Short Communications

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.

ON THE WINTER ACTIVITY OF MARSH FROG – PELOPHYLAX RIDIBUNDUS IN THE BALAKOVO NPS COOLING POND

Authors: Voronin M. Y., Yermokhin M. V.

Abnormal activity of Pelophylax ridibundus in the cooling pond of the Balakovo NPS (Saratov region) was detected during the winter period of 2003. The temperature range within which this activity was observed corresponds to that for the exit of individuals of this species from wintering during the spring period.