Specific composition, numbers and biotopical distribution of snakes (Serpentes) on the southern slope of the Navagir mountain ridge (Abrau Peninsula) and some problems of its preservation

Seven species of snakes were revealed in 1997–1998, six of which (Natrix tessellata, N. natrix, Zamenis longissimus, Hierophis caspius, Platyceps najadum, and Elaphe sauromatus) were in the lower part of the slope, in the area of mediterranean vegetation. In 2001– 2003, the first three species were revealed only, and their numbers significantly decreased, reaching a maximum in the middle part of the slope, in the zone of transition from mediterranean vegetation to broad-leaved forests. In 1999–2000, the recreational load on the coastal area sharply rose, which probably was the cause for the species composition reduction and changes of the spatial distribution in snakes.

Size-age differences in the bioecology of Mesobuthus eupeus (c.l. koch, 1839) (arachnida, scorpiones, buthidae) in Azerbaijan

The biotopical distribution, size and age structure of the population, nocturnal activity rhythm and feeding of the mottled scorpion (Mesobuthus eupeus) were studied. The research was conducted on the left bank of the Pirsagat river (Shirvan plain, Istern Azerbaijan). All discovered individuals of scorpions were divided into 5 size and age groups by the length of the metasome. The biotopical distribution of the mottled scorpion had a pronounced aggregated character with the formation of local clusters (settlements) in which 5 types of ratios of size and age groups were identified. It was found that individuals of II groups and I have unimodal, III and IV groups bimodal, and V group trimodal character of the rhythm of nocturnal activity. As the size of scorpions increases, the breadth of the nutrition spectrum increases, and the intensity of nutrition decreases. The index of electivity in II groups and I had negative values, and from III to V groups for some taxa of preys positive values. Representatives of the orders Isopoda (Crustacea), Aranei (Arachnida), Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera (Insecta) play a leading role in the nutrition of individuals of all size- age groups. As the size of scorpions increases, the proportion of members of the orders Hymenoptera, Blattodea and Collembola in their diet decreases. Representatives of the orders Coleoptera and Orthoptera are noted in the diet of scorpions from group III to V groups. Representatives of the orders Pulmonata (Gastropoda), Lumbricidae (Oligochaeta), Scolopendromorpha (Chilopoda), and Solifugae (Arachnida) are present in the diet only in individuals of IV and V groups.

FAUNAL AND ECOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF IXODID TICKS IN THE KURSK REGION

The article describes features of fauna and ecology of ixodid ticks on the example of the two most common species of ixodids Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus, which are the main carriers of tick-borne infections in the Kursk Region. We analyzed biotopical distribution of ixodids in landscapes of the Region, considered the main feeders of ixodid ticks in the conditions of the Kursk Region, and conducted a comparative analysis of parasitism peaks of ixodids in connection with climate indicators in epidemiological seasons in the period from 2015 to 2019. Ixodes ricinus is characterized by stronger association with forest biotopes, and Dermacentor reticulates is characterized by stronger association with meadow and forest biotopes. The data obtained indicate that biotopes of ixodid ticks in the Kursk Region are unevenly distributed; the parasitism peaks of ixodids and their numerical indicators are directly related to climatic conditions of the previous calendar year in the respective epidemiological season. As we have observed, increased humidity contributes to a decrease in the number of ixodids in following years, but a rise of the average annual air temperature has the opposite effect on the population and activity of the arthropods in the future.

Species Composition and Biotopical Distribution of Blackflies (Diptera, Simuliidae) on the South-Western Macroslope of the Ukrainian Carpathians

The blackflies on the south-western macroslope of the Ukrainian Carpathians are represented by 45 species. Forty of them are registered in the rivers (Simpson’s diversity index (Іs) equals to 0.019), and 29 species in the streams (Іs — 0.090). Twenty-four simuliid species are common for both types of water ways (Czekanowski/Sørensen similarity index (І) is 0.4). Only 16 species develop in the rivers, and 5 types of blackflies live only in the streams. Mass development of the following species in hydrobiocoenoses on the south-western macroslope of the Ukrainian Carpathians: Simulium trifasciatum and S. ornatum. Species such as S. ornatum, S. reptans and S. trifasciatum are widespread here. Simuliid faunas of main regional altitudinal plant groups differed in composition and quantitative correlation of species. Simulium argyreatum, S. intermedium, S. ornatum, S. trifasciatum and S. variegatum were eurytopic. The reachest species composition (29) was recorded in Rakhiv subdistrict in the district of spruce-fir-beech, spruce-beech-fir and spruce-beech Transcarpathian forests, and the poorest composition (15) is in the beech forests of southern megaslope of the Polonynian Beskyd, subdivision of beech Carpathian forests.