Aim. To analyse the data on spreading and population of the common hamster in Western Siberia from the mid‐20th to early 21st centuries and to determine the major predictors affecting these parameters.

Material and Methods. Long‐term data on species’ population from the Zoomonitor Databank (Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, ISEA SB RAS), populace survey data and field observations provided by scholars over recent years were used. The maximum entropy method was used to model the species’ ecological niche and range based on 82 common hamster sighting spots in Western Siberia. 19 bioclimatic factors as well as various soil types were used.

Results. The reduction of range and threefold decrease of common hamster population until the 90s of the last century and a local increase in the number of the population at the beginning of the 21st century were noted. The main causes of the population decline include extensive extermination through the procurement of common hamster fur skins and limiting the harm caused as well as agricultural area size dynamics. The bioclimatic correlations revealed of the distribution of the common hamster, considered together with models of climate changes, suggest the possibility of common hamster obsolescence in modern steppe areas and its according repopulation of the large river bottomlands to the north of the current range.

Conclusion. For the Asian section of its range, the species’ status is not so disastrous due to less prominent factors negatively impacting the population. The lack of previous studies of the species’ ecology in Western Siberia calls for the conducting of multi‐aspect studies, including monitoring the tendencies of the limiting factors’ dynamics.  

Aim. To clarify the spring aspect of the faunistic composition of Lepidoptera insects in the Republic of Dagestan as one of the most poorly studied regions of the European part of Russia.

Materials and Methods. The collection of material was carried out in six localities of the Republic of Dagestan at light sources and with a butterfly net. The material was determined using modern guides.

Results. We have determined 210 species of the families: Coleophoridae, Pterophoridae, Pyralidae, Crambidae, Drepanidae, Geometridae, Sphingidae, Saturniidae, Notodontidae, Erebidae and Noctuidae. Thirteen species are indicated for the fauna of Eastern Caucasus for the first time: Trypostela machinopis (Meyrick, 1936), Multicoloria vibicigerella (Zeller, 1839), Casignetella ancistron (Falkovitsh, 1976) (Coleophoridae), Gymnancyla gilvella (Ragonot, 1887) (Pyralidae), Hypena obesalis (Treitschke, 1829) (Erebidae), Clostera pigra (Hüfnagel, 1766) (Notodontidae), Cleora cinctaria ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775), Chlorissa pretiosaria (Staudinger, 1887), Acasis viretata (Hübner, [1799]), Earophila badiata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775), Pareulype berberata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775), Eupithecia assimilata (Doubleday, 1856) and Eupithecia intricata (Zetterstedt, 1839) (Geometridae).

Conclusion. It seems very perspective to study the entomofauna of the Republic of Dagestan, especially in non‐standard periods: in spring and autumn.  

Aim. This research aims to study the Great Tit breeding density, depending on the distance from preferred wintering sites with all other things being equal.

Material and Methods. 36 route counts were carried out in 22 locations ranging up to 95 km away from the preferred wintering sites. The data was collected in the same weather and climatic zone. The route counts were carried out in the wintering season (January) and in the breeding season (16 April – 15 May) in 2014‐2018. To consider the influence of small settlements, where a smaller number of tits spends winter in comparison with a large city, sample sites were characterized by the population of people living within a radius of 25 km around the sample site.

Results. Most Great Tits prefer to minimise the distance from their wintering sites to their nesting sites. The most preferred distance of seasonal movement is 10‐20 km from a large city, the main wintering place for this species.

Conclusions. The density of the Great Tit population during the nesting period increases exponentially with the proximity of wintering sites. When more than 20 km from wintering sites, the density of the species during the nesting period does not change reliably. The maximum immanent density during the nesting period is achieved in places of favourable wintering of the species, that is, in a metropolis with agglomeration.  

Aim. The aim of this work is the study of the specifics of accumulation of heavy metals in the body of gastropod mollusks ‐ slugs (Molluska: Limacidae) on the southern slope of the Aragats mountain range, namely, conducting a quantitative analysis of heavy metals in the soil of different points of the Aragats mountain range and in the body of slugs (Vitrinoides monticola armeniaca; Deroceras caucasicum; Limax flavus), as well as the principles of biogenic migration of heavy metals according to the soil– plant–animal system (slugs) and determining the role of slugs in this migration in terrestrial ecosystems.

Material and Methods. Slugs collected from different points of the southern slope of the Aragats mountain range served as material for this study. The content of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Ca, Mo) in the body of the mollusks was determined by the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry method: AAS extraction & ISO‐8288. The features of the biological accumulation of heavy metals in the body of mollusks were also determined.

Results. Gastropod mollusks (Molluska: Limacidae) actively accumulate heavy metals (especially Cu, Zn, Ca) in their bodies and play a certain role in their transfer through food chains. Slugs, living in upper soil horizons (mesofauna) and under stones and plant litter, actively respond to the slightest changes in the environment and are perspective objects allowing the detection of deviations in the functioning of soils and the natural complex as a whole.

Conclusion. Slugs living in the soil are an important link of the biogenic migration of heavy metals. An inverse relationship was revealed between the total and removable number of heavy metals in migration through the system: soil–plant–organism.  

Aim. Study of the growth dynamics of Dianthus awaricus plants in field experimental conditions and of laboratory germination of seeds obtained in the introduction experiment.

Material and Methods. Samples of D. awaricus seeds collected in natural populations along the altitudinal ecocline from 820 to 1,720 m above sea level served as the material for the study. To study the field germination and growth dynamics of the plants, D. awaricus seeds were sown at two experimental bases of the Mountain Botanical Garden (at 1,100 and 1,750 m above sea level). Evaluation of laboratory germination was carried out using seeds collected at the Tsudakhar base.

Results. Comparative characteristics of the average values of the shoot length and the number of lateral branches of the studied samples showed that the differences between the populations are significant. The monthly increase in D. awaricus plants of different accessions also differs. Monthly variability of the shoot length of D. awaricus in the tested accessions is at a high level, the expressivity of which, apparently, is significantly affected by a complex of environmental factors. A study of the germination of D. awaricus seeds showed that it is higher under laboratory conditions than under experimental field conditions. The highest percentage of seed germination was observed in the “Gunib” sample: 64.0% in the laboratory and 28.6% in the field at the Tsudakhar base.

Conclusions. Differences were noted in growth dynamics in the studied samples of D. awaricus studied, apparently due to a complex of abiotic and biotic environmental factors. For the “Tsudakhar” samples the experimental conditions and place of collection of seed material were identical but for the other two samples they were different from their natural habitat. The low field germination of D. awaricus seeds is probably due to the negative impact of winter drought and adverse weather conditions in the spring.  

Aim. To determine the age structure and assess the current state of Fagus orientalis Lipsky in the Caucasian Ecoregion.

 Material and Methods. The material was collected in beech forests in different floristic districts of the Caucasian Ecoregion. The registration of individual specimens was carried out on 121 test sites, with a total area of 73925 m2. A total of 19936 individuals of Fagus orientalis were involved in the analysis. Each individual was assessed by condition and assigned to a certain age group.

Results. The study of the age structure of Fagus orientalis in the beech forests of the Caucasian Ecoregion showed a similar pattern of distribution of age group participation in all the studied areas studied. The age spectra revealed are left‐sided and full‐membered where individuals of the pregenerative phase predominate. For all populations, in general, almost the same share of the contribution of individuals of germinal and virginal age groups was noted, amounting to about 50% in total. On average, there are 2906 individuals per 1 ha, of which 459 have reached the generative phase. The condition of individuals of the pre‐generative and generative phases across all the botanical areas of the Caucasian Ecoregion studied was estimated by us at 1.47 points.

Conclusions. The study of the age structure of populations and the assessment of the condition of individuals allows us to assess the influence of certain abiotic and biotic factors. Low values of the proportion of postgenerative individuals are the result of anthropogenic load in easily accessible territories. Under the influence of processes of intra‐ and interspecific competition, the share of participation of virginal and postgenerative groups increases and is especially clearly observed in beech elfin‐woodlands.  

Aim. To identify the distribution features of a key species of macrophytobenthos in the shallow water zone of Karkinitskiy Bay.

Material and Methods. The field materials from a comprehensive expedition carried out during the summer 2019 were collected and processed by the authors.

Results. For the first time, a map was compiled and the features of the distribution of dominant types of macrophytobentos identified in the shallow water zone of Karkinitskiy Bay.

Conclusion. It was shown that in the eastern part of the bay, on a shallow slope composed of silty‐sandy deposits, adjacent to the accumulative shores, sea grasses dominate and along the abrasive‐clay shores there is no bottom vegetation and significant accumulations of dead leaves of Zostera marina и Z. noltei are typical there. In the water area of the Bakal spit macrophitobentos is not found on the sandy deposits. Cladophora spp. are represented in the base of the western branch of the spit, at the place of its joining an active clayey cliff. Mosaic distribution of bottom vegetation is noted in the area of Cape Kamenniy, where co‐growth of algae on the limestone outcrops and marine herbs living on loose soils is registered. West of Cape Kamenniy in shallow water adjacent to the abrasive limestone coasts Carpodesmia crinite – Treptacantha barbata phytocenoses are characteristic. It was shown that in the composition of macrophytobentos decreased in the role of dominant species, an increase in the proportion of algae found in the areas with increased eutrophication of marine environment, which is probably due to the influence of anthropogenic and natural factors. Monitoring observations in this area will make it possible to develop scientifically based recommendations aimed at optimizing the environmental regime and rational environmental management of the coastal zone of Karkinitskiy Bay.  

Aim. In vitro analysis of the inhibitory activity of aqueous extracts of ready‐made tea compositions and their constituent ingredients on SARSCOV‐ 2 replication.

Material and Methods. The laboratory strain SARS‐CoV‐ 2/human/RUS/Nsk‐FRCFTM‐1/2020 was passivated on Vero cell culture. For the preparation of water extracts six types of experimental tea compositions (not containing flavorings) based on black and green tea or flowers of hibiscus as well as individual ingredients were used. Antiviral (inhibitory) activity of plant raw materials was studied in vitro according to the classical scheme of neutralization (inactivation) of the virus.

Results. When compared with the main control sample of an aqueous extract of chaga (Inonotus obliquus) with a 50% effective concentration equal to 13.72±2.99 μg/ml against 10³ TCPD50/ml of SARS‐CoV‐2, superior activity was found for extracts of the spice Syzygium aromaticum L. and black tea from Nepal. Approximately equal inhibitory activity was detected for extracts of tea compositions based on black tea with the addition of the grass Thymus altaicus and the spice S. aromaticum L. or with the addition of seeds of Carum carvi L. and the root of Angelica archangelica L. In addition, such activity was detected for extracts of tea compositions based on green tea from China with the addition of leaves of Mentha piperita L. and flowers of Lavandula angustifolia MILL. or with the addition of the peel of Citrus sinensis L. and seeds of Pimpinella anisum L. Extracts from individual plant raw materials used to make tea compositions were black teas from India, Argentina, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, leaves of M. piperita L. and flowers of L. angustifolia MILL. Cetraria islandica lichen, green tea and berries of Oxycoccus also showed antiviral activity.

Conclusion. The results obtained suggest that tea compositions based on black and green tea with the addition of various plant raw materials in the form of a regular drink can be useful to people with COVID‐19 infection.  

Aim – to study the biocontrol properties of B. velezensis BZR 336g and B. velezensis BZR 517 strains against Fusarium pathogens using the fungus Fusarium graminearum as an example and to reduce the accumulation of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) in vitro.

Materials and Methods. A study of the toxinogenicity of F. graminearum fungal strains was undertaken on rice and wheat grains and the effect of B. velezensis BZR 336g and B. velezensis BZR 517 strains on the growth of the fungus was studied on wheat grains and by the double cultures method. An experiment to study the effect of a liquid culture and supernatant of bacteria was carried out on wheat grains and the content of DON and ZEN in wheat grains was analyzed by HPLC and enzyme immunoassay.

Results. It was found that two strains of the fungus F. graminearum were able to produce a high level of mycotoxins, while the strain F. graminearum 60318 had a higher growth rate. The B. velezensis BZR 336g and B. velezensis BZR 517 strains produced lipopeptide exometabolites and inhibited the growth of the F. graminearum 60318 strain. in vitro, while the content of ZEN remained at the control level.

Conclusion. The ability of two strains of bacteria B. velezensis BZR 336g and B. velezensis BZR 517 to suppress the growth of the fungus F. graminearum 60318, as well as to inhibit the accumulation of mycotoxins in wheat grain in vitro, suggests that an increase in the content of antagonist bacteria B. velezensis BZR 336g and B. velezensis BZR 517 in the wheat microbiota can contribute to the suppression of the growth and harm of the fungus F. graminearum 60318.

Aim. To identify land and water areas for inclusion in the regional ecological framework of Sevastopol City and to define the core areas for ensuring the representative character of the nature protection network and the ecological stability of the region.

Material and Methods. Based on field surveys, archival and published data, the structure of the ecological framework of Sevastopol was specified as a part of the Crimean ecological network, developed in 2008. A schematic map of the protected areas and ecological framework elements was developed and calculation of their area carried out using the QGIS‐3.10.10. The index of environmental significance was calculated according to Guryevskikh and a scale for its gradation was suggested. For ecological centres and corridors, the ratio of key areas of the first and second order was analyzed.

Results. The creation of 34 protected areas was proposed and their conservation value was shown. The boundaries of the core areas and 11 structural elements of the ecological framework were specified, its representativeness was characterized and problems of its implementation were discussed. As a result of optimization of the nature protection network of Sevastopol, the share of the protected areas and ecological framework of the total area of the city will be increased to 37.1 and 66%, respectively. A complex of conservational measures has been proposed for the protection of populations and biotopes of rare species included in the Red Data Book of Sevastopol.

Conclusions. The creation of new core areas and the optimisation of the nature conservation network will ensure the maintenance of the sustainability of the ecological framework and the ecological stability of the region but will not make significant changes to the previously formed disproportion due to the impossibility of creating large objects with a high category of protection. The implementation of the ecological framework project will help to reduce the risk of losing the biological and landscape diversity of the region.  

Forming a landscape‐ecological framework is an urgent task supporting the adoption of a strategy for the progress of specially protected natural territories in Russia by 2030. According to the author, the strategy does not fully reflect the specifics of the development of the network of territorial nature protection objects in the agricultural regions of the country.

Aim Substantiate proposals for optimizing the network of protected areas.

Materials and Methods. Methods of cartographic analysis of schemes of physical and geographical zoning, generalisation of the results of expedition research, assessment of the representativeness of the existing network of protected areas and a comparative assessment of the most valuable landscape and natural biotic plots were used in the paper.

Results. As a result of this study a complex of new and promising sites has been identified for inclusion in the landscape and ecological framework, which can constitute the natural reserve fund of the regions as clusters. The study covers steppe and forest‐steppe landscapes of southern European and Asian Russia. The problem has been considered in the context of subjects relating to physical and geographical zoning. Proposals for the modernisation and expansion of the network of objects included in the landscape and ecological framework were compiled based on expedition studies, combined with quantitative and qualitative indicators of natural diversity.

Conclusions There is a need to modernise the existing network and to create new nature reserves based, among other things, on as‐yetunrealised projects for the creation of reserves.  

Aim. Study of the effect of short di‐ and tetrapeptides (AB‐0, AE‐0) on the growth, development and productivity of Batya soybean varieties.

Material and Methods. Biologically active dipeptide AB‐0 and tetrapeptide AE‐0 were used. Field studies were carried out on meadow‐brown podzolized gley heavy loamy soil. One month before planting, soybean seeds were treated with dipeptide/tetrapeptide of concentrations of 0.01 g/l or 0.001 g/l. Hand‐tended and industrial‐level research was carried out.

Results. The use of dipeptide AB‐0 in a hand‐tended study had a positive effect on the growth processes of soybeans of the Batya variety compared to the control. The use of tetrapeptide AE‐0 in a hand‐tended study increased the weight of plants by 7.3‐67.0 g and plant height by 3.0‐9.0 cm compared to the control. The use of dipeptide AB‐0 and tetrapeptide AE‐0 increased the yield of soybeans by a maximum of 81.2‐83.7% compared to the control. The use of peptides AB‐0 and AE‐0 in an industrial‐level experiment increased the yield by 30.5% and 18.4%, respectively, compared with the control.

Conclusion. The short peptides AB‐0 and AE‐0 studied had an impact on the growth, development and productivity of Batya soybean varieties. They can be classified as plant growth regulators.  

Aim. To carry out a comparative analysis of the main directions of genetic studies of complex (chronic) human neuropsychiatric diseases and to determine the prospects for their genomic studies.

Discussion. Complex diseases account for more than 90% of the total human pathology and are the main cause of premature death and disability. One of the most urgent and severe categories of complex diseases, both for the patients themselves and for society, are endogenous mental illnesses, in particular, schizophrenia, mental retardation and autism spectrum disorders. Despite the fact that genetic and epidemiological studies show high heritability rates (up to 70‐80%), the identification of predisposition genes remains a challenge. Studies in recent decades have contributed to understanding the genetic mechanisms of the pathogenesis of such diseases and have significantly advanced our understanding in terms of identifying risk loci, possible mechanisms for the transmission of genetic risk, and the involvement in the pathogenesis of such diseases of not one but of a large number of genes that provide many variants of gene expression. However, the mapping of genes that control such clinical phenotypes and mutations in them that cause pathogenesis remains largely unknown.

Conclusion. The finding of the same gene changes in neuropsychiatric complex diseases suggests that the genes involved converge in biochemical pathways and may be caused by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors characterized by genetic heterogeneity, which is often associated with clinical heterogeneity, incomplete penetrance and phenocopies. This is of great importance for the development of gene therapy through the identification of drug targets for the treatment of these disorders.  

Aim. Considering the high capability of Ilam province in the development of health tourism as indicated in its active border crossings with Iraq and the response to the recent epidemic, it was deemed necessary to identify the risks of air pollution on the health of tourists.

Materials and Methods. During 2008‐2018, data on five primary air pollutants during 2008‐2018 were identified by literature research and by referring to the relevant monitoring organizations. Data analysis was performed by the Full permutation polygon synthetic indicator model, while Excel and MATLAB software were used to display data.

Results. The findings of the study revealed that despite the application of the Land Use Planning Document, average suspended particulate matter of less than 10 microns ranked second after sulphur dioxide (SO2), in terms of the contribution to air pollution and instability in Ilam City during the 11 years in question (excluding 2008 and 2009).

Conclusions. The link between air pollution and the development of health tourism on the one hand and the emergence of an epidemic on the other has recently necessitated a new concept of health, tourism and welfare in relation to the environment with the aim of achieving a healthy environment for visiting tourists.  

Aim. Following the discovery of a number of iconographically unique masonry petroglyphs depicting a red deer solar stag (i.e. bearing the sun between its antlers) in settlements of the Chamalal ethno‐linguistic group in the upper Andiiskoe Koisu region of the Tsumadinskiy district of Dagestan, the aim of the research has been: (1) to survey the region to ascertain whether other images of this nature existed and to understand the relationship of the corpus to other petroglyphs produced within the Avar‐Ando‐Dido metacultural zone and of neighbouring ethnic groups in the Caucasus; (2) to study the evolution and meaning to the community of the petroglyphic imagery and (3) to understand the mechanisms by which peoples of the Caucasus shared and adapted polytheistic belief systems arising from the deep past following their conversion to Christianity and Islam.

Materials and Methods. Research activities involved field surveys of traditional buildings within the ethno‐linguistic enclaves of the upper Andiiskoe Koisu which might contain masonry petroglyphs and their photographic documentation. A thorough survey of the scientific literature impacting on this field in the Caucasus was undertaken in the libraries and institutions of Dagestan, Moscow and Saint Petersburg. This data added to the documentation of masonry petroglyphs already undertaken in the Gidatli communities of the upper Avarskoe Koisu region.

Results. Field surveys resulted in the discovery of more petroglyphs of the solar stag iconography both within Chamalal territory and that of the neighbouring Tindals as well as other petroglyphs of interest in neighbouring republics of the North Caucasus. A socioecological assessment of local habitats which might have sustained both red deer and bezoar goat (the principal game animals since human presence in the region) indicated that the bezoar goat inhabited the territories of both groups but were now rarely found in Chamalal lands. While red deer did inhabit the forests of the Tindals, it appears that they never frequented those of the Chamalals, who must have travelled to hunt them in forests further to the south.

Conclusion. The research confirmed the presence of a unique corpus of petroglyphic imagery attesting to beliefs in a solar stag which may date back to period of man’s re‐inhabiting the upper Andiiskoe Koisu region in the early Holocene. Indigenous beliefs relating both to the red deer and the bezoar goat initially represented in rock face petroglyphs of the eastern Dagestan piedmonts and rock paintings of the mountainous regions were by the late Bronze Age represented on masonry blocks used in building in the Avar‐Ando‐Dido metacultural zone. As Christianity spread in Transcaucasia and the Great Caucasus Range, including north‐western Dagestan, indigenous images representing the solar stag were conflated with those of the popular Christian cult of the Miracle of Saint Eustace, resulting in the unique petroglyphs of the solar stag common to