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Objective. To identify the potential epizootic and epidemiological risks arising from the development of the infrastructure of Platov Airport in the territory adjacent to the airport for the development, if necessary, of a set of anti-epidemic and preventive measures. Materials and methods. Epizootological monitoring was carried out in the vicinity of Platov airport, as well as on the territory of the complex itself for three seasons (20192021). The capture of small mammals was carried out according to the standard method of trap-lines with Hero crushers; 1200 trap-days were accumulated. Route records of bats with the determination of their species were carried out. The species belonging of blood-sucking arthropods was determined using determinants. Regulatory support for the above monitoring was formed in accordance with the current normative and methodological documents: SanPiN 3.3686-21 "Sanitary and Epidemiological Requirements for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases"; MP 3.1.0211-20 "Trapping, Accounting and Forecasting the Number of Small Mammals and Birds in Natural Foci of Infectious Diseases"; MU 3.1.3012-12 "Collection, Accounting and Preparation for Laboratory Examination of Blood-sucking Arthropods in Natural Foci of Dangerous Infectious Diseases". Laboratory studies of samples of extracted biomaterial for the search of markers of pathogens of natural focal infections were carried out taking into account the requirements of current regulatory documents. Samples for laboratory testing were formed in compliance with the principle of "one point of collection of material, one time of collection of material, one type of material". Results. The results of epizootological monitoring of the territory of the Platov airport (Rostov-on-Don) are presented, according to which a real possibility of the development of epizootics of dangerous infectious diseases among small mammals living in the adjacent territory to the Platov airport has been established. In order to eliminate potential risks that can lead to complications of the epidemiological situation, it is necessary to carry out planned deratization and acaricide treatments on the territory of Platov airport. The continuation of regular epizootological monitoring of the airport territories and adjacent territories remains very relevant. Conclusions. The results of epizootological monitoring of the territory of the Platov International Airport (Rostov-on-Don) revealed the presence of mouse-like rodents penetrating from the surrounding fields, including those belonging to groups I and II of infectious sensitivity to tularemia, which form potential epizootological risks. A comprehensive laboratory study of biological material obtained from mouse-like rodents captured during epizootological monitoring did not reveal markers of pathogens of natural focal infections. At the same time, systematic regular epizootological monitoring of the airport territory is necessary due to the presence in the territories surrounding the airport complex of natural foci of particularly dangerous infections common to humans and animals, where mouse-like rodents live and reproduce, including house mice and rats, capable of migrating and inhabiting residential and warehouse premises and in case of activation of epizootic process to introduce infection into the territory of the airport complex, especially in autumn and winter.

The variability of the microsatellite loci of the Caucasian shrew Sorex satunini in the North Caucasus was evaluated. It was shown that this species on this territory is represented by two discrete genetic lines associated with the basins of the Kuban and Terek rivers. The genetic diversity of the Caucasian shrew from the line of the Kuban River basin is characterized by a significantly higher polymorphism compared to the line from the Terek River basin. These differences are associated with both modern habitat conditions of S. satunini and the history of this species in the Western and Central Caucasus.

A dataset comprising 6806 records is presented of 17 (of total 24) rodent and insectivore species from the Crimean Peninsula collected during a 35-year period. All records are stored in the Public Mammal Database (Mammals of Russia; http://rusmam.ru/). The density of occurrence points allows visual evaluation of species distribution, even on large-scale maps. Each record contains the species name, locality description, and geographic coordinates, coordinate accuracy, date and author of the record, data source, and the method of species identification.

To clarify genetic differences between subspecies of the house mouse Mus musculus, their distribution, and hybridization, we first conducted a comparative analysis of variability of nucleotide sequences of fragments of the nuclear gene Brca1, exon 11 (2331 bp), and mitochondrial gene Cox1 (1260 bp) in 40 house mice from West and East Europe, Transcaucasia, Siberia, and Central and South Asia. Brca1 genotypes were divided into five main groups, which differed in a number of fixed substitutions. Genotypes of each group are characteristic for the certain geographical region and the following subspecies: M. m. musculus, M. m. domesticus, M. m. castaneus, and M. m. wagneri together with M. m. gansuensis; a fifth group corresponds to an unidentified subspecies or a distinct genetic form of M. musculus from India (Sikkim State). Besides the homozygous specimens, we revealed mice, which were heterozygous for all diagnostic loci simultaneously; these specimens were determined as hybrid. Hybrid mice were mainly found in the zones of contact of subspecies, but in some cases, quite far from one of the parent subspecies (possibly, due to transportation). In two hybrid mice (from Bakhtiari Province of Iran and Transbaikalia of Russia), unique Brca1 haplotypes were detected. It cannot be ruled out that, at least partly, they may be characteristic of the M. m. bactrianus and M. m. gansuensis subspecies, respectively. Thus, the results of the study showed that the nuclear Brca1 gene is a promising molecular genetic marker for the analysis of variability, differentiation, and hybridization of house mice as well for subspecific identification of M. musculus specimens. Despite more rapid evolution of the Cox1 gene, it is not well suited for discrimination of M. m. musculus, M. m. wagneri, M. m. gansuensis specimens and Transcaucasian representatives of M. m. domesticus due to introgression and long-term maintenance of foreign mitochondrial DNA in populations. However, Cox1 gene analysis (along with the diagnostics of animals by nuclear DNA) may be useful for estimation of population differences in M. m. castaneus and M. m. domesticus subspecies.

This is the first study to analyze the variability of two exons (the 1st and 3rd) of the VCORC1 gene in Russian populations of mice and rats, namely, 125 Mus musculus and 19 Rattus norvegicus captured in 13 settlements. Previously, it has been shown that a number of mutations in these exons in the countries of Western Europe are associated with resistance to anticoagulants in synanthropic rodents. We did not find such mutations in house mice in Russia. However, in the first exon, two previously unknown mutations were identified that could potentially have such an effect (Lys58Arg and Ser31Trp). In three districts of Moscow, Norway rats were found carrying in the third exon a previously known resistance mutation (Tyr139Ser) in the heterozygous state. The results are discussed in connection with the intensity of the use of anticoagulants in the settlements of Russia and the mutation rate of the VCORC1 gene.

Wolbachia are intracellular symbiotic bacteria of terrestrial arthropods and some nematodes. They are found in most insect orders; however, there are insufficient data on symbiont distribution patterns for some taxonomic groups. Here, we examined a collection of Siphonaptera species by conventional and nested polymerase chain reaction. A total of 722 specimens from 30 species were sampled in three regions of Russia: Southern Russia, Ural and the Far East. Wolbachia infection was found in half of the species, which confirmed previous data on the widespread nature of the infection in Siphonaptera. No statistical differences in Wolbachia incidence in flea species from Southern Russia and the Far East were detected, although species lists of these regions completely differed. We did not find totally infected flea species, although high infection rates were detected for Frontopsyllaelatabotis (64.5%) and Ctenophthalmuswagneri (66%) with sample size exceeding 30 specimens. Our results are in agreement with the data from other regions of the world. Combined data of our study and other authors indicate that Wolbachia symbionts are found in all 11 studied families of Siphonaptera and in 45 out of about 120 studied species in the world.

This is the first study to analyze the variability of two exons (the 1st and 3rd) of the VCORC1 gene in Russian populations of mice and rats, namely, 125 Mus musculus and 19 Rattus norvegicus captured in 13 settlements. Previously, it has been shown that a number of mutations in these exons in the countries of Western Europe are associated with resistance to anticoagulants in synanthropic rodents. We did not find such mutations in house mice in Russia. However, in the first exon, two previously unknown mutations were identified that could potentially have such an effect (Lys58Arg and Ser31Trp). In three districts of Moscow, Norway rats were found carrying in the third exon a previously known resistance mutation (Tyr139Ser) in the heterozygous state. The results are discussed in connection with the intensity of the use of anticoagulants in the settlements of Russia and the mutation rate of the VCORC1 gene.

For the first time, based on sequence variation of microsatellite loci and the mtDNA cytb gene fragment, population genetic structure of the common shrew and Caucasian shrew in their contact zone was investigated. It was demonstrated that, although there was no complete reproductive isolation between the species under consideration, the gene flow was considerably limited. These data testify to the established reliable reproductive barriers between the common shrew and Caucasian shrew.

Variation of the 838-bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytb gene was analyzed in Sylvaemus uralensis from the northern macroslope of the Western Caucasus. On the basis of two fixed nonsynonymous substitutions, cytb sequences of the population sample studied can be considered as a distinct Lago-Naki haplogroup, which is clustered in the European cytb lineage. As estimated on the basis of the known rate of substitutions per third codon position in S. sylvaticus, the population must have been isolated for all or a part of the last glaciation period (10000 to 100000 years ago). The observed differentiation of cytb haplotypes is indicative of the refugial distribution of S. uralensis in the northern macroslope of the Western Caucasus, as well as of a secondary contact between the Caucasian and the Russian Plain populations during the Holocene.

To clarify genetic differences between subspecies of the house mouse Mus musculus, their distribution, and hybridization, we first conducted a comparative analysis of variability of nucleotide sequences of fragments of the nuclear gene Brca1, exon 11 (2331 bp), and mitochondrial gene Cox1 (1260 bp) in 40 house mice from West and East Europe, Transcaucasia, Siberia, and Central and South Asia. Brca1 genotypes were divided into five main groups, which differed in a number of fixed substitutions. Genotypes of each group are characteristic for the certain geographical region and the following subspecies: M. m. musculus, M. m. domesticus, M. m. castaneus, and M. m. wagneri together with M. m. gansuensis; a fifth group corresponds to an unidentified subspecies or a distinct genetic form of M. musculus from India (Sikkim State). Besides the homozygous specimens, we revealed mice, which were heterozygous for all diagnostic loci simultaneously; these specimens were determined as hybrid. Hybrid mice were mainly found in the zones of contact of subspecies, but in some cases, quite far from one of the parent subspecies (possibly, due to transportation). In two hybrid mice (from Bakhtiari Province of Iran and Transbaikalia of Russia), unique Brca1 haplotypes were detected. It cannot be ruled out that, at least partly, they may be characteristic of the M. m. bactrianus and M. m. gansuensis subspecies, respectively. Thus, the results of the study showed that the nuclear Brca1 gene is a promising molecular genetic marker for the analysis of variability, differentiation, and hybridization of house mice as well for subspecific identification of M. musculus specimens. Despite more rapid evolution of the Cox1 gene, it is not well suited for discrimination of M. m. musculus, M. m. wagneri, M. m. gansuensis specimens and Transcaucasian representatives of M. m. domesticus due to introgression and long-term maintenance of foreign mitochondrial DNA in populations. However, Cox1 gene analysis (along with the diagnostics of animals by nuclear DNA) may be useful for estimation of population differences in M. m. castaneus and M. m. domesticus subspecies.

The role of invasions in formation of the phylogeographic structure of a synanthropic species of house mouse (Mus musculus) is investigated. The probable ways of its expansion in some areas of Russia and the near abroad are analyzed. The genetic variability of subspecies and populations of M. musculus is evaluated by the data on polymorphism of the mitochondrial DNA control region (D loop). The data show that there are three phylogenetic varieties of house mice living in Russia and the near abroad: (i) house mice from the hybrid zone in Transcaucasia and М. m. musculus from Moscow; (ii) house mice of southern European Russia and southern Western Siberia; (iii) populations of M. m. musculus from Eastern Europe. The invasions caused nonuniformity of the phylogeographic structure of M. musculus. None of the studied subspecies (M. m. musculus, M. m. wagneri, and M. m. gansuensis) formed a uniform phylogroup. This is probably related to hybridization of different parapatric taxa of house mice at the species and intraspecies levels.

The genetic variation of the forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula (Pallas, 1779) from isolated populations of Russian Plain and the Caucasus was investigated using cytochrome b gene (cytb). The genetic distance calculated between these populations of forest dormouse was 9.94 %, which corresponds to the typical distance between biological species of mammals. The genetic distance of cytb between Western and Central Caucasus forest dormouse populations is also significant, 6.0 %. Probably, there was a long-term isolation of European and Caucasian areas of D. nitedula during the whole Pleistocene.

The degree of genetic diversity of the steppe field mouse was estimated on the basis of the mtDNA control region variability data. Polymorphism of this mtDNA marker in S. witherbyi was more pronounced than previously assumed. The steppe field mouse population from the northern shore of Lake Manych-Gudilo includes several mitochondrial lines, which may be due to the existence of several migration flows to this area from Southwest Asia.

Analysis of the control region of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or D-loop of 96 house mice (Mus musculus) from Russia, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan has been used to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships and phylogeographic patterns of intraspecific forms. New data on the phylogenetic structure of the house mouse are presented. Three phylogroups can be reliably distinguished in the eastern part of the M. musculus species range, the first one mainly comprising the haplotypes of mice from Transcaucasia (Armenia); the second one, the haplotypes of mice from Kazakhstan; and the third one, the haplotypes of mice from Siberia and some other regions. The morphological subspecies M. m. wagneri and M. m. gansuensis have proved to be genetically heterogeneous and did not form discrete phylogroups in the phylogenetic tree.

The taxonomic composition of microorganisms in the Sea of Azov has been estimated by the methods of multiple parallel sequencing. The true level of biological diversity of microorganisms has been shown. The prokaryotic community throughout the Sea of Azov, including the Taganrog Bay, demonstrates the structural features typical of a marine community. Despite the shallowness of the body of water, microbial communities in the Sea of Azov are clearly distinguishable between the surface and bottom clusters.

Two new species of hymenolepidid cestodes belonging to the genus Armadolepis Spassky, 1954 are described from dormice (Gliridae) from the southern East European Plain and the northwestern Caucasus, Russia. Armadolepis (Bremserilepis) longisoma n. sp., with a rudimentary, unarmed rostellar apparatus is described from the fat dormouse Glis glis (Linnaeus) from the Republic of Adygeya, Russia. Additionally, A. (Armadolepis) dryomi n. sp., characterised by a well-developed rostellar apparatus and armed rhynchus is described from the forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula Pallas from Rostov Oblast', Russia. Armadolepis (Bremserilepis) longisoma n. sp. differs from A. (Bremserilepis) myoxi (Rudolphi, 1819) in having a substantially longer strobila and cirrus-sac, wider scolex and ovary and larger rostellar pouch and testes. Armadolepis (Armadolepis) dryomi n. sp. is distinguishable from A. (Armadolepis) spasskii Tenora & Barus, 1958, A. (Armadolepis) jeanbaeri Makarikov, 2017 and A. (Armadolepis) tenorai Makarikov, 2017 in having a substantially longer and wider strobila, and larger rostellar pouch and cirrus-sac. Furthermore, A. dryomi n. sp. can be distinguished from its congeners by the number and size of rostellar hooks and the arrangement of the testes. Phylogenetic affinities of Armadolepis were studied for the first time using partial sequences of the nuclear ribosomal 28S DNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis strongly supported the status of Armadolepis as a separate genus belonging to the "Rodentolepis clade".

Microsatellite and mtDNA markers have been used to identify two pairs of cryptic species Sorex araneus L. (Sorex satunini Ogn.) and Sorex minutus L. (S. volnuchini Ogn.). The new data were obtained on the distribution of these species on the plain between the Don and Kuban rivers. The shrew S. volnuchini and Caucasian mole are distributed on the plain areas up to the Eya River. The endemic species of the Caucasus, the shrews S. satunini and S. volnuchini, are widely distributed across the valleys alongside small streams on the steppe plain. Both species are most abundant on thick grasslands, bushy scrub, and deciduous woodlands. They don't show any clear differences in habitat preferences.

To ascertain intra- and interspecific differentiation patterns of some Sylvaemus wood mice species (S. uralensis, S. sylvaticus, S. ponticus, S. flavicollis, and S. fulvipectus), sequence variation of the fragment (654 bp) of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) was analyzed and the data obtained using several molecular genetic markers were compared. Distinct isolation of all Sylvaemus species (including closely related allopatric S. flavicollis and S. ponticus), as well as of the European and Asian races of pygmy wood mouse S. uralensis at the COI gene was demonstrated. However, genetic differences of the Sylvaemus species were 1.5 times and more higher than the distance (D) between the races of S. uralensis. This finding provides no ample grounds to treat them as the independent species. The only examined specimen of Pamir-Alay subspecies S. uralensis pallipes showed closest relatedness to to the Asian race, although was rather distant from it (D = 0.038). No reliable isolation of the eastern European and southern European chromosomal forms, representing the European race of S. uralensis, as well as of their presumptive hybrids from the out-skirts of the city of Sal’sk, Rostov region, at the COI gene was revealed. A hybrid origin of the population of pygmy wood mouse from the outskirts of the Talapker railway station, Novovarshavsky district, Omsk region, was confirmed (in preliminary studies, based on karyotypic characters, these specimens were diagnosed as distant hybrids of the eastern European chromosomal form and the Asian race). In yellow-necked wood mouse S. flavicollis from the territory of Russia and Ukraine, weak differentiation into northern and southern lineages (with mean genetic distance between them of 0.020) was observed. Considerably different relative genetic distances between the races of S. uralensis and the S. flavicollis-S. ponticus species pair, inferred from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase and cytochrome b genes data, indicated that the rates of evolution of the mitochondrial genome regions could be very dissimilar. It is suggested that transformations of the cytochrome b gene, or at least its part, were irregular in time and/or in different phyletic lineages (i.e., accelerated upon the formation of pygmy wood mouse races, and delayed upon the establishment of S. flavicollis and S. ponticus).

In this work the genetic variability of the common shrew populations Sorex araneus L. in Eastern Europe was studied via sequencing of the mitochondrial gene cyt b. A total of 82 sequences of the mitochondrial gene cyt b with a length of 953 basepairs were analyzed, including five chromosome races in a continuous area of the species in forest zone and two races in fragmented area in the steppe zone. Phylogeographic subdivision of the common shrew was not expressed, and there was no significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances in continuous areas. We did not acquire convincing evidence of the influence of narrow hybrid zones between chromosome races on the flow of neutral alleles. A significant p-distance (0.69 ± 0.27%) of geographically close populations of the chromosome race Neroosa indicates the formation of the karyotype of this race in the Pliocene or Pleistocene. In our work, the phylogeographic structure was determined more by species area fragmentation than by its karyotypic features.

To ascertain intra- and interspecific differentiation patterns of some Sylvaemus wood mice species (S. uralensis, S. sylvaticus, S. ponticus, S. flavicollis, and S. fulvipectus), sequence variation of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) fragment (654 bp) was analyzed and the data obtained using several molecular genetic markers were compared. Distinct isolation of all Sylvaemus species (including closely related allopatric S. flavicollis and S. ponticus), as well as of the European and Asian races of pygmy wood mouse S. uralensis at the COI gene was demonstrated. However, genetic differences of the Sylvaemus species were 1.5 times and more higher than the distance (D) between the races of S. uralenciis. This finding provides no ample grounds to treat the latter as the independent species. The only specimen of Pamir-Alay subspecies S. uralensis pallipes examined showed closest relatedness to to the Asian race, although was rather distant from it (D = 0.038). No reliable isolation of the eastern European and southern European chromosomal forms, representing the European race of S. uralensis, as well as of their presumptive hybrids from the outskirts of the city of Sal'sk, Rostov region, at the COI gene was revealed. A hybrid origin of the populations of pygmy wood mouse from the outskirts of the Talapker railway station, Novovarshavsky district, Omsk region, was confirmed. In preliminary studies, based on karyotypic characters, these populations were diagnosed as distant hybrids of the eastern European chromosomal form and the Asian race. In yellow-necked wood mouse S. flavicollis from the territory of Russia and Ukraine, weak differentiation into northern and southern lineages (with mean genetic distance between them of 0.020) was observed. Considerably different relative genetic distances between the races of S. uralensis and the S. flavicollis--S. ponticus species pair, inferred from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase and cytochrome b gene data, indicated that the rates of evolution of different mitochondrial genome regions could be very different. It is suggested that transformations of the cytochrome b gene, or at least its part, were irregular in time and/or in different phyletic lineages (i.e., accelerated upon the formation of pygmy wood mouse races, and delayed upon the establishment of S. flavicollis and S. ponticus).

Using karyological, allozyme, and molecular genetic analysis, habitation of the four Sylvaemus wood mice species, pygmy wood mouse (S. uralensis), wood mouse (S. sylvaticus), yellow-necked mouse (S. flavicollis), and yellow-bellied mouse (S. fulvipectus) in Rostov oblast was demonstrated. Sylvaemus uralensis was distributed nearly over nearlythe whole territory of the oblast; S. sylvaticus was found in the central and western parts of the oblast on the right bank area of Don River; S. flavicollis inhabited northern and central parts of the right bank area of Don River; S. fulvipectus was found in the southern parts of the oblast, in the left bank area of Don River. Using the chromosome C-banding technique, it was demonstrated that the pygmy wood mice living in Rostov oblast in the right bank areas of Manych River and Don River in its low course, belonged to the eastern European chromosomal form of S. uralensis. The mice from the outskirts of the town of Salsk, the left bank area of Manych River, were probably hybrids between eastern European and southern European chromosomal forms. Based on the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene fragment sequencing and chromosome C-banding, it was suggested that the wood mice inhabiting Rostov oblast belonged to the southern lineage of S. sylvaticus, living on Apennine Peninsula, Balkan Peninsula, and nearly throughout Ukraine.

The results of the epidemiological analysis of the outbreak of hemorrhagic fever which was caused by Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and occurred during the period of July 3-19, 1999, in the Oblivskaya district of Rostov Province are presented. The specific epidemiological features of the outbreak have been determined. The possible versions of the appearance of the focus of infection and the role of Ixodes ticks in the circulation of the infective agent are discussed.

In this work the genetic variability of the common shrew populations Sorex araneus L. in Eastern Europe was studied via sequencing of the mitochondrial gene cyt b. A total of 82 sequences of the mitochondrial gene cyt b with a length of 953 basepairs were analyzed, including five chromosome races in a continuous area of the species in forest zone and two races in fragmented area in the steppe zone. Phylogeographic subdivision of the common shrew was not expressed, and there was no significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances in continuous areas. We did not acquire convincing evidence of the influence of narrow hybrid zones between chromosome races on the flow of neutral alleles. A significant p-distance (0.69 ± 0.27%) of geographically close populations of the chromosome race Neroosa indicates the formation of the karyotype of this race in the Pliocene or Pleistocene. In our work, the phylogeographic structure was determined more by species area fragmentation than by its karyotypic features.

Using karyological, allozyme, and molecular genetic analysis, habitation of the four Sylvaemus wood mice species, pygmy wood mouse (S. uralensis), wood mouse (S. sylvaticus), yellow-necked mouse (S. flavicollis), and yellow-bellied mouse (S. fulvipectus) in Rostov oblast was demonstrated. Sylvaemus uralensis was distributed nearly over the whole territory of the oblast; S. sylvaticus was found in the central and western parts of the oblast on the right bank area of Don River; S. flavicollis inhabited northern and central parts of Rostov oblast on the right bank area of Don River; S. fulvipectus was found in the southern parts of the oblast, in the left bank area of Don River. Using the chromosome C-banding technique, it was demonstrated that the pygmy wood mice living in Rostov oblast in the right bank areas of Manych River and Don River in its low course, belonged to the eastern European chromosomal form of S. uralensis. The pygmy wood mice from the outskirts of the town of Salsk, the left bank area of Manych River, were probably hybrids between eastern European and southern European chromosomal forms. Based on the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene fragment sequencing and chromosome C-banding, it was suggested that the wood mice inhabiting Rostov oblast belonged to the southern lineage of S. sylvaticus, living on Apennine Peninsula, Balkan Peninsula, and nearly throughout Ukraine.