Symplectic Cobordism in Small Dimensions and a Series of Elements of Order Four

We present the structure of symplectic cobordism ring $MSp_{*}$ in dimensions up to 51 and give a construction of an infinite series of elements $\Gamma_i$, $i=1, 3,4, ...$, of order four in this ring, where $\operatorname{dim} \, \Gamma_i=8i+95$. The key element of the series is $\Gamma_1$ in dimension 103.Comment: 117 pages, 18 table

Anomalies of the Smooth Newt Lissotriton Vulgaris (L., 1758) in the Gradient of Urbanization

The paper addresses the influence of environmental transformation and water pollution on the number and frequency of abnormalities. Comparative analysis shows that the range and frequency of morphological anomalies of juveniles was significantly poorer than adult. Also, difference in the anomalies spectra mentionedin populations of the smooth newt in European and Asian parts of the area were found. Overall cases of morphological abnormalities of mature and adult animals are discussed. &nbsp

TERATS AS A "MIRROR OF EVOLUTION"

The work represents the review, author's data and his original point of view on the problem of evolutionary significance of amphibian anomalies and possibility to use them for environmental quality assessment. The author suppose that spectrum of abnormalities can be used for understanding of the main directions of morphological evolution canalization because of global block principle of biological systems organization and hereditary basement.Статья представляет собой обзор авторских данных и его точки зрения на проблемы эволюционного значения аномалий и возможности их использования для оценки качества среды. Автор полагает, что спектр аномалий может быть использован для понимания основных направлений канализации морфологической эволюции в соответствии с всеобщим принципом блочной организации биологических систем и наследственной основы

Fluctuating Asymmetry of Measurable Parameters in Rana arvalis : Methodology

72 Fluctuating asymmetry (FA), i.e., undirected deviations from bilateral symmetry, of both measurable and nonmeasurable characteristics reflects ontogenetic instability, which some authors believe increases in response to genomic or environmental stress. This allows FA to be used for estimating the state of anthropogenically affected natural populations (e.g., Rana arvalis young of the year were captured on August 4 and 5, 2003, in the Kalinovskie Razrezy Park Forest in northern Yekaterinburg ( n = 26) and near the Yuzhnaya Bus Terminal ( n = 15), respectively. Ponds existing in the park forest had resulted from flooding desolate quarries. The vegetation was a herb-grass pine forest containing small shrubs. The results of our hydrochemical analyses performed in 2003 indicate that, according to the ecological sanitary classification of the quality of surface waters suggested by We measured the size parameters of the body that are standard for amphibians The results of the measurements shown in the table indicate that storage in the fixative led to a slight decrease in the mean values of most parameters measured in frogs from both populations. This decrease was the largest (and statistically significant) for the lengths of the thigh, crus, and temporal spot, i.e., the measurements at least partly involving soft tissue (F = 11.13-144.32, d.f. = 1/25 or 1/14, P = 0.004-0.0001 for the results of ANOVA with factors individual, body side

PARASITIC INFESTATION AS A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF SKELETAL ANOMALIES IN AMPHIBIANS

The possibility of parasite's infestation influence on amphibian skeletal morphology, were evaluated using of infestation parameters. Parasitic cyst's localisation and infestation parameters were analized in the Urals and South-Eastern Trans-Urals regions in populations of 4 Anura species. The largest variability in cysts localization were mentioned in P. ridibundus. In R. arvalis populations an increase of infestations parameters were found along with urbanization gradient. The most frequent variants of cyst localization in the specimens from forest-park and low story building area are along the spine and in the cavity of the body. Due this the biggestt frequency of deviations in skeleton morphology were found in populations from these areas.На основе показателей инвазированности оценивается возможность влияния паразитарной инвазии на скелетную морфологию амфибий. Анализируется локализация цист паразитов и инвазированность в популяциях 4 видов бесхвостых амфибий Урала и Юго-Восточного Зауралья. Наибольшая вариативность в локализации цист отмечена для P. ridibundus. В популяциях R. arvalis отмечено усиление показателей инвазированности в градиенте урбанизации. Наиболее распространенные варианты локализации цист у особей из лесопарковой зоны и зоны малоэтажной застройки – вдоль позвоночника и в полости тела, что обусловливает наибольшую частоту скелетных аномалий в популяциях этих зон

Long-term observation of amphibian populations inhabiting urban and forested areas in Yekaterinburg, Russia

This article presents data derived from a 36 year-long uninterrupted observational study of amphibian populations living in the city and vicinity of Yekaterinburg, Russia. This area is inhabited by six amphibian species. Based on a degree of anthropogenic transformation, the urban territory is divided into five highly mosaic zones characterized by vegetation, temperature, and a distinctive water pollution profile. Population data is presented year-by-year for the number of animals, sex ratio, and species-specific fecundity including the number and quality of spawns for the following amphibian species: Salamandrella keyserligii, Rana arvalis, R. temporaria, Lissotriton vulgaris, and Pelophylax ridibundus. These data provide an excellent opportunity to assess an urban environment from an animal population-wide perspective, as well as revealing the forces driving animal adaptation to the anthropogenic transformation of habitats