Tomsk State University Journal of Biology

7-19

Authors: Nina S. Evseeva, Galina E. Pashneva, Zoia N. Kvasnikova

The results of long-term researches (1985–2012) of deluvial process in agrolandscapes of the southeast of the Western Siberia are presented. Deluvial process is washing away of soils by thawed and rain snow (a water erosion of soils); it is one of the main forms of migration of substance in the agrolandscapes, leading to a decrease in fertility of soils and efficiency of a soil cover, etc. The work purpose is an assessment of intensity and dynamics of development of diluvial process on an arable land of the southern part of Tomsk region and identification of ecological aspects of this process. It is established that: 1) Natural factors such as relief, lithology and climate are favorable for development of diluvial process. The steepness of slopes of an arable land changes from 0–1° to 10–12°, sometimes more. On the surface there are deposited loess rocks that soak overnight in water (for 2–120 minutes); soils have low resistance to erosion and runoff. For the territory, intensive storm activity is characteristic, during one heavy rain there are up to 80.5 mm of precipitations. Average annual water reserves in snow vary from 100 to 140 mm, in some years up to 180 mm. 2) The intensity of soil erosion, heavy rains in the area between Tom-Yaya is 40–100 m3/ha in the event of loss of rainfall over 50 mm/day, more runoff from the slopes of arable land is 0.5–8 m3/ha. 3) The intensity of soil erosion by melted snow water varies from 0.5–1.0 m3/ha to 50–80 m3/ha, depending on weather conditions of snowmelt, slope, length, exposure, slope, soil fertility status, etc. The main contribution to the development of soil erosion is made by thawed snow water. 4) The analysis of literature and our data show that during snowmelt from 0.6 to 15 kg/ha of humus, from 0.13 to 1.8 kg/ha of nitrogen, 0.11–0.90 kg/ha of phosphorus, etc. are annually carried away by melting waters from 1 ha of arable land.

36-46

Authors: Olga A. Nekrasova, Maria I. Dergacheva

The growth of rare elements used in modern industrial production requires research activation with a view to their monitoring and regulation. The comparison of trace elements content in modern soils with ancient analogues withdrawn from active functioning, can help to assess the accumulation of elements in soils of the date hereof. Modern background soil, as well as paleosols and cultural layers of the archaeological site Stepnoe 7 of Bronze epoch, located in the Southern Urals in Chelyabinsk region are the objects of the study. Profile of modern soil background in morphology corresponds to leached chernozems, has a slightly alkaline environment and the magnetic susceptibility of organic-horizon 2.3–3.5×10–6 CGSE per/g of sediment. The humus horizon contains on average 3.2% of organic carbon, about 50% of it is humic acids, which exceeds the number of fulvic acids in more than 2 times and causes humate type of humus. Humic acids of the A horizons upper thickness of the soil profile contains 50.5± 3.4% C, 4.2 ± 0.3% H, 41.5 ± 2.87% O and 3.3 ± 0.3% N from mass. Buried soils and cultural layers have similar characteristics: the humus content is about 1%, it is characterized by humate composition, and the elemental composition of humic acids corresponds to steppe conditions of their functioning. Humic acids were allocated from 0.1n NaOH extracts after preliminary decalcification by their sedimentation 2n HCl, with the subsequent dissolution in alkali and resedimentation. The total content of rare earth elements in humic acids and soils was determined by multi-element neutron activation analysis in the laboratory of Tomsk Polytechnic University. A comparison of the content of rare earth elements in modern soils, paleosols and cultural layers with Clark in the lithosphere allows us to consider them non-contaminated lanthanides. Waning row of average element content is the same for all objects under study and looks as follows: Ce> Nd> La> Sm> Yb> Eu> Tb> Lu. However, for almost all of the elements the average content in the modern background soil is much higher than in the buried soils and cultural layers, although significant differences using the Student’s t-test for the objects being compared are not identified for any metal. In order to establish the contribution of HA in the binding of rare earth element content of soils, the contents of elements in the preparations were recalculated to their number in the soil, per humic acid. The content of total organic carbon in the soil, the share of humic acids in the humus composition and carbon content in HA preparations were taken into account. The total percentage of all studied rare-earth metals in humic acids in relation to their content is 4/03% in the modern soil, 1.56% in the cultural layers and 1.28% in the buried paleosols. Thus, it clearly shows a tendency of increasing the content of rare earth elements in modern southern forest-steppe soil of Zauralye in the last four thousand years. The share of trace elements associated with humic acids of modern soils in the total pool of rare earth elements of more than 3 times higher than in paleosols and cultural layers.

67-76

Authors: Tatjyna M. Pankina, Vladimir N. Romanenko, Svetlana I. Istratkina, Aleksandr V. Shichin, Tatjyna M. Poltorackaj

There are some centers of natural diseases, trans-missed by ixodes ticks оn the territory of Tomsk region. The most dangerous of this are ixodes ticks encephalitis (ITE) and ixodes ticks borreliosus (ITB); but some other diseases have been registered (erlihiosus, West Nile fever). Between 16000 to 25000 suction attacks of ticks and up to 1000 morbid events are registered on the territory of Tomsk region annually. Ixodes pavlovskyi Pom 1946 dominated on town and suburbs territories, but as far as from town and the Tom river valley Ixodes persulcatus P.Sch 1930 became dominant species (up to 100%). Seasonal activity of ticks in Tomsk district characterized by a cleary shown one pike. Maximal density of ticks is registered in the first part of June, but in August most part of ticks disappears. On the town’s territory the pike of activity is registered early – in the 2–3 decades of May. On the town’s territory ticks disappear at the end of June and on the suburbs territories up to mid-July respectively (2–4 weeks earlier). The whole period of ticks activity on the south part of Tomsk region is 120–200 days in case of absence of human impact. Ticks virus infectiousness collected from the grass on the territory of Tomsk district was specified. The part of ticks infected by ITE was 1.9–7.7% during 2002–2011. The lowest part of infected ticks was nearby Kolarovo (0–6.3%) and Kurlek (0–0.5%) villages. There were no viruses in ticks collected nearby Semiluzhki and kuzovlevo villages, The high part of infected ticks were collected in the forests nearby Bogashevo (up to 11.1%), Haldeevo (up to 12.7%) and Nekrasovo (up to 13.3%) villages. Virus of ITE was specified more often (by the IFA method) in ticks suckinghuman blood. The virus of ITE was found in the ticks sucking human blood as often as: in Kolarovo 21.2–29.7% in Bogashevo – 15.7–33.3%, in Haldeevo – 16.0–22.2%. In the ticks sucked to a human in Tomsk and in suburbs the virus of ITE was found in Ixodes pavlovskyi (from 34.76%) and in Ixodes persulcatus (49.78%). Among ticks inhabited in the natural ecosystems of Tomsk the percent of ticks infected by ITB was up to 63,8 in Academgorodok and up to 36,4% nearby Irkutsky road. The virus of ITB was found in ticks in Kolarovo (62%), in Bogashevo – up to 36.6%, in Haldeevo – up to 40% , in Nekrasovo – 15.4% and in Kuzovlevo – 13.3%. The middle percent of ITB infected ticks in Tomsk region was between 21.3 and 49.8% during last ten years. There were maximal infectiousness among ticks collected from the grass in spring period (3.1–7.1%); in the mid-July there were few infectious ticks only. The percent of infectiousness among over-wintering ticks were at the minimum in spring (19–25%), but increasing during summer up to 32–35%. The most effective measure against ticks was on the territories with clear borders and with good preliminary preparation for the action. For example, on the territories of summer child camps the effectiveness of actions was 95–100% and the number of sucking ticks were as less as ten during the season.

98-108

Authors: Gleb N. Artemov, Gleb A. Sapunov, Vladimir N. Stegniy

Chromosome attachment to the nuclear lamina is one of the main mechanisms of chromosome positioning in the nuclear interior. Previously, contacts of chromosomes with nuclear envelope in semi-squashed malaria mosquitoes nurse cells nuclei were discovered and its species-specificity was showed. We localized nuclear debris on polytene chromosomes of nurse cells of sibling species Anopheles atroparvus Thiel., An. messeae Fall. and An. beklemishevi Steg. et Kab. by chromosome immunostaining with using antibodies to fruit fly lamin Dm0. Distribution of lamin on the shortest chromosomes of the set – XL chromosome was analyzed. Lamin was detected in distinct chromosome regions, mainly in interbands. We used only signals, which were found more than in four nuclei. These regions looked like bright bands and were detected in all analyzed specimens. If intra-specific polymorphism by lamin distribution take s place, it cannot be shown by using our methodical approach. However, we found some single nuclei, which had different signals in each homolog chromosomes. The brightest lamin signals quantity, width and their distribution along chromosomes are species-specific features. In An. messeae and An. beklemishevi lamin revealed in chromosome attachment regions, which was mapped during semi-squashed nurse cells nuclei investigation. The lack of lamin signals in XL chromosome attachment region of An. atroparvus is connected with specific morphology of pericentric regions and with limitation of preparation making. We did not observe significant concordance in lamin localization on XL chromosome in analyzed species. However, we found one similarity between An. messeae and An. atroparvus in lamin localization in 2b-2c region. In spite of similar localization, these regions differ from each other by intensity signals, which can reflect differentiation in the strength of chromosomes contacts. The obtained results do not prove data about evolution conservatism of lamin-associated domains localization in distinct cell types. Interspecific differences in lamin distribution along the XL chromosome suggest chromosome region structure transformation, which results in acquisition or loss of the attachment function or modification of the strength of chromosome contact with nuclear envelope.

117-123

Authors: Konstantin E. Usov, Alina A. Kokhanenko, Vladimir N. Stegniy

It is known that DNA sequences associated with heterochromatin are difficult for sequencing and subsequent analysis because of repeats enrichment. So, even finished and published genome sequencing projects of different organisms only contain information about the DNA sequences associated with euchromatin. Now, however, it is clear that understanding the principles of the eukaryotic genome functioning requires detailed information on the composition of its sequences. It should be noted that a comparative analysis of DNA in heterochromatin both phylogenetically close and distant taxa is relevant from the point of view of the problem of the evolution of genomes. Previously, we obtained region-specific DNA library chromocenter of polytene chromosomes of D. orena by microdissection. Next, on its basis we got a set of DNA clones and carried out their sequencing. The analysis of the clones using various software packages allowed to find out a wide variety of repetitive sequences among them (mobile genetic elements; tandem repeats) and the identified sequences homologous to the protein-coding genes. In addition, using microdissection method we obtained a region-specific DNA library chromocenter of polytene chromosomes of D. virilis. As part of this work, we carried out dot blot hybridization region-specific DNA libraries from the chromocenter D. virilis with characterized and annotated 42 DNA clones chromocenter D. orena. That allowed us to obtain new data on the molecular composition of DNA chromocenter D. virilis and estimate, generally, conservative composition of pericentromeric heterochromatin DNA in these relatively distant in the phylogenetic relation to species like D. orena and D. virilis. It should be noted that of 42 examined clones, only 8 failed to detect clones in the polytene chromosome DNA chromocenter D. virilis. Thus, it is established that, despite the evolutionary distance D. orena and D. virilis, DNA pericentromeric heterochromatin of polytene chromosomes in these species contains a significant amount of common sequences such as dispersed repeats (mobile genetic elements) − LTR-retrotransposons, LINE-elements, DNA transposons, tandem repeats (minisatellites), and sequences homologous to the protein-encoding genes (the genes, apparently, belong to the so-called orthologs).

133-144

Authors: Irina F. Golovatskaya, Vyacheslav Yu. Dorofeev, Yulia V. Medvedeva, Pavel E. Nikiforov, Raisa A. Karnachuk

The method of isolating apical meristems and obtaining from them virus-free regenerants is the main way to make potato plants free from pathogens. Further cultivation of the improved potato in hydroponics allows obtaining virus-free tubers, thereby solving the problems of modern seed-growing of this crop. The in vitro cultivation of micropropagated plants is carried out at artificial light. In this connection it is necessary to choose a light regime to optimize the growth processes of microcuttings. The effect of additional irradiated with red, white and blue light on the morphogenesis of potato cv. Lugovskoy in vitro was investigated. Different growth reactions of micropropagated plantlets during subcultivation were revealed. The influence of the correction of white light on the formation of root, shoot and the photosynthetic apparatus of Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Lugovskoy plantlets in the process of cultivation in vitro was studied. The supplementary lighting with blue, red and white light was used. The greatest increase in dry weight of shoots was observed in plants under red light. At the same time, the blue light inhibited or changed the direction of synthetic processes in the shoot, causing a decrease in its dry biomass. Red light increased the root volume and the total area of leaves, compared with the action of the blue light. Irradiating with blue light increased the area of leaf surface 3–5 tiers, whereas irradiating with a white and red light – the area of 6–9 tiers, while the smallest number of tiers was formed under blue light conditions. The levels of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids were increased at red and blue light compared with a content of pigments under white light. Red and blue light played an important photoregulation role in the growth and morphogenic responses of potato plants, both at the shoot and root system. Specific effect of light of different spectral composition on morphogenesis of microcuttings potato cv. Lugovskoy should be considered for optimizing cultivation regime in vitro. The practical significance of the research results is to use the method of irradiating with selective light at work to develop virus-free potato micropropagated plants with a view to accelerating the growth in vitro, the successful adaptation of plants in vivo, the reduction of the vegetation period and the increase in productive process for obtaining the maximum output of the improved minitubers in the conditions of hydroponics.

152-161

Authors: Igor V. Volkov, Irina I. Volkova

The analysis of long-term dynamics of two high-mountain phytocoenoses of Aktru valley (Altai Republic) growing in different landscapes shows that the species compositions, horizontal and vertical structure as well as ecological features of communities have undergone various modifications. The most perceptible changes for the period of 2000–2011 have been revealed for the community occupying the lateral side of moraine near the glacier body; this fact is connected to the intensifying glacier melting at the ablation zone and decreasing environmental influence of the glacier to the adjacent territory. The changes in periglacial zone were reflected at considerable increase in substrate humidification; that was ascertained by the method of ecological scales. Microclimate change caused disappearance of ultra-oreophytes and mountainsteppe plant species. Biomorphological transformation of the community is proceeding from predominance of small cushion life forms, to prevalence of prostrate life forms under essential growth of the ground coverage. Pinus sibirica turned from procumbent (elfin wood) to arboraceous life form. Transformation of the alpine meadow situated out of the zone of influence of glacier body for the period of 1993–2010 has extended over the gradual modification of the plant community structure, increase in species quantity and herbaceous layer height, with relatively constant optimums of plants on such ecological factors as moisture, nutrient richness and salinity of substrate. These changes reflect the gradual shift of the mountain belts as a result of annual temperature growth. The results of our research have revealed that the most significant transformation of the vegetation connected with climate features change can be observed in the vegetation of the moraines at the ablation zone of glaciers.