Western Siberia

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

Authors: Yartsev V. V., Kuranova V. N., Bastrikova A. E., Kulaeva A. V., Kiselyova A. A., Schennikov A. Y.

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.

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.

AGE, BODY SIZES AND GROWTH OF ZOOTOCA VIVIPARA (SAURIA: LACERTIDAE) FROM ITS MOUNTAIN POPULATIONS IN THE KUZNETSK ALATAU (SOUTHEAST OF THE WESTERN SIBERIA)

Authors: Epova L. A., Kuranova V. N., Yartsev V. V., Absalyamova E. N.

The present paper studies Zootoca vivipara populations from the low, medium and alpine zones of the Kuznetsky Alatau. By using skeletonchronology, the age of animals was determined, and the life longev-ity, sex -age structure, growth rate of bone and body were estimated. Males and females had the highest growth rates of bone and body until their second wintering, and then they decreased. Slow-growing specimens reach older ages. The body length of males and females in different age classes overlaps, and the oldest individuals were not necessarily the biggest ones.