Short Communications

New findings of the marsh frog, Pelophylax ridibundus (Anura, Ranidae) in the eastern part of the South Urals

In the eastern part of the South Urals, the marsh frog, Pelophylax ridibundus (Pallas, 1771) is distributed in the rivers of Volga and Ob’ basins, floodplain and off-floodplain reservoirs. We found 17 new locations for the species. For the first time we noted the species in Ilmenskoe Lake, on the territory of the National Park “Taganaj”, and in the Miass River basin in the Uchalinskij Region of the Republic of Bashkortostan and in the surroundings of the selo Ustinovo in Chelyabinsk region.

Size and age changes in color in the Rapid racerunner, Eremias velox (Pallas, 1771) (Reptilia, Lacertilia) population on the Sarycum sandy massif

The article is based on materials on age-related changes in the color of the lower surface of the tail and back of the thighs in the population of the Rapid racerunner (Eremias velox velox Pallas, 1771), living on the Sarykum sandy massif. The material was collected in the first ten days of May 2023. A total of 110 individuals were caught and described: 44 males, 36 females and 30 immature individuals. The size characteristics of sex and age groups are given.

Morphological characteristics of Elaphe dione (Pallas, 1773) (Reptilia: Colubridae) on the North of the range in the Samara region

A detailed morphological description of the Elaphe dione (Pallas, 1773) in the Samara region is given. In wild-caught adult specimens that were not in a state of molting (n = 119), three variants of belly coloration were identified: beige (47.0%), ginger (26.9%), and gray (26.1%). Among individuals with beige and ginger bellies predominated males (67.9% and 59.4%, respectively), and females with gray bellies predominated (54.8%). The first case of partial melanism in the region was registered. The maximum L.corp.

New data on some Russian herpetologists. Communication 5

Previously unknown biographical data about A. M. Nikolsky (1858–1942), R. D. Dzhafarov (1883–1971) and M. K. Ozol (1902–1973) are given. The main information was obtained from the Central State Historical Archive of St. Petersburg, the Russian State Historical Archive and the Central Archive of the Ministry of Defense.

Distribution of reptiles in Northwestern Turkmenistan

The article analyzes the modern distribution of reptiles in Northwestern Turkmenistan. According to literary data and observations of the authors, 36 species of reptiles have been recorded in the region, including one new species Alsophylax sp. Two species (Eryx elegans and Trachylepis septemtaeniata transcaucasica) are excluded from the list of herpetofauna of the region.

Materials for the helminthofauna of the green toad Bufotes viridis (Anura, Amphibian) in the Republic of Dagestan

The helminth community of the Green toad Bufotes viridis (Laurenti, 1768) from the population inhabiting the Caspian basin on the territory of the Republic of Dagestan is characterized. The study was carried out according to the method of full helminthological autopsy. Six species of helminths belonging to two types have been registered: Nematoda (4) and Acanthocephala (2).

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

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.

Comparative assessment of the impact of pesticide pollution on the cytomorphology of erythrocytes Bufotes viridis (Laurenti, 1768) and Pelophylax ridibundus (Pallas, 1771) (Anura, Amphibia)

A comparative assessment of morphological features of erythrocytes Pelophylax ridibundus (Pallas, 1771) and Bufotes viridis (Laurenti, 1768) living near the territory sprayed with pesticides was carried out. Multidirectional changes in the parameters of erythrocytes in the compared species were revealed, expressed in an increase in the width, area and volume of cells in P. ridibundus and a decrease in the values of these parameters in B. viridis.

Snake diversity of the Aralo-Caspian basin

Snake diversity of the Aralo-Caspian basin includes 61 species in 8 families and is composed by local faunas of the Northern Caspian depression, Greater Caucasus and Ciscaucasia, Lesser Caucasus and Transcaucasia, Alborz and Turkmeno-Khorasanian mountains, Aralo-Caspian isthmus, deserts and mountains of the Middle Asia and plains of the Aral Sea region. Regions with richest snake diversity are Alborz, Turkmeno-Khorasanian mountains and Transcaucasia.

Variation of age composition and postmetamorphic growth rates in Pelophylax ridibundus (Ranidae, Anura): Comparison populations from Moscow region and Kamchatka

Using skeletochronology, the age composition and growth rates of Pelophylax ridibundus population from the Eastern European part of the native range (Zvenigorod Biological station (ZBS) of Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow region) were compared with introduced populations of Kamchatka, differing in the duration of the activity season (T). Both females and males of the ZBS population (T = 5.5 months) reach maturity after the 3rd wintering.

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