In Moscow, on the basis of the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, from August 23 to 25, 2023, the Fifteenth International Nematological Symposium of the Russian Society of Nematologists was held, dedicated to several significant dates: the 145th anniversary of the birth of academician Konstantin Ivanovich Scriabin, the 80th anniversary of the Center for Parasitology, the 30th anniversary of the Russian Society of Nematologists. More than 60 specialists from various organizations of the Russian Federation took part in the Symposium (M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS, Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology RAS, Institute of Biology KarRC RAS, Petrozavodsk, N.V. Tsitsin Main Botanical Garden RAS, All-Russian Research Institute of Parasitology - branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution FSC VIEV RAS, Center for Oceanography and Marine Biology "Moskvarium", Federal State Budgetary Institution "All-Russian Center for Plant Quarantine", A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center for Marine Biology FEB RAS, Far Eastern Federal University, "Federal Scientific Center for Biological Plant Protection", Krasnodar, A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas RAS, Sevastopol, Dagestan State University, Makhachkala). The symposium was attended by specialists from Kazakhstan (Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Institute of Zoology of the Science Committee, Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty), Belgium (Ghent University, Ghent), USA (Plant Pest Diagnostics Center, California Department of Food and Agriculture, USA), South Africa (Agricultural Research Council - Cereals Institute, Potchefstroom, Agricultural Research Council - Tropical and Subtropical Crops, Mbombela, North West University, Potchefstroom).
The work of the conference was structured within the framework of one plenary and 4 thematic sessions - plant nematodes, soil nematodes, sea nematodes and vertebrate nematodes, online sessions, poster sessions and schools of young scientists. In total, 29 reports were heard and 14 posters were presented.
The plenary session on August 23 was opened by the director of the Center for Parasitology, Doctor of Biological Sciences, prof. Spiridonov S.E. The proceedings were opened by Deputy Director of the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, corresponding member Surov A.V.
At the plenary session, a report on the development of nematological research at the Center for Parasitology of the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences from its foundation to the present day was made by S.E. Spiridonov, the head of the laboratory reported on the organization of phytoparasitological research at the Chernogolovka scientific laboratory. Phytoparasitology Center of Parasitology IEE RAS Pridannikov M.V., scientific reports were made by corresponding member of RAS Yushin V.V., Doctor of Biological Sciences A.Yu. Ryss. Dr. Nancy Ntidi from the Republic of South Africa, in her report, informed about the organization of phytoparasitological research in this country.
At 4 thematic and poster sections, reports were presented in several areas: phylogeny, diversity and ecology of nematodes and other Ecdysozoa; morphology, physiology and biochemistry of nematodes and other Ecdysozoa; communities of nematodes and other molting organisms as bioindicators of changes occurring in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; relationships in the “parasite-host” system; measures to control the number and regulate the harmfulness of economically significant and quarantine species of parasitic nematodes.
Specialists from the All-Russian Center for Plant Quarantine (FGBU VNIIKR), subordinate to Roselkhoznadzor, presented several reports on topics related to quarantine species of nematodes. Particularly noteworthy is the holding of a school of young scientists within the framework of the conference (leading schools are research associates L.A. Limantseva and R.V. Khusainov, Ph.D.), at which young researchers - students of the K.A. Timiryazev Moscow Agricultural Academy (6 reports).
The exhibition dedicated to the 145th anniversary of the birth of the founder of GELAN (now the Center for Parasitology), Academician K.I.Scriabin, aroused great interest among the symposium participants, as well as the 80th anniversary of the Center for Parasitology, prepared by employees of the Laboratory of Phytoparasitology R.V. Khusainva and V.V. Vulsonok.
On the final day, August 25, 2023, there was a trip to the scientific and experimental base of the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Chernogolovka. Here, participants were able to get acquainted with a rich collection of cats, which are being studied by scientists at the experimental base, and examine enclosures with lynxes, ferrets, sables, hedgehogs and camels. The symposium participants visited the
experimental base of the laboratory of phytoparasitology of the Central Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, created by the work of employees under the leadership of the head M.V. Pridannikov and got acquainted with the conditions for conducting research.
The international symposium gave participants the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the latest achievements in various fields of nematology, modern methods of studying nematodes, and present and discuss the results obtained. Discussing the current situation in the development of nematology in Russia, the Symposium participants noted the important role of the Russian Nematological Society and the Russian Nematological Journal in promoting and organizing nematological research and international cooperation.
The Symposium participants elected the leadership of the Russian Society of Nematologists. Of the society for 2023-2025, S.E. Spiridonov was elected President, M.V. Pridannikov as vice president, RON Secretary - E.A. Sokolov and the representative of RON in the International Federation of Nematological Societies - Yu.K. Zograf.
The next, 16th, RON Symposium is scheduled for 2025. It seems most likely that most of the Symposium will be held in Moscow (in various locations), with a trip to one of the cities of the Moscow region as a cultural program and to become familiar with natural and agrocenoses as habitats for nematodes.
Resolution on the XV Symposium of RON.
Author of the photo: Alexandra Komarnitskaya. All photos can be viewed in our group on VKontakte.