At the Leopard Recovery Center of the Sochi National Park, examinations have been completed for 5 animals preparing for release into nature. After two years of training at the Center, leopards received all the necessary skills for an independent life. Before release, each animal was equipped with a satellite collar, which will allow monitoring their movement and assessing adaptation. The exact place of release for each predator will be determined in the near future. What happened? On July 22, at the Leopard Recovery Center of the Sochi National Park, satellite collars were put on five leopards. This is a great milestone both for the Center and for the leopards themselves. For young predators, this is a ticket to the wild. Before receiving a collar, every leopard has undergone rigorous testing and exams. At the moment, 3 females and 2 males are prepared for release into the wild: Agura, Aibga, Kodor (parents Alous and Cheri), as well as Laba and Baksan (parents Zadig and Andrea). Surprisingly, all 5 graduates from both couples were born on the same day - 06/03/2018. How does it happen? First, the animals are immobilized by injecting veterinary drugs through syringes loaded into long-range rifles. After that, scientists promptly collect all the necessary information about a specific individual: weight, size and other parameters of the animal, check claws, fangs, take blood and fur for analysis, photograph patterns of spots on the skin of leopards. All this data is necessary in order to make sure that the animals are healthy, as well as to provide the data for the creation of the so-called "leopard passport". Thanks to such passports, in the future, it is possible to accurately identify an animal by traces of its vital activity or photographs from camera traps.

  The "Master of the Arctic" project is being implemented within the framework of cooperation between Rosprirodnadzor and the International Ecological Fund "Clean Seas". In addition, the Arctic Initiatives Center is actively involved in this work. The scientific program of the experiment was developed by the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IPEE RAS), whose specialists will directly participate in aviation surveys and in the subsequent processing of the data obtained. The head of Rosprirodnadzor, Svetlana Radionova, at a press conference held on July 21, 2020 at the RIA-Novosti press center dedicated to the "Master of the Arctic" project, said that the polar bear is one of the most beautiful and strong animals. He really is the master of the Arctic. However, polar bears are listed in the Red Book, meaning direct interference with the population in the wild is out of the question, which is why the department organized an exploratory expedition, based on the results of which further work will be drawn up to preserve the population. In addition to the head of Rosprirodnadzor, the press conference on the "Master of the Arctic" project was attended by Hero of the Soviet Union, Hero of Russia, pilot-cosmonaut, President of the Clean Seas Foundation Sergei Krikalev; Vyacheslav Rozhnov, Academician of RAS, Director of IPEE RAS; General Director of ANO Arctic Initiatives Andrey Patrushev; General Director of the Clean Seas Foundation Vasily Bogoslovsky; and Hero of Russia, test pilot, cosmonaut, chief pilot of the expedition Valery Tokarev.

Russian scientists, together with colleagues from the State University of New York at Buffalo, studied the phylogeography, evolutionary rate, and species diversity of cladocerans of the Daphnia curvirostris complex. The sequences of four genes of this complex were studied and the existence of twelve separate species was confirmed. A previously unknown group of four rare species was found in the Far East. Scientists have found that these animals are endangered as a result of human activity. The researchers spoke about the results of the work on the pages of the prestigious zoological publication Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. The study was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (RSF). Daphnia curvirostris is a complex of Holarctic Cladocera species. These species are common in freshwater bodies of the Palaearctic, the largest of the zoogeographic regions of the planet. “Our work is devoted to the revision of one of the most common groups of cladocerans - Daphnia curvirostris sensu lato, that is, in a broad sense. The team studied the genetic and morphological features of the populations of these animals throughout their modern range. Our research has made a great contribution to the study of the biological diversity of continental water bodies of the Palaearctic, ”says Aleksey Kotov, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Chief Researcher at the A. N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The Lake Baikal Foundation signed an agreement with the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS (IPEE RAS) to conduct serological and hormonal studies of the biomaterial of the Baikal seal, which was collected during the expedition in 2019, and also transferred part of the necessary funds. This is already the third agreement between the Baikal Foundation and IPEE RAS, aimed at developing research on the Baikal seal. The joint work of the Lake Baikal Foundation and IPEE RAS began with the initiation by the Foundation of the development of a comprehensive scientific program for the study of the Baikal seal and its habitat in 2018 in order to find innovative approaches to the registration and study of the Baikal seal and to provide expert recommendations for the conservation of the population. The second agreement, signed by the parties in 2019, was aimed at supporting a ten-day expedition with the purpose of studying and satellite tagging of the Baikal seal, during which 15 seals were tagged and 174 samples of biological material from 23 seals were collected using non-invasive and minimally invasive methods. This year, cooperation between the Foundation and IPEE RAS is aimed at analyzing the collected biomaterial and is a systematic and logical continuation of the work done for the competent preservation of a unique animal.

Well-known Russian ornithologist, researcher at the A.N.Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS, candidate of biological sciences Sophia Rosenfeld worked for a week in the Nizhnekolymsky region of Yakutia. Together with the pilot Georgy Kirtaev on a small amphibious aircraft, they were engaged in aerial survey of geese. Journalist Alexei Kurilo interviewed her for the SakhaNews news agency, and this is what Sofya Borisovna reported: - There are many hunters in Yakutia, and they think this way: the birds flew by, we shot them, and they flew away somewhere. Where did they go? How many are there? Global trends are such that migratory birds do not belong to any country. They are not yours, they are not ours, they don’t belong to any of the continents. They hibernate in one country, fly through many countries, breed in Yakutia. And if for moose, wild boars, and some large mammals there are some quotas, there are some accounts, then the matter is much more complicated with migratory birds. We are asked the question: how do you count them? Here international cooperation is already necessary: birds do not recognize borders and do not understand political relations between countries. And it turns out that we do not know much. We do not have any accounting, monitoring. In all large countries of the world, more or less developed, there are accounts of the birds, and we are just beginning to approach this topic. And we are now trying to introduce aerial surveys of waterfowl, as well as cranes, owls, and large Arctic birds.

The site "My Planet" published an article by N.Yu. Feaktistova, d. N., scientific secretary of the A. N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS, about what animals know and remember their parents. Animals not only do not know their ancestors, but can also mate with them. Nevertheless, there are behavioral models where babies come into contact with the elderly and may even be cared for by them. For example, bear familial units often have cubs from an earlier litter that help take care of the younger ones, showing them the ropes. But it rather resembles the relationship between older and younger siblings. Orcas live in large families, led by the females. Daughters do not leave their mothers, even when they produce their own offspring. The males prefer to stay in the family as well. Moreover, among killer whales the mothers and grandmothers are trying in every possible way to take care of their sons and grandchildren: they help them hunt, they support them during conflicts with other individuals. After all, the longer the male lives, the more offspring he will leave! Scientists suggest that it is due to the need to take care of the younger generation that killer whales have a long post-reproductive life span. Although in most mammals it is limited by the period of fertility. But to compare these relationships with the attitude of grandmothers and grandchildren would not be correct. In nature, a different principle applies: the elders take care of the younger ones. And it is not necessary for them to be relatives. For example, when an older female chimpanzee sees that a younger individual cannot take care of the cubs, it may as well pick them up to nurture them herself.

Instects magazine published a scientific article by M.Ya. Benkovskaya and A.O. Benkovsky on the belonging of two populations of ladybugs to one species. The scientific and information portal Search described in detail the essence of the study and posted a comment of the project manager Marina Yakovlevna Benkovskaya, Doctor of Biological Sciences, senior researcher at the A. N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, RAS. Russian researchers have studied the type of ladybugs - Chilocorus kuwanae, - which has been used to control pests for more than a century. It was previously believed that the native land of this species is Asia, and another related ladybug lives in Europe. However, the study of signs of body structure and statistical processing of the results showed that these two populations belong to the same species. The study demonstrates how important animal identification is using precise quantitative methods and statistical processing. The data obtained also indicate the need for reassessment of the effectiveness of measures related to the importation of individuals of this species. The work was published in the journal Insects. Research is supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation.

This year, the Scientific-Experimental Base “Chernogolovka” of IPEE RAS celebrates its 45th anniversary! We have prepared a small report (see video report under the text) about the workings of the base at the moment and the scientific research conducted there. The scientific-experimental base "Chernogolovka" is located approximately in 60 kilometers from Moscow. Its location in the forest prevents onlookers and curious locals from interacting with the animals kept there. The base is located in a dense forest, with minimal interference into the wildlife, paths connecting the houses of scientists and cages, kennels and fenced areas in which animals are kept. Despite the fact that the base is far from the city, the scientific life does not stop on weekdays or weekends. Employees of the IPEE RAS can be stationed at the base comfortably - even on weekends. The results of their research at the base are published in international scientific journals. Several types of animals are studied at the base. However, the spectrum of research is similar - first of all, the study of animal behavior and its formation in ontogenesis, their communication, the biology of reproduction and hybridization, and environmental physiology. Based on the study of these aspects, rare breeding technologies are being developed for their conservation.

On June 17, 2020, while diving in the Black Sea, Alice Kosyan, a researcher at the Laboratory of Morphology and Ecology of Invertebrates, passed away. Alice was born and spent her childhood in Gelendzhik, graduated from the Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University. While studying, Alice began to research marine predatory gastropods. She was not only a student gifted in science, but also distinguished by her breadth of education and musical abilities (she played in the student theater of Moscow State University). In 2003, she graduated with honors from the Faculty of Biology and entered the graduate school of our Institute, and after defense she was enrolled in the Laboratory of Morphology and Ecology of Marine Invertebrates. Alice mastered morphological, histological, hydrobiological research methods already in her student years. She worked intensively and enthusiastically. During her short scientific career, she had published more than 30 articles in scientific journals, including leading international ones, mainly on taxonomy, morphology and ecology of various groups of the Buccinidae family. Only this year two have been released. Alice worked on other projects, having a lot planned for the future. Alice was distinguished by rare benevolence and equilibrium. She was a beautiful and gentle mother and devoted a lot of time and effort to raising her daughter Sonya. Perhaps not everyone knew that Alice devoted a huge part of her money and mental strength to the benefit of children from dysfunctional families. She always helped people through action, kind words, and advice. She also helped homeless animals, took home and treated stray cats, and arranged for dogs to be taken in by good families.

The developments by IPEE RAS of artificial nests-incubators of salmon caviar were included in the list of Russian studies that are changing the world. The list of Russian scientists whose research is known all over the world and whose inventions have successfully integrated into the real sector of the economy, was prepared by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. Artificial incubator nests for salmon caviar In the laboratory of fish and aquatic invertebrate ecology of the Institute of Biology, FIC “Karelian Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences” together with the staff of the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS is developing technical solutions for the reproduction of valuable salmon fish in the natural conditions of rivers, an alternative method for the factory reproduction of ichthyofauna. More than 10 types of artificial caviar incubator nests of various designs and capacities have been developed, adapted for the reproduction of both noble salmon of the Salmo genus (Atlantic salmon, brown trout), and for the entire group of Pacific salmon of the Oncorhynchus genus. The devices have been tested and are used on the rivers of the Republic of Karelia, the Murmansk and Sakhalin Regions, the Kamchatka Territory; the devices have been used in the Republic of Belarus. Currently, a new development is being introduced at the stage of “incubation complex of extra-plant breeding”, which allows intensively reproducing salmon species of fish in small spawning rivers where the construction of a hatchery is not practical. Unique equipment for the extraction of bitumen oil

Drobyshev Yuliy Ivanovich, Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Ecology of Arid Territories, A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ph.D., Candidate of Historical Sciences, conducted a lesson "Educational research: from design to implementation" for students who signed up for distance-intensive "Environmental activism or how I can help nature." Classes are held by the Federal Children's Ecological and Biological Center. During classes, the students learn how to: - conduct real research - shoot videos - create a guide or sightseeing route around their region - choose a profession related to their interests - present their work   More information here:  https://kamddt.ru/novosti/ekologicheskiy-aktivizm-ili-kak-mogu-pomoch-prirode_20200615/ 

Candidate of Biological Sciences, Researcher at the Laboratory of Soil Zoology and General Entomology of the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS Potapov Anton Mikhailovich received a medal and a prize of the Russian Academy of Sciences for a series of works “The structure of energy flows in detrital food networks”. You can familiarize yourself with the Order on awarding medals of the Russian Academy of Sciences with prizes for young scientists of Russia and for students of higher educational institutions of Russia following the results of the 2019 competition (submission of the RAS Commission for Work with Scientific Youth) by clicking the link.

The E.N. Pavlovsky prize of 2020 was awarded to Doctor of Biological Sciences Sergey Spiridonov from the A.N.Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of RAS. The scientist was noted for a series of works "Systematics and phylogeny of nematodes parasitizing in invertebrates." The presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences awarded the Doctor of Biological Sciences Arkady Balushkin the gold medal of L.S. Berg in 2020. The employee of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences received the award for a series of works on the morphology, systematics, and historical biogeography of Antarctic fish. The Yu.A. Israel gold medal in 2020 will be received by the Doctor of physical and mathematical sciences Sergei Semenov (Institute of Global Climate and Ecology named after academician Yu.A. Israel) for the cycle of works "Greenhouse gases and climate change".

We are pleased to announce that a publication was released in Biology Letters with the participation of employees of the IPEE RAS on the seasonal movements of bowhead whales in the Spitsbergen population. This population, once the largest in the world, was virtually exterminated by whaling in the 17th-19th centuries. 20 years ago it was believed that the whales’ population dwindled to less than 100 individuals. In the last two decades, with the increase in the number of research flights in the Atlantic sector of the Arctic, the researchers have acquired new data on these species of whales. Solely north of Svalbard in 2015, the estimated number of bowhead whales was 343 (CI 136–862). Sightings of this species are regularly recorded in the waters of Franz Josef Land, several individuals were recorded in the Kara Sea. In May-June 2017, an international team of scientists led by the Norwegian Polar Institute installed 16 satellite tags in the Fram Strait on the eastern shelf of Greenland. The data obtained made it possible to make clearer estimations of the range of the population, the nature of its seasonal movements and the peculiarities of using the water area in different seasons. Photos by Svetlana Artemieva, IPEE RAS  

This year marks the hundredth anniversary of the report of Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov on "The law of homologous series in variation”. This report was voiced by Nikolai Ivanovich at the Third All-Russian Selection Congress in Saratov on June 4, 1920. The law of homologous series in variation was printed as a separate pamphlet published on the occasion of the report(1). A detailed version of the concept of the law was published in 1922 in English in a leading international genetic journal.(2) This edition, translated back into Russian, became the basis for subsequent reprints of the work of N.I. Vavilov. References and texts of the first three publications are summarized in a separate volume of works of the anniversary five-volume edition issued by the publishing house Science for the 100th anniversary of N.I. Vavilov.(3) Our institute has historical connections with the period of active work and the legacy of academician N.I. Vavilov. Initially, we were housed in the same building as a group of academic institutes of biological and chemical profiles, including the Institute of Genetics, led by N.I. Vavilov before the ill-fated arrest in 1940, repression and the death of the scientist in the Saratov prison. A print with the inscription of Vavilov to the first director of our Institute, academician A.N. Severtsov is kept in the academic library in the building on 33 Leninsky Prospekt. The next director, academician I.I. Schmalhausen in 1940, published the work of the head of the animal evolution sector, Professor S.N. Bogolyubsky (4), which was directly related to the N.I. Vavilov Law of homological series and later reissued.

While the resources of the global scientific community are concentrated on the development of the vaccine and the methods of treatment of COVID-19, the specialists in the field of sensory physiology are leading massive research of the influence of the infection on the functionality of hemosensory systems, i.e. smell, taste and trigeminal sensitivity of the oral cavity. In response to the global pandemic of COVID-19 the Global Consortium for Chemosensory Research (GCCR) https://gcchemosensr.org/ has been created to unite the efforts of more than 600 researchers from 52 countries. The Russian scientists have not stayed aside. The researchers of the IPEE RAS have joined the work of the Global Consortium. Through the use of crowdsourcing, starting from 22th of April more than 30 thousand responses have been received from the global survey. The first results of research, based on the survey of 4039 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in more than 40 countries including Russia have been outlined in the following article on the site of merdrxiv: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.04.20090902v2

Over the past 30 years, there has been a global decrease in the number of insects on land, but there is ongoing recovery in fresh waters. An analysis of long-term insect abundance studies shows that the number of terrestrial insects in the world is declining. On average, the global decline is 0.92% per year, which corresponds to approximately 24% over 30 years. At the same time, the number of insects living in fresh water increases annually by an average of 1.08%. Despite the average values, the trends on different continents vary greatly, and in areas where human exposure is minimized, trends are less pronounced. These are the results of the largest study to date on the change in the number of insects, including 1,676 research points around the world, published in the journal Science. The study was conducted by scientists from the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), the University of Leipzig (UL), and the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution (RAS), Moscow State University and several other organizations. It fills key gaps in knowledge in the context of the widely discussed issue of reducing insect numbers.

Our Observation of the Week is this possibly undescribed Gasteracantha spider, seen in Vietnam by @ivanovdg19! Another Observation of the Week and, like so many before it, the organism in question is not a taxon which the observer studies or specializes in. Which I think is one of the coolest parts about iNat - it opens up our eyes to things we might never had noticed before. Dmitry Ivanov is a life-long nature lover, and tells me has “been fond of observation and natural photography since childhood. At first, I was interested in insects, then mushrooms and lichens. As a result, I studied as a soil ecologist, which is what I am now.”