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This study presents the results of our searching for antimicrobial peptide genes in the amphibian skin granular glands using next-generation sequencing. Bioinformatic analysis of genomic data from 36 individuals belonging to 10 species of anuran amphibians revealed sequences of esculentin, temporin, ranacyclin, bradykinin (kininogen-1), and bombinin in three amphibian species (Bombina bombina, Rana arvalis, and Pelophylax ridibundus).

The paper presents both new and updated data on the structure of the previously described skull of the fossil turtle Kirgizemys dmitrievi (Macrobaenoidea) from the Lower Cretaceous of Buryatia (Russia), based on the study of its segmented 3D model. Some features of the craniology of this species have not been previously noted for Macrobaenoidea or have been incorrectly interpreted. Additionally, the state of individual features of the skull structure of Kirgizemys hoburensis from the Lower Cretaceous of Mongolia is clarified.

The possibility of using helminths to analyze the faunogenesis of amphibians in the Volga River basin is considered, using geographically isolated subspecies of the green toad Bufotes viridis (Laurenti, 1768) as an example. A depleted helminth composition was established in the “western” subspecies B. v. viridis (Laurenti, 1768); the presence of cestodes and acanthocephalans was noted in the “eastern” subspecies B. v. sitibundus (Pallas, 1771) only.

This study presents findings on the application of geometric morphometry for analyzing cranial features and the metatarsal tubercle shape in three species of water frogs (Pelophylax esculentus complex). Our analysis of the metatarsal tubercle shape using principal component analysis revealed a separation of taxa along the first principal component axis at 84.9%. No overlap in the shape of the metatarsal tubercle was observed among the parental species; however, the values for these traits in the hybrid P.

For the first time, including for the territory of Russian Federation, data are presented on the defensive behavior of the marsh frog Pelophylax ridibundus (Pallas, 1771) from the Republic of Mordovia and the Astrakhan region, which occurs in two variants, namely, with raising the body and protecting the eyes. The defensive behavior of the common frog Rana temporaria Linnaeus, 1758 from the Republic of Mordovia consists of covering the eyes with the fingers of the forelimbs and is encountered in the literature as “wintering”.

The article presents data on the distribution of the Great White Racer in Dagestan. Our map with the locations of the racer includes 71 locations of the species. The issues of biotopic confinement and ecology of the species in the region are discussed.

In 2022 and 2023, some population characteristics of the marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) were studied on the right bank of the Volga River, near the village of Somovka, Vorotynsk district, Nizhny Novgorod region. When comparing data for two different years, differences in the distribution of color phene frequencies were found, and in some cases they reached the interpopulation level.

Three species of green frogs (Pelophylax esculentus complex) have been identified in the Khoper River Valley. The marsh frog P. ridibundus is the most widespread and found in all the studied localities. The pond frog P. lessonae and edible frog P. esculentus have been recorded only in the floodplain of the Khoper River in the Khoper State Nature Reserve (Novokhopersk district of the Voronezh region) and in the extreme northwest of the Volgograd Region.

In the context of the sixth mass extinction of animals, programs for the conservation and breeding of amphibians – one of the most vulnerable groups of vertebrates – have become particularly relevant. A key challenge in the application of assisted reproductive technologies in anurans is the asynchronous maturation of gametes between males and females, which could be mitigated by developing effective sperm storage protocols.

Data on the modern distribution of amphibians and reptiles within the administrative boundaries of Kazan City are presented. The habitats of 11 species of amphibians and 4 species of reptiles have been preserved within the city. The main trends in changes in the species composition of herpetofauna from the end of the 20^th century to the present are presented. The prospects for the conservation of all species in the context of the current development of the territory of Kazan City are considered.