Short Communications

Comparative thermobiological characteristics of the dice snake Natrix tessellata (Laurenti, 1768) (Colubridae, Reptilia) from the Kama Cis-Urals, Middle and Lower Volga regions

Authors: Chetanov N. A., Litvinov N. A., Ganshchuk S. V., Galiulin D. M.

Since 2019, single individuals of the dice snake Natrix tessellata (Laurenti, 1768) have been repeatedly found in the Kama Cis-Urals. The lack of data on the thermobiology of the species in atypical conditions determined the purpose of this work – a comparison of the most important thermobiological characteristics of the water snake from the Lower and Middle Volga region, as well as the Kama Cis-Urals.

Hypothermic storage of amphibian oocytes. How long can ovulated oocytes of the common frog Rana temporaria (Ranidae, Amphibia) be stored?

Authors: Uteshev V. K., Kaurova S. A., Shishova N. V., Kramarova L. I., Gakhova E. N.

Currently, there is an unacceptably high rate of decline in the biodiversity of vertebrates, and, first of all, amphibians. This situation requires emergency measures to save the endangered species of these animals. One of such measures is the development of assisted reproductive technologies, including cryopreservation and cryobanking of reproductive cells (sperm and oocytes). However, cryopreservation technologies, successfully used for banking sperm, have not yet been adapted for cryobanking amphibian oocytes.

Method of creating artificial nestings sites for the Far Eastern turtle Pelodiscus maackii (Brandt, 1857) (Reptilia, Testudines, Trionychidae) at high water levels of the Amur River

Authors: Tagirova V. T., Kriskevich D. D., Kuranova V. N., Andronova R. S.

A method has been developed for making artificial nesting sites for the Far Eastern turtle in its breeding areas during the period of high water level in the Amur River. The Far Eastern turtle is listed in the Red Data Books of the Russian Federation and Khabarovsk region. Among the factors limiting natural reproduction are high and prolonged floods in the Amur River. Artificially created sites above the zone of coastal flooding by natural waters provide turtles with conditions for their successful reproduction.

Karyotype diversity of Palearctic toads of the family Bufonidae (Anura, Amphibia)

Authors: Skorinov D. V., Pasynkova R. A., Litvinchuk S. N.

We analyzed the karyotypes of the most toad species of the family Bufonidae inhabiting the Palearctic (6 genera, 29 species). All diploid species had 11 chromosome pairs. In most of them (Bufo, Bufotes and Barbarophryne) the nucleolar organizer (NOR) was located on the 6th pair and only in few species of the genus Bufotes on the 5th one, Strauchbufo – on the 4th, Epidalea – on the 11th, and Sclerophrys – on the 10th one, respectively.

Functional activity of the immune system of Pelophylax ridibundus (Amphibia: Ranidae) in environmental stress conditions

Authors: Romanova E. B., Plotnikova V. D., Kaknaeva M. S.

The object of our study of the functional activity of the body's immune reactions over a long period (2021–2024) was Pelophylax ridibundus in the reservoir of an urbanized territory (Silikatnoye Lake, Nizhny Novgorod) infected with Hepatozoon spp. A hydrochemical analysis of the habitat of P. ridibundus was done. Intraerythrocyte parasites were accounted for with the calculation of the extent and intensity of invasion and abundance of hemoparasites.

Population density dynamics of the Phrynocephalus mystaceus mystaceus (Reptilia, Agamidae) intrapopulation group on the Sarykum sandy massif during the breeding season

Authors: Polynova G. V., Polynova O. E.

Our study of the Phrynocephalus mystaceus mystaceus (Pallas, 1776) intrapopulation group on the Sarykum sand massif was carried out during the breeding seasons (1st ten days of May) in 2021 – 2024. In this part of the habitat, the species forms local groups with a very high population density (from 72.9 to 95.7 ind. / ha). Apparently, this is due to the island position of the population on the Sarykum.

Sexual structure peculiarities in lizard populations of the family Lacertidae, genus Eremias and the family Agamidae, genus Phrynocephalus during their breeding season

Authors: Polynova G. V., Polynova O. E.

Our sex ratio analysis of mature individuals in populations of 5 lizard species, genus Eremias (Lacertidae) and genus Phrynocephalus (Agamidae), during the breeding season has shown that males predominate in the genus Eremias in most cases, while females predominate in the genus Phrynocephalus. This fact is confirmed by data collected by other researchers on 14 more species of the indicated genera. The authors believe that this difference is due to some ecological features of the noted systematic groups.

Parasitic mites and ticks (Parasitiformes: Ixodida, Mesostigmata) from the true lizards (Lacertidae, Reptilia) of the Caucasus and their vector significance

Authors: Orlova M. V., Doronin I. V., Gichikhanova U. A., Mazanaeva L. F.

15 species of ixodid ticks (Ixodida) and 2 ones of gamasid mites (Mesostigmata) were identified in the true lizards (Lacertidae) of the Caucasus harbor according to our own and literature data. Of which one species of ixodid and both species of gamasid ticks are specific to reptiles. The core of the fauna of ixodid ticks is formed by species of the genus Haemaphysalis. The largest number of ixodid tick genera and species are associated with lizards of the genus Lacerta.

Distribution and ecology of the Zamenis hohenackeri (Strauch, 1873) (Colubridae, Reptilia) in the North Caucasus (Russia)

Authors: Mazanaeva L. F., Gichikhanova U. A., Ismailova Z. S.

The article provides information on the distribution of Zamenis hohenackeri in the North Caucasus, mainly in Dagestan and the adjacent territory of Chechnya, and analyzes literature data on the distribution of the species in the republics of Ingushetia and North Ossetia-Alania. Based on the literature and original data of the authors, as well as collection specimens, the most complete map and cadastre of the species findings in the North Caucasus have been compiled, which include 43 locations of the species.

Natural polyploidy in reptiles

Authors: Litvinchuk S. N.

Natural polyploidy cases in reptiles are analyzed. They are characterized by spontaneous autotriploidy, non-hybrid mixoploidy (2/3n), hybrid biotypes (2 and 3n), polyploid species, and tetraploid hybrids obtained from crossing triploids with diploids. Polyploid species are always triploid and parthenogenetic. Neither gynogenesis nor various types of hemiclonal inheritance have been observed among them. In all cases studied, reticulate speciation in reptiles stops at the stage associated with tetraploidy.

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