Прикаспийская низменность

State of populations of anuran amphibians (Anura, Amphibia) in the north of the Caspian lowland

Authors: Tabachishin V. V., Tabachishin V. G., Yermokhin M. V.

The distribution of three species of anuran amphibians (Pelobates vespertinus, Bombina bombina and Pelophylax ridibundus) in the north of the Caspian lowland within the south-east of the Saratov region is considered. The biotopic habitat of local populations of these species is revealed and trends in their abundance under the influence of climatic and anthropogenic factors are discussed. Reduction of their numbers is shown and the continuation of this trend is predicted if the direction of climate change in the region remains unchanged.

Distribution of the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca austriaca Laurenti, 1768) (Colubridae, Reptilia) in the Caspian lowland of Russia and Kazakhstan

Authors: Mazanaeva L. F., Orlova V. F., Shepelya E. Y.

The distribution of smooth snake in the Caspian lowland of Russia and Kazakhstan is analyzed according to the collections of the Zoological Museum of Moscow State University and published works. The map with smooth snake finds includes 36 localities of the species (Volgograd Region, Stavropol Territory, Kalmykia, Chechen Republic, Dagestan, and Kazakhstan).