Zoodiversity

Helminth Community of Wintering Greater White-Fronted Geese, Anser albifrons (Anseriformes, Anatidae) in the South of Ukraine

O. Greben — 2025-10-15

Twenty-one specimens of greater white-fronted geese Anser albifrons (Scopoli, 1769) from the Odesa Region in southern Ukraine were examined using parasitological methods. All of the geese were infected with helminths, with nematodes present in 100% of cases. A total of 15 helminth species were identified, comprising six species of nematode, five species of trematode and four species of cestode. The greater white-fronted goose was recorded as a new host for four species: Echinostoma nordiana, Echinostoma sarcinum, Microsomacanthus paramicrosoma and Heterakis gallinarum. Four monoxenous nematode species, Trichostrongylus tenuis, Amidostomum anseris, Amidostomum spatulatum, and Epomidostomum orispinum, predominated in the helminth community according to their prevalence and abundance. Two congeneric species, A. spatulatum and A. anseris, demonstrated a negative interspecific association. Three species, E. orispinum, A. spatulatum, and T. tenuis, were found with a prevalence higher than 80%. In contrast, trematode and cestode infections were low, likely due to the absence of invertebrates, their intermediate hosts in the greater white-fronted geese’s diet during the winter season.

Scanning Electron Microscopy Provides a Novel Method to Map Abdominal Musculature in Archaeognatha (Insecta)

N. Matushkina — 2025-10-08

Using scanning electron microscopy, previously overlooked cuticle modifications were revealed in the attachment points of skeletal musculature of Trigoniophthalmus simplex (Insecta, Archaeognatha, Machilidae). These findings demonstrate that SEM may serve as an indirect approach for rapidly and precisely mapping complicated abdominal musculature of Archaeognatha. The reference to Archaeognatha is especially relevant for the mapping of the abdominal muscles in insects in the sense of the presence of a hypothesized plesiomorphic sclerite composition in this group of wingless insects.

Vole Abundance in Agricultural Lands of Ukraine: Analysis Based on Archives of the Middle 20th–Early 21st Centuries

S. V. Mezhzherin — 2025-10-07

The research on the spatial distribution and long-term dynamics of the voles Microtus arvalis (Pallas, 1778), M. levis Miller, 1908, M. socialis (Pallas, 1773) in agricultural landscapes of Ukraine was carried out using the census data of the State Plant Protection Inspection Service during 1948–2006. It revealed that the maximum density of colonies and regular abundance outbreaks occurred in Western and North-Western regions and the Forest-Steppe zone of Right-bank Ukraine. These areas either only supported M. arvalis or this species significantly dominated over M. levis. The low abundance with relatively stable populations was reported from the Left-bank Steppe oblasts, occupied by M. levis and M. socialis. Two main changes in abundance are distinguished over time. The first was a dramatic increase throughout Ukraine in the 1980s when a considerable part of arable lands were used for plantations of perennial grasses, and the second was a gradual decrease, especially pronounced in western oblasts of Ukraine among populations of M. arvalis. The comparison of the average population parameters between the early period of research in 1948–1954 and its final stages in 2000–2006, indicates a 2.8-fold decrease in the number of inhabited burrows. Given the additional circumstances, the decrease could be even higher, 5–8 or even 10 times. This reduction is mainly associated with the loss of meadow ecosystems. The population decline and the absence of mass reproduction in agroecosystems of voles provide a basis for prohibiting rodenticides in fields.

Comparative Analysis of the Avifauna of Rural Settlements in the Podilske Pobuzhzhia Region

V. V. Novak — 2025-10-07

This article presents an analysis of the results of bird population studies conducted in rural settlements (RS) of the Khmelnytskyi District, Khmelnytskyi region, and the Zhmerynka and Tulchyn Districts of Vinnytsia region during 2014–2016. Research at each monitoring site was carried out in three categories of villages, which differed in population size, degree of urbanization, and other parameters. Over the course of these studies, a total of 174 bird species were recorded on monitoring sites of the Podilske Pobuzhzhia region. Of these, 145 species were noted in Category I RS, 162 species in Category II RS, and 158 species in Category III RS. The highest number of limnophilous species was recorded in Category I RS, campophilous and sclerophilous species were most prevalent in Category II RS, while dendrophilous species dominated in Category III RS. The highest similarity between the ornithofauna of rural settlements and some biotopes was observed in the winter period, while the lowest similarity occurred during the breeding season. Among typical biotopes outside rural settlements, the greatest resemblance to the RS ornithofauna was noted in the Southern Bug River valley in almost all seasons, as well as in pond habitats during the spring migration and breeding periods. The avifauna of RS during the spring migration and breeding season showed a high degree of similarity. During autumn migration, RS of Categories II and III were more similar to each other, while in winter, RS of Categories I and II were more alike than either was to Category III. Bird density was highest in Category III RS in all seasons except winter, where it was lowest in Category I RS. However, in winter, this trend reversed, with Category I RS showing the highest bird density. According to the Shannon diversity index, avifaunal diversity was highest in Category III RS in all seasons except winter, and lowest in Category I RS. In winter, however, the highest diversity was recorded in Category I RS.

A New Species of the Genus Symplecis (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Orthocentrinae) from Kenya

O. Varga — 2025-10-07

In this paper, the genus Symplecis Förster, 1869 is recorded from Kenya for the first time. The newly described species, S. antennalis sp. n., differs from congeners by the distinctly banded with yellow antenna. An updated identification key to known Afrotropical species of Symplecis is provided.