Morphological and molecular characterization of plagiorchiid trematodes (Plagiorchis: Plagiorchiidae, Digenea) from bats with redescription of Plagiorchis mordovii Shaldybin, 1958.

Five Plagiorchis spp. parasitize bats in European Russia: Plagiorchis elegans, Plagiorchis koreanus, Plagiorchis mordovii, Plagiorchis muelleri, and Plagiorchis vespertilionis. Their identification is difficult due to a high morphological similarity. The morphological variability of these species is poorly studied. The taxonomic position of P. mordovii remains debatable. The purpose of our study was to analyse Plagiorchis spp. from European bats using a combination of morphological and molecular-phylogenetic approaches and to establish the taxonomic position of the problematic species P. mordovii.Plagiorchis spp. were shown to be variable morphologically and morphometrically both from various host species and from different specimens of the same species. We presented a new taxonomic key for identification of the Plagiorchis spp. from European bats, provided a complete description of Plagiorchis mordovii, and confirmed the validity and the generic affiliation of this species.

[The number of larvae and period of its production of Cosmocerca Ornata females (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae)].

The number of larvae in the Cosmocerca ornata (Dujardin, 1845) females from marsh frogs in vivo and period of larvae production of nematodes in vitro was studied. The number of larvae in females of nematodes and quantity of born larvae depend on the size of parasites. The largest C. ornata females had the highest number of larvae and the longest period of larvae production. The nematode sizes in its turn depends on density of infrapopulation of C. ornata and ambient temperature. The dependence of a number of the C. ornata larvae on the host age and sex and on a season of the year was revealed. Different phenotypes of amphibians showed no influence on the number of larvae inside nematode females. In the experiment C. ornata females remained viable up to 8 days, producing larvae up to 7 days. The optimum temperature for the larvae production constituted 24­28 °C. At a temperature of 12 °C and lower the nematode larvae output from females was stopped.

[VARIABILITY AND DETERMINING FACTORS OF THE BODY SIZE STRUCTURE OF THE INFRAPOPULATION OF COSMOCERCA ORNATA (NEMATODA: COSMOCERCIDAE) IN MARSH FROGS].

Variability of the body size in females of the Cosmocerca ornata (Dujardin, 1845), a parasite of marsh frogs, is studied. The influence of both biotic (age, sex and a phenotype of the host, density of the parasite population) and abiotic (a season of the year, water temperature) factors on the formation of the body size structure in the C. ornata hemipopulation (infrapopulation) is demonstrated. The body size structure of the C. ornata hemipopulation is characterized by the low level of individual variability as within certain subpopulation groups of amphibians (sex, age and phenotype), so within the population of marsh frogs as a whole. The more distinct are the differences in biology and ecology of these host subpopulations, the more pronounced is the variability in the body size of C ornata.

[Role of the marsh frog tadpoles in the life cycle of Cosmocerca ornata (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae)].

Experimental infestation of the marsh frog tadpoles with the Cosmocerca ornata (Du- jardin, 1845) larvae was conducted. In vitro development of the first, second and third larval stages of the helminth were studied. Tadpoles of different age were infested both i) by feeding larvae to them and ii) by placing them in containers simultaneously with the C. ornata larvae. In both cases dissection revealed the presence of living larvae of the nematode in the tadpoles' intestines. Despite their motility and activity, the I and II larval stages were not invasive; they never persisted inside the tadpoles' digestive tract. In 4-5 days after the second molt, a "temporary persistence" was observed. Living larvae were in suppressed condition, motility lowered, further development never occurred. In 3 days occurrence of the III stage nematode larvae lowered drastically. Gradual elimination of the most part of C. ornata larvae was observed. Elimination rate depended on the tadpole developmental stage. Later tadpole stages (those that had already developed arms and legs) were the first to get rid of the nematode larvae--on 7-th day after the infestation. On the 9-th day tadpoles of the early stage (those without limbs) got rid of the larvae. Larvae persisted for the longest time in the intestines of middle-staged tadpoles (with the hind legs)--up to 13 days.

[Trematodes of birds (Aves) from the Middle Volga region. 1. Orders Brachylaimidae, Cyclocoelida, Echinostomatida, Notocotylida, and Opisthorchiida].

The data on trematodes of the orders Brachylaimidae, Cyclocoelida, Echinostomatida, Notocotylida, and Opisthorchiida from the Middle Volga region are given. Records of different authors are supplemented with the results of our own research. Reliable records are confirmed for 61 trematode species. The following characteristics for each parasite species are given: the systematic position, the host spectrum, locality, collecting sites, biology, degree of host specificity, and the geographical range. Morphological descriptions and original figures of 3 trematodes species are given.

[Trematodes of birds (Aves) from the Middle Volga region. 2. Orders Plagiorchiida, Renicolida, Strigeida, and Schistosomatida].

Data on trematodes of Plagiorchiida, Renicolida, Strigeida, and Schistosomatida, parasitizing in birds of the Middle Volga region are given. Proceedings of the different authors are supplemented by results of our research. Two species of trematodes (Brachylaima mesostoma and Mosesia amplavaginata) are specified for birds of the middle Volga region for the first time. New hosts were revealed for 2 trematode species: the great tit for Plagiorchis laricola and the common chaffinch for M. amplavaginata. The following characteristics for each parasite are given: it's systematic position, the spectrum of hosts, localization, collecting site, biology, the degree of host specificity and geographical range. The morphological description and original figures of 11 species of trematodes are presented.

[Trematodes (trematoda) of amphibia from the Middle Volga region. 1. Orders Fasciolida, Hemiurida, Paramphistomida and Strigeida].

Data on trematodes of the orders Fasciolida, Hemiurida, Paramphistomida and Strigeida from 11 amphibian species of the Middle Volga region are given. Literature data for the last 30 years are reviewed for the first time; these data are supplemented by our own material. Reliable recordings are confirmed for 23 trematode species. Two of these species are new for amphibian trematode fauna of Russia. New hosts were revealed for 12 trematode species. Trematodes of the new for the region amphibian species, the edible frog Rana esculenta Linnaeus, 1758, are recorded for the first time. Two trematodes from freshwater fishes are shown to be temporary or occasional parasites of amphibians. The following characteristics are given for each parasite: it's systematic position, the spectrum of hosts, localization, collecting site, biology, geographical range, and the degree of host specificity. The morphological description and original figures are given for 9 species of parasites.

[Variability of the dimensional structure in the hemipopulation of Thominx neopulchra (Nematoda: Capillariidae) females from bats of the genus myotis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)].

Variability of the dimensional structure in the hemipopulation Thominx neopulchra females from 3 species of the genus Myotis bats in the Zhiguli State Reserve was examined. The size of T. neopulchra from different bat species varied within the limits constituting 10.17-13.41 mm. It was demonstrated that the variability of the dimensional structure in the subpopulation group T. neopulchra from Daubenton's bats did not depend on the number of parasites in the host and the season and is probably determined by the genetic polymorphism of the parasite population.

[Trematodes (Trematoda) of amphibia from the Middle Volga region. Report 2. Order Plagiorchiida].

Data on trematodes of the order Plagiorchiida from 11 species of amphibians from the Middle Volga region are given. Literary data of the last 30 years, combined with the results of our own research are presented together for the first time. Finds of 17 trematode species are reliable. From them, metacercaria of Astiotrema monticelli is recorded from amphibians of the fauna of Russia for the first time; Dolichosaccus rastellus and Paralepoderma cloacicola are recorded for the first time from amphibians of the Middle Volga region. New hosts are mentioned for 8 species of parasites. Trematodes of edible frog Rana esculenta Linnaeus, 1758, a new species to the region, are described for the first time. The following characteristics are given for each trematode species: its taxonomic position, set of hosts, localization, places of detection, biology, geographical distribution, and the degree of host specificity. Morphological descriptions and original figures are given for 12 trematode species.

[Trematodes (Trematoda) of bats (Chiroptera) from the Middle Volga Region].

The data on species diversity of trematodes from bats collected in the Middle Volga Region are summarized. According to original and literary data, 20 trematode species were recorded in bats of the region examined. Plagiorchis elegans, Lecithodendrium skrjabini, L. rysavyi, Prosthodendrium hurkovaae, and Pycnoporus megacotyle are specified for the bat fauna of Russia for the first time. For 11 species of parasites, new hosts are recorded. The analysis of bat helminthes demonstrated that the fauna of trematodes of the northern bat (12 species of trematodes), of the pond, and of the Brandt's bats is the most diverse, constituting more than 10 parasite species per bat species. The largest number of final hosts in the Middle Volga Region is characteristic of Plagiorchis koreanus and Prosthodendrium chilostomum; the latter species were revealed in 8 and 7 bat species, respectively. Trematodes of bats possess a high degree of host specificity. 17 species parasitize exclusively in bats out of 20 parasite species registered for the order Chiroptera. Only 3 species (Plagiorchis elegans, P. vespertilionis, and Prosthodendrium chilostomum) show wide degree of specificity, being found in other animals. Taxonomic position, the circle of hosts, collecting sites, and brief data in biology and geographical distribution for each helminth species are specified. Morphological descriptions and original figures for all the trematode species revealed in bats of the Middle Volga Region are given.

[Fecundity of Thominx neopulchra (Nematoda:Capillariidae) from bats of the genus Myotis (Chiroptera:Vespertilionidae)].

Variability of absolute fecundity of nematode Thominx neopulchra from three species of genus Myotis was studies on the territory Zhiguli State Reserve in 2007, 2008. Significant differences in the fecundity of the nematode females depending on host species and sex, size of the parasite, number of the helminthes in a given host, and season of year were revealed.

[Characteristic of reproductive structure in the hemipopulation of a bat-parasitizing nematode Thominx neopulchra (Nematoda, Capillariidae)].

Features of reproductive structure of the Thominx neopulchra hemipopulation from Daubenton's bat from Zhiguli State Reserve are studied. It is established, that females and males of Th. neopulchra have different dynamics of coming in the host population. Males of the parasite invade the of Daubenton's bat population during all the year, while females infest the host only from May to November. Maturing of helminthes become slowed in winter period. Only about a half of of the host population is involved in the forming of the reproductive structure of Th. neopulchra hemipopulation.

[Trematodes (Trematoda) of micromammals from Middle Volga region].

Data on all known currently trematodes, revealed in insectivores and muride rodents from the Middle Volga region are generalised and analysed in article. The description and original drawings of 10 parasites species are given. 2 helminth species (Brachylecithum rodentini, Corrigia vitta) were specified for micromammals from Volga basin for the first time. The new hosts were marked for 2 parasites (B. rodentini, Quinqueserialis wolgaensis).

[Nematodes (Nematoda) from bats (Chiroptera) of the Samarskaya Luka Peninsula (Russia)].

Fauna of parasitic nematodes from Chiroptera of the Samarskaya Luka has been studied. Seven nematode species has been recorded. Numbers of host specimens, indices of extensiveness and intensiveness of the invasion, parasite abundance, and brief characteristics of the nematode species are given. Some nematode species were for the first time recorded in bats of Russia.

[Helminthofauna of the common shrew Sorex araneus L. (Soricidae) from Samarskaya Luka].

Ecological analysis of the helminthofauna of common shrew Sorex araneus L. from Samarskaya Luka (Samara Region) has been carried out. Twenty-three helminth species are found including 3 species of trematodes, 8 cestodes, 10 nematodes, and 2 acanthocephales. Dependence of the structure of helminthofauna on the host age is revealed.

[First finding of the Centrorhynchus aluconis (Muller, 1780) (Giganthorhynchidae) and Moniliformis moniliformis bremser, 1811 (Moniliformidae) larvae in shrews (Insectivora: Soricidae) of the fauna of Russia].

The larvae of acanthocephalans Centrorhynchus aluconis (Muller, 1780) and Moniliformis moniliformis Bremser, 1811 are recorded for the first time from shrews in Russia (Samarskaya Luka National Park, Samara Region). Taxonomic descriptions and figures of the specimens examined are presented.

[Probability of disturbance of Poisson statistics in radioactive decay type processes]. / O vozmozhnosti narusheniia statistiki Puassona v protsessakh tipa radioaktivnogo raspada.

The phenomenon of regular dynamics of fine structure of sampling distributions in processes of radioactive decay type is discussed. The time dependence of the probability of their similarity indicates that the process measured is nonstationary. The most natural explanation for the disturbance of stationarity is the influence of gauging equipment, which in principle cannot be avoided completely. However, the universality of the effect and the presence of the correlation of the fine structure in independent synchronous processes leads one to suggest the existence of some global source. A mechanism of the generation of fine structure as a result of the influence of nontrivial topology of space on the decay process is proposed.

[The epidemic spread of the influenza A and B viruses in the USSR in 1985-1986]. / Epidemicheskoe rasprostranenie virusov A i B v SSSR v 1985-1986 gg.

The data on the spread of influenza A and B in the autumn and winter of 1985-1986 are given. Three epidemics caused by all presently circulating viruses, B, A (H3N2) and A (H1N1), were registered in the USSR. Of these, the greatest one was the epidemic of influenza B; morbidity rate among the adult population during this epidemic was at the level with the morbidity rate characteristic of the epidemics registered at the period of 1962-1972, and morbidity rate among children, especially school children, was even higher.