The Russian Ministry of Education and Science has published a list of recipients of the Presidential Scholarships for students in higher education programs, effective May 13, 2026. Among them are graduate students from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences: 1. I. A. Dadykin (Academic Supervisor: A. A. Kotov) 2. I. A. Dvoyashov (Academic Supervisor: L. A. Lavrenchenko) Congratulations to the winners! Lists of other scholarship recipients can be found at the link.

Parasites are useful model objects for studying how broad ecological niches influence evolutionary patterns. The bird louse fly Ornithomya avicularia (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) is a widespread ectoparasite of birds, infecting a wide range of hosts across Eurasia, Australia, and Africa. However, the relationship between the geographic location of populations and morphological and genetic diversity within this species remains poorly understood. Morphological and molecular variation in Ornithomya avicularia was researched using specimens from seven populations spanning Europe, Western Siberia, and the Russian Far East. Morphological variation was found to be largely continuous across most of the studied range, but populations from Siberia and the Russian Far East exhibited consistent differences in the pattern of microtrichia on the wings and the length ratios of some wing veins. Genetic analysis revealed three main haplotype groups, including a widespread European-West Siberian cluster (Fig. 1, Group 1) and two deeply divergent lineages (Fig. 1, Groups 2 and 3) restricted to the Russian Far East. One of the Far Eastern lineages demonstrated genetic distances approaching interspecific levels (Group 3) and was highly distinct, consistent with its recognition as a distinct species described elsewhere. A significant correlation was found between geographic distance and morphological differences, while genetic differences showed weaker geographic structure. Molecular clock analysis was used to analyze the estimated formation time of Groups 1 and 2. The groups diverged approximately 2.2 million years ago. From a paleoecological perspective, this corresponds to the late Miocene and Pliocene.

Photo: A red deer captured by a camera trap in the Ussuri Nature Reserve. The Far Eastern subspecies of red deer, also known as the Manchurian wapiti (Cervus canadensis xanthopygus), is widespread in the Russian Far East. In some areas, red deer coexist with another subspecies of Cervus canadensis, the Altai maral (Cervus canadensis sibiricus). Researchers from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) and Lomonosov Moscow State University studied population differences in the mating calls of male red deer and compared the rutting calls of red deer and maral deer to identify features that allow them to distinguish between these subspecies in areas where they coexist. Red deer are extremely shy and difficult to see, so male calls were recorded using automatic sound traps set in the habitats of three different populations: Ussuri Nature Reserve (Ussuriysk), Bolshekhekhtsirsky Nature Reserve (Khekhtsir), and Anyui National Park (Anyui). A total of 1,148 hours of audio recordings were collected and reviewed. The analysis included 598 rutting calls: 249 from Ussuriysk, 255 from Khekhtsir, and 94 from Anyui. Thirteen acoustic parameters were measured in the male rutting calls, the percentage ratios of various call contours (trapezoidal, descending, saddle-shaped) were assessed, and the presence of nonlinear vocal phenomena, such as biphonation (two-voice singing) and chaos (vocal noise), were noted. Figure 1: Spectrograms of male red deer rutting calls reveal three distinct call contours: A – trapezoidal, B – descending, and C – saddle-shaped. All were present in each of the three studied populations of this deer subspecies. The percentages of red deer rutting calls with different audiogram contours varied across the three populations. The trapezoidal contour was the most common across all populations (82.6% of all calls). Ussuriysk had the highest number of calls with this contour. Conversely, calls with a descending contour were less common in Ussuriysk than in Khekhtsir and Anyuy. The saddle-shaped contour was very rare in all three populations (3.7% of all calls). All three populations had a similar percentage of calls containing vocal chaos (from 22.3% in Anyuy to 28.6% in Khekhtsir). The populations also did not differ in the percentage of two-voice calls (28.5% in Ussuriysk, 29.4% in Khekhtsir, 19.2% in Anyuy). Figure 2: Interpopulation differences in the fundamental frequency contours of red deer calls with trapezoidal (a) and descending (b) contours. The fundamental frequency contour of red deer calls from Ussuriysk is shown in red, from Khekhtsir in green, and from Anyuy in blue. Overall, the most significant differences between the three red deer populations were found in the duration of rutting calls, the maximum and highest frequencies, and the ratios of calls with trapezoidal and descending contours. Calls from the more closely located Khabar and Anyui populations differed less from each other than those from Ussuriysk. Thus, the degree of interpopulation differences in calls depended on the geographic distance between the three populations. A comparison of the rutting calls of red deer and Altai marals showed that differences between subspecies are much more pronounced than between populations within a subspecies. The maximum fundamental and peak frequencies of red deer rutting calls near the plateau of the fundamental frequency are two times lower than those of Altai marals and can serve as reliable indicators for distinguishing the rutting calls of these subspecies. This is especially important since red deer and Altai marals coexist in many areas, and in some of these areas, the subspecies status of these deer remains unknown. Knowledge of the structural features of the mating calls of red deer and maral may prove useful for census-taking in natural populations based on passive acoustic monitoring, as well as for rapid diagnostics of subspecies before conducting expensive and time-consuming genetic analyses. Figure 3: Differences in the fundamental frequency contours of the calls of red deer and maral, with trapezoidal (a) and descending (b) contours. The fundamental frequency contour of red deer calls is shown in red, while that of maral calls is shown in blue. The pink and blue shading mark the boundaries of the mean + SD and mean – SD fundamental frequency values ​​in different parts of the rutting call of red deer and marals, respectively.

Many vole species live in groups consisting of a breeding pair and several successive litters. Animals in such a large family, located within a small territory, are in constant contact with one another and communicate using ultrasound. The ultrasound calls produced by adult rodents during peaceful interactions between members of social groups have been poorly studied, compared to the ultrasounds produced in response to isolation, discomfort, sexual behavior, or same-sex contact in neutral territory. Researchers from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IEE RAS) and St. Petersburg University have developed and applied a procedure for recording ultrasounds accompanying interactions between adult voles of two species of the genus Lasiopodomys (Brandt's vole and Mandarin vole) living in social groups in a laboratory setting. Fig.1: Ultrasound spectrograms of adult individuals from 10 social groups of Brandt's voles (L. brandtii) and from 11 social groups of Mandarin voles (L. mandarinus), one ultrasonic call per group. The procedure involved moving the animals' cages to a separate room to avoid accidentally recording other animals' ultrasounds, which are inaudible to humans. Ultrasounds were recorded from the entire group, collectively, without identifying the animals individually, as ultrasonic vocalizations do not reveal mouth or nose movements, making it impossible to identify the individual vocalizer. The animals were gently disturbed by rearranging or removing their shelters, simulating the start of a routine cage cleaning. This stimulated the animals to move around the cage, interact, and emit ultrasounds. A total of 793 ultrasounds from 10 social groups of Brandt's voles and 11 groups of Mandarin voles, all consisting of adults, were included in the analysis. Fig.2. Percentage of different contour shapes, nonlinear vocal phenomena and calls with different numbers of notes in the ultrasounds of adult voles of two species. Acoustic analysis of the recorded ultrasounds allowed for interspecies comparisons across various parameters. The values ​​of all fundamental and dominant frequency parameters were significantly higher in Brandt's voles than in Mandarin voles, and the duration of ultrasounds was twice as long in Brandt's voles. However, the species did not differ in the frequency of ultrasounds with different call contour shapes, the presence of nonlinear vocal phenomena, or calls with different numbers of notes. These ultrasounds were very similar to those produced by these species when animals were isolated in unfamiliar territory. The authors believe that this procedure for recording ultrasounds during peaceful interactions within a social group may be potentially suitable for pilot and cross-species studies of ultrasounds in other captive nonlaboratory rodent species.

On May 12, 2026, before the meeting of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a ceremony was held to present Rosatom State Corporation commemorative plaques "For Participation in the Elimination of the Accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. 40 Years." RAS President and Academician Gennady Yakovlevich Krasnikov presented this award to Alexander Georgievich Viktorov, Deputy Academician-Secretary of the RAS Division of Biological Sciences, who is also a staff member of our institute. After the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on April 26, 1986, IEE RAS staff were in the accident zone within five days. In June 1986, large-scale work by institute scientists on aquatic and terrestrial radioecology began in the 30-kilometer zone around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Over the years, our institute participated in developing measures to mitigate the consequences of the Chernobyl accident. The effects of the Chernobyl radiation disaster on living organisms were studied. A number of patterns in the accumulation and redistribution of radionuclides in animals and biota as a whole have been identified. A.G. Viktorov also participated in this research. We congratulate Alexander Georgievich Viktorov on his well-deserved award!

We congratulate our colleagues on Victory Day! 81 years have passed since the day of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Year after year, the generation of people who defended our right to life and freedom and rebuilt a country devastated by war passes away. It is important to remember the heroism of these people and preserve their memory. This year, we've prepared a new piece for the website for May 9th – "Winged Soldiers. Pigeon Mail." This is material collected by our staff about how Red Army units used birds for operational communications between intelligence departments and for transmitting reports from active units. Professor A.A. Mashkovtsev's assistance in breeding homing pigeons for the Red Army's Central School of Communications, Dog Breeding, and Pigeon Breeding in 1941–1942 was a contribution by the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Animal Morphology of the USSR Academy of Sciences to the mobilization of scientific resources for the army. For more details on how this work was organized, please see the article at the link. Our website has a section with stories of Institute employees who participated in the Great Patriotic War. We have published these stories in our news articles over the past several years. You can view them all in one place at the link. There is also a section with family histories of IEE RAS employees. Happy Victory Day, dear colleagues!

On April 16, 2026, staff from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) participated as experts in the conference "Bird strike prevention" at the headquarters of the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC). The event was attended by approximately 100 aviation specialists from states party to the Agreement on Civil Aviation and the Use of Airspace, including representatives of international organizations: the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the CIS Executive Committee, and the Eurasian Economic Commission. The event was also attended by representatives of aviation administrations, airlines, airports, airfield ground services, equipment manufacturers, as well as representatives of educational institutions and staff from our Institute: - Leading Researcher of the Laboratory of Comparative Ethology and Biocommunication, Doctor of Biological Sciences Aleksey Sergeevich Opayev - Head of the Laboratory of Ecology and Behavior Management of Birds, Doctor of Biological Sciences Olga Leonidovna Silaeva - Lead Engineer of the Laboratory of Ecology and Behavior Management of Birds, Viktoria Vitalievna Kutilina. During the event, participants reviewed the requirements of international and national documents for reducing the risk of aircraft-bird strikes, modern developments in bird and wildlife repellency technologies, their application experience, and other topics. IEE RAS staff presented the following papers: - "Ways to Minimize Aircraft-Bird Strikes in the Russian Federation" (A.S. Opaev) - "Aviation Ornithology: Experience of the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences" (V.V. Kutilina) The IAC discussion forum proved an effective platform for professional dialogue. Participants not only shared experiences but also identified key challenges in preventing aircraft-bird strikes and protecting them against wildlife, outlining solutions. The conference emphasized the need for a systematic approach to providing airports with technical ornithological safety equipment, including bird monitoring systems based on radar and optoelectronic devices that can detect birds and predict their behavior. The conference, "Bird strike prevention," was held in a productive atmosphere and received high praise from participants. Experts emphasized the importance of such events and expressed their willingness to further collaborate on improving bird strike prevention measures.

Photo of a female snow leopard with cubs by: Sergei Malykh, IEE RAS The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is included in the IUCN Red List and the Red Data Books of all countries in its range, and has the highest conservation status in the Russian Red Data Book. Endemic and an umbrella species to the high-mountain ecosystems of Central Asia, this predator has faced risks for many decades from poaching and declining prey. Recently, this large and graceful cat has been increasingly threatened by habitat loss due to human activity and climate change. The snow leopard population in Russia is located at the northern edge of its range, forming a single transboundary population along with Mongolian leopards. Due to landscape and biogeographical peculiarities, the northern population is isolated from the main part of its range, communicating only marginally with populations of the Tibetan Plateau and Tien Shan through scattered island habitats in the Gobi and Dzungarian Basins. Isolation, unfavorable environmental conditions, and poaching pressure are reducing the viability of northern populations. Scientists predict that the snow leopard's range will shrink by more than 20% by 2070 due to global warming, with northern habitats being hit the hardest. Furthermore, according to modeling results, the extremely low level of genomic diversity found in snow leopards in Russia and Mongolia puts the northern population at the greatest risk of extinction. Figure: Range structure and possible corridors linking disparate snow leopard populations In light of potential negative scenarios, maintaining functional connectivity and gene flow between isolated parts of the range becomes especially important. For this reason, ecological modeling and empirical genetic data are critical for identifying migration corridors and determining the degree of population connectivity. Russian researchers from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, together with colleagues from Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China, decided to determine whether habitats in Kazakhstan serve as a "bridge" connecting snow leopards from the northern population with representatives of this species in other parts of the range. After all, the mountain ranges of Kazakhstan, located between the Tien Shan and Altai, have always been considered the main natural migration corridor for snow leopards. Figure. Study region and previously unexplored habitats. The focal area of ​​the present study is highlighted by a dotted line. To answer this question, genetic variability of mitochondrial and nuclear microsatellite markers was analyzed in snow leopard populations from the Altai-Sayan, Gobi, Dzungarian Alatau, Tien Shan, and Pamir mountains. The results confirmed the importance of the Dzungarian region in maintaining functional connectivity between isolated parts of the range: signs of genetic exchange were identified in the Mongolian Altai and Gobi mountains - possible contact zones between the major mountain ranges of the Altai and Tien Shan. However, the hypothesis that Kazakhstan serves as a primary migration route for snow leopards was refuted. The study data indicate that gene flow is most intense through the eastern spurs of the Tien Shan in Xinjiang and further on to the Gobi and Gobi-Altai. "Considering the results obtained previously for other contact zones, we concluded that the northern population's connection to the main part of its range relies on several narrow corridors, migrations through which are supported by the snow leopard's ability to cover large distances even through unsuitable landscapes. Given the importance of the Dzungarian region for range-wide genetic exchange, we recommend paying close attention to the protection of snow leopard island habitats in both Kazakhstan and Xinjiang, China. Preserving such 'transit' zones will support genetic exchange between dispersed areas of the range and will be an important contribution to the stability of not only the snow leopard but also its prey populations," said Miroslav Korablyov, PhD, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences. Figure: Results of microsatellite loci analysis and comparison with the results of migration corridor modeling The study was published in the journal Mammalian Biology: Miroslav P. Korablev, Alexey A. Grachev, Andrey D. Poyarkov, Saltore K. Saparbayev, Jose A. Hernandez-Blanco, Sergey V. Bespalov, Maxim V. Bespalov, Yerlik R. Baidavletov, Dmitry Yu. Alexandrov, Alexander S. Karnaukhov, Sergey V. Malykh, Bariushaa Munkhtsog, Munkhtsog Bayaraa, and Viatcheslav V. Rozhnov. Evaluating snow leopard population connectivity: is Kazakhstan a bridge for gene flow between the northern and southwestern range?. Mamm Biol 106, 75–88 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-025-00531-w

A team from the A. N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) working on the restoration of the Persian leopard in the Central Caucasus has mastered advanced photomonitoring methods and is beginning work on their part of the project "Formation of a National Photomonitoring Network in Protected Areas of Russia." IEE RAS staff involved in the project to restore the Persian leopard in the Central Caucasus participated in the Third "Protected Area Camera Trap 2026" workshop. The event, held in April 2026 at the Central Forest State Nature Biosphere Reserve (CFSNBR), focused on in-depth work with camera traps, data analysis, and preparations for the deployment of a large-scale monitoring network in European Russia, including the Chechen Republic. The Institute's team's primary goal in participating in the seminar was to master the CAMMON (CAMtrap MONitoring) program standards. This knowledge is critical for the effective organization of a photo-monitoring network of 60 camera traps in the Chechen Republic. Such a network will enable the creation of an effective system for monitoring large mammals—both potential prey of the leopard and its competitors. Furthermore, working with a unified CAMMON methodology will enable the collected data to be used in another, larger-scale project - as part of the first national Wildlife Photo-Monitoring Network in Russia's protected areas. This will subsequently enable meta-analysis and comparison of results with other areas, which is crucial for the conservation of biodiversity and the environmental and intellectual security of our country. Over the course of six days, scientists mastered both the theory and practice of modern photomonitoring. The program included the following key topics: Animal population estimation: Participants learned to calculate population densities of unrecognizable species using the random encounter model (REM) and time-to-event model (TTE) methods, and for individually recognizable species (e.g., tigers) using SECR analysis in R. Network design and GIS: Participants were shown how to create photomonitoring networks in QGIS, from simple options to automatic location generation taking into account various constraints. Camera calibration and data processing: As part of the REM method's development, master classes were held on calibrating locations using a calibration pole, constructing their photogrammetric models in AnimalTracker, and processing images in Timelapse (taking into account the tagging features for REM). Data analysis in the R environment: Scripts for REM, single-season population analysis (using the Far Eastern wildcat as an example), and the capabilities of the CAMMON core module for calculating abundance indices, species diversity, daily and seasonal activity, and assessing human impact on mammals were covered in detail. Individual recognition: Participants learned how to identify tigers and leopards in ExtractCompare and were introduced to the capabilities of HotSpotter for recognizing lynxes and Caucasian wildcats. All IEE RAS staff members successfully completed their training, received certificates, and acquired the extensive practical knowledge necessary to implement this ambitious project. The equipment that the scientists will use in Chechnya was obtained with the support of two foundations: 40 cameras were acquired in 2026 thanks to IEE RAS's participation in the creation of the first national photomonitoring network (a project of the Central Forest Reserve) using a grant from the Presidential Fund for Nature. Twenty cameras were installed earlier, in 2024, with support from the Nature and People Foundation. They have now been in operation for a year, having been removed and prepared for the 2026-2027 season. The collected data will be used in two key areas. As part of the Central Forest Reserve project, the Chechen Republic's model territory will be integrated into the first national photo-monitoring network for protected areas in Russia. Under the Persian Leopard Recovery Program in the Russian Caucasus, regular monitoring of fauna will be conducted in areas frequented by wild and released leopards. As the expedition participants noted, the Institute has three noble goals: Establishing a monitoring network in the Caucasus comparable to that in the Far East, which will allow for a comprehensive study of the status of leopards and related species.Developing and testing a specialized module of the CAMMON Photo Monitoring Program, adapted specifically for mountainous areas, taking into account the complex terrain and habitat distribution of animals.Restoring the status of a federal specially protected natural area (SPNA) to the former Sovetsky Sanctuary in the Chechen Republic, where scientists are currently working. This area is a vital ecological corridor for Persian leopards and many other animal species, so it is crucial to restore the SPNA status of this region of mountain broadleaf forests. For reference: The Persian leopard recovery program in the Caucasus has been implemented by the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment with the scientific support of the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences since 2007, with the participation of Sochi National Park, the Caucasus Nature Reserve, the Institute of Ecology and Geophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Far Eastern Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Zapovednaya Alania National Park, the Turmonsky Nature Reserve, and the Berkut State Budgetary Institution; the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania; the Nature and People Foundation; and the Moscow Zoo, with the assistance of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). Additional information: https://zapcamtrap.ru/tpost/xmnadds351-nachalas-tretya-shkola-seminar-zapovedna https://zapcamtrap.ru/tpost/tfl1f9fr31-vtoroi-den-shkoli-seminara-zapovednaya-f https://zapcamtrap.ru/tpost/j3rj1ldef1-tretii-den-shkoli-seminara-zapovednaya-f https://zapcamtrap.ru/tpost/g8hpofths1-chetvertii-den-shkoli-seminara-zapovednahttps://zapcamtrap.ru/tpost/ilcjmo44o1-pyatii-den-shkoli-seminara-zapovednaya-fhttps://zapcamtrap.ru/tpost/18k348vc91-zavershilas-tretya-shkola-seminar-zapove

Sea otters. Photo by: Alexey Perelygin The first sea otter study expedition of the year has begun in the waters of the Southern Kuril Islands. This species is listed in the Russian Red Book as a "rare species" - its population in Russia is declining. The expedition was organized by the Nature and People Foundation in collaboration with the Kurilsky Nature Reserve. The goal of the fieldwork was to collect data on the sea otter population in the Southern Kuril Islands to develop conservation measures. The expedition departed from Yuzhno-Kurilsk, and the team included staff from the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences and rangers from the Kurilsky Nature Reserve. Photo by: Alexey Perelygin Sea otters play a vital role in the ecosystems of the North Pacific Ocean. Observations over the past five years have documented population declines across almost their entire range. The Southern Kuril Islands remain a region where the population is reportedly growing. "The lack of systematic research has long prevented us from reliably confirming the status of the population in the Southern Kuril Islands, particularly in the Lesser Kuril Ridge. Therefore, the main task is to verify its status and understand how sea otters are actually faring in this region," noted expedition leader Svetlana Artemyeva, a researcher at the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences. "We hope the weather will be favorable. Dense fog makes the Southern Kuril Islands very challenging to navigate at virtually any time of year." This work will be the first to study the distribution of sea otters in the waters of the Lesser Kuril Ridge. The census will be conducted using a standardized methodology. The data obtained will form the basis of an action plan to conserve the species both in the Kuril Islands and throughout its entire range. Sea otter mother with a pup on her chest Author of the photo: Alexey Perelygin The expedition is being carried out by the Nature and People Foundation in collaboration with the Kurilsky Nature Reserve with the support of RWB (United Company Wildberries & Russ) and Kaspersky Lab. Interesting facts about sea otters The sea otter has the densest fur of any mammal—up to 140,000 hairs per square centimeter of skin. This allows it to retain heat in cold water without a thick layer of subcutaneous fat.Sea otters are one of the few marine animals that regularly use tools. They break sea urchin shells and mollusc shells against rocks, often carrying them in a special fold of skin under their paw.To prevent currents from carrying them out to sea while resting, sea otters drift among the long stems of kelp (kelp). This is how otters anchor themselves in one place. The project includes several stages. A second expedition is planned for August. By the end of the year, specialists from the Nature and People Foundation intend to prepare information on the population status and proposals for further monitoring. These materials will be submitted to the sea otter working group and will help formulate recommendations for nature management that take the interests of the animals into account. Related materials: Zen: "IEE RAS scientists went to the Kuril Islands to count endangered sea otters" Regions: "IEE RAS scientists invited to the Kuril Islands to count sea otters" Kurilsky: "Preliminary results of the sea otter census expedition"