Articles

Body Size and Condition Dynamics of Pelobates fuscus (Anura, Pelobatidae) Metamorfs under Transphormation of Floodplain Lakes Hydrological Regime

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

The long-term dynamics of size and weight characteristics and body condition of Pelobates fuscus metamorphs in five local populations of the Medveditsa river floodplain (Saratov region) are analyzed. The limits of changes in body length, live and dry weight, and the body condition index (W/SVL) of males and females were established. In 2009 - 2018 the size and weight parameters of the P. fuscus metamorphs had a significant level of interannual variation. The body length was 21.0 to 44.0 mm in males and 22.1 to 44.0 mm in females.

HISTOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SKIN OF SALAMANDRELLA KEYSERLINGII (CAUDATA, HYNOBIIDAE) MALES IN THE AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL PHASES OF THEIR SEASONAL CYCLE

Authors: Yartsev V. V., Evseyeva S. S.

Histological features of the skin of Salamandrella keyserlingii males are analyzed as depends on the seasonal cycle phase. Skin areas from the middle of the tail’s right side (caudal skin, CS), the center of the throat sac (throat skin, TS), and the middle of the back (dorsal skin, DS) were examined.

HIGH TENSION OF TERRITORIAL RELATIONS AMONG MALES MAY NEGATIVELY INFLUENCE THEIR RELATIONS WITH FEMALES IN THE ROCK LIZARD DAREVSKIA BRAUNERI (SAURIA, LACERTIDAE)

Authors: Tsellarius A. Y., Tsellarius E. Y., Galoyan E. A.

In previous papers we have ascertained the existence of many-year social monogamy in Brauner's lizard (A-relations). The data presented in this communication show that the territorial male’s aggression against the female, including sexual aggression, manifests itself during, or immediately after, a territorial skirmish between the male and the intruder. During an hour after this assault, an increased frequency of rejections of social contacts with the male remained in the assaulted female.

DISTRIBUTION AND CONTACT ZONE OF TWO FORMS OF THE GREEN TOAD FROM THE BUFOTES VIRIDIS COMPLEX (ANURA, AMPHIBIA), DIFFERING IN GENOME SIZE, IN THE VOLGA REGION

Authors: Faizulin A. I., Svinin A. O., Ruchin A. B., Skorinov D. V., Borkin L. J., Rosanov Y. M., Kuzovenko A. E., Litvinchuk S. N.

In the Volga region and adjacent territories, 263 specimens of green toads from 63 localities were studied. Genome size analysis by means of flow DNA cytometry allowed the specimens from 16 localities to be identified as the “western” (= viridis) form and the green toads from 20 localities as the “eastern” form (= variabilis or sitibundus). In the other localities studied, specimens with an intermediate genome size predominated.

MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF BOMBINA BOMBINA (DISCOGLOSSIDAE, ANURA) IN THE MEDVEDITSA RIVER VALLEY (SARATOV REGION) AND NONINVASIVE SEX DIAGNOSTICS BY SIZE AND WEIGHT TRAITS

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

Morphometric characteristics of Bombina bombina males and females were done. 10 traits were measured and 10 indices were calculated for a sample of B. bombina from the population of the lake Cherepashie (the Medveditsa river valley, Lysogorsky district, Saratov region). Only some traits show significant sex-ual differences in B. bombina. It is shown that in the conditions of degradation of the spawning reservoir network in river valleys, a significant increase in the role of individuals with relatively large dimensions of their hind limbs (mainly femur) occurred in the B.

REPTILE COMMUNITIES OF THE KARAKALPAKIAN USTYURT (UZBEKISTAN)

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

Terrestrial route counts of reptiles in 24 localities of the plateau Ustyurt were carried out in 2007 - 2008. 474 individuals of 15 species were found along a total of 243.5 km passed. Based on the results of our survey, the reptile population structure has been clarified in 12 landscapes. The low specific diversity and population density of reptiles were observed everywhere. 2 to 8 species with a population density of 1.9 - 8.4 individuals per ha were found in certain landscapes. In terms of abundance, the reptiles belonged to rare or common species.

DISTRIBUTION AND REPRODUCTION ECOLOGY OF THE SIBERIAN SALAMANDER (SALAMANDRELLA KEYSERLINGII) IN THE NORTHEAST OF EUROPEAN RUSSIA

Authors: Bobretsov A. V., Kochanov S. K.

Data on the findings of the Siberian salamander over the territory of the European Russian Northeast are summarized. This species is shown to be rare here and to be distributed locally. Three types of spawning reservoirs have been identified, namely: lowland marshes, puddles along the edges of transitional marshes, and roadside ditches. Reproduction begins immediately after snow melting and the appearance of open water. Significant correlation links between the dates of the egg lying onset, average air temperature in April and the dates of snow melting in burs are noted.

INTRODUCTION OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES IN THE CAUCASUS AND CRIMEA: AN OVERVIEW AND SOME ACTUAL DATA

Authors: Kukushkin O. V., Doronin I. V., Tuniyev B. S., Ananjeva N. B., Doronina M. A.

An overview of the cases of introduction (both accidental and intentional) of amphibians and reptiles in the Caucasus and Crimea is provided. The introduction cases are systemized in accordance with the goals and ways of introduction and with regards to the expected scale of the impact and its nature. No negative consequences of the introduction of amphibian and reptile species in the Crimea and Caucasus are currently observed on any of the known examples. No cases of species naturalization, which the “invasion” term can be applied to, have been revealed.

STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS OF THE SPAWNING ANURAN TAXOCENOSES IN FLOODPLAIN LAKES OF THE MEDVEDITSA RIVER VALLEY (SARATOV REGION)

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

The structure of the spawning anuran taxocenoses in five floodplain lakes in the Medveditsa river valley in 2009 - 2016 was analyzed. Degradation of the populations of the three most numerous species and a decreased degree of dominance of the spadefoot toad were established. This degradation strongly affects the species with a longer distance of spawning migrations - the severity of the changes sequentially decreases in the row: Pelophylax ridibundus → Pelobates fuscus → Bombina bombina. The structural parameters in the lakes of Lebyazhye and Koblovo were stable.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE CENTRAL ASIAN TORTOISE AGRIONEMYS HORSFIELDII (GRAY, 1844) IN UZBEKISTAN (RANGE, REGIONAL AND LANRSCAPE DISTRIBUTION, POPULATIONS DENSITY)

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

The Central Asian tortoise distribution in Uzbekistan is described on the basis of our analysis of findings at 287 localities. All these localities with their locations have been mapped. The history of the propagation and formation of the habitat of the species is provided. It has been revealed that the tortoise is widely settled in desert landscapes. The area of its habitat is 67% of the territory of the republic (about 300,000 sq. km). However, the territory with higher population densities (> 10 animals per ha) occupies about 0.6% of this territory.

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