Short Communications

ON POSSIBLE ESTIVATION OF PHRYNOCEPHALUS HELIOSCOPUS (PALLAS, 1771) AND EREMIAS ARGUTA (PALLAS, 1773) IN THE ALTAI REGION

Authors: Krymov N. G.

Summer counts of Phrynocephalus helioscopus (Pallas, 1771) and Eremias arguta (Pallas, 1773) were conducted in the Altai Region during April - September, 2016. A sharp decline in the activity of lizards in June and July was noted, due to the high temperatures and dry weather. As a result of excavation of some burrows, lizards in a non-active state were found. The possibility of summer hibernation (estivation) of the species is considered.

CURRENT STATUS OF THE BATRACHOLOGICAL COLLECTION OF THE ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF SARATOV UNIVERSITY

Authors: Shlyakhtin G. V., Tabachishin V. G., Kaybeleva E. I., Mosolova E. Y., Yermokhin M. V.

A brief history of the formation of the batrachological collection of the Zoological Museum (Saratov State University) is given. The museum’s collections taken within the Saratov region and beyond are analyzed.

LIZARDS (REPTILIA, SAURIA) FROM VIETNAM IN THE HERPETOLOGICAL COLLECTION OF THE ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF MOSCOW UNIVERSITY. 2. GENUS ACANTHOSAURA (FAMILY AGAMIDAE)

Authors: Bobrov V. V.

Data on the Acanthosaura lizards of the Vietnam fauna, deposited in the herpetological collection of the Zoological Museum of the Moscow University, are given. The following data are provided for every sample: accession number, capture location, habitat, and collector. The places of capture are shown on the map of the country.

A SIMPLE METHOD FOR FEEDING STUDIES IN LIVE ANURAN AMPHIBIANS

Authors: Kuzmin S. L.

A simple method of food sampling in live frogs is described. This method enables complete extraction of the stomach contents and leads to a very low mortality of frogs. That is why it is more reasonable than killing and preserving frogs for further study of their diet composition. Photographs of food extracting are provided, which can be used in field conditions.

A CASE OF SUCCESSFUL HUNTING OF A PARASTEATODA TEPIDARIORUM (C. L. KOCH, 1841) (ARANEAE: THERIDIIDAE) SPIDER FOR A PONTIC LIZARD DAREVSKIA PONTICA (LANTZ ET CYRÉN, 1919) (SAURIA: LACERTIDAE)

Authors: Doronin I. V., Garmasheva N. N.

The paper describes a first case of successful hunting of a Parasteatoda tepidariorum (C. L. Koch, 1841) spider for a juvenile individual of Pontic Lizard, Darevskia pontica (Lantz et Cyrén, 1919), recorded in the territory of Slavyansk-on-Kuban town (Krasnodar Region, Russia).

ON THE NUTRITION OF SOME SEMI-AQUATIC AMPHIBIAN SPECIES (AMPHIBIA: ANURA) IN THE NORTHWESTERN UPPER OKA REGION

Authors: Alekseev S. K., Korzikov V. A., Ruchin A. B.

The nutrition of Bombina bombina and Pelophylax lessonae collected in three habitats of the northwestern Upper Oka region in 2006 - 2014 was studied. The feed composition of Pelophylax lessonae reduced to the autumn by the abundance and taxonomic diversity, epigeious beetles and ants to predominate. Bombina bombina mainly feeds on ants and arachnids in the autumn.

NATURE PROTECTION STATUS OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES IN SARATOV REGION

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

On the basis of modern field surveys, collection data, and analysis of the literature data, a list of amphibian and reptile species recommended for inclusion into the 3rd edition of the Red Book of the Saratov Region was compiled. It contains 7 species of the batrachofauna and herpetofauna of the region, belonging to 3 groups, 5 families, and 6 genera. We offer to add 1 new species into the Book and to exclude 1 species, and there appeared prerequisites for revision of the existing protection status of 2 taxa.

ON THE COLORATION PATTERN OF NEWBORNS OF THE SAND LIZARD, LACERTA AGILIS LINNAEUS, 1758 FROM TWO POPULATIONS (SAMARA REGION)

Authors: Eplanova G. V.

The coloration pattern of 485 newborn sand lizards (Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758) got by laboratory egg incubation was studied. The eggs were laid in terrariums by 109 pregnant females caught at two localities in the Samara Region (2011 - 2013 and 2015). The posterity of the females from the Togliatti locality exhibited two coloration morphs, typica exigua and immaculata-concolor, whereas that of the females from the Mordovo village (33 km from Togliatti, the opposite bank of the Volga river) had only one pattern, typica exigua.

ON THE DIET SELECTIVITY OF THE STRIATED LIZARD, LACERTA STRIGATA EICHWALD, 1831 (SAURIA: LACERTIDAE)

Authors: Doronin I. V.

We describe a case of temporary transfer of a striated lizard, Lacerta strigata Eichwald, 1831 to eating winged individuals of the cornfield ant, Lasius alienus (Foerster, 1850) registered in the territory of the Staropavlovskaya village, Stavropol region.

A NEW RECORD OF THE STEPPE RIBBON RACER, PSAMMOPHIS LINEOLATUS (BRANDT, 1836) (SERPENTES: LAMPROPHIIDAE) IN THE CAUCASUS

Authors: Doronin I. V.

A third specimen of Psammophis lineolatus (Brandt, 1836) from the Caucasus (near the Anabad village, Ordubad district, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan) is described.

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