Том 7, номер 1/2, 2007, стр. 3–143. Опубликован 29 сентября 2007 г.

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Comparative analisys of the development of femoral and preanal pores in different subfamilies of agamids is conducted. A review of the data on distribution of different types of integument structures (skin receptors, glands) in different evolutionary lineages shows that, as a rule, femoral and prepanal pores are present in the integument together with lens-like receptors in basal clades of agamids. In more advanced subfamilies Draconinae and Agaminae lizards have sense organs with hairs and no femoral and preanal pores (except Mantheyus genus). The position of the lizards with femoral pores of the Mantheyus genus as sister group to other Draconinae is discussed.

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The nocturnal gecko Teratoscincus scincus is a typical psammophilous lizard which sometimes inhabits hard clayey, salt (takyr-like) and broken stone sites adjacent to sands or loess places. The geographic range of the nominotypical subspecies Teratoscincus scincus scincus may consist of two parts isolated by the clay desert area between the Chu and Ili rivers in Kazakhstan (the western part - from the Caspian Sea shore to the Chu River, and the eastern part - in the south Balkhash Lake area). The habitat distribution, sex and age / body size structure, density and biomass, nocturnal and temperature activity, tail loss, predators, and defensive behaviour of Teratoscincus scincus as well as the nocturnal lizard community at the southern border of Muyunkum sand desert (Akyrtobe settlement, Dzhambul Province, Kazakhstan) are considered in comparison with the published data from other regions of Middle Asia. The natural history of Mongolian Teratoscincus przewalskii is briefly outlined in comparison with that of Teratoscincus scincus.

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The paper presents data on the histology and ultrastructure of the liver of two lizard species,Lacerta agilis and Eremias arguta, inhabiting the territory of the former Semipalatinsk Test Site (Eastern Kazakhstan). An LM study has shown the presence of pathological changes expressed in irregular vascular filling of the liver and venous, local discomplexation of hepatocyte, vacuole and adipose dystrophies and an increase of the local micronecroses where the lymphocyte, resident macrophage and Kupffer cell infiltrations have been registered. An EM investigation has revealed the features of glycogenolysis and decreasing of the lipid embeddings, the phenomenon of hydropical dystrophy and intracellular swelling in the certain part of the hepatocytes, significant hemosiderin accumulations in the liver cells appeared because of intensified catabolism of the phagocyted erythrocytes. The high level of metabolism processes was provided by utilization of the lipid embeddings, the high level of nucleoprotein synthesis and intensification of phosphorylating function of the mitochondria. The functional activity of Kupfer's hyperplastic cells was directed to the synthesis of pigment granules, the most important role among which belongs to melanin as a strong antioxidant protecting the body against free radicals.

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The nucleotide sequence of mitochondrial genome fragments including 12S genes of ribosomal RNA and cytochromoxidaze III of Vipera berus, V. nikolskii, and V. renardi from the Volgograd, Saratov, Samara and Penza regions, Chuvash Republic and Republic Mordovia has been determined. The size of the sequences obtained is 669 and 674 nucleotide pairs, respectively. This makes the practically complete nucleotide sequence of the specified genes, except for its short ends. The results of nucleotide sequences has divided all the samples into two groups, one comprising V. nikolskii from the Saratov region and the other one inclduing V. berus from the Chuvash Republic, Republic Mordovia, the Samara and Penza regions. A distinct position of V. renardi from the Volgograd region in reference to both V. nikolskii and V. berus has been revealed.

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During 1977 - 1996, long-term studies of numbers, age structure determined on skeletochronology and spatial structure in mating period of population of moor frog, Rana arvalis Nilss., 1842, were carried out. The fecundity and size of spawning frogs were measured annually. As a result, size and age of first reproduction and rate of maturing of different generations were determined for 14 generations. The middle life-time reproductive success (LRS) of each generation was recorded as ratio between the total number of all eggs laid by each generation (since first reproduction till its extinction) and one half of numbers of this generation at stage of egg (LRS-1) or froglet at metamorphosis (LRS-2). Significant negative correlations between LRS -1 (r= -0.761) and LRS-2 (r= -0.796) and average body length of generation at maturity (at first reproduction) were estimated. The similar correlations (LRS-1) for separate «local populations» can vary from -0.517 to -0.631 owing to various migrations of adults over the territory. Therefore, it is necessary to contend that a correct average LRS for population as a whole can be determined only after taking into account the spatial structure of population including the distribution of spawning frogs over the territory and correct information on size and boundaries of population.

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We reared larvae of Rana lessonae, R. temporaria and Bufo viridis in water with an artificial source of the native pond odour (markers: morpholine or в-phenylehtanol, 10-7 - 10-8 mol / L), and after metamorphosis tested juveniles in binary choice conditions on the ability to recognize the marker. The preferred type of reaction that natural juveniles demonstrate towards water from the native pond soon after metamorphosis, formed in 3 species on stages 27 - 38, in the beginning of larval development. These juveniles rejected high and preferred low concentrations of the marker. Using a mixture of the markers we showed the possibility of preference formation in R. lessonae on stages 42- 52, at the end of larval development. The juveniles of 3 species that had no contact with the markers showed indifference to the stimuli.

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A species of Theloderma genus was described in 2005 after 1 adult male [ZISP 7502 (Fn 33049)] from Central Annam, Vietnam [type territory: «Kon Du, Mang Canh village, Konplong district, Kon Tum province, Vietnam (14°41'41.4 N, 108°19'51.1 E, 1210 m elevation)»], which is strongly differed from any other members of the genus and could be considered as a member of a distinct intrageneric group (Orlov et al., 2006). This species was named Theloderma ryabovi in honour of the known specialist in the field of the biology of amphibians and reptiles of tropical Asia and introducing them into laboratory zooculture. The present paper provides an extended description of this rare species.

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Sexual distinctions have been revealed by analysis of several exterior indices of Vipera nikolskii, the body-to-tail ratio being the most precise sexual attribute. Our classification model developed on the basis of the examined sample and including 2 linear discrimination functions (d1 = -45.862 + 14.855x for males and d2 = -80.725 + 19.774x for females) allows the sex of an individual to be determined. The algorithm of sex detection with the usage of classifying functions consists in calculating d1 and d2 from the observable L. / L. cd. value. The individual belongs to the sex for which the response value (d1 or d2) of the classifying function will be maximum. In disputable cases exploring anal pockets can be recommended to avoid sex detection errors (in particular, for yearlings).

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A study was made of the nutrition of Pelobates fuscus collected in some agrocenoses near v. Shevyryovka (Saratov district) and Chemizovka (Atkarsk district), flood-land woods near v. Letyazhevka (Arkadak district) and Balakovo City from late April till mid October, 1981 - 1984 and 2002 - 2003. 501 samples of stomach contents were examined. The forage structure of P. fuscus was found to be rather various and mainly determined by seasonal victim fauna dynamics in their habitats. Coleoptera predominates by biomass in all the communities but its role varies, from most important in the diet of P. fuscus in flood-land woods to least important in agrocenoses. The character of subdominant forages shows even greater distinctions, namely, Hymenoptera and larvae of Lepidoptera play an essential role in agrocenoses while Hemiptera does in flood-land woods. The amount of consumption of flying and, especially, water animals completely depends on the living conditions of P. fuscus. The number of invertebrates caught by P. fuscus per day is low: it seldom exceeds 15 individuals and only in some cases they catch up to 30 - 40 ones. The lowest level of forage consumption is characteristic of April and October when P. fuscus catch 7 - 8 victims and utilize 230 - 240 mg of biomass per day. In May and June the consumption of forage gradually increases and reaches its maximum in July (up to 38 nutrition objects of 2340 mg). Over the whole active period an individual of P. fuscus has caught more than 2000 animals and utilized 80 - 100 g of biomass.

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It is known from the literature that 93 vertebrate species in the Volga river basin (5 fishes, 4 amphibians, 9 reptiles, 48 birds, and 27 mammals) eat snakes. As a minimum, Eryx miliaris is devoured by 7 of such species, Natrix natrix by 66, N. tessellata by 29, Coronella austriaca by 13, Elaphe dioneby 13, E. sauromates by 3, Hierophis caspius by 5, Malpolon monspessulanus by 6, Vipera berus by 40,V. renardi by 32 ones. The number of vertebrates eating a certain snake species positively correlates with the size of the area occupied by these snakes in the Volga river basin. Eg., E. sauromatesoccupies only the south of the Lower-Volga region and is eaten by the minimum number of the above species while N. natrix living almost everywhere in the Volga river basin is eaten by the maximum number of them.

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The karyotype of some local populations of Eremias arguta from the Samara and Saratov Trans-Volga regions is described. The diploid set of multi-coloured lizards of both the Trans-Volga populations includes 38 chromosomes: 2n = 38, NF = 38. All the chromosomes are acrocentric, gradually decreasing in size. The karyotype structure of females and males is 2n = 35M - 3m and 2n = 36M - 2m, respectively. The presence of nucleous organizers on telomeric sites of three (2nd, 4th, and 7th) and four (1st, 2nd, 4th, and 9th) pairs of autosomes for the Saratov and Samara Trans-Volga regions, respectively, is a feature of the E. arguta karyotypes of these populations. In this connection, further comparative analysis of the chromosome sets of E. arguta from various sites of its habitat seems promising.