Russian Journal of Biological Invasions

2024, issue №3

CONTENTS

DISTRIBUTION AND BIOLOGY OF THE INVASIVE SPECIES ERIGERON ANNUUS (L.) PERS. IN THE REPUBLIC OF BASHKORTOSTAN - Abramova L.M., Rogozhnikova D.R., Mustafina A.N., Golovanov Y.M., Kryukova A.V. - The distribution, morphometric and population characteristics of invasive species Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. s.l. in the Republic of Bashkortostan are analyzed. Twenty five localities of the species were identified and surveyed in 9 regions of the republic. It has been shown that the main vector of E. annuus invasion is its spontaneous spread through abandoned fields and along highways. The density of E. annuus plants in coenopopulations ranges from 1.7 to 17.2 ind./m². The above-ground biomass of the species is low – 68.5–151.0 g/m². The proportion of the species in community ranges from 39.3 to 77.9%. When introduced into phytocenoses, it forms a variant of Phalacroloma annuum of the association Agrostio tenuis–Festucetum pratensis Yamalov 2005, or a derivative community of Phalacroloma annuum–Cirsium setosum [Arrhenatheretalia elatioris/Artemisietea vulgaris]. An increase in number of localities of the species in the Cis-Ural region of Republic of Bashkortostan is predicted for the coming years.

CHANGES IN CLIMATIC RANGE OF THE EMERALD ASH BORER AGRILUS PLANIPENNIS FAIRMAIRE (COLEOPTERA: BUPRESTIDAE) IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE  - Baranchikov Yu.N., Dobrolyubov N.Yu., Semenov S.M. - The climatic range of a species is a set of points in geographical space in which the climate allows the stable existence of populations of the species under a favorable combination of other factors of its population dynamics. For the Northern Hemisphere, using a special set of climate predictors, the climatic range of the emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis (EAB), a dangerous invasive pest of ash plantations, was assessed. Calculations were carried out for climates of 1990–1999, 2030–2039, and 2050–2059 under the SSP7.0 scenario, which describes a fairly moderate anthropogenic impact on the climate. The schematic maps have been constructed, which also indicate the current distribution zones of EAB. In North America, the borer has colonized almost two-thirds of its climatic range. There is no reason to believe that this expansion will be stopped. In the primary zone of distribution of the borer - in East Asia - and in Europe, the climatic ranges are also not fully occupied. Further expansion of the borer in its primary zone of distribution is expected to be comparatively modest due to the entire set of co-evolutionary biological factors restraining its number. On the contrary, in Europe the borer will be able to reach the Atlantic coast, since such restraints are either absent there or are just being formed. As calculations show, with further changes in the global climate, the dominant trend will be the movement of the northern boundaries of the EAB climatic range to the north. At the same time, on the territory of Russia it is also expected to expand into the Asian part, into Siberia, along a latitudinal band of 50–60° N with a climate suitable for A. planipennis. Already in 2030–2039, in an eastern direction, this band will reach the Krasnoyarsk Territory and will further spread to the east. Therefore, when installing artificial ash plantations in this area, it is advisable not to use ash species that are not resistant to this pest.

INFLUENCE OF WATER POLLUTION WITH COPPER AND TRIBUTYLTIN ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF TWO DREISSENIDS (DREISSENA POLYMORPHA AND D. BUGENSIS)  - Berezina N.A., Sharov A.N., Kholodkevich S.V., Kukhareva G.I. - This research focuses on the physiological indicators of zebra and quagga mussels, such as metabolic activity (oxygen consumption level), body mass index and cardiac resistance (restoration of the heart rhythm after exercise), when water is polluted with copper and tributyltin compounds. The results revealed differences in the physiological responses of two zebra mussel species (Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771) and D. bugensis (Andrusov, 1897)) to pollution of the aquatic environment with these substances. Quagga mussels were more vulnerable than zebra mussels to copper and tributyltin in terms of mortality, heart rate biomarkers, and metabolic activity. Exposure to these compounds has also led to a decrease in body mass index in zebra mussels in some cases. Both dreissenid species exposed to copper exhibited similar levels of respiratory activity, with a dose-dependent bell-shaped response. Mollusks from the treatment with the lowest copper concentration (50 μg/l) and the control did not differ in the level of respiratory activity. However, at average copper concentrations of 100 μg/l and 500 μg/l, zebra mussels showed a statistically significant increase in respiration intensity, and at high copper levels (1 and 5 mg/l) – a significant decrease. Exposure to organotin compounds also significantly affected the respiratory activity of both zebra mussel species, leading to an increase in oxygen consumption by 1.5–1.7 times compared to the control. Quagga mussels were more sensitive to the presence of tributyltin than zebra mussels. As a result of the study, zebra mussel heart rate recovery time increased with increasing copper concentration (from 100 μg/l to 5 mg/l), such that mussels required 10–25 minutes longer to recover heart rate than controls. In the case of quagga mussels, the time for recovery of heart rate at high copper concentrations (1000 μg/l) almost doubled (up to 103 minutes) compared to the control (56 minutes). Both dreissenid species showed significantly longer heart rate recovery times when exposed to tributyltin (10–100 ng/l) than controls. The largest differences were observed at 100 ng/l tributyltin, with D. bugensis taking 27–35 minutes longer to recover heart rate than D. polymorpha. Our data showed that the better resistance of the zebra mussels to toxicants in water can contribute to its further expansion and successful competition with quagga mussels. However, quagga mussels may be a more effective as an indicator species at monitoring of water pollution with copper and organotin compounds.

TOPMOUTH GUDGEON PSEUDORASBORA PARVA (CYPRYNIDAE) AND AMUR SLEEPER PERCCOTTUS GLENII (ODONTOBUTIDAE) ARE ALIEN FISH SPECIES OF THE URAL RIVER - Boldyrev V.S., Yakovlev S.V., Basko Yu.V., Viphlo E.V., Shchukina A.M- The article presents new information about the distribution of two alien Asian fish species in the Ural River. The topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva, observed for the first time in the river basin, was recorded only on several locations along a 300-kilometer section between the mouths of the rivers Kolpachka and Urtaburtya, which apparently is due to the species' relatively recent settlement. The species could have entered the river from fish farms, in which its appearance was the result of an accidental introduction together with plantivorous fishes. Further, it has been established that the Amur sleeper Perccottus glenii, previously known to occur only in the upper reaches, is now widely distributed in the rivers of the Ural Basin located in Russia. For both fish species, the variation in values of their meristic features falls within the species' spectrum of variability. A comparative description of nutrition is also presented. The spectrum of objects consumed by Amur sleeper is wider and their sizes are larger than for topmouth gudgeon. Among the common species of Chironomidae, benthic organisms (Chironomus plumosus, Glyptotendipes gripekoveni) predominate in the diet of Chinese sleeper, while for topmouth gudgeon the diet includes organisms localized on aquatic macrophytes (Cricotopus algarum, C. sylvestris and Tanytarsus gregarius) as well as swimming larvae (Cloeon dipterum) and crawling larvae (Caenis macrura) from the Order of Ephemeroptera. The nutritional similarity of Amur sleeper and topmouth gudgeon, as the species with similar biotopes, is characterized as relatively low in the Ural River.

EXPANSION OF THE GREAT CORMORANT (PHALACROCORAX CARBO) IN THE NOVOSIBIRSK REGION - Vartapetov L.G., Solovyov S.A., Makarov A.V.- The current ecological state of the great cormorant populations within the Novosibirsk region is assessed. The spatial and temporal dynamics of abundance and distribution and the reasons for the intensive expansion of this species are considered. The results of a comprehensive ecological study of the great cormorant in the Novosibirsk region are presented. The boundaries of modern distribution and territorial changes in its abundance have been established. As a result of the study of the model colony, new information is provided on nutrition, reproduction biology and biocenotic relationships of this species. A comparative analysis of the dynamics of the range and abundance of the great cormorant in Northern Eurasia and Siberia has been performed.

INVASION OF THE EUROPEAN SYNANTHROPIC WOODPIGEON COLUMBA PALUMBUS POPULATION IN THE CITY OF GROZNY OF THE CHECHEN REPUBLIC  - Gizatulin I.I.- In the middle of the XIXth century, a synanthropic Woodpigeon Columba palumbus (Linnaeus, 1758) population was formed in European cities, and since the second half of the ХХth century, the territorial expansion of this population in the eastern direction has begun. Since the end of the XX and the beginning of the XXI centuries, Woodpigeons have begun to nest in Russian cities, including the settlements of the Western Ciscaucasia and the North Caucasus. In the natural biotopes of the Chechen Republic, the Woodpigeon is known as a common nesting, flying and rare wintering species. In the city of Grozny, the Woodpigeon was first registered in April 2016. Woodpigeons were also noted here in subsequent years. In late May – early June 2023, a parent pair of Woodpigeons with young chicks that flew out of the nest was observed in the city center. This indicates the successful urbanization of Woodpigeons in the city of Grozny and the continued settlement of the European synanthropic population of this species in cities in the south of Russia.

ALIEN SPECIES IN THE COMPLEX OF WEEVIL BEETLES (COLEOPTERA, CURCULIONOIDEA) IN BOTANICAL GARDEN OF PERM STATE UNIVERSITY (RUSSIA) - Dedyukhin S.V., Plakkhina E.V. - The collections of weevils carried out using the method of Barber soil trap lines in the Botanical Garden of the Perm State National Research University (Perm) during two full growing seasons (from April to November 2021 and 2022) were analyzed. In total, more than 2000 specimens, belonging to 43 species from two families (Curculionidae and Brentidae) were collected. Eight species were first discovered in the fauna of the Perm Region, six of them are alien or cryptogenic weevils. Two alien species (Exomias pellucidus and Otiorhynchus smreczynskii) are numerous in the collections (they make up about 50% of the sample in total). It has been shown that they have sharp differences in biotopic and trophic preferences, as well as in the timing of seasonal imago activity. Among the weevils of the botanical garden, eurybionts and representatives of the pioneer (ruderal-segetal) complex make up a total of 88%, while forest species are rare.

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MODELING OF SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE MOST AGGRESSIVE ALIEN SPECIES OF WOODY PLANTS (PAULOWNIA TOMENTOSA (THUNB.) STEUD AND CATALPA OVATA G. DON) IN THE SOUTH OF THE BLACK SEA COAST OF KRASNODAR TERRITORY- Egoshin A.V. - The spatial distribution of the most aggressive alien woody species (Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud, Catalpa ovata D. Don) on the southern Black Sea coast of Krasnodar Territory was studied. It has been found that both species are confined to habitats with similar bioclimatic and physical and geographic environmental conditions. The places most suitable for the growth of the studied species are located mainly at altitudes up to 550 meters above the sea level, with an average annual temperature exceeding 12 °C and annual precipitation in the range of 1400–1800 mm. Component analysis of 30 bioclimatic and ecological and geographical variables in the locations of specimens of the analyzed species indicates a high influence of climatic variables on the spatial distribution of Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) and variables characterizing landscape features of the area on the spatial distribution of Catalpa ovata D. Don. At that, Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) can occupy a wider range of habitats in terms of temperature regime compared to Catalpa ovata D. Don in conditions of the southern Black Sea coast of Krasnodar Territory. It has been found that native woody plants Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn, Carpinus betulus L., Fagus orientalis Lipsky, Fraxinus excelsior L., which compete with Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) and Catalpa ovata D., have greater ecological plasticity. Disturbance of the natural vegetation cover is a prerequisite for the introduction of Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) and Catalpa ovata D. Don into the forest ecosystems of the southern Black Sea coast of Krasnodar Territory.

TROPHIC SPECIALIZATION OF THE LEAF BLOTCH MINER MOTH ACROCERCOPS BRONGNIARDELLA (FABRICIUS, 1798) (LEPIDOPTERA, GRACILLARIIDAE) - Ermolaev I.V., Yatsenko I.O., Rysin S.L., Abdulkhakova A.A.- An analysis of literature and original data on the trophic relationships of the leaf blotch miner moth, Acrocercops brongniardella (Fabricius, 1798) (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) was performed. The leaf miner develops on 17 species of the genus Quercus L. (Q. castaneifolia, Q. cerris, Q. coccifera, Q. dalechampii, Q. faginea, Q. ilex, Q. ithaburensis, Q. lusitanica, Q. macranthera, Q. montana, Q. mongolica, Q. petraea, Q. pubescens, Q. pyrenaica, Q. robur, Q. rubra, Q. suber) of the family Fagaceae; i. e., it is a narrow oligophage. The oak Q. montana was reported as a food plant for the first time. The main forage plant of the miner in Europe is Q. robur. An experimental assessment of the average A. brongniardella mine area with changes in the miner ecological density was carried out during 2023 in a floodplain oak forest (Quercus robur L.) of Siva River, Votkinsk District, Udmurt Republic. At the ecological density of one A. brongniardella caterpillar per leaf, the mine area on Q. robur averages 499.1±22.5 мм². With an increase in ecological density, this area significantly decreases.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE CHINESE MITTEN CRAB ERIOCHEIR SINENSIS H. MILNE EDWARDS, 1853 IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE GULF OF FINLAND - Ivin V.V.- New data on the distribution of the alien species - the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis in the basin of the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland, the Baltic Sea, are presented. The fact of widespread occurrence of E. sinensis in bottom communities has been confirmed. During the period from 2021 to 2023, 81 adult individuals of the mitten crab were recorded; 32 of them were studied in the laboratory. Among the studied individuals, males predominated; the sex ratio (males: females) was 3.6:1.0; females with external roe were not found. The carapace width of the studied crabs (n = 32) ranged from 46.6 to 85.0 mm, averaging to 63.2 ± 1.7 mm. Males were slightly larger than females, however, statistically significant differences in carapace width between males and females were not detected. Issues related to the origin of crabs inhabiting the eastern part of the Baltic Sea and the possibility of naturalization of this species in the basin of the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland, the Baltic Sea, are discussed. The conclusion is drawn about the necessity of systematic monitoring of E. sinensis in the Gulf of Finland basin.

CURRENT STATE OF THE POPULATION OF A LARGE-SIZED FORM OF THE VENDACE COREGONUS ALBULA (L.) INTRODUCED INTO LAKE PERTOZERO, SOUTH KARELIA - Ilmast N.V., Sterligova О.P., Savosin D.S., Milyanchuk N.P.- The species composition of the fish population of Lake Pertozero, Onega Lake basin, was analyzed. The results of the introduction of a large-sized form of the European vendace Coregonus albula into the lake were discussed. The time taken for the naturalization and formation of the vendace brood stock in the lake was calculated. The features of biology of introduced vendace under new conditions (age composition, linear – weight growth; feeding, fecundity and reproduction) was studied. It was shown that the lake is conducive to the existence of large-sized vendace, as indicated by hydrological, hydrochemical and hydrobiological indices. It was also shown that vendace’s high potential and favorable conditions in the lake have contributed to its successful naturalization in the lake. The large-sized form of vendace introduced into Lake Pertozero has formed a new abundant population and has become the dominant species.

DYNAMICS OF SECONDARY METABOLITES AND FREE AMINO ACIDS IN THE HEART OF THE FISH ROTAN PERCCOTTUS GLENII (ODONTOBUTIDAE) DURING WINTER HYPOBIOSIS - Karanova M.V., Gagarinsky E.L., Petrukhin O.V., Reshetnikov A.N.- The freshwater fish P. glenii is of interest due to its tolerance to a wide range of environmental temperatures; however, the details of the mechanisms of its low-temperature adaptation have been insufficiently studied. Our previous work has shown the involvement of secondary metabolites and amino acids in the compensatory responses to near-zero temperatures of skeletal muscles, brain tissue, blood plasma, and liver of P. glenii. In the current study we report their compensatory responses in the heart. It has been shown that at the beginning of hypobiosis (December), at a water temperature of +1 °C, the level of taurine almost halves in comparison with summer concentration (9.70 ± 0.55 μmol/g wet weight), and it decreases further to 3.80 ± 0.25 μmol/g by the end of winter hypobiosis (beginning of April). Phosphoethanolamine was not detected in summer, but it appears in December (0.81 ± 0.07 μmol/g), and increases until the end of hibernation. Cysteic acid was also found only in December but its concentration decreased before the end of hibernation. The ratio of glutamate and alanine pools, the indicator of the metabolic contribution of aerobic and anaerobic energy, showed slight decrease of glutamate during hypobiosis and increase of alanine. Amino acid responses suggest that oxidative phosphorylation and the tricarboxylic acid cycle are actively involved in the energy supply of the heart of P. glenii even at the end of hypobiosis.

THE FIRST RECORD OF BODOTRIA PARVA CALMAN, 1907 (CUMACEA: BODOTRIIDAE) IN THE ESTUARINE WATERS OF SAKHALIN ISLAND (ANIVA BAY, SEA OF OKHOTSK) - Labay V.S., Korneev E.S. - Cumacea of the genus Bodotria (Bodotriidae, Cumacea) were found in the estuary of Susuya River (southern Sakhalin Island) in September 2022. The material was collected in the river mouth and 400 m upstream in the zone of influence of tidal sea waters of Aniva Bay (Sea of Okhotsk), at a depth of 0.25 to 0.75 m on fine sand with pebbles, less often - on fine sand, sand with silt and detritus. The individuals found in this estuary do not belong to the species Bodotria furugelmiensis Tzareva & Vassilenko, 2006 and Bodotria ozolinshi Tsareva & Vassilenko, 1993 known from the Far Eastern seas of Russia, but they correspond to the morphological features of the species Bodotria parva Calman, 1907. The natural range of Bodotria parva is located in the shallow coastal waters of the Pacific Coast of East Asia: Thailand, China, Korea and Japan. The invasive range is unknown. Presumably, this invader was accidentally introduced into the Sea of Okhotsk with ballast waters. It is important to monitor the distribution of this amphipod in order to predict the consequences for endemic species and local ecosystems.

TURKESTAN COCKROACH PERIPLANETA LATERALIS WALKER, 1868 – A NEW ALIEN SPECIES IN RUSSIA - Petrovskiy A.B., Raldugina A.O., Reshetnikov A.N. - The Turkestan cockroach, Periplaneta lateralis, is an insect of the family Blattidae, capable of synanthropy. Since the end of the 20th century, records of this insect have been reported in Russian cities. This publication analyses the available information on the geographical distribution of the Turkestan cockroach in Russia. Records of this insect outside buildings in Russia are described for the first time. Records of females with oothecae and nymphs of different stages allow us to consider that self-sustaining populations exist in southern Russia. Taking into account the wide geography of expansion and potential threats to human health caused by pathogens carried by the Turkestan cockroach, we recommend to recognize this species as alien for the territory of Russia.

RANGE DYNAMICS OF THE INVASIVE INSECT PESTS COLORADO POTATO BEETLE LEPTINOTARSA DECEMLINEATA (SAY, 1824) (COLEOPTERA, CHRYSOMELIDAE) AND POTATO MOTH PHTHORIMAEA OPERCULELLA (ZELLER, 1873) (LEPIDOPTERA, GELECHIIDAE) IN RUSSIA UNDER CONDITIONS OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE - Petrosyan V.G., Krivosheina M.G., Ozerova N.A., Dergunova N.N., Osipov F.A. - Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) and potato moth (Phthorimaea operculella) belong to the global list of the most dangerous invasive species in the world, including Russia, which cause significant damage to agriculture. However, the pattern of their spatial distribution under the current climate, economic impacts in Russia, and future range dynamics under global climate change have not yet been described. In Russia, these two species L. decemlineata and P. operculella were first reported in 1960 and 1980, respectively. In this study, we used ensemble modeling (eSDM) methods to predict the potential distribution of insect pests in Russia and found that with global climate change in the future, there will be a trend of range expansion in two directions, from south to north and from west to east. The histories of species spread in the world, current and potential ranges from 2020 to 2100 with a step of 20 years under different models and scenarios of climate change in Russia are presented. Information on native ranges, features of biology, characteristics of host plant damage and harmfulness, methods of species identification, vectors of invasion and estimation of economic damages is given. Predicted species ranges are important for developing measures to minimize future invasions of L. decemlineata and P. operculella and their harmful effects.

ALIEN POPULATION OF COMMON CARP CYPRINUS CARPIO (CYPRINIDAE) FROM A RESERVOIR IN THE PECHORA RIVER BASIN - Rafikov R.R. - This publication presents the morpho-biological description of the northernmost local population of common carp Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758 for the first time. This is one of the world's most famous alien fish species, which was recently discovered in a cooling pond (65°N, 58°E) in the middle stream of the Pechora River. The paper shows that of 7 alien fish species that inhabited the reservoir, only common carp and bleak Alburnus alburnus (Linnnaeus, 1758) formed stable breeding groups. The common carp population consists of three forms differing in the character of scale cover, among which the full scaly form dominates (about 90 % of catches). The linear growth rate of the scaly form is low. The weight growth rate can be assessed as minimal. The indicators of fluctuating asymmetry and morphological diversity in fish of the second and fourth years of life did not differ, which show the stability of early ontogenesis over time. It is concluded that there is no possibility of existence of its population outside the Pechora reservoir.

CHRONOGRAPHIC VARIABILITY OF MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE URAL POPULATION OF THE RACCOON DOG (NYCTEREUTES PROCYONOIDES) - Terekhova E.S., Korytin N.S., Ranyuk M.N. - Changes in craniometric traits of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in the samples from one locality separated by a 30-year time interval were analyzed. Small differences in both metric and non-metric cranial traits were found. Sexual dimorphism was expressed weakly. For a set of 13 metric traits, significant differences were found in young and adult males in samples separated by a 30-year time interval. No such differences were found in both young and adult females. Analysis of skull abberrations showed a slightly higher level of divergence for a number of traits. Several new phenes of non-metric traits, which were absent in the 1990s sample, were found among individuals captured in the 2020s, indicating a certain increase in diversity in the raccoon dog population over the 30-year period. A weak chronographic variability of cranial features compared to other species of Canidae was found, which was attributed by the authors to a number of physiological peculiarities of the raccoon dog.

ABOUT THE FINDING OF LOBELIA INFLATA L. (LOBELIACEAE) AND NEW LOCATIONS OF ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN THE PRIMORSKY TERRITORY - Fedina L.A., Malysheva S.K., Repin E.N. - Information on the locations of alien plant species in the places of their primary naturalization or from new localities in the Primorsky Territory (Far Eastern Federal District) is provided. For the first time the data are presented on an alien species new to the alien flora of Primorsky Territory and the Russian Far East – Lobelia inflata L. (Lobeliaceae), which is actively settling in the exposition areas of the arboretum of the V.L. Komarov Mining and Taiga Station of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Primorsky Territory, Ussuriysky City District). Currently, Lobelia inflata is beginning to penetrate into the natural cenoses adjacent to the introduced areas of the arboretum. New locations of 12 alien species of vascular plants have been established, including invasive species included in the Black Book of Flora of the Far East (2021): Berteroa incana (L.) DC., Centaurium pulchellum (Sw.) Druce, Impatiens parviflora DC., Lotus corniculatus L., Leontodon autumnalis L., Velarum officinale (L.) Reichenb.

THE HISTORY OF AUSTRALIA’S FERAL CAMELS - Borkens Y. - It is well known that Australia has a significant population of feral camels. However, few people know that Australia is home to the largest number of wild camels in the world. As an introduced species, they pose a significant threat to the Australian ecosystems. But why do so many camels live in Australia? The purpose of this presentation is to provide a historical account of the Australian camel population, including the timing of introduction and origin of the Australian individuals, the population development history of the different species, suitable habitats, species harvesting, ecological and economic impacts, and strategic considerations for future management.

BEGINNING OF THE INVASION OF IMPATIENS GLANDULIFERA (BALSAMINACEAE) IN ARMENIA - Fayvush G., Janjughazyan K., Hovhannisyan H., Aleksanyan A. - The intensive invasion of the species Impatiens glandulifera was discovered during a route survey organised in 2023 in the areas where potentially invasive alien plant species was already registered. As determined, the main population has been experiencing a substantial increase since 1991, going from just 10-15 individuals to around 500. Additionally, a separate population of this species was found over 6 km away from the initial locality with over 700 individuals. It is assumed that the species was introduced as an ornamental plant for cultivation on an erf, from where it “escaped” and naturalised in a semi-natural habitat. The paper presents history of the introduction, establishment as well as current status of the discovered populations in Armenia. Hence, further research and monitoring of the entire population are necessary to determine the vector of penetration, predict the further spread of this species, and develop control measures.

THE IMPACT OF SMALL-SCALE DISTURBANCES ON COMPOSITION AND DISTRIBUTION PATTERN OF NON-NATIVE PLANT SPECIES AND THEIR RISK ASSESSMENT ALONG THE FOREST'S ROADSIDE AND INTERIOR - Thakur B., Chetry A., Sarania B., Devi A. - The invasion and spread of non-native species pose significant threat to the ecological balance and structural stability of natural ecosystems, and this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the spatial distribution and richness of both native and non-native plant species in a tropical forest of Nameri National Park, India. A vegetation assessment using quadrat sampling was conducted with a focus on forest roads and the adjacent forest of the park. Further, the study also identified potential non-native invasive plant species for the park using invasion indices and risk assessment parameters. Overall, a total of 135 plant species were recorded during the survey, comprising 103 native species (50% herb, 13% shrub and 37% tree) and 32 non-native species (75% herb, and 25% shrub). Of the total non-native species, 93% were recorded on human trails, and 43% in adjacent forests. Notably, a decrease in the number of non-native species was observed as one moved deeper into the forest. This fluctuation in the occurrence of non-native plant species suggests that the dispersion of non-native propagules along roads significantly influences the forest landscape. Additionally, the study identified seven non-native species (22%) posing a high invasion risk. These species, with high and medium-level risk classifications, should be the primary focus of invasion prevention and control efforts. Priority should be given to controlling the spread of non-native species within the protected area, ensuring the preservation of the ecological integrity of Nameri National Park.