Institute of Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology

Recent research efforts have significantly advanced our knowledge on Asian freshwater mussel (Bivalvia: Unionida) diversity and distribution. Here we provide a modern consensus of the diversity, biogeography and conservation of Unionida in the region comprising East and Southeast Asia (excluding Wallacea) and Asian Russia. A data review confirmed the presence of 228 native and 3 non-native Unionida (98% Unionidae, 2% Margaritiferidae), rendering the region a global hotspot of freshwater mussel diversity. Species richness was highest in China (particularly Yangtze basin) in absolute numbers and Cambodia when correcting for country area, and decreased gradually towards the south and steeply towards the north and east. Six of the seven unionid subfamilies are native to the region, with species richness peaking in Southeast Asia for Rectidentinae, Gonideinae, Parreysiinae and Modellnaiinae, China for Anodontinae and Unioninae, and Asian Russia for Margaritiferidae. Conservation status and data collected after 1980 were not available for 61 and 24% of species, respectively. Dams, deforestation and pollution are likely the major threats to mussels in the region, though data in this respect are scarce. The Philippines, Laos, Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia are among the countries with the poorest data availability and urgently require research.

Freshwater mussels are ecosystem engineers and keystone species in aquatic environments. Unfortunately, due to dramatic declines this fauna is among the most threatened globally. Here, we clarify the taxonomy and biogeography of Russian Unionidae species based on the most comprehensive multi-locus dataset sampled to date. We revise the distribution and assess the conservation status for each species. This fauna comprises 16 native species from 11 genera and 4 tribes: Anodonta, Pseudanodonta (Anodontini); Amuranodonta, Beringiana, Buldowskia, Cristaria, Sinanodonta (Cristariini); Middendorffinaia, Nodularia, Unio (Unionini); and Lanceolaria (Lanceolariini). No country-level endemic species are known in Russia, except for Buldowskia suifunica that may also occur in China. Sinanodonta woodiana, a non-native species, was introduced from China. Russia comprises the northern parts of Western and Eastern Palearctic subregions. The first subregion with six species encompasses a huge area from the western boundary of Russia to the Lena Basin in Siberia. The second subregion with 10 species covers the Amur Basin, rivers east of the Lena Basin, coastal basins of the Japan Sea, and the North Pacific Islands. The fauna of Russia primarily includes widespread generalist species that are here considered Least Concern (LC). However, Buldowskia suifunica and Sinanodonta lauta have restricted distributions and are assessed here as Vulnerable (VU) and Endangered (EN), respectively.

Abstract The chemical, gas, and isotopic compositions of nitric thermal waters in the Baikal Rift Zone are considered. It is shown that the behavior of sulfate and carbonate ions in hydrothermal systems is different, which indicates that they are of two different origins. The studied thermal waters are of five chemical types formed in different geologic conditions. Special attention is given to the genesis of hydrotherms, the geologic and geomorphologic conditions of their recharge, and their equilibrium with rocks. It has been established that most of chemical elements of the waters migrated from rocks, but a significant portion of them is bound by secondary minerals, which results in their deep differentiation, accumulation, or precipitation. Thus, the so-called redundant elements appear, which were earlier considered to be of mantle origin.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) systems are globally widespread and are an important source of metal pollution in riverine and coastal systems. Microbial AMD communities have been excessively studied for their ability to thrive under extremely acidic conditions and for their immense contribution to the dissolution of metal ores. However, little is known on microbial inhabitants of AMD systems subjected to extremely contrasting continental seasonal temperature patterns as opposed to maritime climate zones, experiencing much smaller annual temperature gradients. Here, we investigated three types of AMD sites in Eastern Transbaikalia. In this region, all surface water bodies undergo a deep and long (up to 6 months) freezing with seasonal temperatures varying between -33 to +24 ºC, which starkly contrasts the common well-studied AMD environments. We sampled acidic pit lake (site Sherlovaya Gora) located in the area of polymetallic deposit, acidic drainage water from Bugdaya gold-molybdenum-tungsten deposit and Ulan-Bulak natural acidic spring. These systems showed a predominance of bacteria mostly affiliated with Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Chloroflexi, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Furthermore, candidate taxa 'Ca. Saccharibacteria' (previously known as TM7), 'Ca. Parcubacteria' (OD1) and WPS-2 were represented in substantial quantities. Heterotrophy and iron redox cycling can be considered as central processes of carbon and energy flow for majority of the detected bacterial taxa. Archaea were detected in low numbers, with TMEG (Terrestrial Miscellaneous Euryarchaeal group), to be most abundant (3%) in acidic spring Ulan-Bulak. Composition of these communities was found to be typical in comparison to other AMD sites; however, certain groups (as Ignavibacteria) could be specifically associated with this area. This study provides insight into the microbial diversity patterns in acidic ecosystems formed in areas of polymetallic deposits in extreme continental climate zone with contrasting temperature parameters and suggests high adaptability and biotechnological potential for these microorganisms.

The freshwater pearl mussel family Margaritiferidae includes 13 extant species, which are all listed by IUCN as endangered or vulnerable taxa. In this study, an extensive spatial sampling of Margaritifera spp. across the Russian Far East (Amur Basin, Kamchatka Peninsula, Kurile Archipelago and Sakhalin Island) was conducted for a revision of their taxonomy and distribution ranges. Based on their DNA sequences, shell and soft tissue morphology, three valid species were identified: Margaritifera dahurica (Middendorff, 1850), M. laevis (Haas, 1910) and M. middendorffi (Rosén, 1926). M. dahurica ranges across the Amur basin and some of the nearest river systems. M. laevis is distributed in Japan, Sakhalin Island and the Kurile Archipelago. M. middendorffi was previously considered an endemic species of the Kamchatka. However, it is widespread in the rivers of Kamchatka, Sakhalin Island, the Kurile Islands (across the Bussol Strait, which is the most significant biogeographical boundary within the archipelago), and, likely, in Japan. The Japanese species M. togakushiensis Kondo & Kobayashi, 2005 seems to be conspecific with M. middendorffi because of similar morphological patterns, small shell size (<100 mm long) and overlapped ranges, but it is in need of a separate revision. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that two NW Pacific margaritiferid species, M. laevis and M. middendorffi, formed a monophyletic 18S rDNA clade together with the North American species M. marrianae and M. falcata. The patterns that were found in these Margaritifera spp. are similar to those of freshwater fishes, indicating multiple colonizations of Eastern Asia by different mitochondrial lineages, including an ancient Beringian exchange between freshwater faunas across the Pacific.

The plankton community of sixteen saline lakes located on Onon-Torey plain (Northeastern Mongolia) during the filling phase and the raising of the water level was investigated in July 2011. Thirty-five taxa of phytoplankton and thirty-one species of zooplankton were found. For phytoplankton, blue-green algae (Merismopedia elegans, Anabaenopsis elenkinii, Arthrospora fusiformis, Spirulina major, Lyngbya sp., Oscillatoria sp.) and green algae (Monoraphidium minutum, Tetrastrum komarekii, Ankyra ocellata, Oocystis sp.) were dominant. For zooplankton, Filinia longiseta, Brachionus plicatilis, B. variabilis, Hexarthra mira (Rotifera), Daphnia magna, Moina brachiata, M. mongolica (Cladocera), Arctodiaptomus bacillifer, Mixodiaptomus incrassatus, Metadiaptomus asiaticus (Copepoda) dominated. Mineralization, active hydrogen ratio, dissolved oxygen and water temperature were the main factors influencing the diversity, structure and distribution of plankton organisms in the steppe lakes during low water level. The RDA analysis for phytoplankton and zooplankton from different lakes was carried out for selected two groups which included lakes and a subset related species. The first group is of oligohaline and mesohaline lakes in which mostly green algae, rotifers and copepods inhabit. The second group is of mesohaline and polyhaline lakes with mainly blue-green algae, some crustaceans and rotifers inhabiting. High abundance and biomass of Spirulina major, Oscillatoria sp. and Brachionus variabilis were observed in lakes with high mineralization, pH and temperature.

The taxonomy of species within the genus Unio (Bivalvia: Unionidae: Unioninae) in Russia and Ukraine has been contentious due to the lack of correspondence between three concurrent yet divergent classifications. In order to clarify which classification system best reflects the evolutionary relationships among these taxa, we performed detailed morphological analyses on 720 Ukrainian and Russian specimens, complemented with molecular data (COI) from a selected number of specimens. The morphological character data set shows the existence of only three widespread species with slight eco-morphological variations. Statistical analyses of shell morphometric parameters and molecular analyses based on mtDNA COI gene fragment sequences confirm the existence of the same three species within a single genus, Unio, in Russia and Ukraine, that is U. pictorum, U. tumidus and U. crassus. Results from molecular analyses suggest the existence of an additional subgroup within the U. crassus lineage, U. crassus cf. courtilieri that deserves further research. The present integrated approach confirms the validity of the classification by Zhadin (1952) and rejects the complex classifications of Starobogatov et al. (2004) and Bogatov &amp; Kijashko (2016).

One of the most interesting Mesozoic Lagerstätten, Shar Teg in southwestern Mongolia, is reviewed. The geological structure and oryctocoenoses of Shar Teg are described. Shar Teg is one of the most diverse Jurassic Lagerstätten in terms of fossils represented. Fossils from Shar Teg include aquatic and terrestrial plants, mollusks, crustaceans, insects, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Insects are the most diverse group. To date, a total of 297 species of 161 families and 22 orders have been described or recorded in Shar Teg, making it possible to reconstruct comprehensively the Jurassic biota of the locality. The oryctocoenosis composition is peculiar; it includes only six species described from other localities. The oryctocoenosis appears to link the faunas of eastern Asia, Central Asia, and Europe. A total of 31 new species are described.

This paper presents calculations of equilibria between nitrogenrich hot springs of the Baikal Rift Zone (BRZ) and a secondary mineral assemblage (carbonate, fluoride, clay, zeolite, and other minerals). The results confirm the equilibrium–nonequilibrium character of the nitrogen spring water–rock system. Unlike other water types, the system evolves under conditions of continuous incorporation of chemical elements released from the host minerals into the newly formed secondary minerals. This allows the system to remain dynamically stable with no increase in salinity, despite continued water–rock interaction. The main factor responsible for this state of the system is a deficiency of acids, i.e., high pH. As a result, the disturbance of relationships between concentrations of aqueous species compared to the starting composition of dissolved solids produces a deficiency of some elements (Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, etc.) and an excess of other elements (Na, Si, F, etc.).

We studied the distribution of anoxygenic phototrophs in 23 steppe lakes in the Transbaikal region (Russia), in Uzbekistan (Central Asia) and in the Crimean peninsula (Ukraine). The lakes varied in their mineral content and composition (salinities from 0.2 to 300 g L(-1) ). The Transbaikal lakes were alkaline (pH>9), with high amounts of soda. The Uzbek and Crimean lakes were more pH neutral, frequently with high amounts of sulfates. The presence of anoxygenic phototrophs was registered by infrared epifluorescence microscopy, infrared fluorometry and pigment analyses. In mostly shallow, fully oxic lakes, the anoxygenic phototrophs represented 7-65% of the total prokaryotes, with the maxima observed in Transbaikal soda lakes Gorbunka (32%), Khilganta (65%), Zanday (58%) and Zun-Kholvo (46%). Some of the lakes contained over 1 μg bacteriochlorophyll L(-1) . In contrast, only small amounts of anoxygenic phototrophs were present in highly mineralized lakes (>100 g total salts L(-1) ); Borzinskoe, Tsagan-Nur (Transbaikal), Staroe (Crimea) and in the residual part of the south-west Aral Sea (Uzbekistan). The oxic environment and the specific diurnal changes of bacteriochlorophyll concentration observed suggest that the phototrophic community was mostly composed of aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs. The high abundances and bacteriochlorophyll concentrations point to an important role of aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs in the habitats studied.

The diversity and taxonomy of anodontine species in Lake Baikal and Transbaikalia region has been contentious since it is based on a typological species concept, the so called "Comparatory Method". Using this method, six Comparatory anodontine species have been described for the study area as belonging to the genus Colletopterum. This genus was separated from Anodonta based on shell characteristics and further split into two subgenera, i.e. Colletopterum sensu stricto and Colletopterum (Piscinaliana). However, many authors do not recognize this separation maintaining all Colletopterum forms within Anodonta. The current study clarifies the taxonomy and systematics of Anodontinae in this region, using a combination of molecular, morphological and anatomical data. All previously recognized Comparatory forms are here recognized as a single species, i.e. Anodonta anatina.

Conservation efforts have been hindered by data deficient conservation status assessments, especially due to taxonomic problems. This is especially true for many eastern Russian species of freshwater mussels, where distinct classification systems have complicated their delimitation and identification. Nodularia is a widespread eastern Asian freshwater mussel genus, present from Vietnam in the south to the Magadan region in eastern Russia in the north. The number of recognized species in the genus Nodularia in eastern Russia has been inflated over the last several decades due to the use of a typological species concept, the so-called 'Comparatory Method'. This method uses a single diagnostic character for species delimitation, i.e., the arc of maximal convexity of the shell's outline. Using this classification system, 10 species were recognized for far eastern Russia under the genus Nodularia Conrad, 1853, divided into three subgenera: Nodularia s. str., Amurunio and Magadaninaia. Since it is not supported by any other classification methods, the current comparatory classification is rejected by many Russian and international scientists, who only recognize a single species for that region, i.e., Nodularia douglasiae. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to clarify the taxonomy and systematics of the Nodularia genus in far eastern Russia and adjacent territories, using a multiple dataset approach that combines distribution with detailed conchological and anatomical analyses with morphometry and COI barcoding molecular techniques. All analyses performed in this study support the existence of a single Nodularia species in eastern Russia, i.e., N. douglasiae.

Long-term studies of plankton algae and invertebrates in drainless saline lakes of the Uldza-Torey basin are conducted. Plankton communities are reconstructed in opposite directions due to climatic fluctuations. The main abiotic environmental factors regulating species composition, structure, and abundance of aquatic communities were salinity, pH, water temperature, and depth.

Extensive field hydrogeochemical data and thermodynamic simulations demonstrate that the composition of lacustrine waters is controlled not only by evaporation but also by interaction between the waters and rocks. This interaction begins in the catchment areas of the lakes and continues in these lakes themselves, because the waters (regardless of their salinity) do not occur in equilibrium with many of the endogenic minerals. These processes are the most intense in soda lakes, as follows from the highest pH of their waters (9.0–10.7). These values provide evidence that these waters most intensely interact with primary aluminosilicates. The two processes responsible for sulfur behavior in these lakes are sulfate reduction and sulfide oxidation. Different geochemical environments produced in lakes of different type are favorable for the selective enrichment of some elements, which are mobile in these environments and whose concentrations can significantly increase.

The mineral composition of the Talatui gold deposit has been studied with modern methods. Previously unknown minerals (ilmenite, siegenite, glaucodot, wittichenite, matildite, hessite, pilsenite, zircon, tremolite, cummingtonite, hercynite, and goethite) have been identified in the ore. A high Re content has been detected in molybdenite. The spatiotemporal separation of Au and Ag is caused by different mineral species of these elements and their diachronous precipitation during the ore-forming process. Gold crystallized along with early mineral assemblages, beginning from virtually pure gold (the fineness is 996). Silver precipitated largely at the end of the process as hessite (Ag2Te) and matildite (AgBiS2). The temperature of ore deposition varied from 610 to 145°C, the pressure was 3370–110 bar, and the salt concentration ranged from 56.3 to 0.4 wt % NaCl equiv. The heterogeneous state (boiling) of fluid at the early stages has been documented. The chemical and isotopic compositions of the fluid testify to its magmatic nature and the participation of meteoric water at late stages in the ore-forming process. Thermodynamic modeling reproduces the main specific features of ore formation, including separation of Au and Ag. A physicochemical model of the gold mineralization in the Darasun ore district has been proposed. On the basis of several attributes, the Talatui deposit has been referred to the prophyry gold-copper economic type.

The Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) opens new development opportunities for Russia in general, and its Eastern regions in particular, via larger-scale and multi-level international cooperation. The eastern regions of Russia, rich in natural resources, have traditionally focused on resource extraction. In the context of the SREB, the issues of environmental security in Eastern Russia come to the fore. Here, we propose tools for 'diagnosis' if a chosen path of regional economic development proceeds according to the concept of a green economy. We use different indicators based on eco-intensity. We determine ecological-economic development trends in the Eastern border regions of Russia at the initial stage of the Silk Road Economic Belt formation to serve as a starting point and guideline for development processes within the SREB. If cooperation is directed to implementing the best Chinese production chains, significant improvements in the quality of economic growth in Russia will be achieved.

The vole Microtus maximowiczii Schrenck, 1858 is a widely distributed species inhabiting humid biotopes of the forest zone in East Asia. It comprises three subspecies: M. m. maximowiczii Schrenck, 1858, Microtus m. ungurensis Kastchenko, 1913, and Microtus m. gromoviVorontsov, Boeskorov, Lyapunova and Revin, 1988. The description of the latter subspecies was based on one subadult individual only. Here, we present a morphological investigation of the three subspecies and relate the results to the karyological variation observed in M. maximowiczii. In a morphometric analysis, 124 skulls of the three subspecies were studied, including seven of M. m. gromovi, which have been collected near Ayan village at Ohotsk sea coast (Russian Far East). The samples of M. m. gromovi clustered separately from the other subspecies of M. maximowiczii. In average, M. m. gromovi proved to be considerably smaller than the others. The analysis of the third upper molar (M3) revealed that the majority of individuals of M. m. gromovi (from Ayan and from the coast of Lake Bol’shoe Toko) possessed a complicated shape of M3. In the karyological analysis, the number and morphology of chromosomes in all three M. m. gromovi individuals investigated were stable and equal: 2n = 44, NF = 60. While the same chromosome formula is also found in the other subspecies of this karyologically highly variable species, the individuals from Ayan possess peculiar characters: pericentric inversions in the first and fourth chromosome pairs, a large acrocentric chromosome and additional euchromatin in the 10th pair. In total, the results confirm a distinct systematic position of M. m. gromovi and consequently, this taxon should be raised to species status. A redescription of Microtus gromoviVorontsov, Boeskorov, Lyapunova and Revin, 1988, stat. nov. is given. Microtus maximowiczii Schrenck, 1858 ist eine weit verbreitete Wühlmausart, die feuchte Biotope in der Waldzone Ostasiens bewohnt. Es werden drei Unterarten unterschieden: M. m. maximowiczii Schrenck, 1858, M. m. ungurensis Kastchenko, 1913, und M. m. gromoviVorontsov, Boeskorov, Lyapunova and Revin, 1988. Die Beschreibung der letztgenannten Unterart basierte auf nur einem subadulten Individuum. In der vorliegenden Arbeit präsentieren wir morphologische Untersuchungen der drei Unterarten und vergleichen die Ergebnisse mit der karyologischen Variation dieser Taxa. In der morphometrischen Analyse wurden 124 Schädel der drei Unterarten untersucht. Sieben davon stammen von M. m. gromovi Individuen, die and der Küste des Ochotskischen Heeres in der Nähe der Ortschaft Ayan gesammelt wurden. In der Analyse der morphometrischen Daten stellt sich M. m. gromovi als deutlich getrennte Gruppe dar. Im Durchschnitt ist M. m. gromovi deutlich kleiner als die beiden anderen Unterarten von M. maximowiczii. In der Analyse des dritten oberen Molaren (M3) zeigten die Mehrzahl der M. m. gromovi Individuen (von Ayan sowie vom Bol’shoe Toko See) eine komplizierte Struktur. Die karyologische Analyse der drei Individuen aus Ayan ergab eine identische Zahl und Morphologie der Chromosomen: 2n = 44, NF = 60. Die gleiche Chromosomenformel wurde auch in anderen Unterarten dieser karyologisch hochvariablen Art gefunden, allerdings besitzen die M. m. gromovi Individuen spezielle karyotypische Merkmale: perizentrische Inversionen im ersten und vierten Chromosomenpaar, Vorhandensein eines großen akrozentrischen Chromosoms sowie zusätzliches Euchromatin im zehnten Chromosomenpaar. Zusammenfassend machen die Ergebnisse die getrennte systematische Position von M. m. gromovi deutlich, sodass dieses Taxon in den Artstatus erhoben werden sollte. Eine Neubeschreibung von Microtus gromoviVorontsov, Boeskorov, Lyapunova and Revin, 1988, stat. nov. wird vorgelegt. Table S1. Spearman correlations between the skull characters and multidimensional scaling (MDS) axes based on Euclidean similarity matrix (D1–D4) and Kendall Tau correlations matrix (K1–K5). Table S2. Statistics of skull characters obtained by UPGMA clustering with Euclidean distance as similarity measure and multidimensional scaling (MDS) axes as variables. Table S3. Variability of Microtus maximowiczii karyotypes. Please note: Wiley-Blackwell are not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting materials supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing material) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.

Dissimilatory sulfate reduction plays an important role in removal of dissolved metals from acidic mine waters. Although this process was convincingly shown to occur in acidic waste of metal recovery, few isolates of acid-tolerant sulfate rducers are known. We isolated a new acidophilic sulfidogen, strain BG, from the oxidized acidic waste of the Bom-Gorkhon tungsten deposit, Transbaikalia, Russia. Phylogenetic analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence made it possible to identify it as a member of the genus Desulfosporosinus. Unlike other known acidophilic sulfate reducers of this genus, strain BG was tolerant to high copper concentrations (up to 5 g/L), could grow on organic acids at low ambient pH, and formed crystalline copper sulfides (covellite and chalcopyrite). Molecular analysis of the phenotypes predominating in oxidized waste and in enrichment cultures confirmed the presence of various Desulfosporosinus strains.

This paper presents the results of a comparative spatial analysis of the regions of the Russian Federation in the context of the concept of a green economy with the use of two quantitative factors that characterize the well-being of the population: the payroll fund and the total wage fund and own revenues of the regional budgets per capita. The key environmental and economic indicators used in this study are the indicators of eco-intensity for regional economic systems. They show the particular negative impact on the environment “produced” by the regional economy per unit of economic result. The following characteristics of the region’s socio-ecological system are considered: the volume of atmospheric pollutant emissions in terms of 1000 rubles of the regional payroll fund and in terms of 1000 rubles of own income to regional budgets. The study revealed a high degree of heterogeneity of Russia’s regions in socio-environmental characteristics. It is shown that not only does the population of many natural resource and industrial regions live in conditions of increased anthropogenic pressure (both total and specific), but it also is not provided with additional resources of “collective well-being” through its own budget income, in spite of the unfavorable ecological and natural conditions. It is concluded that carbon regulation aimed at developing a low-carbon economy should not focus on identical quantitative indicators for the whole country.

Striped hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis sensu lato) represent a complex of chromosomally distinct allopatric lineages/taxa of either species or subspecies rank. They are widely distributed across the steppes of eastern and central Palearctic. Phylogenetic analysis of cytochrome b gene sequences based on 496 specimens from 112 localities revealed five well-supported lineages divergent at 2%–4%. Two of them correspond to “griseus” (2n = 22) and “pseudogriseus” (2n = 24) karyomorphs and are placed as sister taxa. The “barabensis” (2n = 20) karyomorph is represented by three other branches and appears non-monophyletic. All mtDNA lineages are distributed allopatrically or parapatrically; no indications of gene flow between populations of different chromosomal races were found. The results of the molecular clock analysis suggest that the main lineages diverged in the late Middle Pleistocene. The inferred evolutionary scenario implies that the common ancestor of the recent lineages belonged to the 2n = 20 karyomorph and originated in the eastern part of the contemporary range.