Information Theory Opens New Dimensions in Experimental Studies of Animal Behaviour and Communication.

Over the last 40-50 years, ethology has become increasingly quantitative and computational. However, when analysing animal behavioural sequences, researchers often need help finding an adequate model to assess certain characteristics of these sequences while using a relatively small number of parameters. In this review, I demonstrate that the information theory approaches based on Shannon entropy and Kolmogorov complexity can furnish effective tools to analyse and compare animal natural behaviours.

Review of the digger wasps of the genus Chilosphex Menke in Bohart and Menke, 1976 (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae: Prionychini).

All available data about the digger wasp genus Chilosphex Menke in Bohart and Menke, 1976 is summarized. The melanistic form of Ch. argyrius (Brullé, 1833) from North Caucasus (Dagestan) is recorded and illustrated.

[Geometric Approach to Phylogeographic Analysis Molecular Genetic Sequences: Principal Components and Dendrograms].

Currently, the search for manifestations of selection under the influence of the environment in molecular sequences is usually carried out within closely related species or at the intraspecific level. It is believed that at high taxonomic levels this is unpromising due to phylogenetic relationship. Cytochrome b amino acid sequences of 67 rodent and lagomorph species with known geographic coordinates were digitized using the AAindex database.

Trophic diversification and parasitic invasion as ecological niche modulators for gut microbiota of whitefish.

Introduction: The impact of parasites on gut microbiota of the host is well documented, but the role of the relationship between the parasite and the host in the formation of the microbiota is poorly understood. This study has focused on the influence that trophic behavior and resulting parasitism has on the structure of the microbiome.

Methods: Using 16S amplicon sequencing and newly developed methodological approaches, we characterize the gut microbiota of the sympatric pair of whitefish complex and the associated microbiota of cestodes parasitizing their intestine.

Late Cenozoic history and the role of Beringia in assembling a Holarctic cestode species complex.

The dynamic climate history that drove sea level fluctuation during past glacial periods mediated the movement of organisms between Asia and North America via the Bering Land Bridge. Investigations of the biogeographic histories of small mammals and their parasites demonstrate facets of a complex history of episodic geographic colonization and refugial isolation that structured diversity across the Holarctic. We use a large multi-locus nuclear DNA sequence dataset to robustly resolve relationships within the cestode genus Arostrilepis (Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae), a widespread parasite of predominantly arvicoline rodents (voles, lemmings).

Range-wide population genomics of the spongy moth, (Erebidae): Implications for biosurveillance, subspecies classification and phylogeography of a destructive moth.

The spongy moth, , is an irruptive forest pest native to Eurasia where its range extends from coast to coast and overspills into northern Africa. Accidentally introduced from Europe in Massachusetts in 1868-1869, it is now established in North America where it is considered a highly destructive invasive pest. A fine-scale characterization of its population genetic structure would facilitate identification of source populations for specimens intercepted during ship inspections in North America and would enable mapping of introduction pathways to help prevent future incursions into novel environments.

The Metagenomic Analysis of Viral Diversity in Colorado Potato Beetle Public NGS Data.

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is one of the most serious insect pests due to its high ecological plasticity and ability to rapidly develop resistance to insecticides. The use of biological insecticides based on viruses is a promising approach to control insect pests, but the information on viruses which infect leaf feeding beetles is scarce. We performed a metagenomic analysis of 297 CPB genomic and transcriptomic samples from the public National Center for Biotechnology Information Sequence Read Archive (NCBI SRA) database.

A TaqMan Assay for the Detection and Monitoring of Potentially Invasive Lasiocampids, With Particular Attention to the Siberian Silk Moth, Dendrolimus sibiricus (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae).

The Siberian silk moth, Dendrolimus sibiricus Tschetverikov, is a very serious pest of conifers in Russia and is an emerging threat in North America where an accidental introduction could have devastating impacts on native forest resources. Other Dendrolimus Germar species and related Eurasian lasiocampids in the genus Malacosoma (Hubner) could also present a risk to North America's forests. Foreign vessels entering Canadian and U.

Expression of Immunity- and Stress-Related Genes during an Intermolt Period in the Colorado Potato Beetle.

Different developmental stages of insects may be dissimilar in immunity functioning. Additionally, the stages often inhabit diverse environments with specific microbial communities. In the Colorado potato beetle, a strong increase in resistance to entomopathogenic fungi is observed during the intermolt period of last-instar larvae, but mechanisms of this change are insufficiently understood.

Dermacentor reticulatus - a tick on its way from glacial refugia to a panmictic Eurasian population.

The ornate dog tick (Dermacentor reticulatus) shows a recently expanding geographic distribution. Knowledge on its intraspecific variability, population structure, rate of genetic diversity and divergence, including its evolution and geographic distribution, is crucial to understand its dispersal capacity. All such information would help to evaluate the potential risk of future spread of associated pathogens of medical and veterinary concern.

Molecular genetic species definition of Opisthorchiidae-like cercariae from Bithyniidae snails of Chany Lake (South-Western Siberia, Russia).

The studies of opisthorchiids larval stages associated with Bithyniidae snails can provide important and the most reliable data for opisthorchiidoses foci characterization due to the low mobility of such opisthorchiid's host species as Bithyniidae snails. The foci of opisthorchiosis (caused by Opisthorchis felineus) and metorchiosis (caused by Metorchis bilis) are overlapping in the basins of the Ob and Irtysh Rivers. Thus, difficulties with determining the species of cercariae significantly reduce the accuracy of epidemiological conclusions regarding opisthorchiosis, which has a much higher medical significance.

The complete mitogenome of Echinoparyphium aconiatum (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) and a comparison with other digenean species.

Echinoparyphium aconiatum (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) is an intestinal parasite of anatid and snail-eating birds. In Eurasia, it is also common in lymnaeid snails, which may serve as the first and second intermediate hosts. The systematics of its genus, Echinoparyphium, have long been inadequate, with poor descriptions and extensive synonymy.

The Effect of Bean Seed Treatment with Entomopathogenic Fungus on Soil Microarthropods (Acari, Collembola).

The treatment of agricultural crops with entomopathogenic fungi may disturb the structure of soil microarthropod communities, which can have an adverse impact on soil fertility and, ultimately, on the yield. The effect of the treatment of broad bean ( L.) seeds, with the entomopathogenic fungus , on the abundance and community structure of soil microarthropods in the rhizosphere was assessed in different phases of plant vegetation in a two-year experiment.

Three new species of the Merodon ruficornis group (Diptera: Syrphidae) discovered at the edge of its range.

Further revision of material from the Merodon ruficornis group (Diptera: Syrphidae) revealed three new species, M. acutus Vuji et Radenkovi sp. nov.

Description of a stunning new species of Phlegra Simon, 1876 from southern Spain and redescription of an enigmatic Phlegra species from northern Africa (Araneae: Salticidae).

A new species of jumping spider, Phlegra blaugrana sp. nov., is described (, Cdiz Province, Spain).

Molecular genetics of Simulium (Wilhelmia) equinum (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Simuliidae) from West Siberia.

The medico-parasitological importance of bloodsucking black flies is high. To assess potential epidemiological risks and develop biological control programs for these bloodsucking Diptera, it is necessary to be informed of their diversity, community structure and the most common and dominant species. The degree of homogeneity of molecular genetic characteristics of one of the most widespread black fly species Simulium (W.

Wild Animal Migration As a Potential Threat of Introduction of New Viruses into Russia.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has shown how serious the problem of re-emerging zoonotic infections is for our existence. Migrations of animals, which are natural reservoirs of a particular virus, play a colossal role in the spread of pathogens to new territories. Examples are the migrations of both land animals (carnivores, rodents, and ungulates) and many marine mammals (pinnipeds and cetaceans).

Comparative Analysis of Epicuticular Lipids in and : A Possible Role in Susceptibility to Entomopathogenic Fungi.

Cuticular lipids protect insects from desiccation and may determine resistance to fungal pathogens. Nonetheless, the trade-off between these lipid functions is still poorly understood. The migratory locust and the Italian locust have dissimilar hygrothermal preferences: inhabits areas near water bodies with a reed bed, and exploits a wide range of habitats and prefers steppes and semideserts with the predominance of sagebrushes.

Rock Microhabitats Provide Suitable Thermal Conditions for Overwintering Insects: A Case Study of the Spongy Moth ( L.) Population in the Altai Mountains.

Many insect species overwinter in various rock shelters (cavities and crevices), but the microclimates of rock biotopes remain poorly understood. We investigated the temperature dynamics in rock microhabitats where clusters of egg masses of the wintering spongy moth L. (SM) were observed.

Redescription and taxonomic position of () (Janicki, 1904), with the erection of n. g. (Eucestoda: Hymenolepididae) from arvicoline rodents (Rodentia: Cricetidae).

() (Janicki, 1904) is redescribed on the basis of materials from , and from Eastern Europe (Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine and the north-eastern part of Russia). A new genus, n. g.

Hereditary predisposition of water voles (Arvicola amphibius L.) to seizures in response to handling.

Finding out the hereditary predisposition to seizures in response to specif ic external stimuli is important for understanding the causes of epileptiform conditions, developing new methods for their prevention and therapies. In the water vole, individuals with convulsive seizures are found both in natural and laboratory conditions. The data of long-lasting maintenance and breeding of water voles in vivarium conditions were analyzed in order to establish a hereditary predisposition to convulsive seizures, and the inf luence of sex and age on their development.

Long-term observation of the egg and chick size in the nests of Larus ichthyaetus in Lake Chany, Russia.

This data set describes the long-term observation and morphological study of the eggs of the great black-headed gull Larus ichthyaetus in the gull nesting colonies on the islands of Lake Chany. Lake Chany is located in the Baraba forest-steppe of the West Siberian Plain, Russia, between the Ob and Irtish rivers. Lake Chany is protected by the Ramsar Convention on the Wetlands of International Importance, indicating that the lake is an important site for migratory birds, including L.

Bithyniid snails as hosts of Opisthorchiidae and Notocotylidae in the south of Western Siberia, Russia.

Opisthorchiasis and related infections are persistent and substantial public health burdens from eastern Europe to southeastern and northern Asia. Snails of the family Bithyniidae act as first intermediate hosts not only for the trematodes of the family Opisthorchiidae but also for those of the family Notocotylidae. There are certain morphological similarities between the aforementioned trematode cercariae.