Short Communications

Captive breeding of Regel’s racerunner (Eremias regeli, Reptilia, Lacertidae)

Authors: Kidov A. A., Erashkin V. O., Ivanov A. A., Kondratova T. E.

The paper presents the results of laboratory reproduction of Regel’s racerunner (Eremias regeli). Offspring was obtained from natural individuals (2 females and 2 males) captured in the vicinity of the Bokhtar town (Khatlon region, Republic of Tajikistan). Captive-born animals (3 females and 2 males) began laying eggs at the age of 7 months. The lizards from nature reproduced twice a year, while the animals obtained in the laboratory lay eggs up to three times per season. The clutches of both natural and laboratory lizards contained from 2 to 4 eggs.

New findings of the Caucasian toad (Bufo verrucosissimus, Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae) in the Kuma River basin (North Caucasus, Russia)

Authors: Kidov A. A., Ivolga R. A.

The paper discusses the distribution of Bufo verrucosissimus in the North Caucasus. It is noted that the absolute majority of findings of this species in Russia have occurred in the Black Sea basin. All currently known habitats of B.

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.

Influence of the environmental temperature regime on the body temperature of Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758 (Lacertidae, Reptilia) in local populations of the Khoper river floodplain in spring

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

An analysis was made of the influence of the biotope temperature regime on the body temperature of Lacerta agilis in local populations of the floodplain of the middle reaches of the Khoper river (Saratov region). The rectal body temperature in active L. agilis out-side their shelters was shown to be 18.3–35.1°С and 18.2–34.8°С for males and females, respectively. The rectal temperature of L. agilis males and females in the spring period does not differ significantly. The optimal body temperature of L.

On communal egg-laying of the tiger keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus) (Reptilia, Colubridae) in the Far East of Russia

Authors: Kidov A. A., Ivolga R. A., Ivanov A. A.

The paper presents the case of discovery of 60 eggs of the tiger keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus) in the vicinity of the Dunay settlement (Primorsky Krai, Russian Federation) under a wooden railway sleeper on July 27, 2022. The authors suggest that it was a collective clutch of eggs from three females. Incubation in artificial conditions, from the discovery of this collective clutch to the release of juveniles from the eggs, lasted 17–20 days. Given the synchronicity of the hatching of young snakes, it is assumed that the eggs were laid by different females almost simultaneously.

Captive breeding of the Caspian lizard (Darevskia caspica) (Reptilia, Lacertidae)

Authors: Kidov A. A., Ivanov A. A., Erashkin V. O., Kondratova T. E.

The Caspian lizard (Darevskia caspica) is a recently described endemic of the Hyrcanian forests of Northern Iran. The paper presents new data on the reproductive biology of D. caspica obtained in laboratory conditions. Breeding females have a body length of 53.4– 64.4 mm and a mass of 2.96–3.60 g. Females produce from one to three clutches per season, each of which contains 1–6 eggs. The length of these eggs is 10.35–13.95 mm, width 6.19–7.59 mm, and weight 0.27–0.45 g.

Distribution and protection state of Coronella austriaca (Reptilia: Serpentes: Colubridae) in Kazakhstan

Authors: Akhmedenov K. M., Bakiev A. G.

The smooth snake (Coronella austriaca Laurenti, 1768) was known in Kazakhstan from literary sources and reptile collections by few findings within the boundaries of the modern Aktobe region in 1871–1956. The paper gives the coordinates and dates of the 2019–2022 findings in the West Kazakhstan region, where this species has not been met before.

New findings of the Aesculapian skidder Zamenis longissimus (Laurenti, 1768) (Colubridae, Reptilia) in the Republic of Adygea

Authors: Khrabrov I. E., Sadykov R. K., Shapovalov M. I.

Data on new findings of the Aesculapian skidder Zamenis longissimus (Laurenti, 1768) in the Republic of Adygea, specifying the northern border of the species’ habitat, are given. Z. longissimus should be considered a naturally rare species throughout the entire part of its distribution in the Republic of Adygea. Apparently, the direct destruction of these snakes by humans is the main threat to the species in the region.

Winter activity record of two lizard species in Egypt

Authors: Milto K. D.

Two Acanthodactylus boskianus and three Mesalina guttulata were recorded on the surface at day time, 12 January 2022 in the South Eastern Desert, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt. The weather was clear full day, in the middle of the day the air temperature reached +24⁰C. Lizards not only actively moved, but also demonstrated foraging behavior. This is the first documented record of winter activity of lacertids in Egypt.

On findings of colour anomalies in the moor frog Rana arvalis Nilsson, 1842 (Ranidae, Amphibia) in the Moscow region

Authors: Katz A. V.

Information on two findings of colour anomalies in the moor frog, Rana arvalis, in the Moscow region is prerented. In one case, the colour anomaly in a frog found in Shchelkovo District was probably the result of a decrease in the number of iridophores. This anomaly corresponds to none of the colour morph of R. arvalis described previously. The second finding was made in Volokolamsk District, and the colour anomaly was expressed in a strongly pronounced spotted pattern, which is unusual for this species.

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