No 3 (2023)

A population-coenotic concept of an econe, an elementary structural-functional group (SFG) in a coenopopulation, is proposed. An econe has binary properties, since in real time it simultaneously manifests itself as part of the coenopopulation and as part of the local community, i.e., acts as an elementary population- coenotic structure, the individuals of which are phenotypically homogeneous and simultaneously perform certain population and coenotic functions. The role of econes in micro-, meso-, and macroevolutionary processes is considered, and based on this the possible evolutionary-ecological integrative mechanisms of rapid micro- and macroevolutionary processes in the Anthropocene are estimated. The new concept of econes allows one to integrate the processes of micro-, meso-, and macroevolution based on the recently revealed mechanisms of transgenerational inheritance of stress-induced epigenetic changes that parameterize certain rearrangements of morphogenesis. Since all processes (micro-, meso- and macroevolution) of changes in econes in coenopopulations occur in real time, but with varying degrees of efficiency, it is theoretically possible to approach the prediction of the onset of regional biocoenotic crises by comparing the morphogenetic reactions of econes of sympatric species of communities to favorable and unfavorable development conditions, caused by a combination of climatogenic, anthropogenic, and biotic factors.

Chloroplast DNA variability was examined in 872 trees of pedunculate oak (Q. robur L.), sessile oak (Q. petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) and downy oak (Q. pubescens Willd.) on the Crimean Peninsula, in the Western Caucasus and in the Balkan region in order to study phylogeography and interaction of these species in the Black Sea region. Sequencing of five fragments with a total length of more than 10,000 base pairs revealed 12 haplotypes of chloroplast DNA. For the haplotype typing in the studied populations, chloroplast microsatellites (cpSSR), sequencing, and restriction analysis were used. Haplotypes detected belong to several divergent phylogenetic lineages. The studied species almost do not differ from each other in the composition of haplotypes and the geographical structure of variability, which demonstrates a certain level of gene flow between them in mixed populations. The haplotypes of the Balkan region are closely related to the haplotypes of previously studied populations from Eastern Europe and the western part of the Russian Plain, and are not found in the Crimea and the Caucasus. On the Crimean Peninsula, two geographical groups of populations are distinguished, which differ sharply in the composition of haplotypes. The difference between the western part of the peninsula and the eastern part is shown, which suggests a multiple origin of oak populations in the Crimea as a result of migrations from two sources, which could be facilitated by fluctuations in the Black Sea level and its desalination, which repeatedly occurred in the Pleistocene and Holocene. The predominance of two divergent haplotypes in the western part of the peninsula, similar to the haplotypes of Asia Minor, indicates the penetration of oak from this region and the presence of an isolated refugium in the mountainous forest regions of Crimea during the last glacial maximum. At the same time, haplotypes common with the Western Caucasus are spread in the east of the mountain-forest part of the Eastern Crimea. The sharp boundary between the areas of distribution of “western” and “eastern” haplotypes in the Eastern Crimea indicates a relatively recent time of the formation of a secondary contact zone between local and Caucasian oak populations as a result of postglacial colonization.

Studies have been carried out to determine the calendar age of plants of the invasive species Hogweed Sosnovsky (Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden.). The study of the root structure showed the presence of growth rings formed by increments of secondary xylem, which makes it possible to use the xylochronological approach to estimate the calendar age of H. sosnowskyi. The number of xylem rings on the transverse section of the root corresponds to the number of remnants of annual increments on the longitudinal section of the underground caudex. The method of accounting for annual increments on a longitudinal section of the caudex is simple and effective and allows you to determine the age of plants of H. sosnowskyi in the field, without resorting to tissue contrast and microscopy. Plants of H. sosnowskyi in natural cenopopulations of the middle taiga zone of the Komi Republic, started flowering in the third year of life, and their calendar age reached 7 full years.

The joint and separate effects of different water salinity (0.5, 1.5, and 3 g/L) and hypomagnetic conditions on freshwater crustaceans of Daphnia magna were studied. A decrease in the magnetic field induction led to a significant decrease in the size of females and the period between broods, an increase in the number of offspring produced, and the body length of offspring in the first brood, followed by a decrease in the number of offspring produced from the fourth to sixth broods. The increase in water salinity to a lesser extent affected the studied parameters. In water with a salinity of 3 g/L, the first offspring appeared later than in other groups and was more numerous. There is a noticeable trend towards an increase in the length of the tail needle with an increase in salinity. The interaction of factors influenced the timing of the appearance of the first brood and the size of the breeding crustaceans. The causes and possible mechanisms for the occurrence of the described effects are discussed.