Short Communications

On the history of the study of land turtles (Testudinidae, Testudo) of the Caucasus

Authors: Gichikhanova U. A., Mazanaeva L. F.

An analysis of the literature on long-term studies of the land turtle (Testudinidae, Testudo graeca) in the Caucasus was carried out. Particular attention is paid to the results obtained over the past decades. Starting from the 19th century, the main stages in the history of study have been identified. The main focus of the researchers was on the ecology, biology and taxonomy of the species. Despite a long history of study, the species in the Caucasus still remains insufficiently studied.

Variability of morphophysiological parameters of green toads of the Bufotes viridis complex (Anura, Amphibia) depending on altitude zoning

Authors: Gamidova D. M., Askenderov A. D., Rabadanova A. I.

In Dagestan, morphometric parameters of the body and cytomorphological parameters of erythrocytes were studied in 124 green toads from four regions. In the course of the analysis of variance, variability between populations in these parameters was revealed, which is associated both with the influence of altitudinal zonality, sex, and the interaction of these factors.

Some features of thermobiology of steppe-runner Eremias arguta (Gmelin, 1789) and spotted toadhead agama Phrynocephalus guttatus (Gmelin, 1789) (Squamata, Reptilia) in cohabitation in the Northern Pre-Caspian

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

The paper presents data on temperatures of the body and the selected substrate for the steppe-runner and the spotted toadhead agama. Thermal preferences and modal classes for both species were determined, and interspecies differences were analyzed. Significantly higher average temperatures were found in the steppe-runner, while the maximum voluntary temperatures are higher in the spotted toadhead agama. These features are associated with the biotopic confinement of species.

Thermobiological characters of toad-headed agamas (Phrynocephalus mystaceus) (Reptilia, Agamidae) on the Sarykum dune (Dagestan, Russia) obtained by using of temperature loggers

Authors: Cherlin V. A., Okstein I. L., Aligadzhiev E.

The paper compares two variants of thermobiological studies of toad-headed agamas (Phrynocephalus mystaceus) – the traditional one, based on route trapping and measurements of body temperature in captured lizards, and the new one, using temperature loggers that register body temperature once a minute and implemented interperitoneally. Both work options are not alternative. The main thing is the correct interpretation of the results: the traditional method provides data obtained from many individuals characterizing the temperature parameters of the activity of the studied reptiles.

Foster’s or island rule in populations of Phrynocephalus mystaceus and Eremias velox (Reptilia, Lacertilia) on the sandy massif Sarykum

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

The sandy massif Sarykum, whose age is about 100 thousand years, is an island habitat for psammophilic species of terrestrial vertebrates. The paper presents new morphometric data on the populations of two species of psammophilous lizards living in this area. These are the nominative subspecies of the Secret Toadheaded Agama (Phrynocephalus mystaceus mystaceus Pallas, 1776) and the Caucasian Central Asian Racerunner (Eremias velox caucasica Lantz, 1928).

Comparative analysis of the growth and development of male and female Pevtsov's toad, Bufotes pewzowi (Amphibia: Anura, Bufonidae) in laboratory conditions

Authors: Matushkina K. A., Astakhova E. A.

Differences in growth rates are shown, as well as in the cost of rearing male and female Bufotes pewzowi under laboratory conditions. We observed a tendency for females to be superior in length and weight, but statistically significant differences (U = 13, p < 0.05) were noted only in weight after 50 weeks of rearing. Over the entire period of the study, the weight gain of females was 54.2±5.04 g, males – 45.3±6.15 g. The actual cost of rearing 1 female was 497.2±58.34 rubles (426.6–557.7), 1 male – 389.9±75.86 rubles (244.7–488.2).

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).

Rare species of amphibians and reptiles – candidates for the inclusion into the third edition of the Red Data Book of Tambov region

Authors: Lada G. A., Sokolov A. S., Goncharov A. G.

Five species of amphibians and five species of reptiles are recommended to the inclusion into the third edition of the Red Data Book of Tambov region. Their conservation status, distribution, main limiting factors, adopted and necessary protection measures are discussed.

Age structure and growth of the oriental tree frog (Hyla orientalis, Amphibia, Hylidae) in the Samur Forest (North-Eastern Caucasus)

Authors: Kidov A. A., Ivolga R. A., Kondratova T. E., Ivanov A. A., Mazanaeva L. F., Askenderov A. D.

The paper presents the results of studying the age structure and growth of the eastern tree frog (Hyla orientalis) in the Samur Forest. In the Primorskiy village (Magaramkent district, Republic of Dagestan, Russian Federation) in the first decade of May 2022, 7 females and 13 males were captured. The age of animals was determined by the cross sections of phalanx by standard method of skeletochronology. Age of females was 2–5 years (3.4 on average), males 1–6 years (3.4 on average).

Some data on the parasite fauna of the Caucasian agama Paralaudakia caucasia Eichwald, 1831 (Agamidae, Reptilia) in Dagestan

Authors: Gadzhiramazanovа A. G., Gichikhanova U. A., Mazanaeva L. F.

Information on the species composition of the parasite fauna of the Caucasian agama P. caucasia is given. In total, 12 individuals of the Caucasian agama were studied and 5 species of helminths were found (Macracanthorhynchus catulinus, Thelandros popovi, T. markovi, Parapharyngodon brevicaudatus, Parapharyngodon szczerbakin). Ectoparasites were not found on the studied agamas.

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