scholarly journals The southern birch mouse Sicista loriger (Dipodoidea) in the Crimea: distribution, habitats, seasonal ac-tivity, and abundance

2021 ◽  
Vol 2020 (20) ◽  
pp. 79-90
Author(s):  
Igor Evstafiev ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Anthropogenic Landscapes ◽  
Entire Area ◽  
Crimean Peninsula ◽  
Mouse Population ◽  
Kerch Peninsula ◽  
Epidemiological Surveys ◽  
The Crimea

The southern birch mouse is a rare and non-abundant species of small mammals of the fauna of the Crimean Peninsula. Its geographic range has gradually reduced during the 20th century. Initially, the southern birch mouse occupied almost the entire territory of the steppe and foothills of the Crimea. As the area of virgin and unploughed lands decreased, the species disappeared from the most part of the peninsula. Whereas the species had been recorded in 11 administrative districts in the middle of the twentieth century, now it is known only in three districts, in two of which it is extremely rare. Currently the southern birch mouse exists in two isolated populations—a western (Tarkhankut) and an eastern (Kerch)—separated by 200 km of anthropogenic landscapes. Census of small mammals has been carried out on trap-lines for the past 40 years. In a total of 667100 traps-nights, 144 birch mice were collected. Additionally, remains of 56 birch mouse specimens were found in 16862 pellets of the long-eared owl. The birch mouse population in the Tarkhankut Peninsula is small (12 specimens were trapped and 39 specimens were identified in pellets), and its range is largely restricted. The species’ population in the Kerch Peninsula is larger (132 birch mice were trapped and 17 specimens were identified in pellets of birds of prey) and its range occupies the entire area of the Kerch Peninsula. Data of long-term epidemiological surveys showed that the ratio of trapped birch mice in the whole of the Crimea is 0.21 %, whereas their ratio in the steppe zone is 0.29 % at a relative abundance of 0.03 specimens per 100 trap-nights. Birch mice are active from mid-April to mid-November. The peak of activity occurs in April, when 49.9 % of animals were trapped. Among natural enemies, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) can pose a real threat to birch mice, as well as the long-eared owl (Asio otus) to local micropopulations, especially during the breeding season. In our opinion, despite the generally low abundance of birch mice in the Crimea and the fragmentation of its geographic range, extinction does not threatens this species in the peninsula (especially its Kerch population) under the current management system. Conservation of the southern birch mice populations in the Crimea requires a detailed study of the species’ ecology, especially of limiting factors.

scholarly journals Chorology of the steppe birch mouse Sicista loriger (Nathusius, 1840) in the Crimean Peninsula

2020 ◽  
pp. 92-99
Author(s):  
Igor Evstafiev
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Steppe Zone ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Anthropogenic Landscapes ◽  
Crimean Peninsula ◽  
The Crimea ◽  
The Crimean Peninsula

The steppe birch mouse is a rare and non-abundant species of small mammals of the fauna of the Crimean Peninsula existing here in two isolated populations—western (Tarkhankut) and eastern (Kerch)—separated from each other by 200 kilometres of anthropogenic landscapes. The results of large scale long-term epidemiological censuses showed that the ratio of trapped steppe birch mice in the whole of the Crimea was 0.21 %, whereas the ratio of birch mice among small mammals in the steppe zone is 0.29 % with the relative abundance of 0.03 specimens per 100 trap-nights. The preservation the steppe birch mouse populations in the territory of the Crimean Peninsula requires a detailed study of its biology and ecology, especially limiting factors, as a basis to develop appropriate conservation measures aimed to protect of this species listen in the Red Book of Ukraine.

scholarly journals Small mammals as reservoirs and vectors of yersiniosis pathogens (Yersinia enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis)

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (19) ◽  
pp. 115-121
Author(s):  
Igor Evstafiev ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Yersinia Enterocolitica ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Mountain Forest ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Forest Zone ◽  
Crimean Peninsula ◽  
Zoonotic Infections ◽  
The Crimea ◽  
Natural Foci ◽  
The Crimean Peninsula

Yersinia infections are recorded worldwide and sapronotic natural foci of Yersinia enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis infections also occur in the Crimean Peninsula. Here we studied the distribution and prevalence of pathogenic Yersiniae among small mammals of the Crimean Peninsula based on results of epizootiological monitoring of natural foci infections. Pathogenic Y. enterocolitica were found in 10 species of small mammals, and the average number of infected specimens in the Crimea was 0.11 ± 0.03. The highest prevalence of yersiniosis pathogens was recorded among specimens of M. socialis (4.22 %), M. spicilegus (2.06 %), C. leucodon (1.96 %), S. flavicollis (1.85 %), and S. uralensis (1.33 %). The number of small mammals that are carriers of pathogens of yersinioses varies significantly in different natural zones of the Crimean Peninsula. In the mountain-forest zone, the prevalence of Y. enterocolitica among Micromammalia is 2.94 %, in the foothills it decreases to 0.99 %, in the lowland — to 0.77 % with a lowest value of 0.62 % in steppe areas of the Kerch Peninsula. Results show a decreasing pattern of prevalence of Y. enterocolitica among small mammals from the mountain-forest zone to plain steppe. A reverse trend was revealed for the prevalence of Y. pseudo¬tuberculosis among Micromammalia: 0.03 % in the mountains, 0.17 % in the foothills, and 0.25 % in the steppe. The number of trap-lines with records of Micromammalia having both infections varies from 18.3 % in the foothills to 21.3 % in the mountains and 24.8 % in the steppe zone. The portion of trap-lines with three and more infections is also high (6.7 % in the mountains and foothills and 5.5 % in the steppe). The obtained results show a wide distribution of combined foci in the Crimea. Considering that, in the peninsula, several tick-transmitted and other zoonotic infections (e.g. tick-borne encephalitis and borrelioses, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, Marseilles fever, Q fever, etc.) are widely distributed in the same areas and the pathogens of which are able to reproduce in the same small mammal species as those of yersiniosis and pseudotuberculosis, the real number of combined foci and their diversity in the Crimea could be 3 to 5 times higher.

scholarly journals The modern state of the coenopopulations and the reproduction Asphodeline taurica (Pall.) Endl. in south-western part of the Crimea

2020 ◽  
pp. 23-35
Author(s):  
E. S. Krainyuk ◽  
S. V. Shevchenko ◽  
N. A. Bagrikova
Keyword(s):  
Species Conservation ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Critical Periods ◽  
Hydrothermal Conditions ◽  
Seed Formation ◽  
Crimean Peninsula ◽  
The Crimea ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Generative Structure ◽  
Structure Density

The article presents the results of study some features of the development of Asphodeline taurica (Pall. ex Bieb.) Endl. in the south-western part of the Crimean peninsula. The age structure, density per m<sup>2</sup> and the type of coenopopulations of the species in various ecology-phytocenotic conditions have been described. It is shown that generative structure formation processes are mostly similar to other species of the genus Asphodeline , and the viability and peculiarities of seed formation can ensure optimal reproduction of Asphodeline taurica. The main limiting factors of species conservation and reproduction are anthropogenic impact and hydrothermal conditions during critical periods of genesis of generative structures, as well as the presence of pollinating insects during the flowering period.

Additions and clarifications to the flora of “Castel” nature reserve (the Southern Coast of the Crimea)

2020 ◽  
pp. 112-127
Author(s):  
L. E. Ryff
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Southern Coast ◽  
Crimean Peninsula ◽  
Annotated List ◽  
The Crimea ◽  
Protected Natural Area ◽  
Biological Flora

The aim of the work is to supplement and clarify the annotated list of vascular plants of “Castel” nature reserve on the Southern coast of the Crimea. Methods. The work is based on the results of long standing field research, which was carried out by the traditional route-reconnaissance method, analysis of YALT herbarium materials and data from literary and Internet sources. Arealogical and biomorphological characteristics of species are given according to "Biological Flora of the Crimea" by V.N. Golubev, biotope coding according to EUNIS habitat classification. The nomenclature of taxa corresponds to the " Spontaneuos flora of the Crimean peninsula" by A.V. Yena and to international databases Euro+Med PlantBase, The Plant List, Catalog of Life. Results. An additional annotated list of vascular plants of “Castel” nature reserve has been compiled, including 152 species, subspecies and cultivars from 97 genera of 38 families, of which 53 genera and 11 families have also not been cited for this territory before. Arealogical, biomorphological, biotopic and sozological characteristics of the taxa are given. As a result of a critical analysis of the list previously published by E.S. Krainyuk, four species were redefined, two species were proposed to be excluded from the flora of the specially protected natural area, several taxa are considered doubtful. Conclusions. The list of vascular plant taxa in “Castel” nature reserve has been supplemented with 11 families, 53 genera, and 152 species, subspecies, and cultivars; several species from the previously compiled list have been proposed to be excluded or considered doubtful. Thus, the flora of the protected area includes at least 425 species from 68 families. For the first time, the biotopic characteristic of the flora of the reserve was established.

ANTHROPOGENIC AND ECONOMIC FACTORS OF THE СRIMEAN ECOLOGY

2020 ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
N.P. Demchenko ◽  
N.Yu. Polyakova
Keyword(s):  
Business Owners ◽  
Crimean Peninsula ◽  
The North ◽  
Chemical Release ◽  
The Crimea ◽  
Russian Plant ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Town ◽  
Integrated Indicators ◽  
The Crimean Peninsula

The situation in the ecology of the Crimean Peninsula in recent years was discussed in the article. The analysis of absolute and integrated indicators of the anthropogenic impact showed that the ecological situation remains difficult, and according to some indicators even continues to deteriorate. In summer 2018, the situation had worsened because of the large chemical release of titanium dioxide on the north of the Crimea from the holding pond of a large Russian plant that is situated near the town of Armyansk. This, in turn, led to the contamination of the large territory on the north of the peninsula. This fact indicates insufficient control by officials of the Republic of Crimea over the implementation of the RF laws for environmental protection by business owners of various forms of ownership, especially private ownership, the level of responsibility for the environment of which is very low.

scholarly journals «”The Golden Age” of the Crimean Karaites»: publication of the new academic series

2020 ◽  
pp. 260-269
Author(s):  
Grigorii N. Kondratjuk ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Golden Age ◽  
Russian Empire ◽  
Social Structures ◽  
Crimean Peninsula ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Crimea ◽  
Chronological Period ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Russian Empire ◽  
The Crimean Peninsula

The review examines new publications on the history of Karaites – the monographs “Karaites in the Russian Empire in the late 18th – early 20th centuries” and the “Karaite communities: biographies, facts and documents (late 18th – early 20th centuries”. They studied a significant chronological period – from the time of the Karaites appearing in the Crimea and up to the beginning of the 20th century. A reasoned conclusion is made that the so-called “ The Golden Age” is the most tense in the history of the Karaite people – the time from the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula to the Russian Empire in 1783 and until 1917. It was during these 100 years when the significant transformations took place in the old-timers communities of the peninsula, when the ideas of Russian culture and education spread among the Crimean Karaites, and they themselves were actively integrated into Russian social structures. The monographs are equipped with a detailed historical excursion, which reveals many relevant and little-known facts from the past of the Karaites.

scholarly journals A Sacral and Mythical Landscape: The Crimea in the East European Context

2019 ◽  
pp. 11-32
Author(s):  
Kerstin S. Jobst
Keyword(s):  
Early Modern ◽  
Early Modern Period ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Crimean Peninsula ◽  
East European ◽  
The Crimea ◽  
German Speaking ◽  
Early Modern Times ◽  
Political Agents

The Crimean peninsula plays a decisive role as a mythical place both in literature(e.g. by Goethe, Pushkin, Mickiewicz) and in many (pre-)national contexts and narratives: in the early modern period, for instance, the Polish nobility had developed the idea of its Sarmatian ancestry, an ethnos which in antiquity settled in the Black Sea area and the peninsula. German-speaking intellectuals in the 19th century developed an “enthusiasm for the Crimean Goths”.They believed that they had discovered their ancestors in the Gothic Crimean inhabitants, who had been extinct since early modern times. But above all the National Socialists attempted to legitimize their political claims to the peninsula. The mythical and legendary narrations associated with the Crimea in Russian culture, however, were particularly effective: The alleged baptism of Grand Duke Vladimir in Chersones in 988, which is said to have brought Christianity to the Kievan Ruś, plays a central role here, as do the numerous writers who drew inspiration from the Crimea. These narratives were used also by Russian political agents to legitimize the annexation of the Crimea in 2014.

STUDIES OF THE CRIMEAN PENINSULA BY RUSSIAN SCIENTISTS (THE END OF THE 18TH CENTURY)

2020 ◽  
pp. 201-209
Author(s):  
Oxana M. Kurnikova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
18Th Century ◽  
Crimean Peninsula ◽  
Economic Changes ◽  
15Th Century ◽  
The Crimea ◽  
Imperial Academy ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Academy Of Sciences ◽  
Historical Past ◽  
The Crimean Peninsula

The rich historical past of the Crimean peninsula, its natural wealth and resources, its beauty at all times attracted the attention of traveling researchers. In the period from the last quarter of the 15th century up to the end of the 18th century, Western and Eastern researchers, visiting the Crimean peninsula for various purposes, studied its geography, biology, and history. Russian scientists-travelers did not have the opportunity to make research trips across the Crimea until the end of the 18th century due to the fact that for three centuries (from 1475 till 1774) the Crimean peninsula was part of the Ottoman Empire, being one of its most important provinces, both in trade, economic, and military-strategic terms. With the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 1783, started the development of newly acquired territories. The beginning of the study of the lands of the Crimean peninsula by Russian scientists is primarily associated with political and economic changes and transformations in the region. For the development and growth of the economy of the Crimean region, information was needed about the structure of the region, its socio-economic and ethnographic features, as well as about its natural resources. Therefore, by order of the Empress of Russia Catherine II and the instructions of the country’s government, the St. Petersburg Imperial Academy of Sciences and Arts sends its scientists to the Crimea. Among Russian pioneers of the Crimean peninsula research in the late 18th century there were Vasily Zuev (1754–1794), Carl Ludwig Habliz (1752–1821), Theodor Chyorny (1745–1790), and Peter Simon Pallas (1741–1811). The expeditions of these outstanding scholars and travellers commenced the Crimean exploration by Russian scientists in various fields of science, thus, the end of the 18th century should be considered the beginning of Russian Crimean studies.

scholarly journals SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN PSEUDOPUS APODUS (REPTILIA: SAURIA: ANGUIDAE) FROM THE STEPPE CRIMEA

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Oleg V. Kukushkin ◽  
Igor V. Dovgal
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Morphometric Parameters ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Proportions ◽  
Reliable Determination ◽  
Kerch Peninsula ◽  
The Crimea ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Almost All

The current paper is focused on sexual dimorphism of a giant glass lizard, or sheltopusik, Pseudopus apodus apodus (Pallas, 1775) from its northernmost populations inhabiting the Crimea. In total, 72 P. apodus individuals (45 males and 27 females) were collected at the Kerch Peninsula during 2013–2017. To estimate the variability, 13 morphometric parameters and 18 indices characterizing the head and body proportions were used. It was found that males and females differed significantly by means of almost all parameters, except the body and tail sizes. Besides that, the differences by 10 ratios characterizing head proportions were revealed as well. However, a reliable determination of the lizard sex using linear sizes and/or ratios values seems to be impossible because of the strong overlap of the variability ranges in both sexes. At the same time, the use of the canonical discriminant analysis by the complex of morphometric parameters and by ratios has shown that the males and females in both datasets are classified correctly basing on the sex with an accuracy approximating 100%. The differences in the allometric growth of males and females partially define the sexual dimorphism of P. apodus on head size and shape. A sex-related differences in the development of at least one pair of parameters (head and snout lengths) were clearly evident, since isometry was established for males, while allometry ‒ for females. Moreover, the systems of correlation between the body and head parts differ in both sexes. Thus, male characterisitics correlate significanly, while the female ones were less toughly connected, and some pairs of parameters did not correlate at all.

Two species of the genus Theristus Bastian, 1865 (Nematoda: Xyalidae) from the hypersaline water bodies of the Crimea (Azov-Black Sea basin)

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4881 (2) ◽  
pp. 372-382
Author(s):  
TATIANA N. REVKOVA
Keyword(s):  
Black Sea ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Caspian Sea ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
The Caspian Sea ◽  
Crimean Peninsula ◽  
The Crimea ◽  
Hypersaline Water ◽  
The Crimean Peninsula

Morphological descriptions of two species of the genus Theristus Bastian, 1865 belonging to group flevensis, found in the hypersaline water bodies of the Crimean Peninsula, are presented. Theristus siwaschensis sp. n. is morphologically closest to T. flevensis Schuurmans Stekhoven, 1935, T. parambronensis Timm, 1952, T. macroflevensis Gerlach, 1954, T. metaflevensis Gerlach, 1955, but differs from them by the structure of the reproductive system in females, number of cephalic setae and size of spicules. Specimens of T. flevensis found in the Lake Chersonesskoye are similar to the re-description of a large forms of T. flevensis from Chile by Murhy (1966) and Caspian Sea by Chesunov (1981). However, it differs from the Caspian Sea species by having larger amphids, longer cephalic setae and spicules. T. pratti Murph & Canaris, 1964 and T. ambronensis Schulz, 1937 are synonymized with T. flevensis.

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