ha in average, while the mixed stands – from 278 m3/ha to 527 m3/ha. The average difference between the steam volumes of the larch of 5 and 6 age classes is only 0,036 3m .
29 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
LIFE CYCLE OF COARSE WOODY DEBRIS
Brūmelis Guntis, Elferts Didzis, Treimane Agita, Zviedre Egita, Šūba Undīne, Oļehnoviča Evita, Tjarve Didzis, Brūmelis Mārtiņš University of Latvia, Faculty of Biology, Jelgavas iela 1, Rīga, Latvia, LV-1004 [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
There are usually low amounts of coarse woody debris (CWD) in intensively managed forest, which causes fragmentation of habitat for specialist bryophyte, fungi and insect species. We determined time of mortality of about 100 Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) Karst. trees that now formed coarse woody debris and thus were able to investigate succession of bryophyte and polypore species on CWD. We identified indicator species for the bryophyte and polypore communities on dead trees in various decay stages. We also determined loss of biomass of coarse woody debris since mortality to more accurately portray decay rate. The study was conducted in Latvia, located in the hemi-boreal forest zone, where such information was generally lacking.
Most of the spruce CWD was in early decay stages, due to past history of forest management and disturbance events. The oldest of spruce CWD piece was 48 years, and most of those in advanced decay stages had age 20-40 years. The study showed a more rapid decay rate in the investigated habitat in the Hemiboreal zone, compared with more northern regions. There was suprisingly low polypore species richness, perhaps due to fragmentation of habitat. Succession of epixlyic species occurred from common polypore species Fomitopsis pinicola and Trichaptum abietinum at start of wood decay to indicator bryophytes like Nowellia curvifolia in early decay stages after loss of bark, Lepidozia reptans and Jamesoniella autumnalis in mid stages and Herzogiella seligeri with epigeous species in late decay stages.
LATVIAN FLEA-BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE: GALERUCINAE: ALTICINI): FAUNA AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
Bukejs Andris Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies, Daugavpils University, Vienības 13, Daugavpils, Latvia [email protected]
The Alticini includes 4000–8000 species and about 500 genera worldwide, although most occur in tropical regions of South America, Africa and Asia (Konstantinov & Vandenberg 1996; Santiago- Blay 2004). This tribe is also abundant in the fauna of Latvia and other Baltic States. Mostly flea-beetles are phytophagous and feed on leaves, stems and roots of their host plants. Adults of Minota, Mniophila and some other genera occur in moss or litter and possible feed on detritus (e.g. saprophagous species) (Medvedev 1997). Some species are considered to be serious pests in agriculture.
The research history of Latvian Alticini is more than 220 years old (Bukejs 2008). The first information on flea-beetles of Latvian fauna was published in the second half of the 18th century in the monographs describing nature of Livland (Fischer 1784, 1791) where one species, Altica oleracea L. was mentioned. Subsequently, more than 40 papers containing information on Latvian Alticini were published. Some of these articles are especially devoted to study of flea-beetles (Palij 1958; Pūtele 1960, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1971; Bukejs 2008a, 2008b, 2009a, 2009b, 2009c, etc.).
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The Latvian fauna of Alticini includes 125 species belonging to 18 genera (Bukejs 2013): Altica (14 species), Aphthona (10 species), Argopus (2 species), Batophila (1 species), Chaetocnema (13 species), Crepidodera (5 species), Derocrepis (1 species), Dibolia (4 species), Epitrix (1 species), Hermaeophaga (1 species), Hippuriphila (1 species), Longitarsus (34 species), Lythraria (1 species), Mantura (3 species), Neocrepidodera (6 species), Phyllotreta (14 species), Psylliodes (12species), and Sphaeroderma (2 species). In adjacent territories, the number of recorded species of flea-beetles slightly varies: in Belarus – 126 species and 19 genera (Lopatin & Nesterova 2005), in Estonia – 100 species and 17 genera (Silfverberg 2010; Bukejs 2012), in Lithuania – 113 species and 19 genera (Tamutis et al. 2011; Bukejs et al. 2012).
The Latvian fauna of Alticini is represented by 14 chorotypes (Bukejs 2012): Holarctic-Oriental – 1 species (0.8%), Palaearctic-Oriental – 1 species (0.8%), Holarctic – 2 species (1.6%), Palaearctic – 20 species (16.0%), West-Palaearctic – 4 species (3.2%), Asiatic-European – 23 species (18.4%), Siberian-European – 18 species (14.4%), Centralasiatic-Euro-Mediterranean – 16 species (12.8%), Centralasiatic-European – 5 species (4.0%), Turanian-Euro-Mediterranean – 3 species (2.4%), Turanian-European – 7 species (5.6%), European-Mediterranean – 6 species (4.8%), European – 14 species (11.2%), and Central-European – 5 species (4.0%).
PALAEODIVERSITY OF LATRIDIIDAE (INSECTA: COLEOPTERA) IN EOCENE BALTIC AMBER
Bukejs Andris1, Alekseev Vitalii2, Reike Hans-Peter3 1Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies, Daugavpils University, Vienības 13, Daugavpils, Latvia 2Department of Zootechny, FGBOU VO “Kaliningrad State Technical University”, Sovetsky av. 1. 236000 Kaliningrad, Russia 3Entomological Institute Dresden, Germany [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Latridiidae Erichson, 1842 is small sized beetle family with approximately 800 described species worldwide. Minute brown scavenger beetles are frequently found in different open and forested habitats, where they inhabit decomposing vegetation. They occur in leaf litter, fungi, on herbaceous plants, trees, in rotten wood of various decomposition stages, under the bark, and also in bird, mammal, and insect nests. Most species seem to prefer wet or damp habitats. Imago and larvae feed exclusively on fungi, particularly mould.
The family includes 33 genera in two subfamilies and shows perceptible diversity in Baltic amber. To date, 16 species belonging to 10 genera are known from this fossil resin: Cartodere succinobaltica Bukejs et al., 2012; Dienerella nielseni Reike, 2012; Dieneremia rueckeri Reike et al., 2013; Enicmus adrianae Bukejs et al., 2012; Enicmus groehni Reike, 2012; Enicmus palaeorugosus Reike, 2012; Latridius alexeevi Bukejs et al., 2011 [= Latridius usovae Sergi & Perkovsky, 2014]; Latridius jantaricus Borowiec, 1985 [= L. jacquelinae Hawkeswood et al., 2009]; Revelieria groehni Sergi et al., 2013; Stephostethus kulickae (Borowiec, 1985); Stephostethus palaeobicostatus Reike, 2012; Corticaria amberica Reike et al., 2017; Corticarina palaeominuta Reike, 2012; Corticarina palaeoparvula Reike, 2012; Melanophthalma carstengroehni Reike, 2012; Melanophthalma opprimera Reike, 2012.
All species are considered extinct but 94% of them belong to extant genera. Only single species is representative of palaeoendemic genus (Dieneremia). On other hand, one-third of known recent genera have at least the Eocene age. Thereby, Latridiidae shows a remarkable evolutional stasis and could be declared comparatively stable at generic level since Eocene. 90% of latridiid genera known
31 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 from European amber can be found in present-day Europe and this fact can be treated as archaic character of European generic composition of this family.
Recently Corticaria amberica was described using the characters of the male genitalia (shape of aedeagus and sclerites of endophallus). To study of these features, phase-contrast synchrotron microtomography was used for the first time with a member of this family. It surely and supplementary exhibits the importance of current amber researches for understanding of modern biota on the Earth.
THE EFFECT OF LONG DISTANCE TRANSFER ON SURVIVAL, WOOD YIELD AND STEM QUALITY OF SCOTS PINE POPULATIONS
Buzinskas Linas, Danusevicius Darius Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Universiteto g. 2-517, Akademija, Kauno r., Lithuania [email protected]; [email protected]
Environmental stresses attributable to the climatic change lead to a gradually stronger damage to forests. Scots pine is the most ecologically and economically important forest tree species in northerly Europe. Based on such arguments, various initiatives of a commercial nature occasionally appear on forest seed and pant market offering southern material for afforestation. The common garden tests were provenances are grown on single site may provide a good estimate of the seed transfer effects. Objective of our study was to assess the wood yield, stem quality, survival of a set of distant populations of Scots pine grown in a common garden experiment in northern Lithuania. Age of the pine trees in the field test is 41 year, which is the oldest and so most reliable test of pine populations covering most of its eastern natural rage. 100 trees were assessed from each of the 19 populations presenting northern, central, eastern, and far eastern parts of the species range in the Baltic states and Russia. The results showed that the southern populations were superior in the wood yield but possessed low survival, high proportion of spike knots, curvy trees and thick branches. On the contrary, the northern populations showed higher survival, possessed straight trees with fewer spike knots, less and slender branches but a lower tree diameter than the remaining populations. The south-eastern continental populations possessed high proportion of trees with spike knots and the other properties like of the local origins, indicating low benefit from their transfer. For transfer southwards, early cessation, high degree of forest hardiness lead to slim trees with less branches and quality stems. We suggest using local seeds only, however, for breeding the old ideas of intra-specific hybridization could be revitalized to combine the drought tolerance and growth vigor of the southern origins with frost hardiness of the northern populations.
SELECTED ALIEN APHID SPECIES FOR POLAND
Dampc Jan, Żywko Jagoda, Durak Roma University of Rzeszow, Department of Zoology, Zelwerowicza 4, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland [email protected]
Climate change and biological invasions are processes affecting the biodiversity. Usually these two cases are dealt with separately although they are in some extent related. The Global warming have made possible the species of animal expand their previous ranges on the areas where their haven’t been observed due to uncomfortable habitat. This phenomenon also observed in insects. Aphids are
32 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 one of the biggest group of animals introduced into Europe from other continents. Climatic changes result in a rise of species diversity and the terms of spring aphid migrations, thermophile species ranges, life cycles (increasing share of anholocyclic clones, which develop parthenogenetically throughout the year in comparison with holocyclic aphids which in autumn develop sexual morphs) and the bionomy of these species. Climatic changes can favour the fauna connected with plants introduced in Europe, e.g. infesting decorative plants in parks and gardens. Thanks to climate warming in our climate zone and a suitable adaptation potential, the insects connected with these plants can expand their ranges of occurrence and adjust their life cycles to conditions in newly colonized areas.
In Poland more than 30 species of aphids recognized as alien to native fauna were found. This works describes the aphids identified as alien. To the alien species we can include such species like: Appendiseta robiniae, Impatientinum asiaticum, Sitobion ptericolens, Myzus ascalonicus. Among the alien species there are also aphids belonging to the genus Cinara sp., whose representatives are predominantly on the plants of the Pinaceae and Cupressaceae. Cinara tujafilina, Cinara fresai and Cinara curvipes are found in Poland. Cinara tujafilina and Cinara fresai are oligophagous aphids associated with Cupressaceae. Cinara curvipes is associated with Abies sp.. The increase in the number of species in Poland is closely related to the observed climate changes and to the spread of host plants. This applies to monophagous and oligophagous species. The polyphagous species of aphid infest new host plants.
BIODIVERSITY IN QUARRIES WITH THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUBSTRATE
Dmitrakova Ianina, Abakumov Evgeniy Saint-Petersburg state university, 7-9, Universitetskaya emb., 199034, Saint Petersburg, Russia, Russia [email protected], [email protected]
The effect of different methods of reclamation on biodiversity were studied in ecotypes, formed on different types of mining dumps on the territory of quarries of the Russian North-West. A total of 37 plots were inventoried in 9 quarries with the different types of substrate located on the pre- Quarternal forms of macrorelief: Baltic Shell, Ordovician Plateau and Valday Upland.On each ecotype it has been established sites 25m x 25m, within each it was determined all species of plants, on-soils mosses, total projective cover and projective cover of each species. It has been also taken into account those species which have not been decripted, but fixed by route descriptive method. It has been conducted ecological-phytocenotic analysis of vegetation. Field description of soil pits was performed. It was also selected soil samples from each horizon for laboratory analysis. For the estimation of diversity on different key plots following coefficients have been calculated: Simpson inverse ratio index; Shannon index. Changes in biodiversity through time and space are connected with each other. Results: On flat areas biodiversity over time is reduced under biological reclamation. In areas where development takes place according to the type of spontaneous succession, namely dumps over time increases the level of biodiversity. Interestingly, on a strongly rocky areas (dumps of large fragments and rocky bottoms) development takes place so slowly that for 46 years, significant changes have not occurred. The fact is that this time is too short for natural algae conversion of the substrate, lichens and mosses to settle here the higher plants. Thus, from the point of view of biodiversity best method for remediation of some quarries is the creation of favorable physical conditions of the substrate and the abandonment of land for self-overgrowing. This option is also the most economically advantageous.
33 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
BAT RABIES VIRUS IN LATVIA
Dobroštana Marianna1,2, Pētersons Gunārs3, Cvetkova Svetlana1, Rodze Ieva1, Saulīte Vaira4 1Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”, Lejupes str. 3, Rīga, LV-1076, Latvia 2Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Parādes str. 1a, Daugavpils, LV- 5401, Latvia 3Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, K.Helmaņa str. 8, Jelgava, LV 3004, Latvia 4RSU A. Kirchensteins Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Rātsupītes str. 5, Rīga, LV-1067, Latvia [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Rabies in European bats is caused by five lyssavirus species of the family Rhabdoviridae: European bat lyssavirus type 1 (EBLV-1), European bat lyssavirus type 2 (EBLV-2), West Caucasian bat virus (WCBV), Lleida bat lyssavirus (LLEBV) and Bokeloh bat lyssavirus (BBLV). The relevance of bat rabies for public health in Europe is illustrated by the fact that both EBLV-1 and EBLV-2 have caused human death and a few spillover of EBLV-1 to other mammals have been described.
To date, 16 species of bats have been recorded in Latvia out of 45 species present in Europe. Six Latvian bat species according to literature data in other European countries are known as reservoirs for bat rabies virus. The purpose of this study was to investigate presence of lyssavirus among bat species and to identify species involved in the possible circulation of bat rabies virus in Latvia.
A total of 627 bats belonging to 12 species were captured and sampled at 7 sampling sites, in August of 2013-2015. Blood was sampled for the detection of EBLV-specific neutralizing antibodies and oral swabs were taken from each bat for the detection of viral RNA by RT-PCR. In total, 221 blood samples of eight bat species were tested by specific modified FAVN test.
In 2017, 54 bats, which were found dead, were investigated for rabies diagnosis. According to the OIE Manual, rabies laboratory diagnostic tests were performed on brain samples, using a standard fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and RT-PCR.
All oral swabs were found negative for lyssavirus-specific RNA. Antibodies to EBLV-2 were detected in 7 Daubenton’s bats. 54 bat brain were negative with FAT and no EBLV RNA was yet detected (22 samples are still in the process of analysing).
The presence of antibodies in the serum samples indicate on past exposure to lyssavirus in bats. Daubenton’s bat is a non-migratory bat species in Latvia and thus this study provides the first time evidence on presence of lyssavirus infection in a population of a local bat species.
34 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
DIFFERENCE IN MALE GENITALIA BETWEEN APROPHATA PASCOE, 1864 AND PSEUDAPROPHATA BREUNING, 1961 (COLEOPTERA: CERAMBYCIDAE)
Dunskis Aivars, Barševskis Arvīds Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Parādes Str. 1a, Daugavpils, LV- 5401, Latvia [email protected], [email protected]
During the study of the material of Daugavpils University Beetle collection, morphological differences in the shape of aedeagi between species ofAprophata Pascoe, 1864 and Pseudaprophata Breuning, 1961 have been found. Genera Aprophata and Pseudaprophata are related and belong to the subfamily Lamiinae, tribe Pteropliini. All species are distributed in the Philippines: the genus Aprophata is represented by 7 species and Pseudaprophata by 4 species. As the result, the difference between aedeagi of both genera were found: species of Aprophata have a deeply bifurcate apex of aedeagus, while apex of aedeagus of all species of Pseudaprophata is regular, uninterrupted and sharp. Authors of this research are recommend to use these characters during the determination.
PRELIMINARY TAXONOMIC TREATMENT OF THE RANUNCULUS AGGR. AURICOMUS L. (RANUNCULUS AURICOMUS COMPLEX) IN LATVIA AND LITHUANIA
Evarts-Bunders Pēteris Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Tehnology, Parades Str. 1a, Daugavpils, LV- 5401, Latvia [email protected]
Extremely high morphological diversity in the Ranunculus auricomus complex is caused by apomictic modes of reproduction, that led to taxonomical recognition of many distinct and stable groups and polulations to the species level similar to such well-known apomictic genera as Alchemilla, Taraxacum and Pilosella. Taxonomic studies on this group has been very active in Scandinavia and North-Western Russsia, where at least 605 microspecies have been recorded.
Newertheless, microspecies in Baltic territory are not studied in detail, and in lists of vascular plant species only R. auricomus s.l. is mentioned of whole region of Baltics and separately for each country.
During taxonomical studies on the R. aggr. auricomus, comprehensive revison of two major herbariums in Latvia (DAU, LATV) as well as field studies in different sites in Latvia and Lithuania was carryed out during the last several years. The most stable characters suiable for species delimitation appeared to be the type and hairinness of receptacle, presence of absence of perigonium, as wel as different vegetative features - morphology of basal and stem leaves.
Re-identification of herbarium materials (131 specimens in DAU and 142 specimens inLATV) revealed at least 16 species of R. aggr. auricomus in Latvia and Lithuania.
We separate 15 new species for Latvia: R. auricomus L. s. str., R. basitruncatus Borch.-Kolb, R. brunescens (Markl.) Ericsson, R. euryanthes (Markl.) Ericsson, R. euryphyllarius (Markl.) Ericsson,
35 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
R. haasii Soó, R. lepidus (Markl.) Ericsson, R. obtusulus (Markl.) Marklund, R. oligandrus (Markl.) Ericsson, R. orbicans (Markl.) Ericsson, R. ostrobottnicus (G. Kvist) Ericsson, R. rotundellus (Markl.) Ericsson, R. spissidens (Fagerstr.) Ericsson, R. pullus (Markl.) Ericsson and R. subindivisus (Markl.) Ericsson.
From the herbaria material, collected in Lithuania (Kaunas, Taurage, Jonava, Ignalina, Joniskis a.o.) and storded in DAU, we recognize at least nine species as new for Lithuania: R. auricomus s.str., R. brunescens, R. euryanthes, R. euryphyllarius, R. obtusulus, R. rotundellus, R. spissidens, R. puringii Tzvel. and R. pullus.
NEW LOCALITIES OF RARE VASCULAR PLANTS IN PROTECTED LANDSCAPE AREA “AUGŠZEME”
Evarte-Bundere Gunta, Evarts-Bunders Pēteris, Krasnopoļska Dana Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Tehnology, Parades Str. 1a, Daugavpils, LV- 5401, Latvia [email protected], [email protected]
The territory of protected landscape area “Augšzeme” is characterized by high habitat diversity and niches for many rare, threatened species. The first fragmentary reports of vascular plant localities in this area occurred in the late 19th century. Later, when the Institute of Biology began systematical floristic surveys troughout Latvia in the early 1970 s, new data and herbaria from the current territory of protected landscape area “Augšzeme” were added. At the end of 20th century U. Suško was started to research different groups of water plants in lakes of Sēlija region.
The criteria to create list of rare and protected plants was based on plant list included in the Red data Book of Latvia, as well as Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 396 on Specially Protected Species, the EU Habitats directive, and the Bern Convention on the Conservation of Wildlife and Natural Habitats. The list of rare and protected plant species ever found in the territory of protected landscape area “Augšzeme” comprises 56 species. In 2015 the Nature Protection Plan for the protected landscape area “Augšzemes” has been developed, and, as a result, a detailed mapping of rare vascular plants was carried out. During this work, 43 rare plant species was found out in this territory.
Comparing the data obtained in the previous studies and our new data, some new species have been found as new for this territory – Carex pilosa, Listera cordata and Potamogeton trichoides.
Some of rare plant species with typical ‘western’ distribution found here for first time not only for this especially protected area, but even for all eastern or south-eastern part of Latvia and change our opinion about whole distribution of those species in Latvia. Such species with limited distribution in Latvia as Ranunculus lanuginosus, Alliaria petiolata and Trifolium dubium recorded for a first time in this region.
Many rare and protected vascular plants in the territory of Augšzeme is much more widespread than was thought until now. For such specially protected plant species as Circaea lutetiana, Potamogeton acutifolius and Liparis loeselii, protected landscape area Augšzeme is considered as one of the richest or even richest deposit and most valuable territory in Latvia.
36 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF SPICES AND HERBS AGAINST ASPERGILLUS SPP., INTESTINAL BACTERIAL MICROFLORA AND PATHOGENS SALMONELLA, LISTERIA SPP.
Fogele Baiba, Aksjonova Lidija, Valciņa Olga, Bērziņš Aivars Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”, Lejupes Street 3, Riga, Latvia, LV – 1076 [email protected]
Food poisoning is still a problem for consumers and manufactures despite the use of various preservation methods (Bag et al. 2015). Spices and herbs are used not only for flavour and aroma characteristics, but also by the food industry as natural preservation agents (Ene-Obong et al. 2016). Aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the in vitro antimicrobial activity of 15 spice and herb extracts.
Overall, 10 different types of spices (black, white, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, caraway, garlic, onion powder, cardamon, curry, allspice) and 5 different types of herbs (thyme, basil, dill, rosemary, coriander) were used for ethanolic extract (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 50%) preperation. Agar diffusion method was used to determine the antifungal activity against A. glaucus, A. flavus and antibacterial activity against E. coli, E. faecalis, E. cloacae, S. typhimurium, S. enteritidis, L. monocytogenes and L. innocua.
Results revealed that the highest antimicrobial activity was observed with caraway and thyme ethanolic extracts (25%, 50%) against Aspergillus spp. (12 – 16 mm), E. coli, E. faecalis (15 – 19 mm), S. typhimurium (9 – 14 mm), S. enteritidis (10 – 14 mm), L. monocytogenes (14 – 17 mm), L. innocua (15 – 16 mm). Respectively minimum activity was observed with black pepper and dill against all microorganisms (0 – 4 mm). All the herbs and spices except dill ethanolic extract (5% – 50%) were able to inhibit microorganism growth. Only E. cloacae was not observed antimicrobial activity against none of spices and herbs. The results provide evidence that thyme might indeed be used as a potential source of safe and effective natural antimicrobial agent in food industry, such as meat and fish products.
GENETIC DIVERSITY ANALYSIS OF MACOMA BALTHICA FROM GULF OF RIGA
Fokina Oksana1, Grauda Dace1, Puriņa Ingrīda2, Bārda Ieva2, Rashal Isaak1 1University of Latvia Institute of Biology, Miera street 3, Salaspils, Latvia 2Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Voleru street 4, Riga, Latvia [email protected]
Macoma balthica, representative of the class of Bivalve mollusks, can be found throughout the entire Gulf of Riga until the depth of 35m. This type of mollusk has different colored 1-2 cm long shell and is commonly called as Baltic tellin. Shells are smooth oval with triangular tops, however some of them have modified shell forms. Like most bivalve mollusks these clams are filter feeders, so they can be used in the environmental monitoring of the Baltic Sea. The goal of this study was to compare data of genetic diversity between samples with modified and normal shells using
37 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 retrotransposon-based molecular markers. Samples of M. balthica were collected from the 12 places in the Gulf of Riga of the Baltic Sea during 2012. Both ethanol-preserved and immediately frozen material was used to find suitable protocol for DNA isolation. Forty-three strained and forty-seven standard shell samples were analyzed with primer binding site (iPBS) technique as described by R. Kalendar (2010). All samples were amplified with 26 retrotransposon-based primers, two of them were chosen for further analysis. PCR products were electrophoresed on agarose gel for 18 hours. In total, 40 loci were detected and all of them were polymorphic. Cluster analysis and genetic diversity analysis of obtained data on allelic distribution among populations and among shells with strained and standard shape was done accordingly by NTSYS and Popgene software.
SANITARY CONDITIONS AFTER FOREST FIRE IN FOREST SITE TYPE HYLOCOMIOSA
Freimane Lāsma, Miezīte Olga Latvia University of Agriculture, Akadēmijas 11, Jelgava, Latvia, LV-3001 [email protected]
Forest fires occurs in Latvia every year. The objective of the research is to detect and analyse sanitary conditions after surface fire in middle-age managed Scots pine forest stands in forest site type Hylocomiosa.
The empirical material was collected in 500 m2 large circular sample plots in both fire affected and fire unaffected parts of forest stands. At sample plots dendrometric parameters of trees were measured, listed trees with insect damages (in trunk and roots) and uncovered roots (with bark and without bark). Height of scorching was measured in fire affected part of forest stand.
Surface fire in middle-age managed Scots pine stand in forest site type Hylocomiosa negatively affects forest stand health status – there are observed damages of insects in tree roots and trunk, uncovered roots without bark, uncovered roots with bark. Difference between insect damage and uncovered root in fire affected part and fire unaffected part is significant (p<0.05).
PHENOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON GROUND BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE) INHABITING DIFFERENTLY TILLED AND PRE-CROPPED WINTER WHEAT FIELDS
Gailis Jānis, Turka Ināra Latvia University of Agriculture, Institute of Soil and Plant Sciences, Lielā street 2, Jelgava, LV- 3001, Latvia [email protected]
Objective of this research was to find out how different soil tillage regimes and different pre-crops phenologically affect species richness and activity density of ground beetles (Carabidae) inhabiting winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) fields. The research was performed at Research and Study Farm ‘Pēterlauki’ (56º30’39.38’’N; 23º41’30.15’’E) during 2012 and 2013. A grid of 24 sample plots (0.25 ha) was used for the study. The main soil treatment for each 12 plots was ploughing (0.22–0.23 m) and non-inverse tillage (0.10–0.11 m) with disc harrow. Winter wheat was sowed in six ploughed and six
38 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 harrowed sample plots each year, and these plots were used for this research. In 2012, sample plots were pre-cropped with spring and winter wheat and spring rapeseed (Brassica napus), but winter wheat and spring rapeseed were pre-crops in 2013. Beetles were collected by pitfall traps. Exposition of them started in the spring (17 April 2012 and 23 April 2013), but ended few days before harvesting of winter wheat (31 July 2012 and 30 July 2013). Traps were emptied every seven days. Results of ANOVA showed that species richness, total activity density of ground beetles and activity density of 15 species were significantly affected by one or both agro-ecological factors. Species richness and total activity density of ground beetles was dependant from pre-crop – throughout both seasons, less species and ground beetle individuals were observed in fields pre-cropped with winter wheat. Pre- crop also was major factor affecting activity densities of particular species, but significant effect of soil tillage was observed comparably fewer. In some cases, dependence of activity density changed from one factor to another during the vegetation season.
The research was supported by the National Research Programme “Agricultural Resources for Sustainable Production of Qualitative and Healthy Foods in Latvia”, project “Sustainable use of soil resources and abatement of fertilisation risks”.
FOREST PHYTOCENOTIC CHANGES IN IMPACT ZONE OF MUNICIPAL VILNIUS COUNTY (LITHUANIA) WASTE LANDFILL
Gavenauskas Algirdas, Dautartė Anželika, Janina Šepetienė Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Universiteto g. 2-517, Akademija, Kauno r., Lithuania [email protected]
More than 800 municipal waste landfills were in Lithuania until 2007, most of which were closed and in 2009 and rehabilitated. Currently, mixed municipal waste is deposited at 11 regional landfills equipped in accordance with international requirements. Investigations were carried out in the potential impact zones of 2 regional landfills (operating since 2007 and rehabilitated in 2009). The observations were carried out in 30 mixed spruce - deciduous stands (A = 65-72 m), growing 50 to 650 m from the landfill boundary. The impact of spruce on the phytocenosis next to both landfills was similar and negative (̴ 300-400 m). The most significant changes in the status of stand were observed up to 100 m, where the share of healthy trees was 25% (50 m) - 76% (100 m).
The highest density of undergrowth and underbrush was in 100-200 m from the landfill, and their species composition was relatively poorer than in healthy stands. The most significant changes of grass cover were identified up to 50 m. There in the zone occurs 6 herbaceous plant species uncharacteristic for forest phytocenosis (Chenepodium album, Artemisia vulgaris, Rumex acetosa, Tussilago bugle, Plantago media, Medicago falcata), and most of these plants reaches 0.5 to 0.75 m in height.
39 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
ELECTROCHEMICAL BIOSENSOR BASED ON ZnO NANOSTRUCTURES FOR TARGET DNA DETECTION
Gerbreders Vjačeslavs1, Kokina Inese2, Tamanis Edmunds 1, Ogurcovs Andrejs1, Krasovska Marina1, Mihailova Irēna1, Sarajevs Pāvels1, Mickeviča Ilona2, Gerbreders Andrejs1, Sļedevskis Ēriks1 1Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Department of Technology, G.Liberts’ Center of Innovative Microscopy, Parades street 1A, Daugavpils, Latvia, LV 5401 2Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genomics and Biotechnology, Parades street 1A, Daugavpils, Latvia, LV 5401 [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], andrejs.ogurcovs@ du.lv, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], sergejs. [email protected], [email protected]
The biosensor can be represented as a system consisting of biological identification element and physical transducer. In our investigation, biological DNA molecules appears as a recognizing element. The principle of functioning of the DNA hybridization sensor is provided by the process of restoring the structure of double-stranded DNA based on complementary interactions. On the sensor, single-stranded DNA probes of known composition are immobilized. Their nucleotide sequences are complementary to the target DNA molecule. In case of complementary DNA, it will interact with probe, and the amount of DNA on the surface of sensor will increase.
ZnO possess the physicochemical properties necessary for bioanalytical applications: chemical stability and biocompatibility. The high isoelectric point of ZnO (9.5) allows to connect substances with low isoelectric point values (for most biomolecules 4.5), which allows immobilization of biomolecules on ZnO due to simple physical adsorption, unlike gold and carbon nanotubes.
Electrodes design plays a crucial role in the performance of electrochemical biosensors. The electrode material, surface modification or its morphology (bulk material, nanoparticles, etc.) determine the ability of the biosensor to successfully perform its functions.
During this study, differential pulse voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry methods has been used for investigation the processes of immobilization of DNA probes on ZnO nanostructures with different morphology to determinate the concentration of DNA. There are presented platforms for immobilization of biomolecules, what can be used in compact DNA biosensors based on microelectrodes of the ZnO chromium nanostructures.
This work is supported by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Measure 1.1.1.1 “Industry- Driven Research”, Project No. 1.1.1.1/16/A/001 „ Development of the analytical molecular recognition device based on the nanostructures of metal oxides for biomolecules detection”
40 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
MELICA PICTA C. KOCH IN THE LENINGRAD REGION
Glazkova Elena Коmarov Botanical Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prof. Popov str.2 197376, Saint- Petersburg, Russia [email protected]
The Painted Melick (Melica picta) is a protected species in the Leningrad Region. According to the Red Data Book of the Leningrad Region (2000), it has status “1 E” (Endangered). The distribution of this nemoral thermophilous species is curious. The main range of the species in Russia occupies more southern regions of its European part (north to the Oka River) and Caucasia, and outside Russia – Central Europe, the Balkans and Transcaucasia. In the Leningrad Region, Melica picta was found for the first time in 1980s on the Island of Maly Berezovy in the Gulf of Finland (Tzvelev 1991) and near the inflow of the Tigoda River. These localities, as well as those in South Finland, are very far from the main distribution area of Melica picta. For this reason, the question about the origin of this species in the Baltic region has been open for a long time, and a possibility of its introduction has not been excluded (Kurjala, Hämet-Ahti 1966).
In 2003-2014 Melica picta was recorded by the author from 17 new localities on the islands of the Gulf of Finland (Glazkova 2003, 2004, 2012). On these islands the species grows in the zone between the forest margin (usually, open black alder coastal forests or forest with broad-leaved trees) and seashore meadows, and is fairly abundant there. On some islands Melica picta occurs also in open small-leaved forests, where it often predominates in the herbaceous layer. The most of the studied populations of Melica picta are numerous and consist of several thousand plants on some islands (Glazkova 2012).
The research carried out by the author has proved that Melica picta is a native species in the Leningrad Region. The possibility of the introduction of the species has been absolutely excluded. New data on the distribution and number of populations of the species allows to suggest replacing the present species status “Endangered” by a status “Vulnerable” in a new Red Data Book of the Leningrad Region, expected to be published in 2017.
GROUND BEETLES FAUNA OF “NIZHNYAYA KAMA” NATIONAL PARK
Gordienko Tatyana1, Vavilov Dmitriy1, Sukhodolskaya Raisa1, Mukhametnabiev Timur2 1State Budgetary Establishment Research Institute for Problems of Ecology and Mineral Wealth Use of Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 28, Daurskaya str., Kazan, 420089, Russian Federation 2Kazan (Volga region) Federal University, Kazan University, KFU, 18 Kremlyovskaya str., Kazan, 420008, Russian Federation [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Animal biodiversity determines the face of the community, while environmental conditions have an impact on living organisms. Points of concentration of species diversity today in protected natural areas only can be found. Human activity in the field of oil production to some extent affects the
41 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 territory of the National Park “Nizhnyaya Kama”, which is located in the oil and gas bearing area of the Republic of Tatarstan (55°49’ N 52°20’ E). Our studies significantly supplemented the already available data. The work was carried out in the meadow and forest habitats of the National Park in 2016. Method of soil traps was used to collect the material, 144 trap were set. More than 1100 specimens of ground beetles were sampled and determined. The number of ground beetles in the forests varied from 8.9 to 31 specimens / 10 traps per day. In open biotopes that indicator was higher and was from 14.2 to 57.3 specimens / 10 traps per day. In total 64 species from 24 genera were identified. The study of the literature data allowed to add 7 more species, not found by us, but found earlier. Thus, out of 310 species of ground beetles, inhabiting the Republic of Tatarstan, 71 species from 30 genera were recorded in the National Park “ Nizhnyaya Kama”. In meadow associations more than 47% of all ground beetles were species of the genus Bembidion, 17.7% accounted for the genus Pseudophonus, 12.5% for the genus Poecilus. In forest habitats more than 90% of the species diversity of ground beetles was distributed between two genera: Pterostichus (43.4%) and Carabus (48%). The dominant species were Pterostichus oblongopunctatus (27%), Carabus cancellatus (22.1%), Carabus arcensis (15.3%). In meadow associations Bembidion quadrimaculatum (39.7%), Pseudophonus rufipes (17.7%) prevailed. High indicators of the number and species diversity of ground beetles of the National Park made it possible to draw a conclusion of the effectiveness of environment protenction measures carried out there.
IN VITRO METHOD FOR OBTAINING TETRAPLOID RED CLOVER (TRIFOLIUM PRATENSE L.) PLANTS
Grauda Dace1, Belogrudova Inta1, Lisina Nadezda 1, Rebane Aija2, Rashal Issak1 1Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Miera Street 3, Salaspils, Latvia, LV-2169 2Research Institute of Agriculture, Latvia University of Agriculture, Institute 7, Skriveri, Latvia, LV-5125 [email protected], [email protected]
In natural conditions red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) plants occurred with both diploid (2n=14) and tetraploid (4n=28) number of chromosomes. For creating new pastures most beneficial are tetraploid varieties of the species, because they can provide higher biomass from a hectare in comparison with diploid varieties. The main objective of this study was developing and application in vitro method for effective producing breeding row material of tetraploid red clover. In order to change plants’ ploidy in vitro cultivated seedlings of three diploid varieties were treated by colchicine and then plants were cultivated on modified L2 medium. Measurements of DNA content were carried out before and after colchicine treatment by the cell sorter with flow cytometry function (BD FACSJazz). After the treatment most of plants were mixoploid. The genotype of initial diploid variety had a substantial effect on the frequency and following surviving of obtained tetraploid plants. The stable tetraploid plants (content of tetraploid cells in leaves higher than 80%) were chosen for micropropagation. Selected plants were planted deeply (all of the stem and root system were in medium) for stimulation of new plantlets formation. After 4 weeks of cultivation new plantlets were split and planted separately for obtaining plant material of the next micropropagation cycle. Obtaining in vitro tetraploid red clover plants were passed for further acclimation in the soil and multiplication in ex vitro conditions. More than 200 plants were grown and planted in breeding trials of the Research Institute of Agriculture, Latvia University of Agriculture. Obtained changes of plants ploidy were heritable also after field propagation.
42 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
FIRST DATA OF COLEOPTERA STUDIES OF RESTORING SAND - GRAVEL PITS IN LITHUANIA
Grendienė Neda, Ivinskis Povilas, Rimšaitė Jolanta Nature Research Centre, Akademijos Str. 2, LT-08412 Vilnius, Lithuania [email protected] [email protected]
Coleoptera fauna was investigated in two restoring sand-gravel pits in Lithuania – near Verkšionys (Vilnius district) and near Trakai at 2015. Two types of habitats (meadows and forest) were choosing as investigation plots in each pit. Barber traps were used; we used five traps in one line in each habitat. The trapping started in May and lasted until middle of December. The aim of this study is to find out colonization by beetles damaged habitats.
1040 of beetle’s specimens belonging to 134 species and 26 families were registered in Trakai former sand-gravel pit. 66 species belonging to 50 genus and 17 families were registered in meadow habitat of Trakai former sand-gravel pit, where Platydracus (Platydracus) stercorarius (Olivier 1795) was the dominant species. 69 species belonging to 56 genus and 12 families were registered in forest habitat of Trakai former sand-gravel pit, where Carabus (Oreocarabus) hortensis Linnaeus 1758 was the dominant species.
867 of beetle’s specimens belonging to 107 species and 19 families were registered in Verkšionys former sand-gravel pit. 43 species belonging to 35 genus and 12 families were registered in meadow habitat of Verkšionys former sand-gravel pit, where Calathus (Neocalathus) erratus (C.R. Sahlberg 1827) was the dominant species, this species dominated in forest habitat also. 37 species belonging to 27 genus and 8 families were registered in forest habitat of Verkšionys former sand-gravel pit.
IMPACT OF HABITAT MANAGEMENT ON THE STATE OF PULSATILLA PATENS POPULATIONS IN LITHUANIA
Gudžinskas Zigmantas, Žalneravičius Egidijus Nature Research Centre, Institute of Botany, Žaliųjų Ežerų Str. 49, Vilnius, Lithuania [email protected], [email protected]
Pulsatilla patens (Ranunculaceae) is native to Central, East, North Europe and West Siberia. Populations of this species are declining almost throughout its range mainly because of changes in forest management practice, habitat eutrophication, collection and invasion of alien species. In most European countries, P. patens is protected and classified as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable.
Pulsatilla patens is mainly distributed in the eastern and southern parts of Lithuania, whereas in other regions of the country it is very rare and only solitary isolated populations occur. Though the number of localities of P. patens in Lithuania is quite large, most of populations are small or only solitary individuals grow.
43 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
Species conservation plan for P. patens was prepared and approved by the Ministry of Environment of Lithuania in 2012. Additionally, conservation action plants were prepared and implemented in four areas in 2012–2015. The habitat management measures included thinning of trees, shrubs and common heather as well as removal of the bottom layer, including mosses, lichens and plant debris and were implemented from October to March.
Most significant changes in the state of populations were noted in the second year after the implementation of management measures. In the population of Varputėnai (Šiauliai distr.), one generative plant was recorded in 20 permanent sampling plots in 2012 before the management, whereas the number of generative plants after the management increased to 135. The total number of individuals in sampling plots from 2012 to 2015 increased by 44% (from 460 to 692 individuals). Similar increment of generative plants and the total number of individuals were noted in managed habitats in Rūdninkai (Šalčininkai distr.) and Marcinkonys (Varėna distr.).
Management of habitats positively affects quite large and dense populations of P. patens, whereas management of small and sparse populations can hardly improve their recruitment.
POSSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF RARE AND ENDANGERED WILD PLANTS IN BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH: FROM IN SITU TO EX SITU AND BACK
Ievinsh Gederts University of Latvia Faculty of Biology, Jelgavas street 1, Riga, Latvia, LV-1004 [email protected]
Predicting responses of wild plants to global climate change and growing anthropogenic impact is of crucial importance for understanding future trends of plant diversity. Ecophysiological studies of rare and endangered plants have special status in this context. In situ studies allow to capture plant performance in a multitude of interactions with complex of environmental and biological factors but have several serious drawbacks limiting the usefulness of the obtained data for generalization. Most importantly, care should be taken to use only nondestructive methods not to disturb natural populations. Different types of ex situ experiments with plants will be analyzed in detail, including: studies with seeds, experiments in tissue culture, vegetation studies, field studies. More emphasis will be given to vegetation experiments in controlled and semi-controlled conditions, where several sub-types can be described: single-factor experiments, multi-factor experiments, multi-factor experiments with biological interactions, as well as multi-species experiments. Examples for these types of different experiments will be given, emphasizing particular strengths and possible limitations. By using the unite theory of physiological adaptations, it will be shown how experimental data from ex situ studies can be used to predict outcome of in situ plant relationships.
44 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
DATA ON INVESTIGATION OF MASS OCCURRENCE OF STRIPED MILLIPEDES (OMMATOIULUS SABULOSUS, MYRIAPODA) IN LITHUANIA
Ivinskis Povilas, Rimšaitė Jolanta Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius, Lithuania [email protected]
An investigation of mass occurrence of striped millipedes (Ommatoiulus sabulosus) was carried out in vicinity of Lindiniškės settlement close to Vilnius city. Barber traps were used in seven plots to collect millipedes from April to end of October. The biggest number of millipedes was observed in the end of May - beginning of July in dry meadow. Striped millipedes weren’t observed in territories surrounded cultivated fields. In mixed forest we found only several individuals during all investigated time. Striped millipedes move from meadows in north- east directions, large quantities of individuals’ climbs on the walls of new houses at morning hours, enters inside the buildings. Striped millipedes were not attracts by old wooden houses.
POPULATION GENETICS IN PARASITOLOGY: TOOL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY
Jahundoviča Inese, Kirjušina Muza, Kokina Inese Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Parades street 1a, Daugavpils, Latvia, LV 5401 [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
The term parasites include diverse groups of organisms, that spend most of their life feeding in or on a single individual of another species. Organisms with parasitic life style are from viruses and bacteria to worms, plant-feeding insects and parasitic plants. They are distrubuted across the world and have abroad range of hosts. The knowledge of the population biology of parasites is important to epidemiology studies. The number of parasites can not be studied by direct methods and their biology has to be investigated utilizing indirect methods, for example by molecular biology techniques. Population genetics is describing observed or inferred heritable features in populations. The population genetics tools are powerfool to evaluate demographic parameters that are relevant to population genetics structure, such as effective population size and parasite transmission. Moreover, understanding the genetic population structure is important to elucidate parasite transmission patterns and develop control measures. Genetic variation in population is caused by multiple factors and describes naturally occurring genetic differences among individuals of the same species. This variation permits flexibility and survival of a population in changing environmental conditions. Molecular epidemiology is increasingly applying the principles of evolutionary and population genetics to pathogens.
45 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
FACTORS OF VARIABILITY OF LIGULAS’ FOLDS OF ARION LUSITANICUS AUCT. NON J. MABILLE 1868
Jakubāne Iveta¹, Adomaitis Mantas2, Pilāte Digna¹,3, Skujiene Grita2, Zolovs Maksims¹ ¹Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Science and Technology, Parādes 1a. Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvia, 2Vilnius University, Life Sciences Center, Institute of Bioscience, Saulėtekio av. 7, Vilnius LT 10222, Lithuania, 3Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, Rīgas str. 1111, LV 2169, Salaspils, Latvia [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], mantas.adomai@ gmail.com, [email protected], [email protected]
Arion lusitanicus auct. non J. Mabille 1868 rapidly spreads in new territories of Europe and behaves as crop pest. It is considered as an alien species for Latvia whereas in Lithuania it is already included in the List of Invasive Species.
Identification of A. lusitanicus is based on the morphology of the reproductive system where form, size and structure of ligula were used as one of the keys to determine this species by many authors. However, observations revealed that ligula has wide variability of folds. The reasons of folds’ variation and whether their amount is constant in specimen throughout the lifetime are unknown. We studied whether the amount of folds in ligulas of A. lusitanicus is associated with slugs’ a) body length, b) time of catching, and c) locality of collection. To answer these questions we collected slugs during the growing season of vegetation, dissected them, recorded folds number and measured length of slugs.
The present study was carried out from 2014 to 2016 in Latvia and Lithuania. In Latvia, the material was collected from June to October of 2014-2015 in six localities. In Lithuania, the material was collected from July to September of 2015 in four cities. Altogether, we collected 537 specimens in Latvia and Lithuania: 318 and 219, respectively.
Mann-Whitney U test showed that the number of ligulas’ folds in slugs from Latvia and Lithuania was significantly different: bigger amount of folds was found in slugs from Lithuania. Therefore, correlation tests were processed separately and jointly for data from Latvia and Lithuania for different years and all together. The main results suggest that the amount of folds in ligulas is not associated with slugs’ length and time of catching. Perhaps, there are other factors that could affect folds formation in ligulas of A. lusitanicus, for example, environment factors such as soil, diet, pollutants or hybridization with other species.
46 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
LONG-TERM EFFECT OF WHOLE TREE BIOMASS HARVESTING ON VEGETATION IN A DRY SCOTS PINE STAND
Jansons Āris, Robalte Linda, Čakšs Roberts, Matisons Roberts Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, Rīga str. 111, Salaspils, LV-2169, Latvia [email protected]
Long-term (47 years) effect of experimental whole tree harvesting (WTH), with a heavy soil scarification (performed with the aim to increase the resin content in harvesting residuals) on ground cover vegetation was assessed in a dry nutrient-poor Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stand in Latvia. The nearby conventionally managed young (10 years) and mature (119 years) stands of the same type were used for comparison. As expected, the WTH had clear effect on ground cover vegetation. Higher species richness was observed in the WTH stand compared to conventionally managed young and mature stands (24, 18 and 16 species, respectively), likely due to the profound disturbance, hence increased number of ecological niches. The Shannon diversity index was higher in the young than in the WTH and mature stands (2.36, 1.77 and 1.63, respectively); still, the composition and structure of ground cover vegetation in WTH was more similar to the mature stand. Nevertheless, higher occurrence of the oligotrophic species in the WTH stand suggested decreased soil nutrient content and potential development of different plant community. Hence, such method might be considered for restoration of oligotrophic stands. Nevertheless, the period of 47 years appeared sufficient for the ground cover vegetation to recover after the WTH, when source of propagules (older stands) was available.
VERY LARGE LATVIAN RIVER WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT WITH PHYTOPLANKTON
Jekabsone Jolanta, Uzule Linda Laboratory of Hydrobiology, Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Miera str. 3, Salaspils, LV- 2169, Latvia [email protected]
According to Water Framework Directive, phytoplankton is one of biological quality elements which can be used to assess quality of surface waters. Traditionally it is more used in lakes but theorethically it also can be used in slow flowing very large rivers. In this study we tested Hungarian large river phytoplankton index (Borics et al., 2007) and it’s possibilities to be used in Latvian rivers. Index consists of species index Q which is based on classification of functional groups and concentration of chlorophyll a.
For this analysis we used phytoplankton and hydrochemical data from Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre. All samples were processed fallowing national guidelines: ISO 10260:1992 for chlorophyll a and SM 10200 (C1; E3,5; F1,2; I2): 2012, Utermöhl’s technique for phytoplankton. In total, 144 phytoplankton samples collected were 2000-2013. Data processing was done using PAST statistics.
47 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
In the whole, LatRPI index annual average values ranged from high to poor quality. Best quality was observed for Venta River where 88% individual values belonged to high or good quality but worst quality for Lielupe River (70%). Spring phytoplankton (April and May) assemblages (Q index) were characterised by dominance of Y (such species as Cryptomonas erosa and Stephanodiscus hantzchii) and LO (Peridinium cinctum and Synedra acus) functional groups. In August J group (Pediastrum tetras) become more common but in September increased share of TIB group (Melosira varians and Synedra ulna). We can conclude that Hungarian phytoplankton index and algal functional groups can be used to successfully assess ecological quality of Latvian large rivers.
FOREST ECOSYSTEM SERVICE ASSESSMENT AND MAPPING IN MODEL AREAS
Jūrmalis Edgars1, Lībiete Zane2, Bārdule Arta2 1University of Latvia, Faculty of Biology, Jelgavas iela 1, Rīga, Latvia, LV-1004 2Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, Rīgas street 111, Salaspils, Latvia [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Forest ecosystems provide a multiplicity of services to humans. The research project aim is twofold: to develop a suitable method for assessment of forest ecosystem services (ESs) and to quantify the effects of forestry related activities on the quality of these services. Matrix model, which consists of selected ecosystem services on the x-axis and geobiophysical spatial units on the y-axis, was used for this purpose. Two different model areas (catchments) were selected to demonstrate the wide range of ESs in both managed and protected forest areas. In the first step, land use categories and core ES classes were identified for the model areas. Afterwards, indicators for evaluation of several regulating and provisioning services, including carbon stock, available energy wood and wild berry yield were developed and quantified. A uniform scale was used for assessment of all indicators, where 0 values were assigned to spatial units where the corresponding ES is not delivered at all and 5 was assigned to spatial units with very high value of the corresponding ES. The scale aims at making different ecosystem services (measured and assessed by various indicators and units) comparable with each other. GIS was further used to link the valued data with cartographic material, spatially displaying the assessed values for all compartment units that provide the specific service. Repeated evaluation of the ESs after forestry operations will allow to draw conclusions about the impact of forest management on different categories of forest ESs in a model area (catchment) scale. Preliminary results of the project show the current state of selected ecosystem services in both areas. Older forest stands usually have the highest value in provisional services (available wood resources), although young, good quality stands have higher values in providing carbon sequestration. Indicators for ecosystem services have to be continuously improved, in order to precisely showcase their values.
48 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
DRAGONFLY (ODONATA) DISTRIBUTION IN LATVIA FROM 1778 TO 2016 AND THE MAIN FACTORS OF FOREST MANAGEMENT INFLUENCING ITS DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION SIZE IN LATVIA
Kalniņš Mārtiņš JSC “Latvijas valsts meži”, Vaiņodes Str 1, Riga, LV-1004, Latvia [email protected], [email protected]
Until now, there are 62 dragonfly species of nine families known in Latvia. Dragonflies represent a faunistically well studied group of invertebrates in Latvia. Until 2016 (inclusive), there were 12065 records in the database on distribution of dragonflies in Latvia, covering the time period from 1778 to 2016. Since 2001, there are seven new species of dragonflies found in the dragonfly fauna of Latvia. Discovery of six species is related to northward expansion of the area of species.
In 1923, wooded land was 25 % of the territory of Latvia, but currently 54% of the territory of Latvia. Management of wooded land creates both direct and indirect impact on the water bodies of forests: rivers, streams, ditches, lakes, ponds, bog pools, beaver dams, etc. Both physical and chemical parameters of water bodies and composition of vegetation species and structure in the water bodies and 30-50 m area of their shores are significant to dragonflies. The major factors associated with the forest management impacting the distribution and population size of dragonflies are the following: felling (creation of new, open areas; formation of pools and other small water bodies during the logging process); renovation and maintenance of forest drainage system (draining of natural wetlands, formation of new migration corridors and habitats); construction of forest roads and the related elements (formation of new migration corridors and habitats); preparation of bogs for peat extraction and peat extraction (drainage of natural habitats and modification of them).
These factors are generally enhancing distribution and population size of dragonflies. Reconstruction of forest drainage systems have local negative impact on Cordulegaster boltonii, but preparation of bogs for peat extraction and peat extraction, however, negatively impacts species, such as Somatochlora arctica, Aeshna subarctica and Leucorrhinia albifrons.
ECOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING DEMOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS OF CYPRIPEDIUM CALCEOLUS L. IN KEMERU NATIONAL PARK
Kārkliņa Annija1, Dauškane Iluta1, Kļaviņa Dace2 1Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, department of Botany and ecology, Jelgavas street 1, LV- 1004, Riga 2National Botanic Garden of Latvia, Miera Street 1, LV-2169, Salaspils [email protected], [email protected]
Orchid species are one of the richest and most threatened groups of species in the world. They have narrow distribution ranges in specific habitats, they are mycorrhiza and pollinator specific and limited by seed germination. In comparison with other species, orchids are very sensitive to habitat changes. Cypripedium calceolus is globally widespread although it is a locally rare geophyte. This orchid species is affeced by a combination of several ecological factors. In Latvia, the species occurs
49 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 mainly in partially shaded coniferous and mixed woodland on moderately moist soils, in wooded meadows and in forest clearings. It is sensitive to sudden changes in lighting, which affects not only the size of the population, but also plant development. We examined the ecological factors (shading, cover of vacular plants and mosses) affecting demographic parameters (number of ramets, flowering number of ramets, number of flowers and seedpods per ramet) of Cypripedium calceolus in Kemeru National Park, which is the location of the largest population of this orchid species. We studied three cenopopulations by sampling using the transect method. Round (1.5 m radius) sample plots were established at 20 m intervals along the transects. Cover of species in the herbaceous and moss layers were determined in the plots. The canopy was photographed with a fish-eye lens and images were analyzed using WinSCANOPY. Poisson regression models were used to determine effect of ecological factors on plant demographic parameters. Results showed that percent canopy openness and cover of moss had significant effect on number of ramets and flowering ramets, but other ecological factors lacked significant effect on demographic parameters of Cypripedium calceolus in Kemeru National Park.
SULFUR AS SOIL ACIDIFIER FOR BLUEBERRY SOIL ADJUSTMENT
Karlsons Andis, Osvalde Anita Laboratory of Plant Mineral Nutrition, Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Miera street, 3, Salaspils, LV-2169, Latvia [email protected]
Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) is one of the youngest orchard crops in Latvia with commercially important and growing market demand. The current area of commercial plantings in Latvia is more than 250 ha. In Latvia, highbush blueberries are cultivated in extracted raised bogs on bare sphagnum peat, as well as on mineral soils with high organic matter content. Main factors which determine soil suitability for successful blueberry growing are proper soil pH and Mn concentration. As most of the mineral soils in Latvia typically have a neutral soil reaction soil acidification usually is necessary. In general, there are several practices that can be used to adjusting soil pH. The aim of the present study was to find out advantages and shortages of two methods used for soil acidification: applying of elemental sulfur and acid peat as mulch. A field experiment was established in peat and mineral soil with inadequate high soil pH to test the efficiency of powdered and granular elemental sulfur, as well as acid peat to improve growth conditions for blueberry cultivation. During experiment levels of plant available nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, B), as well as soil pH/
KCl and electrical conductivity (EC) was determined. While the main benefits of sulfur application were low price, simple usage and increase in soil concentration of S as nutrient, acid peat was superior in other areas: a) raise of organic matter content; b) improved weed control; c) faster adjustment of the desired pH level; d) reduction of soil manganese content.
50 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
ACCELERATED GROWTH AND ENCAPSULATION REACTIONS OF THE GREATER WAX MOTH (GALLERIA MELLONELLA).
Kecko Sanita1, Krama Tatjana1, Inashkina Inna4, Krams Ronalds1, Trakimas Giedrius5, Krams Indrikis1,2,3 1Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia, 2Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia 3Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, Rīga, Latvia 4Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Rīga, Latvia 5Centre for Ecology and Environmental Research, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania [email protected], [email protected],[email protected]
Life history traits often exhibit an enormous variation; understanding the constraints and evolution of plasticity of these traits is a principal task for evolutionary ecology. Variation in growth rate is of particular importance as it links age and size, the two life history traits that affect adult body mass and fitness. Deficiency of food resources during ontogeny is known to prolong an organism’s developmental time and affect adult body size. Yet life history traits are plastic: an organism can increase its growth rates to compensate for a period of slow growth, a phenomenon known as ‘compensatory growth’.
We tested whether larvae of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) can accelerate their growth after a fast of 12, 24 or 72 h. We found that the larvae showed compensatory growth only when they starved for 12 h. Only females showed compensatory growth. The strength of encapsulation reactions against a foreign body inserted in haemocoel was the weakest in females that showed compensatory growth, whereas the strongest encapsulation was recorded in the males and females that fasted for 24 and 72 h. Rapidly growing females had a short larval development period and the shortest adult lifespan, suggesting that there are substantial fitness trade-offs associated with compensatory growth.
Our results show the plasticity in developmental strategies / growth rates in the greater wax moth, which is the result of highly dynamic trade-offs between the environment, life history traits and sex.
OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE VISION OF CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY
Kecko Sanita, Jahundoviča Inese, Sidina Anželika, Mežaraupe Ligita, Kirilova Jeļena, Kirjušina Muza Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parades str., 1a, Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvia [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], ligita.kecko@gmail. com, [email protected], [email protected]
Confocal microscopy has advanced in the last ten years in the areas of instrument development, theory, new fluoriscent probes for ion imaging, and new applications. A major advantage of confocal microscopes over their conventional counterparts is their ability to optically ‘section’ thick specimens; the thin image slices thus obtained can be used to for their unique capability to reconstruct three
51 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 dimensional images of the interior of cells. It is a capability which is particularly useful in biological applications.
In a confocal fluorescence microscope, light from a laser is focused by an objective lens into the specimen, where it excites fluorophores that either may be a natural part of the specimen or deliberately introduced as a contrast mechanism. This excitation occurs not only in the focal region but also throughout the illumination cone. The fluorescent emission is then collected by the same objective lens, which forms part of an optical system that images the focal spot onto a pinhole detector. The role of the pinhole is to obscure fluorescent light emitted from outside of the focal region—this ability is the origin of the confocal microscope’s axial sectioning ability and the reason for its superior contrast in comparison with conventional fluorescence microscopes.
During the investigation we are going to use different contrasts for different diagnostic tools. The main aim is the synthesis of new luminescent substances for the development of diagnostics methods in medicine and veterinary medicine using confocal microscopy. Application of newly prepared dyes opens up new opportunities for progress of innovative non-invasive, early, and express diagnostics at the global level.
This work is supported by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Measure 1.1.1.1 “Industry- Driven Research”, Project No.1.1.1.1/16/A/211 „Molecular design of new luminescent compounds for diagnostic purposes”
PROGRESS IN THE STUDY OF APHYLLOPHOROID FUNGI OF THE MURMANSK REGION (RUSSIA)
Khimich Yuliia, Isaeva Lyudmila Institute of the Industrial Ecology Problems of the North KSC RAS, 184209 Murmansk Region, Apatuty, Academic campus 14, Russian Federation [email protected]
For a long time, aphyllophoroid fungi of the Murmansk Region remained poorly explored as compared with other regions of the northern-west part of Russia. In the 1990s, L.G. Isaeva (Institute of the Industrial Ecology Problems of the North KSC RAS) has begun active collection of aphyllophoroid fungi from different part of the region. The collection has been significantly replenished since the 2000s. The important step in mycological studies was catalogue of aphyllophoroid fungi of the Murmansk Region including 321 species (Isaeva, Khimich, 2011). Mycological collection of the Institute was combined in the Herbarium, which was organized in 2012 and registered in the international system Index Herbariorum with the acronym INEP. At the present stage mycological studies are conducted in several directions. First, inventory work is continuing in protected areas (Pasvik, Lapland and Kandalaksha State Nature Reserves). Secondly, the locations of the red-listed species are monitored. The aphyllophoroid fungi of urban areas began to be studied. In the Cryptogamic Russian Information System (CRIS) a section on fungi was developed and was starting the inputing of information on the herbarium material of INEP (http://kpabg.ru/f/). The system has been created to provide free and easy access to primary biodiversity data. CRIS allows to integrate all types of data on the aphyllophoroid fungi of the Murmansk Region: herbarium materials, observations, literature data. The CRIS is a convinient tool for further mycological researches related to the analysis and interpretation of data.
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Now the mycological sector of the Herbarium INEP has about 1600 samples (582 samples are contained in CRIS). According to the modern data, the biota of aphyllophoroid fungi of the Murmansk Region includes about 375 species (Khimich et al., 2016, 2017; Bolshakov et al., 2016).
The work was partially supported by the Russian Foundation of Basic Researches (grants no. 15- 29-02662).
SARCOCYSTIS PARASITES IN SMALL MAMMALS FROM LATVIA: FIRST DATA
Kirillova Viktorija1, Grāvele Evita1, Jahundoviča Inese1, Pilāte Digna1,2, Pilāts Valdis3, Rudaitytė Eglė4, Butkauskas Dalius4, Prakas Petras4, Kirjušina Muza1 1Institute of Life Science and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parades St. 1a, Daugavpils, Latvia 2Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, Rīgas street 111, Salaspils, Latvia 3Nature Conservation Agency, Baznicas street 7, Sigulda, Latvia 4Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos St. 2, Vilnius, Lithuania [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Small mammals such as rodents and shrews due to their lifestyle and varied diet serve as intermediate and definitive hosts of numerous Sarcocystis spp. parasites.
In the period of 2015–2017, overall 177 small mammals (Sorex araneus, Rattus rattus, Sorex minutus, Micromys minutus, Neomys fodiens, Apodemus flavicollis, Myodes glareolus, Sicista betulina, Arvicola amphibius, Microtus arvalis, Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus sylvaticus, Sorex sp., Apademus sp. and Microtus sp.) from different regions of Latvia (Latgale, Kurzeme, Rīga, Vidzeme) were examined for the presence of Sarcocystis parasites. Modified compression method was applied for sarcocysts detection in various tissues (skeletal muscles and internal organs, such as heart, liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys). The cysts found were further isolated from the fresh preparations and examined using light microscopy and DNA (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA and cox1) sequences analysis.
Sarcocysts were observed in the skeletal muscles of two black rats (Rattus rattus) out of three examined. Cysts were ribbon-shaped (thread-shaped), about 5 mm long, having smooth and thin cyst wall (<1 µm thick). Two sarcocysts isolated from two infected rats were genetically identical between each other and differed at species level from all Sarcocystis spp. those sequences of analyzed genes are deposited in GenBank. For a detailed morphological comparison of Sarcocystis sp. from black rat with Sarcocystis species described in rodents, electron microscopy investigation of sarcocysts detected are needed.
53 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
SARCOCYSTIS SPECIES DETECTED IN THE MUSCLES OF RED FOXES (VULPES VULPES) FROM LATVIA AND LITHUANIA
Kirillova Viktorija1, Jahundoviča Inese1, Butkauskas Dalius2, Prakas Petras2, Kirjušina Muza1 1Institute of Life Science and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parades St. 1a, Daugavpils, Latvia 2Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos St. 2, Vilnius, Lithuania [email protected]
Typically, canids serve as natural definitive hosts of numerous Sarcocystis species. However, recent investigations indicate that canids may serve also as intermediate hosts of Sarcocystis spp. Sarcocysts of two Sarcocystis species, S. arctica and S. lutrae were found in muscles of the arctic fox in Norway. Later S. arctica was also detected in Alaskan wolf.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate Sarcocystis infection prevalence in muscles of red foxes in Latvia and Lithuania and to identify Sarcocystis species.
In the period between 2013 and 2017, leg muscles of 411 and 39 red foxes were examined from Latvia and Lithuania, respectively. Infection prevalence was estimated in the methylene blue stained muscle samples. Sarcocystis species were determined by molecular analysis, after the cysts were isolated from non-stained muscles.
Higher Sarcocystis infection prevalence was determined in Lithuania (7.7%) than in Latvia (2.7%). However, observed differences in infection prevalence were not significant (p>0.05). Based on the comparison of 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, ITS1, cox1 and rpoB sequences obtained, 10 foxes from Latvia and 2 from Lithuania were infected with S. arctica, whereas one fox from Latvia and one from Lithuania were infected with S. lutrae. Interestingly, S. lutrae had intraspecific diversity only within ITS1 region, while S. arctica was characterized by some intraspecific variability within cox1 and rpoB. In conclusion, the arctic fox and the red fox act as natural intermediate hosts of the same two Sarcocystis species.
THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FRUCTIFICATION OF WOOD-INHABITING FUNGI IN BALTIC STATES
Klyukina Elena, Motiejūnaitė Jurga Nature Research Centre, Laboratory of Mycology, Žaliųjų Ežerų 49, Vilnius 08406, Lithuania [email protected], [email protected]
Wood-inhabiting mycobiota plays an important part in forest ecosystems by decomposing complex polymers such as lignin and cellulose, and make them available for intake to other organisms. For the last decades the topic of climate change and it‘s impact on biological diversity has become one of the most relevant, and since 1940’s a fair increase in abundance of wood-inhabiting fungal species is noticed around Europe. Since climate change directly affects fungi growth, reproduction and distribution, in-depth knowledge of fungal phenology is necessary in order to efficient use of natural resources, environmental protection and prevention of plant infections without damaging ecosystems.
54 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
Aiming to evaluate the changes in phenology of 16 wood-inhabiting fungal species in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania during the period 1946-2013, we analysed herbarium data. We found that such species as Junghuhnia nitida, Sparassis crispa, Flammulina velutipes and Hyphodontia breviseta started to fructify earlier than 70 years ago. Fruitbodies of autumnal species, such as Grifola frondosa, Oxyporus corticola, Pluteus salicinus and Pholiota aurivella, now appear later in autumn and up to the start of winter season. According to principal component analysis (PCA), phenology change in heavy summer rainfall requiring species, such as Grifola frondosa, Pluteus salicinus, Armillaria mellea and Sparassis crispa differed spatially by geografic region in comparison to other analysed fungi species. Some wood-inhabiting species did not show any clear deviations in fruiting patterns.
CHANGES IN GENOTYPE OF FLAX LINUM USITATISSIMUM AND RUCOLA ERUCA SATIVA IN VITRO CULTURE INDUCED BY DIFFERENT NANOPARTICLES
Kokina Inese1, Mickeviča Ilona1, Jermaļonoka Marija1, Bankovska Linda1, Gerbreders Vjačeslavs2, Ogurcovs Andrejs2, Jahundoviča Inese1 1Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genomics and Biotechnology, Parades street 1a, Daugavpils, Latvia, LV 5401 2Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Department of Technology, G.Liberts’ Center of Innovative Microscopy, Parades street 1A, Daugavpils, Latvia, LV 5401 [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected],[email protected], [email protected]
Increasing human population and demand led to powerful nanotechnology development in order to solve with agriculture related problems. Various investigations shows different positive effect of nanoparticles (NPs) in plant cultivation, however, risks related with influence of NPs on plant genetic system also have been reported (Dhoke et al., 2013). Since plants interact with environment and are significant source of nutrition for human beings it is essential to estimate impact of NPs on plant genetic structure. Common type of changes in genome, including plants, are changes on methylation level of DNA and genotoxicity, which plays a considerable role in gene regulation (He et al., 2011). For research of this changes Linum usitatissimum and Eruca sativa in vitro cultures were used as model plants. Some of the most widely researched NPs, such as Ag and Au were used as experimental components for detection of genotoxicity and DNA methylation level changes in flax and CdS NPs to detect this changes in rucola. For this purpose sterile flax seedlings, callus cultures and regenerants were obtained and sequencing, pyrosequencing were applied. Also were got sterile rucola seedlings for RAPD analysis. Obtained results showed different NPs influence on flax and rucola genetic material. Depending on NPs types, sizes and concentrations, they differently affected investigated plants. It can be concluded that certain NPs has different impact on flax and rucola plant in vitro cultures, such as morphological and genetic changes. This changes in all plants can lead to properties improvement, what would be applied in breeding process for a range of useful traits and cultivation on a large scale.
55 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
THE COMMON HAMSTER (CRICETUS CRICETUS) AS ‘ENDANGERED PEST’ – ITS CURRENT STATUS IN HUNGARY
Kondor Tamás1,2, Váczi Viktória1, Szitta Tamás3, Seres Nándor4, Cserkész Tamás1,2 1Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c. H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 2Bükk Mammalogical Society, Maklári u. 77/A, H-Eger, Hungary 3Szalakóta Society, Bethlen G. u. 13, H-3413 Cserépfalu, Hungary 4Bükk National Park, Sánc u. 6., H-3304, Eger, Hungary [email protected]
The Common Hamster is an endangered rodent in Europe, because it has suffered a dramatic decline probably due to intensification in agriculture, trapping/poisoning and fragmentation of former continuous range. It is on the brink of extinction in the western edge of the range, but the entire European populations have suffered a severe decline. However, it has disappeared from more than 75% of its range in Central and Eastern Europe and the species is probably the fastest-declining rodent in Europe, its IUCN Red List Status is still ‘least concern’. Within the EU, the hamster has one of the last viable population in Eastern Hungary which can reach even higher densities; so we have considerable responsibility to protect this species. The species is ‘partly protected’ in Hungary (derogation) since 2008, but it is still legal to eradicate hamsters without permission until 31st of May in E Hungary. A complex survey was accomplished within the framework of the RAPTORSPREYLIFE project (LIFE13 NAT/HU/000183), which proved that high population density can be still found in several places of the Great Hungarian Plain but the densities sharply decreased compared to previous years. Moreover, in large areas it became very rare or even disappeared completely. At the same time, some hot spots were detected where the population density was extremely high as the populations colonized several villages providing optimal conditions (less predator and inland water / more food) for the hamster. On the other hand these synurbist populations are causing significant agricultural and epidemiological problem. The Protection of Common Hamster means a complex conservation biological and economic question in Hungary. From ecological point of view it is a protected keystone species, e.g. prey of the Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca; however, from economic perspective it can be still an agricultural pest in some regions of East-Hungary.
56 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
DIVERSITY AND EVOLUTION OF THE GLANS PENIS MORPHOLOGY IN BIRCH MICE (GENUS SICISTA, SMINTHIDAE, RODENTIA)
Kondor Tamás1, Fülöp Attila2, Almerekova Shyryn3, Pavlovich Prokopov Konstantin4, Laczkó Levente5, Sramkó Gábor5,6, Cserkész Tamás1 1Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c. H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 2MTA-DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, H–4032 Debrecen, Hungary 3Department of Biodiversity and Bioresources, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Avenue 71, 050040, Almaty, Kazakhstan 4Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan State University, 34 Tridtsatoy Gvardeiskoy Divizii Street, 070004, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan 5Department of Botany, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1. H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary 6MTA-DE “Lendület” Evolutionary Phylogenomics Research Group, Egyetem tér 1. H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary [email protected]
Several mammal groups are characterized by various level of phenotypic variation in male external genitalia. In some rodent species the surface of glans penis is covered by truly ‘bizarre’ structures, e.g. spines, hooks or spikes. The function of these structures is poorly known, but most probably is related to the mating system of the species. The anatomical morphology of the male reproductive organ was widely used in determining phyletic relationships between closely related species within the genus Sicista, however, the evolutionary history of the glans penis morphology in this group is unknown. In this study, we examined the diversity of male genital morphology, and we tested the hypothesis that penile surface has evolved from the simplest towards the extremely complex forms. We used morphological and molecular methods to evaluate the validity of this hypothesis by establishing a phylogenetic framework in which to examine genital evolution. We found that penile structure shows a remarkable analogy with the phylogenetic tree of the genus. The simplest genitalia can be found in the basal lineages, whereas the presence of large penile spike is a synapomorphic character of the more recently diverged linages. This evolutionary trend towards the more complex penile structures in Sicista can be considered a general trend in organic evolution. Though, since the mating system of sminthids is poorly known, it remains to be elucidated if the complexity of the penile structures in Sicista is related to the different mating systems of the species or not.
57 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
APPLICATION OF NEAR-INFRARED REFLECTANCE SPECTROSCOPY FOR DETECTION OF ACRYLAMIDE CONTENT IN POTATO CRISPS AND BREAD
Konosonoka Inara Helena, Skrabule Ilze, Dimante Ilze, Kokare Aina, Kronberga Arta Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics, Priekuli Research Centre, 2 Zinatnes street, LV 4126, Priekuli, Latvia [email protected]; [email protected]
Acrylamide is a chemical compound that is produced naturally in food products as a result of high-heat cooking. Acrylamide is a neurotoxin and possible carcinogen, which upon oral intake is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed to all organs. The major route for acrylamide formation is the thermal degradation of free asparagine in the presence of reducing sugars (glucose and fructose) during Maillard reaction. The analytical potential of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for detection of acrylamide in the potato crisps and bread was evaluated. Acrylamide content in 24 samples of potato crisps and 23 bread samples was biochemically analysed applying HPLC technique. The average acrylamide content in potato crisps was 3329.5 µg kg-1, the minimum was in crisps made from potato variety ‘Lady Clair’ (495.0 µg kg-1), the maximum in crisps from breeding line ‘19514.20’ (7460.0 µg kg-1). The average acrylamide content in rye bread from flour was 100.8 µg kg-1, the minimum – 18.5, the maximum level – 270.0 µg kg-1. The average of acrylamide in bread from triticale flour was 63.6 µg kg-1, the minimum and the maximum - 21.3 and 138.0 µg kg-1, accordingly. Near-infrared spectra of chopped potato crisps and bread were recorded with NIRS instrument (XDS Rapid analyzer, FOSS Analytical A/S, Hillerød, Denmark). Laboratory results of the same samples (reference values) were associated with the corresponding spectra. NIR calibration models for acrylamide in two products (potato crisps and bread) had been developed with WinISI software (version WinISI 4.6.8.14739). Calculations were carried out with a modified partial least squares’ (MPLS) procedure using an interior cross validation by groups, mathematical treatment 1, 4, 4, 1, and SNV and detrend scatter correction of the spectra. The content of acrylamide in potato crisps and bread could be predicted successfully by NIR scans of the chopped products. The coefficient of determination (RSQ) for potato crisps calibration equation was 0.808, standard error of cross validation (SECV) was 957.71 and variance (1-VR) was 0.686; RSQ for bread calibration equation was 0.869, SECV 42.31, 1-VR 0.688. Statistical parameters indicate good accuracy of calibration equations, which can be improved by supplementing the equation with new samples with known reference values.
58 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
GENETIC DIVERSITY AND ENDOPOLYPLOIDY OF DIANTHUS ARENARIUS IN LATVIA AND BELARUS
Krasņevska Nikole1, Grauda Dace1, Kruchonak Alesya2, Rashal Isaak1 1Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Miera Str. 3, Salaspils, LV-2169, Latvia 2Central Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Surganova Str. 2v, Minsk, 220012, Belarus [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Dianthus arenarius is endangered perennial plant species, included in Annex II of the European Council Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC as well as in the Latvian endangered plant list. Dianthus arenarius is closely associated to the grey dunes and dry grasslands habitats, the area and quality of which decreasing due anthropogenic and natural factors, such as recreation or overgrowing. In Latvia and Belarus D. arenarius create a complex of several perennial subspecies. Species are presented both in territory of Latvia and Belarus. In both countries D. arenarius is rather wide distributed species, forming small localities. Genetic diversityof populationsis one of criteria of species sustainable existence, but for D. arenarius it has not been studied in Europe until now. Genetic diversity of D. arenarius populations and possible subpopulations is needed to understand the distribution capabilities of the species through territory of Latvia and neighbouring countries. The goal of this study was to compare genetic diversity of two populations of D. arenarius in Latvia and Belarus. Genetic variability was detected by retrotransposons based molecular markers, using iPBS (inter primer binding sites) technique developed by Kalendar et al. (2010). For this purpose screening of 31 early known primers was performed to find most polymorphic ones specifically for D. arenarius. Additionally, in leaves of mature plants determination of endopolyploidy level was performed by the BD FACSJazz® cell sorter (BD Biosciences, USA) with flow cytometer function.
GENETIC DIVERSITY AND SEX RATIO OF EUROPEAN ROLLER CORACIAS GARRULUS IN LATVIA
Krasņevska Nikole, Grauda Dace, Račinskis Edmunds, Rashal Isaak Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Miera Str. 3, Salaspils, LV-2169, Latvia [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
European Roller (Coracias garrulus) had substantial decrease of number of individuals across Eurasia since mid-20th century. In Latvia, the breeding population size of this species had fallen from several thousand pairs to less than 30 known pairs by 2010.Currently, only one local stronghold remains in the central part of the country, where most pairs rely on specially provided nest-boxes for breeding. Here we present results of analysis of genetic diversity of European Roller and sex ratio in this locality (surrounding of Garkalne, North-East from Riga). In 2014-2016, blood and feather samples were collected from juveniles of all nest-boxes. Genetic diversity was analysed with iPBS (inter primer binding site) retrotransposons based molecular markers. Initially, screening of appropriate iPBS primers was performed, two the most polymorphic primers were chosen, which revealed in total 40 loci. For molecular sexing DNA samples were amplified by PCR according Fridolfsson and Ellegren (1999). High genetic variation between siblings specimens was found what allow suggest different geographical origin of adult birds. Sex ratio varied among years, butin general prevalence of female individuals was found.
59 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
A BASIC SPECIES OF PILOSELLA HILL IN LATVIA
Krasnopoļska Dana University of Daugavpils, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Parades str., 1a., Daugavpils, Latvia LV-5401 [email protected]
The plants of genus Pilosella Hill occur in open habitats such as dry slopes, grasslands and edge of forests. Many species, mostly hybridogenous, prefer to colonize anthropogenic habitats, such as roadsides, railways and forest cutting areas. Piloslella genus is divided into two informal species groups: basic and intermediate (hybridogenous). The species actively hybridize in direct contact, with equal intensity. Hybrids are fertile and able to cross with other Pilosella genus species or with parental forms. Intermediate taxa share a combination of characters of two or more species. As a result of hybridization, plants between the same species can look diversely, taking an intermediate position between the parent species, often notedly evading towards one of the parent species. The taxonomically significant characters suitable for species determination is length of hairs and their distribution, presence/absence of simple/glandular/stellate hairs, inflorescence, pedicels, phyllaries, stem and rosette leaves (form, color), color of flowers and styles, presence/absence of ground stolon.
There are seven basic species of genus Pilosella in Latvia: Pilosella officinarum F. Schultz et Sch. Bip.; P. lactucella (Wallr.) P. D. Sell a. C. West; P. praealta (Vill. ex Gochn.) F. Schultz et Sch. Bip.; P. vaillantii (Tausch) Soják; P. onegensis Norrl.; P. aurantiaca (L.) F. Schultz et Sch. Bip.; P. echioides (Lumn.) F. Schultz et Sch. Bip.
Species of genus Pilosella was evaluated according to the data revision of all specimens of genus Pilosella in the herbarium of Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University (DAU), about 180 specimens and Institute of Biology, University of Latvia (LATV), about 100 specimens. As a result of active hybridisation between plants of genus Pilosella, intermediate species consists biggest part of the collected material in herbaria and basic species is represented with small group of plants.
60 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
DEVELOPMENT OF VASCULAR PLANT COMMUNITIES DEPENDING ON TREE SPECIES AND FORECROP IN THE THIRD TO SIXTH YEAR IN AN EXPERIMENTAL TREE PLANTATION ON ARABLE LAND
Kreslina Vita1, Lazdina Dagnija1, Bebre Ieva1, Stikane Kristīne1, Brumelis Guntis2 1LVMI “Silava”, Rīgas str., 111, Salaspils, Latvia, LV-2169 2University of Latvia Faculty of Biology, Jelgavas street 1, Riga, Latvia, LV-1004, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], kristine.stikanek@ gmail.com, [email protected]
The studied object is located in Skrīveri district in “Pardenči” (56°41’ N and 25°08’ E). In this area, short rotation tree species were planted. In this study, we have paid attention to willow, birch, aspen, grey alder to compare the difference of plant species composition. Vegetation sampling was done in the third to sixth year after tree planting. The abundance of each species was rated in percent.
There were changes in the dominant species composition between years. In the experimental territory, one to four years before the tree plantation sown plants in the field were Phleum pratense, Lolium perenne, Festuca pratensis and Trifolium pratense.WhenT.pratensegrown, herbicides were used to avoid monocotyledons. Results of the analysis shows that now there are more monocotyledon species with higher percent cover in willow, birch, aspen and grey alder sampling plots where the forecrop was P. pratense. Less monocotyledon species were found in the sampling plots where forecrops were L. perenne and F. pratensis. Fewer monocotyledon species were found in sampling plots where the forecrop was T. pratense. The number of dicotyledon species was similar in each sampling plot. In general, the forecrop species tending to have high cover in years after establishment of the plantation, except in grey alder plots where there was no forecrop effect.
Results of MRPP analysis pairwise comparison of vegetation of tree species plots showed significant difference in vascular plant composition. Indicator species analysis showed that the most characteristic species for willow plots were P. pratense, T. pratense, Plantago lanceolata, Sonchus arvensis, Agrostis gigantea. The most characteristic species for birch plots werePoa annua, Taraxacum officinale, Trifolium hybridum, Myosotis sylvatica, Leontodona utumnalis, Cerastium holestoides, Myosotis sparsiflora. The most characteristic species for aspen plots was Festuca ovina. There were no characteristic species for grey alder plots.
61 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
DYNAMICS OF SPECIES DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF VOLES IN MODERN LANDSCAPES OF EAST FENNOSCANDIA
Kurhinen Juri 1,2, Ivanter Ernest 3, Kutenkov Anatoly 4, Yakimova Alina5, Saburova Lidija6 1University of Helsinki, 00014, PO Box 65, Finland 2Forest Research Institute, Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Petrozavodsk, Russia 3Petrozavodsk State University, Petrozavodsk, Russia 4State Nature Reserve Kivach, Kondopoga District 186220, Republic of Karelia, Russia 5Institute of Biology, Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Science; Petrozavodsk, Russia 6Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, Arkhangelsk, Russia [email protected]
The basis of the work is the materials gathered during many years of stationary research in the Russian Karelia - on the northern periphery of the voles. We investigated: first, the change in the species diversity of the voles, as a consequence of the transformation of forests by humans and second, the peculiarities of the process of the species replacement (succession), in voles, in secondary ecosystems after deforestation. The uncontaminated solid forests of the taiga forest (natural reserve), that hold voles, the number of gray voles in them (Microtus sp.), especially the tundra vole (Microtus oeconomus), is low. However, the abundance and species diversity of representatives of both genera (Myodes and Microtus) is more stable here than in the forests transformed by logging. The index of species richness of mouse-like rodents in forests transformed by logging is higher, but less stable than in dark coniferous forests. This is noticeable in a comparative analysis at different levels of extrapolation of territories and in different seasons, including in the winter. There have been significant changes in the number of voles and their species diversity in the process of secondary succession of forests on felling. In case of gray voles (Microtinae), changes in population numbers in the first 15- 20 years after logging are significant (approximately 30-fold). In addition - there are clear signs of a change in species (succession) of voles. It is expressed in different versions of species succession from the genus Myodes (mainly Myodes glareolus) to representatives of Microtinae spp. There are mainly three types of species change. The probability of each of them is calculated by us for different parts of the investigated regions.
62 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
VEGETATION DEVELOPMENT IN THE CORMORANT COLONY ON THE CURONIAN SPIT
Laiviņš Māris1, Glazkova Elena2, Cekstere Gunta3 1Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava, Rīgas str. 111, Salaspils, Latvia, LV-2169 2Коmarov Botanical Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prof. Popov str.2 197376, Saint- Petrsburg, Russia 3Institute of Biology of the University of Latvia, Miera str 3, Salaspils, Latvia, LV-2169 [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) started to breed on the Curonian Spit in 1989. The vegetation cover in the cormorant colony was investigated in 2007, 2009, but in 2011, a special study of vegetation and soil in the cormorant colony on the Curonian Spit was carried out on a transect through pine forests varying from untouched to intensely inhabited and transformed by cormorants. The projective coverage of species and layers in plant communities was estimated on 12 plots (400 m2 each ). Soil samples from the surface layer were taken from 6 plots to determine chemical composition (in 1 M HCl extract).
The cormorant colony occupies a gentle slope of a dune ridge in a pine forest with Vaccinium myrtillus, Deschampsia flexuosa, Pleurozium schreberi dominating in grand layer. 3 main stages of development of plant communities on the area disturbed by cormorants have been traced. The 1st stage was the degradation of pine trees with cormorant nests. An open shrub layer of Sambucus racemosa was typical, the herbaceous cover was less than 10%, the mosses were lacking. The 2nd stage was a gradual restoration of forest vegetation. Single pines had been preserved from the previous stage, but a shrub layer of S. racemosa and S. nigra was well-developed; a herbaceous layer was formed by Dryopteris expansa, Chelidonium majus. The 3rd stage was the development of oak forests. The stand was formed by young oak trees. In the shrub layer S. racemosa was still abundant, in the herbaceous layer Impatiens parviflora and Rubus idaeus predominated. The surface soil layer had acidic reaction in all plots studied: pH/KCl varied within 2.9-3.7. The max. content of the chemical elements in the soil was stated under trees with cormorant nests: P was 29, K - 5, Ca - 4, Zn - 3 times more than in undisturbed pine forests. The vegetation research on the Curonian Spit, as well as on the lake islands of Latvia has shown, that oak forests are gradually replacing disturbed and degraded forests.
REGENERATION OF ACER SSP. SEEDLINGS AND YOUNG TREES IN URBAN PINE FORESTS IN LATVIA
Laiviņš Māris1, Šnepsts Guntars1, Cekstere Gunta2 1Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava, Rīgas st. 111, Salaspils, Latvia, LV-2169 2 Institute of Biology of the University of Latvia, Miera st 3, Salaspils, Latvia, LV-2169 [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
The research on Acer sp. growth and distribution in the undergrowth of mezotrophic and mezoeutrophic mature pine stands was carried out in 3 cities: Riga, Ventspils, Ogre. 2 study sites in Riga and 2 in Ogre in mezotrophic and mezoeutrophic stands, and 2 sites in Ventspils in a mezotrophic stand. The mezotrophic pine stands were unmixed, but in the mezoeutrophic – pine stands with Acer sp. in the understory. At each study site, 16 study plots with size of 1 m2 were systematically selected for
63 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 determining the number of up to 10 cm high (1 year old) and 11-50 cm high (2-5 years old) Acer sp. seedlings. The inventory of Acer young growth (0.5-5.0 m high trees) was done in 3 circular plots with radius 5 m.
The results revealed that in the mezotrophic pine stands in all cities, the average number of 1 year old A. platanoides seedlings was 15782 per ha, but for 2-5 year old seedlings – 5313 ind/ha. However in the mezoeutrophic pine stands, the amount of seedlings was around 5 times higher: 1 year old seedlings - 78750 ind/ha; 2-5 year old seedlings – 26563 ind/ha. Both in mezotrophic and mezoeutrophic urban pine forests, the amount of 1 year old seedlings was 3 times higher compared with 2-5 years old individuals.
Several significant correlations were detected: between the diameter of young Acer individuals near the root collar and the tree height (r=0.93); the tree age and diameter (r=0.67); the age and tree height (r=0.58). Yearly height increments were dependent on the total height of the tree: the height increment for up to 50 cm high individuals was 10 cm per year, for 1 m high individuals – 15 cm, but for 5 m – 35 cm.
Succession of A. pseudoplatanus was observed at the undergrowth level in a mezotrophic sandy habitat near the harbour at Ventspils: 10000 ind/ha for 1 year old seedlings and 5000 ind/ha for 2-5 old seedlings. Whereas at Ogre, at the undergrowth level of mezotrophic pine stand, 1250 ind/ha of 2-5 year old A. negundo seedlings were observed.
TRAMPLING TOLERANCE OF FOREST VEGETATION AFTER ORIENTEERING COMPETITION IN PROTECTED AREAS AND PRODUCTION FORESTS IN LATVIA
Liepa Liga, Straupe Inga Latvia University of Agriculture, Forest faculty, Department of Silviculture, 11 Akademijas Street, Jelgava, LV-3001, Latvia [email protected] ; [email protected]
The majority of populace is involved to active participation in sports and the interest in large outdoor events continues to grow. For sports, such as orienteering competitions are particularly popular in Latvia and can result in considerable soil disturbance and effects on vegetation from running. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of disturbance of forests from orienteering competitions especially on EU protected habitats and species in Central Latvia. 20 study sites were established and data were collected to monitor the condition of soil and vegetation cover in protected areas and production forests. Vegetation survey using standard methodology was performed in all plots. In this area where forested dunes dominate, sensitive species are particularly vulnerable. Results showed that there is no significant disturbance to herb layer in any of study plots. The decrease of moss cover was found in few study sites. We also found that the magnitude of disturbance was not correlated with forest type. However, longer monitoring is needed to better estimate the impact of these events on the condition of vegetation development after disturbances.
64 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF STUDY FOR CLINICAL SIGNS ASSOCIATED WITH GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITE INFECTION IN DOGS AND CATS
Mateusa Maira1,2, Deksne Gunita1, Keidane Dace2 1Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, Latvia 2Latvian University of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary medicine, Latvia [email protected]
Endoparasites cause different clinical signs in animals depending on invasion intensity. The aim of this study was to compare clinical signs and endoparasitic prevalence in dogs and cats from various regions of Latvia.
Overall, 26 cat and 34 dog fresh feces were collected in urine containers and delivered to the laboratory. The samples were stored at +4o C until further examination. Feces were examined using a quantitative FLOTAC® technique and modified Zielh-Neelsen staining. Pet and shelter animal owners filled a questionnaire for additional information about deworming status, past and current clinical signs, which could be associated with present parasitic invasion.
Eight out of 26 cats were infected with three Nematoda species with the total prevalence of 30.7% (95% CI 14.2-58.4%). 17 cats were previously dewormed, out of which 4 were infected with gastrointestinal parasites (23.5%; CI 7.4-56.7%). Only two cats had diarrhea (7.6%; CI 1.2-25.4%), out of which one had T.cati infection. Four out of 34 dogs were infected with Cryptosporidium spp. and three Nematoda species with total prevalence 11.8% (CI 3.9-25.9%). Four out of 34 dogs had diarrhea, but none were infected with gastrointestinal parasites. The only dog infected with protozoans in his medical history had previous signs of gastrointestinal disease due to virus which caused hemorrhagic enteritis and peritonitis and lasted for two months. Only one out of 12 animals had present clinical signs that could be due to parasitic infection: a five month old kitten, weighted one kg, dewormed two months ago with two week period between next deworming, had severe diarrhea and it was infected with T. cati (5210 eggs per gram).
Gastrointestinal parasites can cause intestinal wall reaction due to excreted toxins and mechanic defects which leads to diarrhea. However, there is necessity for further studies to understand the true connection for clinical signs associated with particular gastrointestinal parasite infection.
65 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
APPLYING OF FISH TECHNIQUES FOR CHROMOSOME INVESTIGATION IN IN VITRO PLANT CULTURE
Mickeviča Ilona1, Kirilova Jeļena2, Rubeniņa Ilze1, Jahundoviča Inese1 1Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies, Parades street 1a, Daugavpils, LV – 5401, Latvia 2Daugavpils University, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Department of Chemistry and Geography, Parades street 1a, Daugavpils, LV – 5401, Latvia [email protected]
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) allows distinguishing arrangement of unique sequences and repetitive DNS on chromosomes, such as centromeres, telomeres, heterochromatin bands (Fontenete at el., 2016). Introduction of different fluorescent labels linked to DNA probes and visualization under the fluorescence microscope ensures better spatial resolution and possibility for simultaneously conducting multi-probe analysis (Schubert and Shaw, 2011). Telomeres are significant elements of all eukaryotic chromosomes protecting genetic material from exonuclease degradation and end-to-end chromosomal fusions (Daniali et al., 2013). Their length in some species can change during the plant life (Senescence, 2013). Despite fact that telomeric repeats usually ranges the end of chromosomes, telomere-like sequences in plants have been found in centromeric, subtelomeric and interstitial regions in several genera, such as potato, Arabidopsis, anemone and rice (Kirov et al., 2016). Besides telomere location and length in chromosome, FISH is a useful method to investigate karyotype relationships among certain plant taxa (Gutierrez-Rodrigues et al., 2014). Due to fluorochromes with different excitation and emission maxima, FISH allows also to visualize and identify of different individual microbial cells in diseased tissue, monitor bacterial consortia in seawater sediment, discover oral, gastro-intestinal infections and detect plant pathogen detection (Piccolo et al., 2010). Nevertheless, to elaborate FISH technics, synthesis of new modern fluorescent labels and modification of new FISH hybridization protocols would improve detection of the important sequences in different types of plant cultures.
This work is supported by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Measure 1.1.1.1 “Industry- Driven Research”, Project No. 1.1.1.1/16/A/211 „Molecular design of new luminescent compounds for diagnostic purposes”
SANITARY CONDITION IN NORWAY SPRUCE PICEA ABIES (L.) KARST. 6-12 YEARS OLD FOREST STANDS IN HYLOCOMIOSA
Miezīte Olga, Dubrovskis Edgars, Rūba Jeļena, Gailītis Jānis Latvia University of Agriculture, Akadēmijas 11, Jelgava, Latvia, LV-3001 [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
In Latvia similarly as in previous years, as well as in 2015 significant tree damage was caused by tree windfall – snow breakage as the result destroying the forest stands an area of 558.6 ha or 45 % from all destroyed forests. Next significant cause was excessive humidity which destroyed forests of 312.6 ha (25%) large area. Other causes of damage were pests, diseases, forest animals and forest fire. Largest amount (35 %) of damaged stands was in Norway spruce stands (VMD, 2015). Different sanitary condition threat risks are possible in Norway spruce ecosystems management especially in young stand age. Therefore, it is better to try, as far as possible, to reduce or eliminate the risk factors
66 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 impact which most adversely affected young stand management. Research aim was to analyse the sanitary condition of Norway spruce young stands in Hylocomiosa. Data was collected in Madona district in 6-12 years old Norway spruce stands in Hylocomiosa. Overall 121 round sample plots (SP) with radius 3.99 m (50 m2) were established. In established SP was registered damage of abiotic, biotic and anthropogenic factors which were divided into 6 gradation classes depending of degree of damage. Heights and diameters at breast height (DBH) for 30 trees were measured in each stand. Difference between occurrence of tree damage in researched Norway spruce young stands in Hylocomiosa was significant (p<0.05) but difference between different types of tree damage occurrence was not significant (p>0.05). Also the significant difference (p<0.05) was between intensity of tree damage but not significant (p>0.05) - between different types of damage intensity in the surveyed stands. The most commonly were detected damage caused by Sawfly Cephaleia abietis L., spruce web-spinning sawfly Cephaleia arvensis Panz., the large pine weevil Hylobius abietis L. and Artiodactyla family game animals. To create a high-quality stands of Norway spruce is a very important in juvenile age to perform technically correct forest management activities to reduce the risk factors impact on sanitary condition of the current and future stands.
DIFFERENTIATION OF TREES IN GREY ALDER ALNUS INCANA (L.) MOENCH STANDS IN LATVIA
Miezite Olga, Ruba Jelena, Liepa Imants Latvia University of Agriculture, Akadēmijas 11, Jelgava, Latvia, LV-3001 [email protected], [email protected]
In Latvia gray alder stands take up 7.5% of the total forest area. Gray alder stands in 2015 have been renewed around 5631.70 hectares (SFS, 2015). Therefore, it is a topical issue of gray alder stands thinning necessary and criteria. It is important in the relevant age of the stand to determine optimal number of trees per unit area. Thus it is possible to increase the growing stock in the felling age, to improve the quality of stem and specific weight of industrial timber investing the minimum financial resources. In Vidzeme have been selected 20 and 22-year-old gray alder stands. Aim of the research was to analyze differentiation process of the unthinned pure stands of gray alder. Data were collected in unmanaged stands in Oxalidosa and Mercurialiosa mel., which have recovered naturally. The intensity of tree differentiation process determined number of trees per unit area and their age. Increasing age of gray alder stands will increase the difference between dendrometric parameters of dominant and suppressed stands. Naturally recovered, unthinned gray alder stands even reaching 20 years of age are growing at high densities (4320 – 7780 trees ha-1). Numbers of suppressed trees take up 26 – 40% of the total number of trees. Tree distribution in diameter classes between stands is significantly different (p = 0.001<α = 0.05). It was found that stand average diameter classes included 52 – 62% of the total number of trees. Also tree distribution between Kraft classes of the stands is significantly different independently of forest site type (p = 0.001<α = 0.05), it can be seen even after the total number of dominant stand of trees 60 to 74%. In the current year the growing-stock trees dying was 2.8 – 3.4% of the stand common stock that shows on a large losses over the life of the stand. In this way the growth resources are being wasted, because increases are concentrated in the trees, which could be economically used, as well as do not achieve tree dimensions which to comply assortments requirements. Recommendation for practical forestry, stands, which regenerated from root shoots in the cutting stand, at an early age would be preferable rarefy because they formed around sawed tree stumps, creating an uneven placement of trees. With increasing stand age, in these groups deforms shapes of the trunks and takes place an intense struggle for existence.
67 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
IDENTIFICATION OF FLAX RUST RESISTANCE ALLELES IN REPATRIATED LATVIAN FLAX ACCESSIONS
Miķelsone Andra, Kolodinska Brantestam Agnese, Grauda Dace, Isaak Rashal University of Latvia, Institute of Biology, Miera Street 3, Salaspils, Latvia [email protected]
Flax rust (Melampsoralini) is placed among potentially most dangerous flax (Linum usitatissimum) diseases; it can cause severe losses in seed yield and fibre quality. Flax resistance to rust is governed by “gene-for-gene” recognition between host resistance (R) and pathogen avirulence (Avr) genes. At least 34 dominant R-gene alleles are known at the moment. They are distributed between seven loci, namely D, K, L, M, N, P and Q. The goal of the study was to determine L2, L6 and L9 alleles of rust resistance in recently repatriated flax accessions of Latvian origin (landraces, old varieties). Specific primers Lc1 and Lc3 were used for PCR reaction, PCR products were digested by restriction enzyme MboI. DNA restriction fragments were separated on polyacrylamide gels. It was found that only some of accessions have L2 or L9 alleles, but not any accession have L6 allele. Different digestion products were found in most of the analysed accessions that indicate other L alleles. These molecular markers can be useful in marker assisted selection in the flax breeding programs.
THE ANALYSIS OF VALUE OF RARE SPECIES POPULATION’S AREA RESERVED FOR CHARCOAL QUARRY’S DEVELOPMENT (KHAKASSIA, RUSSIA)
Mirin Denis Saint-Petersburg state university, 199034 St-Petersburg, Universitetskaya emb. 7/9, Biological faculty, Russia [email protected]
Estimation of biological value of the area rented by coal mining company shows a presence of 4 Red-listed plant species. Oxytropis ammophila Turcz. is one of them, it is only rare species presented by large population. O.ammophila is endemic for upper reach of Yenisei within 3 subjects of Russian Federation. It is included in Red books of all 3 regions. I tried to answer the following questions: (1) is this species really so rare; (2) is this area valuable for O.ammophila conservation.
For estimating number of population loci of O.ammophila I analyzed information from herbarium labels in Botanical institute RAS, St Petersburg (LE) and published Floras of Siberia, Krasnojarsk region and republic Tyva. For revealing the role of rare endemic species O.ammophila in plant communities we analyzed a set of geobotanical data collected in rented territory (surroundings of settl. Arshanovo, Khakassia). For analysis of potential distribution of O.ammophila I used GIS- technologies (GIS IDRISI, raster algebra on spatial data of hydrothermic coefficient – HTK, sum of active temperature – SAT, NDVI counted on Landsat 8 for May, July and August for 2 years).
It is known only 10 population loci of Oxytropis ammophila, 8 of them are in Khakassia. O. ammophila is a co-dominant of 9 associations (4 of psammophyton, 5 of psammophytic variants of
68 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 herb and shrub steppes and stepped meadows). Territory with composition of HTK and SAT that appropriate for O.ammophila (data for 10 mentioned points) is not big on the south of Siberia, area with similar climate is in the north of steppe zone in East Europe. This species grows on sand soils that are rare in zone limited by climatic parameters. The most part of sands in Khakassia steppe basin where the main part of O.ammophila areal is situated, is in the rented territory and its surroundings. Mapping shows a close relationship of O.ammophila abundance with unique dunes.
TRANSPLANTATION OF RARE SPECIES FROM ALLEYS – IS IT A COMPROMISE DURING ROAD RECONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES? CASE STUDY IN DAUGAVPILS, LATVIA
Moisejevs Rolands, Balalaikins Maksims, Valainis Uldis Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies, Daugavpils University, Vienības 13, Daugavpils, Latvia [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Tree alleys are traditional landscape element in Europe. Over 50 tree alleys are protected by local legislation in Latvia. Despite this, major part of alleys are out of conservation system and many of these alleys provide an important habitat for numerous rare and red-listed species of lichens, bryophytes, fungi, invertebrates, mammals etc. During the last decades various tree alleys were cutted during management activities such as reconstruction of roads and highways, cleaning of electrical lines, the reconstruction works of old buildings, streets and parks. Almost in all cases the alleys were not inventoried on red-listed species presence. Curent study is dovoted to rare species transplantation from urbanized areas to protected territories, due to the highway reconstruction and tree cutting.
Our study took place in South-West of Latvia, near Daugavpils city. Red-listed species were found in tree alley that was situated along the highway (A13). The tree alley was planted along the old road in the begining of last century and later modified in the midle of last century. The alley and highway is sittuated on embankment which protects from spring floods. Two tree species are present in tree alley –Tilia cordata Mill. and Populus laurifolia cv. During last elaboration of road reconstruction plan it was decided to cut tree alley due to impossibility of carrying out the road works during the reconstruction of the embankment. Latvian Nature Conservation Agency decided to involve nature experts to try the transplantation of presented protected species to Natura 2000 territory. During the inventarization of tree alley, following rare species were found: jet black ant Lasius fuliginosus, marbled rose-chafer Protaetia lugubris, and several lichenized fungi species - Parmelina tiliacea, Pleurosticta acetabulum, Hypogymnia farinacea. Of them Lasius fuliginosus and Parmelina tiliacea were transplanted.
As a host territory was choused Nature park Silene, Ilgas. In Nature park similar conditions as in donor territory were found for both species transplantation. It was decided to ensure the long term monitoring for transplanted organisms in host territory.
Current activities were carried out in collaboration with Nature Conservation Agency and Road building company “Latgales Ceļdaris”.
69 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
GENETIC VARIABILITY OF DREISSENA POLYMORPHA (PALLAS) POPULATIONS IN LATVIAN WATERBODIES
Morozova Alexandra, Shkute Natalja Department of Ecology, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia; [email protected]; [email protected]
Dreissenid molluscs are an important group of biofouling bivalves that are rapidly invading habitats around the world. Because of their high fecundity and ability to settle on almost any solid substratum, zebra mussels usually outcompete the resident species and cause severe damage to waterworks. The Dreissena polymorpha lives in lakes, dam reservoirs and large rivers, as well as in brackish water bodies connected to the North and Baltic Sea. The first introduction of the species Dreissena polymorpha in Latvia was in the Gulf of Riga in the 1845.
The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic structure and level of genetic variability of selected populations of Dreissena polymorpha in Latvia.
For the present study of zebra mussel population genetic structure, was used highly polymorphic microsatellite markers. Microsatellites have emerged as the most popular and versatile marker type for ecological applications.
Five polymorphic microsatellite loci for zebra mussels were developed and tested in this research. Allelic diversity was high at all described loci, ranging from 10 to 15 alleles per locus.
The mean number of alleles per locus varied in the different populations. The within population genetic variation indices: number of alleles (NA), expected (He) and observed (Ho) heterozygosity, and the fixation index (FIS) were estimated in GenAlEx 6.41.
This study has been supported by the National Research Programme 2014-2017 „EVIDEnT” Sub- project 2.4. „Non-indigenous species distribution and impact on freshwater ecosystems”
CULTURAL ECOSYSTEM SERVICES FROM BELOWGROUND
Motiejūnaitė Jurga1, Bakker Mark2, Børja Isabella3, Brunner Ivano4, Mrak Tanja5, Oddsdottir Edda6, Bjarnadottir Brynhildur6 1Institute of Botany, Nature Research Centre, Žaliųjų ežerų 49, 09406 Vilnius, Lithuania 2Bordeaux Sciences Agro, 71 avenue E Bourlaux, CS 20032, 33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France 3Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Hogskleveien 8, 1431 As, Norway 4Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Zurcherstrasse 111, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland 5Slovenian Forestry Institute, Vecna pot 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia 6University of Akureyri, Borgir v Noroursloo, 601 Akureyri, Iceland [email protected]
Soils and soil biodiversity are often neglected in mapping and evaluating ecosystem services (ES), even though, soils contribute to human welfare far beyond food production, and soils host a huge biodiversity, both in terms of species richness and functionality. Especially vague is the understanding of cultural ES provided by soils (particularly non-agricultural) and their biota. Cultural ES (CES) in general are difficult to identify, evaluate and employ in environmental management. One of the
70 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 main hindrances is the difficulty to find relevant knowledge in formal scientific literature databases.
Our aim was to review the literature on European forest soil biodiversity and ES it provides. Based on the found literature we evaluated the impact of soil organisms (plant roots, microorganisms, mesofauna, invertebrate macrofauna and vertebrate megafauna) on CES. We considered all references obtained by using complex search criteria, involving keyword-based search through several reference databases with additional sources suggested by experts.
The collected data show that soil organisms contribute to all CES, although their weight (expressed as numbers of found references) differs between the organism groups and the CES. Impact on CES, as reflected in literature, was highest for fungi and lowest for microorganisms and mesofauna. The references represented both benefits and negative effects provided by the soil biota. However benefits clearly prevailed, except for ‘health and wellbeing’ CES in cases of fungi and megafauna. Most CES are difficult to evaluate because their beneficiaries may put different values on them and the CES may vary in space and time. This was obvious in the present review as well: traditions related to soil organisms differed widely throughout Europe, some of them vanishing, others are resurrecting and new ones emerging or changing under the impact of human migration.
The presentation was prepared in the framework of COST action FP 1305 BioLink.
EFFECTIVENESS OF TWO METHODS FOR MESOCERCARIAE OF ALARIA ALATA DETECTION IN WILD BOARS (SUS SCROFA)
Ozoliņa Zanda, Deksne Gunita Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, Lejupes Street-3, Riga, LV-1076, Latvia [email protected], [email protected]
Alaria spp. is a trematode with tetraxenous life cycle being present in all climatic zones. This trematode infects muscles of paratenic host (e.g. wild boar and human) and do not form the cyst. However, due to the scarcity of methodology and data predicting the risk of human alariosis is difficult. The aim of present study was to compare effectiveness of two methods for mesocercariae of A. alata detection.
Overall, in present study samples from 60 wild boars were collected and analyzed during 2014 from whole territory of Latvia. Artificial digestion method (TIM) with magnetic stirrer for Trichinella sp. detection and Alaria sp. migration technique (AMT) was used to detect Alaria sp. mesocercariae presence in wild boar muscle samples.
A total of 46 examined samples were found to be infected with A. alata mesocercariae with both methods. However, we found significant (χ2=16.59; p<0.01) difference of mesocercariae prevalence using both methods and AMT had 4.86 (95% CI: 2.22-10.99) times higher odds of testing positive than with TIM. The number of counted mesocercariae with AMT ranged from 0.02 to 1.22 mesocercariae per one gram. While, the number of counted mesocercariae with TIM ranged from 0.02 to 0.56 mesocercariae per one gram. Using TIM trematodes were counted in Petri dish and additionally remaining in the sieve. In the sieve it was 2.75 (95% CI: 1.20-6.54) times higher odds of testing positive than following the standard protocol.
Present study demonstrates that cause of low mesocercariae observation using TIM is mainly associated with inappropriate mesh size of the sieve used comparing to A. alata mesocercariae size.
71 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
RECOVERED SUITABILITY OF DEER HABITAT IN HEMIBOREAL WOODLAND 23 YEARS AFTER VAST FOREST FIRE IN SLĪTERE NATIONAL PARK, LATVIA
Ozoliņš Jānis, Lūkins Mārtiņš, Howlett Samantha Jane, Ornicāns Aivars, Priedītis Arvīds, Jansons Āris Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, Rigas str. 111, Salaspils, Latvia [email protected], [email protected]
A survey for the densities of moose (Alces alces L.), red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) winter pellets along line transects was done in Slītere National Park, north-western Latvia. Aim of our study was to compare distribution and intra-specific proportions of the three deer species between intact woodland and an area that was severely burned 23 years ago. Despite a long time since fire impact, we found that both moose and red deer stayed mainly along edges between burned and intact zones however moose still preferred burned areas. Results are evaluated in comparison with changes in deer abundance at both the country and local management district level. Roe deer have almost vanished from the studied territory. An explanation for the local deviation from species proportion at larger scale may be a general increase in abundance of red deer that due to support by hunting policy recovered much faster and occupied both fire touched and intact territories while moose more specialized in foraging on fire affected vegetation and maintain a limited distribution across study area and country wide.
INFLUENCE OF COMPOST COMPOSITION ON PRODUCTIVITY OF OIL PUMPKINS
Palaityte Grazina, Kubiliene Erika, Marcinkonis Saulius Vilniaus kolegija/University of Applied Sciences, Saltoniškių tr. 58, LT-08105 Vilnius, Lithuania [email protected]
Pumpkins - especially approved crop in organic farms. However, only few studies for selection of varieties, agricultural engineering, qualitative characteristics are carried out in Lithuania. Scientific advices would encourage to choose valuable varieties of pumpkins.
The open field experiment was conducted with five different composts used for pumpkin “Gleisdofer“ (Cucurbita pepo L.‚ Gleisdofer) fertilising: thermally processed green waste; mixture of slightly fragmented horse manure with softwood sawdust compost; fresh deciduous leaves compost; ground vegetation compost; high degree of fragmentation horse manure substrate. Pumpkin seedlings were planted into vegetative pots in the first decade of May, 2016. Before planting the pumpkins, compost samples were analysed for pH, available P2O5, K2O, Zn. Meteorological conditions were registered during pumpkins vegetation season, supplemental irrigation was applied. Pumpkins harvest was taken on the 9th of September, 2016. It has been observed, that Zn accumulation in pumkin seeds depends not only on the agrochemical composition of the compost, but also on the seeds applied. Determined amount of zinc ranged from 8,76 mg/kg to 30,4 mg/kg in analysed pumpkin seeds. It was found, that the greatest effect on the accumulation of Zn in pumpkin seeds has thermally processed green waste, the least effective – ground vegetation compost. Essential difference of Zn accumulation in pumpkin seeds among other types of composts has not been determined.
72 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
FURTHER SPREAD AND IMPACT ON NATIVE CRUSTACEANS OF THE ALIEN GAMMARID PONTOGAMMARUS ROBUSTOIDES IN THE DAUGAVA RIVER, 2016
Paidere Jana, Brakovska Aija Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies, Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Parādes 1a, Latvia [email protected], [email protected]
The more investigations of alien amphipods indicated that amphipods invasion has contributed decrease diversity and community’s structure of native invertebrates and amphipods in European inland waters. It has replaced native amphipods in large European rivers and reservoirs. Invasions were involved Ponto-Caspian species that were intentionally introduced as prey resource to fish in fresh waters as for instance, P.robustoides. Our investigations of P.robustoides in the Daugava River reservoirs were initiated in 2015 and continued 2016. In order to clarify further spread of P.robustoides out of the Pļaviņas Resevoir and its position among native amphipods there also was realized investigation in the Daugava River upstream from the Pļaviņas Reservoir to Veczeļķi (downstream to Jēkabpils city) and in mouth of the Aiviekste River. Qualitative sampling of gammarids was done by a handle net (25 x 25 cm, 500 µm) in the littoral parts of the rivers (July, September). Obtained results showed that P.robustoides continue distribution out of the Pļaviņas Reservoir. P.robustoides was found in the Daugava River approximately 12 km upstream from the Pļaviņas Reservoir. But in the mouth of the Aiviekste River (the largest tributary of the Daugava River) gammarids were not found. P.robustoides is evident impact on indigenous crustacean species. For example, in qualitative samples of the Pļaviņas Reservoir, where the Aiviekste inflow the Daugava, among 190 specimens of P.robustoides only 1 G. varsoviensis and 9 Asellus aquaticus specimens were found. Only in site Veczeļki G.varsoviensis was dominant, there was found also other indigenous gammarid G. pulex.
Research project was supported by the national research program “The value and dynamic of Latvia’s ecosystems under changing climate – EVIDEnT” project “Non-native species distribution and impact on the Baltic Sea and freshwater ecosystems” sub-project „Non-indigenous species distribution and impact on freshwater ecosystems”.
VARIANCE IN ROE DEER MORPHOMETRICS AMONG SEASIDE AND INLAND SUBPOPULATIONS IN LITHUANIA
Pavilonis Vaidas, Pečkaitis Karolis, Sabalinkienė Gintarė Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Institute of Forest Biology and Silviculture, Lithuania [email protected],
Roe deer is a most abundant ungulate in Lithuania and one of most popular game species for trophy hunting. Roe deer population size exceeded 140 000 individuals in 2016 y. Since roe deer population size increased drastically, they have adopted to survive in less suitable habitat like open areas and intensively used agriculture fields. Behavioural plasticity is a species specific attribute, helping to adapt cultural mosaic landscape of Lithuania. In regions with low forest coverage, formation of field roe deer ecotype is observed. However, no evidence of genetic variation among roe deer ecotypes
73 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 were found. Lithuania is relatively small country, but variation in climate conditions is highly expressed as well as variation if soil fertility and good quality food supply. Roe deer skull and antler morphometric traits varies among metapopulations in Lithuania dependent on living environment and population density. In our research we investigated and compared roe deer skull and antler morphometric traits among several roe deer metapopulations originated from seaside and inland habitats. The results showed a significant variation among metapopulations in roe deer skull and antler morphometric traits as well as variation among age classes and gender.
THE INFLUENCE OF LONG-TERM ORGANIC AND INTENSIVE FARMING ON SPREAD OF SEGETALIC FLORA PLANTS AND THEIR SPECIES COMPOSITION IN AGRO-ECOSYSTEMS
Pekarskas Juozas, Dautartė Anželika, Gavenauskas Algirdas Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Universiteto g. 2-517, Akademija, Kauno r., Lithuania [email protected], [email protected]
The influence of long-term organic and intensive farming on segetalic flora was investigated in organic and intensive farming fields of Aleksandras Stulginskis University PI “ASU training farm” (Lithuania Kaunas region Kazliškiai village). Organic farming on Organic farm runs since 1997, there no synthetic chemicals (pesticides) were applied for control of segetalic flora.
There in intensive farm different crop rotation fields have been found 9-36 segetalic flora plants species, of which 6-11 species were perennial and 3-25 – annual. Perennial segetalic flora plants were more widespread in perennial grasses, while on the contrary annual segetalic flora plants prevailed in cereals, maize and oilseed rape crops. There in organic crop fields were found 20-41 segetalic flora plants species from which the perennial were 11-17, and 8-24 – of annual. Similar spread of segetalic flora plants species composition was observed in intensive and organic farming fields. The analysis of plants number dry biomass in agro-ecosystems, showed in organic crop fields were found from 34.20 to 142.5 segetalic flora plants in m2 whose biomass was from 22.63 to 95.62 g m-2 and in intensive crop production fields respectively - from 19.20 to 67.47 plants per m2, biomass varied from 12.44 to 42.15 g m-2.
Richer segetalic flora plant species composition, the greater number of plants and their biomass was found in organic farming fields than in intensive farming system, applying herbicides. Application of herbicide didn’t lead to solution of control of segetalic flora plants spread problems. Introduction of crop rotation, proper tillage system and formation of dense crops can successfully control the spread of segetalic plant flora in organic farming fields. Organic farming has a significant influence on segetalinės flora plant biodiversity. Application of organic fertilizer in agro-ecosystems has significant impact on segetalic flora species composition and its abundance regardless of farming systems.
74 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
ECOLOGY AND INVASIVENESS OF SYMPHYOTRICHUM SPECIES IN LITHUANIA
Petrulaitis Lukas Nature Research Centre, Institute of Botany, Žaliuju Ežeru 49, Vilnius, Lithuania, LT-08406 [email protected]
Species of the genus Symphyotrichum are native to North America and are widely cultivated ornamental plants. In Lithuania, this genus is represented by six alien aturalized species: S. dumosum, S. lanceolatum, S. novae- angliae, S. novibelgii, S. ×salignum and S. ×versicolor.
Most widespread species of the genus are S. lanceolatum, S. novii-belgii and S. ×salignum. They occupy natural and anthropogenic habitats, form large and dense stands outcompeting most of the native species. These species most commonly occupy riparian habitats and banks of other bodies of water, abandoned meadows and roadsides. S. novae-angliae and S. ×versicolor are quite rare and usually occur in anthropogenic or disturbed habitats. S. dumosum occurs on a wide range of habitats (from xeric forest edges to meadows of hygromesophytes). It quite intensely spreads by rhizomes only. All species of this genus quite often occur in the vicinities of cemeteries.
Field studies on the density and structure of populations were performed in 2014–2016. Shoot density of S. lanceolatum in studied populations ranged from 284.8±89.8 shoots/m2to 589.2±341.0 shoots/m2. Percentage of generative shoots in the investigated populations of S. lanceolatum varied from 16.43% to 50.70%. In most of the studied populations vegetative shoots prevailed, except one population, which was located in an open riparian tall herb fringe habitat. In populations that occur in the habitats with tree and (or) shrub layers, vegetative shoots significantly outnumber generative shoots.
S. lanceolatum and S. ×salignum frequently produce viable seeds that are dispersed both by wind and water. Vegetative and generative reproduction is the main cause of their intensive spread during the last two decades in riparian and in some anthropogenic habitats. S. lanceolatum is invasive species, while S. novi-belgii and S. ×salignum possess features of invasiveness, which can lead to future invasion.
THE IDENTIFICATION OF CAROTENOIDS DISTRIBUTION CHANGES IN LEAVES OF INVASIVE AQUATIC PLANT ELODEA CANADENSIS (MICHX.1803) AFTER THE INFLUENCE OF GRADUAL SALT STRESS BY RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
Petjukevičs Aleksandrs, Savicka Marina, Batjuka Anna, Škute Nataļja Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Department of Ecology, Institute of Life Science and Technologies, Daugavpils University, Parades 1A, 122, Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvia [email protected]
Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the shifts of Elodea canadensis (Michx.1803) leave- plates carotenoids distribution in situ at different stages of salt (NaCl) stress influence: 10 mM, 50 mM, and 100 mM directly in the plant tissue. All spectra were obtained by inVia Reflex system with
75 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
Ar-ion 514.0 nm laser excitation in the Raman shift range 620–1720 cm-1. In parallel, the Raman micro-mapping was performed. The identified patterns showed that the Raman bands intensity of carotenoids depends on the degree of salinity in which the plant grows. The peak intensity of the signal of carotenoids was in the range: 380-16900 a.u. Spectra were similar in general peaks but differ from control samples by the level of shifts signal intensity. Due to the decrease of total intensity of all peaks in samples (100mM), an increase in the number of low-intensity peaks over the entire length of the spectrum was observed. It was also found that the band in the region of 1520 cm-1 characterizes the stretching vibrations of the double -C=C bonds of the carotenoid molecule and shifts to the high-frequency region when the configuration of the molecule changes, the band 1156 cm-1 characterizes the stretching vibrations of single C-C bonds. The simultaneous shift of the 1520 cm-1 band towards lower frequencies and band 1156 cm-1 towards higher frequencies may indicate a decrease in the number of double conjugated bonds in the molecule and processes associated with the changes in the carotenoid molecules. The study of the intensity of the pigments synthesis such as carotenoids, which also involved in the protective molecular mechanisms of cells, allows us to identify the interconnections between the rapid spread of this invasive plant species on the territory of Latvia and its high resistance to abiotic stress: drought, salinity, low temperatures or others.
This study has been supported by the National Research Programme 2014-2017 „EVIDEnT” sub- project 1.4.“Functioning of food-webs”.
THE INVASIVE ALIEN SAMBUCUS SP. IMPACT ON PLANT COMMUNITIES DIVERSITY AND COMPOSITION IN LITHUANIAN FORESTS
Pratašienė Kristina, Marozas Vitas Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Akademia, Kaunas distr. Lithuania, LT-53361 [email protected], [email protected]
The interest of invasive plant species has increased significantly over the past few decades together with growing in afforestation, climate and land use change. Invasive woody plant species may affect all components of an environment, from ecosystem processes to community structure and biodiversity patterns, may cause impacts on native forests biodiversity through hybridization, change nutrient cycling and water filtration, decreased water supplies for nearby communities, they can limit native plant growth or change species composition. In view of the increased attention of invasive plant species, this study presents the distribution, vegetation and site types parameters of existing non- native Sambucus sp. and their impact on forests plant communities diversity and species composition structure in Lithuania. It was found that Sambucus sp. were most widespread in high productivity, fresh soil and pine forests stand and had positive influence on species composition structure.
76 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
THE AQUACULTURE BIOLOGY RESEARCHES IN LATVIA: THE DIRECTIONS AND PROSPECTS
Pupins Mihails 1,2, Arturs Skute1, Pupina Aija 1,2 1Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies. Parades str. 1A, Daugavpils, Latvia 2Latgales Zoo. Vienibas str. 27, Daugavpils, Latvia [email protected], [email protected]
Aquaculture biology (Akvakultūru bioloģija) is an applied field of biological science that researches the management capabilities of cultivated populations of hydrobionts and natural and regulated aquatic ecosystems used in the aquaculture, in order to increase their effectiveness.
We investigated the state of aquaculture in Latvia according to the statistics and scientific and technical publications, and visited 8 aquaculture production facilities and conducted 14 interviews with their owners and leading employees.
The cultivated species are common carp, sturgeon, pike, trout, catfish, crayfish etc. Other groups of species of hydrobionts (coelenterates, molluscs, amphibians, reptiles, etc.) are kept only for exhibition, nature conservation and scientific purposes. Uncontrolled importation of exotic hydrobionts causes invasions (Perccottus glenii). In many cases, there are extensive pond farms with low productivity, production is traditional and only rarely it is innovative.
In this regard, the main areas of the Aquaculture biology research in Latvia can be: 1) to study the ways of increasing the productivity of aquaculture in open water; 2) to study the native species potential for aquaculture to obtain an innovative product that is free from competition with products from countries with a more developed aquaculture industry; 3) active introduction into the recycling aquaculture of Latvia of new species, including the world fauna, including non-traditional groups of species; 4) targeted domestication and engineering of species of hydrobionts with the aim of increasing the efficiency of their aquaculture in the climatic and socio-economic conditions of Latvia; 5) research of invasive and potentially invasive hydrobionts and their parasites on their impact on the local ecosystems; 6) the use of renewable energy and thermal pollution for the needs of aquaculture in the cold climate of Latvia; 7) increase of energy efficiency of aquaculture technological processes.
FIRST FINDINGS OF ALIEN FRESH-WATER TURTLE PELODISCUS SINENSIS (WIEGMANN 1835) IN LATVIA: VECTORS OF INTRODUCTION AND RISK ASSESSMENT
Pupins Mihails 1,2, Pupina Aija 1,2 1Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies. Parades str. 1A, Daugavpils, Latvia 2Latgales Zoo. Vienibas str. 27, Daugavpils, Latvia [email protected], [email protected]
First single records of new species in country can be useful for better understanding of process of biological invasion and for preventive nature conservation before mass invasion of the species.
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Pelodiscus sinensis in many countries is displacing local species of turtles together with the most invasive turtle in the world Trachemys scripta elegans, it has moderate risk of the invasion in the European Union.
We registered in Latvia invasive Far-East fresh-water turtle P.sinensis for the first time in 2008 (#PeSi0001) (young male) in Olaine, the second finding was in 2010 (#PeSi0002) in central part of Latvia (juvenile), and we found one big adult male (#PeSi0003) in South-East part of Latvia in 2014.
P.sinensis is likely to inhabit Latvia in summer, and possible, in winter. P.sinensis are predators, so they can influence a wide range of local aquatic fauna in the case of colonization. Illegal releasing in wild and escapes from terraria are main vectors of its invasion in Latvia.
To assess the possibility of P.sinensis to adapt to Latvian climate it is necessary to take into account its relatively long lifetime (up to 25 years); it can hibernate under water up to 7 months, and has a short period of eggs incubation (30-50 days), as well as the tendency to climate warming in Latvia. P. sinensis can be also potential sources of new parasitic diseases for rare autochthonic Emys orbicularis.
EMYS ORBICULARIS EGGS’ SEMI-NATURAL INCUBATION IN UNHEATED GLASS-HOUSE ZOOCULTURE IN LATVIA: READY FOR WINTERING IN GROUND HATCHLINGS’ CARAPAX LENGTH, WIDTH, AND BODY WEIGHT
Pupins Mihails 1,2, Pupina Aija 1,2 1Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies. Parades str., 1A, Daugavpils, Latvia 2Latgales Zoo. Vienibas str., 27, Daugavpils, Latvia [email protected], [email protected]
Autochthonous Emys orbicularis are kept in herpetoculture in Latvian Rare Amphibian and Reptile Centre with the aim of their further releasing in the wild since 1984.
In 2014-2015 we preliminary investigated possibility of semi-natural eggs incubation in unheated glass-house zooculture.
First eggs-laying was observed on 2015.05.22, hatchlings were found in the basin on 2015.08.26 and later. As other hatchlings did not come out from the ground preparing for wintering, 2015.10.13 we dug out all sites for egg laying and collected 37 hatchlings.
Their carapax line measured length (CL) and breadth (CB), and body weight (BW) averages were: CL=26.72 (min 22.38; max 29.30); CB=24.72 (min 20.0; max 27.04); BW=5.11 (min 3.38; max 6.26). Correlations found between all three pairs of the variables (P<0.01). The correlation between CL and BW is most stronger.
The unheated glass-house conditions can be efficiently used for northern E.orbicularis eggs semi- natural incubation in Latvia.
78 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
THE FIRST RECORDS AND PRESENT DISTRIBUTION OF NATRIX NATRIX IN THE DAUGAVPILS DISTRICT, SOUTHERN MOST PART OF LATVIA, AS A POSSIBLE RESULT OF CLIMATE CHANGES IN THE REGION
Pupins Mihails 1,2, Pupina Aija 1,2 1Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies. Parades str.,1a, Daugavpils, Latvia 2Latgales Zoo. Vienibas str., 27, Daugavpils, Latvia [email protected], [email protected]
The recording of the Natrix natrix findings in the Daugavpils district is being carried out since 1985. The methods of the study were the visual inspection, recording on the roads, interviewing of the local population and a visual inspection of the reported points. As a result of the conducted research, N.natrix was for the first time registered in the Daugavpils district in 2002. During the research, we totally registered 25 points of finding N. natrix in this territory till 2016.
N. natrix was found here in a variety of the habitats: on mixed forests, near the water basins, in the meadows, in the gardens, in the towns and in the buildings. During the research, we have registered N.natrix road mortality.
It is difficult to state the real reasons for the emergence and rapid spread of N. natrix in the surveyed region. However, because of the insignificant changes in the ecosystems in the protected Silene Nature Park, one can assume that the main factor contributing to the progressive spread of N. natrix in the most southern part of Latvia, is the climate warming in the region.
N.natrix has spread in the protected territories Natura 2000: landscape park “Augszeme”, the Silene Nature Park and microreserve “Ilgas”, microreserve “Katriniski”. Due to the fact that the rare and protected species of herpetofauna such as Triturus cristatus, Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus, Lacerta agilis, and Emys orbicularis inhabit these protected territories, it is important to investigate N.natrix role as a new predator, food competitor and possible vector of the transfer of parasites in the ecosystems.
NATURAL REGENERATION OF ULMUS GLABRA AND ULMUS LEAVIS IN YOUNG STANDS IN LATVIA
Pušpure Ilze, Laiviņš Māris, Matisons Roberts LSFRI “Silava”, Riga str. 111, Salaspils, Latvia, LV-2169 [email protected]
Ulmus glabra and Ulmus laevis are common tree species in river floodplains and terraces in Latvia. Although both species have successful self-regeneration during the 20thcentury, their existence have been threatened by the Dutch Elm disease caused by pathogen Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. The influence of the dieback contributes to changes in composition and shrub overgrowth in Ulmus spp. stands. Hence, information about the regeneration of these stands is necessary to assess the potential of Ulmus in future. Natural regeneration of Ulmus spp. was studied in 29 young stands (age ≤15 years, area ≥ 0.3 ha, Ulmus spp. ≥ 30% of individuals) in 2016. In each stand, a 2 × 100 m sampling
79 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 plot was established and height of all advance regeneration (AG) and undergrowth (UG) individuals was measured; health status of Ulmus trees was recorded.
In total, 12 AG and 18 UG species were accounted. In AG, the highest density was observed for U. glabra, Alnus incana and Fraxinus excelsior (3978, 1569, and 1097 ind. ha-1, respectively). Mean density of U. laevis was 193 ind. ha-1, yet some pure stands (> 2000 ind. ha-1) were accounted. In UG, Padus avium and Corylus avellana were the most abundant (5000 and 1531 ind. ha-1, respectively). Regeneration density of Ulmus spp. was similar irrespectively of stand types, dominant species in AG, as well as Ulmus spp. density in the previous rotation.
The accounted saplings of U. laevis were healthy, yet for U. glabra, 14% of saplings were damaged and 4% were dead. The degree of damage increased with age and height of saplings. Health condition was better in the Eastern part of Latvia, in drained forest types, but was not effected by composition and density of AG or UG. Hence, despite low occurrence, good health condition suggests increasing potential of U. laevis in commercial forestry.
MANAGEMENT OF PINE TREES FUNGAL DISEASES IN LITHUANIAN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS
Raitelaitytė Kristina1,2, Rutkauskas Arvydas1, Paulauskas Algimantas1, Radzijevskaja Jana1, Markovskaja Svetlana2, Raitelaitis Mindaugas1 1Faculty of Natural Sciences,Vytautas Magnus University,Vileikos St. 8, LT-44404 Kaunas, Lithuania 2Institute of Botany,Nature Research Centre,Žaliųjų Ežerų St. 49, Lt-08406Vilnius, Lithuania [email protected]
Dothistroma septosporum and Lecanosticta acicola are fungal pathogens that cause severe foliage diseases in conifers. Diseases cause needle necrosis and premature needle loss, resulting in substantial growth loss. Plant disease risk is strongly influenced by environmental conditions. The Key challenge for the 21st century is climate change. That‘s why it is really important to know whether they have enough knowledge about spread and management (thinning, felling, spraying and other) of diseases, and if they have enough resources to prevent and/or control fungal diseases. In February of 2017 we interviewed 32 public and private land managers responsible for forests containing a substantial component of pines in their mix of tree species. We have established questionnaire to analyze and evaluate information from managers. Results show that in Lithuania everything is more complicated than we think. Some nurseries have enough information about fungal plant diseases and their control. But a huge portion of evaluated nurseries recognized that there is lack of information needed for successful disease management. Also after the survey it was clear, that nurseries, who were questioned, use fungicide as main and only way to fight fungal plant diseases. On the bright side they gladly interact with each other and change information. They also show interest in activities of foreign nurseries. It is necessary to look into management of plant nurseries, so that in the future it would be possible to help provide information and knowledge in fields that nurseries need it.
80 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
DISTRIBUTION AND STATE OF EQUISETUM TELMATEIA IN LITHUANIA
Rasimavičius Mindaugas1, Gudžinskas Zigmantas2 1Vilnius University, Life Science Centre, Institute of Biosciences, Saulėtekio Av. 7, Vilnius, Lithuania 2Nature Research Centre, Institute of Botany, Žaliųjų Ežerų Str. 49, Vilnius, Lithuania [email protected], [email protected]
Conservation of endangered plant species requires a thorough knowledge about their distribution, state of populations and habitats as well as identification of current and potential threats. A large number of endangered fern species and their allies have been seriously impacted by climate change and are in danger of extinction. Although the habitat degradation has been observed across the range of Equisetum telmateia Ehrh., globally it is considered as a species of least concern. Nevertheless, in certain regions, mainly in those close to the limits of the distribution range, E. telmateia is considered as threatened species.
Field studies on the distribution and state of E. telmateia populations were performed from April to September in 2015 and 2016. Analysis of all available information revealed that E. telmateia currently occurs in seven localities in Lithuania, mainly in the southern part of the country. One formerly recorded population in the south-western part of Lithuania is currently extinct, one population is probably extinct and another one was not re-discovered and its state is unknown. The area occupied by individual stands of E. telmateia in Lithuania ranges from 240 m2 to 8800 m2. The total area of E. telmateia stands in the country is 2.41 ha.
Sporulation of E. telmateia in Lithuania is poor. In two studied populations, no generative shoots were recorded. In other populations, the number of generative shoots ranged from 1 to 191. Generative shoots, as a rule, were recorded in somewhat drier places, usually in transitional areas between springs and mesic forest stands or grasslands.
Evaluation of the status of E. telmateia in Lithuania applying the IUCN criteria resulted in its categorization as a vulnerable species. The main threats for E. telmateia are forest logging and changes in habitat irrigation, though wild animals, human activities and invasive plant species also have certain negative impact on the populations of this species.
POPULATION DYNAMICS AND STRUCTURE OF LOCALLY RARE FERN ASPLENIUM SEPTENTRIONALE IN ESTONIA
Rattur Maris1,2 1Tallinn Botanic Garden, Kloostrimetsa Str. 52, Tallinn, Estonia 2Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Botany, Kreutzwaldi Str. 5, Tartu, Estonia [email protected]
Long-term monitoring of threatened vascular plants populations provides important information for species management and conservation. Small rock fern Asplenium septentrionale was assumed to be extinct from its historically known localities in Estonia, where this species is reaching the south-eastern margin of its Scandinavian disjunction and has always been rare due to lack of suitable habitats. But
81 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 in 1993 A. septentrionale was rediscovered from a new locality in Estonia, growing on human-made stone wall. Since then, the population of A. septentrionale has been monitored with the frequency of every 1 to 3 years. This study sums data collected during the 23-year period (1994-2016) to assess the status and viability of the population. Meteorological data was used to evaluate the effects of the local weather conditions on the population dynamics.
VARIATION IN CONE AND SEED MORPHOLOGY TRAITS AMONG THE MITOCHONDRIAL DNA HAPLOTYPES OF SCOTS PINE (PINUS SYLVESTRIS L.)
Raskauskaitė Monika, Danusevicius Darius Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Universiteto g. 2-517, Akademija, Kauno r., Lithuania [email protected], [email protected]
The maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes of Scots pine may have preserved distinct features attributable to their post glacial environments. These preserved properties can be associated with present-day stress tolerance induced by changing climate. The problem is to find neutral morphological markers that could identify the mtDNA types (mitotypes).The objective of our study was to assess the morphological traits of cones and seeds of the two mitotypes of Scots pine, identified by DNA markers at the Nad7.1 locus of the mtDNA. We genotyped the mtDNA of 40 clones of a local origin in a seed orchard and identified two mitotypes: (a) the type A, mitotype originating from the southern refugia (type A) and (b) type B mitotype, orginating from a northerly refugium west of the southern Ural Mountains (lacking the 5bp indel at the Nand7.1 locus). The following cone and seed morphology traits of these 40 clones were scored: cone length and width, seed wing color, seed wing length, width, seed wing length and width ratio, area, perimeter, seed wing class, average seeds number per cone, seeds with wings mass.
The results revealed significant differences between the mitotypes in seed wing area (p = 0.0004), width (p=0.0016), seeds with wing weight (p = 0.0358) and average seed number per cone (p = 0.001). There was a tendency for the type B mitotype to produce more seeds per cone (at similar cone size). There is no significant difference between the mitotypes in seed wing shape and other seed and come properties. These seed size traits, however, are strongly affected by environmental variance and may represent autocorrelations with clonal properties or even environmental effects and cannot serve as markers.
Our study indicates that the connection between the present-day cone and seed morphotype and the postglacial origin in Scots pine is uncertain and no reliable morphological markers can be observed.
82 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
SATELLITE TRACKING OF THE EURASIAN BITTERN BOTAURUS STELLARIS IN LATVIA: NOTES ON POST-NUPTIAL MIGRATION, WINTERING AND HABITAT PREFERENCES
Reihmanis Jānis1, Laubergs Artūrs2, Šiliņš Roberts3, Zvingule Laura1 1Latvian Fund for Nature; address: Vīlandes str. 3-7, Riga, Latvia, LV-1010 2Laboratory of Ornithology, Institute of Biology, University of Latvia; address: Miera str. 3, Salaspils, Latvia, LV-2169 3Lake Engure Nature Park Fund; address: Engure Ornithological Research Centre, Bērzciems, Engure County, Latvia [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected].
It is known that the North Eurasian populations of the Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris are migratory. However, some birds remain in breeding areas where water does not freeze in mild winters. Some populations, such as England and Netherlands, are nearly residential. Migration ecology of Latvian Eurasian Bitterns’ has not been studied until now. For the first time in Latvia we curried out satellite- tracing of the Eurasian Bittern. A post-nuptial migration, wintering and habitat preference was studied from 2014 to 2017 for three birds from the Kurzeme region, Latvia (from Lake Engure and other small wetlands within the region).
In our study we analysed sex and age differences in migration route and timing, and differences in latitudes of wintering sites. We also analysed habitat preferences during the post breeding period before birds started migration. Our results demonstrate that even a small number of satellite tagged birds show behavioural plasticity in terms of autumn migration route and wintering site selection, indicating that post-breeding migration route choice decisions may have substantial variability. Our data indicate that Eurasian Bitterns winter in West and South Europe, in accordance with previous suggestions based on very few ring recoveries during the winter months.
Post-breeding foraging habitat analysis demonstrated that Eurasian Bittern prefer Common Reed Phragmites australis habitats for foraging. Reed density and productivity at foraging sites were higher than at random sites. We found that foraging sites were located closer to the water and to the edge of reedbed, i.e. birds avoided dry interior parts of large reedbeds. We also found that foraging sites tend to be located closer to the aggregations of fragmented Reed patches. GPS tracking revealed that during the post-breeding season Bittern foraging activity strongly associated with the reedbed edges exposed to the open water. Our results show that Bittern preferably utilize reedbed ecotone zones in post-breeding seasons. We hypothesise that spacing are mostly related to prey partitioning and availability.
The study was conducted within the framework of the EU-funded LIFE+ project COASTLAKE (Restoration of Bittern habitats in two coastal lakes in Latvia, LIFE12 NAT/LV/000118).
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DETERMINING FACTORS THAT NEGATIVELY AFFECTS ENVIRONMENT OF LAKE ILZAS GERANIMOVAS BY ANALYZING STRUCTURE OF MACROZOOBENTHOS
Reshchenko Raymond University of Latvia, Rīga, Burtnieku str., 1, Latvia, LV-1006 [email protected]
Determining factors that negatively affects environment of lake Ilzas Geranimovas by analyzing structure of macrozoobenthos.
Lake Ilzas Geranimovas is 3rd deepest in Latvia, and have highest population of Osmerus eperlanus in country. This specie is strongly affected by global climate change. Those are the main reasons why i made the work on determining factors of what caused the quality of Lake to worsen, based on data from LVĢMC (Latvian center of geology and meteorology).
The results shwed that the main lakes main degradation reason was outcome water from wastewater treatment plant, because of highly increased population of Dreissena polymorpha and relatively really small amount of finded sensitive species in region, where was the highest wastewater affect.
NEW DATA ON DISTRIBUTION OF EUROPEAN MANTIS (MANTIS RELIGIOSA, INSECTA, MANTODEA, MANTIDAE) IN LITHUANIA
Rimšaitė Jolanta, Ivinskis Povilas, Bartkevičienė Galina Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius, Lithuania [email protected]
Data on distribution in Lithuania of European mantis Mantis religiosa (Linnaeus, 1758) are presented. The Lithuanian fauna can be supplemented with new species as a result of global climate change. A number of new invertebrate species, a decade ago known only from southern Europe, have been recorded in Lithuania recently. Mantis religiosa was first time recorded from Lithuania in summer of 2008, it was five records about adult females, which were found in different part of Vilnius city. In 2010 we received 13 records, from various cites, most of them was from Vilnius and around. Mantis religiosa has aroused interest between inhabitants. So, interrogation and informative campaign with the use of newspapers, the internet, radio and television among the inhabitants of Lithuania was used. At the 2015 we received about 50 records from south, central, east part of Lithuania and about 160 records we received at the 2016. All the records were proved by photos or live animal. The biggest number of record was from Vilnius city and surroundings (55,3% from all records in 2016), Alytus (17%), Varėna (10%). Specimens of Mantis religiosa were found in different part of city and surroundings and formed some finding patches. The findings places in Lithuania were situated near the highways, transport corridors and in some cases the species were observed in native habitats edges of Pinus forest, peat bog and military training ground. Some specimens was caught or observed in the day time - on the walls of the buildings, on the flowers, on the pavement, but mostly specimens come in to light at evening times, was one case , when European mantis flight in to light moth trap. We suppose that the first specimens fall in Lithuania accidentally from Central or South Europe. But we supposed that now we have small native population of European mantis in Lithuania. Father investigation and findings of immature mantis, can confirm or deny this suggestion.
84 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
EFFECTS OF LAND-USE CHANGE ON THE INCIDENCE OF SNAKEBITE ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY BOTHROPS ASPER AND PORTHIDIUM LANSBERGII (SERPENTES: VIPERIDAE) IN ANTIOQUIA DEPARTMENT, COLOMBIA
Rivera-Prieto Diego, Dra. Botero Fernández Verónica Universidad Nacional de Colombia [email protected], [email protected]
Snakebite accidents are considered to be an unattended disease and a serious public health problem due to morbidity/mortality rates, poor access to health services and the shortage of antivenom, especially in tropical countries. In Colombia, habitat loss and fragmentation, largely due to agricultural and livestock expansion, is currently the most common pressure on biodiversity, affecting the structure of local ecological communities leading to changes in distribution, abundance, and interactions among species, bringing on conflicts between fauna and humans. For this reason, it is necessary to analyse the effects of land-use changes on the incidence of the ophidian accident caused by Bothrops asper and Porthidium lansbergii, which are the two snakes that most accidents cause in Colombia. In order to estimate the potential distribution of B. asper and P. lansbergii and to determine the environmental variable that most influences the accidents, ecological niche modelling was used; in addition, a multi-temporal analysis was carried out through the analysis of satellite images in order to compare and describe the behaviour of the events between 2007 and 2015, and finally a predictive model of the snakebite risk of these snakes was constructed. Our results suggest that land-use changes influence the frequency and distribution of ophidian accidents in Colombia, and that niche modelling can be used to mapping distributions of environmental suitability for venomous snakes, allowing inferring areas of potential risk for snakebites. Analyses implemented here are useful tools to improve control and prevention measures of snakebite accident due to landscape transformation that drastically occurs in tropical countries.
DETECTION OF FREE LIVING AMOEBA USING SCANNING CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY
Rubeniņa Ilze1,2, Jahundoviča Inese1,2, Mališevs Artjoms2, Kirjušina Muza1,2 1Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Parades Street 1A, Daugavpils, LV-5401 2Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment „BIOR”, Lejupes Street 3, Riga, LV- 1076 [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
A confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) is a non-invasive fluorescent imaging technique that scan samples sequentially point by point and assemble the pixel information into an image. Numerous staining techniques are designed to facilitate the investigation of several protozoan, including FLA.
One of the most widespread and common FLA genera is Acanthamoeba. They interact with various pathogens and may infect humans causing several diseases. Currently several stains are used for investigation of FLA to improve the diagnosis. However, some of the fluorescent staining protocols still are time consuming, not cost-effective and give low-quality data.
85 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
The aim of this study was to optimize the fluorescent staining protocol for Acanthamoeba spp. investigation. For optimization of the protocol, experiments were performed based on modifications of concentration and volume of fluorescent dyes. Specimens were labelled by following fluorescent dyes: Rhodamine B and Acridine orange base by following concentrations: Acridine orange base
0,007 or 0,009 g/ml dH2O; Acridine orange base 0,007 or 0,008 g/ml ethanol 96,6% (EtOH); Rhodamine B 0,002 or 0,003 g/ml EtOH 96,6%. The data were obtained using CLSM Nikon Eclipse Ti – E. The qualitative pictures were gathered when volume of fluorescent dye was 3 µl and concentration was 0,007 g/ml for Acridine orange base and for Rhodamine B: concentration was 0,003 g/ml and volume was 2 µl (for both dyes dissolvent was EtOH). The Acanthamoeba cysts were detected as bright spots, they were small, round and double-walled structures. The results confirmed that not only concentration but also volume of fluorescent dye has an impact on picture’s quality.
This work was supported by National Research Programme No. 7 - Agricultural Resources for Sustainable Production of Qualitative and Healthy Foods in Latvia (AgroBioRes) project No. 5 Resistance of microorganisms and other biological and chemical risks research procedures development and application in the food chain (RISKI).
THE GENUS PACHYRHYNCHUS GERMAR, 1824 (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) FAUNA, BIOGEOGRAPHY, MIMICRY AND PLACE IN LANDSCAPE PROTECTION
Rukmane Anita, Barševskis Arvīds University of Daugavpils, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Parades str., 1a., Daugavpils, Latvia LV-5401 [email protected], [email protected]
The genus Pachyyrrhynchys Germar, 1824 belongs to tribe Pachyrrhynchini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) and in the Oriental fauna is represented by 126 species, distributed from Japan (Ryukyu Islands) to Australia and it is more common for the Philipine archipelago, which may be regarded as the center of diversity (Starr & Wang, 1992). Recently this genus has been studied and new species described by foreign researchers (Yoshitake, 2012; Bollino & Sandel, 2015) and 16 new species has been described and aprobated by authors (Rukmane & Barševskis, 2016; Rukmane & Cabras, 2016; Rukmane, 2016; Barševskis, 2016) but still large number of species remain undescribed mainly because of plenty polymorph feature types. Intensive deforestation and clearing land for farming are serious threat as species in this genus are forest dwelling and have altitudinal preferance. The low dispersal ability and distribution of food and larval host plants across vegetation types and elevations are mentioned to be important factors that determine population structure of flightless weevils (Sequiera et.al.2011). Moreover, species of Genus Pachyrhynchus are models in huge mimicry complex with Doliops, Metapocyrtus, Macrocyrtus etc. and endangerment of this species can affect all mimicry complex. This calls for conservation efforts not only for these species but for their food plants and larval host plants. The aim of this research is to determine taxonomic status between genus Pachyrrhynchus species, subspecies and varieties, collect faunistic and phenological data which may be useful in perspective for species, genus, tribe or even habitat conservation. This research is based on the material of Daugavpils University beetle collection (DUBC).
86 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
DISTRIBUTION TRENDS OF SOME MUSTARD FAMILY (CRUCIFERAE JUSS.) SPECIES IN LATVIA
Rūrāne Ieva1,2,3, Evarts-Bunders Pēteris1 1Daugavpils University, Institute of Life sciences and Technology, Parades 1A, Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvia 2Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Miera 3, Salaspils LV-2169, Latvia 3Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia, Kandavas 2, Rīga LV-1083, Latvia [email protected]
The structure of the flora is variable and is exposed to different natural and anthropogenic processes. Habitat transformation, human impact, and climate change have the negative consequences on species occurrence. Agricultural land use change to more intensive management affected also many species that are typical in these habitats. Species composition is changing not only due to the arrival of new alien species but also as the disappearance of native species.
Cruciferae Juss. is one of the largest family in the flora of Latvia, where more than a half of species composition consists of alien species. The distribution of some Cruciferae family alien species (e.g. Bunias orientalis L., Barbarea arcuata (Opiz ex J. et C. Presl) Rchb., Brassica napus L. and Sisymbrium volgense M. Bieb. ex E. Fourn.) has increased significantly in Latvia during the last decades.
Native species Draba nemorosa L. occurrence has increased, forming large populations in eastern part of Latvia. Analysis of the data from the last decades of D. nemorosa occurrence reflects that it was found not only in natural habitats but also in ruderal habitats.
Cruciferae species distribution analysis shows, that distribution not only increases but also decreases for some species as it for Camelina alyssum (Mill.) Thell. Analysis of the herbarium data and other information resources shows that C. alyssum is close to extinction. Vanishing of typical habitats of C. alyssum such as flax fields impact on species occurrence and existence. Last herbarium specimen has been detected from 1979, Daugavpils district.
Study of herbarium material and field surveys indicates that B. napus became more frequent in different ruderal habitats as in weedy places, roadsides, street edges, railway embankments, and tracks. B. napus is present throughout the all territory of Latvia; in western part of country species occurrence is rare, more frequent B. napus is in central and eastern part of country.
87 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
VALORIZATION POTENTIAL BEETLES CAUGHT ON THE TRUNKS OF DEAD PINES, BASED ON SAPROXYLIC BEETLE ASSEMBLAGES SURFACE TRUNKS
Rutkiewicz Artur Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Department of Forest Protection and Ecology,02-776 Warszawa, Nowoursynowska str. 159 B. 34, Poland [email protected]
The poster presents a comparative analysis of the conservation values of dead pine trees growing on a variety of forest habitats. Adjustment was made on the basis of participation in the clusters of beetle species associated with die away trees and dead wood as well as rare and relict species. The basis for the analysis was the faunal material collected on the surface of the trunks of dead trees by type of trap Geo-Forest. The analysis uses the results obtained in the valorization of natural forest habitats Świętokrzyskie Mountains and Forests PFC Spalsko-Rogowskie. On the pine assumed total 51 such traps on surfaces representing coniferous forests habitats and two on alder. Humidity gradient of habitats clearly differentiates the value of arboreal assemblages of beetles infesting dead pine trunks, showing a higher environmental value in the case of pines growing in moist habitats variants.
ABUNDANCE AND COMPOSITION OF DUNG BEETLES IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL CYCLE OF PINE STANDS IN CZŁUCHÓW FOREST (NW POLAND)
Rutkiewicz Artur, Byk Adam Department of Forest Protection and Ecology Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159/34, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland [email protected], [email protected]
The aim of the study was to gain knowledge about changes in abundance and species composition of dung beetles (coprophagous Scarabaeoidea) in pine stands. Beetles were collected in baited traps in Człuchów Forest, Pomeranian Lake District (Lasy Człuchowskie, Pojezierze Pomorskie) in 1998- 1999. In total, 87,596 specimens were collected, representing 41 species. It has been discovered that the structure of dung beetles communities inhabiting pine stands changes in the course of the forest developmental cycle. Brownfield adjoining to a forest, clear-cut areas and plantations are inhabited by heliophilous communities of dung beetles, with superdominant species Trypocopris vernalis and dominant species such as Anoplotrupes stercorosus, Aphodius pedellus, Euorodalus coenosus and Chilothorax distinctus. Thicket stage, pole timber stage, and the mature stand are inhabited by umbrophilous dung beetles communities characteristic of pine stands, with superdominant species Anoplotrupes stercorosus and dominant species Trypocopris vernalis. At thicket stage the number of dung beetles species is dramatically reduced in comparison to other developmental stages. Moreover, a fundamental change in species composition is observed.
88 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
BIOCHEMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF THE INVASIVE WATERWEED ELODEA CANADENSIS (MICHX. 1803) TO GRADIENT SALINITY STRESS
Savicka Marina, Petjukevičs Aleksandrs, Batjuka Anna, Škute Nataļja Department of Ecology, Institute of Life Science and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parādes str., 1a, Daugavpils, LV – 5401, Latvia [email protected]
Species invasion has been recognized as one of the major threats to freshwater biodiversity. Invasive freshwater plants are currently spreading rapidly and this is likely to continue with further changes in global climate resulting in changes in physical and chemical conditions in freshwaters and possibly creating new suitable habitats for alien plant species. Salinity, whether natural or induced, is a serious environmental stress limiting the growth and development of plants. The effect of water salinity (10mM, 25mM, 50mM, and 100mM NaCl) on cellular membrane stability, photosynthesis, and protein content in invasive waterweed Elodea canadensis (Michx.) was studied. A decrease was observed in the protein content in the two measurement periods due to the impact of gradient salinity stress. An inversely proportional relationship was found between protein content and the increase in salt concentrations in the both measurement periods. The results showed that, with the increase of external NaCl concentration and the duration of treatments, the number of chloroplasts and cell intercellular spaces markedly decreased, and chlorophyll a and b degradation (p<0.001) during NaCl treatment was observed. However, leaf proline content was not change during all investigated period. The data showed that different level of salinity significantly (p<0.05) affected the membrane permeability by increasing electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation for salinity over 50mM NaCl.
This study has been supported by the National Research Programme 2014-2017 „EVIDEnT” sub- project 1.4. “Functioning of food-webs”
OMALIUM RUGATUM MULSANT & REY, 1880 (COLEOPTERA: STAPHYLINIDAE, OMALIINAE), A NEW SPECIES FOR THE FAUNA OF LATVIA
Shavrin Alexey University of Daugavpils, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Parades str., 1a., Daugavpils, Latvia LV-5401 [email protected]
During the study of Omaliinae material deposited in the Beetle Collection of Daugavpils University (Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils, Ilgas) I found a new species previously has not been recorded from Latvia. Omalium rugatum Mulsant & Rey, 1880 has been recorded from Europe (including the British Isles, Scandinavia and central part of European Russia) and the Mediterranean Region (including Algeria, Cyprus and Turkey). The species is morphologically very similar with O. caesum Gravenhorst, 1806, from which it differs by the shape of the head and apical shape of the aedeagus.
89 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
Material examined: Ventspils District: 1 male: Užava River, 25.10.2006. A. Barševskis & A. Pankjāns leg.; Valka District: 1 female: Mežole, 17.06.2007. J. Donis leg.; 1 female: same locality, 18.09.2006. J. Donis leg.; Talsi District: 1 male: Slītere National Park, “Dāvida pļavas”, 22.08.2008. K. Aksjuta & U. Valainis leg.; 1 specimen: same locality, 05.2002. A. Barševskis leg.; Jēkabpils District: 1 male: Dunava, 12-18.07.2009. K. Barševska leg.; 1 female: same locality, 30.03.2008. K. Barševska & A. Barševskis leg.; 1 female: Tadenava, 04.2004. A. Barševskis leg.; Līvāni District: 1 male: Jersicas pagasts, “Kurpnieki”, 17.04.2011. A. Barševskis leg.; 2 females: same locality, 29.09.2012. A. Barševskis leg.; Daugavpils District: 1 male: Silene National Park, Ilgas. 1-30.06.2012. A. Barševskis leg.; 1 male: same locality, 27.05-1.06.2009. R. Cibuļskis leg.
THE IMPACTS OF THE AQUACULTURE ON THE BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN LATVIA
Škute Artūrs, Pupiņš Mihails University of Daugavpils, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Parades str., 1a., Daugavpils, Latvia LV-5401 [email protected], [email protected]
Fisheries and aquaculture remain important sources of food, nutrition, income and livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people around the world. The world per capita fish supply reached a new record of 20 kg in 2014 (FAO, 2016).
Pond aquaculture is traditional type of aquaculture in Latvia. The studies carried out by us over the last 10 years have shown that all the ponds used for aquaculture in Latvia can be divided into two groups: small Traditional Ponds (TP) and large Farming Ponds (FP). These two groups differ according to the following key parameters.
Dimensions: TP have an area of 0.1 – 1 ha, FP – 5 ha and more. Purpose: TP – provision of additional food for owners of TP, FP – production of hydrobionts for sale. Use for recreation: TP – recreation of owners, FP – recreation as a product for sale. Methods of cultivation: TP – extensive, FP – intensive. Function: TP – homestead pond, FP – fishery. Method of creating: TP – digging, FP – damming and diversion of waters from rivers and streams. Filling: TP – precipitation and groundwater, FP – streams and rivers. The possibility of drainage: TP – no, FP – yes. Type of aquaculture: TP – polyculture, FP – monoculture. Productivity of the pond: TP – the owner does not care, FP – is the main result of work for the owner. Motto: TP – a hobby, FP – a business.
The TP and FP in Latvia differ in principle according to the described below impacts of the aquaculture on the biodiversity conservation. The possibility of genetic contamination of the local population by the productive lines of hydrobionts: TP – no, FP – highly possible. Increases biodiversity: TP – in itself, FP – on the surrounding territory. Promotes the contamination with invasive species: TP – no, FP – yes. Eutrophication of the environment: TP – no, FP – is. Mosaic habitats: TP – increases, FP – reduces. Typical cultivated hydrobionts: TP – Carassius carassius, FP – Cyprinus carpio, Tinca tinca, Carassius auratus.
The results of the research showed that if the role of TP for preserving and increasing the biodiversity in Latvia is predominantly positive, then the role of FP depends to a large extent on the strategy and priorities of FP managing. The dynamics of the ratio of the number and area of ponds in Latvia over the past ten years shows that the number of TP in Latvia increases, while the number of FP remains practically at the same level. This allows us to hope for a sustainable conservation of biodiversity on the background of the development of pond aquaculture in Latvia.
90 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
GENETIC STRUCTURE OF THE PERCH PERCA FLUVIATILIS (L.) POPULATION FROM DIFFERENT PARTICULAR DAUGAVA RIVER SITES
Škute Natalja, Oreha Jelena University of Daugavpils, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Parades str., 1a., Daugavpils, Latvia LV-5401 [email protected], [email protected]
Water ecosystems have an important role in keeping biological diversity and environment quality in Latvia, as well as in state power industry and in national economy at large. Division of natural river-beds and creation of reservoirs is resulting in the fragmentation effect of natural water bodies. Moreover, big reservoirs can demonstrate a stabilizing impact on environment in the situation of quickly developing climate change. The cascade of Daugava hydroelectric power stations (HES), in this respect, can effectively preserve not only the water biodiversity providing an ecological niche to species of a great number of organisms and their considerable biomass, but also positively influence biotopes of reservoir coasts. To evaluate the influence of economic activity on freshwater ecosystem, the genetic diversity in some groups of river organisms was studied. Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis (L.) have abundance and wide distribution, extended genetic research of perch populations in Europe, diploidy, and no stocking effects. The genetic structure of the perch population from Daugavas river has been investigated using DNA microsatellites (Pfla L2, Pfla-L4, Pfla L6, Pfla L10, YP60, YP111). The genetic diversity, the level of polymorphism, means of alleles on locus, observed and expected heterozygosity, population structuring (FST and RST), Bayesian approach, gene flow (Nm) were analysed in perch populations from different particular Daugava river sites: Lielupe river near Daugava river creek, Daugava river in town Riga, Daugava river in Kegums HES site and Daugava river after Kegums HES site.
This study has been supported by the National Research Programme 2014-2017 „EVIDEnT” sub- project 4.6. “Freshwater ecosystem services and biological diversity”
DISEASES OF MEDICINAL PLANTS CULTIVATED IN KAUNAS BOTANICAL GARDEN OF VYTAUTAS MAGNUS UNIVERSITY
Snieškienė Vilija Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University, Ž.E.Žilibero 6, Kaunas, Lithuania, LT- 46324 [email protected]
In the poster are presented data of the 2006-2015 yers detected fungal diseases and their agents of medicinal plants cultivated in Medicinal plants sector of Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University. The most dangerous infections diseases were mildew ad leaves spots.
91 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
OCCURRENCE OF PHYTOPHTHORA SPP. IN DECIDUOUS TREES IN LITHUANIA: FIRST RESULTS
Snieškienė Vilija, Stankevičienė Antanina, Vitas Adomas Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University, Ž.E.Žilibero 6, Kaunas, Lithuania, LT- 46324 [email protected], [email protected]
The occurence of alien invasive species of Phytophthora genus on deciduous trees was surveyed in 17 districts of Lithuania. 261 trees from 14 genus ad 22 species with typical to Phytophthora genus disturbance symptoms in city greeneries, parks and forests were documented. The higest percentage of disturbed trees was observed among Acer (52%) and Alnus (16%) genus trees, while Tilia genus trees was acknowledged as the most resistant deciduous genus in Lithuania. More than a half of documented trees were young individuals (52%). The young trees typically grow nearby the water sources, while the number of premature and mature diseased trees is stable or tend to increase altogether with the distance to water source. The small bleeding spots on stem is the typical disturbance symptom of young trees, while the large bleeding spots and bark cracks are the characteristic symptoms of premature and mature trees.
DIGITIZING NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS IN ESTONIA: CURRENT STATUS AND PERSPECTIVES
Soon Villu Natural History Museum and Botanical garden, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, Tartu 51014, Estonia [email protected]
Natural history collections represent a vast evidence base for scientific research. To facilitate studies and improve access to repositories, natural history collections around the world are digitizing their specimens. This effort creates lasting records of the natural world that would otherwise be difficult to access.
The greatest natural history collections in Estonia reside in the University of Tartu, in the Estonian University of Life Sciences, in the Tallinn University of Technology and in the Estonian Museum of Natural History. The Estonian research infrastructures roadmap project „Natural history archives and information network (NATARC)“ develops the central infrastructure of Estonian bio- and georepositories. That includes developing a public information system that is able to manage most of the existing information about biodiversity.
PlutoF is a digital archive that assembles all databases of the larger natural history related collections in Estonia. It is a user-friendly platform that has a simple structure and employs a continuously updated taxonomy. It can manage different kinds of occurrence data such as specimens, observations, DNA sequences, living cultures, bibliographic references or material samples. All data are automatically linked and therefore can be easily searched and analyzed.
All major natural history collections in Estonia are databasing and digitizing specimens using PlutoF making specimen data publicly available. This effort greatly increases the use of collection specimens
92 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 and their data. Occurrence data can be searched and downloaded or employed in biodiversity portals like global biodiversity portal GBIF or Estonian eBiodiversity portal.
In perspective all public natural history collections in Estonia should be maintained using online databases providing open access to specimen data. Currently there are well over 1 000 000 natural history specimens already databased from Estonian repositories and active databasing is ongoing.
POPULATION DYNAMICS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CLOSTRIDIUM MACERANS ON HOST PLANT OF FLAX
Stafecka Inga1, Grauda Dace2, Stramkale Veneranda1 1Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics, Research Centre of Priekuli, Zinatnes Street 2, Priekuli, Priekulu distr., Latvia 2Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Miera Street 3, Salaspils, Latvia [email protected], [email protected]
The Clostridium (Bacillus) macerans is the most common bacteria in the soil that under certain conditions turns to pathogen for flax (Linum usitatissimum L) causing serious disease and reducing yield of the plant. A detailed understanding of flax and pathogens interactions would underpin crop improvement for fibre and seed production. The aim of this study was to clarify possibilities of development of the bacteriosis in dependence of genotypes of flax and environmental conditions. Experimental material for the study consisted of 25 flax genotypes. The evaluation was carried out of field trials over the period of time from 2015 to 2016 and of seeds phytosanitary qualities from 2014 to 2016 in the Research Centre of Priekuli, part of Vilani in Latgale. Progress of the disease was estimated every week. For the each estimation the index of severity of disease and the area under the disease progressive curve (AUDPC) were calculated. The highest and statistically significant pathogen’s AUDPCs were observed in the beginning of flowering and in full flowering stages of flax. There was found that the Clostridium macerans population statistically significantly be changed depending from flax genotypes both in field trails and in the seeds. The most resistant genotypes were ‘S13/5-7/5-93’, ‘S64-17-93’and ‘Ruda 1’. The correlation was found that most genotypes of flax have susceptibility to diseases in arid years.
THE SPREAD OF FUNGI ERYSIPHACEAE TUL & C.TUL. ON THE WOODY PLANTS AT THE CITY GREEN PLANTATIONS IN LITHUANIA
Stankevičienė Antanina Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University, Ž.E.Žilibero 6, Kaunas, Lithuania, LT- 46324 [email protected]
The aim of work: to identify Erysiphaceae species fungi injuring ornamental woody plants at city plantations and their spread in Lithuania. During 2009-2016 agents of powdery mildew at city green plantations were monitored, Alytus city was taken as a model. There were evaluted ornamental plants growing at protective street areas and recreational plantations: 35 genus, 48 species, 11 varieties.
93 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
Powdery mildew fungi were detected at street plantations: 3 genus, 5 species and at recreational plantations - fungi of 3 genus, 9 species. Mostly violent were Erysiphe genus powdery mildew agents: E. alpitoides (host plants Quercus robur), E. berberidis (Berberis thunbergii ‘Purpurea’), E. euonymi (Euonymus europaea), E. flexuosa( Aesculus hippocastanum), E. penicillata (Spirea arguta, S. latifolia), E. palczewskii (Caragana arborescens) and E. syringae (Syringa vulgaris). Plants at the recreational green plantations that suffered stronges injuries: Quercus robus (agents Erysiphe alpitoides, average damage grade - from 1,4 til 4). Also at recreational plantation fungi Sawadaea bicornis has injured Acer ginnala most severely (average grade of injury - 3,33), less sever Sawadeae tulasnei was on Acer platanoides (grade 1-3,3). Podosphaera pannosa injured Rosa spp. - from 1,27 till 1,54 grade. There were detected Phyllactinia fraxini, rare species in Lithuania, which haves injured Fraxinus exelsior by 1,17 in 2012 and 2013 - by 1,5. There were detected mildew agents of 3 genus, 5 species on plants of 5 genus, 6 species and 1 variety grown at protected green plantations and on plants of 8 genus, 13 species and 2 varieties grown at recreational plantations were detected fungi of 3 genus, 9 species.
RESEARCH OF MICROSCOPIC FUNGI IN RHIZOSPHERE OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IN LITHUANIA
Stankevičienė Antanina Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University, Ž.E.Žilibero 6, Kaunas, Lithuania, LT- 46324 [email protected]
In 1989-2015 the researches of species diversity of fungi at ornamental plants rhizosfere was carried out. Fungi were examined using biological method of isolation of pure cultures. In 1989-1993 researches of fungus variety change on Dianthus caryophyllus. Species variety decreased during the vegetation an the detection frequency of separate species has increases. Ithe second half of the vegetation the propagules of pathogenic fungi were detected. During 1996-2008 3 groups of plants grown in different ecological conditions were investigated: grown at the greenhouse, plants just imported from Netherlands (good status), plants with injuries. The complex of pathogenic fungi forming at the rhizosphere revelant to plant status. Pathogens (Fusarium, Pythium, Verticillium) get intense when plants are week. In 199-2007 in 5 greenhouse sections (tropical, rainforests, desert-semidesert, cool subtropics) there were isolated 115 species, 36 genus and Anamorphic fungi (94 species, 24 genus) in total. In 2002 investigated plants of different ecological needs (Cyclamen persicum, Euphorbia trigona, Ficus elastica, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), when was established that number of propagules (82 species, 30 genus and 94 specie Anamorphic fungi) was inversely proportional to the amount of nutrients. In 2010 the perrenial Arecaceae plants was investigated, plants were grown till 20-40 years with out changing the substrata. In rhizosphere of these plants there were found small diversity fungi propagules (47 species, 26 genus). During 2006-2009 in rhizosphere of woody field plants (Abies balsamea, Picea sp., Thuja sp., Rhododendron spp.) and herbaceous plants (Dahlia sp., Paeonia spp.) with overground part injuries, were isolated pathogens: Fusarium sp., Botrytis sp. During 2010-2015 the genetic identification of substrata at rhizosphere (Rhododendron sp., Pieris sp., Alnus glutinosa) has detected the propagules of Phytophthora spp.
94 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
EPIPHYTIC LICHEN DIVERSITY IN BROAD-LEAVED TREE FORESTS IN LATVIA
Štikāne Kristīne1, Brūmelis Guntis2, Piterāns Alfons2, Moisejevs Rolands3 1LVMI “Silava”, Rīgas str., 111, Salaspils, Latvia, LV-2169 2University of Latvia Faculty of Biology, Jelgavas street 1, Riga, Latvia, LV-1004, 3University of Daugavpils, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Parades str., 1a., Daugavpils, Latvia LV-5401 [email protected], [email protected]; [email protected], rolands.moisejevs@biology. lv.
Broad-leaved tree forests host a large diversity of epiphytic lichens, but this forest type is rare in Latvia. Epiphytic lichen diversity of broad-leaved trees mostly has been studied in protected areas and for example, on large noble trees, but there is insufficient knowledge of the general distribution of epiphytic lichens. We studied epiphitic lichen diversity in broad-leaved tree woodland in two regions of Latvia: Kurzeme and Zemgale. Altogether 68 lichen species were recorded on the 160 sampled trees of 11 tree species in 19 forest stands. Eight of the recorded lichen species are listed in the Latvian protected species list (MK Nr. 396), of which 4 are area species for which microreserves can be established. Surprisingly, only two were listed in the Latvian Red Data Book, indicating that this list needs to be revised. Quercus robur had the highest number of lichen species on the basal trunk. Indicator species analysis showed preference of Lecanora chlarotera and Lecidella euphoria for Pinus sylvestris. The analysis also showed preference of Chaenotheca ferruginea for Quercus rubra, but this exotic tree species was found only in one stand. Among species characteristic of Woodland Key Habitats, Acrocordia gemmata was present on 67% of 11 sampled Betula pendula, , Graphis scripta on 60% and Arthonia spadicea on 80% of 51 sampled Quercus robur. Significant preferences (p<0.05) of Woodland Key Habitat species for tree species were A. gemmata for F. excelsior, A. spadicea for Q. rubra, C. ferruginea for Pinus sylvestris, L. chlarotera and L. euphoria for Q. rubra and Pseudoschismatomma rufescens for Ulmus gabra. 19% of recorded occurrences (77 of 405 records) of protected lichen species occurred outside of protected areas. All of the studied 19 stands contained protected species, but only 3 of these stands occurred in protected areas.
Broad-leaved tree forests host a large diversity of epiphytic lichens, but this forest type is rare in Latvia. Epiphytic lichen diversity of broad-leaved trees mostly has been studied in protected areas and for example, on large noble trees, but there is insufficient knowledge of the general distribution of epiphytic lichens. We studied epiphitic lichen diversity in broad-leaved tree woodland in two regions of Latvia: Kurzeme and Zemgale. Altogether 68 lichen species were recorded on the 160 sampled trees of 11 tree species in 19 forest stands. Eight of the recorded lichen species are listed in the Latvian protected species list (MK Nr. 396), of which 4 are area species for which microreserves can be established. Surprisingly, only two were listed in the Latvian Red Data Book, indicating that this list needs to be revised.
Quercus robur had the highest number of lichen species on the basal trunk. Indicator species analysis showed preference of Lecanora chlarotera and Lecidella euphoria for Pinus sylvestris. The analysis also showed preference of Chaenotheca ferruginea for Quercus rubra, but this exotic tree species was found only in one stand.Among species characteristic of Woodland Key Habitats, Acrocordia gemmata was present on 67% of 11 sampled Betula pendula, , Graphis scriptaon 60% and Arthonia spadicea on 80% of 51 sampled Quercus robur. Significant preferences (p<0.05) of Woodland Key Habitat species for tree species were A. gemmata for F. excelsior, A. spadicea for Q. rubra, C. ferruginea for Pinus sylvestris, L. chlarotera and L. euphoria for Q. rubra and Pseudoschismatomma rufescens for Ulmus gabra.19% of recorded occurrences (77 of 405 records) of protected lichen species occurred outside of protected areas. All of the studied 19 stands contained protected species, but only 3 of these stands occurred in protected areas.
95 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
WOOD PROPERTIES OF NINE PINUS SYLVESTRIS OPEN- POLLINATED FAMILIES ORIGINATING FROM DIFFERENT LITHUANIAN POPULATIONS
Stoncelis Adomas1, Juškauskaitė Aušra1, Baliuckas Virgilijus1,2 1Institute of Forestry of Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Genetics and Tree Breading, Liepų str. 1, LT-53101 Girionys, Kaunas district, Lithuania. 2Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Faculty of Forest Science and Ecology, Institute of Forest Biology and Silviculture, Studentu 11, LT – 53361 Akademija, Kaunas distr. Lithuania. [email protected]
Trees originating from nine open-pollinated families of different Lithuanian Pinus sylvestris populations were studied in five field trials with respect to wood hardness, annual wood ring and wood density at age 33. Wood hardness was tested by using Pilodyn 6J. The other wood properties were tested by using Lignostation high-frequency densitometer. The last ten rings were analysed. Mean value of Pilodyn pin penetration for pine families was 19.3 mm, for annual wood ring – 2.7 mm, for wood density – 431 kg/m3. Wood density was slightly higher at less fertile sites. The average difference between family mean estimates for wood hardness was 4.2 mm, between the sites – 1.1 mm. For annual ring width it was 0.7 mm and 1.4 mm, and for wood density 27 kg/m3 and 41 kg/ m3, respectively. The average by the sites individual heritability for wood hardness was 0.62, family heritability – 0.79. For annual ring it was 0.18 and 0.68, for wood density 0.03 and 0.18, respectively.
There was negligible correlation of wood hardness with tree diameter at individual level. Weak but significant correlation was estimated of wood hardness (pin penetration) with ring width (0.16) and wood density (-0.12). The correlation was much higher at family mean level and for ring width it was 0.37, for wood density – -0.39.
Site effect was much larger for ring width (variance component was 15%) and wood density (21%) compared to wood hardness, but due to large standard errors the effects were not significant. Block effect was significant only for wood hardness, but variance component was only 4.0%. Family variance component was highly significant only for wood hardness (16.6±3.9%).
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TOLERANCE OF GREAT FEN-SEDGE CLADIUM MARISCUS TO THE VARIABLE WATER REGIME ON THE NORTH-EASTERN LIMITS OF SPECIES RANGE
Strode Linda1,2, Dokane Kristine1,3, Megre Dace1, Roze Daina1 1National Botanic Garden, 1 Miera Str., Salaspils, LV-2169, Latvia 2University of Latvia, 1 Jelgavas Str., Rīga, LV-1004, Latvia 3Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, 3 Miera Str., Salaspils, LV 2169, Latvia [email protected]
Great fen-sedge Cladium mariscus is included in specially protected and limited use of specially protected species list as well as in Latvian Red Data Book and in the Red Book of the Baltic Sea. Cladium mariscus is a characteristic and dominant species in priority habitat 7210* Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of the Caricion davallianae under the EU Habitats Directive. In Latvia this habitat occurs in calcareous fens instead of wet meadows. The habitat is distributed very rarely in the Coastal Lowlands, in Kurzeme, in the Eastern Latvia, as well as in the South East Latvia. The aim of this study was to clarify the tolerance of C. mariscus to the variable water level in habitat 7210* Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of the Caricion davallianae in Engure (Coastal Lowlands).
Monitoring of the water level fluctuations in the habitat and measurements of C. mariscus chlorophyll a fluorescence was carried out every two weeks from June till middle of August 2015 and 2016. A standardized ruler was used for the water level measurements. Each measurement was obtained in 10 replicates. Chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements were performed with fluorimeter PAM 2100 on plant leaves dark adapted for 20 minutes.
Chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements revealed that during growing season 2015 and 2016 parameter Fv/Fm of C. mariscus didn’t change significantly, except for the week 1 when it was significantly lower both in 2015 and 2016. Tendencies of Fv/Fm dynamics during the season were similar; however, in summer 2016 values were significantly higher. There was no correlation between habitat water level and Fv/Fm.
The study showed that C. mariscus on north-eastern border of species range has a wide range of tolerance to water level. Changes of chlorophyll a fluorescence were affected by phenological phases of C. mariscus.
The research has been supported by the National Research Programme 2014-2017 “EVIDEnT” (Agreement No. 10-4/VPP-2/19).
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USE OF LEAF MORPHOMETRIC PARAMETERS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF HYBRIDS BETWEEN BETULA NANA, B. HUMILIS AND B. PUBESCENS
Strode Linda1,2, Brūmelis Guntis2 1National Botanic Garden, Miera 1, Salaspils, LV-2169, Latvia 2University of Latvia Faculty of Biology, Jelgavas street 1, Riga, Latvia, LV-1004, [email protected], [email protected]
Distribution areas and habitats of birch species Betula nana L., B. humilis Schrank and B. pubescens Ehrh. overlap in the territory of Latvia. As these species have common habitats, hybrids between these species occur. In order to identify “pure” species and hybrids between B. nana x B. pubescens and B. nana x B. pubescens, a number of leaf morphometric measurement were made by using herbarium materials collected by Kārlis Starcs (herbarium code RIG IV).
The aim of this study was to determine and characterize taxa using leaf morphometric parameters. Leaf form, leaf margin, leaf apex and leaf base of 12 herbarium sheets from each taxon (three species and two hybrids) were characterized. Leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, number of veins of 15 leaves in each herbarium sample were measured. Results of data processing showed differences between leaf morphometric parameters of studied taxa. The most distinctive and most conservative leaf morphology had B. nana. Taxa differ from each other in all measured leaf parameters – leaf length, leaf width, petiole length and number of veins. In B. pubescens – B. nana x B.pubescens group the most variable parameter was leaf base, bet other parameters were more conservative. In B. humilis – B. nana x B. humilis group the most variable were two parameters – leaf apex and leaf base, while other parameters were more constant.
DIVERSITY OF SPIDER ECOLOGICAL GROUPS WITHIN THE CALCAREOUS FENS OF LATVIA
Štokmane Maija University of Latvia, Jelgavas street 1, Riga [email protected]
Despite the fact that calcareous fens are rather small-sized habitats, they have a high conservation priority in Europe. These unique and rare habitats harbour a diverse and specialised flora and fauna, including many endangered species. To this date, the spider fauna has been very poorly investigated in fen ecosystems, especially the calcareous ones, besides such studies are lacking not only in Latvia, but also in many other countries of the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Thus, our aim of this research was to study the spider fauna in the calcareous fens of Latvia and analyze to which ecological categories belong the largest proportion of fen spider species. The research was carried out in eight calcareous fens of the Coastal Lowland of Latvia. Two different collection methods were used in order to sample spiders, namely pitfall-trapping and sweep-netting. Overall, we collected 6,631 adult spider individuals from 21 families and 149 species. Based on the information from the literature, we were able to classify all fen-inhabiting spider species (except sporadic) into seven main ecological groups according to their habitat preferences: (1) hygrophilous (or water-loving) species; (2) photophilous (or sun-loving) species; (3) xerophilous (or drought-loving) species; (4)
98 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 scotophilous (or shade-loving) species; (5) tyrphophilous (or peat-bog) species; (6) ubiquitous species (or habitat generalists); and (7) species with unclear habitat preferences. The two main spider groups that dominated in the studied calcareous fens were hygrophilous species (constituted approximately 36% of all analyzed species) and photophilous species (20%). Overall, however, it might be concluded from this study that calcareous fens contain a large number of different habitats that can support a wide spectrum of different spider species, including not only those ones that prefer wet and open habitats but also those that need dry, shady or other types of habitats.
BRYOPHYTE COLLECTIONS FOR ADDITIONS AND AMENDMENTS TO THE BRYOPHYTE FLORA OF THE ŽUVINTAS STRICT NATURE RESERVE
Subkaitė Monika, Jukonienė Ilona Nature Research Centre, Institute of Botany, Žaliųjų Ežerų Str. 49, Vilnius LT- 08406, Lithuania [email protected], [email protected]
The Žuvintas Strict Nature Reserve is the oldest strict nature reserve in Lithuania, being established in 1937. Recently, it is a functional zone of the Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve. The main floristic research in the protected territory started in 1960–1961. The first checklist of bryophytes comprised 79 bryophyte species: 75 of mosses and four of liverworts. The two latest checklists were compiled by adding new species to the first checklist. They include 92 and 108 bryophyte species, accordingly.
The basic idea of this investigation was to revise bryophyte diversity of the Žuvintas Strict Nature Reserve, based on their collections in BILAS and WI. More than 400 bryophyte specimens collected from 1961 to 1991 were revised. The updated checklist of the Žuvintas Strict Nature Reserve bryophlora was compiled, including all accepted names and synonyms from the previous reports. In the course of the floristic herbarium survey, more than 20 species were newly added to the bryoflora of the Žuvintas Strict Nature Reserve. Among those, were species rare to Lithuanian bryophlora (e.g. Dicranum leioneuron, Drepanocladus lycopodioides, Geocalyx graveolens). About 20% of the species were identified differently as were indicated by collectors. The revision also resulted in the ammendment of bryophyte diversity in fen plant communities of the Reserve.
The research was funded by a grant (LIP-100/2016) from the Research Council of Lithuania.
LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE VARIATION OF BODY SHAPE IN GROUND BEETLE PTEROSTICHUS NIGER SCHAL. 1783
Sukhodolskaya Raisa1, Saveliev Anatoliy2 1 Institute of Ecology Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, Kazan, Russia 2 Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University [email protected], [email protected]
Large-scale patterns of body size variation have occupied biologists for over a century, yet the causes of some of these patterns remain elusive. One prominent pattern is Bergmann’s rule, which describes the observation that organisms tend to be larger in colder climates and thus at higher latitudes. As for
99 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 a shape variation in geographical gradients none (being guided by known publications) is found in the comprehensive amount of publications.
The aim of our study was to investigate how body shape varied in eurytopic Ground Beetle P. niger. Beetles were sampled in 2006 – 2016 in six provinces of Russia: Kemerovo Region 54°56’N 87°14’E (20 sites), Tatarstan Republic 55°47’ N 49°06’ E (53 sites), Mariy El Republic 56°42’N 47 52’E (14 sites), Udmurtia Republic 57°17’N 52°45’E (16 sites), Cis_Ural Region 57° 01’N 57°9’E (21 sites), Sverdlovsk Region 58°42’N 61°20’ (6 sites). We performed morphometric measurements of six traits (length and width of elytra, pronotum and head) individually, and terminal points of the each measurements were used as the landmarks in Procrustes analysis. Results of the latter were used in ANOVA and PCA.
Females and males in P. niger differed in shape, males being more convex. In studied regions beetles shape differed also: in the regions with more severe climate (Kemerovo, Sverdlovsk, Cis-Ural) the shape of beetles pronotum and head changed – they became more convex in apical-basal direction. PCA scatterplot showed clear separation of the beetles shape from studied provinces: PCA1 reflected longitude gradient and PCA2 – the latitude one.
THE APPLICATION OF CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR PLANT COMMUNITIES OF LENINGRAD REGION
Sukristik Viktor, Sumina Olga Department of Vegetation Science ond Plant Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Saint-Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Emb. 7/9, Saint-Petersburg, Russia [email protected], [email protected]
Conservation planning as a part of land use planning should be based on a clear criteria selection system at all levels of biodiversity. In spite of efficient practice in species’ red-listing, the process of conservation priority setting for communities and ecosystems have begun to develop only recently.
Long-term botanic research doesn’t always provide comprehensive data about the full regional list of plant communities including rare and vulnerable ones, as in the case of Leningrad region. Development of the criteria system is another way for the conservation assessment of regional plant communities’ diversity.
Application of exclusively floristic criterion (rare species presence) widely used in Russian conservation practice may not allow to assess the value of typical zonal and extrazonal communities. Semi-natural communities are typically characterized by high species richness while particular microclimatic and edaphic conditions are specific features of extra- and intrazonal ones. Thus, it is necessary to expand criteria applied.
According to the previous studies, three criteria groups applied in specific cases can be defined: floristic (number of rare and red-listed species), geobotanic (species richness, zonality, stand age for forests) and ecotopic (peculiarities of edaphic and microclimatic conditions). Geobotanic criteria have been developed only for the forest communities. Applicability of specific criteria to the different types of plant communities should be tested primarily.
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At the pilot stage of this project 15 natural and semi-natural protected and suggested for protection communities of Leningrad region and Saint-Petersburg vicinities were described. They include deciduous and old-growth coniferous forests, floodplain meadows, meadow and heath on the limestone and bogs. These communities were assessed by different criteria. Results obtained will serve as the base for conservation assessment system development for Leningrad region’s plant communities.
BREEDING SITES DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE MOSQUITO SPECIES IN MOLDOVA
Sulesco Tatiana Institute of Zoology, Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Str. Academiei 1, MD-2028, Chisinau, Republica Moldova [email protected]
A countrywide field survey of immature mosquitoes was conducted in Moldova with the aim to evaluate the Culicidae species composition in different larval habitats and their distribution in the country. In total, 259 potential larval habitats were sampled in the 53 localities, resulting in 9,456 specimens. From a total of 2,682 An. maculipennis s.l. larvae collected, 9% randomly selected specimens from 35 aquatic habitats were identified to species level by PCR technique. Results showed the presence of the following four species: An. atroparvus, An. maculipennis s.s., An. melanoon and An. messeae. In total, twenty mosquito taxa belonging to five genera were collected: Anopheles claviger, An. atroparvus, An. maculipennis s.s, An. melanoon, An. messeae, An. plumbeus, An. pseudopictus, Aedes geminus, Ae. vexans, Ae. geniculatus, Ae. caspius, Ae. dorsalis, Culex modestus, Cx. pipiens s.l., Cx. theileri, Cx. torrentium, Cx. territans, Culiseta longiareolata, Cs. annulata, Uranotaenia unguiculata. Mean species richness in aquatic habitats ranged from 1.00 to 4.00, and, for example, was higher in swamps, flood plains, ditches, and large ground pools and lower in rivers, streams, tree-holes, and containers. Six mosquito species were identified only in a single type of aquatic habitat. Anopheles maculipennis s.l., Cx. pipiens s.l., and Cx. modestus were the most abundant and distributed species representing over 80% of the identified specimens. Three, four, and five associated species were recorded from 23.5% of mosquito-positive aquatic habitats. Our findings demonstrate the co-occurrence of Cx. pipiens s.l. and Cx. torrentium in natural and rural environments. It is concluded that the study area has undergone a dramatic ecological change since the previous studies in the 1950s, causing the near extinction of Cx. theileri from Moldova. An. maculipennis s.l. larval abundance, reduced by the DDT control of the adults in the 1950s, had returned to those of the 1940s.
DOWN SYNDROME
Šulte Ilona Daugavpils University, Parades str., 1, Daugavpils, Latvia, LV-5401 [email protected]
Down syndrome is one of the most common forms of mental retardation. Population incidence for new-borm children is 1: 700. The number of boys and girls born with it is equal.
Mongoloid idiopathic, which was first clinically described by the English physician Down in 1866 and then in 1932 by Vaardenourg who suggested its possible connection with chromosomal abnormalities, is the most well known and well researched monologue form. The full trisomy 21 was discovered
101 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 for the first time by Lejeune with his colleagues in 1959 by cytogenetical and clinical description of nine children with this syndrome and an excess chromosomal karyotype 21.
The aim of the research: to explore the parents’ attitudes and literacy level and their influencing factors and to develop guidelines for training the parents of a child with Down syndrome. The author analyzes the biological aspects of Down syndrome and modern diagnostic methods, characterizes mental disorders and development characteristics of children with Down syndrome, as well as explores parents’ attitudes and literacy level in matters related to a child who is diagnosed with Down syndrome by using quantitative and qualitative research methods.
At the end of the research, guidelines for increasing parents’ training and literacy in cases of children with Down syndrome will be developed.
SAULESKALNS LAKELAND - HARBOUR OF NAJAS FLEXILIS AND N. TENUISSIMA HABITATS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE
Suško Uvis Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Parades str. 1a, Daugavpils, Latvia, LV-5401 [email protected]
General retreat of rare and endangered vascular plant species, as well as degradation of mesotrophic lakes has a general pattern throughout the whole Europe and are mentioned in the Water Blueprint for Europe as a Task to be improved (www.ec.europa.eu). The aim of the given article is by using recent profound investigations to stress Sauleskalns Lakeland as a unique location of still qualitative but endangered harbour for both qualitative water resources and an outstanding harbour of rare and endangered species. Najas flexilis and N. tenuissima are a sort of flagship species for qualitative water resources. Both species are relict macrophyte species that are endangered throughout the whole world and included in the 2nd and 4th Annexes of the European Council Directice 92/43/EEK. N. flexilis is a rarity of the European scale and is known today just in approximately 108 localities within the EU together with Norway and Switzerland. The majority of localities (78) is located in Great Britain and Ireland and only 30 localities are known within the continental part of this region, including 11 localities in Latvia (King, 2013, Suško, 2013, 2016). Najas tenuissima is a rarity of the global scale and is currently known just in 54 localities around the whole world three of which are located in Latvia (Vargot et al., 2016, Suško, 2008–2016). N. tenuissima was discovered for the first time in Baltics in 2006 in Lake Ārdavs (lake area 230 ha including 2 islands, maximum depth 27.9 m) located in the very southeast of Latvia at the northern foot of Sauleskalns Hill where it is growing together with N. flexilis (Suško, 2008). The lake is characterised by a very clean water with a light water colour and a remarkable transparency (5.4 m) as well as by the presence of several other rare and relict vascular plant species – Hydrilla verticillata, Isoetes lacustris, Littorella uniflora, Lobelia dortmanna, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Scolochloa festucacea, a bryophyte species Calliergon megalophyllum, charophyte species – Chara filiformis, Ch. strigosa, Nitella flexilis and a fish species Coregonus albula. In 2014 Najas tenuissima was found also in the neighbouring Lake Sivers which is the 9th largest lake of Latvia (lake area 1784.8 ha including 26 islands, maximum depth 24.5 m) where it also grows together with N. flexilis first found here in 2012 (Suško, 2015). This lake is also characterised by a light water colour and a remarkable water transparency (5.6 – 7.2 m) as well as by the presence of many other rare and relict vascular plant species – Hydrilla verticillata, Isoetes lacustris, Littorella uniflora, Lobelia dortmanna, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Scolochloa festucacea, Subularia aquatica, bryophyte species Calliergon megalophyllum, Fontinalis hypnoides,
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Platyhypnidium riparioides, charophyte species – Chara filiformis, Ch. strigosa, Nitella flexilis, a higher crustacean species Pallaseopsis quadrispinosa and fish species – Coregonus albula and Osmerus eperlanus spirinchus. Today, altogether 34 localities of Najas flexilis and 28 localities of N. tenuissima are known in Lake Sivers and, therefore, according to the present knowledge it is to be regarded as the richest habitat of N. flexilis in the whole European Union and the richest habitat of N. tenuissima in the whole world. However, it must be acknowledged that the real number of localities of both species in this lake should obviously be at least two times greater because it is raher difficullt to survey thoroughly the bottom of the lake at a depth of 2 – 2.5 m. In a similar way, Lake Sivers is also the richest locality of Littorella uniflora and Subularia aquatica in Baltic countries. Because of its unique flora Lake Sivers is to be regarded as the richest and the most outstanding Najas-lake in the whole EU as well as the largest, richest and the most outstanding Lobelia-Isoetes lake in Baltic countries. In September of 2016 a new, small locality of Najas flexilis and N. tenuissima was discovered in another neighbouring Lake Ots (lake area 124 ha including 5 islands, maximum depth 7.4 m, water transparency 4.9 m) situated at the east side of Sauleskalns Hill within the Nature Park „Lake Drīdzis”. Both species are growing on mineral ground at a depth of 2.3 m along the edge of the reed belt together with sparse Ceratophyllum demersum, Chara filiformis, Ch. globularis, Drepanocladus sendtneri, Elodea canadensis, Hydrilla verticillata and Nitellopsis obtusa. New localities of Isoetes lacustris, Lobelia dortmanna and Nitella flexilis were also discovered in the lake. Some other rare macrophyte species – Chara filiformis, Hydrilla verticillata, Potamogeton rutilus (not recorded in 2016) and Scolochloa festucacea are also known in this lake from earlier investigations (Zviedre, 2008, Suško, 2012). In September of 2016 also another neighbouring Lake Lejs (lake area 178 ha including 2 islands, maximum depth 34.0 m, water transparency 5.2 m) was investigated for the possible presence of naiads or species of Lobelia-Isoetes complex. Unfortunately, no naiads were found yet and only a small population of Myriophyllum alterniflorum was discovered together with some other rare macrophyte species – Chara filiformis, Ch. strigosa, Hydrilla verticillata, Nitella flexilis, Platyhypnidium riparioides and Scolochloa festucacea. Two rare and relict higher crustaceans – Eurytemora lacustris and Pallaseopsis quadrispinosa as well as two rare and relict fish species – Coregonus albula and Osmerus eperlanus spirinchus are also known in this lake from earlier investigation as well as from the evidence of local fishermen (Spuris, 1954, Laganovska, 1957, Vadzis, 1969). On the basis of profound investigations described above it is proposed to undertake practical steps for the enlargement of already existing protected area in order to meet Goals set in Water Blueprint for Europe. In order to preserve the unique ecosystems of Lake Sivers, Lake Ārdavs, Lake Lejs and some other outstanding lakes (e.g., Lake Jazinks) that are currently not protected, it is necessary to enlarge the territory of the neighbouring Nature Park „Lake Drīdzis” including these lakes within it.
NEW DATA OF GENUS EUPHRASIA L. IN LATVIA
Svilāne Inita Daugavpils University Institute of Life sciences and Technology, Parades Str. 1a, Daugavpils, LV – 5401 [email protected]
Genus Euphrasia L. belongs to the one of the most taxonomically complicated genera in Europe. Because of significant similarity between species, hybridization and wide morphological variation it is very difficult to identify species. Research on the Euphrasia genus has been carried out in Latvia since 2012. The current research includes taxonomic revision and revision of two largest herbarium collections in Latvia – Daugavpils University (DAU) and Institute of Biology, University of Latvia (LATV). The most common species is E. stricta D. Wolff ex J. F. Lehm. which is represented with 231 specimens from different localities all over the Latvia in herbarium of Daugavpils University and with 192 specimens in herbarium of Institute of Biology, University of Latvia. Obviously, these
103 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017 specimens are not homogeneous. As a result of examination of collection, a part of samples are re- identified as E. nemorosa (Pers.) Wallr. which is not doubtfully recognized in Latvia since 1989. E. nemorosa is characterized by branched stem up to the middle, bracts and cauline leaves glabrous and are not hugged to cauline, teeth obtuse or only slightly acute but not extended in a long husk. Based on literature data occurrence of E. nemorosa is disputable. Other part herbaria is considered as E. x haussknehtii Wettst. which is new species in Latvia. E. x haussknechtii is a hybrid between E. stricta and E. nemorosa. Hybridization between above-mentioned species is the main reason of misunderstanding in identification and presence of E. nemorosa in local flora.
GENUS NAME IN BOTANICAL NOMENCLATURE: CONTENT, ITS UNDERSTANDING IN THE NATIONAL BOTANICAL NOMENCLATURE
Šulcs Viesturs1, Rūrāne Ieva2, Evarts-Bunders Pēteris3 1Latvia University of Agriculture, Forest Faculty, Akadēmijas iela 11, Jelgava, Latvia 2Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Miera 3, Salaspils LV-2169, Latvia 3Daugavpils University, Institute of Life sciences and Technology, Parades 1A, Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvia [email protected], [email protected]
There are two levels of botanical nomenclature: international botanical nomenclature (IBN) and national botanical nomenclatures to which also Latvian language botanical nomenclature (NBN) belongs. Genus category taxon name both IBN and also NBN determine the formation of taxon names according to typification principle up to the family and species. In order to make the NBN become scientific terminology attention should be paid to several problems.
1. The genus name should be made up of one word (uninominal). Sometimes it consists of two words (binomial), e.g. Deschampsia – ciņu smilga, Hylomecon – meža magone. Using only Latvian names in communication, the name of the species in Latvian is a three word name (trinominal), e.g. Hylomecon japonica – Japānas meža magone; the name suggests that some of the infraspecific names is referred to, but not a species. 2. Without any substantiation homonymy has been introduced in NBN, e.g. Helychrysum, Antennaria – kaķpēdiņa, similarly – Cornus, Swida, Telycrania – grimonis. The introduction of homonymic names in NBN is associated with understanding of the concepts change of taxonomic status and interpretation of taxon scope. Homonyms are admissible in different terminology systems, but not within one terminology system, e.g. gaurs refers to both a plant and an animal, similar to heliotrops referring to a plant and a mineral. 3. Quite often the genus in the Latvian language has two terminological names. They describe the same aggregate of characteristics and they should not be used as equivalent names, e.g. Erigeron – jānīši, erigeroni. The first describes the native species, whereas the second one –non-native species. The argument that non-native species differ considerably from native species morphologically and their genus name in Latvian should be formed from the Latin genus name, is not justified and it contradicts the principle of systemicity and the conceptual content of the Latin genus name. 4. As the Latvian genus name, the type of the genus name in Latvian name should be accepted. Such principle excludes the use of two Latvian names of the genus in communication. If the type of the genus name in Latvian does not exist in the wild and it is also not cultivated, the name which is used in the names of the species of this genus which are found in the wild is accepted or preserved (if there are several names) as the Latvian name of the genus. 5. Introduction of dublets for genera, e.g. Drosera – rasene, drozēra leads to the use of two Latvian names of the family Droseraceae in communication; the local species belong to the raseņu family, but non-native species to drozēra family.
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When using the Latvian plants names in communication, one should mind what a taxon is, what its Latin and Latvian names are; whether a link exists between them and if it does, how it manifests itself; what the taxonomic status and rank change is, how they manifest themselves in the NBN.
EARLY EFFECT OF CLEAR-CUTS AND THEIR TILLING ON ASSEMBLAGES OF EPIGEIC ROVE BEETLES (COLOEOPTERA, STAPHYLINIDAE) IN PINUS SYLVETRIS STANDS
Tamutis Vytautas 1,2,3, Skłodowski Jarosław 4 1Department of Biology and Plant Biotechnology , Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Studentų 11, Akademija, Kaunas distr., LT-53361, Lithuania 2Kaunas T. Ivanauskas Zoological Museum, Laisvės al. 106, LT-44253 Kaunas, Lithunia 3Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University, Ž. E. Žilibero Str. 6, LT-46324 Kaunas, Lithuania 4Department of Forest Protection and Ecology; Warsaw University of Life Sciences; Nowoursynowska 159; 02−776 Warszawa, Poland [email protected], [email protected]
The studies were conducted in three plots, established in 100-130 year old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands (type: Pinetum vaccinio-mirtyllosum) situated in the southern and central parts of Lithuania . Two study areas, mature stand (control) and clear-cutting felled in spring 2016 and tilled after 5 months. Altogether 30 litter samples (five samples per stand) were taken from randomly chosen locations twice during the study: the first sampling period was one month after cutting and the second after five months.
During the study 921 adults and larvae representing 49 species of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) were collected. The higher number of individuals was harvested in control stands. The collected individuals were significantly more abundant in the second sampling period in all studied stands. In the same way the higher number of species was detected in control stands, but significant differences were detected only during the first sampling period. Amount of forest species differed insignificantly between control stands and clear-cuts, while the rate of zoophagous species was significantly higher in control stands. The number of mixophagous species was significantly higher in clear-cuts during the second period of sampling.
The PRC analysis showed that felling and tilling had a distinct impact on transformation of rove beetles assemblages in clear-cuts comparing it in mature stand.
IndVal analysis evealed six species: Ischnosoma splendidum, Othius subuliformis, Stenichnus scutellaris, Trimium brevicorne, Xantholinus tricolor, Philonthus cignatus and Sepedophilus sp., associated with mature pine stands sites, meanwhile to clear-cuts were characteristic only two species: Acrotona parens and Amischa analis.We propose to use these two species as indicators of strong transformation of rove beetles assemblages due to clearcutting and management.
The study was supported by the Reseach Counsil of Lithuania:Grant No. SIT-1/2015
105 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
ZOOPLANKTON AS AN INDICATOR OF RIVER ANTHROPOGENIC POLLUTION
Tretjakova Rasma, Misiņa Samanta Marija Rezekne academy of Technologies, Atbrīvošanas aleja 115, Rēzekne, LV-4601 [email protected],
In seasonal studies 2012 (June - August) and 2013 (July – October), zooplankton samples were collected and analysis according to standard method was made. Chemical and physical quality of Rezekne River water was investigated. Changes of quality and quantity, species biological diversity, Renkonen index and saprobity index were used to analyse structure of zooplankton community in Rezekne River. In direction from origin of Rezekne River to its mouth, rivers saprobity and the concentration of pollution increases, but the biological diversity of zooplankton decreases. Saprobity of Rezekne River ranges from o – oligosaprobity to β – mesosaprobity. The river is exposed to anthropogenic influence over its entire length. Rezekne River stretch in territory of Rezekne city has the lowest ecological quality, which is described by decreased total abundance of zooplankton, species biological diversity and increased saprobity.
ECOLOGICAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF EUROPEAN UNION PROTECTED FRESHWATER HABITATS OF THE RIVER ABAVA
Uzule Linda, Jēkabsone Jolanta Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Miera Str. 3, Salaspils, LV-2169, Latvia [email protected], [email protected]
There are seven protected habitats of EU importance that can be found in Latvia and two of them are river related habitats. Habitat with number 3260 “Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation” occupied only 0.3% of Latvia territory. All river stretches with stony, shingly or gravelly river-bed, with the average flow velocity higher than 0.2 m/s as well as all natural unaltered river stretches regardless of flow velocity are identified as habitat 3260. This habitat have two variants: 3260_1 river rapids – rivers or river stretches with stony or shingly riverbed and the average flow velocity higher than 0.2 m/s and 3260_2 - all natural rivers and river streches with the average flow velocity below 0.2 m/s. River Abava from the Kandava to river mouth was identified as habitat 3260 but the most part occupied habitat variant 3260_2.
A field survey was performed in summer 2015 during the vegetation period. The study area was River Abava in the nature park “Abava Valley”. The total length of study area was 80 kilometers. For river surveys a methodology developed for the project “National Conservation and Management Programme for Natura 2000 sites in Latvia” was used.
Macrophyte species richness ranged from 6 to 18 species per site but vegetation cover varied from 4% to 70%. The macrophyte communities were dominated by Scirpus lacustris, Potamogeton lucens, Potamogeton pectinatus, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Sparganium erectum, Sagittaria sagittifolia and Nuphar lutea.
106 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
Various countries of Europe for river ecological assessment have developed different methods and indices based on macrophytes communities. In this research the Macrophyte Biological Index for Rivers (MIR index ) were calculated. Ecological status defined by MIR index showed only good and high quality for investigated stretches of Abava river.
MOLECULAR KEYS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF APHIS SPECIES ASSOCIATED WITH APPLE TREES IN BELARUS
Varabyova Maryia, Voronova Nina Zoology Department of Biological Faculty Belarusian State University, 10 Kurchatova str. Minsk Belarus 220030 [email protected], [email protected]
In Belarus Aphis pomi de Geer, Aphis spiraecola Patch, Dysaphis anthrisci Börner, Dysaphi plantaginea Pass., Dysaphis radicola Mordvilko, Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann) and Rhopalosiphum insertum (Walker) are the major pests in appleorchards. These aphids often cause irreversible damage to leaves, branches, and bourgeons and are responsible for severe losses of yield. Despite the biological distinction and potential harmfulness, these species are difficult to separate using their morphological characters, which lead to the difficultieswith correct diagnosis of the species.The use of molecular- genetic methods of the species identification allows solving such problems. PCR-RFLP identification is a precise and cheap method of the identification of morphologically similar species of aphids. In this regard, we have developed the PCR-RELP keys based on the COI gene sequence to identify 6 aphid speciesincluded in the list ofapple pests of the fauna of Belarus.
Available sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene (137 of A. pomi, 212 of A. spiraecola, 1 of D. anthrisci, 22 of D.plantaginea, 9 of D.radicola, 26 of E. lanigerum,and 8 of R.insertum) were obtained from GenBank NCBI. We constructed the restriction maps allowed distinguishing between all 6 species of aphids. The COI sequences of analyzed species of aphids possess sufficient conservatism at the intraspecific level that allows developing PCR-RFLP keys for their identification.
The maps included 11 unique restriction sites for A. pomi, 8 restriction sites for A. spiraecola, 8 restriction sites for R. insertum, 5 restriction sites for E. lanigerum, 10 restriction sites for D. radicola, 8 restriction sites for D. plantaginea, and 6 restriction sites for D. anthrisci. These endonucleases can be used for precise identification of aphid species by alternative feature. Developed PCR-RFLP keys can also be used to evaluate the frequency of occurrence of the specific species of aphids on appletrees.
107 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
DEVELOPMENT OF OVERSTOREY IN BROAD-LEAVED FORESTS OF LATVIA
Voiceščuka Anna, Brūmelis Guntis, Treimane Agita University of Latvia, Faculty of Biology, Jelgavas iela 1, Rīga, Latvia, LV-1004 [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Broad-leaved tree forests of Latvia are very fragmented and cover only 1% of the forest area. They are asssociated with a unique flora containing many protected species, and therefore their protection is urgent. It is known that changes in canopy structure, particularly by establishment of spuce, can degrade the biological conservation value of the stands. However, we lack infomation of the many suceesional directions in changes in canopy composition in these stands. The study aim was to determine age structure of overstorey and understorey tree species in randomly selected broad-leaved forest stands, to predict the main successional direction of change. Plots with size 20m*50m were extablished in each of ten rqandomly selected stands. Height and diameter were measured for trees with diameter at breast height > 10cm. Cores were taken to determine age. Cores were glued into prepared templates, sanded and tree rings were counted with error correction if pith was missed. Oak was not regenerating. Replacement of oak by other species like spruce was observed.
THE EFFECT OF WERMIKOMPOST AND PEAT EXTRACTS ON THE POTATO PLANT AND TUBER CAPABILITY OF SOIL NUTRIENT UPTAKE IN ORGANIC GROWING SYSTEM
Vojevoda Lidija1,2, Osvalde Anita3, Čekstere Gunta3, Karlsons Andis3, Gaile Zinta 2 1Institute of Agroresources and Economics, Stende Research Centre, Dižzemes, Dižstende, Talsi region, Latvia, LV 3258 2Latvia University of Agricultur, Institute of Agrobiotechnology, 2 Liela Street, Jelgava, LV-3001, Latvia 3University of Latvia Institute of Biology, Miera street 3, Salaspils, Latvia [email protected]
Organic materials and after-treatment products, used in agriculture to raise the crop plant productivity, reduce artificial fertilizer use and improve plant resistance to diseases and pests, are investigated world-wide now. The peat and vermicompost extracts obtained at two different temperatures and their mixtures were used to determine the effects of extracts application on mineral nutrition of the potato variety ‘Borodjanskij Rozovij’ was accessed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of pre-plant and foliar application of vermicompost and peat extracts - humic substances (HS) on nutrient status (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, B) and yield of potato using field experiments in organic growing system. The field study was established in 2011-2012 in Stende Research Centre on a sod-podzolic gley soil with a loam texture.Three different application methods were used for evaluation of HS preparation: (1) pre-plant treatment of seed tubers; (2) foliar three times; (3) pre-plant treatment of seed tubers plus foliar three times.
108 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
The effect was highly variable between the nutrients studied. The leaf analysis show that HS preparations used enhanced P uptake, but delayed N and K uptake. Obtained data revealed that pre- plant HS treatment induced a small positive effect on potato yield, while no response was stated for foliar application method. HS had: stimulated effect on macronutrient uptake and resulting in increased N, P and Mg content in potatoes; did not improve plant nutrient supply significantly; stimulated the accumulation of mineral elements in potato tubers. The results from the present experiments confirmed only limited benefit from HS application in organic field conditions.
This experiment was conducted due to ERAF project, contract No. 2010/0313/2DP/2.1.1.10/10APIA/ VIAA/082, and Vitols foundation.
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ABUNDANCE OF PERCH ECTOPARASITES AND WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS OF LAKE SILA, LATVIA
Zolovs Maksims, Priekule Madara, Gasperovich Olesia, Kolesnikova Jelena, Osipovs Sergejs Institute of Life sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parādes str., 1a, Daugavpils, Latvia, LV-5401 [email protected]
Host and water environments influence presence and abundance of fish parasites. However, the strength of this influence may vary between ectoparasites and endoparasites. Higher susceptibility to water environment is expected for ectoparasites because during whole life they require similar physiological adaptation and tolerance to water environment like a fish. Water environment is made of variety biotic and abiotic factors. Water quality measurements include a) physical parameters such as water clarity, temperature and light intensity, b) chemical parameters such as nutrients, pH, conductivity and suspended solids, and c) biological parameters such as chlorophyll and bacteria.
Seasonal changes of abiotic factors and their influence on parasite occurrence were repeatedly studied. For example, prevalence and intensity of parasites infection were evaluated considering several parameters of water quality (temperature, dissolved oxygen, free CO2, alkalinity, hardness, clarity) and water pollutions (heavy metals, petrochemicals, effluents, organic pollution). However, the relationships between parasite abundance and such water parameters as phosphates, nitrates, ammonia and sulfates have rarely been studied. We asked whether ectoparasites abundance is associated with the concentration of water quality parameters (phosphates, nitrates, ammonia, sulfates and dissolved oxygen). To answer this question we examined perches and collected water samples from Lake Sila every month from June 2015 to May 2016.
Results of the present research showed that perches from Lake Sila harboured seven ectoparasites species that belonged to Protists (n=1), Monogenea (n=1), Mollusca (n=2) and Copepoda (n=3). Phosphates, ammonia and nitrates had at least twice higher seasonal variation of concentration in water than sulfates and oxygen. We found that some water quality parameters influence ectoparasites abundance, but not each parameter influenced all parasite species.
109 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
PLOIDY LEVEL OF IMMATURE GAMETIC CELL IN BARLEY ANTHER CULTURE
Žagata Kārlis, Grauda Dace, Ļisina Nadežda, Rashal Isaak Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Miera str. 3, Salaspils, LV-2169, Latvia [email protected]
Anthers culture is the most popular method to obtain cereals doubled haploids (DH). The low efficiency of formation of green plant-regenerants is one of the drawbacks of the method. It is known that ploidy changes during plantlets development can affect the formation of green plants-regenerants in in vitro cultures. Our experiments with barley anther cultures showed that those changes occur in the very early development stage: they were detected already in the pre-stage of pollen treatment with stressors, before induction of embryogenesis. Samples for the ploidy analysis were prepared using CyStain PI P absolute reagent kit and stained with propidium iodide. Cell nucleus relative fluorescence were detected with flow cytometer BD FACSJazz®, fluorescence was induced by a laser beam with a wavelength of 488 nm, emission set at 585 nm. Among pollens from spikes after treatment with mannitol 5-30% were haploids (n), but 4-55% ‒ diploids (2n).
A CASE STUDY ON THE DYNAMICS OF LIPARIS LOESELII POPULATION UNDER NATURAL SUCCESSION OF THE HABITAT
Žalneravičius Egidijus, Gudžinskas Zigmantas Nature Research Centre, Institute of Botany, Žaliųjų Ežerų Str. 49, Vilnius, Lithuania [email protected], [email protected]
Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich. (Orchidaceae) is a declining species in Europe, mostly because of habitat loss. It is included into the lists of protected species of almost all European countries and with a few exceptions it is considered critically endangered or vulnerable. In Lithuania, L. loeselii is mostly distributed in the eastern and south-eastern parts of the country.
A study on the dynamics of L. loeselii population was performed in the Pravalas Botanical Reserve (Asveja Regional Park, Vilnius district, East Lithuania) in 2002–2016. At the beginning of the research, 107 individuals were recorded in permanent sampling plots (each of 1 m2). The first significant decrease of population took place between 2002 and 2008. In 2008 and 2012, the number of individuals remained almost the same (63 and 62 individuals, respectively). The second significant decrease of population occurred in the period from 2012 to 2015. A total number of L. loeselii in sampling plots and the entire population reduced from 62 to 11 individuals.
The habitat of L. loeselii at the start of the investigation was at a late successional stage of transition mire. Significant changes in the species composition and structure of the habitat have occurred during a 15-year period of investigation. The coverage of species characteristic of transition mire habitats (e.g. Carex lasiocarpa, Eriophorum angustifolium, Menyanthes trifoliata) has significantly decreased or some of these (e.g. Aneura pinguis, Carex limosa, Drepanocladus cossonii, Scheuchzeria palustris) became extinct. At the same time, the coverage of shrub layer and species characteristic of raised bog habitats has increased.
110 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, Book of Abstracts, Daugavpils, 26.-28.04.2017
In 2016, during the survey of sampling plots and the entire habitat, no individuals of Liparis loeselii were recorded. We suppose that this coenopopulation of L. loeselii has become extinct because of natural successional changes in the transition mire habitat.
NEW LOCALITIES OF HARMONIA AXYRIDIS IN POLAND AND ITS INFLUENCE ON NATIVE FAUNA
Żywko Jagoda, Dampc Jan, Durak Roma University of Rzeszow, Department of Zoology, Zelwerowicza 4, 35-601 Rzeszów [email protected]
In Poland we observe the appearance of invasive species Harmonia axyridis Pallas. This insect belongs to the order Coleoptera, the family Coccinellidae. It is the species that originates from central and eastern Asia. In Poland for the first time its presence was recorded in 2006. The first sites of H. axyridis were areas in the north and west of Poland. Ladybird beetles H. axyridis colonized most of the country in 2006-2009, while the least counting occurs in the north-east areas, where it was observed for the first time in 2013. This insect is characterized by very high plasticity in adapting to the new habitat, in the areas overgrown with trees and shrubs, it has a dominant position. In areas overgrown by herbaceous plants and shrubs, its share is lower in the invertebrate fauna of the area. In this species we can observe very different coloration of individuals, from light color to black. The number of dots on the wing covers also varies in wide range. H. axyridis does not have food specializations (prefers aphids), this makes it possible to spread quickly to new areas. It is a potential danger for the native species of ladybird beetles, as it constitutes a major food competition for these species. During periods of decline in the availability of food in the environment this species can feed on eggs of native ladybird beetles.
Since 2008 we have seen an increase in the number of localities and the number of H. axyridis in the southern and eastern areas of Poland. There were four new positions of H. axyridis in the Podkarpackie province. The purpose of our work was to study the impact of asian ladybird beetle on ecosystems and fauna of native species of Coleoptera. In the stand the entomofauna were associated with different tree species and anthropogenic vegetation. Studies have shown that H. axyridis predominantly feeds on Acer pseudoplatanus and Tilia sp. However, it was not found on Pinus sylvestris, it may indicate on the preferences of this species. In the subsequent seasons of research, there has been an increase in the number of H. axyridis in all localities over the country. The appearance of H. axyridis has a strong influence on native beetles, especially on the Coccinellidae family. We can observe a decline in the abundance and number of native species at the sites where H. axyridis displaces the native species of beetles and becomes dominant in these areas. We also observed the differences in the color form of this species.
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