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The article describes the study of distribution and morphological features of different morphotypes of sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) of the Kyiv Region. To sum up, 5 morphotypes of L. a. chersonensis were found in the Kyiv Region: bilinear (61.9 %); intermediate form (intermediate version) (17.3 %); trilinear (3.2 %); var. erythro-(viridi-)nota (16.2 %); and the rarest var. con-(bi-)color (1.4 %). According to the morphological features’ varieties erythro-(viridi-)nota lizards differ mostly from all other morphs (Na/Lor)(2/1 — 44.4 %), in the 15–17 rows 18(14–23) scales. They are most oft en found in forest biotopes. The remaining bi- and trilinears are characterized by Na/Lor (1/1 — 50.9 %), in the 15–17 rows 9.5 (6–13) scales.

In the autumn of 2015 current distribution of the lizards of Darevskia (saxicola) complex, introduced in 1960s in Zhytomyr administrative region of Ukraine was studied. During the period from introduction until now Darevskia (saxicola) complex has spread along the left bank of the Teteriv River on the territory about 3.7 km lengths. Beside this was found an isolated population of this species, which located about at 4 km direct distance or 8.5 km shore line distance from the main area of occurring this species. It is supposed that this secondary introduction took place occasionally or intentionally due to holidaymakers (e. g. climbers, fishermen). The publication provides description of the lizards on 15 morphological characteristics and information on the results of spatial modeling potential distribution the rock lizards.

Using Ecological Niche Modeling for Biodiversity Conservation Guidance in the Western Podillya (Ukraine): Reptiles. Tytar, V., Sobolenko, L., Nekrasova, O. Mezhzherin, S. - Maximum entropy niche modeling was employed as a tool to assess potential habitat suitability for 10 reptile species and to map their potential distribution in the Western Podillya (Ukraine). We used climate, topography and human impact (assessed by the Human Footprint) as predictor variables. “Isothermality”, “temperature seasonality” and the “mean temperature of coldest month” were three most important factors in predicting habitat suitability and distribution. A profound contribution to the modeling has been displayed by the Human Footprint, meaning that human infrastructure may benefit reptile species. Areas have been distinguished that in the first place should be of interest to biodiversity conservationists targeting reptiles and maps summarizing predicted habitat suitability and species richness were produced for guiding conservation efforts.

Kolomytsev, G. O. — We identifi ed major factors (both direct and indirect), caused by the hostilities in Ukrainian ATO zone that adversely infl uence local biodiversity and environment. Damaged conservational territories (objects of nature conservation fund) were assessed. One of the most severe factors, the fi res were studied using data from Terra MODIS remote sensing, resulting in a model of localization and spatial confi guration of fi res on natural and agricultural territories in ATO zone during June-September 2014. In that period, 2901 ignitions were registered in ATO zone, exceeding the numbers for previous four years. It was determined that 81 % of all of the ignitions happened on natural steppe and forest areas, 19 % in settlements. Th e fi res damaged 18 % of forest area, 23 % of the steppe area and 14 % of arable lands of ATO zone. For two snake species of Red book of Ukraine — eastern Elaphe dione and more widespread Hierophis caspius — it was shown that most of the animals and their biotopes in Luhansk and Donetsk Regions of Ukraine are under threat. Far example, 65–82 % of 108 fi nds of these Colubridae registered in the eastern Ukraine are located in the ATO zone and near to hostilities. GIS models also showed that more than 50 % of biotopes, suitable for these snakes, are in the ATO zone or near it. Based on world-wide experience and our own observations, we safely assume that the events of 2014 in the ATO territory can possibly cause far-reaching adverse consequences for natural landscapes, local fl ora and fauna, and the massive local disappearance of plant and animal populations. Обзор основных факторов влияния, возникших в результате военных действий на востоке Украины, на биоразнообразие (на примере модельной группы животных). Василюк А. В., Некрасова О. Д., Ширяева Д. В., Коломыцев Г. А. — Выделены основные факторы (прямые и косвенные) негативного влияния на биоразнообразие и местообитания, возникшие в результате военных действий в зоне антитеррористической операции (АТО). Проанализировано состояние повреждённых особо охраняемых природных территорий. Для одного из наиболее масштабных факторов — пожаров — было проведено исследование с использованием данных дистанционного зондирования Земли, Terra MODIS, в результате которого получена модель локализации и пространственной конфигурации пожаров на природных и сельскохозяйственных территориях в зоне АТО за период с 1 июня по 30 сентября 2014 г. За исследуемый период на территории зоны АТО зафиксирован 2901 случай возгораний, что превышает аналогичные показатели огнеопасных периодов предыдущих 4 лет. Обнаружено, что 81 % всех зафиксированных возгораний произошёл на участках с природной степной и лесной растительностью и полях, 19 % — в населённых пунктах, при этом огнём повреждено 18 % площади лесов, 23 % площади степей и 14 % площади пахотных земель зоны АТО. На примере двух видов пресмыкающихся, занесённых в Красную книгу — восточного Elaphe dione и более распространённого Hierophis caspius — было установлено, что большая часть животных и их местообитаний в Луганской и Донецкой областях Украины может пострадать. Так, 65–82 % из 108 зарегестрированных нами находок полозов на востоке Украины находится на территории зоны АТО. С помощью ГИС-моделирования было рассчитано

A new distribution boundary of the dice snake, Natrix tessellate (Laurenti, 1768), in Ukraine has been established. The northern edge currently lies within the valley of the middle course of the Dnipro River: Trakhtemyriv Peninsula, Cherkasy Region on the right side (49°59' N, 31°25' Е); on the left side in Kyiv Region within Pereyaslav-Khmelnytsky District: at a fishermen’s station (50°02' N, 31°17' Е), yacht club (Kurinoye Estuary 50°02' N, 31°29' E); Lubny, Poltava Region (49°58' N, 33°01' Е). These points are located 70–80 km northwards from the previous boundary of the species home range. The level of Natrix tessellate population polymorphism in the North of Cherkasy Region is high; more than 40 % of specimens are dark-colored. Установлены новые пределы распространения водяного ужа, Natrix tessellate (Laurenti, 1768), в Украине, относящиеся к долине Среднего Днепра: правобережье — Трахтемировский п-ов Черкасской обл. (49°59' N, 31°25' Е), левобережье — Переяславо-Хмельницкий р-н Киевской области: рыбстан (50°02' N, 31°17' Е) и яхтклуб (Куриное гирло 50°02' N, 31°29' E), г. Лубны, Полтавской обл. (49°58' N, 33°01' Е). Данные пункты находятся на расстоянии около 70–80 км севернее от предыдущей границы ареала вида. Группировка ужей на севере Черкасской обл. отличается большим полиморфизмом и наличием более 40 % тёмных особей.