Contents: Volume 12 (2) 2013 (Printed 6 December 2013)

Abramov A.V., Dang Ngoc Can, Bui Tuan Hai, Nguyen Truong Son

P. 57-70

An annotated checklist of 32 extant species from 12 genera of the insectivores (Mammalia, Lipotyphla) of Vietnam is provided. Many recently recorded/described species remain known from the territory of Vietnam only: at least seven species of the white-toothed shrews (C. annamitensis, C. guy, C. kegoensis, C. phuquocensis, C. sapaensis, C. sokolovi, C. zaitsevi) and a mole species (Euroscaptor subanura).

Koh H.S., Kartavtseva I.V., Lee B.K., Kweon G.H., Yang B.G., Heo S.W., In S.T.

P. 71-77

To examine genetic divergence of Crocidura shantungensis in mainland Korea, adjacent islands and continental East Asia, we obtained 17 complete cytochrome b sequences (1140 bp) from mainland Korea and Far Eastern Russia, and these sequences were compared to sequences of C. shantungensis, obtained from the GenBank. Jeju C. shantungensis was divergent from the mainland Korean population, with average genetic distance of 1.94%. Moreover, Tsushima C. shantungensis was distinct from the mainland Korean population, with average distance of 2.08%, but the latter was not divergent from other C. shantungensis in Taiwan and Ullung islands, Mongolia, southeastern Siberia, and Far Eastern Russia, indicating that three clades (Jeju, Tsushima, and Taiwan-Ullung-continental East Asia) are recognized within C. shantungensis. Our results do not support the current subspecies classification of C. shantungensis (i.e., C. s. quelpartis from Jeju and Taiwan and C. s. shantungensis from other distribution regions), and do support the former classification of Jeju population as C. s. quelpartis. Thus, we proposed further systematic analysis with additional specimens from East Asia to clarify the taxonomy and phylogeography in C. shantungensis.

Kruskop S.V.

P. 79-81

New record of the insufficiently studied species Myotis phanluongi made on the southern slope of Da Lat Plateau, Southern Vietnam, is discussing. Identification of the specimens and clear distinction of M. phanluongi from related species M. siligorensis were confirmed by morphometric analysis. It was shown that this species altitudinal range extends downwards to the elevation of ca. 900 m above sea level and that foraging of M. phanluongi not obviously connected with riverine habitats.

Lissovsky A.A., Obolenskaya E.V., Petrova T.V.

P. 83-90

The sample of 115 skulls and 28 sequences of cytochrome b gene of narrow-headed voles Lasiopodomys gregalis, mainly from South-East Transbaikalia was studied. Geographic variation of craniometric features was not found in the studied sample. Such morphological variation contradicts deep mitochondrial divergence between voles from the South and North of the region under discussion.

Domanov T.A.

P. 91-97

The study of musk deer nutrition was conducted during the 2010-2013 snow seasons on the Tukuringra Mountain Range, Russian Far East. Gastric content analysis and detailed tracking was conducted as well. Sixty four kinds of forage preferred by musk deer were recorded. Data on forage composition in different habitats were received. Peculiarities of the musk deer nutrition on the Tukuringra Mountain Range were revealed.

Volodin I.A., Volodina E.V., Frey R., Maymanakova I.L.

P. 99-106

This study on Siberian wapiti (Cervus elaphus sibiricus) provides data on rutting vocal activity (bugles per hour), collected using four synchronized automated recording systems in natural habitats in the Western Sayan Mountains (Russia). Also, this study provides first comparison of naturally produced male bugles with their imitation using a traditional hunting technique of blowing into a hollow pipe with a mouthpiece. Stag vocal activity weakly negatively correlated to air temperature and ceased completely during three very cold days with snowfall. Stag bugles (n = 153) were high-pitched, with an average maximum fundamental frequency (f0) of 1.23±0.21 kHz, a minimum f0 of 0.29±0.05 kHz and a duration of 3.07±0.52 s. Hind alarm barks (n = 12) were significantly lower in maximum f0 = 0.93±0.08 kHz, significantly higher in minimum f0 = 0.34±0.06 kHz and much shorter (0.20±0.03 s) compared to male bugles. Male bugles were similar in the acoustic structure with their imitations, produced by a human using a luring wind instrument (n = 27), what provides a support to the hypothesis of forced airflow through a narrow, highly tensed larynx and vocal tract as a production mechanism of the extremely high-pitched bugles of wapiti.

Baryshnikov G.F., Lavrov A.V.

P. 107-118

Mandibular fragments of the small Pliocene bear from Kosyakino in Northern Caucasus, Russia (MN15) and from Moiseevka in Irtysh River basin, Kazakhstan (MN14) revealed morphological similarity with the specimens of Ursus minimus. During the evolution of this species, the enlargement of molars and equalization of the m1 and m2 in length took place. Our study ascertained the presence of geographical variability of U. minimus in Eurasia in the Early Pliocene (U. m. boeckhi in Europe and U. m. ssp. in Kazakhstan) as well as in the Late Pliocene (U. m. minimus in Europe and U. m. yinanensis in China).