V. V. Rozhnov

Critically endangered western gray whales migrate to the eastern North Pacific

Western North Pacific gray whales (WGWs), once considered extinct, are critically endangered with unknown migratory routes and reproductive areas. We attached satellite-monitored tags to seven WGWs on their primary feeding ground off Sakhalin Island, Russia, three of which subsequently migrated to regions occupied by non-endangered eastern gray whales (EGWs). A female with the longest-lasting tag visited all three major EGW reproductive areas off Baja California, Mexico, before returning to Sakhalin Island the following spring. Her 22 511 km round-trip is the longest documented mammal migration and strongly suggests that some presumed WGWs are actually EGWs foraging in areas historically attributed to WGWs. The observed migration routes provide evidence of navigational skills across open water that break the near-shore north–south migratory paradigm of EGWs. Despite evidence of genetic differentiation, these tagging data indicate that the population identity of whales off Sakhalin Island needs further evaluation.

Noninvasive molecular genetic analysis in studying the ecology of the snow leopard: Problems and prospects

Molecular genetic methods were used to perform the species and individual identification of 117 samples of hair and feces of carnivores collected in natural habitats. The species were identified for 85.5% of the samples. The analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the cytochrome b mitochondrial gene was used to identify the samples of hair and feces of snow leopards (Uncia uncia, 40%), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes, 48%), wolves (Canis lupus, 6%), and lynx (Lynx lynx, 5%). The analysis of eight microsatellite loci allowed the genotypes of 13 snow leopards to be described. The sex of 11 animals was identified.

Winter distribution and migrations of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in the White Sea based on satellite tracking data

Based on satellite tracking of eight beluga whale males in the White Sea, their habitats in the autumn, winter, and spring periods have been identified. A correlation between the distribution of beluga whales, ice dynamics, and migration of Atlantic salmon has been revealed. It has been found than beluga whale males do not leave the White Sea during the entire ice period. The results obtained confirm the hypothesis that the White Sea population of beluga whales is isolated.

Occurrence and Distribution of Mitochondrial Lineages of Gray Whales (Eschrichtius robustus) in Russian Far Eastern Seas

This article presents data on frequencies of mitotypes (control region and cytochrome b and ND2 genes) in groups of Gray Whales found off the Chukotka Peninsula, Koryak coast, eastern Kamchatka and Sakhalin Island. From north to south the number of mitotypes decreased dramatically, but mitotypes which were predominant in the south were the same as ones also abundant in northern samples. For the control region sequences only, our data and data presented in the literature suggest that breeding areas in Baja California may include diversity of both distant groups of mitochondrial lineages known for the species. On the other hand, the same control region sequences may be found in different mitochondrial genomes, and so conclusions based on this mtDNA fragment only may be incorrect.

Isotopic Composition of Blood of Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) of the Kara–Barents Sea Population

The data on the content of carbon and nitrogen isotopes in the blood samples of polar bears obtained in the present study confirm that polar bears in the Taimyr region (and the Kara–Barents sea population in general) are partly dependent on the resources of terrestrial origin. However the “terrestrial carbon” evidently reaches bears’ tissues indirectly, via marine food webs utilizing organic carbon brought into the polar basin by Siberian rivers.

Mitochondrial Lineages of the Beluga Whale Delphinapterus leucas in the Russian Arctic

The data on mtDNA sequences of the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) from the central Eastern Arctic as well as coastal waters of the Chukchi Peninsula and different parts of the White Sea are presented and analyzed for the first time. Certain sequences found in the region form a separate phylogenetic clade. The distinctness of composition of maternal lineages found for the White Sea is noted. However, the set of sequences found in the Russian Arctic in whole cannot be characterized as region-specific.

The effect of ambient temperature on glucocorticoid level in the Amur tiger ( Panthera tigris altaica )

Glucocorticoid hormones are often used in field studies as a parameter of animal well-being to assess the effect of various anthropogenic and biotic factors [1–6]. At the same time, such an assessment is often performed without taking into account a potentially significant effect of many abiotic factors on the level of glucocorticoids, despite that these hormones play an important role in adaptation of an organism to any environmental changes.

Movement of a female polar bear (Ursus maritimus) in the Kara Sea during the summer sea-ice break-up

The polar bear movement trajectory in relation to onset date of the sea-ice break-up was studied in the coastal zone of the Taimyr Peninsula, eastern part of the Kara Sea, using as an example a female polar bear tagged by a radio collar with an Argos satellite transmitter. Analysis of the long-term pattern of ice melting and tracking, by means of satellite telemetry, of the female polar bear who followed the ice-edge outgoing in the north-eastern direction (in summer 2012) suggests that direction of the polar bear movement depends precisely on the direction of the sea-ice cover break-up.

Epidermal Molting in the Bowhead Whale Balaena mysticetus

Epidermal molting in the bowhead whales that regularly enter Ulbanskiy Bay of the Sea of Okhotsk in summer has been reported and proven by histological methods. Longitudinal delamination and detachment of thin or thick sheets of a considerable area have been established for the surface layer (stratum externum) of the whale epidermis during molting. A correlation of molting intensity to the level of proliferation and regeneration of all epidermal layers has been noted and assumed to stabilize the thickness of the skin. The phenomenon of molting is discussed from the viewpoint of adaptation of the whales to the conditions of the shallow bays of the Sea of Okhotsk that warm up thoroughly in the summer.

Northern Range: Russia

Abstract Potential snow leopard habitat in Russia totals about 60,000 km 2 of which about one third is occupied by 70–90 snow leopards. Since 1998 the snow leopard has been a flagship species for biodiversity conservation programs in the Altai-Sayan Mountains. Primary lessons learned during snow leopard-herder conflict mitigation and anti-poaching projects included: • Background analysis and results-based planning involving local stakeholders are critical for success. • Protection of livestock corrals is the most effective way to decrease herder-snow leopard conflicts. • Anti-poaching activities should focus on snare removal in key habitats until other conservation mechanisms are found. • Livelihood alternatives should be clearly linked to activities that increase snow leopard populations. • Financial incentives can be an effective tool. • Online awareness campaigns can help change government regulations in favor of snow leopard conservation. Most importantly, snow leopard conservation programs should continually incorporate learning from previous projects and share those lessons widely to be more effective.