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Fires can significantly impact forest ecosystems. However, studies on the effects of fires on insect communities in post-fire plots in natural forests are rare. This study presents an analysis of the Coleoptera fauna in the forests of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve (European Russia) in 2022 and 2023 after a fire. Insects were sampled from burned plots (9) in 2010 and 2021, as well as unburned (control) plots (2), and alpha diversity was compared. After processing the material, we examined a total of 12,218 Coleoptera specimens from 38 families and identified 194 species. The families Nitidulidae, Cerambycidae, Elateridae, and Scarabaeidae were the most abundant across all plots. Cerambycidae, Elateridae, Nitidulidae, Staphylinidae, Coccinellidae, and Scarabaeidae exhibited the greatest species diversity. In total, 17 species were found on all plots, including Cetonia aurata, Protaetia cuprea volhyniensis, Trogoderma glabrum, Carpophilus hemipterus, Epuraea biguttata, Glischrochilus grandis, Glischrochilus hortensis, Glischrochilus quadripunctatus, Soronia grisea, Pediacus depressus, Chrysanthia geniculata, Anastrangalia reyi, Leptura quadrifasciata, Leptura thoracica, Lepturalia nigripes, Rhagium mordax, and Anisandrus dispar. Only five species exhibited preferences for certain plots. Maximum abundance and species diversity were observed on unburned (control) plots. The plots where fires occurred in 2010 and 2021 had the lowest total abundance values for Coleoptera. These fires destroyed almost all potential sites for beetle settlement, feeding, breeding, and shelter. Traps recorded a higher abundance of Coleoptera in the first year after fires compared to the second year. The Coleoptera fauna showed the greatest similarity on the control plots.

This paper presents an analysis of helminth diversity in green frogs of the Pelophylax esculentus complex from twelve provinces of the Middle Volga region (European Russia). The study relies on the occurrence dataset recently published in GBIF in the form of a Darwin Core archive. The database contains current information on helminth occurrences in these anurans, comprising records from our long-term helminthological survey conducted in 1997–2025. Our database includes 13,634 helminth occurrence records for three Pelophylax species residing in the Middle Volga region. Each helminth occurrence record is linked to georeferenced data. A total of 43 parasite species are documented in the dataset, including 29 species of trematodes, one cestode, 11 nematodes, and two acanthocephalans. The greatest helminth diversity was recorded in Pelophylax ridibundus (42 species), which is the most widespread and abundant amphibian species in European Russia. The helminth fauna is less diverse in Pelophylax lessonae (32 species) and their hybrid, Pelophylax esculentus (25). Most helminth species found in green frogs within the studied area belong to the Palearctic faunal complex (29 species). Five helminth species each have European and Holarctic distributions, while four species are cosmopolitan. Of the 43 species of helminths found, three (Alaria alata, Spirometra erinacei, Ascarops strongylina) are of medical and veterinary importance as causative agents of parasitic zoonoses, posing a threat to domestic animals and humans.

Insectivores (Eulypotiphla) are a substantial component of Russian forest ecosystems. The parasites of these animals also form an important part of natural biocenoses and act as one of the factors in the formation of biodiversity. The Mordovia Nature Reserve and National Park “Smolny” are large, forested areas located in the center of European Russia. We studied the helminth fauna of insectivores in these protected areas in 2018–2022. In total, using the method of complete helminthological necropsy, we examined 478 individuals of shrews, moles, and hedgehogs and recorded 34 species of parasitic worms, i.e., 8 trematode, 7 cestode, 1 acanthocephalan, and 18 nematode species. The most diverse helminth fauna was found in Sorex araneus (22 species). The composition of helminths in S. isodon (12), Neomys fodiens (9), Sorex minutus, and Erinaceus roumanicus (8 species each) turned out to be less diverse. The lowest species diversity of helminths was observed in Neomys milleri (3) and Talpae europaea (2 species). Taking into account the newly obtained data, we conducted a review of the helminth diversity in shrews, hedgehogs, and moles in the Middle Volga region. According to our literature data, the helminth fauna of insectivores in this region consists of 52 species, including 14 cestodes, 13 trematodes, 22 nematodes, and 3 acanthocephalans. Most of them belong to the Palearctic faunal complex (36 species). The helminth fauna of insectivores in the studied protected areas was compared with the helminth fauna of micromammals in other areas of the Middle Volga region. Our comparative analysis showed a high and average degree of similarity in the helminth fauna within individual species and genera of Eulipotyphla.

This paper presents an analysis of helminth diversity in reptiles in eight provinces of the Middle Volga region (European Russia) based on the dataset recently published in the GBIF as the Darwin Core Archive. The dataset contains up-to-date information on the occurrence of parasitic worms in lizards and snakes and summarizes the records obtained during long-term helminthological studies conducted in 1996–2024. It includes 8576 helminth occurrence records in nine reptile species inhabiting the Middle Volga region. All helminth occurrence records are georeferenced. In total, we present data on 45 parasitic worm species, including 4 species of cestodes, 21 species of trematodes, 16 species of nematodes, and 4 species of acanthocephalans. The richest helminth fauna was found in Natrix natrix (26 species), Lacerta agilis (21), Natrix tessellata (16), and Vipera berus (15). Less diverse is the helminth fauna in Anguis colchica (8 species), Zootoca vivipara (7), Vipera renardi (6), Coronella austriaca (5), and Eremias arguta (3). The diversity of helminths in reptiles of the Middle Volga region does not reach its maximum compared to other European countries. Most helminth species found in lizards and snakes of the studied region belong to the Palearctic faunal complex (25 species). Eight species of parasites have a Holarctic distribution. Seven helminth species parasitize reptiles only in Europe. Five species of parasites are cosmopolitan. Of the 45 species of helminths found in reptiles, 3 species have medical and veterinary significance as causative agents of dangerous helminthiasis. Data on the diversity and distribution of parasitic worms in reptiles of the Middle Volga region remain incomplete, so further observations may provide new occurrence records of helminths and expand the knowledge about their hosts.

In this study, we present our dataset containing up-to-date information about occurrences of trematodes in small mammals in the Middle Volga region (European Russia). The dataset summarizes micromammals’ trematode occurrences obtained by long-term field helminthological studies of soricomorphs, erinaceomorphs, bats and rodents during a period of more than 20 years (1999–2022). Our studies of trematodes in micromammals were conducted using the method of complete helminthological necropsy. The dataset includes 7470 records of trematode occurrences in micromammals with 4483 digenean records in Samara Oblast, 2986 records in Republic of Mordovia and one trematode record in Ulyanovsk Oblast. Our dataset presents the data on 43 trematode species from 21 genera and 9 families found in the region studied. The data on trematodes from 28 species of micromammals belonging to 14 genera are presented. In total, the number of collected trematode specimens in our dataset is 153,050. Each occurrence record contains the trematode species name, basis of record, locality of finding, host species, site in host, date and authors of the record and species identification. All occurrence records are georeferenced. The dataset is based on the research of the staff of the Institute of Ecology of the Volga River basin of RAS and the Joint Directorate of the Mordovia Nature Reserve and National Park “Smolny”. The distribution and diversity of trematodes of small mammals in the Middle Volga region has not been completely studied, and further investigation may reveal both new occurrences of trematodes and new host records.

Our study focuses on the investigation of the ecological aspects (seasonal dynamics, height distribution, and preference of biotopes) of six species within the genus Panorpa (P. alpina Rambur, 1842, P. cognata Rambur, 1842, P. communis Linnaeus, 1758, P. germanica Linnaeus, 1758, P. hybrida MacLachlan, 1882, and P. vulgaris Imhoff & Labram, 1845). The observed seasonal dynamics predominantly display a monovoltine nature. P. communis was active from the early days of May, with individuals persisting until the beginning of October. Conversely, P. vulgaris exhibits activity from the third decade of May to mid-September. P. hybrida manifests within a concise timeframe, observed from late May to late July. P. cognata demonstrates activity commencing in early May, with individuals observed until the end of September. Within forest environments, the highest population density of all species is concentrated at a height of 1.5 m above ground level, whereas the minimum population density is recorded at a height of 12 m above ground level. P. vulgaris demonstrates comparable abundance across heights ranging from 1.5 to 7.5 m, whereas P. hybrida exhibits uniform distribution solely at heights of 1.5 and 3.5 m. Furthermore, the abundance of P. communis surpasses that at other heights when observed at the height of 1.5 m. Panorpa specimens exhibit an absence in open ecosystems at heights of 8 and 10 m. The peak of population density for all species is consistently identified at heights of 2 and 4 m. The application of six diverse entomological methodologies leads to optimal outcomes. Our investigations reveal that P. communis, P. vulgaris, and P. hybrida display greater attraction to beer traps, while P. cognata exhibits a comparatively diminished propensity for such traps. P. cognata, in contrast, demonstrates a substantial presence in pan traps and pitfall traps. In Malaise traps, pan traps, and pitfall traps, five distinct species were captured, although with a species composition differing from alternative methods. To sum up, for the comprehensive study of Panorpa across an expansive geographical spectrum, it is judicious to integrate both net captures and the use of diverse trap types. In addition, it is necessary to explore all biotopes and tiers of the forest.

A review of the distribution of the Chinese sleeper Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877 (Pisces, Odontobutidae) as an invasive species of fish in the territories of the reserves and national parks of the middle and lower Volga Region is presented. It occurs in 12 protected areas which is only 44.4% of the total number of protected areas. The invasion way of P. glenii in some protected areas is described, which is associated with stocking of fishery ponds. Data on habitats and the number of P. glenii in studied reserves and national parks are given, as well as the possible reasons for its absence in the ichthyofauna of other protected areas.

This paper presents an analysis of helminth diversity in green frogs of the Pelophylax esculentus complex from twelve provinces of the Middle Volga region (European Russia). The study relies on the occurrence dataset recently published in GBIF in the form of a Darwin Core archive. The database contains current information on helminth occurrences in these anurans, comprising records from our long-term helminthological survey conducted in 1997–2025. Our database includes 13,634 helminth occurrence records for three Pelophylax species residing in the Middle Volga region. Each helminth occurrence record is linked to georeferenced data. A total of 43 parasite species are documented in the dataset, including 29 species of trematodes, one cestode, 11 nematodes, and two acanthocephalans. The greatest helminth diversity was recorded in Pelophylax ridibundus (42 species), which is the most widespread and abundant amphibian species in European Russia. The helminth fauna is less diverse in Pelophylax lessonae (32 species) and their hybrid, Pelophylax esculentus (25). Most helminth species found in green frogs within the studied area belong to the Palearctic faunal complex (29 species). Five helminth species each have European and Holarctic distributions, while four species are cosmopolitan. Of the 43 species of helminths found, three (Alaria alata, Spirometra erinacei, Ascarops strongylina) are of medical and veterinary importance as causative agents of parasitic zoonoses, posing a threat to domestic animals and humans.

This paper presents an analysis of helminth diversity in reptiles in eight provinces of the Middle Volga region (European Russia) based on the dataset recently published in the GBIF as the Darwin Core Archive. The dataset contains up-to-date information on the occurrence of parasitic worms in lizards and snakes and summarizes the records obtained during long-term helminthological studies conducted in 1996–2024. It includes 8576 helminth occurrence records in nine reptile species inhabiting the Middle Volga region. All helminth occurrence records are georeferenced. In total, we present data on 45 parasitic worm species, including 4 species of cestodes, 21 species of trematodes, 16 species of nematodes, and 4 species of acanthocephalans. The richest helminth fauna was found in Natrix natrix (26 species), Lacerta agilis (21), Natrix tessellata (16), and Vipera berus (15). Less diverse is the helminth fauna in Anguis colchica (8 species), Zootoca vivipara (7), Vipera renardi (6), Coronella austriaca (5), and Eremias arguta (3). The diversity of helminths in reptiles of the Middle Volga region does not reach its maximum compared to other European countries. Most helminth species found in lizards and snakes of the studied region belong to the Palearctic faunal complex (25 species). Eight species of parasites have a Holarctic distribution. Seven helminth species parasitize reptiles only in Europe. Five species of parasites are cosmopolitan. Of the 45 species of helminths found in reptiles, 3 species have medical and veterinary significance as causative agents of dangerous helminthiasis. Data on the diversity and distribution of parasitic worms in reptiles of the Middle Volga region remain incomplete, so further observations may provide new occurrence records of helminths and expand the knowledge about their hosts.

Insectivores (Eulypotiphla) are a substantial component of Russian forest ecosystems. The parasites of these animals also form an important part of natural biocenoses and act as one of the factors in the formation of biodiversity. The Mordovia Nature Reserve and National Park “Smolny” are large, forested areas located in the center of European Russia. We studied the helminth fauna of insectivores in these protected areas in 2018–2022. In total, using the method of complete helminthological necropsy, we examined 478 individuals of shrews, moles, and hedgehogs and recorded 34 species of parasitic worms, i.e., 8 trematode, 7 cestode, 1 acanthocephalan, and 18 nematode species. The most diverse helminth fauna was found in Sorex araneus (22 species). The composition of helminths in S. isodon (12), Neomys fodiens (9), Sorex minutus , and Erinaceus roumanicus (8 species each) turned out to be less diverse. The lowest species diversity of helminths was observed in Neomys milleri (3) and Talpae europaea (2 species). Taking into account the newly obtained data, we conducted a review of the helminth diversity in shrews, hedgehogs, and moles in the Middle Volga region. According to our literature data, the helminth fauna of insectivores in this region consists of 52 species, including 14 cestodes, 13 trematodes, 22 nematodes, and 3 acanthocephalans. Most of them belong to the Palearctic faunal complex (36 species). The helminth fauna of insectivores in the studied protected areas was compared with the helminth fauna of micromammals in other areas of the Middle Volga region. Our comparative analysis showed a high and average degree of similarity in the helminth fauna within individual species and genera of Eulipotyphla.