A new carcharodontosaurian theropod dinosaur occupies apex predator niche in the early Late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan

Carcharodontosauria is a group of medium to large-sized predatory theropods, distributed worldwide during the Cretaceous. These theropods were probably the apex predators of Asiamerica in the early Late Cretaceous prior to the ascent of tyrannosaurids, although few Laurasian species are known from this time due to a poor rock record. Here, we describe Ulughbegsaurus uzbekistanensis gen. et sp. nov. from the early Late Cretaceous (Turonian) of Central Asia, which represents the first record of a Late Cretaceous carcharodontosaurian from the region. This new taxon is represented by a large, isolated maxilla from the Bissekty Formation of the Kyzylkum Desert, the Republic of Uzbekistan, a formation yielding a rich and diverse assemblage of dinosaurs and other vertebrates from fragmentary remains. Comparison of the maxilla with that of other allosauroids indicates Ulughbegsaurus was 7.5–8 m in body length and greater than 1000 kg in body mass, suggesting it was the previously unrecognized apex predator of the Bissekty ecosystem while smaller known tryannosauroids and dromaeosaurids were probable mesopredators. The discovery of Ulughbegsaurus records the geologically latest stratigraphic co-occurrence of carcharodontosaurid and tyrannosauroid dinosaurs from Laurasia, and evidence indicates carcharodontosaurians remained the dominant predators relative to tyrannosauroids, at least in Asia, as late as the Turonian.

Demographic structure of Caryophyllaceae Juss. rare species coenopopulations in Uzbekistan

The article is devoted to the assessment state of the ontogenetic structure of some rare species of the Caryophyllaceae Juss. (Acanthophyllum cyrtostegium Vved. and Silene tomentella Schischk.), listed in the Red book of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In different ecological conditions and plant communities in the Kyzylkum desert, the studied coenopopulations are normal, but incomplete. In most cases, yang grows is absent, which indicates an irregular renewal and elimination of young individuals due to lack of soil moisture, which is often observed in desert conditions. The ontogenetic spectra of investigated coenopopulations are centered and it coincides with the theoretically established spectrum. This, in general, reflects the biological characteristics of the studied species and indicates a stable state of the examined coenopopulations.

Insights into the feeding ecology of and threats to Sand Cat Felis margarita Loche, 1858 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in the Kyzylkum Desert, Uzbekistan

Little is known about the ecology of the Sand Cat Felis margarita throughout its range in the deserts of northern Africa to central Asia. We present observations of the Sand Cat in the southern Kyzylkum Desert, Uzbekistan, potentially preying upon a large bird and returning to the kill on subsequent nights. This record contributes to the knowledge about the feeding ecology and varied diet of the Sand Cat and its opportunistic hunting strategy.

The Caracal Caracal caracal Schreber, 1776 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in Uzbekistan

This article provides information about 27 records of the Caracal Caracal caracal in Uzbekistan, particularly in the Kyzylkum Desert and the Ustyurt Plateau. The data collected between 2011 and 2017 were based on information from literary sources, field research, and interviews with local people. At least 11 individuals of the species were killed intentionally and one was run over by a car. Basic threats to the species in Uzbekistan are negative interactions between herders and Caracal, lack of knowledge about its protected status among local people, and lack of conservation measures. The preconditions for the protection of Caracal are the existence of remote unpopulated areas close to state borders between adjacent countries and socio-economic factors that prompt people to move from rural to urban areas. Caracal habitats are protected in Kyzylkum State Reserve, Saigachiy Landscape Sanctuary, and six wildlife sanctuaries. To conserve Caracal, it is necessary to strengthen the network of protected areas in deserts and raise the awareness of local communities and decision-makers in the national government. It is important to continue research on Caracal and develop a government-approved action plan for its conservation.

Transboundary air mass transport from Kyzylkum desert

The NOAA HYSPLIT_4 trajectory model and the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis have calculated the trajectories of air particles transport from the Kyzylkum desert (Central Asia). The average annual and seasonal (winter, spring, summer and autumn) was calculated for the probability of transport to different remote regions. The probability of transport only to the mixed layer was calculated. The peculiarities of large-scale atmospheric circulation are analyzed that facilitate the transport of air masses from the Kyzylkum desert to some regions of Russia and the south of Iran.