A Guide to the Russian Academy of Sciences - University of Texas ...

11. LABORATORY OF ICHTHYOLOGY
HEAD Eugene I. SOBOLEVSKY (SKII) , Dr. Sci. Biol.
STAFF numbers 13, including 1 Dr. Sci., 3 Cand. Sci.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: Study of the composition, structure and productivity of
near-shore, pelagic and deep-water ichthyocenoses of the far-eastern seas; study
of the reproduction, embryonic and larval development of common and
commercially valuable fish species in connection with formation of good-harvest
recruit; research on the population structure and regulation of the structure and
abundance of sea fish populations; study of the fauna and systematics of fish of
the far-eastern seas and contiguous waters of the Pacific Ocean. On the basis of
the investigations, conclusions will be drawn on the condition of ichthyocenoses
and recommendations made with respect to the monitoring and protection of
marine biocenoses and increase in the variety of raw materials for fishing industry.
The Laboratory participated during 1989-1992 in three surveys in Peter the Great
Bay (Sea of Japan) and eight comprehensive surveys of the pelagic zone of the
Bering Sea and Okhotsk Sea and the Pacific waters off Kamchatka. New data on
the species composition and structure of meso- and bathypelagic fishes of the
Bering Sea have been obtained, areas and time of spawning established as well as
trophic relationships and feeding rhythms of some mesopelagic fishes elucidated.
Knowledge of the species composition of ichthyocenosis of Peter the Great Bay
and peculiarities of the spatial, biotopic and bathymetric distribution of common
species of fish have been refined. The structure of near-shore ichthyocenoses (0-35
m) during the foraging period has been determined.
12. LABORATORY OF CYTOPHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
HEAD Iurii S. KHOTIMCHENKO, Dr. Sci. Biol.
STAFF numbers 25, including 3 Drs. Sci., 11 Cand. Sci.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: Study of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate
the proliferation, growth and maturation of the gametes and of the processes of
deterioration of the somatic and sex cells under the influence of heavy metals,
petroleum hydrocarbons and radionuclides; primary pharmacological assessment
of biologically active substances from animals and plants; development of new
food additives and medicinal preparations. It has been established that the
monoaminergic, cholinergic and peptidergic neurosecretory systems are involved in
regulating the reproduction in echinoderms and bivalve mollusks. The properties of
the adenylate cyclase system in oogenesis and early embryonic development of sea
urchins and starfishes have been described. A biotechnology for obtaining of the
mature sex cells of sea urchins and bivalve mollusks under artificial conditions has
been worked out. Methods for toxicological assessment of soils, bottom sediments
and sea water has been developed using the embryonic development of sea urchin
as a model.
13. LABORATORY OF FISH PHYSIOLOGY
* HEAD Sergei L. KONDRASHEV, Cand. Sci. Biol.
* STAFF numbers 8, including 1 Dr. Sci, 2 Cand. Sci.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: Study of the cellular processes of reproduction control and
adaptation to environmental conditions in Pacific salmon; comparative
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