What are the morphophysiological characteristics of predators. Morphological features of fur-bearing animals. Seasonal changes in metabolism

edges are registered for the first time. For the first time in the Russian Federation, Dirofilaria immitis was found in wild cats as part of helminth infracommunities.

GELMINTOTSENOZ OF THE CAUCASIAN WOOD CAT (FELIS SILVESTRIS

DAEMON SATUNIN, 1904) IN FOOTHILL AND MOUNTAIN ZONES OF NORTH

WESTERN CAUCASUS

Itin G. S., Kravchenko V. M.

Method of complete parazitologichesky and pathoanatomical research of 16 corpses of cats wood from foothill and mountain landscape and geographical zones of Krasnodar Krai 18 types helminth from which 16 views of territories of Krasnodar Krai are registered for the first time are revealed. For the first time in the territory of the Russian Federation Dirofilaria immitis is found in cats wood as a part of infrasoobshchestvo helminth.

UDC 636.93:(611+612)

MORPHOPHYSIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF TERRESTRIAL AND AWATER FUR-RELATED ANIMALS

Kalugin Yu.A. - Doctor of Agricultural Sciences; Fedorova O.I. - Ph.D. n.

Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology named after K.I. Scriabin, e-mail: [email protected]

Key words: distribution, fur-bearing animals, internal organs, cardiac pulse, respiratory rate.

Keywords: distribution, furry animals, organs, heart rate, respiratory rate.

Fur-bearing animals live throughout Russia. Some of them, like the wolf, are distributed throughout the entire territory of our country, others gravitate to certain zones: the arctic fox is a resident of the tundra, the marmot is a resident of the steppes, the sea otter lives near the Commander and Kuril Islands and the shores of Kamchatka. Most fur-bearing animals live in the forest zone, but under certain circumstances they enter the tundra or forest-steppe and even steppe. Most often, animals of the same species in the northern regions are larger than in the south, which is explained by lower energy expenditures to maintain one kilogram of body weight.

Geographical variability is also manifested in the hair coat of land animals. The fur of northern animals is longer, thinner and thicker. Thus, the length of guide, guard and down hairs in the northern red fox is greater than the corresponding indicators in the Astrakhan red fox

foxes by 52, 57 and 79%, and the hair density of muskrats from Yakutia and

2 2 Barguzin is equal to 14.5 thousand/cm, and from Dagestan and Kalmykia 7.3 thousand/cm.

The winter and summer colors of animals are more contrasting in the northern regions, in

in the south it is less noticeable, and sometimes does not change at all. Hair

the cover of the same species in the north and high in the mountains is darker than in

south, which is associated with better absorption capacity of solar energy

dark color, which helps preserve the animal's thermal energy. U

Semi-aquatic animals have thicker hair than terrestrial animals. U

in terrestrial animals it is thicker on the back, and in semi-aquatic animals, on the contrary, on the belly, which

stays in the water longer than on its back. This does not apply to the sea otter, which

Spends most of its time in water on its back. In thick hair

semi-aquatic animals retain more air when diving into water, and they

prevents water from penetrating the skin for a long time and thereby

The animal's heat is better retained. Contributes to heat retention and

specific sebaceous glands, with the fat of which animals are lubricated

hair, which also prevents water from penetrating the skin.

The medulla layer of the hair shaft is least developed in semi-aquatic animals and usually in the expanded part (grana) does not exceed 60% of the diameter; in sea otters 15, muskrat 42, otter 46, mink 55%, and in terrestrial animals the medullary layer usually exceeds 60% of the diameter of the rod: in sable 65, wolverine 68, fox 71%. The proportion of covering hairs (guides and spines) in the hair of terrestrial animals ranges from 2 to 12%, while in semi-aquatic animals it is from 0.3 to 3%. The thickness of the covering hairs in terrestrial animals exceeds the thickness of down by 3-8 times, and in semi-aquatic animals - 11-17 times.

We present the average data for the indices of internal organs.

Organ indices are the ratio of organ mass to body mass, expressed as a percentage. Noteworthy is the fact that the indices of semi-aquatic predatory animals - minks and otters - are higher than those of semi-aquatic rodents - muskrat, nutria and beaver, except for the length of the intestines, which in rodents is 2-3 times longer than the intestines of predatory animals. It should be noted that the intestinal index of the sea otter (sea otter) is very high, which can probably be explained by one report of this indicator in the sea otter.

The heart is most developed in animals that actively hunt for food, which run and swim considerable distances - mustelids and canines, excluding the badger, which is a large euryphage, and in rodents the heart index is much lower; they move away from their burrows in search of plant food.

With regard to heart beats per minute, it is impossible to say anything definitive. It can be noted that with an increase in body weight, the number of heartbeats decreases.

Morphophysiological indicators of fur-bearing animals

Type of animal Mass Internal organs Hair density

body, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, intestines, integument, thousand pcs. 2 cm

kg index, index, hair length by 1

index, pulse, index, frequency % % in relation to the spinal column

% impacts per min. % breaths per min. body length, times

Muskrat 1 0.48 310 1.17 99 4.2 0.41 16.7 11.0 12.4

Nutria 6 0.60 140 0.61 62 3.5 0.56 12.0 6.7 13.5

Beaver 20 0.40 120 0.80 27 2.6 0.44 9.1 26.7 30.0

Mink 1.0 0.95 250 1.78 45 4.4 1.01 4.7 10 20

European

Mink 1.2 0.93 250 1.66 50 4.3 0.90 5.4 18 20

American

Otter 8 1.00 162 2.14 27 4.5 0.98 5.4 34 50

Sea otter 30 0.90 139 4.00 6.5 2.10 10.0 152 50

Wood ferret 1.0 0.87 303 1.56 46 4.7 0.84 5.0 8.5 6.0

Forest marten 1.0 0.94 335 1.55 45 3.4 0.71 4.6 10 6.0

Sable 1.1 0.91 330 1.51 60 0.73 18 9.3

Badger 12 0.68 190 1.26 28 3.3 0.64 7.6 6 3

Wolverine 13 0.92 209 1.62 43 3.1 0.69 8.5 6 3

Arctic fox 5.4 1.02 140 1.13 40 3.7 0.73 5.0 21.0 6.5

Fox 4.8 1.15 120 1.09 50 4.1 0.90 4.3 10 6.5

Wolf 35 1.00 1.22 2.4 0.60 3.4 5.0 2.5

Raccoon 5.9 1.04 0.80 32 3.0 0.60 5.5 8.4 6.3

Marmot boibak 6.4 0.68 230 1.10 27 2.5 0.38 7.9 3.0 0.5

This indicates a more active life of small animals - they move more in search of food, since they require more per unit of body weight.

It should be noted that when immersed in water in small semi-aquatic animals, the number of heartbeats drops significantly more than in large ones: for example, in the muskrat, American mink, European mink and nutria - in water the pulse rate is 14, 18, 23 and 24% of the frequency pulse before immersion in water, and for the otter, sea otter and beaver - 31, 35 and 50%, respectively.

The size of the liver depends on your diet. This can be clearly seen in animals of the same species, but living in different geographical areas. Thus, if in the North-Western region of Russia the index of this organ in adult males of the pine marten and badger was on average 3.4 ± 0.6 and 3.3 ± 1.2, respectively, then in Transcaucasia, where euryphagy (feeding on a variety of foods) ) animals are noticeably higher - only 2.7±0.2 and 2.8±0.6%.

Semi-aquatic animals have short ears, which do not interfere with swimming under water and less heat is lost through them.

Animals that can stay under water for a long time (muskrat, otter, beaver) have long tails covered with scales with a small amount of hair. Through the tail, thermoregulation occurs when the animal overheats - blood vessels open in the tail, through which a significant amount of blood flows and the animal’s body cools (since the water temperature is usually much lower than body temperature), when the animal is overcooled, the blood vessels in the tail close and are thereby preserved warm. In terrestrial animals, the tail serves as a blanket or bedding when resting in cold weather.

LITERATURE: 1. Barabash-Nikiforov I.M., Marakov S.V., Nikolaev A.M. Sea otter (Sea otter), L., 1968. 2. Dezhkin V.V., Marakov S.V. Sea otters return to shore. M. 1973. 3. Kozlo P.G., Filimonov A.N., Bondarev A.Ya. Morphology of internal organs // Origin, systematics, morphology.-Ecology.- M.-1985. 4. Kuznetsov B.A. Fundamentals of merchandising of fur raw materials. M.: 1952, 508 p. 5. Ternovsky D.V. Ecology of martens. Novosibirsk 1994. 6. Tumanov I.L. Biological features of predatory mammals of Russia, St. Petersburg, 2003. 7. Fedorova O.I. Variability of color and quality of pubescence in cell-bred marmots: dissertation. ...cand. agricultural Sci. M.: - 1998.- 121 p. 8. Tserevitinov B.F., Besedin A.N. Commodity research of fur goods, M.: 1977, 152 p.

MORPHOPHYSIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF TERRESTRIAL AND SEMIWATER

FUR ANIMALS

Kalugin Yu.A., Fedorova O.I.

The review outlines the variability of the color of animals in connection with living conditions, as well as the indices of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, intestines and hair density, which in terrestrial and semi-aquatic animals differ depending not only on water, but also on the type of nutrition . Thus, the indices of the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys in rodents, both semi-aquatic and terrestrial, are significantly lower than in predators. The intestinal length is significantly greater in rodents and euryphage predators.

MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF TERRESTRIAL AND SEMI-AQUATIC FUR-

Kalugin Ju. A., Fedorova O.I.

The review sets out the color variation of animals in relation to environmental conditions, as well as indexes of heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, intestines and density of indumentum, which in terrestrial and semi-aquatic animals differ not only according to relation to water , but also to the type of feeding. The indexes of heart, lungs, liver and kidneys in semi-aquatic and terrestrial rodents are significantly lower than the indexes of predators. Length of the intestine is much more in rodents and predators euryphages.

UDC 636.087.636.2

ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF USE OF ZEOLITES OF THE CHUVASH REPUBLIC AND THEIR MIXTURES WITH SULFUR-CONTAINING PREPARATIONS IN BIRD DIETS

Kirillov N.K. - Doctor of Sciences, Professor; Alekseev G. A. - Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Chuvash State Agricultural Academy, tel.: (8 352) 35-06-84

Key words: zeolite-containing tripolite, body weight, basic diet, organoleptic and physicochemical parameters.

Keywords: zeolite-containing tripoli, body weight, the basic diet, organoleptic and physicochemical parameters.

Question about the advisability of using zeolites in feeding

1.1.1. Anatomical features of the skeleton

Predatory fur-bearing animals have a flat and elongated skull, a small cranium. The jaw is rigidly attached to the jaw joint by roller-shaped articular processes. Shifting it to the side, moving forward and backward is impossible, which determines a reliable grip with jaw pincers. The upper jaw is slightly pushed forward, due to which, during closure, the teeth of the upper jaw slide over the teeth of the lower jaw and cut meat like scissors. Nutria have a small skull with a developed facial skull. The gnawing teeth are large, orange in color, and strongly pushed forward. Fur-bearing animals (except nutria) are characterized by the replacement of milk teeth with permanent ones.

The spinal column in fur-bearing animals, as in domestic animals, is divided into: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and caudal sections. All animals have 7 cervical vertebrae; in arctic foxes, foxes and nutria – 13; minks, ferrets (furo, fretka, thorefretka or thorzofretka) and sables have 14 thoracic vertebrae.

The lumbar region is represented by 6...7 vertebrae, the sacrum is formed by three fused bones (iliac, ischial and pubic).

In the caudal region of foxes, arctic foxes, ferrets and minks there are 20...23 vertebrae; in sables – 15...16; Nutria have 25 vertebrae.

The chest of arctic foxes and foxes is formed by 13 pairs of ribs (of which 5 pairs are false); in minks, ferrets and sables - 14 pairs (5 pairs of false); in nutria - 13 pairs (6 pairs of false ribs).

The skeleton of the limbs of the shoulder girdle is formed by the scapula, humerus, bones of the forearm (radius and ulna), wrist, metacarpus and phalanges of the fingers. Nutria also have a collarbone, connected on one side to the scapula, and on the other to the first rib.

The pelvic girdle consists of the sacrum, femur, shin bones (tibia and fibula), tarsus, metatarsus and phalanges.

The fore and hind limbs of predatory animals are approximately the same length (in nutria, the hind limbs are longer than the front). The limbs of arctic foxes are longer than those of foxes.

Minks, ferrets and sables each have 5 toes; foxes and arctic foxes have 5 fingers on their forelimbs, and 4 fingers on their hind limbs; Nutria have five-fingered limbs, with 4 fingers of the hind limbs connected by a swimming membrane.

1.1.2. Features of digestion in fur-bearing animals

In natural habitats, fur-bearing animals of the order of carnivores feed mainly on animal feed, which left its mark on the structure of the skull, teeth and various parts of the digestive tract.

The chewing apparatus of carnivores is poorly adapted to chewing food. They have fewer molars than herbivores, which are used for grinding food. Molars have sharp, jagged edges and are used to grab food and tear it into pieces. In the canine family, the raccoon dog is an exception. It is omnivorous, has small canines, underdeveloped upper teeth, and the surface of the lower molars is smoothed.

The dental system of rodents - nutria, muskrats, chinchillas - are herbivorous animals. Their incisors are rootless and grow continuously throughout their lives. There is only one pair of incisors in the upper jaw, there are no fangs, and the molars are adapted for grinding food. The articular head of the lower jaw is elongated in the longitudinal direction, due to which the jaw can move back and forth, grinding coarse plant food. Behind the incisors, nutria can close their lips tightly, which allows them to gnaw plants underwater.

The oral cavity of carnivores has a relatively small capacity, as a result of which food is almost not chewed, but is immediately swallowed.

The stomach of these animals is simple with thin elastic walls and underdeveloped muscles; it does not participate in softening and grinding food. Nutria have a stomach of a simple digestive type, the cecum reaches 40...45 cm.

The intestines of carnivores are much shorter than those of herbivores. The short intestinal length of carnivores determines the rapid passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract. Food is completely digested in minks and ferrets - after 15...20 hours; in arctic foxes, foxes and sables - after 24...30 hours. Due to the small length and capacity of the large intestine, the very underdeveloped cecum in foxes and arctic foxes (length 5...8 cm), and its complete absence in minks, ferrets and sables, bacterial digestion of food does not occur. This also explains the poor digestibility of plant foods, especially by minks and ferrets, which causes a constant deficiency of B vitamins.

Of the nutrients, carbohydrates are digested worse than protein and fat (in minks and ferrets this digestibility is somewhat lower than in arctic foxes and foxes, and in the latter it is lower than in rodents). Fur-bearing animals practically do not digest fiber from plant foods, but they need it in small doses to loosen food and improve intestinal motility.

Nutria and chinchillas feed mainly on plant foods. Chinchillas and marmots raised in captivity eagerly eat various parts of many types of herbaceous, shrub, and woody plants, their seeds and fruits.

The intestines of fur-bearing animals contain lymphoid tissue (lymphoid plaques), which prevents the penetration of foreign substances through the intestinal wall, regulate the proliferation of microorganisms, and are directly involved in digestion.

1.1.3. Features of growth and development of fur-bearing animals

Fur-bearing animals have some characteristics that distinguish them from farm animals. In predatory fur-bearing animals, the seasonality of biological cycles is much more pronounced than in other farm animals:

– limited breeding season;

– hair shedding takes place at a certain time;

– seasonal changes in metabolism are observed.

An important biological feature of fur-bearing animals is their inherent high growth rate in the first months of life. In the growth of young animals, certain stages are observed that have a great influence on the development of the body and the formation of productive qualities. An example is the influence of inhibition of growth rate during the suckling period on the final size of animals, underfeeding or insufficiency of certain nutritional factors in the autumn period on the formation of reproductive qualities of animals. Puppies of predatory fur-bearing animals are born helpless. They are blind, with a closed ear canal, no teeth, with very short, sparse hair, but they develop quickly.

The weight of minks and ferrets at birth is 9...15 grams, 20 days after birth it increases 10 times, at 2 months of age their weight is 40%, and at 4 months - 80% of the weight of an adult animal. Mink and ferret puppies erupt their teeth at 16–20 days of age. The transition of puppies to an independent type of feeding after weaning is accompanied by a sharp decrease in the growth rate, but after 10 days the growth rate increases again. At the age of 7...8 months, the increase in body weight of minks and ferrets stops, only seasonal fluctuations are noted.

Fox and arctic fox puppies grow somewhat slower (at birth they weigh 80...100 grams). By the age of 20 days, the weight of arctic foxes increases 7.5 times; by the time of depositing, they accumulate almost a fifth, and by 4 months of age - 80% of the mass of adult animals. In the first days of life, their limbs grow most rapidly, then the head and, finally, the torso. By 5...6 months of age, Arctic fox and fox puppies acquire the body proportions of adult animals. The replacement of baby teeth with permanent ones in fox and arctic fox puppies ends at the age of 3.5 months.

Nutria puppies are born well developed (weigh 150...200 grams), pubescent, can swim, and after two days they begin to eat food. Nutria grow slowly, but develop quickly. They reach sexual maturity at 3...4 months, but continue to grow up to one and a half years. Nutria reproduce throughout the year.

The weight of newborn caged chinchilla puppies reaches 35...50 grams, the lactation period lasts two months, but the puppies begin to eat food already 5...7 days after birth.

In caged sables, a parabolic type of growth is observed (intensive growth occurs until 3 months of age). The linear growth of sables almost stops by the age of 6 months, and body weight continues to increase. The increase in these indicators in males is more intense than in females, up to 180 days of age. By the end of the first month, teeth erupt - on the 28th...30th day.

The auditory canals of minks, ferrets and sables open in the last week of the first month of life. The growth of young animals is most intense in the first months of life, so feeding conditions should not hinder the potential development of animals. Stunted growth is often not compensated for, which is reflected in the reproduction rates of animals and the size of their skins.

1.1.4. Seasonal changes in metabolism

The intensity of metabolism and energy in animals varies in different seasons of the year. Despite domestication, they retained the adaptive reactions that developed during the process of evolutionary development to seasonally changing natural food conditions. There is a certain connection between seasonal fluctuations in energy metabolism in predatory animals and feeding conditions. Thus, a decrease in metabolic rate in the autumn months with an abundance of food in nature ensured the accumulation of reserve fat and other nutrients in the body for use in winter and the best development of winter pubescence. A further decrease in metabolism in the winter months, when feeding conditions worsened, was determined by the need to reduce the body’s nutritional needs at this time. Organizing feeding in accordance with these established fluctuations in metabolism - increasing the fatness of animals in the fall, and reducing their live weight in the winter months - is, as practice has shown, important for ensuring normal reproduction and obtaining good quality skins. In the summer months, metabolism is most intense, in the fall it decreases, it is lowest in the winter, and in the spring it increases again. In accordance with changes in metabolism, the live weight of animals also changes. In summer it is the smallest, and in November–December it is the greatest. Seasonal changes in fat deposition reflect the characteristics of thermoregulation in fur-bearing animals. Their accumulation of fat by winter allows them to reduce heat transfer, and therefore energy consumption during the cold season; a decrease in the amount of fat in summer and less hair during this period cause increased heat transfer.

In minks, seasonal changes in metabolism are clearly expressed, in sables there is no such clear seasonal metabolism, and in nutrias, the metabolism of the seasons almost does not change (with the same feeding, their live weight in summer is about 10% higher than in winter, i.e. in Their metabolism retains the characteristics of animals of the southern hemisphere - the homeland of nutria is South America).

1.1.5. Shedding hair in animals

Animals shed hair twice a year - in the spring the winter hair falls out and the summer hair grows, in the fall the summer hair is again replaced by winter hair. Winter hair falls out and is replaced by short dark hair; in July, short hair covers the animal completely. In the second half of summer it begins to fall out, and this molt ends in October. By this time, the coat consists of short, fast-growing winter hairs. Seasonality of changes is most regulated by the length of daylight hours - the most constant of external stimuli. By artificially changing the length of daylight hours, it is possible to slightly shift the natural timing of maturation of the reproductive system and the duration of pregnancy.

External conditions such as the composition and amount of feed, temperature, etc. also affect the course of life processes, but they are not constant.

The order Carnivora unites representatives of the class Mammals, who consume mostly animal food. The wolf and the fox, the tiger and the lion, the marten and the badger are known to everyone. This is not surprising, because Carnivores have adapted to living on all continents except the coldest - Antarctica. Let us briefly consider what information biology has collected to date about these animals.

Squad Predatory

First of all, they are united by the nature of the food. It is not just of animal origin. All representatives of the Predatory squad themselves attack their victims, killing them. Some of them feed on carrion, thereby clearing their habitats of rotting organic remains.

The main characteristic of the Carnivora order is associated precisely with the structural features that allow them to hunt. Therefore, they all have a developed brain, a strong trained body, and well-developed differentiated teeth. The fangs with which they grab and tear apart prey are especially prominent. On each side, one molar is modified into the so-called carnivores. With their help, it is even possible to crush large bones and tear powerful tendons - it is so sharp.

Carnivores are also distinguished from other mammals by their highly developed nervous system, especially the brain. This causes complex forms of behavior of these animals.

Carnivores are quite diverse and number about 240 species. Therefore, a number of other families are distinguished in this order.

Wolf family

When characterizing the order Carnivores (mammals), they first of all mention the family, which received its name thanks to the tireless forest orderly. We are talking about the wolf and its relatives: fox, jackal, arctic fox, raccoon and domestic dogs.

All of them are medium in size and have fairly long limbs. The structure of the musculoskeletal system and muscular system allows them to pursue their future prey for a long time and tirelessly.

The strongest and most agile among the representatives of this group is the wolf. Animals prefer to live in large flocks, the number of individuals in which reaches forty. Wolves are not only excellent hunters, but also dangerous predators that can even attack humans. They are rightfully considered to eat large amounts of carrion.

But the fox can eat not only animal food. Her favorite delicacy is the sweet and juicy fruits of forest plants. Foxes live in pairs or entire families. People especially appreciate the beautiful, warm and fluffy fur of these animals.

Cat family

We continue to study the Carnivora order using the example of... a domestic cat. What kind of predator is this? The real one! Its ancestor is the forest wild cat. And modern pets are the result of their domestication.

Basically, representatives are united by large body sizes with elongated limbs, which end in retractable sharp claws. Has everyone seen how a cat hunts a mouse? She does not catch up, but lies in wait for her prey. The same behavior is typical for larger cats: tiger, lynx, lion.

Most representatives of this family live in the tropical and subtropical climate zones of our planet. And here is the owner of the taiga of the Far East. This is one of the largest predators, second only to the polar bear in mass. Within the boundaries of its range, it always occupies a dominant position. This also applies to links in food chains, since tigers also hunt other predators, such as wolves.

Miracles of selection

Since the lion and the tiger are the most striking representatives of the entire planet, genetic scientists have tried to create their hybrids. This experiment ended quite successfully, since the crossing resulted in viable individuals with new properties compared to the original forms. Thus, a liger is a hybrid of a lion and a tigress, capable of unlimited growth. In nature, this trait is characteristic of plants and fungi. The liger grows throughout its life, sometimes reaching a length of up to 3 meters.

Typically, interspecific hybrids are not capable of producing fertile offspring. Tiger Lion is an exception to this rule. This is practically the only case in selection. Females obtained by crossing a tiger and a lioness are capable of procreation.

Family Kunya

We continue to consider the order Carnivorous mammals using the example of a family that unites individuals with valuable fur. Otter, marten, ermine, mink, ferret - this is not a complete list of representatives of the Mustelidae family. Many of them are excellent tree climbers, and otters are excellent swimmers. Another representative of the mustelids is the badger. He especially values ​​meat, which is eaten, and fat, which has healing properties.

Bear family

The Predatory squad has mastered all climatic zones. Its representatives can be found even in the cold expanses of the Arctic. It is there that the largest representative of predatory mammals lives - the polar bear, whose weight can reach 750 kg. It swims well, hunting fish and pinnipeds.

But in the forests, the Predatory squad is represented by another animal - the brown bear. It can feed on both plant and animal foods, attacking deer or wild boars. In winter, this one hibernates, and in summer it leads an active lifestyle. It is hunted for its valuable meat and skin.

The order Carnivora unites a number of families of the class Mammals, whose diet is dominated by animal food. These animals have well-developed sharp teeth for hunting. Many species are valued by humans for their valuable fur, meat and fat. Therefore, at present, many species of predatory mammals are in need of protection.

480 rub. | 150 UAH | $7.5 ", MOUSEOFF, FGCOLOR, "#FFFFCC",BGCOLOR, "#393939");" onMouseOut="return nd();"> Dissertation - 480 RUR, delivery 10 minutes, around the clock, seven days a week and holidays

Poleshchuk Elena Mikhailovna. Morphophysiological and biocenotic characteristics of the fox (vulpes vulpes L.) and corsac dog (vulpes corsac L.) and their significance in the circulation of natural focal infections and invasions in the south of Western Siberia: 03.00.08, 03.00.16 Poleshchuk, Elena Mikhailovna Morphophysiological and biocenotic characteristics of the fox ( vulpes vulpes L.) and corsac (vulpes corsac L.) and their significance in the circulation of natural focal infections and invasions in the south of Western Siberia (On the example of the Omsk region): Dis. ...cand. biol. Sciences: 03.00.08, 03.00.16 Omsk, 2005 276 p. RSL OD, 61:06-3/114

Introduction

Chapter 1. Features of the biology of corsac and fox in Western Siberia and the importance of these animals in maintaining natural focal infections and invasions (literature review) 11

Chapter 2. Materials and methods. Brief ecological and faunal characteristics of the study area 56

2.1. General information about the material 56

2. 2. Research methods 60

2. 3. Brief ecological and faunal characteristics of the study area 66

2. 4. Brief description of the stationary observation point 76

Chapter 3. Morphophysiological characteristics of corsac and fox in the Omsk region 79

3.1. General features of the exterior, interior and craniology of predators 19

3. 2. Geographical variability of morphophysiological parameters 86

3. 3. Features of morphophysiological parameters in animals of different sexes 91

3. 4. Age-related variability of exterior, interior and craniological indicators in foxes and corsac dogs 94

3. 5. Use of craniological indicators to analyze the subspecies of predators inhabiting the Omsk region 97

Chapter 4. Features of the ecology of corsac and foxes in the Omsk region 99

4.1. Comparative analysis of the number and population density of foxes and corsacs 99

4. 2. Dynamics of the number of predators 109

4.3. Sex and age structure of populations 118

4. 4. Spatial and ethological structure of predator populations 121

4. 4. 1. Features of the use of topical resources by foxes, corsacs and badgers 121

4.4. 2. Density of brood refuges of predators 130

4. 4. 3. Types of spatial distribution of predators on the territory of the Steppe Reserve 134

4. 5. Features of animal nutrition 141

4. 6. Biotic connections in (topical). 151

Chapter 5. The role of corsac and fox in maintaining the epizootic process of a number of natural focal infections and invasions in the Omsk region 161

5.1. Corsac and fox as hosts and distributors of the rabies virus in 2000-2004 161

5. 2. The role of predators in the circulation of other infections and some invasions 176

5. 2.1. Infections of foxes and corsacs in the Omsk region 176

5. 2. 2. Infestations of fox and corsac in the Omsk region 183

Conclusions 190

Bibliography 192

Applications 224

Introduction to the work

The fox (Vulpes vulpes L.) is the most numerous and widespread species of carnivores of the Canidae family, everywhere inhabiting the territory of the Omsk region. Corsac (Vulpes corsac L.) is endemic to dry steppes, semi-deserts, deserts and dry foothills of Central Eurasia. In the Omsk region it lives in the steppe zone and the southern forest-steppe subzone.

Basic in the study of the biology of these predators are the works of the following authors: A. A. Sludsky, A. A. Lazarev (1966), A. A. Lazarev (1967; 1968), V. G. Heptner et al. (1967), A. A. Sludsky (1981), M. A. Weisfeld (1985), G. N. Sidorov (1985), etc. In Western Siberia, the study of ecology, ethology, biocenotic and economic significance of foxes and corsacs was carried out by S. A. Abashkin, 1969; L. A. Barbash, V. V. Shibanov (1979; 1980), V. V. Shibanov (1980; 1986a; 19866; 1989a; 19896).

Interest in the peculiarities of the life activity of these predators, both in Western Siberia and in other regions of the country, was due, first of all, to their importance in the circulation of the rabies virus (Malkov, 1970; 1972; 1973; 1978; Malkov, Gribanova, 1974; 1978; 1980; Malkov, Korsh, 1972, Sidorov et al., 1989; 1990; Sidorov, 1995, etc.). The helminth fauna of these predators has been studied to a much lesser extent (Kadenatsii, Sokolov, 1966; 1968).

To date, the morphophysiological characteristics of the fox and corsac dog of Western Siberia remain unstudied. Morphophysiological indicators are not used to assess the regional ecological characteristics of predators. The subspecies of the fox and corsac dog that inhabit the south of Western Siberia remain controversial. There is practically no data in the literature on the current state of numbers, its dynamics, population density of foxes and corsacs in the Omsk region. The sex-age, spatial-ethological structure of populations, nutrition, and biocenotic connections of these species are still insufficiently studied. The characteristics of infections and infestations of the described predators are most fully covered only in relation to rabies and a number of helminthiases.

The fox and corsac dog deserve attention as components of the natural community, the role of which is ambiguous in the context of changes in regional natural and climatic features and anthropogenic transformation of landscapes.

The relevance of the study was determined by the insufficient knowledge of the biology and biocenology of foxes and corsac foxes in Western Siberia and the importance of these predators in the circulation of a number of natural focal infections and invasions. In the Omsk region, before our work began, the biology of predators was not the subject of targeted study. This predetermined the topic of the dissertation research.

The work was carried out as part of the planned topics of the Omsk Research Institute of Natural Focal Infections (NIIPOI), state registration number 01.200.112520, and was also supported by a grant from the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation (Aoz-2.12-610).

Purpose of the study: To identify regional morphophysiological and biocenotic characteristics of foxes and corsac foxes and to establish the significance of these animals in the circulation of natural focal infections and invasions in the steppe and forest-steppe of the Omsk region.

To study the morphophysiological characteristics of foxes and corsac dogs, to establish the dependence of exterior, interior and craniological indicators on the ecology of predators. Using craniological indicators, determine the similarity of predators of the Omsk region with the subspecies described for the territory of Western Siberia.

To study the current state of numbers and their dynamics, population density, sex and age composition and spatial-ethological structure of populations, feeding habits and biocenotic (topical) connections of foxes and corsac foxes in the steppe and forest-steppe

Omsk region.

3. To study the role of foxes and corsac dogs in the circulation of a number of natural focal infections and invasions in the study area. Scientific novelty of the work.

For the first time in the south of Western Siberia, a complete analysis of the exterior, interior, and craniological characteristics of foxes and corsac dogs was carried out. Morphophysiological indicators were used to assess the biological uniqueness of the fox population in the Omsk region. This work has not previously been carried out in relation to corsac. The current state of the absolute and relative abundance of foxes and corsacs in the Omsk region is assessed. An analysis of the age-sex structure of fox and corsac populations in the Omsk region was made. For the first time in the region, the pattern of location of different types of shelters relative to each other in the fox and corsac populations has been established. In the south of Western Siberia, such work has not previously been carried out. For the first time in the Omsk region, features of the use of topical resources by predators have been identified. The type of spatial distribution of fox and corsac populations has been studied. The topical relationships of the fox and corsac with each other and with other species of the order of carnivores have been revealed. Regional feeding habits of foxes and corsacs have been established. The modern features of the epizootic process with rabies in these animals have been revealed. For the first time in the region, based on serological data, contacts of foxes and corsac dogs with pathogens of tularemia, pseudotuberculosis, ornithosis, leptospirosis, yersiniosis, listeriosis, and tuberculosis have been identified. The fox has specific antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis, West Nile fever, and the corsac dog has antibodies to West Nile fever. For the first time in the south of Western Siberia, the participation of predators in the circulation of hookworm has been determined)