Scientific publications

Nematode fauna of biocenoses with different types of vegetation (pinery, spruce forest, meadow) was studied. Soil samples were collected across the territory of Republic of Karelia (61° to 66° N). Pine forests dominated in Karelia and presented by 62 nematode genera, 78 species (from investigated 23 sites). Taxonomic diversity of the nematode fauna (H') varied from 2.5 to 4.4. High values of H' index were registered for the northern Karelia (66° N), protected biotopes and island habitats. Bacterial feeders were the dominant trophic group. Maturity index of nematode communities (ΣMI) was within 2.3–2.8. Spruce forests occupied much less territory than pine forests. There were 71 nematode genera, 83 species (from 15 sites). H' index ranged from 3.1 to 4.4. Similar to pinery H' index was highest in protected biotopes and island habitats. Maturity index was higher than in pine forests. The number of phytotrophs increased from North to South. Meadows, mainly secondary, accounted for only 0.2 % of the territory. In investigated 50 biotopes 90 nematode genera, 114 species were found. H' index was higher than in forest biocenoses (3.1–5.0). Representatives of all six eco-trophic groups were observed. Proportion of phytotrophs in the fauna significantly increased in compared with forest biocenoses (3–8 times). Some features of the nematode community structure of island habitats were detected. At present, the soil nematode fauna of Karelia represented by 314 nematode species belong to 130 genera.
Research was supported by the Ministry of Education and Sciences (grant № 02.740.11.0700).