Speciation and repeated origins of hypertrophied lips in parallel adaptive radiations of cyprinid fish from East Africa.

The evolution of convergent phenotypes is one of the most interesting phenomena of repeated adaptive radiations. Here, we examined the repeated patterns of thick-lipped or "rubberlip" phenotype of cyprinid fish of the genus Labeobarbus discovered in riverine environments of the Ethiopian Highlands, East Africa. To test the adaptive value of thickened lips, identify the ecological niche of the thick-lipped ecomorphs, and test whether these ecomorphs are the products of adaptive divergence, we studied six sympatric pairs of ecomorphs with hypertrophied lips and the normal lip structure from different riverine basins. Trophic morphology, diet, stable isotope (δ15N and δ13C) signatures, as well as mtDNA markers and genome-wide SNP variation, were analyzed. Our results show that thick-lipped ecomorphs partition trophic resources with generalized ecomorphs in only one-half of the examined sympatric pairs despite the pronounced divergence in lip structure. In these thick-lipped ecomorphs that were trophically diverged, the data on their diet along with the elevated 15N values suggest an invertivorous specialization different from the basal omnivorous-detritivouros feeding mode of the generalized ecomorphs. Genetic data confirmed an independent and parallel origin of all six lipped ecomorphs. Yet, only one of those six thick-lipped ecomorphs had a notable genetic divergence with sympatric non-lipped ecomorphs based on nuclear SNPs data (F ST = 0.21). Sympatric pairs can be sorted by combinations of phenotypic, ecological, and genetic divergence from an ecologically non-functional mouth polymorphism via ecologically functional polymorphism to a matured speciation stage via divergent evolution.

Biodiversity of macrophyte communities and associated aquatic organisms in lakes of the Vologda Region (north-western Russia).

BACKGROUND: This paper provides current data on the biodiversity of boreal lakes of the Vologda Region (north-western Russia), including macrophytes (vascular plants and macroscopic algae) and macrophyte inhabitants (invertebrates and microalgae). The raw data, given in two datasets (Sampling event dataset and an Occurrence dataset) and presented in the form of GBIF-mediated data, were collected from 139 lakes (macrophytes between 2005 and 2021, macrophyte inhabitants between 2014 and 2020). The dataset contains materials on the diversity of vascular plants (Tracheophyta, 3225 occurrences; Bryophyta, 155; Marchantiophyta, 16), macro- and microalgae (Ochrophyta, 546 occurrences; Chlorophyta, 193; Charophyta, 153; Cyanobacteria, 139; Cryptophyta, 86; Myzozoa, 33; Euglenozoa, 27; Rhodophyta, 8; Bigyra, 1) and aquatic invertebrates (Arthropoda, 1408 occurrences; Annelida, 487; Mollusca, 263; Platyhelminthes, 36; Cnidaria, 11). This paper summarises previously unpublished materials in a standardised form. NEW INFORMATION: The paper summarises the data collected during the long-term phytodiversity studies in a series of lakes of different types (Vologda Region, north-western Russia). Data on algae and invertebrates diversity were obtained in 60 different plant communities of aquatic, semi-aquatic and coastal plants or their combinations. A total of 6787 occurrences were included in the dataset, published in the global biodiversity database (GBIF) for the first time. According to the GBIF taxonomic backbone, the dataset comprised 837 taxa, including 711 lower-rank taxa (species, subspecies, varieties, forms). New records of 47 species rare and protected in the Vologda Region are given: 43 species of plants, three species of animals and one species of Cyanobacteria.

Macrophyte diversity in rivers and streams of the Vologda Region and several other regions of Russia.

BACKGROUND: The data paper contains the authors' materials on the diversity of macrophytes, macroscopic plants regardless of their taxonomic position, in rivers and streams of East European Russia and Western Siberia. These data, collected on 247 rivers and 32 streams in 13 administrative regions of the Russian Federation, were provided as an occurrence dataset presented in the form of GBIF-mediated data. The main portion of the data was obtained in water objects of the Vologda Region (5201 occurrences). In addition, occurrences from the Arkhangelsk Region (347 occurrences), Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (159), Yaroslavl Region (132), Novgorod Region (97), Kostroma Region (41), Republic of Karelia (31), Sverdlovsk Region (29), Komi Republic (28), Orenburg Region (26), Chelyabinsk Region (22), Voronezh Region (22) and Tyumen Region (18) were given. The studies were carried out mainly in the southern and middle taiga and, to a lesser extent, in the northern taiga and the forest-steppe. The analysed watercourses belong to five drainage basins: the Azov Sea, the Baltic Sea, the White Sea, the Caspian Sea and the Kara Sea. The dataset contains materials on the diversity of Plantae (6094 occurrences) and Chromista (59 occurrences). This paper, in a standardised form, summarises mostly unpublished materials on the biodiversity of lotic ecosystems. NEW INFORMATION: The paper summarises the data obtained in long-term studies of phytodiversity in a range of rivers and streams of East European Russia and, fragmentarily, Western Siberia. A total of 6153 occurrences were included in the dataset. According to the GBIF taxonomic backbone, the dataset comprises 292 taxa, including 280 lower-rank taxa (species, subspecies, varieties) and 12 taxa identified to the genus level. All the occurrences are published openly through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) for the first time. Most of the data were stored in field diaries and, thus, by adding the data in GBIF, we believe that other researchers could benefit from it.

Biodiversity of a boreal mire, including its hydrographic network (Shichengskoe mire, north-western Russia).

BACKGROUND: The paper is based on the dataset whose purpose was to deliver, in the form of GBIF-mediated data, diverse materials on the biodiversity of a large mire, Shichengskoe mire (Vologda Region, north-western Russia), including its various mire sites and intra-mire water bodies. The dataset was based on our materials collected for two decades (from 2000 to 2021) in different parts and biotopes of the Shichengskoe mire and complemented by scarce data obtained previously by other researchers. The data contain materials on the diversity of Animalia (2886 occurrences), Bacteria (22), Chromista (256), Fungi (111), Plantae (2463) and Protozoa (131). Within the study period, the most detailed and long-term biodiversity studies were carried out for higher plants and invertebrates. On the other hand, the data on the composition of lichens, protozoa, algae, basidiomycetes, some groups of invertebrates and, to a lesser extent, lichens and vertebrates are far less comprehensive and require further substantial research efforts. The list includes occurrences from both the peatland (mire sites and mire margins different in typology) and the objects of the mire hydrographic network. In a standardised form, this article summarises both already published (mainly in Russian) and unpublished materials. NEW INFORMATION: The paper summarises the results of long-term research on the biodiversity of a boreal mire, including its hydrographic network. A total of 5869 occurrences were included in the dataset published in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF, gbif.org) for the first time. According to the GBIF taxonomic backbone, the dataset covers 1358 taxa, including 1250 lower-rank taxa (species, subspecies, varieties, forms) and 108 taxa identified to the genus level. Several species found in the Shichengskoe mire, mainly belonging to Bacteria, Chromista and Protozoa, have never been listed in GBIF for the territory of Russia before. The overwhelming majority of occurrences and identified species came from the territory of Shichengskiy Landscape Reserve. Due to our work, this Reserve is now the most studied regional reserve in the Vologda Region with respect to biodiversity. By the number of revealed species, it is close to two federal protected areas: Darwinskiy State Nature Biospheric Reserve and National Park "Russkiy Sever".