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Rediscovery of Karelin’s newt (Triturus karelinii, Amphibia, Caudata, Salamandridae) in the Stavropol region and Karachay-Cherkessia (North Caucasus, Russia)

Karelin's newt (Triturus karelinii) in Russia is known for sure in Republic of Crimea, Krasnodar region, Republic of Adygea, and Republic of Dagestan. No reports of this species distribution in other regions of the North Caucasus have yet been confirmed by collection materials. The paper presents data on few Karelin's newt findings in the Stavropol region and Karachay-Cherkessia Republic. In May 2018, five adult T. karelinii (two males and three females) were captured in the vicinity of the Novoekaterinovskaya village (Kochubeyevskiy district, Stavropol region).

New data on the distribution of Pallas's spadefoot toad (Pelobates vespertinus (Pallas, 1771)) and fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina L., 1761) (Anura, Amphibia) on the territory of the Saratov region and adjacent territories

New data on the geographical distribution of Pelobates vespertinus and Bombina bombina in the Saratov region and adjacent districts of the Volgograd, Voronezh, Penza and Ulyanovsk regions are presented. The habitation of B. bombina and P. vespertinus populations in 25 and 22 localities, respectively, was established. Most modern populations of these species of anuran amphibians have been recorded near water bodies in river valleys.

Specific composition, numbers and biotopical distribution of snakes (Serpentes) on the southern slope of the Navagir mountain ridge (Abrau Peninsula) and some problems of its preservation

Seven species of snakes were revealed in 1997–1998, six of which (Natrix tessellata, N. natrix, Zamenis longissimus, Hierophis caspius, Platyceps najadum, and Elaphe sauromatus) were in the lower part of the slope, in the area of mediterranean vegetation. In 2001–2003, the first three species were revealed only, and their numbers significantly decreased, reaching a maximum in the middle part of the slope, in the zone of transition from mediterranean vegetation to broad-leaved forests.

A new record of the Bogdanov's thin-toed gecko, Tenuidactylus bogdanovi (Sauria, Gekkonidae), in South Kazakhstan

In the Shymkent city (South Kazakhstan) in 2019 and 2021 several specimens of Bogdanov's thin-toed gecko (Tenuidactylus bogdanovi) were found. The find was located 129 km north of the nearest known location in the Tashkent city in Uzbekistan. The repeated finding of Bogdanov's gecko in Shymkent confirms the eligibility of including this species in the list of herpetofauna of Kazakhstan.

Amphibians of the Orenburg State Nature Reserve (Russia)

Literary information about the batrachofauna of the Orenburg nature reserve is incomplete and contradictory. Data on the specific composition and abundance of amphibians in the Orenburg Nature State Reserve at its five cluster territories by the results of our 2015–2020 inventory are presented. The previously published materials about amphibians on the cluster territories “Talovskaya Steppe”, “Burtinskaya Steppe” and “Aytuarskaya Steppe” have been supplemented.

New data on some Russian herpetologists. Communication 4

Previously unknown biographic and bibliographic data about Peter V. Nesterov are provided. The main part of information was found in the Central State Historical Archive of Saint Petersburg.

On the northern border of the range of Darevskia pontica (Lantz et Cyrén, 1918) (Sauria: Lacertidae)

New findings of Darevskia pontica at the northern border of its habitat, in the Kuban-Azov lowland within the administrative boundaries of the Krasnodar and Rostov regions, are presented and discussed. The species was found in the Rostov region for the first time. It is proposed to include D. pontica into the regional Red Data Book of the Rostov region.

On findings of colour anomalies in the moor frog Rana arvalis Nilsson, 1842 (Ranidae, Amphibia) in the Moscow region

Information on two findings of colour anomalies in the moor frog, Rana arvalis, in the Moscow region is prerented. In one case, the colour anomaly in a frog found in Shchelkovo District was probably the result of a decrease in the number of iridophores. This anomaly corresponds to none of the colour morph of R. arvalis described previously. The second finding was made in Volokolamsk District, and the colour anomaly was expressed in a strongly pronounced spotted pattern, which is unusual for this species.

Winter activity record of two lizard species in Egypt

Two Acanthodactylus boskianus and three Mesalina guttulata were recorded on the surface at day time, 12 January 2022 in the South Eastern Desert, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt. The weather was clear full day, in the middle of the day the air temperature reached +24⁰C. Lizards not only actively moved, but also demonstrated foraging behavior. This is the first documented record of winter activity of lacertids in Egypt.

New findings of the Aesculapian skidder Zamenis longissimus (Laurenti, 1768) (Colubridae, Reptilia) in the Republic of Adygea

Data on new findings of the Aesculapian skidder Zamenis longissimus (Laurenti, 1768) in the Republic of Adygea, specifying the northern border of the species’ habitat, are given. Z. longissimus should be considered a naturally rare species throughout the entire part of its distribution in the Republic of Adygea. Apparently, the direct destruction of these snakes by humans is the main threat to the species in the region.

Distribution and protection state of Coronella austriaca (Reptilia: Serpentes: Colubridae) in Kazakhstan

The smooth snake (Coronella austriaca Laurenti, 1768) was known in Kazakhstan from literary sources and reptile collections by few findings within the boundaries of the modern Aktobe region in 1871–1956. The paper gives the coordinates and dates of the 2019–2022 findings in the West Kazakhstan region, where this species has not been met before.

Captive breeding of the Caspian lizard (Darevskia caspica) (Reptilia, Lacertidae)

The Caspian lizard (Darevskia caspica) is a recently described endemic of the Hyrcanian forests of Northern Iran. The paper presents new data on the reproductive biology of D. caspica obtained in laboratory conditions. Breeding females have a body length of 53.4– 64.4 mm and a mass of 2.96–3.60 g. Females produce from one to three clutches per season, each of which contains 1–6 eggs. The length of these eggs is 10.35–13.95 mm, width 6.19–7.59 mm, and weight 0.27–0.45 g.

On communal egg-laying of the tiger keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus) (Reptilia, Colubridae) in the Far East of Russia

The paper presents the case of discovery of 60 eggs of the tiger keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus) in the vicinity of the Dunay settlement (Primorsky Krai, Russian Federation) under a wooden railway sleeper on July 27, 2022. The authors suggest that it was a collective clutch of eggs from three females. Incubation in artificial conditions, from the discovery of this collective clutch to the release of juveniles from the eggs, lasted 17–20 days. Given the synchronicity of the hatching of young snakes, it is assumed that the eggs were laid by different females almost simultaneously.

Influence of the environmental temperature regime on the body temperature of Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758 (Lacertidae, Reptilia) in local populations of the Khoper river floodplain in spring

An analysis was made of the influence of the biotope temperature regime on the body temperature of Lacerta agilis in local populations of the floodplain of the middle reaches of the Khoper river (Saratov region). The rectal body temperature in active L. agilis out-side their shelters was shown to be 18.3–35.1°С and 18.2–34.8°С for males and females, respectively. The rectal temperature of L. agilis males and females in the spring period does not differ significantly. The optimal body temperature of L.

Herpetological collection of the Zoological Museum of Tomsk State University. Communication 1. Salamanders (Amphibia: Caudata)

The history of formation and the taxonomic composition of the salamander collection of the Zoological Museum of Tomsk State University, opened in 1888, are analyzed. The history of the collection is characterized by two periods of active formation, namely: late 19th – early 20th centuries and late 20th – early 21st centuries. It is associated with the names of prominent explorers of Siberia, namely: N. F. Kashchenko, S. I. Korzhinsky, A. A. Kulyabko, G. E. Ioganzen, M. D. Ruzsky, V. P. Anikin, and S. M. Chugunov. It presents 14 species from 12 genera and 6 families of salamanders. G. E.

New findings of the Caucasian toad (Bufo verrucosissimus, Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae) in the Kuma River basin (North Caucasus, Russia)

The paper discusses the distribution of Bufo verrucosissimus in the North Caucasus. It is noted that the absolute majority of findings of this species in Russia have occurred in the Black Sea basin. All currently known habitats of B.

Captive breeding of Regel’s racerunner (Eremias regeli, Reptilia, Lacertidae)

The paper presents the results of laboratory reproduction of Regel’s racerunner (Eremias regeli). Offspring was obtained from natural individuals (2 females and 2 males) captured in the vicinity of the Bokhtar town (Khatlon region, Republic of Tajikistan). Captive-born animals (3 females and 2 males) began laying eggs at the age of 7 months. The lizards from nature reproduced twice a year, while the animals obtained in the laboratory lay eggs up to three times per season. The clutches of both natural and laboratory lizards contained from 2 to 4 eggs.

Introduction and reintroduction of the takyr roundhead Phrynocephalus helioscopus (Agamidae, Reptilia) in the Altai region

Information is provided on the introduction and reintroduction of the takyr roundhead (Phrynocephalus helioscopus) in the Altai region under the “Program of Comprehensive Study of the Methods of Keeping and Breeding in Captivity of the Takyr roundhead (Phryno-cephalus helioscopus)”.

New finds of Elaphe sauromates (Pallas, 1814) (Colubridae, Reptilia) in Kazakhstan

A critical analysis of literature data on the records of Elaphe sauromates in the Atyrau region of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 1857–2006 is presented. Doubtful finds of the species in the Volga-Ural interfluve and in the vicinity of the city of Atyrau require confirmation. New finds in the region in 2018 and 2021, like all reliable previous ones, were made only on the territory of the Zhylyoysky district.

Some data on the parasite fauna of the Caucasian agama Paralaudakia caucasia Eichwald, 1831 (Agamidae, Reptilia) in Dagestan

Information on the species composition of the parasite fauna of the Caucasian agama P. caucasia is given. In total, 12 individuals of the Caucasian agama were studied and 5 species of helminths were found (Macracanthorhynchus catulinus, Thelandros popovi, T. markovi, Parapharyngodon brevicaudatus, Parapharyngodon szczerbakin). Ectoparasites were not found on the studied agamas.

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