Articles

Data on the Distribution of the Crimean Wall Lizard, Podarcis tauricus (Pallas, 1814) (Sauria: Lacertidae), in the North-Western Black Sea Region (Ukraine)

Novel data on the distribution, habitats and population density of the Crimean (Balkan) wall lizard, Podarcis tauricus (Pallas, 1814) in the Odessa Province of the Ukraine are given. For the majority of the localities known from the literature data in the Pre-Danube Region, the current dwelling of the species was confirmed, and its population density over limited areas remains quite high, namely: from 5–10 to 70–100 specimens/1000 sq. m. The northernmost point of the P.

Growing of Larvae of the Caucasian Smooth Newt, Lissotriton lantzi (Wolterstorff, 1914) (Amphibia, Caudata) at Various Temperatures

Authors: Nemyko E. A., Vyatkin Y. A., Kidov A. A.

Lantz’s newt, or the Caucasian smooth newt, Lissotriton lantzi, is an endemic species of Caucasian forests. It was included in the Red Data Books of the Russian Federation and Republic of Azerbaijan. The design of a technology for keeping and reproducing this species in captivity will help its conservation. The paper discusses the results of larval growing of Lantz's newt at several temperatures. Newts were obtained from reproduction in artificial conditions.

Amphibian Scientific Collection of the Zoological Museum of Saratov State University as the Basis for the Regional Cadastre

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

The characteristic is given and the taxonomic structure of the modern bathrachological collection of the Zoological Museum of the Saratov National Research State University named after N. G. Chernyshevsky is analyzed. Currently, it has 1903 specimens of amphibians belonging to 46 species of 13 families. The Ranidae family is the most fully presented one (43.3% of the total number of storage units). In total, the Ranidae collection contains 711 specimens of 10 frog species, of which 2 species (569 specimens) account for Saratov regional collections.

Male Reproductive Cycle in a Population of the Common Lizard Zootoca vivipara (Squamata, Lacertidae) from Southeast of Western Siberia

Authors: Yartsev V. V., Kuranova V. N., Absalyamova E. N.

Widely distributed reptile species are characterized by reproductive plasticity, which may also appear as variations of the reproductive cycles. To understand the specificity of the male reproductive cycle of Zootoca vivipara in the Asian part of its range, males from the Tomsk population (the southeast of the Western Siberia) caught from April till July 2017 were studied (n = 27).

New Approaches to Collecting Reproductive Material from Amphibians for its Use in Artificial Fertilization

Authors: Uteshev V. K., Gakhova E. N., Kramarova L. I., Shishova N. V., Kaurova S. A.

This paper describes new methods for obtaining viable ovulated oocytes and testicular sperm from the carcasses of females and males of the common frog Rana temporaria, stored at +4ºС for 1–7 days. In addition, a new approach to delayed collection (1 to 30 days) of ovulated oocytes from live female frogs of the same species is given. Part of the frog testicular spermatozoa is shown to retain motility (21.0±1.5%) and fertilizing ability (13.2±1.9%) even after 6 days of storage at +4°C in the carcasses of males.

Hematological Indices of the Lake Frog Pelophylax ridibundus (Pallas, 1771) (Ranidae, Anura) Inhabiting Reservoirs in the Northwestern Ciscaucasia with Various Pollution Types

Authors: Peskova T. Y., Bachevskaya O. N., Plotnikov G. K.

The paper deals with hematological indices of lake frogs from two biotopes with different pollution types. The first biotope is the Chibi Canal, which receives water from rice bays, it is contaminated with pesticides. The second biotope is a reservoir near the old river-bed of the Kuban River near the forest park Krasny Kut. In both biotopes, no significant differences in the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin in the blood of lake frogs were observed.

Captive Breeding of the Alpine Newt, Ichthyosaura alpestris (Laurenti, 1768) (Amphibia, Caudata, Salamndridae) under Hormonal Stimulation

Authors: Kidov A. A., Nemyko E. A.

The Alpine newt, Ichthyosaura alpestris, is widely distributed in Central Europe. This species is common for most part of its habitat. I. alpestris is rare in Ukraine, Hungary, Bulgaria, Austria and Denmark. In the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg the Alpine newt is endangered. A large number of publications on the keeping and breeding of this species in captivity is known. This allows the Alpine newt to be saved in artificial conditions, as well as to carry out projects on its reintroduction.

Thermal Biology and Dayly Activity of Central Asian Tortoise (Agrionemys horsfieldii) (Testudinidae, Reptilia)

Authors: Bondarenko D. A., Peregontsev E. A.

The data on the thermal biology and daily activity of the Central Asian tortoise Agrionemys horsfiedii have been generalized on the basis of our own research and literature information. A description of the daily activity cycles with the body and environmental temperatures characterized is proposed. There are 8 periods of the daily activity and thermoregulatory behavior. According to our measurement data of the tortoise’s cloacal temperature, their egress from their burrows takes place under a minimum body temperature of 9.4°С and a minimum substrate one of 11.8ºС.

Distribution, Status and Prospects for the Conservation of the Caspian Whipsnake Hierophis Caspius (Gmelin, 1789) (Colubridae, Reptilia) in Kazakhstan

Authors: Akhmedenov K. M., Bakiev A. G., Gorelov R. A., Nazarova G. A.

The Caspian whipsnake was described by I. I. Lepyokhin (1771), possibly from the Western Kazakhstan. The species name caspius was assigned to the snake by J. F. Gmelin (1789). Based on our own and literature data, modern habitats of the Caspian whipsnake are given in the Western Kazakhstanian and Atyrau regions of Kazakhstan – from 48°47.305' N and 47°22.559' E (in the north) to 46°56.536' N and 49°18.177' E (in the south).

Histological Characteristics of the Skin of Salamandrella keyserlingii (Caudata, Hynobiidae) Females in Aqutic and Terrestrial Phases of Seasonal Cycle

Authors: Yartsev V. V., Evseeva S. S.

Morphological features of the dorsal (DS), throat (TS) and tail skins (caudal skin, CS) were examined in the aquatic- and terrestrial-morphotype females of Salamandrella keyserlingii. Using histological and statistical methods, the presence of the stratum corneum of the epidermis, the fullness degree of the mucous glands, and the development of the subdermal connective tissue were estimated.

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