Abai Alash

Bryophytes represent an important yet insufficiently studied component of terrestrial biodiversity in Central Kazakhstan. This study investigates the species composition and phylogenetic relationships of mosses in Karkaraly National Park (Karaganda Region), a forest–steppe enclave within the arid landscapes of the Kazakh Uplands. A total of 29 moss samples were collected and analyzed using an integrative approach combining microscopic morphological examination and molecular identification based on nuclear ribosomal ITS1 and ITS2 markers. Nine species belonging to seven families and four orders were identified, including Ceratodon purpureus, Syntrichia ruralis, Dicranum muehlenbeckii, Dicranum schljakovii, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Sanionia uncinata, Pylaisia polyantha and Abietinella abietina. Phylogenetic analysis using the Maximum Likelihood method confirmed species-level identification and revealed consistent clustering of samples within their respective genera. The detected assemblage reflects the ecological heterogeneity of the Karkaraly Mountains, where microclimatic variation supports both xerophytic and mesophilous moss species. This study represents one of the first integrative analyses combining morphological and molecular (ITS1 and ITS2) approaches to identify mosses in Central Kazakhstan. The results provide novel baseline data on species composition and phylogenetic relationships of bryophytes in the Karkaraly region and highlight its role as a refugium for both xerophytic and mesophilous taxa within a semi-arid landscape.

The golden jackal (Canis aureus) is a highly adaptable wild carnivore whose expanding range in Kazakhstan increases contact with livestock, wildlife, and human-modified environments. Despite its potential epidemiological importance, data on helminth infections in jackals from southern Kazakhstan remain limited. In this study, 13 golden jackals collected from four regions of southern Kazakhstan were examined by necropsy of internal organs and coprological analysis. Helminths were identified using morphological methods and molecular genetic analysis of mitochondrial (cox1) and ribosomal (NC13/NC2) markers. Five helminth species were detected, including the nematodes Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara canis, and the cestodes Taenia multiceps, Taenia krabbei, and Mesocestoides sp. Molecular phylogenetic analyses confirmed species-level identification of nematodes and cestodes and showed clear clustering with reference sequences. Overall, 46% of examined jackals were infected with at least one helminth species. The presence of taeniid cestodes and zoonotic nematodes highlights the role of golden jackals as definitive hosts in parasite transmission cycles involving wildlife, livestock, and humans. These findings provide new molecular and epizootological data on helminths of golden jackals in southern Kazakhstan and contribute to understanding their epidemiological significance.