Results of a 30-years-long investigation of small mammals in Crimea. Part 1. Introduction, fauna composition, ranges

The present paper deals with the final results of a 30 years-long research of the small mammal’s fauna in the Crimean peninsula, including data on history of investigations within the region as well as on the species’ geographical ranges (in form of maps with dots that indicate the catching points of species). It also contains information concerning the analysis of micromammalian faunal assemblages in the peninsula considering the latest changes in the systematics. During the period of investigation, 627’500 trap-nights were processed and 63’000 small mammals were collected. In addition, we have also processed 14’000 pellets of raptors (mainly pellets of Asio otus) identifying osteological remains of about 31’000 individuals of different rodent and shrew species. It was discovered that the current terrestrial small mammalian fauna (Micromammalia) consists of 19 species of insectivores (Insectivora, family Soricidae — 4 species of 3 genera) and rodents (Rodentia — 14 species of 8 genera). The species distribution in different natural zones and biotopes of the Crimean peninsula was studied along with their ectoparasites and role in functioning of natural foci of viral and bacterial infections

Results of a 30-years-long investigation of small mammals in Crimea. Part 3. Parasites and epizootiology

Presented here are the results of a 30-years-long investigation of parasites of small mammals in the territory of the Crimean Peninsula including data on species ranges (presented as maps indicating trapping localities of species), as well as the analysis of ectoparasite assemblages of Micromammalia in different natural zones of the peninsula. During research period, from 5448 individuals of small mammals 7710 ectoparaites were combed off (mainly fleas, gamasoid mites, and ticks). In addition, more than 300,000 nymphs and imagoes of ticks were removed and collected from different animals. For the research period, 16 species of ticks (Ixodidae), more tham 25 species of gamaside mites (Gamasidae), and 15 species of fleas (Aphaniptera) have been revealed in the composition of the ectoparasite fauna of small mammals. It has been established that small mammals and their ectoparasites are part of many zoonotic infections (tularemia, tick-borne encephalitis, Lyme disease, HFRS, etc.) in Crimea

Results of a 30-years-long investigation of small mammals in Crimea. Part 2. Ecology of species

The present paper deals with the final results of a 30-year-long research covering ecology and biology of the small mammal fauna in the Crimean Peninsula. The paper includes the historical overview of investigations within the region, population analysis (species abundance, absolute animal trapping data) of Micromammalia faunal assemblages, and their biotopical distribution in the peninsula (in the steppe, piedmont, and mountainous areas). Species that form the core of micromammal assemblages in different habitats of the steppe, piedmont and forest areas are identified. The article also studies small mammals (house mice, rats, hamsters, etc.) constantly inhabiting settlements of the peninsula, namely their seasonal population dynamics and the relationships between mice and rats. Special attention is given to notes on taxonomy, ecology and biology of some of the rarest and least studied species of the Crimean small mammal fauna, such as the lesser shrew (Sorex minutus), water shrew (Neomys anomalus), southern birch mouse (Sicista loriger), northern mole vole (Ellobius talpinus), small gopher (Spermophilus pygmaeus) and great jerboa (Allactaga major)

Interpretation of ionospheric F-region structures in the vicinity of ionisation troughs observed by satellite radio tomography

Tomographic images of the spatial distribution of electron density in the ionospheric F-region are presented from the Russian-American Tomography Experiment (RATE) in November 1993 as well as from campaigns carried out in northern Scandinavia in November 1995 and in Russia in April 1990. The reconstructions selected display the ionisation troughs above the tomographic chains of receivers during geomagnetically quiet and disturbed periods. Two mathematical models of the high-latitude ionosphere developed in the Polar Geophysical Institute have been applied for interpretation of the observed tomographic images.Key words. Ionosphere (electric fields and currents; ion chemistry and composition; plasma convection

EPIDEMIOLOGIC SITUATION BY NATURAL-FOCI INFECTIONS IN THE CRIMEA FEDERAL DISTRICT IN 2014 - 2015

Aim. Analysis of epidemic manifestations of natural-foci infections (NFI), clarification of spectrum of their causative agents, determination of epizootic activity of natural foci in the Crimea Federal District (KFD). Materials and methods. Epizootologic examination of 10 administrative districts of KDF was carried out. 291 pools (2705 specimens) of ixodes ticks and 283 samples of organs of small mammals were studied by PCR method for the presence of DNA/RNA of causative agents of a number of NFI. Results. Morbidity by NFI in KFD was registered by 6 nosologies: Lyme borreliosis, Marseilles fever, leptospirosis, tularemia, intestine yersiniosis and tick-borne viral encephalitis, wherein, transmissive infections made up 91.6%. Circulation of causative agents of Crimea hemorrhagic fever, Q fever, group of tick-borne spotted fever, Lyme borreliosis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, human monocytic ehrlichiosis, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, West Nile fever, tularemia and leptospirosis was established. Conclusion. Due to activity of natural foci of NFI further monitoring of epidemiologic and epizootologic manifestations of these infections in the Crimea, including using genetic methods of analysis, is necessary for ensuring sanitary-epidemiologic welfare of KFD population

A bioarchaeological investigation of three late Chalcolithic pits at Ovçular Tepesi (Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan)

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