Mihails Pupins

Daugavpils University · Department of Ecology, Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies

An exotic turtle invasive species Trachemys scripta elegans Seidel 2002 was imported to Latvia with commercial purposes for sale in pet-shops. Now illegal introduction has resulted in invasion of the species into the nature of Latvia. In the study, the author checked reports from Latvian local inhabitants about their observation of Trahemys scripta...

The aim of our study was to provide a first overview of the population genetic structure of the invasive Chinese sleeper, Perccottus glenii, (Actinopterygii: Odontobutidae) in European water bodies. This species originates from inland waters of north-eastern China, northern North Korea and the Russian Far East. The 1172 bp long portion of the cytoc...

Audial surveys of anuran amphibians (frogs, toads and similar) are cost-effective and allow for the coverage of large areas, but they are usually regarded as unsuitable for population size estimations due to imperfect detection. Our study demonstrated a method for obtaining minimum adult population size estimates from vocalising anuran counts by us...

Five European slow worms ( Anguis ) have mostly parapatric distributions. Two species, A. fragilis and A. colchica , are widely distributed across the western and eastern parts of the genus range. Their contact zone runs from the north-eastern Balkans, through Pannonia to northern Central Europe. In northern Poland, the contact zone has been locate...

In order to use an integrated approach for studying the influence of risk factors on the distribution of the native turtle species E. orbicularis and accompanying invasive species (T. scripta and N. procyonoides) in the northeast of their range, we used GIS modelling and a database (GAEZ, human footprint, CliMond) of 55 preselected variables, which...

Citation: Pupins, M.; Nekrasova, O.; Tytar, V.; Garkajs, A.; Petrov, I.; Morozova, A.; Theissinger, K.; Ceirāns, A.; Skute, A.; Georges, J.-Y. Geographically Isolated Wetlands as a Reserve for the Conservation of Amphibian Biodiversity at the Edge of Their Range. Diversity 2023, 15, 461. Abstract: Wetlands are of great importance for biodiversity a...

Expanding the trade of tropical fruits in an increasingly globalized world increases the likelihood of unintentional importation of viable herpetofauna and their parasites from other countries and even continents, since the conditions for growing and transportation of fruits (humidity, temperature) can often be tolerated by exotic amphibians and re...

In the modern world, when the problems of the environment are most acutely associated with climate change, amphibians are considered to be the most vulnerable group of anamniotes as an indicator of the state of wetlands. Along with a decrease of numbers among amphibians in Europe, nowadays newts especially suffer from the impact of invasive species...

Freshwater ecosystems are exceptionally vulnerable to biological invasions. The introduction of non-native species of fish to Europe has been a common practice, including the introduction of the North American pumpkinseed, Lepomis gibbosus. The range expansion of this species has continued across the continent, with new areas occupied in Ukraine. U...

The influence of Asian fish species on the natural ecosystems of Europe is poorly understood. The popularity of these species in pond aquaculture contributes to their European-wide invasion. There are conflicting opinions on how Asian carps may affect natural ecosystems, either positively by control of "water bloom" as fish food, or negatively by r...

Exotic aquatic turtle species often become favorite pets, especially juveniles. Later, at the adult stage, they are commonly released into the wild. However, questions remain - how likely it is that, these thermophilic exotic turtles can establish themselves in Eastern Europe and neighboring territories. We made an attempt to explore this issue by...

We present nine observations of abnormal amplexus in anurans, reported for the first time from Latvia. In total, nine types of abnormal amplexi are documented for four anuran species: Bombina bombina (Bombinatoridae), Bufo bufo (Bufonidae), Pelophylax lessonae and Rana temporaria (Ranidae). According to the one of our observations, abnormal amplexu...

The spread and outbreaks of phytophagous pests are often associated with global warming. In addition to economic interest, these species may be of interest in terms of biological indication of climate changes. In this context, we considered the locust digitate leafminer Parectopa robiniella Clemens, 1863 (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae). This phytopha...

This material is a brief description of the basic methods of collecting green frogs for scientific and environmental studies by the hand net catching, used by the authors for many years in Latvia. The preparation for catching, he equipment, the basic methods of catching and storage frogs are described. The material can be used for sampling green fr...

Exotic aquatic turtle species often become favorite pets, especially juveniles. Later, at the adult stage, they are commonly released into the wild. However, questions remain - how likely it is that, these thermophilic exotic turtles can establish themselves in Eastern Europe and neighboring territories.

This material is final report of the project’s “Monitoring and research of invertebrates, amphibian and reptiles in the protected areas “Lubāna mitrājs”, “Gaujas nacionālais parks” and “Ķemeru nacionālais parks” (Identification number DAP 2020/4-AK), amphibians and reptile part. It contains chapters on available historical data, results of field re...

Along with decrease in numbers among amphibians in Eastern Europe nowadays newts especially suffer from invasive predatory fish and turtles. Such aggressive predator as P. glenii has recently occupied water bodies important for newts' breeding. The fish eat eggs, larvae and even adult individuals. Using the ecological niche approach, it was showed...

The spread of phytophagous pests are often associated with global warming. These species may be of interest in terms of biological indication of climate changes. We considered the locust digitate leafminer P. robiniella. In Ukraine it was recorded firstly in 2003. In 2020-2021 we found areas of massive R. pseudoacacia leaf damage caused by the pest...

We used quantitative PCR to detect Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) in 135 samples of Pelophylax esculentus complex water frogs from 41 Latvian populations. We detected Bd in 18 populations of water frogs. None of the samples was positive for Bsal.

The bloodfeeding leech genus Placobdella is dominated by North American diversity, with only a single nominal species known from Central America and one from the Palearctic region. This is likely due to considerable underestimation of Palearctic biodiversity, but investigations into potential hidden diversity are lacking. To shed light on this, the...

Presented at the 2nd International Electronic Conference on Diversity (IECD 2022)—New Insights into the 18 Biodiversity of Plants, Animals and Microbes, 15–30 March 2022; Available online: https://scifo-19 rum.net/event/IECD2022.

An increasing number of thermophilic invasive species are spreading and becoming naturalized in Eastern Europe, at least partially due to recent climate change. This can be exemplified by current expansion of the red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta, in Latvia and Ukraine. We collected 44 records of the species in Latvia and 79 in Ukraine. Two of th...

The study of the distribution of protected animal species in Europe is especially relevant in a changing climate. Therefore, in this work, we tried to solve the problem of the possibility of habitation of tortoises Testudo graeca Linnaeus, 1758 and Testudo hermanni Gmelin, 1789 in Eastern Europe by using species distribution models (SDMs). We used...

The slow-worm lizards (Anguis) comprise five species occurring throughout most of the Western Palearctic. Although these species are relatively uniform morphologically – with the exception of A. cephallonica, which exhibits a quite unique morphology – they are genetically deeply divergent. Here, we provide detailed distribution maps for each species...

Abstract. Our study provides a review of colour anomalies in amphibians from Ukraine during the 20th and early 21st centuries. Observations including melanism, flavinism, leucism, and blue axanthism were assembled from the published literature (1909– 2018) and during field surveys (2000–2017). Blue colouration was the most common abnormal variant (...

We investigated factors affecting species composition and patterns of species associations in parasite communities of water frogs (Pelophylax esculentus complex), applying the distance-based redundancy analysis for component communities (assemblages harboured by host populations) and Markov random fields modelling for infracommunities (assemblages...

Helminth infracommunities were studied at 174 sites of Latvia in seven hosts from six amphibian taxa of different taxonomical, ontogenic and ecological groups. They were described using a standard set of parasitological parameters, compared by ecological indices and linear discriminant analysis. Their species associations were identified by Kendall...

The potential distribution of tropical fish species in Eastern Europe—Gambusia holbrooki(introduced for biological control) andPoecilia reticulata(aquarium species, found in waste waters ofbig cities)—tend to be of particular interest in terms of global climate change. After GIS modeling ofour own data and findings listed in the GBIF databases (227...

The monograph consists of the comprehensive overview of the history of expansion of the Ponto-Caspian gobiids (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) in Eurasian and North America, both in fresh and brackish waters. The detailed review of the Ponto-Caspian gobiids showing invasions consists the information concerning the expansion of 7 fish species: monkey goby (N...

The research explores the possibilities of biogas extraction from aquaculture waste. Samples of fish-farming pool sludge were taken from a fish farm, which is located in the Krāslava district, Kalnieši rural municipality. Prior to experimental fermentation and extraction of biogas, samples were analyzed in order to determine their moisture and orga...

The research summarizes information on biochemical processes of biogas production and the parameters that affect the results of its production. The research examines the result of obtaining biogas from bog sludge and a mixture of crushed reed. Particular attention is given to temperature, as a parameter that affects the results of methane and bioga...

The Chinese sleeper, Perccottus glenii, is an invasive species that has spread into Eastern Europe from its natural geographic range in Far Eastern Asia. Here, we provide a complex hydrobiological study of a marsh waterbody in the Ilgas Nature Reserve Natura 2000 site (Latvia) where we registered a monospecific fish community comprised of Chinese s...

GIS modeling and study of the influence of invasive mammalian species’ distribution on European pond turtle

Environmental niche modeling together with an updated record of L. gibbosus in Europe enable to characterize the environmental conditions relevant to its distribution within the invaded range, and may help to establish efficient monitoring programs including invasion risk assessments.

Potential distribution of tropical fish species in Eastern Europe-Gambusia holbrooki Girarg, 1859 (introduced for biological control) and Poecilia reticulata Peters, 1859 (aquarium species, found in waste waters of big cities) tend to be of particular interest in terms of global climate change. After GIS modeling of our own data and findings listed...

Amphibians are the most threatened group of vertebrates. While habitat loss poses the greatest threat to amphibians, a spreading fungal disease caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is seriously affecting an increasing number of species. Although Bd is widely prevalent, there are identifiable heterogeneities in the pathogen’s distribution t...

Alaria alata is known as a trematode with a complex life cycle. The trematode Alaria alata infects amphibians as second intermediate hosts. In the present study, we examined 390 amphibians—European water frogs Pelophylax esculentus complex (n = 335), common frogs Rana temporaria (n = 19), moor frogs Rana arvalis (n = 3), and common toads Bufo bufo...

The Perccottus glenii is one of the most invasive of European fish species. During August-September 2019, we examined Chinese sleeper from six waterbodies in Latvia and Ukraine for parasites. Seventeen parasite species were registered, including two ciliate species, one coccidia, one monogenean, one cestode, six trematodes, three nematodes, one aca...

The manual describes the methodology for conducting the background monitoring of herpetofauna in Latvia. It contains methods for state-wide, full-scale vocalizing anuran surveys, newt (Triturus cristatus, Lissotriton vulgaris) larvae counts, the European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis) eDNA and trap surveys, and the Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis) tran...

The manual describes the methodology for conducting the Natura 2000 monitoring of herpetofauna in Latvia, which covers most important populations of all the Habitat Directive Annex II amphibians and reptile species found in Latvia (Bombina bombina, Triturus cristatus, Emys orbicularis), and also the Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita) and the Smoot...

Ecological and evolutionary consequences of population-genetic processes that occur because of natural cross-species hybridization can show mechanisms of overcoming the reproductive barrier and obtaining the species status by a hybrid taxon. This is clearly seen in the population systems of Eurasian water frogs – Pelophylax esculentus complex. The...

We examined Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) populations from Latvia and Ukraine. Annual means for temperature and precipitation are 5.8°C and 655.6 mm (29 points) and 7.8°C and 595.6 mm (602 points) in Latvia and Ukraine, respectively. Using a separate distribution model for each of two different regions with ecological niche modeling technique (...

The European pond turtle Emys orbicularis is the only autochthonous species of turtles in Latvia and Ukraine. The study of the influence of climatic factors on morphology and ecology is of great interest. Studying the morphology of marginal populations, it was concluded that turtles' hatchlings vary significantly in three parameters. Juvenile turtl...

This tutorial continues the series of study guides - collections devoted to the classical methods of studying aquatic organisms and their ecosystems for use in aquaculture. The methods of biomonitoring freshwater reservoirs are selected in such a way that the estimation of a number of indicators is possible both in the laboratory and in the field....

Umbrasko I., Harlamova N., Pupins M., Skute N. 2020. Skin microbiome of free-living European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis (L.)) on the northern border of its range in Silene nature park, Latvia. Acta Biol. Univ. Daugavp., 20 (2): 155-161. Microbial organisms play key roles in animal health and ecology. E. orbicularis is included in the Latvian lis...

The study of the dynamics of the European pond turtle's Emys orbicularis range and distribution as an indicator of climate change in the past, present, and future is most relevant in connection with the protected status of this species in Europe. Based on our original finds, 25 archaeological sites yielding 1623 remains of 1504 individuals of subfo...

Historical data indicate the presence of two Epidalea calamita population groups in Latvia in the past, one in western Latvia and another connecting populations from Estonia and Lithuania – in central Latvia. Both groups have experienced local extinctions that started after the Second World War in the coastal habitats around developing cities, wher...

Creation and expansion of the Emerald Network (EN) objects is one of the most promising directions of the nature conservation development in Ukraine according to European standards. The aim of EN objects designing is to assess the state of conservation of habitats and flora/fauna species’ populations on a pan-European level. It is assumed that the...

Habitat modification affects amphibians indirectly by reducing energy reserves and energy allocated to growth and reproduction, and by affecting population dynamics and viability. Marginal populations of amphibians in Latvia and Ukraine are particularly vulnerable. On the other hand, several studies have shown a positive relationship between human...

The results show that for Ukrainian specimens the independent variance (77%) was totally concentrated in PC1, whereas for the Latvian specimens it was distributed between PC1 (70%) and PC2 (14%). Shifts demonstrated in phenotypic integration are related to environmental changes (Goswami et al., 2015). Our findings support this notion however more r...

I. The country and its amphibian fauna II. Threats to amphibians in Latvia III. Declining species and species of special conservation concern in Latvia IV. Conservation of amphibians in Latvia V. Monitoring of amphibians in Latvia VI. Conclusions VII. Acknowledgements VIII. References p.s. H.arborea=H.orientalis

Limitation of Trachemys scripta elegans invasion in Latvia is realised since 1995 according to the experts (M.Pupiņš, A.Pupiņa, A.Čeirāns) developed strategy that includes 6 activities: 1. Science: Research on the distribution and ecology of T.scripta in Latvia (2 LVAFA projects were carried out; 3 articles and 3 monographs were published; results...

Strategy of limitation of Perccottus glenii invasion in Latvia developed by experts A.Pupiņa and M.Pupiņš and realized since 2004, it includes 6 activities: 1. Science: Research on distribution and ecology of P.glenii in Latvia (4 projects were carried out; 5 articles and 2 monographs were published; results were presented at 14 conferences; DAISIE...

Benzanthrone derivates are now widely used in many industrial and scientific applications as dyes for polymers and textiles. In biochemical, biomedical and diagnostics investigations benzanthrone dyes are used as a lipophilic fluorescent probe since many benzanthrone derivates demonstrate bright fluorescence and they have ability to intercalate bet...

The article describes the potential distribution area of B. bombina and fi gure out the signifi cant climatic factors of the species at a home range scale. Th is species is listed on Appendix II of the Bern Convention and on Annexes II and IV of the EU Natural Habitats Directive. It is protected by national legislation in many countries, occurs in...

In this study, we aimed at projecting the availability of suitable habitat for an endangered amphibian species, the Fire-bellied toad, Bombina bombina, under historical climate (summarizing conditions during 1961-1990) and projected data (2050) available from the CliMond database.

In this study we consider the widespread and rapid invasion in Eurasia of Perccottus glenii and its potential impact on native biota, exemplified by presumed negative interactions of this fish with the fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina), a rare and protected species in Latvia and European Union.

The collection contains simple classical methods of ichthyological studies of aquatic ecosystems that are suitable for aquaculture. It is a textbook for students of aquaculture and specialists of fisheries.

Amphibians are greatly affected by invasive species through direct predation and competition. Being triggered by climate change, the invasion of Perccottus glenii (the Chinese sleeper) in Eurasia may have detrimental consequences for the fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina). The invader can feed upon B. bombina toads and juveniles and compete for fo...

Information on amphibians of Daugavpils district (Latvia): species, conservation status in Latvia, distribution, biology, main threats (climate, invasive Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Perccottus glenii, Trachemys scripta, overgrowing of habitats) and their level, research and conservation projects (project title, year, funds, financier, leading p...

The Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita) is a rare and protected species in Europe, Latvia, and neighboring countries (Drobenkov et al. 2005; Drobenkov 2018). Only small populations of this species are known in Latvia (Siliņš 1936; Siliņš, Lamsters 1934; Bērziņš 2008; Pupiņš, Pupiņa 2011), and the Dviete population is the farthest to the east (Dviet...