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The ecological patterns of the formation of the avifauna and bird populations on Iturup Island have been analyzed. Route censuses were used along transects with unlimited width. As many as 116 bird species have been registered; 36% of them are ubiquitous, 34% are local, and the other 26% are highly local. Seventy-one species were shown to nest. The taxonomic structure of the avifauna, represented by species from 15 orders, corresponded to the zonal and landscape features of the island areas located at the eastern margins of northern Eurasia. Passeriformes (37%), Charadriiformes (22%), Anseriformes (9%), and Procellariiformes (8%) prevailed. The zoogeographic peculiarity of the local avifauna was the combination of elements of the Far East island, Pacific, Siberian, and Chinese faunal complexes, some Siberian–American and widespread species, and Japanese island endemics. The avifauna around Iturup Island, formed by a system of general zonal-landscape and altitudinal-belt patterns, combines the ecological groups of marine and terrestrial species, including mountain ones (n = 9). The local avifauna includes 41 species in coastal marine habitats vs. 55 species in forests, 37 species in light forests, and 46 species in tall grasses, with the population density being 607, 785, 968, and 518 individuals/km2, respectively. The similarity coefficients were 19–48% for the populations of forest habitats vs. 22% for light forests and 20–37% for tall grasses, while they were 21–52% for the sea coast and adjacent water areas. The populations of terrestrial habitats are dominated by the oriental turtle-dove, Pacific swift, Siberian rubythroat, Japanese bush-warbler, marsh tit, coal tit, Eurasian nutcracker, oriental greenfinch, Eurasian siskin, long-tailed rosefinch, masked bunting, and gray bunting. The populations of the coast and adjacent sea area are dominated by Temminck's cormorant, the rufous-necked stint, slaty-backed gull, black-tailed gull, and black-backed wagtail. In open sea areas, the most common species are the white-winged scoter, black-footed and Laysan albatrosses, northern fulmar, and short-tailed shearwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The liverwort flora in Zov Tigra National Park in southern Sikhote-Alin (Primorye Territory, south of the Russian Far East), which has one of the richest regional floras, was studied to assess its taxonomic diversity, and analyzed using a new approach to determine altitudinal distribution patterns. This new approach is based on probabilistic models of the altitudinal distribution of individual taxa proposed for identifying altitudinal groups of species. This method can be used to analyze patterns of the distribution of species of various taxonomic groups in cases where a sufficiently representative dataset is available and may be especially relevant in regions where altitudinal zonation is not obvious or changes in the altitudinal fractions of the dominant vegetation are too continuous. The proposed method revealed three altitudinal groups that were more clearly differentiated than groups of taxa based on altitudinal vegetation belts. Based on the obtained results, the most important bioclimatic indices correlated with the altitudinal distribution of liverworts were identified: annual mean temperature (BIO1), annual precipitation (BIO12), isothermality (BIO3), and factors associated with the temperature and amount of precipitation during the warmest period of the year, including the maximum temperature of the warmest month (BIO5), the mean temperature of the wettest quarter (BIO8), the mean temperature of the warmest quarter (BIO10), precipitation during the wettest month (BIO13), precipitation during the wettest quarter (BIO16), and precipitation during the warmest quarter (BIO18). This study reports 130 species, 1 variety, and 1 subspecies. Pseudolophozia debiliformis and Scapania praetervisa are newly recorded for Sikhote-Alin and the Primorye Territory. Diplophyllum albicans and Cephaloziella rubella are newly reported for the Primorye Territory. The national park liverwort flora can be classified as boreal–temperate circumpolar–East Asian. Given the high taxonomic diversity and coverage of all altitudinal zones represented in the region, the liverwort flora in Zov Tigra National Park can serve as a model for all liverwort floras in southern Sikhote-Alin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphostructural analysis of the stream network in the southern part of the Far East has been carried out. It has been established that the latest vertical movements in the region were manifested against the background of an older, partially eroded relief. Three stages of relief development are identified, reflecting neotectonic activity in the region: (a) pre–Oligocene, characterized by a more intense uplift of the Bureya Ridge, and less intense, the Sikhote-Alin Ridge; (b) Oligocene–Pliocene, characterized by the most intense vertical movements in the region during the period from the Late Eocene to the Holocene; and (c) the Pleistocene and the Holocene, during which a modern erosion-denudation relief was formed and no vertical movements of significant amplitude occurred. A map of the total amplitude of vertical neotectonic movements is constructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reanalysis datasets provide a continuous picture of the past climate for every point on Earth. They are especially useful in areas with few direct observations, such as Siberia. However, to ensure these datasets are sufficiently accurate they need to be validated against readings from meteorological stations. Here, we analyse how values of six climate variables—the minimum, mean and maximum 2‐metre air temperature, snow depth (SD), total precipitation and wind speed (WSP)—from three reanalysis datasets—ERA‐Interim, ERA5 and ERA5‐Land—compare against observations from 29 meteorological stations across Siberia and the Russian Far East on a daily timescale from 1979 to 2019. All three reanalyses produce values of the mean and maximum daily 2‐metre air temperature that are close to those observed, with the average absolute bias not exceeding 1.54°C. However, care should be taken for the minimum 2‐metre air temperature during the summer months—there are nine stations where correlation values are <0.60 due to inadequate night‐time cooling. The reanalysis values of SD are generally close to those observed after 1992, especially ERA5, when data from some of the meteorological stations began to be assimilated, but the reanalysis SD should be used with caution (if at all) before 1992 as the lack of assimilation leads to large overestimations. For low daily precipitation values the reanalyses provide good approximations, however they struggle to attain the extreme high values. Similarly, for the 10‐metre WSP; the reanalyses perform well with speeds up to 2.5 ms−1 but struggle with those above 5.0 ms−1. For these variables, we recommend using ERA5 over ERA‐Interim and ERA5‐Land in future research. ERA5 shows minor improvements over ERA‐Interim, and, despite an increased spatial resolution, there is no advantage to using ERA5‐Land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to analyze Russia's efforts, both domestically and internationally, to combat illicit crab harvesting and safeguard its marine resources. A comparison of total crab imports and allowable catch in Russian waters from 1990 to 2022 indicates a peak in shadow activities during the mid-2000s, with a cessation of large-scale illegal fishing observed since 2013. A narrative analysis of institutional shifts reveals that the bolstering of internal oversight, heightened accountability for harvesters, and enhanced global cooperation have been pivotal in fostering these positive dynamics. Concerning trends, however, emerged towards the beginning of the current decade, indicating potential instability within the legal framework of the crab industry. Persistent statistical discrepancies in trade with South Korea, diminishing institutional capacities within Russia to combat shadow activities, and heightened media scrutiny of illicit crab harvesting underscore the need for sustained vigilance in addressing both internal and external dimensions of this multifaceted problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on the status of two natural populations of the rare, endemic medicinal species Alangium platanifolium known from the Russian Federation is provided in this article. Information about one of them is reported for the first time. Geobotanical descriptions of the phytocenoses are presented. In southern Primorskii krai, A. platanifolium has been noted to grow in the shrub layer of coniferous/broad-leaved forest with Pinus koraiensis and Abies holophylla. It has also been found that the area of the population discovered 20 years ago has expanded tenfold and now amounts to 10 ha. The new locality of A. platanifolium covers an area of 0.25 ha. The total number of A. platanifolium is more than 700 of various-age plants. The data obtained extends the current knowledge of the distribution and life state of A. platanifolium and indicates the fact of the growth of subtropical elements in phytocenoses of the Russian Federation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive overview of the state of knowledge on the ChilopodaGeophilomorpha of the Asian part of Russia is presented, based on the critical revision of all published morphological descriptions and all geographical records. Revised diagnoses for all the 38 nominal species so far reported from Asian Russia are given, with comments on their validity. Among them a total of 18 species are recorded only from this region and many of them from a single locality only. The species belong to Geophilidae s. l., (in the genera Arctogeophilus, Geophilus, Pachymerium, and Strigamia), Schendylidae (Escaryus), and Mecistocephalidae (Agnostrup, Arrup, and Tygarrup). At least two species have been introduced, namely Geophilus flavus and Tygarrup javanicus. The history of studies on the Geophilomorpha in the Asian part of Russia are also summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven species of Callophyllis have been known off the Pacific coast of Russia; hovewer, molecular data have been obtained only for three species. In this study we re-examined the genus along the Russian Pacific coast using a comparative morphological study and molecular analyses based on rbcL and nrLSU. Five genetic species were identified on the Russian coast based on phylogenetics and species delimitation (ASAP and p-distance) analyses; while C. beringensis, C. papulosa and C. platyna were outscore of the analyses. The results of the molecular analyses uncovered one undescribed species, which we named C. selivanovae sp. nov. The divergence between this species and other species of the genus varied from 1.16% to 5.66%, while intraspecific divergence in the genus was in a range of 0.00%–0.22%. In phylogenetic trees C. selivanovae was recognized as sister to a diverse clade including C. thompsonii, C. beringensis, C. violacea, C. flabellulata and C. variegata from the Pacific coast of Canada. Callophyllis selivanovae from the southeastern coast of Kamchatka is morphologically close to C. beringensis, described from St. Paul Island (Bering Sea); the two species differ in features of branching, shape and size of the terminal branches. We propose a new name, C. perestenkoae sp. nov., for the algae previously listed in the Russian flora as 'C. flabellata'. Pacific specimens assigned to C. perestenkoae differ from C. flabellata from the type locality (Atlantic, France) in having irregular branching, thicker apical branches, and smaller cystocarps. We also filled in the gaps in the description of C. radula for which procarp and tetrasporangia are described herein for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil is a unique ecosystem with peculiar biodiversity that includes cyanobacteria and algae. Traditionally, cyanobacterial and algal cenoses were described mainly using the dominance approach, rarely based on the Braun-Blanquet method (floristic classification). More importantly, in both cases, the species of cyanobacteria and algae in communities were identified using classical methods (light microscopy) only. In this study, we present results of soil algal cenoses classification using the Braun-Blanquet approach based on species composition data obtained via an integrative approach. Characteristic tables include 19 out of 108 samples collected in the Jewish Autonomous Region, Primorsky Territory, and Sakhalin Region (Iturup Island) in 2018 and in 2020–2021. Twenty-five species of algae from four classes were identified in these sites. We described three new associations of algal communities—Coelastrelletum aeroterrestricae ass. nova, Vischerietum magnae ass. nova, Bracteacoccetum bullati ass. nova. PCA analysis corroborated the results of syntaxonomic analysis and revealed that Coelastrelletum aeroterrestricae inhabit soils with a high value of P; Vischerietum magnae inhabit soils with high value of soil organic carbon (SOC), N, and higher humidity; and Bracteacoccetum bullati inhabit soils with high K values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—The Amur leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura Elliot 1871) in the southern part of the Russian Far East mainly lives in flat and foothill landscapes, which have now been mostly transformed by man. The data were collected in the period 1987–2022 in southern Amur oblast (the left bank of the Amur River in the southern part of the Jewish Autonomous Oblast (JAO) and the right bank of the Amur River (the right bank of the estuary of the Ussuri River), Khabarovsk krai). Tracks of cats and dead animals were recorded, and camera traps were used. The data of 4560 diaries of employees of the Department of Protection of the Bolshekhekhtsirskii Reserve, located in the research area, for the period 1964–2009 were used. At present on the left bank of the Amur River in the southern part of the JAO, the Amur leopard cat lives constantly, although in the 2010s it was believed that it rarely entered this territory. The number of sightings of cat tracks in the study area on the right bank of the Amur in the years 2011–2021 compared to the period 2000–2010 increased about two times. It has populated areas within the range where it had never been noted previously. The increase in the number and the process of settlement of the Amur leopard cat, both on the left bank and on the right bank of the Amur River began in the 2000s, and since the beginning of the 2010s it has been observed constantly. Currently, the cat lives in a sedentary manner in southern Amur oblast, which is confirmed by the findings of its broods. The cat mainly lives on agricultural land, which is due to its ability to adapt well to anthropogenic changes in the habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on comparative morphometrics and molecular genetic analyses for two key regions of mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b and NADH dehydrogenase), a bat captured in the southern part of Primorskii krai, Russian Far East, was identified as belonging to a species new to Russia: Eptesicus pachyomus, which ranges from Iran to Korea. According to genetic data, the bat is allocated to a separate branch within the species, whereas morphometry showed it to be closer to the subspecies pallens. A detailed phylogeographic study within the species E. pachyomus is required to determine the subspecies reliably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seasonal diet of the sable (Martes zibellina L. 1758) was studied based on material collected in the years 1987–1996, 1998–2002, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2014, mainly in the Bolʼshekhekhtsirskii Nature Reserve. The sable population of the Khekhtsir Mountain Ridge, the western part of which is occupied by the nature reserve, was artificially restored, and it presently lives in isolation from the species' main distribution area in the Sikhote-Alin Mountains. The main food items of the sable at any time of the year are mammals (frequency of occurrence (fo) = 94.1%, feed ratio (F) = 84.8%), voles in particular. It chases voles a little more often in winter (December to February) (fo = 84.9%, F = 80.9%) and spring (March to May) (fo = 82.0%, F = 80.0%) than in summer (June to August) (fo = 81.6%, F = 71.3%) or autumn (September to November) (fo = 90.6%, F = 74.8%). Plants are the next most important food in the diet of the sable following mammals: (fo = 26%, F = 12.4%). Sables eat seeds and fruits of ten plant species in all seasons of the year, but those of only three plants are decisive: the Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis), the Actinidia kolomikta (Actinidia kolomikta), and the Korean mistletoe (Viscum coloratum). At the same time, actinidia fruits are the main vegetable food for the sable in summer (fo = 18.4%, F = 12.2%); Korean pine seeds, in autumn (fo = 25.2%, F = 11.1%); and mistletoe fruits, in winter (fo = 8.5%, F = 7.5%). Birds are only minor among sable prey (fo = 1.5%, F = 0.9%). The proportion of birds in the diet of the sable is slightly increased in summer. Insects, mollusks, and honey are the only additional food items in the sable diet, all being seasonal. Only insects (ground beetles, carrion beetles) play significant roles in the diet in summer. Small shares of mollusks are recorded in the sable diet in summer, and some honey in winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron and iron–manganese deposits form three closely spaced clusters within the Lesser Khingan Range of the Russian Far East. Fe-Mn mineralization is hosted in Vendian–Cambrian carbonates and composed of magnetite, hematite, braunite, haussmanite, rhodochrosite and pyrolusite. The iron–manganese ores are closely associated with explosive intermediate–felsic breccias, magnetite-rich lavas, dolerites and mineralized lithocrystalloclastic tuffs. Magmatic rocks display both concordant and discordant relationships with Fe-Mn mineralization and contain abundant xenoliths of host carbonates. Both magmatic rocks (with the exception of Nb-enriched dolerites) and Fe-Mn ores are characterized by variable enrichments in large-ion lithophile and light rare earth elements and strong depletions in high-field strength elements compatible with the broad subduction setting for explosive volcanism and associated hydrothermal Fe-Mn ore mineralization. Nd-Sr isotope systematics suggest contamination by both ancient and juvenile continental crust and the involvement of recycled pelagic sediment in the formation of Fe-Mn deposits in the Lesser Khingan Range of the Russian Far East. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yellow-throated marten Martes flavigula is one of the least studied species within the genus Martes and there is contradictory information regarding its daily activity, spanning from diurnal to nocturnal or cathemeral. Our long-term studies of the daily and seasonal activity of the Yellow-throated marten were carried out in five protected areas of Primorsky Krai (Russian Far East) using a large-scale network of camera traps from 2010 to 2021. The aim of the study was to find out the pattern of daily activity of the species, its changes over the seasons and in different territories of the region. We found that the Yellow-throated marten had a pronounced diurnal activity pattern, including one or two detection peaks per day. The species is less active at dusk and almost inactive at night in this part of its range. Two clusters with different patterns of marten activity were identified in the protected areas of Primorsky Krai: with one pronounced peak around noon in the continental part with a more severe climate and smoothed activity in coastal areas with milder climatic conditions. Seasonal detection has two peaks in April-May and October, which corresponds to species biological requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional morphology-based investigations of the red algal genera Devaleraea and Palmaria (Palmariaceae, Rhodophyta) fail to provide accurate accounts of diversity and distribution for species from the Russian coast of the north-western Pacific. Consequently, there is much disagreement and taxonomic uncertainty regarding several species. To resolve these issues we conducted a molecular-assisted investigation that included a DNA barcode survey (COI-5') and multilocus (COI-5', cob, psaA, ITS) phylogenetic analyses. Our analyses indicate that diversity was previously underestimated for the Devaleraea/Palmaria complex. We describe three additional species of Devaleraea: D. sakhalinensis sp. nov., D. kussakinii sp. nov. and D. urupiana sp. nov. We consider D. titlyanoviorum to be an alga with abundant proliferations from the margins, branching to several orders, that is known only from Kunashir Island. Algae from Sakhalin Island and the mainland coast of the Sea of Japan previously identified as D. titlyanoviorum are described here as D. sakhalinensis. We confirmed that the genus Palmaria is not monotypic. It includes at least two species: P. palmata in the North Atlantic and P. moniliformis in the north-western Pacific. We expand the known ranges of D. callophylloides, D. mollis and P. hecatensis in the north-western Pacific southwards and find that D. stenogona is confined to the northern part of the Sea of Japan. The distribution patterns of species of the genera Devaleraea and Palmaria are discussed in relation to the oceanography of the north-western Pacific. Three new species of the genus Devaleraea are proposed. The genus Palmaria is not monotypic and includes at least two species, P. moniliformis and P. palmata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Far Eastern trematodes of the genus Echinochasmus were studied. As the analysis of the nuclear 28S rRNA gene sequence showed, the examined Far Eastern individuals did not belong to the species E. beleocephalus despite their morphological similarities and represented a new species, Echinochasmus pseudobeleocephalus n. sp. An analysis of phylogenetic relationships in Echinochasmidae supported their status as an independent species. The subdivision of individuals of the genus Echinochasmus into two groups was also confirmed on the basis of the number of head-collar spines and the tail length in cercariae. Adult individuals of Echinochasmus pseudobeleocephalus n. sp. were obtained during an experimental study on trematodes' life cycle. An analysis of the morphometric characteristics of the developmental stages and involvement of first intermediate hosts, snails of the genus Boreoelona, in their life cycle, revealed the identity of the obtained trematodes to the European species Echinochasmus beleocephalus previously discovered in the south of the Russian Far East. However, an analysis of molecular data, in particular sequences of the 28S rRNA gene, showed that the Far Eastern trematodes examined do not belong to European E. beleocephalus despite their morphological similarities. An analysis of phylogenetic relationships within the family Echinochasmidae supported the status of E. pseudobeleocephalus n. sp. as an independent species. Our new data confirmed that the individuals attributed to Echinochasmus can be subdivided into two groups on the basis of the number of head-collar spines and the tail length in cercariae on an intergeneric level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The rare relict species Paracyphoderris erebeus is endemic to the Russian Far East. The primary objectives of this study were (1) to provide the unpublished data on habitat, behaviour and biology of the Amurian grig, (2) to discuss some issues arising from long-term studies of distribution, and (3) to produce ecologo-geographic models of the species distribution over the Far East as the basis to forecast some possible shifts in its distribution. Ecologo-geographic modelling of the P. erebeus distribution in 2021–2060 shows that the species range will be relatively stable. New data on distribution, ecology and biology of the rare extant species Paracyphoderris erebeus of the almost completely ancient family Prophalangopsidae (Orthoptera) are given. This montane species prefers humid areas with relatively low summer temperatures. Habits, mating behaviour and life history of P. erebeus are extremely similar to those of the North American representatives of the genus Cyphoderris. Nowadays, the Amurian grig is known from the Myaochan, Badzhalsky, Dusse-Alin, Bureinsky and Aezop ridges in the Khabarovsk Territory (north of the Amur River) and Bydyr Mountain in the Jewish Autonomous Region of Russia only. The analysis of the predicted distribution of P. erebeus based on the occurrence data reveals that the populations of the species may be more widely distributed over the southern part of the Russian Far East, at least up to 56° N. The ecologo-geographic model of the species distribution over its range is generated using the Maxent 3.4.4 software for the first time. Modelling of the P. erebeus distribution for 2021–2040 and 2041–2060 shows that the position of the species range appears to be relatively stable but a weak decline in the foretold suitability during climate warming may result in a reduction in population sizes and the subsequent fragmentation of the species population system. In this case, the Amurian grig will become a prospective to be included on the IUCN Red List. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the results of the mineralogical and chemical study of sandstones and U–Pb isotope dating of detrital zircons from the Paleozoic–Early Mesozoic deposits of the Laoeling–Grodekovo terrane in western Primorye. It is shown that the sandstones of different age of the terrane differ markedly in their mineralogical and geochemical parameters and, hence, were derived from different sources. The sandstones of the Kordonka Formation are made up of fragments of basic and intermediate volcanic rocks of the oceanic island arc, as well as igneous and sedimentary rock associations of the oceanic island-arc basement. Eroded stable cratons and uplifted blocks representing crystalline basement inliers that are either flanked by rift zones or occurring along transform faults exerted a strong effect on the accumulation of sandstones of the Reshetnikovka, Barabash and Mangugai formations. The main suppliers of detritus were felsic igneous rocks with minor input from ancient sedimentary rocks. The rift margins and the eroded ensialic arc provided clastic material for the rocks of the Talmi Formation. The U–Pb geochronological studies of detrital zircons made it possible to constrain the age and possible position of igneous complexes that supplied clastic material to the sedimentary basins of the terrane. The sandstones were found to contain detrital zircons with concordant ages from 2553 to 205 Ma, which are dominated by Paleozoic zircons divided into several age groups. The zircons of Precambrian and Triassic ages are far fewer. In general, the revealed age ranges of detrital zircons from sandstones of the Laoeling–Grodekovo terrane agree fairly well with the known stages of granitoid magmatism in the eastern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The leaf-mining moth Chrysaster ostensackenella (Fitch, 1859) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) is the North American species that damages the leaves of Robinia spp. (Fabaceae). Recently, it was detected on the introduced North American black locust Robinia pseudoacacia (Fabaceae) in East Asia (China, South Korea, Japan) and Europe (Italy). In July 2022, Ch. ostensackenella was for the first time found on the territory of Russia, in Primorsky Krai. We studied the bionomics of this invasive moth and highlighted the characteristics of leaf damage by which the presence of Ch. ostensackenella can be detected early. Furthermore, we DNA barcoded three moth specimens from Primorsky Krai and analyzed them against DNA barcodes of Ch. ostensackenella from invaded countries in Europe (Italy) and East Asia (South Korea and Japan) and the native range (North America). Overall, our findings suggest that Ch. ostensackenella distributed to East Asia from the USA directly, not through Europe, whereas to the Russian Far East, this invasive moth spread from early invaded East Asian countries, in particularly Japan. Here, we report the first detection of the North American leaf-mining moth Chrysaster ostensackenella (Fitch, 1859) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) on North American black locust Robinia pseudoacacia (Fabaceae) in Primorsky Krai (the Russian Far East) in July 2022. Overall, six moths were reared from the leaf mines and identified based on adult morphology (forewing pattern and male genitalia) and three of them were DNA barcoding. Description of the leaf mines that allowed us to distinguish the damage of Ch. ostensackenella from other gracillariids associated with R. pseudoacacia is provided. The phylogeographic analysis comparing the DNA barcodes from Russia with those from other invaded countries in Europe (Italy) and East Asia (South Korea and Japan) and from the native range (North America) was performed. Intraspecific genetic diversity reached 3.29%. Altogether, 10 haplotypes were revealed among 21 studied specimens in the Holarctic. The detection of one haplotype common for Japan and the USA (North Carolina) suggests that the invasion to East Asia could have happened from the USA directly, rather than through Europe. A shared haplotype defined for Japan and the Russian Far East points at a possible moth species' spread to Primorsky Krai from earlier invaded Hokkaido. Further distribution of Ch. ostensackenella in East Asia and Europe is expected, bearing in mind the wide planting of R. pseudoacacia in these continents. Furthermore, an accidental introduction of the moth to the Southern Hemisphere, where black locust was introduced, is not ruled out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geological and hydrogeological conditions of 19 occurrences of thermal waters in the southern Russian Far East are considered in this paper. Radon concentrations were measured in waters, and uranium and thorium concentrations were determined in host rocks and secondary minerals. The results were compared with the chemical composition of waters and gases in the mineral springs. It is established that water-bearing rocks are classified into rocks of low and normal radioactivity. The contents of uranium (<0.56 μg/L) and thorium (<0.1 μg/L) in the waters are low. Measurements of radon concentrations in mineral water springs in Primorye indicate that most of them are weakly radioactive (0.2–1.5 kBq/L), whereas two are moderately radioactive (1.5–7.5 kBq/L). From a medical-balneological point of view, waters in 7 of 19 springs were defined as radon waters, with 4 of them classified as nitrogen thermal water and 3 as CO2-rich mineral waters. The CO2-rich mineral waters of the Shetukha Group exhibit the highest level of radioactivity. Such natural objects reflect the state of the geological environment and can be utilized both for medical purposes and for monitoring a wide range of hydrogeochemical parameters. Based on the analysis of geological conditions and geochemical features of thermal water occurrences, the factors that determine the radioactivity level were identified and general schemes for the radon transport to the surface in different geological and hydrogeological conditions were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we consider the deep structure of the Earth's crust and the lithospheric mantle in the central part of the Lower Amur metallogenic zone and its western flank, which includes the Albazino gold ore cluster. Zones with a sharp change in density and magnetic properties associated with Late Cretaceous–Early Paleogene magmatism were established based on the calculated density and magnetic depth models of the territory. A ring structure ~200 km across was identified, which is characterized by the low-density lithospheric mantle and density and magnetic inhomogeneities in the Earth's crust, which are related with a wide development of intrusive bodies within it, as well as their spatial position and composition. The spatial relation of gold ore districts, clusters, and deposits to the density and magnetic inhomogeneities in the crust and lithospheric mantle has been analyzed and the main patterns in their distribution are shown. As a rule, they are confined to the low-density zones in the crust and marginal areas of deep-seated (12–20 km) magnetic intrusions. Based on the conclusions, new promising areas to prospect for gold deposits are proposed. In particular, it was concluded that the potential of the western part of the ring structure to the south of the Albazino deposit to host gold mineralization was underestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A brief account of the biography of Richard Maack (1825–1886) is provided, with an emphasis on his botanical travels and research presented in the context of contemporary politics and sciences. The history of three Siberian expeditions of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society is detailed: to the Viluy River in 1853–1855, to the Amur River in 1855–1856 and to the Ussuri River in 1859–1860. Scientific and curatorial treatments of botanical collections of these expeditions are reviewed. The botanical works based on the Amur and Ussuri expeditions are analysed, and more precise dates of their effective publication are traced from contemporary sources. The corrected nomenclature is provided for Carex wiluica, Chloranthus mandshuricus, Ligustrina and Nymphaea wenzelii. Chloranthus japonicus is re‐established as the correct name for C. mandshuricus in place of the recently resurrected C. quadrifolius. Lectotypes are designated for Carex wiluica, Chloranthus japonicus and C. mandshuricus; the previously designated lectotype of C. japonicus is superseded because of being in conflict with the protologue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For Apterocuris Jacobson, 1901, formerly considered a monotypic genus endemic to South Siberia, a second congener is described from the Central Sikhote-Alin' Mountains in the Far East of Russia. Apterocuris brinevi sp. n. differs from A. sibirica Jacobson, 1901 in the rather convex body, shining smooth dorsum, absence of rectangular projecting basilateral angles of elytra, and only two or three distinct striae of elytral punctures. For Apterocuris sibirica, the pupa is first described, imago redescribed, and the revised distribution is mapped. The place of Apterocuris in the tribe Chrysomelini is discussed and its similarity to the genus Sclerophaedon Weise, 1882 considered. Both genera have pupae with two urogomphi that should place them into the subtribe Entomoscelina, but their adults with open anterior coxal cavities do not fit the subtribe diagnosis. Therefore, re-establishment of the subtribe Sclerophaedonina Steinhausen, 1996 is proposed to place the genera Sclerophaedon, Apterocuris, Colaphellus Weise, 1916 and Colaspidema Laporte, 1833. A triple key to the genera of the tribe Chrysomelini based on the combination of larval, pupal and imaginal characters is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The studies of peat stratigraphy in the upper reaches of the Milogradovka River made it possible to reconstruct changes in humidity as a source of moisture in the Sikhote-Alin middle mountains over the last 3400 years. High-resolution reconstructions were based on the biostratigraphic analyses (botanic and diatom) data; the ash content of peat was also studied. Radiocarbon dating of the events was carried out using an age–depth model. B–Tm cryptotephra of the Baitoushan caldera-forming volcano was found in the upper part of the section; it was identified from the volcanic glass chemical composition. Long-term rains are assumed to have caused a massive landslide with the formation of a dam and a shallow reservoir turned the river valley into a bog. The bioindicators of humidity variations in the river valley and of flood events were determined. The events were correlated with the data on the main watershed of the Sikhote-Alin Range, mountainous plateaus, lakes on the slopes of the ancient Solontsovsky Volcano, and the eastern Primorye coast. The peat section in the valley recorded the hydrological changes related to the nature of cyclogenesis in more detail. Paleoevents and large-scale atmospheric circulation anomalies were revealed to be interrelated. Long-term dry phases under global cooling were accompanied by the East Asia aridization caused by a slacking of the East Asian summer monsoon. According to the study results, floods occurred in the summer–autumn period even during dry phases. The flooding phases were related to the summer monsoon activation, as well as to more intensive cyclogenesis. The most complicated climate rhythmicity was established for the last 1340 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short-term fluctuations in air temperature, called the daily temperature range (DTR), or its daily amplitude, have a strong impact on ecosystems, as well as on the health and well-being of people. The pronounced effect of DTR on mortality from all causes and especially on cardiovascular mortality is well documented in the scientific literature, but little is known about spatial, inter-annual, and inter-seasonal fluctuations of DTR in the Russian Far East (RFE), an area with high annual dynamics of air temperature. Data from 99 weather stations for the period from 2000 to 2019 was used to evaluate spatial and temporal DTR patterns at the RFE. A higher DTR, up to 16 °C in Toko on the border with Sakha (Yakutia) as a mean for the entire period, is typical for continental areas further to the north. Lower values are observed at continental weather stations in the south and in coastal climates (4.7 °C in Mys Alevina, Magadan Region). In general, a distinct seasonal change in DTR was found for continental locations with a significant difference from month to month throughout the year. On the annual cycle, the maximum DTR at the continental northern stations is observed in April and June–July, and at the continental southern areas in February; the minimum DTR is shown in November and December. The DTR ranges as much as from 6 °C in December to 17 °C in April in the continental Korkodon in the far north. Locations with a marine climate are characterized by a smoothed seasonal change in DTR, with obvious peaks in February–March and October, and a minimum in July–August. The downward trend in DTR for the period from 2000 to 2019, up to −0.7 °C in coastal Bolsheretsk, is based on a faster increase in the minimum daily temperature compared to the maximum, which is typical for most weather stations at the RFE and is known worldwide as a diurnal asymmetry of global warming. At the same time, an increase in the daily amplitude of air temperature (up to +0.6 °C in continental Dolinovka) was found for some localities, associated with a higher positive trend of maximum temperatures, which contradicts global patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absolute age of the Brusilovka paleo-caldera volcanic rocks has been determined for the first time through the LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon isotopic dating. The obtained results (~61–56 Ma) are consistent with the Paleocene magmatic stage of the Sikhote-Alin, and the patterns of their structural localization and spatiotemporal distribution are consistent with left-lateral displacements along the Vostochny and Pribrezhny faults. The distribution characteristics of early Paleogene igneous rocks both in the frontal and rear continental-marginal parts of the southern Sikhote-Alin can serve as a basis for paleogeodynamic reconstructions and subsequent metallogenic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare minerals represented by oxides, fluorides, F-carbonates and REE arsenates in association with monazite-Ce, monazite-Th, xenotime-Y and zonal REE fluorite were identified in the rare-metal ores of the Sn–W deposits of Lesser Khingan, Amur region. Rare lanthanide minerals are described, including fluocerite, bastnaesite, and gasparite-Ce, which was found for the first time in Russia in the Sn–W greisens, and chernovite-Y, the second find in the greisens of the Russian Far East. The influence of arsenic fluids at the late hydrothermal stage caused the replacement of xenotime-Y and monazite-Ce by diverse REE minerals with different lanthanide proportions. It is found that these minerals differ in chemical composition from the same minerals described in other deposits elsewhere. Due to the variable valence state of arsenic and the complete isomorphism between rare earths, arsenates can be used as indicators of redox conditions of their deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of detailed study of the platinum-group minerals (PGM) from explosive breccias of the Poperechnoe Fe–Mn deposit (the Lesser Khingan Range, Russian Far East) are presented. Native PGMs are dominated by isoferroplatinum; rutheniridosmine, native iridium, platinum, and osmium are less common. Micron-sized segregations of laurite, bowieite, сuproiridsite, cuprorhodsite, hollingworthite, as well as new mineral phases of (Ir,Rh,Os)7(S,As)13, (Rh,Ir,Ru)7(S,As)13, and Pd3(Sb,As) were recognized as microinclusions in isoferroplatinum and on the surface of its grains. It is shown that the studied PGMs are derived from rocks of ultramafic formations: (1) vein pyroxenites, harzburgites, and dunites of metamorphic and cumulative complexes of the most depleted peridotite varieties of the suprasubduction wedge of island-arc ophiolites and (2) vein pyroxenites of cumulative high-pressure ultramafic complexes of the basement of the ensialic island arc and products of evolution of suprasubduction mantle melts. In terms of the contents of platinoids, the compositions of isoferroplatinum from explosive breccias are divided into four groups: group I: isoferroplatinum of fluid-metamorphogenic genesis from harzburgite, group II: isoferroplatinum of fluid-metamorphogenic genesis from dunites and magmatogenic-fluid-metasomatic genesis from vein pyroxenites; group III: isoferroplatinum of magmatogenic genesis from chromitites of dunites of the cumulative complex; and group IV: isoferroplatinum with an elevated Pd content, which is likely derived from the melt formed by explosive breccias. Three scenarios of PGM occurrence in the fluid-saturated andesite–dacite melt of explosive breccias at the Poperechnoe deposit are discussed: (1) directly from early ultramafic complexes in suprasubduction settings; (2) from the reservoir of ancient platinum placer deposits; and (3) from a mantle wedge above the Mesozoic subduction zone during the generation of initial island-arc melts. The first two petrogenetic models suggest "rejuvenation" of the 190Pt–4He age of isoferroplatinum grains as a result of the thermal effect of the andesite–dacite melt to the age of 125 ± 21 Ma. The third geodynamic scenario suggests that the Lower Cretaceous age of isoferroplatinum marks the processes of metamorphogenic-metasomatic transformation of the dunite–harzburgite mantle wedge and probably corresponds to the age of the subduction magmatism at the Poperechnoe Deposit in particular and within the Lesser Khingan terrane as a whole. PGM associations in andesite–dacite breccias of the Poperechnoe Deposit are a new type of potentially meaningful noble-metal mineralization in the Russian Far East, while explosive breccias themselves (fluidoliths) can serve as a criterion to search for lode and placer platinoid deposits of volcanogenic-explosive genesis in the territory of the Russian Federation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The article is based on the results of the authors' field studies on the fauna of Coleoptera in the southwest of Primorsky Krai, conducted in 1990, 1999, 2015 and 2017-2022. The collection of material was carried out in more than 150 geographical points in the territories of the Khasansky, Nadezhdensky and Ussuriysky raion of the Primorsky Krai of Russia. In addition, small collections materials stored at the Federal Scientific Center of East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity FEB RAS (Vladivostok, Russia) and Moscow Pedagogical State University (Moscow, Russia) were studied. This is the first generalised list of beetles for south-western Primorye and protected natural areas. A total of 13274 beetles belonging to 629 species from 311 genera and 44 families were studied. In addition to our own collections, the sample includes literature data on 10008 specimens belonging to 355 species from 142 genera and 16 families. New information: This is the first dataset that provides data on the taxonomic composition and geographic distribution with precise coordinates for 47 families of Coleoptera in the southwest of Primorsky Krai, Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed the range of morphological variation in Devaleraea mollis from the Northwest Pacific. Genetic analyses based on the 5' end of the genes coding for cytochrome c oxidase I (COI-5'), cytochrome oxidase b (cob) and photosystem I reaction centre apoprotein A1 (psaA), as well as the ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 (ITS) fragment of rDNA, revealed that the morphospecies D. mollis includes two species. The alga from Japan previously identified as 'Palmaria palmata' resolved as sister to D. stenogona and is here described as D. inkyuleei sp. nov. The species is morphologically similar to D. mollis, but it has a more southern range. Devaleraea inkyuleei is only known from Japan (Honshu and Hokkaido) and from Aniva Bay (Sakhalin Island, Russia). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on new ideas, the most studied sections of the Jurassic deposits have been described along the structural–formational zones within the Mongol–Okhotsk Fold System from the Upper Amur to the Sea of Okhotsk. The presented modern ideas on the geology of this region may provide a reliable base for geodynamic and mineragenic reconstructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical properties of rocks from the western Okhotsk region were studied and petrophysical maps were constructed to highlight the petrophysical features of tectonic elements of the territory. Petrophysical heterogeneities and anomalies of the respective geophysical fields were compared. The relationship between magnetic anomalies and subsurface rock complexes has been established only for the Mesozoic volcano-plutonic structures of the Okhotsk-Chukotka volcanic belt and partly for the Yudoma–Maya lithotectonic zone. In the ancient blocks of the Aldan–Stanovoy shield and the Uchur–Maya plate, the magnetic anomalies are mainly associated with activation of tectonic–magmatic processes and, to a lesser extent, with the magnetic properties of definite rocks. Inverse relationships have been established between the gravity anomalies and rock density anomalies within the regional gravity low (Tyrkan and South-Verkhoyansk gravity fields) and in the Vilyui syneclise, where gravity high corresponds to the low-density domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By finding the epiproct slide preparation of the holotype of Nemoura sahlbergi problematica Zwick, 1973, which was considered to be lost, the identity of the taxon is resolved. It is raised to species rank, Nemoura problematica Zwick, 1973 stat. nov., and Nemoura jilinensis Zhu & Yang, 2003 is considered as its junior synonym. The species is widespread in the Korean Peninsula, known also from NE China (Jilin Province) and the Russian Far East (Khabarovsk and Primorsky Krai). New Korean records are listed, its distribution is detailed and depicted on map. Nemoura sahlbergi Morton, 1896 is known from the Russian Far East but not from China and Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until recently, three species of the genus Ahnfeltia were recorded from the Russian Pacific coast: A. fastigiata, A. plicata and A. tobuchiensis. A morphological analysis and DNA-barcoding of Ahnfeltia have revealed another species occurring in this area, A. borealis. The endemic taxon of this region, A. tobuchiensis, is conspecific with A. fastigiata and should be reduced to the varietal level, A. fastigiata var. tobuchiensis, as was previously suggested by Maggs et al. The occurrence of A. plicata in the Northwest Pacific requires confirmation by molecular and morphological data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the cession of Russian America (Alaska) to the United States (1867), the role of American geopolitical plans and dreams, and Nikolay Muravyov-Amursky's strategic decision to concentrate Russia's resources on its continental regions. He considered Russia's main task to be the development of the Amur and its consolidation at its mouth and on the Pacific Ocean coast to head off the clear aspirations of Britain and France. The East Asian achievements of Nikolay N. Muravyov-Amursky are recognized, while his personal authorship of the original political plan linking Alaska's peaceful concession to the United States was a hidden consequence of subsequent events. The undeclared but real connection between the development of the Amur and the cession of Alaska was no mystery to contemporaries in Europe, but in Russia itself, due to the censorship, this issue has not entered the public consciousness, remaining the topic of basic historical works alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare-earth element (REE) mineralization in weathered granites of Primorye is localized in the basement rocks and rocks surrounding coal-bearing basins, which have been recently deformed and undergone argillic metasomatism. It was shown that the clay material from the zones of intense argillization can be a source of deficient REE and yttrium. The ion-sorbed and carbonate REE+Y species in them in combination with the clay composition of most of the ores make it possible to use inexpensive and low-toxicity salt and hydrochloric acid solutions during heap leaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an analysis of air masses and precipitation transport to the area of EANET monitoring station in Russian Primorsky Krai (Primorskaya) during the warm seasons (June–October) for the period 2013–2018. The relative contributions of chemical compounds transfer from marine or continental regions were defined. The probability of sulfate and nitrate concentration values in precipitation was calculated separately in line with backward trajectory sectors. Obtained information is used for estimating contributions of marine and continental sources into wet deposition fluxes onto the Russian Far East areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural ecosystems have become at risk due to the accelerating industrial and technological development over the past century accompanied by increasing pollutant emissions into the atmosphere. It realized mostly by means of matter overloads into nature areas caused by deposition of pollutants, especially sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which can significantly affect to change ecosystem state and on substance migration. The Critical Loads method is used to assess the sustainability of ecosystems exposed to atmospheric deposition. The corresponding maximum intake of sulfur and nitrogen is estimated based on the scheme of the stationary mass balance of ions in soil solutions. The critical loads were calculated for estimating the risk threshold of acid deposition for the ecosystem of the Russian Far East using the results of regular monitoring at the EANET Primorskaya station. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Amur River basin is widely known as one of the regions where the earliest pottery first appeared, however few are aware that it happened simultaneously in two separate areas associated with two different archaeological complexes -the Gromatukha and Osipovka. This duality is confirmed here through three lines of inquiry. The first section reviews the most recent general data on both complexes including radiocarbon ages and stone tool assemblages, the second gives detailed descriptions and analysis of both cultures' pottery including composition, forming, and decorating techniques, and the third provides data on their changes over time. The primary distinctions between the two complexes are stressed including the distribution area, pottery and stone tool production, chronological discrepancies, complex origins, and affiliations. Based on these observations we conclude that the Osipovka and Gromatuka pottery are likely produced by different cultural groups in distinct regions, with little cultural interactions. These observations provide a more complex view of the invention and development of pottery within a smaller regional setting, facilitating future comparisons of the general context of pottery invention and opening new pathways for the reconstruction of human behavioral reactions to cultural, climatic, and environmental challenges in the past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on decades of participant observation, followed by ethnographic research in Novoalexeevka (the Russian Far East), this article reveals why and how a polyphonic assemblages' economy (economic relations different from both socialist and capitalist) was substituted by plantation capitalism. The story is that polyphonic assemblage involved almost all the villagers, while in plantation capitalism, almost all of them fell by the wayside. The article demonstrates that a polyphonic assemblages' economy created on the ruins of socialism have not survived because of the deficit of different types of collaboration (for-translation, for-scaling up, for-protection). The article also explains why even the collective farms (in the article referred to as a socialist assemblage) better satisfied villagers needs than the plantation capitalism that developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first appearance of Fusarium head blight (FHB) and the beginning of scientific research of this disease-occurred the Far East region of Russia at the end of the 19th century. In the summer of 2019, in the Amur region, which comprises 60-70% of grain production in the Russian Far East, flooding caused a state of emergency. The quality of wheat and barley grains grown under natural conditions of FHB outbreaks, including grain infection, fungal species composition, DNA content of F. graminearum and chemotypes, and the presence of various mycotoxins, was studied. Fusarium infection rates reached extremely high percentages, 51-98%, the majority of which were F. graminearum infections. The amount of F. graminearumDNAin wheat grain samples was higher than in the barley grain samples and averaged 6.1 and 2.1 pg/ng, respectively. The content of deoxynivalenol (DON) in the wheat samples reached 13,343 ppb and in barley reached 7,755 ppb. A multilocus genotyping assay was conducted on the partially sequenced fragments of the translation elongation factor EF-1a, ammonium ligase gene, reductase gene, and 3-O-acetyltransferase gene in 29 Fusarium graminearum sensu lato strains from the grain harvested in the Amur region. All strains from the Far East region were characterized as F. graminearum sensu stricto; 70% were the 15-AcDON chemotype, while the other strains were the 3-AcDON chemotype. According to the results, after 140 years of study of FHB, we are still not very successful in controlling this disease if conditions are favorable for pathogen development. Even at present, some of the grain harvested must be destroyed, as high contamination of mycotoxins renders it unusable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, a comparative analysis of the tachinid fauna of the Phasiinae subfamily of the Russian Far East with the fauna of neighboring regions has been presented. The Phasiinae fauna of the Primorsky Krai (Far East of Russia) is characterized as peculiar but closest to the fauna of the southern part of Khabarovsk Krai, Amur Oblast and Eastern Siberia. The following groups of regions have been identified: Southern, Western and Eastern Siberia; Amur Oblast and Primorsky Krai, which share many common Holarctic and Transpalaearctic species. Special mention should be made of the fauna of the Khabarovsk Krai, Sakhalin Oblast, which are characterized by poor species composition and Japan (having a subtropical appearance). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poaching is the most direct threat to the persistence of Amur tigers. However, little empirical evidence exists about the modus operandi of the offenders associated with this wildlife crime. Crime science can aid conservation efforts by identifying the patterns and opportunity structures that facilitate poaching. By employing semi-structured interviews and participants observation with those directly involved in the poaching and trafficking of Amur tigers in the Russian Far East (RFE), this article utilizes crime script analysis to break down this criminal event into a process of sequential acts. By using this framework, it is possible account for the decisions made and actions taken by offenders before, during and after a tiger poaching event, with the goal of identifying weak points in the chain of actions to develop targeted intervention strategies. Findings indicate poaching is facilitated by the ability to acquire a firearm, presence of roads that enable access to remote forest regions, availability of specific types of tools/equipment, including heat vision googles or a spotlight and a 4 × 4 car, and a culture that fosters corruption. This crime script analysis elucidates possible intervention points, which are discussed alongside each step in the poaching process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Horseradish is a valuable agricultural crop with gastronomic and medical significance. It contains mono- and polysaccharides, protein compounds and organic acids, minerals and starch, as well as a rich vitamin complex. Unfortunately, horseradish diseases are still insufficiently studied, while crop losses from them can be quite significant. The purpose of our study was to determine the composition of pathogenic fungi on horseradish Armoracia rusticana G. Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb. and to develop measures to combat them. Methods: The research was carried out on horseradish “Atlant” varieties in the plantings of the of FSBSI “Far East Federal Research Center of agrobiotechnology n.a. A.K. Chaika” at 2019-2020. Studies of phytopathogens were carried out in the field conditions and in vitro. Microscopy was performed using Levenhuk D740T, 5,1 MP. Lifelong injuries photofixation was performed using Sony SAL1855. Processing of the microscopy results was carried out using Outfi, PluriIQ, CellProfiler software. In the experiment to study the agent fungicidal efficacy against horseradish diseases, we used: Acrobat WG, Bravo SC, Zummer SC, Consento SC, Infinito SC, Topaz EW, Ordan SP, Thiovit Jet WG, Rajok EW, Proton Extra RG, Ridomil Gold MZ RG. The agents were diluted in doses of 10%, 30% and 70% of the recommended dose, the index of conidia occurrence was calculated, phytotoxicity was carried out. Result: For five iterations, the greatest fungicidal activity was demonstrated by the Acrobat WG, Topaz EW and Proton Extra WG agents. The maximum effectiveness was observed for the agent Ridomil Gold MZ WG. The lowest efficiency was shown by the Infinito SC, Consento SC, Ordan SP, Thiovit Jet WG agents. No phytotoxic effect was found in any of the agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Russian Far East is a region between China and the Russian Arctic with a diverse climatological, geophysical, oceanic, and economical characteristic. The southern region is located in the Far East monsoon sector, while the northern parts are affected by the Arctic Ocean and cold air masses penetrating far to the south. Growing economic activities and traffic connected to the China Belt and Road Initiative together with climate change are placing an increased pressure upon the Russian Far East environment. There is an urgent need to improve the capacity to measure the atmospheric and environmental pollution and analyze their sources and to quantify the relative roles of local and transported pollution emissions in the region. In the paper, we characterize the current environmental and socio-economical landscape of the Russian Far East and summarize the future climate scenarios and identify the key regional research questions. We discuss the research infrastructure concept, which is needed to answer the identified research questions. The integrated observations, filling in the critical observational gap at the Northern Eurasian context, are required to provide state-of-the-art observations and enable follow-up procedures that support local, regional, and global decision making in the environmental context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One species of the red algal genus Devaleraea, D. stenogona, shows remarkable phenotypic plasticity over its geographic range. We assumed this species to be a complex of morphologically close species. To resolve this issue, we sequenced the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, including the 5.8S rDNA, rbcL, and 5′ end of the COI gene (COI-5′) of specimens of D. stenogona sensu lato from different localities along the Russian coast of the northwestern Pacific Ocean. We also compared their morphology with the holotype and to specimens of D. stenogona from the type locality. Morphological and genetic analyses confirmed that Devaleraea stenogona sensu lato is a complex of two congeneric species and, therefore, the new species D. titlyanoviorum sp. nov. is proposed. This species is characterised by abundantly proliferating thalli, with proliferations being larger than the main blade. First-year non-proliferating plants can be confused with D. stenogona, but they differ by a more regular dichotomous branching and by the shape of terminal branches, which are strap-shaped with rounded tips in D. titlyanoviorum and narrow-linear or hair-like with acute tips in D. stenogona. The species have different geographical distributions with D. stenogona occurring further south than D. titlyanoviorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The population of the Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) in the Russian Far East is currently being restored; young individuals are being spread within the historical range, including territory in China. Here, the assessment of the suitability for the territories that exist in Northeastern China as the Amur tiger habitat and its food supply-prey base (three species of ungulates, namely wild boar, red deer and roe deer) are shown. A specially protected area—the Taipingou Natural Reserve, located on the border of the People's Republic of China and Russia—was examined. The modelling of habitat suitability for ungulates was performed on the basis of Earth remote sensing data by using two different approaches: expert geo-information assessment of the territory and discriminant analysis modelling. Based on discriminant analysis, the modelling of the suitability of ungulate habitats (without the variability of plant communities) showed a small difference between the model results for wild boar and roe deer. Nevertheless, the connection with the morphometric characteristics of the relief was more important for the wild boar than the roe deer. Furthermore, the variability of vegetation types was more important for the roe deer. The analysis of the biotopes showed that wild boars prefer the central and northern parts of Taipingou National Reserve, while the main roe deer distribution is in the western part of the Reserve; red deer are more common in the southern part of the Reserve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of magma sources and their role in the origination of basaltic magmas still remains one of the fundamental petrological problems. Based on new comprehensive isotope–geochemical and mineralogical data, the contribution of a pyroxenite mantle source was recognized for the first time for Oligocene basalts in the northern part of the East Sikhote Alin volcanic belt. The most important indicators of this source are significant variations in the first-row transition elements ratios (Zn/Fe = 11–17 and Zn/Mn = 6–10), Cr/Ni (1.8–6) and the Ni concentration (2000–3600 ppm) in olivine. The behavior of LIL elements suggests the presence of amphibole in a pyroxenite protolith. The obtained data can be used for the correct reconstruction of the magma generation and geodynamic environment in this territory in the Late Cenozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proposed complex Parameter of River Network Self-similarity (PRNS), which is a combination of the exponents in the equations for distribution of channel lengths, the fractal dimension of channels, and the fractal dimension of points of change of the order of the channel, matches neotectonic movements more accurately. A comprehensive analysis of the self-similarity of the southern Sikhote-Alin River network model derived from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) based on the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission image (SRTM) has been performed. Comparison of the results of morphostructural and fractal analyses showed the good consistency of these two methods. The relative PRNS maxima coincide with areas with the largest amplitude of ascending neotectonic movements (increment of relief), while the minima coincide with the areas either with the lowest increment of relief or with greatest erosion rates. Most of the crustal earthquakes are confined to the boundaries between PRNS relative maxima and minima, that is, uplifts are surrounded by seismic areas, which is due to the block nature of neotectonic vertical movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the conditions for transport accessibility of the key deposits of raw mineral resources of the Far East and the directions of its further development. The characteristics of the raw mineral base of the region are considered in terms of the reserves and volumes of extraction of separate kinds of mineral resources. The key problems of developing mineral resources at the present stage are discussed. We demonstrate the development prospects for the raw mineral sector on the basis of creating processing facilities and switching over from the extraction of raw materials to obtaining the product with a high degree of processing and added value. A significant importance of the transport factor is emphasized for development of the deposits in the Far East which is most clearly pronounced in the northern regions. An unevenness of development of the region's transport infrastructure, its poor quality (incompliance with the normative requirements of motor roads, and a limitation of railroad capacity) are highlighted. An analysis is made of the limiting influence of the poor transport accessibility on the raw mineral complex. The characteristics of the formation of transport schemes are outlined according to the location and volumes of transported resources. The study revealed a high demand of the enterprises of the extractive sector for the transport infrastructure which is not satisfied by the State. Examples of the development of the transport infrastructure elements by private companies on the territory of the Far East are investigated. The role of the Northern Sea Route as an important transport route in the medium- and long-term future is characterized. The efforts made to develop further this direction are pointed out: hydrographic investigations in the sea area, change in the institutional conditions of the functioning, and development of the icebreaker fleet of Russia. China's interest in using the arctic sea routes for cargo transportation is shown. It is concluded that of strategic importance is an active exploitation of the Northern Sea Route by Russian companies for economic development of the deposits in the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic and Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]