Preface

This publication represents an ordinary volume of Proceedings of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which, starting with this volu me, will be published as a periodical (journal). Pro ceedings ZIN has been published since 1932 and sprang from the Annual of the Zoological Museum of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, published from 1896 to 1932. During this time Proceedings ZIN was a serial publication. The Zoological Institute RAS is a leading institution in the field of zoology in Russia. It is one of the oldest natural-science institutions in this country, uniting specialists in different branches of zoology. Many similar institutions with a long history publish their own journals, which have authority. The renovated version of the Proceedings ZIN, as a peerreviewed journal publishing high-quality papers, is called upon to reflect the current level of studies in native zoology. We hope that the Proceedings ZIN will, as previously, contribute to the development of zoological science. Editors.