Mikhail Son

Publications

• Assessing the Risks of Invasions of Aquatic Invertebrates in the Shatt Al-Arab River

  M. D. Naser, M. O. Son, A. G. Yasser

  Russian Journal of Biological Invasions. 01/2011; 2:120-125.

  The Shatt Al-Arab is an important invasion gateway in West Asia. Protocols of the ALARM project were used for estimation of risk assessment of aquatic invasions. There are five global alien species with high invasiveness which are widespread among the region (Eriocheir sinensis, Macrobrachium nippon... [more] The Shatt Al-Arab is an important invasion gateway in West Asia. Protocols of the ALARM project were used for estimation of risk assessment of aquatic invasions. There are five global alien species with high invasiveness which are widespread among the region (Eriocheir sinensis, Macrobrachium nipponense, Palaemon elegans, Balanus amphitrite, and Potamorpyrgus antipodarum). Identification and analysis of invasion pathways within the region show a predominantly secondary natural spread of alien species and also the importance of navigation and canals for recent expansion of alien species. Five assessment units (Hareer region, Abu Al-Khaseeb, Al-Sindibad, Qurna, and Garmat Ali) have extremely high and one (Shatt Al-Basrah) has high biological contamination and risk of biological pollution. Alien species increase similarity of macrozoonbenthic communities (biotic homogenization). Among key drivers of biological invasions in this region, a special place is occupied by geopolitical conflict and competition for natural resources which form a unique man-made hydrological regime in the Mesopotamian rivers.

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• Assessing the risks of aquatic invertebrates invasions in the Shatt Al-Arab River [In Russian]

  Naser M.D., Son M.O., Yasser A.Gh.

  Rossiiskiy Zhurnal Biologicheskikh Invasiy. 01/2011;

  Shatt Al-Arab is an important invasion gateway in West Asia. Protocols of the ALARM project were used for estimation of aquatic invasions' risk assessment. There are five global alien species with high invasiveness which are widespread among the region (Eriocheir sinensis, Macrobrachium nipponen... [more] Shatt Al-Arab is an important invasion gateway in West Asia. Protocols of the ALARM project were used for estimation of aquatic invasions' risk assessment. There are five global alien species with high invasiveness which are widespread among the region (Eriocheir sinensis, Macrobrachium nipponense, Palaemon elegans, Balanus amphitrite, Potamopyrgus antipodarum). Identification and analysis of invasions' pathways within the region have shown predominantly secondary nature spread of aliens and also the importance of shipping and canals for recent aliens' expansion. Five assessment units (Hareer Region, Abu Al-Khaseeb, Al-Sindibad, Qurna, and Garmat Ali) have extremely high and one (Shatt Al-Basrah) – high biological contamination and risk of biological pollution. Alien species increase similarity of macrozoobenthic communities (biotic homogenization). Among key drivers of biological invasions in this region a special place is occupied by geopolitic conflicteness and competition for natural resources which form unique man-made hydrological regimen in the Mesopotamian rivers.

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• Alien molluscs in fresh and brackish waters of the Northern Black Sea Region (recent state, risk assessment, and ecological prediction).

  Son M.O.

  01/2010

  Degree: PhD (Biology)

  Supervisor: Dr. Sergey E. Dyatlov

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• Alien mollusks within the territory of Ukraine: sources and directions of invasions

  Son M. O.

  Russian Journal of Biological Invasions. 01/2010; 1:37-44.

  The main directions of expansion of alien mollusks in Ukraine are revealed. Expansions of both exotic species and nearby aliens ones are observed. The Danube, Dnieper, and line of water bodies of the Azov–Black Sea region’s seaside are important invasion corridors to the inland waters. The urbanizat... [more] The main directions of expansion of alien mollusks in Ukraine are revealed. Expansions of both exotic species and nearby aliens ones are observed. The Danube, Dnieper, and line of water bodies of the Azov–Black Sea region’s seaside are important invasion corridors to the inland waters. The urbanization and reduction of zoogeographical barriers are the basic driving processes in expansion of alien terrestrial snails. Invasions into marine ecosystems are related to transfer of distant exotic species by sea navigation and homogenization of fauna in the East Mediterranean Basin (“pontization” and “mediterranization”)

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• Features of colonization and occurring of marine and brackishwater invertebrates in the contour habitats «small stream – sea»

  M O Son, A V Koshelev, S A Kudrenko.

  Marine Ecological Journal. 01/2010; 9:78-82.

  In the ecotone «small stream – sea» of the Sea of Azov and Black Sea coasts (small rivers Berda, Baraboj, Kacha, Belbek, and Derekojka, Big Odessa drainages in the beach zone, streams) both marine and brackishwater invertebrates (Enchytraeus cryptosetosus, Cyprinotus salina, Dikerogammarus bispinosu... [more] In the ecotone «small stream – sea» of the Sea of Azov and Black Sea coasts (small rivers Berda, Baraboj, Kacha, Belbek, and Derekojka, Big Odessa drainages in the beach zone, streams) both marine and brackishwater invertebrates (Enchytraeus cryptosetosus, Cyprinotus salina, Dikerogammarus bispinosus, Chaetogammarus ischnus behningi, Echinogammarus olivii, Orchestia montagui , Halophiloscia fucorum, Mytilus galloprovincialis, Theodoxus spp., Potamopyrgus antipodarum, Orthocladiinae spp.) were noted. The marine element of natural stream is presented mainly by supralittoral species; artificial are colonized by exotic and Ponto-Caspian species. Pathways of colonization: settling of planktonic larvae, migration of adults through channels or beach zone, transfer by birds on the adult stage or as latent eggs

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• Risk assessment of aquatic invasive species introductions via European inland waterways

  Vadim E Panov, Boris Alexandrov, Kestutis Arbaciauskas, Rosa Binimelis, Gordon H Copp, Michal Grabowski, Frances Lucy, Rob S E W Leuven, Stefan Nehring, Momir Paunović, Vitaliy Semenchenko, Mikhail O Son

  01/2010: pages 140-143;

  ISBN: 978-954-642-446-4

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• Mollusks-invaders in the Ukraine territory: the sources and directions of invasion (In Russian)

  Mikhail O. Son

  Rossiiskiy Zhurnal Biologicheskikh Invasiy. 12/2009;

  Main directions of expansion of alien molluscs in Ukraine were discovered. Both the expansion of exotic species and nearby aliens were observed. The Danube, Dniepr and line of waterbodies of Azov-Black Region’s seaside are the important invasion corridors in the inland water. The urbanization and re... [more] Main directions of expansion of alien molluscs in Ukraine were discovered. Both the expansion of exotic species and nearby aliens were observed. The Danube, Dniepr and line of waterbodies of Azov-Black Region’s seaside are the important invasion corridors in the inland water. The urbanization and reduction of zoogeographical barriers are the basic driving processes in expansion of alien land snails. Invasions in marine ecosystems are connected with transfer of distant exotic species by sea navigation and homogenization of fauna in the East Mediterranean Basin (pontization and mediterranezation).

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• First record of the New Zealand mud snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray 1843) from Iraq: the start of expansion to Western Asia?

  Murtada D. Naser, Mikhail O. Son

  Aquatic Invasions. 05/2009; 4:369-372.

  For the first time, shells of New Zealand mud snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum were detected in the Garmat Ali River (Iraq). Existing and potential corridors and pathways of Euro-Asian transfers of aquatic species are discussed... [more] For the first time, shells of New Zealand mud snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum were detected in the Garmat Ali River (Iraq). Existing and potential corridors and pathways of Euro-Asian transfers of aquatic species are discussed

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• Assessing the risks of aquatic species invasions via European inland waterways: from concepts to environmental indicators.

  Vadim E Panov, Boris Alexandrov, Kestutis Arbaciauskas, Rosa Binimelis, Gordon H Copp, Michal Grabowski, Frances Lucy, Rob S E W Leuven, Stefan Nehring, Momir Paunović, Vitaliy Semenchenko, Mikhail O Son

  Integrated environmental assessment and management. 02/2009; 5(1):110-26.

  Over the past century, the potential for aquatic species to expand their ranges in Europe has been enhanced both as a result of the construction of new canals and because of increased international trade. A complex network of inland waterways now connects some previously isolated catchments in south... [more] Over the past century, the potential for aquatic species to expand their ranges in Europe has been enhanced both as a result of the construction of new canals and because of increased international trade. A complex network of inland waterways now connects some previously isolated catchments in southern (Caspian, Azov, Black, Mediterranean seas) and northern (Baltic, North, Wadden, White seas) Europe, and these waterways act as corridors for nonnative species invasions. We have developed a conceptual risk assessment model for invasive alien species introductions via European inland waterways, with specific protocols that focus on the development of environmental indicators within the socioeconomic context of the driving forces-pressures-state-impact-response framework. The risk assessment protocols and water quality indicators on alien species were tested for selected ecosystems within 3 main European invasion corridors, and these can be recommended for application as part of the Common Implementation Strategy of the European Commission Water Framework Directive, which aims to provide a holistic risk-based management of European river basins. The conceptual structure of the online Risk Assessment Toolkit for aquatic invasive alien species is provided and includes 3 main interlinked components: online risk assessment protocols, an early warning system, and an information transmitter for risk communication to end users.

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• Conceptual approaches to application of ecological indicators for monitoring of the Black Sea ecosystems [in Russian]

  Mikhail O. Son

  Ekologicheskaja Bezopasnost Pribrezhnoj i Shel'fovoj Zon i Kompleksnoe Ispolzovanie Resursov Shelfa. 12/2008; 17:320-326.

  Use of ecological indicators for monitoring of marine ecosystems is considered within the framework of conceptual structure DPSIR. Ecological indicators of marine ecosystems’ condition and nocuous influences on marine ecosystems are considered. Modules of monitoring not covered by ranged parameters ... [more] Use of ecological indicators for monitoring of marine ecosystems is considered within the framework of conceptual structure DPSIR. Ecological indicators of marine ecosystems’ condition and nocuous influences on marine ecosystems are considered. Modules of monitoring not covered by ranged parameters are revealed

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• Rapid expansion of the New Zealand mud snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray, 1843) in the Azov-Black Sea Region

  Mikhail O. Son

  Aquatic Invasions. 10/2008; 3:335-340.

  This is a brief review of present invasion history of the New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) within the Azov- Black Sea Region. The most recent locations of P. antipodarum expansion within the Azov-Black Sea Region (lower parts of the Danube, Dniester, and Don basins, small steppe rive... [more] This is a brief review of present invasion history of the New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) within the Azov- Black Sea Region. The most recent locations of P. antipodarum expansion within the Azov-Black Sea Region (lower parts of the Danube, Dniester, and Don basins, small steppe rivers and streams) are described

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• The New Zealand mud snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray, 1843) is colonising the artificial lakes of Kaliningrad City, Russia (Baltic Sea Coast)

  Dmitry P. Filippenko, Mikhail O. Son

  Aquatic Invasions. 10/2008; 3:345-347.

  In 2008, the New Zealand mud snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum was detected in artificial freshwater lakes of Kalinigrad City (Russia), developed in sand and gravel extraction sites. P. antipodarum records along the Baltic coast were previously located in open sea and estuary sites and this is first sp... [more] In 2008, the New Zealand mud snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum was detected in artificial freshwater lakes of Kalinigrad City (Russia), developed in sand and gravel extraction sites. P. antipodarum records along the Baltic coast were previously located in open sea and estuary sites and this is first species’ record, in this type of man-made freshwater habitat, for the Baltic Region.

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• Monitoring and predicting of Zebra mussel and Quagga mussel invasions by developing European early warning system on aquatic invasive species

  M O Son, V E Panov

  Dreissenidy: Evolutsiya, Sistematika, Ekologia, Borok, Russia; 10/2008

  Serious challenges posed by massive human-mediated introductions of invasive alien species, such as Zebra Mussel and Quagga Mussel resulted in the strengthening of international cooperation in research, information exchange and management of invasive alien species, specifically in frameworks of diff... [more] Serious challenges posed by massive human-mediated introductions of invasive alien species, such as Zebra Mussel and Quagga Mussel resulted in the strengthening of international cooperation in research, information exchange and management of invasive alien species, specifically in frameworks of different international group activities related to aquatic invasions in Europe and adjacent areas. On the Pan-European level, these activities resulted in the establishment of the European Research Network on Aquatic Invasive Species in 2001, whose role in the development of the European Information Network on Invasive Species has been further recognized in the European Strategy on Invasive Alien Species. In 2005 ERNAIS initiated the establishment of the European electronic journal of applied research of invasive species in aquatic ecosystems with early warning functions Aquatic Invasions, which was financially supported by the European Commission Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development through the Integrated Project ALARM. In this ALARM Deliverable we report on the results of the implementation of this ERNAIS initiative in 2006-2007. The concept of the ERNAIS e-journal Aquatic Invasions as an essential part of the developing European early warning system on aquatic invasive species was first presented in the Editorial paper of the first issue of Aquatic Invasions published in February 2006. As we initially suggested, the ERNAIS e-journal Aquatic Invasions is already playing an important specific role in the development of a network of Internet-based databases on alien species, by protecting the authors’ rights on primary geo-referenced data of invasive alien species records from monitoring and biological survey efforts and biology of invasive species, thus facilitating the flow of essential information needed for decision-making processes. Currently we are working on the development of an online risk assessment toolkit with early warning functions, which may serve as interactive transmitter of primary information on invasive alien species from data providers upwards to the level of decision-making. The first three volumes of Aquatic Invasions included numerous contributions on dreissens’ studies in European inland waters, including definition of borders between their native and invasive ranges, new records, data on their endosimbionts, etc. As a separate important function, Aquatic Invasions is also serving information system of the European Commission Sixth Framework Programme Strategic Targeted Research Project DAISIE, through the publication of the national checklists of aquatic alien species. Furthermore, the timely publication of verified checklists and new findings may help to keep the DAISIE information system up-to-date. The above mentioned checklists also contain the information about dreissens, allowing tracing their introduction to the new countries. Thus, one of the key benefits of e-journal Aquatic Invasions is the timely and readily available publication of essential primary scientific information, also needed for decision-making. A manuscript publication, including a comprehensive review process, takes on average less than one month, thereby reducing the publication time lag typical of many regular international journals. In this way Aquatic Invasions can facilitate the regional and Pan-European early warning systems on alien species, previously lacking. The provision of a freely accessible, early warning system for alien species is an essential tool for decision-making on potential early eradication efforts, and also for relevant decision support systems. In addition, Aquatic Invasions provides a publication platform for other important information on the management of invasive species including publication of technical reports on new technologies in management of invasive species and proceedings of relevant international meetings. Finally, fast but comprehensive reviewing process of submitted manuscripts is serving as effective quality insurance mechanism for information on invasive alien species freely available for interested stakeholders via Aquatic Invasions information system. Be relative dreissens special importance of the service consists in an opportunity of tracking of their expansion with the help geo-referenced data. Such data are necessary for monitoring and prediction of the dreissens’ expansion. It is especially important for Quagga Mussel that actively settled on channels of the large European rivers

• Risk assessment of invasive alien species introductions via European inland waterways

  V Panov, B Alexandrov, Arbaciauskas K, R Binimelis, M Grabowski, F Lucy, R Leuven, S Nehring, M Paunović, V Semenchenko, M Son

  Neobiota: Towards a Synthesis. 5th European Conference on Biological Invasions, Prague, Czech Republic; 09/2008

  European network of inland waterways facilitates the transfer of invasive alien species (IAS) across European inland waters and coastal ecosystems, which requires appropriate risk assessment-based management options to address risks posed by human-mediated introductions of these species. During the ... [more] European network of inland waterways facilitates the transfer of invasive alien species (IAS) across European inland waters and coastal ecosystems, which requires appropriate risk assessment-based management options to address risks posed by human-mediated introductions of these species. During the development of methods to assess the risks of IAS introductions via European inland waterways we considered the DPSIR framework (‘Driving forces’, ‘Pressure’, ‘State’, ‘Impact’, ‘Response’) to structure developed environmental indicators in the socio-economic context. In addition, considering the current gap in addressing IAS in the river basin management in Europe, our goal was to develop and test relevant risk assessment protocols and water quality indicators on IAS for possible consideration in the Common Implementation Strategy of the EC Water Framework Directive and as part of a holistic risk-based management of European river basins. Owing to the high degree of scientific uncertainty when dealing with such a global and complex ecological issue as large-scale intercontinental and intra-continental introductions of IAS, the qualitative model of risk assessment was selected for risk assessment of IAS introductions via European inland waterways. The present variant of this model of risk assessment of IAS introductions, tested for selected assessment units within the main inland water invasion corridors, includes seven main components: (1) Identification of main invasion gateways, routes and corridors in Europe; (2) Selection of ecosystems as assessment and management units (AUs) within invasions corridors/invasion network; (3) Identification and analysis of pathways of IAS introductions within the ecosystem AU – ‘Driving forces’ according to the DPSIR framework; (4) Assessment of inoculation rates within the ecosystem AU (propagule pressure) – DPSIR ‘Pressures’; (5) Assessment of biological contamination level of the ecosystem AU - DPSIR ‘State’; (6) Assessment of invasiveness of the established in the ecosystem AU alien species (potential biopollution risk) - DPSIR ‘Impacts’; (7) Development of an online Risk Assessment Toolkit with early warning service for reporting of environmental indicators and recommendations for risk management to stakeholders – DPSIR ‘Responses’.

• Assessment of biocontamination of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in European inland waterways

  Kęstutis Arbačiauskas, Vitaliy Semenchenko, Michal Grabowski, Rob S.E.W. Leuven, Momir Paunović, Michail O. Son, Bela Csányi, Simona Gumuliauskaitė, Alicja Konopacka, Stefan Nehring, Gerard van der Velde, Vasiliy Vezhnovetz, Vadim E. Panov

  Aquatic Invasions. 08/2008; 3:211-230.

  Introductions of alien species, regardless of their actual or potential impacts, can be considered as a biocontamination of the ecosystem. A simple method to assess biocontamination is described and tested on benthic macroinvertebrate communities from European inland waterways. This method includes ... [more] Introductions of alien species, regardless of their actual or potential impacts, can be considered as a biocontamination of the ecosystem. A simple method to assess biocontamination is described and tested on benthic macroinvertebrate communities from European inland waterways. This method includes calculations of abundance contamination and richness contamination at ordinal taxonomic rank, from which integrated estimations of biocontamination are derived. Our method can be applied to data collected during routine water quality monitoring, and allows estimation of biocontamination at specific study sites as well as integrated assessment of ecosystems or assessment units. Results clearly show that the main European inland waterways are highly biologically contaminated. They also indicate that richness contamination precedes abundance contamination, and that severe abundance contamination may be caused even by a single ecologically aggressive alien species. Comparison of biocontamination indices and ecological quality status by conventional methods suggests that these metrics are negatively correlated, and richness contamination has a stronger negative affect than abundance contamination. Biocontamination warrants inclusion within the development of holistic estimates of ecological quality status and should be considered in water management policy.

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• Research priorities for freshwater biodiversity in Ukraine

  V Gasso, R Novitsky, S Afanasyev, M Son

  Water for Life: Research priorities for sustaining freshwater biodiversity. Slovenian EPBRS Meeting, Brdo; 01/2008

• Biological invasions via European inland waterways: towards development of the risk assessment tool

  V E Panov, B Alexandrov, K Arbaciauskas, M Grabowski, R S E W Leuven, S Mastitsky, D Minchin, S Nehring, S Olenin, M Paunović, V Semenchenko, M Son

  Risk Assessment in European River Basins – State of the Art and Future Challenges, Leipzig, Germany; 09/2007

• Native range of the zebra mussel and quagga mussel and new data on their invasions within the Ponto-Caspian Region

  Mikhail O. Son

  Aquatic Invasions. 08/2007; 2:174-184.

  This is a special review on the native ranges of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha polymorpha) and quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis). Revision of museum collections showed that the Dniepr Delta is a native locality of the quagga mussel, for example in the Lower Southern Bug and that Dreissena ... [more] This is a special review on the native ranges of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha polymorpha) and quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis). Revision of museum collections showed that the Dniepr Delta is a native locality of the quagga mussel, for example in the Lower Southern Bug and that Dreissena presbensis occurs in the Aegean Sea Basin in Greece. The native range of the zebra mussel includes Danube, Dniestr, Berezan, Southern Bug, Dniepr, Molochnaya, Don, Kuban, Kamchia, and Veleca river basins; isolated and semi-isolated relic estuarian reservoirs along the Bulgarian, Romanian, Ukrainian, and Russian Black and Azov seas coasts; and in zones of these seas influenced by freshwater. Invasive dreissenids in Turkish rivers are local species and subspecies. More recent locations of the dreissenid expansion within the Ponto-Caspian region (Lake Sasyk, Baraboj River, and Sukhoj Liman Basin for the zebra mussel; Dniestr River Basin for the quagga mussel) are described. One empty valve of Dreissena polymorpha andrusovi was found in the Taganrog Bay.

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• Trends of aquatic alien species invasions in Ukraine

  Boris Alexandrov, Alexandr Boltachev, Taras Kharchenko, Artiom Lyashenko, Mikhail Son, Piotr Tsarenko, Valeriy Zhukinsky

  Aquatic Invasions. 08/2007; 2:215-242.

  This review is a first attempt to summarize data on the records and distribution of 240 alien species in fresh water, brackish water and marine water areas of Ukraine, from unicellular algae up to fish. A checklist of alien species with their taxonomy, synonymy and with a complete bibliography of th... [more] This review is a first attempt to summarize data on the records and distribution of 240 alien species in fresh water, brackish water and marine water areas of Ukraine, from unicellular algae up to fish. A checklist of alien species with their taxonomy, synonymy and with a complete bibliography of their first records is presented. Analysis of the main trends of alien species introduction, present ecological status, origin and pathways is considered.

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• Invasive molluscs in fresh and brackish waters of the Northern Black Sea Region [in Russian]

  M O Son

  06/2007: pages 132 pp;

  ISBN: 978-966-2907-58-9

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