Russian Journal of Biological Invasions

2025, issue №1

CONTENTS

MODELING THE POTENTIAL SPREAD OF ALIEN TERRESTRIAL SNAILS IN EASTERN EUROPE - Adamova V.V.  - The paper presents a prediction of the spread of nine alien land snail species (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Stylommatophora) in the European part of Russia and adjacent territories. Climate variables, land use type and extended vegetation index were selected as predictors. The potential spread of each species was modeled. The habitat suitability for different numbers of alien species was identified on the study area. An analysis of the potential ranges overlap has shown which species can co-colonize new territories for them. In general, the most favorable habitat conditions for the studied species are determined in the Black Sea region, the Azov region, the Caucasus, the Podolsk Upland, the Middle Danube and Lower Danube lowlands. The association of alien land snail species with modified landscapes by man impact has been confirmed.

DYNAMICS OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN EPIBIOTIC COMMUNITIES OF THE INTRODUCED RED KING CRAB FROM THE BARENTS SEA - Dvoretsky A.G., Dvoretsky V.G.  - The results of a comparative analysis of epibiotic communities of the introduced Barents Sea red king crabs are presented according to long-term studies carried out in the waters of the Dalnezelenetskaya Bay. There was a two-fold increase in species richness in the period from 2004 to 2013. There was an increase in the prevalence and mean intensity of infestation. The increase in biodiversity indices is explained by the expansion of symbionts due to the appearance of both new rare epibionts and new common symbionts, in particular, copepods. Changes in the structure of epibiotic communities are associated with the ongoing adaptation of the red king crab to the conditions of the Barents Sea, and the dynamics of population indices is associated with the changes in size and age structure of the local crab population and interspecific relationships between symbionts.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OUTBREAKS OF SMALL SPRUCE BARK BEETLE IPS AMITINUS (EICHHOFF) (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE, SCOLYTINAE) IN SIBERIAN STONE PINE FORESTS OF WEST SIBERIAN PLANE - Demidko D.A., Kerchev I.A., Bisirova E.M., Kulakov S.S., Smirnov N.A., Chernova N.A.  - The influence of the local conditions on invasive small spruce bark beetle Ips amitinus (Eichhoff) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) populations and on Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) trees vitality have been investigated. The field works were carried out in the Siberian stone pine forests near settlements (semi-artificial high-productive stands) of Tomsk oblast damaged by I. amitinus outbreak. On eleven plots the population characteristics and reproductive success of the bark beetle, Siberian stone pine vitality, stand attributes (e.g, age, height and diameter), presence of rot and canker diseases, phytosociological characteristics (as a proxy of soil moisture and fertility), dendrochronological features (as a proxy of weather impact) were measured. By principal component analysis for mixed data and by linear regression with or without mixed effects, we have analyzed the relationships structure between measured features. It was obtained that I. amitinus populations and Siberian stone pine vitality during the bark beetle outbreak influenced by several parallel processes. The long-term decrease of Siberian stone pine stands resistance is provoked by aging and low soil fertility. This decrease leads both to more frequent small spruce bark beetles attacks and to higher population density (harems per dm^–2). Another cause of population density increasing is high variance of Siberian stone pine height along with short-term stresses triggered by shortage of precipitation in early growing season. In such a situation the number of suitable microstations of I. amitinus, i.e., stressed trees with well-lit crone, increased. The frequency of the trees attacked by small spruce bark beetle (m³ ha^–1) positively related with Siberian stone pine total volume per hectare. The review of literature about natural Siberian stone pine forests in taiga zone allow us to propose low likelihood of I. amitinus outbreaks under these conditions. Such forests in taiga have a lot of differences from P. sibirica semi-artificial forests near settlements, and these differences are unfavorable for the small spruce bark beetle. In the native south- and middle-taiga forests the risk of the bark beetle outbreaks is high with the correspondence of several criteria. First, the Siberian stone pine stands must be old-grown with a high variance of age. It is only possible if the stand is undisturbed. Second, the soil must be moderately dry. The possible exception is forests under acute stress, like defoliation or fire. I. amitinus may impact the undisturbed Siberian stone pine stands as a consequence of migration from such stressed forests.

THE IMPACT OF AMELANCHIER SPICATA (ROSACEAE) ON THE NATURAL REGENERATION OF PINE FORESTS IN THE OREKHOVO-ZUYEVSKY FORESTRY OF THE MOSCOW REGION - Zakharov V.P.- The natural renewal of forest plantations depends on the composition, closeness and other parameters of the lower tiers. The younger generation of woody plants is also influenced by invasive species naturalizing in natural ecosystems. During the work on the registration of renewal carried out in the Orekhovo-Zuyevsky forestry of the Moscow Region, the naturalization of Amelanchier spicata in the structure of pine forests with the formation of dense and impenetrable undergrowth was noted in the trial areas. Assumptions were formulated about the causes of this phenomenon caused by the combined effects of climate change and the influence of economic activity on the structure of forest ecosystems. Data have been obtained indicating that the overgrowth of Amelanchier spicata under the canopy of a stand has a negative impact both on the emergence of new generations of pine renewal and on the development of existing small and medium-sized undergrowth. It is noted that in the areas of forest plantations, despite favorable conditions, the spread and negative impact of Amelanchier spicata are restrained by regular measures for the care of forest plants. It was made a conclusion about the necessity of the further study of the processes of naturalization of Amelanchier spicata in pine and derived plantations on poor soils against the background of climate changes in order to determine the optimal forestry methods that ensure the natural alternation of generations of the tree layer and the preservation of forest plants.

DISTRIBUTION, HARMFULNESS AND BIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF AN INVASIVE SPECIES OF THE CHESTNUT MINING MOTH (CAMERARIA OHRIDELLA DESCHKA & DIMIC) (LEPIDOPTERA, GRACILLARIIDAE) IN LENINGRAD AND SURROUNDING REGIONS - Kaplin V.G. - The chestnut leaf miner was found in Vologda, Veliky Novgorod and in all districts of the Leningrad Region, with the exception of Podporozhsky and Lodeynopolsky, and was not found in Petrozavodsk in Karelia. In the Leningrad Region, chestnut damage by Cameraria ohridella caterpillars was highest in its central part from Volkhov to Kirovsk, Vsevolozhsk, St. Petersburg, Zelenogorsk, Oranienbaum and Sosnovy Bor; in the west – in Gatchina, Volosovo and Kingisepp; and in the south – in Kirishi and in Luga. In 2024 the maximum damage to chestnut leaves by chestnut leaf miner caterpillars was recorded in Vsevolozhsk (75–100, 93.4% on average). The lowest damage (0.8–1.3%) to leaves was observed in the north of the region in the Vyborg and Priozersk districts, as well as in the eastern districts: Tikhvin (2.5%) and Boksitogorsk (0.2%) and in Vologda (1.2%) with an average January temperature below −9 °C. In the Vyborg and Priozersk districts, the chestnut moth developed in two; in the Tikhvin, Boksitogorsk districts and in Vologda - in one, and in the remaining districts of the Leningrad Region - in three full generations per year. For the first time the differences in the biological characteristics of the development of 6th and 7th instar chestnut moth caterpillars, an increase in the size of moth caterpillars in cooler climates, as well as the main factors in the spread of C. ohridella in the Leningrad Region were also established.

FEEDING CHARACTERISTICS OF LEPOMIS GIBBOSUS (L., 1758) AT DIFFERENT AGES IN LIMNIC AND LOTTIC RESERVOIRS OF THE DONETSK RIDGE  - Koval E.S., Volgina N.V. - The paper presents information about the feeding characteristics of sun perch in the reservoirs of the Donetsk ridge. A change in the species composition of forage objects and the intensity of fish nutrition depending on their age and the characteristics of the reservoirs of the Donetsk ridge was revealed. As found in our research, age-dependent changes in the composition of feed objects occur in Lepomis gibbosus as follows: at the age of 0+ – 100% zooplankton, 1+ and older – macrobenthos and Pisces. Since the 2nd year of life, Lepomis gibbosus has been prone to predation and cannibalism. At the same time, the intensity of feeding of individuals by the age of 5+ increases by 3 times compared with fingerlings. In addition, the reservoirs of the Donetsk ridge are marked by different feeding conditions for Lepomis gibbosus: for individuals aged 0+ and 1+, the food supply is richer in Grabov Island, at an older age – in the Seversky Donets, Aidar and Mius rivers, because in limnic reservoirs the conditions contribute to the development of zooplankton and macrobenthos, in the lothian ones the water flow limits the volume of aquatic vegetation.

FIRST REPORT OF THE HONEYLOCUST PODGALL MIDGE DASINEURA GLEDITCHIAE (OSTEN SACKEN, 1866) (DIPTERA: CECIDOMYIIDAE) IN VORONEZH, RUSSIA - Kornev I.I., Aksenenko E.V., Kondratyeva A.M. - In June 2024, for the first time in Voronezh City and Voronezh Region (Russia), galls of the honeylocust podgall midge Dasineura gleditchiae (Osten Sacken, 1866) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) were recorded on honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.). When opening the galls, one to three larvae were found, as well as empty pupal exuviae. Adults were reared from collected larvae and pupae in the laboratory. No parasites of the honey locust gall midge were found.

<<< To Contents

Download .pdf

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PECULIARITIES OF WOODY AND HERBAL INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES UNDER STRESS CONDITIONS - Lukatkin A.S., Sharkaeva E.Sh.  - We studied the short-term effect of stress factors (high and low temperatures, drought) on lipid peroxidation (LPO), the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, ascorbate-peroxidase (APO)) and the state of the photosynthetic apparatus (PSA) according to the characteristics of chlorophyll fluorescence (PC) in leaves of young plants of woody and herbaceous invasive species - American maple (Acer negundo L.), Pennsylvania ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.), Canadian horseweed (Erigeron canadensis L.), and wild cucumber (Echinocystis lobata L.), spreading intensively in Mordovia Republic. It was shown that the responses were different in woody and herbaceous invasive plants. Herbaceous species showed higher resistance to abiotic stressors as compared to woody ones. It has been suggested that the resistance of the antioxidant system and PSA of alien species to environmental stress factors is one of the reasons for the high invasive ability of these plants.

PAINTED MAPLE APHID (DREPANAPHIS ACERIFOLIAE) AND BLACK-BORDERED OAK APHID (MYZOCALLIS WALSHII) (HEMIPTERA: APHIDIDAE) – NEW ALIEN INVASIVE SPECIES FOR THE FAUNA OF RUSSIA - Martynov V.V., Gubin A.I., Nikulina T.V. - Two Nearctic aphid species Drepanaphis acerifoliae (Thomas, 1878) and Myzocallis (Lineomyzocallis) walshii (Monell, 1879) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were reported for the fauna of Russia from urban plantings of Donetsk, Mariupol, and Berdyansk for the first time. The identified species are monoecious holocyclic and trophically associated with introduced North American tree species. Within their secondary range D. acerifoliae and M. walshii are monophagous, with D. acerifoliae feeding on the leaves of Acer saccharinum L. and M. walshii – on the leaves of Quercus rubra L. Feeding on other introduced and autochthonous species of Quercus L. and Acer L. genera in collection of the Donetsk Botanical Garden was not noted. Also on Q. rubra, the feeding of the native European species Tuberculatus (s. str.) querceus (Kaltenbach, 1843) was first recorded, and the feeding of Lachnus roboris (Linnaeus, 1758) was revealed on Q. rubra in Russia for the first time. Colonies of D. acerifoliae and M. walshii were not attended by ants, and no predators or parasitoids were recorded. At this stage of invasion, the identified species do not exhibit significant harmfulness, apart from leaf contamination with sugary secretions. However, population dynamics require monitoring. Given the widespread use of silver maple and red oak in ornamental landscaping and afforestation, it is likely that D. acerifoliae and M. walshii are more widely distributed throughout the European part of Russia than currently documented.

MORPHOMETRIC VARIABILITY OF THE AMERICAN MINK (NEOGALE VISON) IN EURASIA - Stepanova V.V., Mamaev N.V., Sidorov M.M., Okhlopkov I.M.  - The article presents a comparative analysis of morphometric parameters of the American mink in Eurasia; correlation and regression analyses of the main morphological parameters allowing us to judge about the peculiarities of dimensional variability of the species (body length, weight, condylobasal length of the skull, zygomatic width of the skull) with macroclimatic predictors were carried out. According to the results of the analysis, we can see a stable trend of fluctuating geographical variability of morphological traits of the American mink of Eurasia from the west to the east towards a decrease in the main metric parameters of the mink. According to the results of correlation analysis, the body mass of the Eurasian American mink is significantly correlated with the average annual air temperature and humidity, as well as with the maximum height of snow cover. The chronographic variability of American mink inhabiting extreme conditions of Yakutia for 40-50 years with the tendency of increasing tail length and condylobasal skull length in both sexes is revealed.

OVERVIEW OF MECHANISMS UNDERLYING THE EARLY STAGES OF PHYTOPHAGOUS INSECT TRANSITION TO ALIEN PLANTS - Ustinova E.N., Lysenkov S.N. - Alien plants, when introduced into an ecosystem, can become new food sources for native phytophagous insects. However, in the early stages of invasion, insects are often not adapted to utilizing these plants. This paper examines the adaptive mechanisms of phytophagous insects during their host shift to new plants. Morphological, physiological, and behavioral changes necessary for exploiting a new food resource are described. Physiological adaptations may include changes in gene expression, particularly detoxification and digestive enzymes, mutations in detoxifying enzymes that increase metabolic efficiency, mutations in toxin target sites, and increased resistance through horizontal gene transfer or associations with microbiota. Possible scenarios for phytophagous insect transition to alien host plants are discussed, depending on the relative rates of development of physiological and behavioral adaptations in the insect population.

COMPLEMENT TO THE ALIEN FLORA OF THE KABARDINO-BALKAR REPUBLIC - Tsepkova N.L., Chadaeva V.A., Sabirova Y.M. - The paper contains information on the find of Sicyos angulatus L. (Cucurbitaceae), a new alien species in the Kabardino-Balkar Republic. S. angulatus, a quarantine plant species of the Eurasian Economic Union, was found on one of the streets of the city of Nalchik. We noted an active spread of the species within the territory of one of the households. Since the publication of regional reports on alien flora in 2019-2021, new locations of eight invasive plant species of Kabardino-Balkaria have been established. The range of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.and Erigeron annuus was expanded at the upper altitude boundaries of species occurrence in the mountains (2000-2300 m above the sea level). According to monitoring results, the invasive status of Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. & A. Gray., Bidens frondosa L., Euphorbia humifusa Willd., Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn was changed due to the massive spread of the species. Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop., and Vitis vinifera L. were suggested to include in the list of invasive species of the region.

NEW HOSTS AND RECORDS OF THE ALIEN ASIAN ANCHOR WORM LERNAEA CYPRINACEA LINNAEUS, 1758 (CRUSTACEA: COPEPODA) IN MOROCCO - El Caidi S., Taybi A.F., Mabrouki Y.  - The issue of biological invasions represents a significant global challenge, with invasive species causing considerable losses of biodiversity and disruption to the functioning of ecosystems. Furthermore, alien species can facilitate the introduction of alien and invasive parasites, which can lead to the emergence of novel host-parasite relationships and, consequently, the alteration of the structure of native communities. In this paper, we provide the first record of the Asian anchor worm Lernaea cyprinacea Linnaeus, 1758, in northern Morocco, affecting two endemic freshwater fish species i.e. the Moroccan barb Carasobarbus fritschii Günther, 1874, and the Moroccan spiny loach Cobitis maroccana Pellegrin, 1929. The infected fishes were found at two different locations in the Sebou stem, demonstrating the gradual spread of the parasitic copepod through the country's northern watersheds. The Asian anchor worm represents an additional threat to these vulnerable fish species, increasing their vulnerability to predation and other environmental and anthropogenic stresses.

MONOGENEA ON EXOTIC INDIAN FRESHWATER FISH. 6. CO-INTRODUCTION OF CICHLIDOGYRUS SCLEROSUS (PLATYHELMINTHES: MONOGENEA) WITH AN INVASIVE NILE TILAPIA OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS (TELEOSTEI: CICHLIDAE) - Matey C., Singh S., Prakash S., Tripath A. - Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) is one of the most widespread invasive fish species and is host to a plethora of pathogens and parasites. However, no information is available about the health status or infectious diseases of either cultured or wild O. niloticus in India. This article provides the first report of Cichlidogyrus sclerosus, an exotic monogenean (platyhelminth) parasite, from wild O. niloticus in north India. Partial sequence data from the 28S rRNA gene fragments and the 18S-ITS1 region corroborated the initial determination based on morphological characteristics. The potential impact of parasite assemblage of invasive O. niloticus, including C. sclerosus, are discussed.

RISK ASSESSMENT, POTENTIAL DISTRIBUTION, AND PUBLIC INTEREST OF ALLERGENIC WEED, COMMON RAGWEED AMBROSIA ARTEMISIIFOLIA L., INVASIVE TO SOUTH AFRICA - Tinyiko C. Shivambu, Moleseng C. Moshobane, Ndivhuwo Shivambu, Takalani Nelufule, Nimmi Seoraj-Pillai, Tshifhiwa C. Nangammbi - Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., commonly known as common ragweed, is one of the world's widely distributed invasive vascular proliferous weed plants. The establishment of this plant is mainly associated with myriad introductory pathways, which is worrisome given that the species is expanding globally, including countries with limited resources. In this study, we use the Australian Weed Risk Assessment (AWRA) to determine the potential impacts of common ragweed in South Africa. Species distribution modelling (SDM) was applied to determine areas likely to be climatically suitable for this weed under current and future climatic scenarios. Lastly, we used Google Trend analysis to examine the global interest of online public members regarding invasive ragweed topics. The AWRA score was high (32/49) for this weed, suggesting high risk, particularly in the environment (Score: 23) and agricultural production sectors (Score: 24). Our SDM revealed that A. artemisiifolia has wide climatic tolerance and both current and future scenarios showed slight changes in predictions. Google trend analysis showed that common ragweed was the most trending term, with the highest relative search hits (100%) between 2004 and 2009. Common ragweeds and weeds (both ranked 100%) were the most related search queries, followed by ragweed allergy and allergies, with relative hits ranked 74% and 54%, respectively. Of the 17 countries and one island, the United States of America, Austria, Canada, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon Islands had the highest relative search hits, ranging between 75% and 100%. Our results recommended prioritising this species for clearing due to its high risk to the recipient system and climatic suitability. It is worth mentioning that incorporating Google trends in this study provided a vital understanding of human interest and behaviour towards invasive common ragweed on a global scale. We, therefore, recommended that common ragweed be included in the national list of prohibited species so that management and surveillance for early detection are provided before it expands to uninvaded ranges.

INVESTIGATING THE DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, HABITATS AND CONTROL OF BUR CUCUMBER SICYOS ANGULATUS (CUCURBITACEAE), AN INVASIVE ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN TURKEY - Terzioglua S., Coskuncelebib K., Baskent E.Z. - Bur cucumber (Sicyos angulatus L.) is a significant invasive alien plant species in the Black Sea region, increasingly threatening agricultural fields and crops as well as unmanaged areas. This study investigates the distribution and community status of bur cucumber within the regional flora. A comprehensive field survey was conducted, encompassing 313 sample plots through field observations and direct engagement with local communities. A spatial database was established to document data from each plot, including coordinates, elevation, date, local area, plant abundance, ground cover-abundance ratio, species phenology, and the presence of climbing plants. Results revealed that bur cucumber coexists with 411 vascular plant species across 13 EUNIS habitat types, including several endemic and rare species such as Dianthus carmelitarum Reut. ex Boiss. and Heracleum platytaenium Boiss. An action plan employing a combination of mechanical and chemical methods to ensure effective control was developed to guide stakeholders in mitigating the ongoing invasion of bur cucumber, particularly impacting economically important crops like tea, hazelnut, and kiwi. The proposed strategies provide a practical framework for controlling and preventing further proliferation of this invasive species. Collaborative efforts among relevant institutions are essential for managing invaded habitats, especially in dumping sites and abandoned areas.