Article

Phylogeny and geographic distribution of rock lizards (Lacertidae, Reptilia) in Alborz mountain range

Authors: Iryshkov E. S., Solovyeva E. N., Arakelyan M. S., Rastegar-Poyani E., Moaddab M., Milto K. D., Galoyan E. A.

Rock lizards of the genus Darevskia have long been an important model object for study of reptile evolution. To understand the overall picture, it is important to know how bisexual and parthenogenetic species are distributed within this genus. The ranges of Caucasian species of rock lizards have been studied for a long time and in detail. However, recent attention to the species inhabiting the territory of Iran has been attracted after the description of several new species in 2013.

Age differences in the leukocyte blood composition of the common viper Vipera berus (Reptilia: Serpentes: Viperidae)

Authors: Romanova E. B., Solomaykin E. I., Bakiev A. G., Gorelov R. A.

The results of our comparative analysis of parameters of the leukocyte blood system of underyearlings and mature specimens of the common viper Vipera berus are presented. The material was the blood of 36 females and 26 males caught in the Middle Volga basin, and 13 underyearlings born in captivity from 4 females of this sample. V. b.

Current state of internet trading of sea turtle (Cheloniidae) derivatives in Russia

Authors: Pestov M. V., Denisov D. A., Karpukhin A. E., Gnetneva A. N.

This paper reports the results of our monitoring the presence of advertisements for the sale of sea turtle (Cheloniidae) derivatives on the Internet in Russia in 2021 and 2023. Data on species, number, region of origin, market price and turnover rate of these derivatives are summarized. A brief analysis of the regulatory framework governing the turnover of sea turtle derivatives is given and the conclusion on the necessity of its adjustment is provided.

On the problem of specific identification in triploid (Bufotes baturae) and tetraploid (B. pewzowi) green toads (Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae) of Central Asia by morphometric characteristics

Authors: Kidov A. A., Ivolga R. A., Kondratova T. E., Ivanov A. A., Kidova E. A.

The paper presents the results of using multiplicative indices for species identification of polyploid green toads of Central Asia. Live adult individuals of Bufotes baturae (24 females and 17 males) from the territory of Tajikistan and B. pewzowi (14 females and 24 males) from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were studied. The animals were caught in nature, measured and immediately released. The species belonging of the studied green toads was established by cytogenetic methods.

Reproductive ecology of Anuran Amphibians: Effects of internal and external factors

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

This research paper examines the influence of internal factors (female body weight, body condition) and external ecological factors on the reproductive parameters of females, as well as on the reproductive ecology of adult individuals of anuran amphibians. Among the most significant reproductive characteristics of females are the number of eggs in a clutch, the proportion of reproductive products to female body weight (contribution to reproduction), and the average weight of eggs.

Wintering conditions for the adder, Vipera berus (Viperidae, Reptilia), in the southern of Karelia

Authors: Korosov A. V.

In the southern part of Karelia, on the Kizhi island, the temperature dynamics in piles of stones (collected by peasants from fields), in which the common viper takes shelter from the winter cold, was studied. A key role in experiencing winter is played by snow drifts covering the stones from the outside, and heat coming from the depths of the earth. It has been shown that in ordinary winters, the temperature stays at 0°C for three months in the winter shelters of the viper, often drops down to -2°C, and even lower for a short time.

Morphological characteristics of Coronella austriaca Laurenti, 1768 (Colubridae, Reptilia) in the Samara region

Authors: Klenina A. A.

The morphological characteristics of Coronella austriaca Laurenti, 1768 in the Samara region are presented. The proportion of melanists in the total sample (n = 147) was 2.04%. In wild-caught individuals of different ages and in calves obtained under laboratory conditions which were not in a state of molting, five variants of belly coloration (n = 140) were recorded, namely: black (17.1%), gray (5.0%), brown (17.9%), beige (2.9 %), and orange (57.1%).

History of Central Asian tortoise Agrionemys horsfieldii (Testudinidae, Reptilia) harvesting in Uzbekistan, and its population impact

Authors: Bondarenko D. A.

The harvesting of the Central Asian tortoise has been a longstanding practice in Uzbekistan. Throughout the 1930s–1950s, this species was harvested to feed farm livestock and shepherd dogs, and during the World War II, tortoise meat was used to provide additional nutrition to the people. The 1960s marked the start of commercial trade in tortoises. The annual volumes of legal harvesting of wild tortoises started to grow in the late 1990s, and reached 85 thousand specimens per year by 2017.

Sexual differences in the morphometric traits of the black forest-steppe viper, Pelias berus nikolskii (Vedmederja, Grubant et Rudaeva, 1986) (Viperidae, Reptilia), from the Voronezh region

Authors: Ushakov M. V.

We studied sexual dimorphism in the black forest-steppe viper, Pelias berus nikolskii (Vedmederja, Grubant et Rudaeva, 1986), inhabiting the Voronezh region. From 2008 to 2017, 118 snakes were captured, of which 84 were males and 34 were females. Body length, tail length, and five head measurements were taken from the individuals was calculated. Analysis of Covariance showed that males and females differed in all traits except the greatest width of the head and head length.

Reptiles of the Southwestern Tajikistan desert plains: Spatial distribution, population density and communities structure

Authors: Bondarenko D. A., Ergashev U. H.

Population density of reptiles in four desert areas of southwestern Tajikistan was estimated in spring 2018–2019. The structure of reptile communities in seven typical landscapes was described. The highest species diversity and population density were observed in sandy landscapes. Seven species of psammobionts formed the basis of these reptile communities.

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