Biological series Volume 106, Part 6 2001
CONTENTS
Krutova V.I. Use of the method of odor identification by dogs in studies of large carnivores mammals 3
Nayrova R.I. Ecological and geographical analysis of distribution range of the Russian desman in relation to species protection 14
Boltunov A.N., Chelintcev N.G. An experience of aerial count of brown bears in Kamchatskaya oblast in 1997 25
Popov S.V., Popov V.S., Popov A.S. Behaviour of pikas (Ochotona hyperborea, O. alpina) in vicinities of the Lama lake, Putorana plateau, Taymir peninsula 36
Polivanov V.M. Ranks and peculiarities of bird population structure 43
Gordienko N.S. Lakes of southern Trans-Urals region as wetlands for waterflowl 51
Nikitsky N.B., Semenov V.B. On the species from the genus Dapsa Latreille, 1829 (Coleoptera, Endomychidae) of the former USSR 57
Floristic notes 71
Losses of science Igor Alexandrovich Shilov 75
Critique and bibliography
Majorov S.R., Sokoloff D.D. Review on the CD-ROM: Synthesis of North American Flora [Electronic resource] 77
Contents of the Volume
USE OF THE METHOD OF ODOR IDENTIFICATION BI DOGS IN STUDIES OF LARGE CARNIVORES MAMMALS
V.I. Krutova
The method was developed which permits to receive information on the spatial distribution of carnivores under natural condition. It is based on the presence of individual odors in traces of mammalian excretes which are inspected by the trained dogs. Here the individual odor is used as marker of an individual, which the dogs can recognize irrespective of its species sex, physi- ological state and many accompanying factors. The developed method allow to receiving and conserve the samples of the individual odors from the animals that live under natural or artificial conditions. The method does not produce any negative effects on the animals. The identification of odorous samples is performed 'under laboratory conditions by dogs, were trained in matching- to-sample tasks. The specially developed modes (selection of trained dogs by their functional state, using two independent operators, repeated analysis, etc.) allow to receive the results of a high significance level (P < 0.001). The method allows conduct long monitoring of a whole population, as well as lifelong tracking of separate animals. The work of identification of tigers (Panthera tigris) was carried out in some Russian reservarions.
ECOLOGICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF DISTRIBUTION RANGE OF THE RUSSIAN DESMAN IN RELATION TO SPECIES PROTECTION
R.I. Nayrova
Summary
In order to provide the efficient territorial protection of rare disappearing world fauna species of Russian desman (Desmana moschata L., 1758) ecological and geographical analysis of their natural habitat have been made. The scheme of natural habitat dynamics in recent centuries have been wormed out as an information basis to estimate the regularity of proliferation area structure forming and to reveal the location changing trends in 15-21 centuries. Optimal and unfavourable areas for living of desman have been determined. Also the current proliferation of species has been ascertained to be dependent on the characteristics of fluvial valleys geomor- phological structure, the types of regional hydriclimatic condition and the reserves biomass in reservoirs.
AN EXPERIENCE OF AERIAL COUNT OF BROWN BEARS IN KAMCHATSKAYA OBLAST IN 1997
A.N. Boltunov, N.G. Chelintcev
Summary
It is described aerial count of brown bears conducted in Kamchatskaya oblast in spring 1997. The count method based upon examining of sample plots in mountain regions. This approach allows avoiding incorrect estimates of survey areas in contrast to sample transect (strip) survey. Becouse of that obtained population estimate appears to be more precise than one derived from transect aerial survey. Number of survey plots and their total size necessary for obtaining norma- tive statistical precision of the population estimate are grounded in the paper. Algorithm for cal- culating density and size of population in survey areas and in the whole Kamchatskaya oblast is presented. Formulas for deriving statistical error of extrapolation are given. Results of calculations following the given algorithm are presented. Undercount correction is applied. According to our population estimate of brown bears in Kamchatskaya oblast in spring 1997 numbered 4000- 6000. Detaled analysis of factors influencing statistical and sistematical errors is presented. Ways to increase population estimate precision during future counts are discussed.
LAKES OF SOUTHERN TRANS-URALS REGION AS WETLANDS FOR WATERFOWL
N.S. Gordienko
Summary
Fauna, ecology and numbers of waterfowl as well as their habitats, wetlands, were studied in 1989-1998 in three nature zones (mountains, forest-steppe and steppe) in Chelybinsk Region, which situates partly on the Urals and mostly on plain farther south-east. Seventy surveyed lakes of the total area of 40,000 ha comprise about 8% of the area occupied by all wetlands in the regi- on. Seven types of wetlands are recognized there. Not isolated lakes but groups of lakes often with swamps between them prevail. Among 3,000 lakes of the region small-sized ones under 100 ha prevail in number. Water-table of lakes fluctuates seasonally 1 to 3 m as well as year-to-year. The water-table in the years of study was of average to high level. Variation in waterfowl species composition and their population was studied on seven lakes of different characteristics in the Ilmeny Nature Reserve.
In total 37 species of waterfowl belonging to Gaviiformes (2 species), Podicipediformes (4), Pelecaniformes (2), Anseriformes (28) and Gruiformes (1 species) inhabit the region. Among these Gavia arctica, Phalacrocorax carbo, Oxyura leucocephala, Tadoma tadorna, Cygnus olor and C. cy-gnus are rare breeding species. On migration Pelecanus crispus, Anser erythropus and Rufibranta ruficollis atop in the region. Small distrophic lakes in mountain zone are the most densely populated (159.4 pairs per 100 ha). In forest-steppe zone big and small salt lakes are inhabited with densities of 55.0 and 44.3 pairs per 100 ha, respectively, while in steppes small ponds are most productive (37.4 pairs per 100 ha). Artificial lakes also have high density of waterfowl: 37.0-146.6 pairs per 100 ha. Some species are adapted to live in close proximity of humans in man-changed habitats and experiencing constant disturbance from cattle, fishering, recreation. Anas plathyrhynchos, A. querqedula, Aythya ferina, Podiceps cristatus and Fulica atra regulary breed on urban wetlands. The highest densities of waterfowl, up to 3,300 birds per 10 km, were recorded in August on big freshwater lakes and salt lakes in open plain landscape. Lakes Kurlady, Momynkul, Tatkul, Krivye, Utich'ye, Tirikul and Zhuravlinoe are of top regional importance.
ON THE SPECIES FROM THE GENUS DAPSA LATREILLE, 1829 (COLEOPTERA, ENDOMYCHIDAE) OF THE FORMER USSR
N.B. Nikitsky, V.B. Semenov
Summary
Descriptions and/or diagnoses of all the species from the genus Dapsa, found within the borders of the former USSR are given. Neotype of Dapsa trimaculata Motschulsky, 1835 from the Rostov region and lectotype of Dapsa limbata Motschulsky, 1835 are designated. A redesc-ription of the holotype of Dapsa roddiana A. Semenov, 1905 is given. The following species are described as new: D. motschutskyi sp. nov. from Mongolia, Dahuria, Far East Russia, ? NE China; Dapsa nikolajevi sp. nov. from Uzbekistan and D. ussuriensis sp.nov. from the south of the Far East of Russia.
T. Ahti, L.G. Biazrov
NEW RECORDS OF CLADONIA (LICHENISED ASCOMYCETES, LECANORALES) FROM KHANGAI (MONGOLIA)
L.G. Biazrov, I. Vitikainen.
NEW RECORDS OF PELTIGERA FROM KHANGAI (MONGOLIA)
A.B. Mel'nikova
A RECORD OF CENTAURIUM PULCHELLUM (SW.) DUCE FROM THE RUSSIAN FAR EAST