Desman Research Articles

The Soviet and Post-Soviet Anthrobscenes: Speculations from Cheburaska to Khulkulya

This paper seeks to investigate the representation of and presence of non-human animals through the framework of new media theorist Jussi Parikka's conceptualization of the "Anthrobscene."Additionally, an examination of Marxist-Leninist thought concerning both environmentalist policies and practices of early childhood education is essential to formulating a well-rounded understanding of the innate political nature of these anthropomorphic representations and, in turn, how the treatment of animals, both domestic and wild, are considered reflexively by the Soviet state and the current Russian Federation through both a Soviet example (Cheburashka the abstracted and unspecified mouse-cat-primate creature) and a more modern environmentalist mascot (Khokhulya the Russian desman), both of which are duly reflective of their political contexts and social imaginings. Through an analysis of historical contextualizations and the modern mascot representation of the animal as a means of either social or philosophical change as well as practical environmentalist aims under the new capitalistic system post-1990s, Cheburashka and Khokhulya respectively serve to articulate and exemplify a comparison between the ideological functions of both economic systems within the broader field of animal and early childhood media studies.

Mammals in the collection of the Zoological Museum of Zaporizhia University: overview and unique specimens

The history of formation and the current state of mammal collections of the Zoological Museum at Zaporizhia National University are considered. The essay comprises two main sections: a general description of the museum and a survey of unique specimens. The first presents historical information as well as a depiction of the building and a general description of the collection. The second section deals with the analysis of unique specimens as evidence and sources for valuable faunal data and as elements of the museum display. The museum was established in 1997, although the period of amassment of materials and the history of the osteological collection had already begun in 1987, when the Faculty of Biology was established at the University of Zaporizhia. The exposition of the museum consists of both skin-mounts and osteological materials (skulls) displayed in glass cabinets and on stands. This part of the exhibition is designed as a separate hall of the museum (“Green” hall) devoted to mammals and birds. However, the main part of the scientific collection of skulls (more than 800 specimens) is stored in cabinets located in working rooms of the Department of Forest Biology, Game Management, and Ichthyology. These are the working materials collected by scientists and students of the department. The osteological collection includes 240 skulls of Vulpes vulpes, 89 of Canis lupus, 77 of Ondatra zibethicus, 77 of Lepus europaeus, 57 of Nyctereutes procyonoides, 27 of Martes foina, 9 of Canis aureus, and 4 of Lutra lutra, which is in total 580 specimens. Though the number of ungulate speci­mens has yet to be accounted, their number is not less than the number of carnivores. The displayed part of the mammal collection is represented by 4 groups of notable specimens, including dynamic figures (representing game mammals of the local fauna), collection of skulls (1 or 2 specimens of each species, mainly of the size of a hedgehog or weasel to the size of a moose), exotic species (including monkeys, megabats, armadillos, etc.), and rare species of fauna of the Azov region. Among faunistically valuable specimens collected in Ukraine are such rare species as follows: 1) Allactaga major (1 specimen, 2011, near Primorsky Posad, Zaporizhia Oblast; 2) Spalax microphthalmus (1 specimen, skin-mount, Lysa Hora, near Vasylivka, Zaporizhia Oblast, 12.2013); 3) Plecotus austriacus (1 specimen, vicinities of Kushugum, Zaporizhia Oblast, 12.2018); 4) Desmana moschata (1 specimen, Sumy Oblast, 20.11.2018).

Activity of the Russian desman Desmana moschata (Talpidae, Insectivora) in its burrow

A new method of studying for activity of a semi-aquatic mammal Russian desman Desmana moschata (Linnaeus, 1758) with use of digital portable voice recorders is developed. To identify the burrows in which the recorders were to be installed, the burrows were probed. A probe is a pole pointed at one end with a T-shaped handle at the other end. The researcher’s task was to detect the entrance to the burrow, usually under water. The direction of the underground passage is determined by means of the probe. For this purpose, the ground is pierced to detect the hollows in the burrow with the probe starting from the burrow entrance (the probe falls through unevenly). At a distance of 2 to 3 meters from the burrow, in some cases largely depending on the burrow length, the ground is dug up above the burrow in the form of a small well, 10 to 15 cm in diameter. A digital voice recorder was placed vertically in this well, so that the microphone was directed down towards the burrow. Desman noises can be characterized as short series formed as a sequence of contiguous short peaks of 15 to 25 seconds with five second interruptions formed by regular waves of breathing and its movement noises. As a rule, the noise audibility ranges from 1 to 3 minutes.

Habitat conditions of Desmana moschata (Talpidae, Eulipotyphla, Mammalia) in the buffer zone of the Prisurskiy State Nature Reserve (Russia)

Habitat conditions of Desmana moschata (Talpidae, Eulipotyphla, Mammalia) in the buffer zone of the Prisurskiy State Nature Reserve (Russia)

Thermal Regimen of the Habitats of the Russian Desman (Desmana moschata, Talpidae, Soricomorpha)

Abstract—Seasonal changes in soil and water temperature in forest (Klyazma River) and meadow (Oka River) floodplains inhabited by the Russian desman have been studied. The temperature range in the animal’s habitat is 0 to 7°C in winter and 8 to 23°C in summer. The desman is not exposed to negative temperatures in burrows during the winter due to the large volume of water and the presence of groundwater.

Distribution and population density of the Russian desman (Desmana moschata L., Talpidae, Insectivora) in the Middle Volga of Russia

Abstract To date according to the registration work, the number of the Russian desman determined actually is 588 individuals in Mordovia. Based on extrapolation, the total desman population in Mordovia is about 1,400 individuals. We may assume that the most of the desman population is concentrated on floodplain lakes and reclamation canals. The highest density of the desman population in Mordovia was recorded in Krasnoslobodsky and Temnikovsky Districts (10.5 and 8.2 burrows per km, respectively). About 400 animals may live on the shore of the rivers Vad, Partsa, Yavas, Vindrey, Nuluy, and Kundybolka. The mean value of density of the desman population on the rivers was 0.9 burrows per km of the coastline, which corresponded to habitat quality class IV (0.5–5 burrows per km). The distribution of habitats across river basins is extremely uneven. The main part of the desman population is restricted to the Moksha basin (more than 1,350 individuals), and in the Alatyr basin (left tributary of the Sura River) just twenty individuals were recorded.

NEW METHODS FOR STUDYING THE ACTIVITY OF SEMIAQUATIC MAMMALS

A new method for studying the activity of semiaquatic mammals using digital portable voice recorders has been developed. Previously, actographs and night-vision devices were used to study semiaquatic mammals near their burrows. This method allows the mammal activity registration directly in the burrows. The use of voice recorders makes it possible to accurately determine whether the burrow system is inhabited or non-inhabited. In addition, it has become possible to identify the day-night time intervals during which the animals are the most or least active. The new method was tested on the Russian desman (Desmana moschata). Therefore, to identify the burrows in which the recorders were to be installed, the burrows were probed. A probe is a pole pointed at one end with a T-shaped handle at the other end. The researcher's task is to detect the entrance to the burrow, usually under water. And then the direction of the underground passage is determined by means of the probe. For this purpose, the ground is pierced to detect the hollows in the burrow with the probe starting from the burrow entrance (the probe falls through unevenly). At a distance of 2–3 meters from the burrow, in some cases largely depending on the burrow length, the ground is dug up above the burrow in the form of a small well, 10–15 cm in diameter. A digital voice recorder was placed vertically in this well, so that the microphone was directed down towards the burrow. Desman noises can be characterized as short series formed as a sequence of contiguous short peaks of 15–25 seconds with 5 second interruptions formed by regular waves of breathing and its movement noises. Desman noises differ by mean amplitude and duration on oscillograms. As a rule, the noise audibility ranges from 1 to 3 minutes.

The story of the creation and monitoring of the Russian Desman (Desmana moschata L.) population reintroduced of in the Kerzhenets river floodplain in the Nizhny Novgorod region

The article summarizes the results of creating the reintroduced population of the Russian desman (Desmana moschata L.) in the Nizhny Novgorod region in the floodplain of the Kerzhenets river (the left tributary of the Volga) and monitoring of its status in 2005-2017. In 2001-2002, a total of 51 individuals were released in the Kerzhenskiy State Nature Reserve. In subsequent years, the desman iinhabited the floodplain of the Kerzhenets river 20 km upstream and 60 km downstream of the river. The number of reintroduced population was 35-40 individuals in 2012, 17 individuals – in 2013. Probably from 30 to 50% of the reintroduced population of desmans inhabit the territory of the Kerzhenskiy State Nature Reserve. Population numbers of desmans in the Reserve varied from 25 individuals in 2005 to 3 in 2015. The positive population trend was recored in 2016-17. Also the paper discusses the limiting factors, the relationship between desmans and muskrats. Now the number of reintroduced population is at a critically low level. However, it is essential for conservation of this endangered species. Recommendations for continued monitoring of the desman status in the valley of the Kerzhenets river are presented.

ТЕМПЕРАТУРНЫЙ РЕЖИМ МЕСТ ОБИТАНИЯ РУССКОЙ ВЫХУХОЛИ (DESMANA MOSCHATA, TALPIDAE, SORICOMORPHA)

The seasonal changes of the soil and water temperature of reservoirs the forest (the Klyazma river) and meadow (the Oka river) floodplains inhabited by the Russian desman were studied. The temperature range which the animal lives within varies from 0 - 7°C in the winter to 8 - 23°C in the summer. Due to the large volume of water and groundwater, desmans do not face negative temperatures in the winter in their burrows.

Two directions of the burrowing specialization in insectivorous mammals (Talpidae, Chrysochloridae)

The transformation of the forelimb musculature in insectivorous mammals was clarified in connection with their digging specialization. The comparative morphological analysis was carried out in five species of moles (Talpidae): Neurotrichus gibbsii; Talpa europaea; Mogera wogura; Scalopus aquaticus; Desmana moschata, and two species of golden moles (Chrysochloridae): Chrysochloris asiatica; Eremitalpa granti. In Т. europaea, during the soil displacement aside the main load falls on the flexors of the shoulder joint, of which the m. teres major is most developed. In golden moles, as in many other mammals, the relative weight of this muscle is significantly less that is connected with a different manner of burrowing. In all moles, in contrast to the gold moles, the maintenance of the permanently extended elbow joint is characteristic during the whole lateral stroke. As a result their olecranon is well developed that allows increasing the lever of the force attachment with relatively weak extensors. Thus, in moles, the relative weight of the m. anconeus longus is less of such in majority of specialized diggers. In both moles and golden moles, the weakness of the muscle parts of the m. flexor digitorum profundus is also observed.

Current status of the Russian desman habitats in small rivers of the Don River Basin in Saratov oblast and the abundance of this species

The Don Basin rivers confined to Saratov oblast were searched for the Russian desman in 2009–2011. The suitability of habitats for this species was assessed. Potentially negative factors for the Russian desman (Desmana moschata) in various types of habitats were detected, and their intensities were assessed. The small tributaries of the Khopyor and Medveditsa rivers have turned out to be suitable for the Russian desman; however, neither animals nor any sign of their life activities have been found using different techniques. Nonetheless, we cannot state that this species is absent in the small rivers of the Saratov oblast; however, if this species is present in the examined area, its abundance is extremely low. A drastic decrease in the Russian desman population and even its disappearance are most likely associated with intraspecific processes, factors of a global scale, and immigration of new species previously not found in the river ecosystems in the examined areas.

The use of olfaction by the Russian desman (Desmana moschata L.) during underwater swimming

The use of olfaction by the Russian desman (Desmana moschata L.) during underwater swimming

The structure of tactile organs of the Russian desman (Desmana moschata L. 1758) and their role in orientation

The structure of tactile organs of the Russian desman (Desmana moschata L. 1758) and their role in orientation

Нові знахідки хохулі руської (Desmana moschata) у басейні Сейму

Нові знахідки хохулі руської (Desmana moschata) у басейні Сейму

Late Glacial and Holocene small mammals of the Timan Ridge (Komi Republic, Russia)

Abstract Small mammal remains from five karst-type localities situated in the Southern and Middle Timan region are presented. Three different faunal assemblages from three succeeding phases are recognized. A cryohydrophilous faunal assemblage with desman (Desmana moschata) and predominantly Siberian lemming (Lemmus sibiricus) existed during the Bolling–Allerod interstadials. During the end of Younger Dryas, the fauna changed to cryoxerophilous communities with a predominance of collared lemming (Dicrostonyx sp.) and narrow-skulled vole (Microtus gregalis). The forest fauna is typical for the Late Holocene. Until the Early Holocene, the Middle Timan region was a refugium of Dicrostonyx populations characterized by archaic molar morphology.

Preliminary data on the swimming kinematics of the Russian desman (Desmana moschata L.)

Preliminary data on the swimming kinematics of the Russian desman (Desmana moschata L.)

Analysis of monitoring data on the Russian desman (Desmana moschata) in the Oka state biosphere reserve in relation to the problem of species’ population decline

Data on the effect of environmental factors on the Russian desman population of the Oka Reserve (Ryazan oblast) have been analyzed over the period from 1938 to 2004. Against the background of global climate warming, the number of desmans has decreased by a factor of 2.75 as a consequence of hydrotechnical amelioration in the early 1960s. Prior to amelioration, relatively dry, low-water, and cool years were more favorable for these animals; after amelioration, their demand for more abundant moistening has increased.

News about the past distribution of the desman (Desmana moschata L.)

News about the past distribution of the desman (Desmana moschata L.)

On the phylogenetic position of a rare Iberian endemic mammal, the Pyrenean desman ( Galemys pyrenaicus)

The nucleotide sequences of the complete mitochondrial genome and nine partial nuclear genes of the Pyrenean desman ( Galemys pyrenaicus) were determined in order to establish the relative phylogenetic position of this species at different taxonomic levels within the placental tree. Phylogenetic relationships of desman within the family Talpidae were inferred based on complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene nucleotide sequence data. The Pyrenean desman was unambiguously recovered as sister group of the Russian desman ( Desmana moschata) confirming the monophyly of the subfamily Desmaninae. However, phylogenetic relationships among major lineages within the Talpidae could not be confidently resolved. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial (at the amino acid level) and nuclear (at the nucleotide level) sequence data sets confidently placed desman within the Eulipotyphla (that also included moles, shrews, and hedgehogs), and partially recovered placental interordinal relationships. The monophyly of Laurasiatheria (including Eulipotyphla, Chiroptera, Carnivora, Pholidota, Perissodactyla, and Cetartiodactyla) was strongly supported. Mitochondrial amino acid sequences of Pholidota (pangolins) were found to bias phylogenetic inferences due to long-branch attraction effects. A Bayesian inference based on a combined mitochondrial and nuclear data set without Pholidota arrived at an almost fully resolved tree that supported the basal position of Eulipotyphla within Laurasiatheria.

A discussion of the dental formula of esmana moschata in relation to the premaxillary suture.

The upper dental formula of the Russian desman Desmana moschata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Insectivora, Talpidae) is considered based on the position of the premaxillary suture (sutura incisiva). From the lateral aspect, this suture extends to the second tooth in the tooth row. From the ventral aspect, the suture connects the common alveolus fossa of the second and third teeth in front of the second tooth on the labial edge and behind it on the lingual edge; consequently, the third tooth in the upper row appears to be derived from the maxilla. Therefore, the upper tooth formula of D. moschata may differ from the traditional fundamental dental formula of eutherian mammals (I3, C1, P4, M3), and consist of two incisors, one canine, five premolars, and three molars (I2, C1, P5, M3). This hypothetical view, however, assumes two changes, a tooth deletion in the incisor row and an addition in the premolar row. The significance of the premaxillary suture and possible pitfalls in using it to define dental formulae are discussed.