Advances In Amphibian Research In The Former Soviet Union

A fundamental review of the 11 species of amphibians (2 Caudata and 9 Anura) of the Russian Far East, within Primorye and Khabarovskii regions, Amurskaya, Chitinskaya, Magadanskaya, Kamchatskaya and Sakhalinskaya provinces, Evreiskaya Autonomous Province, as well as Aginskii Buryatskii, Chukotskii and Koryakskii autonomous regions. All species and their habitats are illustrated in color and supplied with maps of records for each region, with full cadastra. Each species supplied with full list of synonyms and a detailed description of the morphology, geography, habitats, abundance, activity cycles, reproduction, ontogenesis, feeding natural enemies and parasites, the influence of anthropogenic factors and problems of conservation. A detailed history of amphibian studies, including the description of traditional views of aboriginal people is presented. Keys are given to eggs, the larvae and the adults of all amphibian species. Composition and history of the amphibian fauna, including the discussion on possible pathways of colonization of Pacific islands, are discussed. Full bibliography includes 842 references.

"Studies in amphibians, started long ago in the Russian Empire and especially strongly developed in the former Soviet Union (FSU), are now being continued. Without any political background whatever, a new periodical is launched, aimed at covering all aspects of batrachology concerning the territory of the FSU, but this time published solely in English so as to make information readily available to any reader."