Photo source: Press services of the Department of Environmental Management and Protection The Moscow Department of Environmental Management and Protection continues its collaboration with scientists to study the capital's flora and fauna. Researchers from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) examined a long-standing beaver colony on the Aleshinka River in Novo-Peredelkino. The presence of beaver dams, fresh wood gnaws, and characteristic tracks confirmed that beavers continue to inhabit this area and produce offspring. Studying the coastal vegetation will allow us to assess the prey base of these animals and predict their future plans: whether to remain in their current habitat or seek new, more plentiful locations. Photo source: Press services of the Department of Environmental Management and Protection The data obtained will be supplemented in the future with information on beaver colonies in other areas of Moscow. This will provide insight into whether the animals have the space and opportunity to expand their habitats, potentially leading to the emergence of new beaver colonies. Scientists will be able to recommend when food resources should be increased, when young shrubs should be planted along riverbanks to encourage beavers to remain in one location, and where valuable mature trees should be protected from beavers if they decide to settle in a new area. During their survey, the scientists shared several little-known facts about beavers, which allow for a better understanding of their biology and role in the ecosystem and answer a number of questions. Photo source: Press services of the Department of Environmental Management and Protection Why do beavers build dams? Beavers are known for their construction skills—they can construct dams from tree branches and soil, creating ponds. But why do they do this? It turns out that beavers need to maintain a certain water level so that the entrances to their burrows and lodges remain underwater, hidden from predators. They also need to preserve a supply of twig food for the winter. This food is hidden on the bottom, in unfrozen water, which also requires a constant water level in that area. How are the beavers useful, and to whom? Beavers transform the landscape of their habitats and enrich the ecosystem. They have long since taken a liking to Aleshinka, constructing dams and creating a unique natural atmosphere. The riverbed is dammed in several places, tree branches peeking out from the water, creating a landscape unlike the city's usual green spaces. "The work of these 'water engineers' lends the area a unique beauty. Clearings, known as beaver windows, form in the thicket of trees, allowing more sunlight to enter, allowing grasses to grow and become more diverse. A beaver landscape is not only made up of fallen trees but also new shallows, pools, and thickets. People are primarily concerned with the trees, but in the wild, fallen trees provide both food and shelter for many living organisms. Elk also flock to fallen aspen trees in areas where they live. Like beavers, elk love aspen and happily gnaw the bark from the trunks. Birds flock to the emerging insects. Amphibians and rodents can overwinter under the trees. Favorable conditions are created for the local ecosystem to enhance its diversity," says Ivan Bashinsky, a senior researcher at IEE RAS. Knowing about beavers' ability to transform the natural environment around them, making it more vibrant and diverse, international practice involves deliberately introducing these animals to "revitalize" a natural area and restore the wetland ecosystem. Photo source: Press services of the Department of Environmental Management and Protection Were there always beavers in Moscow? “There have been no beavers in the Moscow region for over 300 years. The last beavers disappeared in the 17th century, as they were a key hunting resource”, recalled Ivan Bashinsky. The wealth of landowners' estates was measured by beaver numbers, but they gradually disappeared due to intensive hunting. Their population began to be revived in the early 20th century, when nature reserves were established to restore the game animals. Nine beavers were brought to the Moscow region from one of these reserves, the Voronezh Nature Reserve, in the 1940s, followed by several more releases. By the early 21st century, they had multiplied and spread throughout the region, reaching the capital and establishing themselves within the city limits. Today, Moscow beavers inhabit, among other places, the Setun River, the Yauza River, Losiny Ostrov National Park, the Skhodnya River valley, the Chermyanka River, Strogino, Serebryany Bor, Brateevo, Ostankino, and the Zelenogradsky Integrated Nature Reserve—and that's not even the most detailed list of habitats. How do you count beavers? Usually, only one family lives in a single location, so researchers can determine with relative accuracy how many individuals live in a single beaver colony. There are beaver kits in the Novo-Peredelkino colony—scientists recorded their tracks during a survey of the riverbank. This means there's an adult female and male, and they usually have two grown-up kits from the previous year and two more born this year. Therefore, at least six beavers are registered on the river near the famous writers' dachas. Once they grow up, the young beavers will go in search of new places, and the next generation will be born to replace them, so six beavers is the classic family composition of a "river engineer." How can we learn their plans and what for? Beavers feel quite comfortable in Moscow's green spaces. The main task of mature individuals is to find a new place for themselves, separating from their parents. They set out in search of wild shorelines where they can build dens and settle down. And here, in addition to the availability of a clear shoreline, the main question arises: is there enough food nearby? If all factors are in place—a suitable shoreline and plenty of food—the beaver will establish a new settlement. Sufficient food is equally important for the parental home, where the family continues to live and where the young beavers will be born in the spring. “Evaluating the food supply is the work of specialists—geobotanists and hydrobotanists”, explains Elena Katsman, a senior researcher at the Laboratory of Ecology of Aquatic Communities and Invasions at IEE RAS. Her task is to explore the beaver habitat in Novo-Peredelkino, record the aquatic plants present, and estimate the amount of wood available for beaver food. During a survey of the banks, scientists discovered that reeds, cattails, and meadowsweet grow in the Alyoshinka floodplain. Beavers consume these in large quantities, especially in the spring and summer, when they are "feasting on the greens" after a long winter. They also stockpile willow and aspen for the winter. Elena Katsman explained that these woody plants quickly regrow from the roots. Anything a beaver gnaws will regenerate within a few years. This is important for beaver families, which can migrate through several locations over the course of several years and then return to their original home. Such research is important for the city to understand the overall development of the beaver population. Based on the scientific data, it is possible to predict their geographic distribution. In some cases, it will be necessary to support the beavers to remain within their home range by planting young trees, while in other cases, it may be necessary to protect mature trees from becoming their food sources. The main thing is for the ecosystem in the city to be stable and favorable for the development of species and for human habitation. Photo source: Press services of the Department of Environmental Management and Protection Related materials: Rambler: "How beavers were counted in Novo-Peredelkino"  

Photo: General view of Niphargus primoricus Marin & Palatov, 2025. Researchers at the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IEE RAS) have described a new amphipod species of the genus Niphargus Schiödte, 1849 — Niphargus primoricus Marin & Palatov, 2025. This species inhabits the deep layers of pebble beaches (stygobiotic) in the Northern Black Sea region. This discovery indicates a previously undescribed habitat type for representatives of this genus and expands our understanding of the diversity of organisms inhabiting coastal pebble ecosystems, where highly specialized amphipod taxa have previously been described. During studies of the deep layers of pebble beaches along the northern coast of the Black Sea, where endemic gammarids — Dursogammarus dromaderus Marin & Palatov, 2022 and Litorogammarus dursi Marin, Palatov & Copilaş-Ciocianu, 2023 (Amphipoda: Gammaridae) — were previously discovered and described, individuals of the genus Niphargus were also identified, which turned out to be a species new to science. Like these gammarids, the new species Niphargus primoricus is found in freshwater springs located deep in coastal pebbles and exhibits a pronounced stygomorphic morphology (reduced eyes, lack of pigmentation, etc.). Comprehensive surveys of the upper reaches of rivers, coastal springs, and marine biotopes at the sites of discoveries did not reveal the presence of this species outside the biotopes of pebble beaches, which allows us to speak with a high degree of confidence about its confinement to deep freshwater ecosystems, such as springs, streams, and small coastal rivers hidden under coastal pebbles. Of particular interest is the wide geographic distribution of N. primoricus — the species' range extends nearly 190 km along the Black Sea coast—while individuals from distant locations exhibit extremely low levels of genetic divergence. These values ​​are even significantly lower than those of other Ponto-Caspian and Caucasian amphipods with comparable ranges. At the same time, phylogenetically, N. primoricus belongs to a clade of stygobiontic species characterized by very narrow ranges (endemics), which is typical of most representatives of the genus Niphargus. Similar distribution patterns, for example, are observed in some epigeic (living in surface groundwater bodies) Niphargus species, such as N. hrabei S. Karaman, 1932, N. valachicus Dobreanu & Manolache, 1933, and N. potamophilus Birstein, 1954, known from large river valleys (e.g., the Kuban River delta) and coastal areas of the Black Sea. One of the Caucasian species, N. bzhidik Marin, Krylenko & Palatov, 2021, also exhibits dispersal across the drainage basins of several neighboring mountain rivers (Pshada, Vulan, Teshebs, Bzhid), flowing into the Black Sea near Tuapse. All of these species are characterized by low genetic divergence between isolated populations. It should be noted that, despite its geographical similarities to epigeic species, N. primoricus differs from them in its lifestyle and morphological features. It is completely stygomorphic: it lacks eyes, but has small pigmented yellow spots on its head (presumably photosensitive), and inhabits exclusively the deep freshwater layers of pebble beaches, not being active on the surface. In contrast, epigeic forms typically retain pigmentation and eyes and are associated with surface water bodies, not adapting to life in groundwater. One possible explanation for the widespread distribution of N. primoricus, despite its stygobiotic lifestyle, is its dispersal in the ancient Pontic freshwater sea, which existed approximately 9,000–7,000 years ago. During this period, the waters of the modern Black and Azov seas, as well as the mouths of major rivers (the Dnieper, Dniester, Danube, and Don), constituted a vast freshwater lake, isolated from the World Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The area was later flooded with saltwater, but stygobiotic taxa could have persisted in deep-sea freshwater coastal refugia. Thus, the discovery of N. primoricus in the pebble beaches of the Northern Black Sea region significantly contributes to our understanding of the phylogeography of the genus Niphargus in the Ponto-Caspian region. The results of this study highlight the importance of comprehensive studies of coastal groundwater bodies as repositories of undescribed biodiversity. Further research into the ecology and distribution of N. primoricus will provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of adaptation and evolution of amphipods in unique transitional ecosystems of marine and freshwater origin. The results also highlight the role of pebble beaches and coastal areas of the Black Sea and the Ciscaucasus as key refugia for endemic subterranean fauna. The article was published in the journal ZooKeys: Niphargus Schiödte, 1849 (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Niphargidae) is a new component of the biotic community in the deep pebble beach habitats of the northern Black Sea region. Ivan N. Marin, Dmitry M. Palatov, ZooKeys 1254: 283-311. Related materials: EcoSever: "A new species of crustacean was discovered in the Black Sea, hiding under coastal pebbles." Science.Mail: "A new species of crustacean was discovered in the Black Sea."

Photo 1. Springtail Parisotoma notabilis. Photo by R. A. Saifutdinov Many soil animals, superficially similar, actually belong to different species. These so-called cryptic or "hidden" species play an important role in soil functioning but remain undetected by traditional research methods. Scientists from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) analyzed over 300 studies and proposed approaches that allow for more accurate identification of this "hidden" soil biodiversity. The problem of assessing the contribution of cryptic species to overall soil biodiversity remains unresolved for most soil animal taxa. Given that new mesofauna species are described almost daily, the likelihood of discovering "hidden" species is increasing. This is especially true for springtails, oribatid mites, and enchytraeids, which perform key ecological functions, from maintaining fertility of the soil and nutrient cycling to stabilizing the climate. Identification of cryptic species is necessary to understand the mechanisms of soil ecosystem stability and predict their response to climate change and anthropogenic impacts. Photo 2. Enchytraeid Fridericia sp. Photo by: M. I. Degtyarev "Our review shows that the apparent uniformity of soil organisms conceals a vast, undescribed biodiversity," says Margarita Danilova, lead author of the study and a junior researcher at the Laboratory for the Study of Ecological Functions of Soils at IEE RAS. "Ignoring cryptic species can seriously distort our understanding of soil function and its role in ecosystems." These results are important for the development of soil zoology and ecology: identifying cryptic species helps accurately assess the biodiversity and functional capacity of soil biota. This, in turn, is essential for predicting ecosystem resilience and effectively managing natural resources. "Identifying and recording cryptic species opens a new direction in soil biota research," emphasizes Andrey Zaitsev, PhD (Geography), project leader and leading researcher at the Laboratory for the Study of Ecological Functions of Soils at IEE RAS. "We plan to further study how cryptic diversity is related to the ecological functions of the soil and whether it can increase its resilience to climate change, degradation, and increasing anthropogenic pressure." This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (project no. 23-14-00201). The results of this study were published in the journal Methods in Ecology and Evolution. Danilova, M. A., Zvychaynaya, E. Y., Guseva, P. A., & Zaitsev, A. S. (2025). Investigating soil mesofauna cryptic diversity: Current challenges and perspectives. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 16, 1587–1598.

In the first half of September 2025, a working trip by staff from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) to the People's Republic of China took place. The trip included two key areas. The first was participation in the First Russian-Chinese International Symposium on Biodiversity Science and Conservation, which took place September 3–5 at Northeast Forestry University (Harbin). Russian Academy of Sciences Academician V.V. Rozhnov delivered a plenary report on leopard conservation efforts in Russia. I.P. Kotlov and A.A. Yachmennikova, who also moderated the session, presented at the biodiversity conservation session. The second objective was to organize a unique scientific experiment to study Amur tiger sleep. The work was conducted through collaboration between the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Northeast Forestry University (NEFU) at a joint Russian-Chinese laboratory established in March 2024. During the experiment, researchers O.I. Lyamin and E.A. Nazarenko installed three high-resolution cameras for continuous, round-the-clock monitoring of a tigress and her litter of five cubs at Hengdaohezi Tiger Park (a branch of the Siberian Tiger Rescue Center). The goal of the study was to describe all the nuances of Amur tiger sleep patterns using a number of behavioral criteria. Over several days of continuous recording, unique video footage was collected. Its analysis will allow for the first detailed study of the sleep patterns of this species and comparison with data on small cats. The trip also included working meetings with colleagues from the Institute of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Sciences, where further steps for cooperation were agreed upon. Professor O.I. Lyamin gave a lecture to Chinese colleagues from the Russian-Chinese laboratory of the IEE-NEFU. The trip strengthened scientific ties between Russian and Chinese researchers and opened new prospects for joint projects in the field of biodiversity study and conservation.

N.Yu. Feoktistova and A.V. Surov from IEE RAS and Lyn Hinds, Chairman of the Conference Organizing Committee From September 1st to 5th, the 8th International Conference on Rodent Biology and Pest Management was held in Canberra, Australia's capital. Canberra's main attraction is the surrounding green belt of nature reserves, home to a wide variety of native flora and fauna. Canberra is currently awash in spring greenery, with fragrant mimosas, banksias, and other Proteaceae. Plum, cherry, and apple trees, though not native, are adorned with white and pink blossoms. Its streets resound with the loud cries of parrots—from giant white cockatoos to smaller, but very brightly colored rosellas. It is parrots, not the ubiquitous urban pigeons, that make up the majority of the city's birds, joyfully battling over slices of pizza at cafe tables. Canberra is one of the most environmentally friendly cities on Earth. This is one of the reasons why the Rodent Biology and Pest Management Conference is being held in this city for the second time. Photo: N.Yu. Feoktistova near a blooming banksia The conference was attended by 110 researchers from 26 countries, representing six continents. In addition to European countries, the United States, and Canada, researchers from China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, and Taiwan also participated. Two researchers from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) participated in the conference: RAS Corresponding Member and Deputy Director for Research Alexey Vasilyevich Surov and the Institute's Scientific Secretary, Doctor of Biological Sciences Natalya Yuryevna Feoktistova. Photo: A yellow-crested cockatoo on a lawn in Canberra The conference focused on zoonotic infections. However, many papers were devoted to the undeniably relevant concept of "One Health." Furthermore, considerable attention was paid to the conservation of rare rodent species, or those species that have become rare over the past 50 years as a result of particularly severe anthropogenic stress. The conference was held in a very pleasant and friendly atmosphere. Participants listened to nine plenary presentations, covering both pressing rodent control issues and interesting aspects of rodent biology and the conservation of a number of endangered species. Sixty-seven oral presentations were held across eight sections: population management of overexploited rodent species, human and wildlife diseases, modern technologies, evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology and physiology of rodents, and the ecology and conservation of rare species. Photo: V. Surov feeds pigeons in Sydney in order to record the frequency of occurrence of different morphs IEE RAS staff presented their papers at the "Evolutionary Biology" section. Alexey Vasilyevich presented a paper on "Genetic Structure of a Semicomensal Rodent Species in an Urbanized Area (using the Common Hamster as an Example)." Natalya Yuryevna continued this theme with a paper on "Genetic Structure and Parasite Load in the Field Mouse (Apodemus agrarius) in a Megacity." Both papers generated considerable interest and discussion, as they examined the survival characteristics of animals in urban environments, including the conservation of rare species in urban communities. During the conference, participants were shown one of the national parks located in close proximity to the city. There, they were able to observe various species of kangaroos and wallabies and encounter clumsy but very cute echidnas, which are currently actively searching for breeding partners. At the conclusion of the conference, it was announced that the next event is planned to be held in four years in Brazil.

Photo 1: A general photo of the conference in front of the museum building On September 17, 2025, an international conference dedicated to the 55th anniversary of the joint Russian-Mongolian Integrated Biological Expedition of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Sciences of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The conference was held in the hall of the National Genghis Khan Museum, which opened in 2022 in Ulaanbaatar. The conference was opened by Academician Demberel Sodnomsambuu, President of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, who noted the significance of this event for the scientific communities of both countries. In fact, this is one of the oldest international expeditions operating continuously. The opening ceremony included welcoming remarks from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Economy and Development of Mongolia, and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Mongolia. Photo 2: At the Joint Integrated Biological Expedition Base in Mongolia Over 100 researchers from both Mongolia and Russia participated in the anniversary events. Conference participants heard three plenary presentations on the main results of the botanical-ecological, zoological, multidisciplinary, and applied research conducted over the past five years by the Russian-Mongolian Biological Expedition. In addition, 23 oral presentations were made, covering all areas of the expedition's work. Plans for potential future research in Mongolia were also discussed. Following the fruitful work, an awards ceremony was held for the most active expedition participants, and proposals for the conference resolution were submitted. The resolution was finally formulated by September 20, when a personal meeting was held at the Russian-Mongolian Integrated Biological Expedition of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Sciences of Mongolia between Academician D. Sodnomsambuu, President of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, and the Director of the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences S.V. Naidenko and scientific director of the expedition, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences V.V. Rozhnov. Photo 3: Celebration of the expedition's anniversary in the museum hall

Photos by: Denis Vasenkov Mammals in central Russia are primarily active at night. Even those that emerge to feed during the day begin to roam longer and further as darkness approaches. This is why mammalogists at the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) conduct not only daytime but also nighttime observations in Losiny Ostrov. During one such study, zoologists managed to photograph a fox cub. The fox was completely unafraid of people, as if specifically out for a casting call. Foxes are a common animal in Losiny Ostrov. According to censuses conducted last winter based on tracks in the snow, their numbers are second only to squirrels. Fox cubs are usually born in mid-spring, and the mother nurses her cubs for about six weeks. A fox cub posing like this can be considered an adolescent, capable of living independently. The fox is the largest predator in Losiny Ostrov. Large, intact forests can harbor predators larger than the fox, but within the city, an encounter with such a large predator is a unique and often dangerous event. Without predators, forest communities are incomplete, so the fox plays a significant ecological role in the urban forest. Photos by: Denis Vasenkov The fox's main food source is small rodents. This year, there are plenty of them. Scientists have found that the most common rodent in our forests, the bank vole, began breeding in the winter of this frost-free year. This is unusual for the Moscow region, and is followed by a high rodent population, which is favorable not only for predatory animals but also for birds of prey. Another behavior characteristic of foxes - they are not intimidated by the presence of humans and are often found in populated areas, including large cities like Moscow. While in rural areas, as we know from fairy tales, foxes hunted chickens, in cities they often find food in garbage dumps, as this predator's diet is extremely broad and not limited to rodents. Foxes are easily tamed by humans, and long-term experiments in their domestication are known. But if you encounter a fox, don't try to feed or pet it. This could be dangerous. The predator could bite, and along with the bite, transmit one of the diseases that can develop in their populations. Simply take a photo, walk away quietly, and continue on your way.

Photo source: Poisk newspaper Who would have thought that a common field mouse, sometimes seen in city parks, could tell a true detective story about life in the big city? Scientists from the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences conducted a genetic study to determine how Moscow influences the populations of these animals. The results were unexpected and very important not only for biologists but for all city residents. The field mouse isn't a permanent resident of human homes like the brown rat, but it thrives in the city's green spaces: parks, gardens, and forest parks. Scientists studied the DNA of mice from five Moscow parks—from the central Neskuchny Garden to more peripheral ones, such as Bitsevsky Forest Park—and compared them with their counterparts in the Moscow region. It turned out that life in the big city leaves its mark on the mice's genetic makeup. The population from Neskuchny Garden turned out to be the most unique and at the same time the most isolated. This park, although centrally located, is surrounded by dense construction and highways, creating a kind of "island" for the mice. Their genetic diversity is lower than that of their neighbors from other areas. This is similar to the situation where a small group of people lives isolated from others for a long time—their gene pool becomes unique. Mice from large parks on the outskirts of the city, such as Bitsevsky Forest Park, showed the greatest genetic diversity. This suggests that they maintain connections with other populations, possibly moving along "green corridors." The most interesting thing is that the pattern revealed by "neutral" genes (those that do not influence survival) differs from that demonstrated by genes responsible for immunity. This means that the urban environment is not just a barrier, but a powerful evolutionary factor that forces species to adapt. Mice in Moscow not only survive, but actively adapt to new conditions: high-calorie food from garbage bins, the warmth of the urban environment, and, likely, new diseases. And here we come to the most important point. The field mouse is not just a harmless animal. It carries several diseases dangerous to humans, such as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, leptospirosis, and tularemia. Therefore, understanding how urban field mouse populations live and develop is a matter of our safety. The study showed that the situation with field mice in Moscow is, fortunately, closer to the "urban facilitation" model, where populations maintain contact with one another, rather than complete isolation and decline. But this is no reason to relax. Scientists insist on the need for constant monitoring of these rodents. After all, the more we know about our small neighbors, the better we can manage risks and maintain ecological balance in this vast city. So next time you're walking through the park and spot a field mouse, know this: you're not just seeing a rodent, but a true city dweller whose genetic history can reveal much about Moscow's past, present, and future. The study was published in the Russian Journal of Biological Invasions. Related materials: EcoPortal: "Mouse Genome: How City Life Changes Rodents' DNA"   ProZhukovsky: "Mouse Genome: Scientists Find Differences Between City and Regional Environments"

Photo © IEE RAS Another expedition to study bowhead whales, organized with the support of the Nature and People Foundation, has successfully concluded. Scientists from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) studied the prey of these marine giants, expanded the photographic catalog of individuals, and collected more than ten biopsy samples for genetic analysis. The information obtained will not only help better assess the population's status but will also be useful in developing comprehensive recommendations for the conservation of this unique species. The scientists spent more than a month on the coast of Ulban Bay in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. The scientific team arrived there from Nikolaya Bay, where, during another expedition, they tested a new, unique method for attaching satellite tags to whales using a drone for the first time in Russia. Photo © IEE RAS Despite challenging weather conditions—the bay was heavily stormy and frequently foggy this year—specialists managed to collect 56 zooplankton samples. These data will allow researchers to continue studying the prey base of bowhead whales in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and assess the extent to which whale distribution depends on the presence, composition, and size of zooplankton communities. A total of 30 bowhead whales were encountered during the expedition. Scientists say this is a small number compared to previous years, and note the animals' unusual distribution—at greater depths midway between the shores, rather than at the head of the bay. Conducting research here is more challenging, but they were nevertheless able to collect 11 biopsy samples, most of which were from whales they hadn’t encountered before. Over 3 hours of video footage was captured during the expedition. 85 video files were suitable for subsequent photo-identification, photogrammetry, and behavioral analysis of the bowhead whales. "We also spotted an unusually large number of killer whales this year. Groups and families with calves repeatedly visited the bay, so we were able to work with these animals as well," says Danila Skorobogatov, a researcher at the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences. "We managed to obtain photo IDs for eight individuals, and we even managed to take a biopsy sample from one young killer whale (presumably a male)." Photo © Yulia Vyatkina The field season has ended, but the scientists' work continues. This winter, they will analyze the collected biological materials and monitoring data, and expand the photo, video, and genetic catalogs of the whales encountered. "We see that the Nature and People Foundation's project to conserve and study the whales of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk is steadily progressing and systematically moving toward its goal. This was made possible thanks to the assistance and participation of many organizations and our supporters, for which we would like to thank them once again," notes Irina Onufrenya, Head of the Nature and People Foundation's Wildlife Conservation Program. "I hope next year will be no exception—the scientists still have a large amount of data to process, and we are already planning new expeditions and research."

On September 19, in the Uzkoye district, near Profsoyuznaya Street, the fencing work was carried out by Stroitelny Trest-12, a company that carries out repairs on the street. The installation of the fencing was supervised by myrmecologist Danila Nikolaevich Goryunov from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) and Nadezhda Andreyevna Smirnova, a representative of the Moscow Department of Nature Management and Environmental Protection. These anthills are a unique example of how even in a huge metropolis, next to a major highway, vulnerable species can be preserved with careful management. Ants have lived here since the 1960s, and possibly even earlier. Red wood ants are key forest health workers, controlling pest populations. However, within the Moscow Ring Road, they have almost completely disappeared and are listed in the Moscow Red Book under the highest category of rarity (1), and for the New Moscow Administrative Okrug, they are listed as 2. This year, the ants were attacked by vandals. Whole nests were destroyed, leaving populations in danger of dying out. Fences around the largest and most visible nests will protect the most vulnerable areas with high ant density, where most ants are killed by passersby. Fencing and explanatory signs will show forest visitors that ants are very important and are under state protection. Photo by N.A. Smirnova