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INTRODUCTION. In the current practice of preclinical safety studies of pharmacologically active substances, standard neurotoxicity assessment procedures are mainly aimed at diagnosing higher nervous activity and behavioural disorders. However, it is the structures of the peripheral nervous system that are particularly susceptible to drug-induced neurotoxicity, which renders these structures an easy target and leads to a high incidence of neurotoxic side effects. These circumstances dictate the importance of refining methodological approaches to the assessment of toxic injury in the peripheral nervous system.AIM. The study aimed to analyse the current methodological level of clinical and functional tests for assessing the toxic effects of pharmacologically active substances on the structures of the peripheral nervous system, as well as to formulate practical recommendations for using these tests in preclinical studies in rodents.DISCUSSION. Rodents are considered the optimal test system for preclinical studies of pharmacologically active substances, but it is impossible to reproduce the entire neurological examination that is conducted to identify clinical equivalents of neurotoxicity in humans using these animals. This article presents a systematic approach to using available diagnostic tests to increase the translatability of data. The article briefly describes the neurological deficits due to adverse drug reactions in humans, as well as the main toxidromes that can also occur in animals. Based on a literature review and experience, the authors provide practical recommendations for performing basic tests to study the strength and tone of muscles, the state of physiological reflexes, the coordination of movements, and various types of sensitivities in rodents. The article provides a brief overview of the diagnostic utility of electrophysiological testing for identifying toxic damage to the peripheral nervous system. The following tests are recommended as a minimum list of primary screening techniques for detecting neurotoxic side effects in study animals: a resting posture assessment, the beam walking test, the horizontal bar test, the digit abduction score assay, the tail flick test, and the Preyer reflex test.CONCLUSIONS. The results of a comprehensive assessment of neurological deficits in rodent experiments should be analysed from a clinically relevant perspective— that is, with a focus on topical diagnosis and common pathological process components. It is advisable to verify the pathological process at the level of the peripheral nervous system using a set of electrophysiological techniques.

Specific microbiocenoses are formed in the burrows of gerbils (Mammalia: Muridae). In these biocenoses, invertebrates are associated with the gerbils and the burrow/nest through trophic, topical, phoretic and fensive relationships. The burrows of gerbils perform a stabilizing function (environmental conditioning, microclimatic conditions) in arid areas and provide a place for the development of many invertebrates, e.g. beetles, whose numerical proportion in gerbil burrows is 10–20% and up to 40% of species diversity. In the unique material from the Western Kopet Dag (collected in the burrows of Meriones libycus in the spring of 1982 using trapping cylinders), 36 species of Coleoptera from 9 families were identified (another 3 taxa were identified to genus level). Zabrus morio klapperichi (geochortobiont phytophage of the family Carabidae) dominated in the burrows of the red-tailed gerbil in the foothills of the Western Kopet Dag. This species probably uses the burrows as a daytime hiding place or when searching for seeds, which gerbils can store in burrows. Nidicolous beetles included Coprofilus dimidiatipennis (Staphylinidae), Cholevinus pallidus (Leiodidae), Pholioxenus phoenix (Histeridae), Onthophagus psychopompus (for the first time for Turkmenistan) and O. vlasovi (Scarabaeidae), Attagenus duplex (Dermestidae), Cryptophagus cf. quadrimaculatus (Cryptophagidae) and Netuschilia hauseri (Tenebrionidae). Photographs of Netuschilia hauseri, Reitterohelops steinbergi (Tenebrionidae) and Aphthona mohri (Chrysomelidae) are provided for the first time.

Ecological resilience, defined as the amount of disturbance that a system can withstand before it shifts into an alternative stable state, is a fundamental property of ecosystems and other biological systems. By the end of the 1980s, unregulated livestock production and overgrazing resulted in the desertification of rangelands in Kalmykia (southern Russia). In the early 1990s, a drastic and considerable reduction in livestock numbers led to vegetation restoration and steppification of rangelands. In the last decade, the increase in grazing impact has launched a new process of desertification. We studied the population dynamics of the keystone rodent species (the midday gerbil – Meriones meridianus, the tamarisk gerbil – M. tamariscinus and the social vole – Microtus socialis) to identify general patterns and species-specific features of their response to the landscape transformations. We compared the speed and the strength of the species responses to the landscape changes, the stability of regimes of population dynamics, and the threshold effects when they change. Under landscape changes from desert to steppe and back to desert, the population dynamics of all studied rodent species demonstrated non-stationarity, threshold step-like transitions between stable regimes and the synchronicity of tipping points caused by weather anomalies. The general patterns of non-stationary dynamics were similar across different species. However, species differed in the dynamic population characteristics, such as the duration of the regimes, the amplitude of step-like shifts between them, and the overall resistance of populations to environmental changes (resilience). Species-specific differences in dynamic patterns of response are consistent with their ecological specialization and preferences: the higher the specialization, the shorter the stable dynamic regimes, the greater the amplitude of abrupt shifts between them, and the less the overall population resistance to landscape changes.

SCIENTIFIC RELEVANCE. Currently, there are no effective and safe medicinal products for idiopathic male infertility. Previous studies in two animal models of infertility (short-term cryptorchidism in rats and doxorubicin-induced testicular injury in mice) have shown the effectiveness of an originator medicinal product based on the mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) secretome.AIM. The aim of the study was to evaluate the toxicity profile of the MSC secretome-based medicinal product in rats after local intratesticular or intramuscular administration.MATERIALS AND METHODS. The MSC secretome is a combination of factors secreted by MSCs in low-glucose Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM-LG) for MSC conditioning. In the single-dose toxicity study, the MSC secretome-based medicinal product was injected under the testicular tunica albuginea of male Wistar rats (15 per group) at doses of 15 and 25 relative units (RU) per animal, which are 1.5 and 2.5 times higher than the therapeutic dose (10 RU). In the repeat-dose toxicity study, male Wistar rats (10 per group) received intramuscular thigh injections of the medicinal product on days 1, 6, and 12 at doses of 15 and 25 RU per animal. The local tolerance study involved histopathological examination of the testes and thighs at the injection site. All studies included control groups of intact animals and animals similarly injected with blank DMEM-LG. The early follow-up period was 14 days, and the late follow-up period was 42 days.RESULTS. The rats showed no changes in the general condition after single and repeated doses of the MSC secretome-based medicinal product. Single subtunical doses induced moderate irritation; its signs included pathological changes in individual seminiferous tubules: epithelial atrophy (70% of the animals on day 14; 55% at late follow-up) and sperm stasis (70% of the animals). Similar changes were observed in the blank DMEM-LG group (up to 80% of the animals). There were no pathological changes in the tissues after repeated injections. A transient increase in alkaline phosphatase activity was detected in animals after their third intramuscular injection at a dose of 25 RU; the other biochemical parameters were normal in all study groups.CONCLUSIONS. The MSC secretome-based medicinal product has a favourable safety profile following both intratesticular and intramuscular administration, as it does not cause any permanent changes in the studied organs and tissues.

Previously we proposed a new reconnaissance method for estimating the total abundance of small mammals in urban areas. The method includes placing plastic bottles with bait inside equal distances apart. In this research we examined two ways to improve the method: using bottles of smaller volume (0,25 liters instead of 0,5 liters) to increase the ergonomics and using opaque bottles to make them more attractive for animals. Bigger and smaller bottles with neck diameter of 38 mm were fastened in pairs which were set in a transect with a fi ve-meter spacing. The same was done with pairs of opaque and transparent bottles. A bait (rye bread with unrefi ned sunfl ower oil) was put into all the bottles. During the following days we recorded animals’ visits into the bottles. It was found out that there are no signifi cant diff erences in how often animals attend bottles of 0,25 liters and 0,5 liters, the same results were received for both transparent and opaque bottles. Thus, the simple method for estimating abundance of small mammals may be optimized by using smaller bottles, the colour of which is not important.

Coronaviruses (family Coronaviridae, genera Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus) are dangerous viral pathogens that have caused three outbreaks of severe respiratory diseases, SARS, MERS, COVID-19. In Russia, data on coronaviruses in natural reservoirs are limited, as investigations began only during the COVID-19 pandemic.The aim. To study the diversity of coronaviruses among rodents and insectivores in the Republic of Altai.Materials and methods. Rodents (n = 67) and shrews (n = 52) were captured in 2022. Samples were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing.Results and conclusions. Four samples from rodents (Myodes rutilus, M. glareolus, Apodemus peninsulae, A. agrarius) and two samples from an insectivore (Crocidura sibirica) were positive for coronaviruses, among which three different coronaviruses were detected. Rodent-borne coronaviruses are classified in the genus Betacoronavirus, subgenera Embecovirus, and have shown host associated clustering. The nucleotide sequences of Siberian coronaviruses from rodents were identical for closely related species (M. rutilus and M. glareolus, A. agrarius and A. peninsulae) and close (> 94 % homology) to previously published sequences in each of the groups of carriers found in the territory Novosibirsk region, Europe and China. The coronavirus identified from the insectivore, possibly belonging to a new subgenera of the family Coronaviridae, has also been assigned to the genus Betacoronavirus.Conclusion. Five species of natural carriers of three different coronaviruses were detected in the Altai Republic. A high level of identity of coronaviruses genomes from rodents has been revealed, indicating a relatively low rate of their evolution.

The use of morphogenetic characteristics and functionally important morphological structures in monitoring natural populations and communities is one of the modern directions in developing approaches to eco-morphology and functional synecology. New approaches make it possible to test the hypothesis of a similar spectrum of morphogenetic modifications of sympatric species during their development in disturbed biotopes. In this study, the coupled variability of the size and shape of the mandible was studied for the first time using geometric morphometrics to assess the resistance of the rodent community to two natural catastrophic phenomena (windfall and wildfire) for three sympatric red-backed vole species in the Visim State Nature Reserve (Middle Urals). Samples of Clethrionomys glareolus, Clethrionomys rutilus and Craseomys rufocanus young-of-the-years were studied in two biotopes modified by windfall and fire impacts under different weather conditions (2003 vs. 2004). It was found that Clethrionomys glareolus preferred the overgrown fire-damaged site, Craseomys rufocanus the windfall zone, and Clethrionomys rutilus did not express a pronounced preference. Interannual and biotopic differences in the variation of the size and shape of the mandible have been revealed for all species. Weather conditions affected the species variability more than biotopic ones. Based on functional mandibular indices, it was found that the shape of the mandible of the species, as a biological tool for foraging and its primary processing, depends more on weather factors than on the biotope characteristics. A similar morphofunctional reaction of sympatric species populations to similar biotopes was expressed. This fact reflects the parallelism of modifications of the morphogenesis of mandibles of the studied species in disturbed biotopes, confirming the hypothesis. In particular, in the fire-damaged site, the tendency to longitudinal grinding of feed was revealed for all species, while in the windfall zone, the tendency to gnawing of forage objects (possibly, seeds of coniferous plants) was revealed. It is assumed that weather factors indirectly affect the morphogenesis of species through the change of plant communities, which, in turn, changes the diet of animals and the mechanics of the load on the musculoskeletal apparatus of mandibles. The within-group morphological disparity (MNND), which reflects the measure of destabilisation of development, was small in Clethrionomys glareolus, indicating the stability of its morphogenesis in both biotopes; the development of Craseomys rufocanus was stable only on the windfall site; in Clethrionomys rutilus, MNND was unstable in both biotopes. The MNND development stability estimates are consistent with the species abundance. They are recommended for monitoring the population status of sympatric species of the red-backed voles and other rodents in Protected Areas.

This review is dedicated to the peculiarities of pathogenesis of the experimental Bolivian hemorrhagic fever (BHF) - the disease, caused by Machupo virus (Arenaviridae family). The authors come to the conclusion that for carrying out preclinical researches of the medical means of protection (MMP) in vivo on small laboratory animals it is expedient to use guinea pigs, infected with a strain of Chicava or with a variant of Carvallo strain, adapted for these animals. The use of guinea pigs as small laboratory animals when studying pathogenesis of the disease caused by Machupo virus allows to carry out statistically reliable definition of quantitative indices of an experimental infection and to select medicines for the final stage of preclinical assessment. As arenaviruses block the process of formation of interferon (IFN) in the infected organism, mice, defective by IFN formation, are the perspective animal models for the study of BHF pathogenesis and may be used for the study of attenuated variants of Machupo virus. The Javanese macaques (Macaca fascicularis) are the laboratory animals, modeling the pathogenetic manifestations of BHF in humans. They can be used when carrying out the final stages of preclinical assessment of means of medical protection.

Rationale. An important task is to monitor the incidence of tularemia among the population of Kazakhstan. Natural foci of this infection occupy large areas. In some regions with large numbers of rodents and ectoparasites and low vaccination coverage, human cases of tularemia have been reported.The aim of the study. To carry out retrospective analysis and to study modern spatiotemporal characteristics of tularemia in the West Kazakhstan and North Kazakhstan regions in order to improve the effectiveness of preventive measures.Materials and methods. In our work, we used public records, the results of an epizootological survey of tularemia natural foci and the official data from the Departments of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of two regions on the human cases of tularemia in 2000–2021. We used descriptive statistics methods, relative and absolute indicators of the tularemia incidence in the population for the analysis. The phenotypic and genetic properties of the strains isolated in 2000–2021 were studied according to the guidelines.Results. A retrospective analysis of the tularemia incidence among the population of the North Kazakhstan and West Kazakhstan regions showed an improvement in the epidemic situation. Over the past 20 years, 4 human cases of tularemia have been registered in the West Kazakhstan region, while the epizootic potential was quite high; more than 300 strains of the tularemia microbe were isolated during the studied period. In the North Kazakhstan region from 2000 to 2021, 11 human cases of tularemia were registered; when studying rodents, mammals and environmental objects, single positive samples for specific tularemia antibodies and antigens were detected; no strains of tularemia microbe were isolated.Conclusion. An analysis of long-term data on the epizootic and epidemic activity of tularemia natural foci, processed using descriptive statistics and GIS technology, made it possible to identify places of long-term persistence of the tularemia agent in the natural focus of the North Kazakhstan and West Kazakhstan regions and to create an electronic map of the territories endemic for tularemia to determine the scope of preventive measures.

Coronaviruses (family Coronaviridae, genera Alphacoronavirus and Betacoronavirus) are the causative agents of respiratory, intestinal and neurological diseases in humans and animals. Natural reservoirs of coronaviruses include bats, rodents and insectivores, however, the circulation of coronaviruses among rodents and insectivores in the Russian Federation has been unexplored. The aim of the study was to investigate the diversity of coronaviruses among rodents and insectivores co-inhabiting natural biotopes. Materials and methods. Rodents (68 specimens) and shrews of the genus Sorex (23 specimens) were caught in a limited forest area not exceeding 1.5 sq. km, in the vicinity of Novosibirsk. All samples were screened using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing. Results and discussion. Four distinct coronaviruses have been detected in four species of small mammals. Rodent-borne coronaviruses were classed within subgenera Embecovirus, genus Betacoronavirus, and demonstrated host-associated phylogenetic clustering. The level of homology between the new RNA isolates from red-backed vole (Myodes rutilus), root vole (Microtus oeconomus) and field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) is 85.5–87.7 %. The nucleotide sequences of Siberian coronavirus isolates are closely related (>93 % homology) to previously published sequences in each of the carrier groups found in Europe and China, which suggests their common evolutionary origin. The coronavirus identified in the common shrew (Sorex araneus) belongs to the genus Alphacoronavirus, but is significantly different (>36 % difference) from earlier identified strains included in the genus. It has been shown that different coronaviruses co-circulate in a limited area among rodents and insectivores.

The study is the first attempt to generalize the data on the burrow biocenoses of the great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus (Lichtenstein, 1823)) in the region of persistent plague epizootics in the lowland part of the Karakum Desert (Southern Turkmenistan). The material was collected in May, November, and December of 1987–1988 using trapping cylinders in residential and non-residential colonies of the great gerbil. Coleoptera made up about 40% of the species composition of invertebrates; their share of the total abundance was 19%. The beetle fauna of the studied burrows was represented by fifteen species belonging to seven families (another four taxa from the Staphylinidae family were identified down to the genus level). Atheta flagellicornis G. Benick, 1967 was the most abundant species, common species were Sepedophilus rufulus (Hochhuth, 1849), Aleochara jacobsoni Kirshenblat, 1935 (Staphylinidae), and large zoophagous Eremosphodrus dvorshaki Casale et Vereschagina, 1986 (Carabidae). The photographs of Atheta flagellicornis (Staphylinidae) and Bradyus pygmaeus (Fischer von Waldheim, 1821) (Tenebrionidae) are provided for the first time.

The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological and epizootiological situation on tularemia in the Republic of Karelia, and to develop a set of preventive (anti-epidemic) measures. Materials and methods. On the basis of statistical observation data, primary medical documentation and literature data, the morbidity of the population, the number of vaccinated persons, the results of laboratory studies of small mammals, arthropods and environmental objects, the species composition of hosts and vectors of infection were assessed. The situation in the republic was compared to the situation in Finland and neighboring regions of Russia. Results and discussion. The incidence of tularemia was registered in the Republic of Karelia in 1950–1971 (52 cases) and in 2010–2020 (121 cases). In the last decade, mainly the ulceroglandular forms have been diagnosed, the urban population predominated among the patients. In all cases, infection was transmitted through mosquito bites, i. e., not associated with professional activities. There are floodplainswamp and forest types of natural foci in the republic. The results of their monitoring are indicative of the activation of the epizootic process, covering almost the entire territory of Karelia. In several areas bordering tularemia disadvantaged areas of Finland and Russia, a high infection rate of rodents was detected, but tularemia patients were not registered. For an adequate assessment of the situation, it is necessary to increase the efficiency of surveying natural foci, study the immune structure of the population and improve the diagnosis of infection. The main areas of preventive (anti-epidemic) measures are vaccination of persons with professional risk of infection and persons living near the activated micro-foci of infection; reduction of the area of fields not used in agriculture; reclamation work, combating landfills, regular removal of waste from the territories of permanent and temporary residence of the population; the use of effective repellents; raising awareness of the population and authorities about the situation, symptoms of the disease, measures of its prevention.

The Finnish-Russian Friendship Nature Reserve is a relatively undisturbed area, where human influence on ecosystems is small. Research here is particularly important as this area is a highly vulnerable northern forest land and an essential element of the Green Belt of Fennoscandia. Small mammals are often used as model objects in studies of a great variety of ecological issues. Generalised data are provided on the species composition and abundance of small mammals encountered in model areas in the Finnish-Russian Friendship Nature Reserve during specialised surveys in 1995–2003. Activities on the Finnish side were carried out in the Elimyssalo Nature Reserve, featuring virgin coniferous forests and numerous small mires and streams, and in the Ulvinsalo Strict Nature Reserve, which also contains undisturbed coniferous forest areas, wetlands and small rivers, and falls under strict protection regulations. On the Russian side, research was done in the Kostomuksha State Nature Reserve: along the phenological route and in the Kalivo locality. The first area was monitored on a long-term basis for environmental changes, which was somewhat disturbed by infrastructural developments in the Kostomuksha District, in the Kalivo locality, mostly occupied by undisturbed native coniferous forests. We found that the small mammal populations are typical for north-boreal Fennoscandia. The number of species encountered in the areas over the study period is however significantly lower than in Finland or Karelia. This suggests that the study area has been understudied. A comparison of the species composition and abundance of small mammals among the models areas showed that the universal dominants were Sorex araneus and Myodes glareolus, while the presence of other species in the samples varied. The analysis of variations in the mammal abundance revealed a spatial synchronisation of fluctuations in some pairs of the model areas for dominant species, while all other species demonstrated various degrees of agreement in abundance variations. In addition, a temporal synchronisation of abundance fluctuations of some species was registered on each studied site. The studies on the species composition and abundance of small mammals in the Finnish-Russian Friendship Nature Reserve need to be extended both by continuing the time series of surveys and by implementing specialised activities to study the environmental factors influencing this mammal group.

Morphophysiological and hematological parameters of different species and ontogenesis types of mice rodents from the drained areas of the Chornobyl cooling pond were studied for the first time; comparative analysis, including data of control and stable populations of the Chornobyl exclusion zone, was performed. Radioecological characterization of the research sites was carried out; the contents of the main dose-forming radionuclides were determined; animals’ exposure doses were estimated. In all experimental groups, similar changes in the hematopoietic system were observed, however, pathological features were less pronounced in individuals from the drained areas of the cooling pond. It was revealed that in the animal body under the chronic low dose exposure activation of compensatory and recovery processes occurs along with the destructive processes. It has been shown that the lifetime increase in radiation exposure of mature animals causes the imbalance of bone marrow hematopoiesis with the gradual exhaustion of blood system potential.

Introduction. The article analyzes the anti-plague efforts launched in the Kalmyk Steppe in 1914. The topic remains understudied in domestic historiography, and only a few papers dealing with Kalmykia’s public healthcare history contain occasional mentions of some epidemic diseases. So, the 1914 plague epidemic has been overlooked as well. And the study proves even more relevant nowadays when humanity is globally facing COVID-19 threats. Goals. The paper specifically aims to provide insight ― on the basis of primary archival sources newly introduced into scientific circulation ― to the struggle against plague in the Kalmyk Steppe in June and July of 1914. Materials and Methods. The work employs general scientific and specifically historical methods, with emphasis be laid on the principle of historicism, method of systemic analysis, and interdisciplinary approach. The latter is particularly important when it comes to examine an epidemic in a nomadic society across arid territories ― and all that took place over 100 years ago. The article deals with archival documents stored at the National Archive of Kalmykia (Kalmyk People’s Administration collection). Those files included in the catalogue of Public Healthcare Department contain materials on three episodes of plague in June and July of 1914, and prove instrumental in reconstructing the actual events in detail. Results. The article chronicles the dramatic vicissitudes of the 1914 plague epidemic in Kalmykia, and shows that all required and justified disinfection measures were assumed, e.g., a strict quarantine was established in the affected areas, sick individuals were isolated and healthy ones evacuated to a safe distance. The doctors were conducting a total inspection of the population in areas adjacent to those of outbreaks, which was followed by two more weeks of observations.

9 species of rodents belonging to the families Muridae and Cricetidae have been caught in different habitats of Lankaran natural region (dry steppe semi-desert habitats, humid subtropical temperate climate habitats, humid subtropical medium climate habitats, warm broad-leaved forest habitats, mountain forest steppe habitats and mountain steppe habitats) and dissected according to the complete helminthological autopsy method developed by K. I. Skryabin. These rodents are: brown rat Rattus norvegicus, house mouse Mus musculus L., wood mouse Apodemus (sylvaemus) sylvaticus L., grey hamster Cricetulus migratorius, Persian jird Meriones persicus, Tristram’s jird M. blackleri, European water vole Arvicola terrestris L., common vole Microtus arvalis and social vole M. socialis. We found members of 47 helminth species in the dissected rodents, including 7 species of trematodes, 14 species of cestodes, 25 species of nematodes and 1 species of acanthocephalus. Of these, 26 species were biohelminths and 21 species were geohelminths. For these helminth species, we conducted epidemiological and epizootological potential assessment; 10 helminth species were found to be of epidemiological and epizootological significance, because they infect humans and domestic animals. Out of all the trematodes, Gastrodiscoides hominis has epidemiological significance for humans and epizootological significance for domestic pigs, while Echinostoma mijagawai has epizootological significance for domestic waterfowl (ducks and geese). Among the cestodes, adult Taenia hydatigena and Alveococcus multilocularis have epizootological significance for dogs and cats, while their larvae have epidemiological significance for humans and epizootological significance for even-toed ungulates; Hydatigera taeniaeformis has epidemiological significance for humans and epizootological significance for dogs and cats; Taenia pisiformis has epizootological significance for cats; Hymenolepis diminuta has epidemiological significance for humans. One of the nematodes, Hepaticola hepatica, has epidemiological significance for humans and epizootological significance for dogs and cats. Syphacia obvelata has epidemiological significance for humans; one type of acanthocephalus — Moniliformis moniliformis — has epidemiological significance for humans and epizootological significance for dogs and cats.

Diseases transmitted by ticks usually have a very complex environment and their prevalence, frequency, seasonality and long-term dynamics are influenced by various factors. The aim of our study was to study the role of rodents in the life cycle of I. ricinus. The research was conducted in the forests of Khmelnytsky, Chernivtsi and Vinnytsia regions. In the forests of the three regions, nine plots measuring 100×100 m were selected. Traps were set for catching rodents in each plot. Caught rodents were examined for the presence of all stages of ticks. It was found that european mouse (Sylvaemus sylvaticus), yellow-breasted mouse (Sylvimus flavicollis) and field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) were found in all three regions. A total of 159 rodents were caught in the experiment. Of these, 34 european mice, 49 yellow-breasted mice, 76 field mice, all were examined for ticks. The most affected was the european mouse, which lives not only in forests, but also in parks and gardens, floodplains and gardens. Ticks larvae were detected in 88.2% of individuals. The average number of larvae detected in the european mouse was 16, which was significantly higher than the average number of larvae in the yellow-breasted mouse, which was 8. The yellow-breasted mouse was also infested with larvae in 73.5%. The field mouse was the least affected, at 61.8%, and the average number of larvae per individual was 4. Larvae and nymphs were mainly attached to the rodent's head, also to the body, and much less to the limbs. In populations of all rodents, a slight lesion predominated in most individuals. A maximum of 29 ticks were found in the european mouse, 18 in the yellow-breasted mouse, and 6 in the field mouse. It was found in the age dynamics that all young rodents were less infested than the older ones. It was also found that the intensity of males is 1.5 times higher than females for all species of rodents. The intensity of the invasion is highest in the summer months (July-August) and decreased slightly in autumn. Studies conducted in three areas allow us to characterize the role of three species of rodents as feeders of the preimaginal stages of development of Ixodid ticks and to note some features of the disease of each species

Introduction. Many rodent species are important pests for agriculture and for urban areas. The long-eared owl is a predator that exerts constant pressure on rodent density. Material and methods. The studies were performed in the winters of 2011-2013 in the cities of Chisinau and Bacau, where 599 and 82 pellets of Asio otus were collected, respectively. The prey items were identified from cranial bones extracted from pellets. Results. Long-eared owl’s diet in both sites consists of mammals and birds, with rodents being the dominant trophic component. The Microtus species were the main prey with an abundance ≥ of 70% in both sites. In Chisinau, a high proportion of Mus species was registered in the diet. The total biomass of prey constituted 43 953 g in Chisinau and 7 038 in Bacau. The highest biomass belongs to Microtus species, with 31 710 g and 5 220 g, respectively. The trophic niche width in Chisinau constituted 0.089 and varied monthly from 0.058 to 0.28. In Bacau, the WTNs were 0.134 and varied slightly among the study months. Conclusions. The rodents were the main trophic source and constituted ≥96% in both sites. The prey diversity was higher in Chisinau, which was due to a larger city territory and to a higher number of wintering long-eared owls. The close values of trophic niche width in Chisinau and Bacau confirmed the high hunting specialization of the long-eared owl.

Tanoé-Ehy Swamp Forest (TESF) is one of the most valuable conservation sites in Ivory Coast. It harbours an exceptional biodiversity with numerous endangered plants and animals. Indeed, several recent studies have been carried out in TESF to consolidate judgment of its importance for conservation in Ivory Coast. These investigations have mentioned the presence of threatened monkeys and frogs. Currently, small mammals of the TESF remain unknown despite the consensus around their importance in natural biotopes. Yet small terrestrial mammals are known to be good indicators of the conservation status of many tropical ecosystems. This study is a preliminary exploration of terrestrial small mammal communities in the Tanoé-Ehy Swamp Forest. It aims to determine species composition and reveal their implication in the conservation of the Tanoé-Ehy Swamp Forest. Thus, the three main habitat types (dryland forests, swamp forests and raphials (Raphia-dominated community)) were sampled using conventional Sherman and Victor wooden snap traps. With a trapping effort of 8400 trap nights, 294 individuals, representing nine species of rodents and four species of shrews were collected. The rodent community was dominated by Hylomyscus simus (n = 135), followed by Praomys rostratus (n = 65) and Malacomys edwardsi (n = 18). Crocidura buettikoferi (n = 22) was the most abundant shrew. The species richness and diversity index were higher in drylands than in swamp forests and raphials. Swamp forests showed the highest number of trapped animals (n = 126), followed by the dryland forests (n = 107) and the raphials with 63 individuals. One-way ANOVA test revealed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between the abundance of terrestrial small mammals of the three sampled habitat types. Similarity indices showed that dryland and swamp forests were largely colonised by the same species. Three species are listed as threatened according to the criteria of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Those are one rodent, Hylomyscus baeri, listed as Endangered (EN), and two shrews, Crocidura buettikoferi and Crocidura grandiceps, which are both Near Threatened (NT). This study reinforces the importance of TESF for fauna conservation in Ivory Coast.

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The data about the life of the famous scientist, a graduate of Dnepropetrovsk University and a researcher of the Institute of Zoology of the Ukrainian RSR (Kyiv) are presented. After graduation, Vasyl Isakovych prepared a thesis on bats of Transcarpathia, and later he became one of the authors of the first issue of the series “Fauna of Ukraine” (1956) devoted to bats and insectivores. Later, in 1968, he published another issue of the series about the carnivores of the family Mustelidae. He had a wide range of interests and achievements both in research objects (all groups of mammals except aquatic) and research areas (ecology, fauna, population management). Vasyl Abelentsev was one of the most productive collectors, whose collections enriched the stocks of the National Museum of Natural History, NAS of Ukraine (1564 specimens of mammals). Among his most cited publications are the reviews on the bat fauna of Ukraine (1956), on the results of a 30 years long ringing of bats in Ukraine (1970), and on the state of marmot populations in Ukraine (1971).

In forest foci of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) of Primorsky Krai Amur and Hokkaido hantaviruses are circulated in the natural host population, i.e. Apodemus рeninsulae and Myodes rufocanus. The indicators of epizootic activity and their threshold values in rodent population dynamics were determined in order to forecast HFRS outbreaks. The material for the research was obtained throughout 2001–2013. The number of trap-nights was 33890. 2737 of A. peninsulae and 1643 of M. rufocanus were investigated. ELISA, RT-PCR, IFA were used for the detection of hantavirus antigen, RNA, antibodies/avidity. The parameters of epizootic activity per 100 TN (N – population, ni – infected rodents, nai – individuals with acute infection) were proposed. The results showed that the active foci of Amur viral infection are located on the slopes of the Sikhote-Alin ridge. The epizootic activity in A. peninsulae populations is characterized by the expressed cyclicity: phase I is rise, phase II is high activity, phase III is recession/low activity. Phases I and II are valid up to a year, whereas phase III is valid within a few years, determining the whole epizootic cycle. In phase I the number of rodents with an acute infection increased from summer to late autumn. In phase II the number of rodents with acute infection was considerable in spring/summer and decreased in autumn more than 3 times. In all phases of the cycle the threshold values were considerably higher for A. peninsulae, than for M. rufocanus, thus showing the former’s epidemiological role in forest ecosystems. HFRS infection rate in phases I/II of the epizootic cycle in A. peninsulae populations had two peaks: during late autumn - winter (≥ 37% of cases) and spring - first half of summer (≥ 55% of cases). The obtained threshold values of Amur hantavirus active circulation in population dynamics of the natural host allows to predict the periods of the increased risk of infection in HFRS forest foci for humans.

Helminths from a total of 24 species of small mammals, representing three orders (Insectivora, Chiroptera, Rodentia) were examined in Zhiguli State Reserve (Russia). 90 species of helminthes were identified: Trematoda – 24, Cestoidea – 21, Nematoda – 43 and Acanthocephala – 2. For each helminth species the following traits are specified: systematic position, hosts, localization, host specificity, sites of findings and geographical distribution. Rodents, in which 33 helminth species were noted, were proven to have the richest parasite fauna. In chiropterans and insectivores 32 and 28 species of helminths were registered, respectively. Only one parasite species was common for all three orders of mammals – the acanthocephalan Moniliformis moniliformis. 14 species of parasites were discovered in mammals of Russia for the first time: Prosthodendrium hurkovaae, Rodentolepis erinacei, Staphylocystis syrdariensis, Aonchotheca erinacei, Crenosoma striatum, Tricholinstowia linstowi, T. talpae, Molinistrongylus alatus, M. spasskii, M. vespertilionis, Pterothominx neopulchra, Pterygodermatites bovieri, Syphacia nigeriana, Centrorhynchus aluconis, larvae, Moniliformis moniliformis, larvae. 21 species of parasitic worms were found for the first time in mammals of the Volga River basin. Nine helminth species, discovered in small mammals of the Zhiguli State Reserve, are of epidemiological and epizootiological importance.

The analysis of vernacular names, chronicles and zoological data is carried out. It is shown that the use of nomen “ground hare” is associated with two independent objects. The first one is Ochotona pusilla, described as Lepus pusillus with vernacular names “chekalka” (because of its voice) and “zemlianyj zaitchik” (= ground leveret, because of its lifestyle). The second one is Allactaga major, described as Dipus jaculus with vernacular names “ground hare” and “tushkanchik” (= jerboa). In case of Ochotona, the name “hare” is associated with their similarity to lagomorphs, while in case of Allactaga it is linked with the behavior (jumper). Summarization of data confirms the wide distribution of Ochotona in the region in the past, so the name “ground hare” may be associated exactly with this species. Currently there is a similar reduction in the western segment of the range of Allactaga. It is assumed that in periods of dispersal of Ochotona, the species could acquire economic value (particularly as a possible game species or a possible carrier of plague) and because of that received its own names, among which, obviously, “chekalka” is the oldest one.

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).

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the structure of muroid rodent communities has been conducted in nine biotope types of the Skole Beskids National Park. Indices of species and taxonomic richness, as well as of species and taxonomic diversity are presented. The highest taxonomic richness of muroid rodents has been revealed in beech-spruce forests, clearcuttings, and meadows. These biotopes are most capable to maintain high species diversity. The high species diversity in meadows is related to the variety of meadow cenoses according to elevation, type of neighboring biotopes, and origin. The highest taxonomic diversity characterizes hornbeam-beech, beech, and mixed forests indicating high stability and sustainability of muroid rodent communities in them, because these are biotopes with native phytocenoses. The rodents’ species diversity within the park is maintained by the diversity of biotopes, their area and available trophic resources. Diversity indices have a functional relation with the taxonomic richness, which allows estimating diversity by the species richness and avoid calculations of diversity indices.

Red blood cells (RBC) play a leading role in the blood gas transport function and oxygen supply to tissues, and the number and size of RBC have a decisive role in tissue oxygenation. The size of erythrocyte varies significantly among animal species, depending on a number of factors. Data on the effect of various factors (living conditions, lifestyle, systematic affiliation, body weight) on the size of RBC are contradictory. The choice of mammals belonging to the Rodentia order was dictated by their very extensive distribution range and ecological features. A comparative study of the morphometric parameters (surface area and diameter) of RBC was performed for 11 Rodentia species: European beaver (Castor fiber), Canadian beaver (C. canadensis), nutria (Myocastor coypus), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), rat (Rattus norvegicus), chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera), red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), bank vole (Myodes glareolus), European water vole (Arvicola amphibius), laboratory mouse (Mus musculus) and Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). A direct dependence of the size of erythrocytes on body weight was established, which agrees with the data reported by other researchers. The maximum size of RBC was noted in C. canadensis and C. fiber. Besides, large erythrocytes were detected in all the studied semiaquatic animals. The surface area of erythrocytes in terrestrial rodent species decreased in the following order: C. lanigera – R. norvegicus – S. vulgaris – M. musculus – M. glareolus. The influence of physiological (weight, sex, longevity) and ecological factors (food habits and habitat) on the morphometric parameters of erythrocytes was revealed, while systematic affiliation did not affect cell size.

Objective of research. Helminth fauna of rodents was investigated in the Central Chernozem State Nature Reserve (Kursk Region, Russia) in 2012-2014. Results and discussion. In total 499 individuals of twelve species from four families of rodents were examined and total prevalence by helminths was 46,3%. Thirty two species of helminths were recorded, including one species of trematodes, thirteen species of cestodes and eighteen species of nematodes. Three species of nematodes: Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Syphacia frederici, Heligmosomum costellatum and one species of cestodes: Catenotaenia henttoneni were in the dominant helminth group. Low value of helminth species richness in Myodes glareolus is detected and we suggest possible explanation for this pattern.

Tissue samples from 228 small mammals captured from 2013 to 2015 in four districts of Irkutsk region and in one district of Novosibirsk region were examined for the presence of Anaplasmataceae bacteria and Babesia parasites by nested PCR method with subsequent sequencing of positive samples. In Ekhirit-Bulagatskiy District of Irkutsk region, Babesia microti DNA was found in 10.9 % of small mammals, Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA - in 7.3 %, and Ehrlichia muris DNA - in 1.8 %. Infected mammals were not found in the other three examined districts of Irkutsk region. In Novosibirsk region, B. microti DNA was found in 8.9 % of small rodents, A. phagocytophilum DNA - in 8.9 % of small mammals, and Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis DNA - in 8.9 % of small mammals. The identified infection agents corresponded to microorganism species and genetic variants previously found in Ixodes persulcatus ticks but not in ticks of other species.

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.

We review the long-standing (1958-2014) materials on the extending, number, reproduction, spatial and environmental structure of the grey red-backed vole (Myodes rufocanus Sund., 1846) population of the Eastern Fennoscandia, that represents the south-west area periphery. It was found that the species is spread in the northern part of the region only, and it is characterized by tiling and unsustainable and low population. The average long-term population of the species for the entire territory of Karelia was 0.005 specimens per 100 trap-days (0.04% of the total catch of small mammals) and 0.005 per 10 specimens of the groove-days (0.04 %), and for the Northern half of this territory — 0.08 specimens per 100 trap-days (1.9%). The overwintered females produce two or three litters and the new adult female voles bear up to two for a season of reproduction. The population comprises several seasonal generations of the young, differing in the rates of growth and development, and the scope of participation in breeding. Juveniles from early litters of the year are known for the rapid growth and development, and almost all of them breed in the year of birth. The young born in the second half of July or later mainly mature only after a winter. Litter size is from 2-3 up to 11-13 with an average of 6.5 fetal for a female, which is obviously lower than the values in the optimum area. The intensity and timing of breeding vary among years depending on the environmental conditions and the consolidated population abundances.

The territory of the Crimean Peninsula is an endemic one as regards various natural-focal infections. The paper contains the data on epizootiological survey of 8 administrative regions of the Crimean Federal District (CFD). Carried out has been small mammals and Ixodidae ticks census. Identified is their species composition. Performed have been the field samples collection and laboratory studies for the presence of bacterial and viral infection agents. Established is the fact that H. marginatum is a dominating species among the ticks, collected during the spring season, while the house mouse prevails among the small mammals. As for the autumn collection of samples, the dominating species are H. punctata and common vole, respectively. Laboratory investigation results indicate the circulation of the agents of Ku fever, tick-borne spotty fever, Ixodidae tick-borne borreliosis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, monocytic ehrlichiosis, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and leptospirosis.

Information on research directions, developed by a Ukrainian researcher of rodent ecology L. Hirenko (1918–1975) is presented. This scientist worked at the Institute of Zoology of the USSR Academy of Sciences from 1947 to 1975 in the Department of Animal Ecology, Department of Vertebrates, and later at the Museum’s Department and the Department of Scientific and Technical Information. His relatively small scientific contribution (about 20 publications) is offset by their importance and value of the samples he collected. His most important works are the studies of ecology and distribution of the European pine vole, black rat, garden dormouse, and articles on fur coloration of ground squirrels and regulation of rodent abundance using poison baits. Within Hirenko’s legacy, there are two memorial articles, dedicated to Prof. V. Vasilenko and Prof. M. Sviridenko. He also contributed the organizing and curation of zoological collections of the National Museum of Natural History of Ukraine and exhibitions (windows) on the display in the hall of mammals, the first 7 years of the journal "Vestnik Zoologii", where he was a scientific editor, establishing of Laboratory of Protection of Terrestrial Vertebrates.

Widespread epizootiological investigations were performed to estimate the influence of the Amur River flood on the epizootic activity of tularemia in small rodent populations within natural and anthropourgic foci. Determined were the numbers of the rodent-carriers and epizootic activity of tularemia infection in the forest type, lowland, flood-swamped as well as anthropourgic foci. The capture and enumeration of the rodents was conducted using Gero rat traps. Tested were water and silt samples, rodent nests, pellets and excrements of carnivorous mammals. Blood sera of healthy persons living within the focal territory were examined to reveal the immune-competent cohort. Collected materials were analyzed using bacteriological, genetic diagnostic and serological methods. Extremely high numbers of the carriers were registered in the lowland meadow-field and anthropourgic foci adjacent to the flooded areas. The signs of tularemia epizootic process were observed in the meadow-field and flood-swamped foci. Failed to reveal during the period of high water were the epizooties in the forest foci.

Features of 137Cs accumulation by rodents and it migration in the pasture type food chains, and trophic char-acteristics, spatial distribution, the animals influence on the grass cover of different types biocenoses were stud-ied. The data of the radionuclides biogenic migration intensity are presented. The correlation of gray voles life and 137Cs localization in their colonies are shown.

Objective of the work was to estimate the number and state of the small mammal populations after the summer flood, 2013 in the territory of the Amur Region and make short-term forecasting of the epidemiological situation development. Carried out was small animals capturing using Gero traps with bread as a bait. Epizootiological surveillance in August-September 2013 indicated that the numbers of small mammals did not differ from the average annual rates, but the process of active reproduction in the populations was being underway. In October-November a sharp increase in the animal abundance rate was registered, reproduction process terminated. Large-scale flooding resulted in the formation of local settlements with a high animal density. Stress, aggressiveness and food ration change along with seasonal migration of rodents into human buildings predetermined epizootiological and epidemiological premises for onset of natural-focal infections. Therewith the conclusion was made up that it was necessary to perform epizootiological monitoring of the small mammal populations and realization of measures aimed at the rodent extermination in human settlements in 2014.

Based the available data and our own researches materials on Echinococcus multilocularis infection of wild animals in the basin of Lake Baikal (Republic of Buryatia) are presented here. E. multilocularis circulated by the circuit: red fox, common wolf (definitive hosts) - rodents (intermediate hosts) - red fox, common wolf (definitive hosts). The range of intermediate hosts in wild fauna includes rodents of family: Muridae (brown rat), Сricetids (muskrat, northern red-backed vole, Mongolian gerbil), Squirrels (long-tailed ground squirrel).

Represented is a quantitative characteristic of the objects and facilities in the Jewish Autonomous Region exposed to the flooding-2013. Justified is the necessity for implementation of preventive measures against increase in the activity of HFRS natural foci; showed are the data on disinfestation organization for the prevention of natural-focal infection during the high water and post-flooding period in 2013. Displayed are the results of deratization efficacy control in various administrative units of the entity, calculated using Abbot formula, as well as results of investigation of small rodent population density at the natural stations and substantiation of the barrier disinfestation carrying out. Specified are the areas of the continuous and barrier disinfestation, indicators of Hanta Virus contamination of the rodents caught while performing control over efficacy of deratization works.

Nonradiochemical method of measurement of 90Sr and137Cs activity in environmental samples is proposed. This method is based on spectrometrical investigation of electrons accompanied the decay of the 90Sr and 137Cs. Accounting for the contribution to the total activity of the samples from the zones with the density of the contamination 1 - 5 Ku/km2 the 40K electrons allowed to improve the accuracy of the measurements for the samples of small rodents up to 15 - 20 % (the ratio of A (137Cs)/A (90Sr) was from 2 to 100), for samples of soil up to 10 - 15 % (the change of activity in these samples was ten thousand times). The results of the spectrometric measurements were confirmed by the traditional radiochemical research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Features of 137Cs accumulation by rodents and it migration in the pasture type food chains, and trophic characteristics, spatial distribution, the animals influence on the grass cover of different types biocenoses were studied. The data of the radionuclides biogenic migration intensity are presented. The correlation of gray voles life and 137Cs localization in their colonies are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]