морфология

Sexual differences in the morphometric traits of the black forest-steppe viper, Pelias berus nikolskii (Vedmederja, Grubant et Rudaeva, 1986) (Viperidae, Reptilia), from the Voronezh region

We studied sexual dimorphism in the black forest-steppe viper, Pelias berus nikolskii (Vedmederja, Grubant et Rudaeva, 1986), inhabiting the Voronezh region. From 2008 to 2017, 118 snakes were captured, of which 84 were males and 34 were females. Body length, tail length, and five head measurements were taken from the individuals was calculated. Analysis of Covariance showed that males and females differed in all traits except the greatest width of the head and head length.

PHOLIDOSIS VARIATIONS OF THE SAND LIZARD LACERTA AGILIS (LINNAEUS, 1758) AND COMMON LIZARD ZOOTOCA VIVIPARA (LICHTENSTEIN, 1823) FROM THE WESTERN PART OF THE TATARSTAN REPUBLIC

Authors: Idrisova L. A.

The paper considers qualitative and quantitative characteristics of pholidosis variations in two lizard species, comparative analysis of these indices at both intraspecific and interspecific level is carried out. 45 and 19 types of deviations were observed in the sand lizard and common lizard respectively. Variations of the labial, supraocular and supraciliar, frontonasal, parietal, occipital and ventral scales are more common in both species. The sand lizards from the Spassky region differ from the others by some indices.

COLOR POLYMORPHISM AND GENETIC VARIABILITY OF THE SAND LIZARD (LACERTA AGILIS) (LACERTIDAE, SAURIA) IN THE SURROUNDINGS OF THE TYUMEN AND STERLITAMAK CITIES

Authors: Bolnykh I. I., Zhigileva O. N.

The paper presents data on the variability of basic morphological characters of the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) inhabiting the vicinities of the cities Tyumen (Western Siberia) and Sterlitamak (Southern Urals). Five subtypes of back coloration were identified. Typical and atypical variants of the coloration pattern are described. A high level of the genetic variability of the ISSR markers of sand lizards was revealed. It was significantly lower in the group of mature individuals as compared to juveniles.

SEXUAL DIMORPHISM OF THE MORPHOMETRIC PARAMETERS AND PECULIARITIES OF THE COLOR PATTERN OF KARELIN'S NEWT (AMPHIBIA: CAUDATA: SALAMANDRIDAE) FROM THE POPULATION IN THE BURCHU-GOL’ LAKE

Authors: Kukushkin O. V., Dovgal I. V., Leonov S. V., Kuschan N. B.

The intrapopulation variability of 20 morphometric characteristics and 26 indices of the body proportions of Karelin’s newt Triturus karelinii (Strauch, 1870) in the Burchu-Gol’ Lake (the Crimea, Chatyrdagh massif, 870 m a. s. l.) was estimated by employing standard statistical methods and discriminant analysis. The studied specimens demonstrated absolute discrimination into two groups, males and females, respectively.