Andrei V . Zinoviev

Here we discuss the main stages in the study of the morphology of the avian hind limbs as an example of the historical development of morphological studies in biology: from illustrations at the level of a work of art, through the collection of anatomical material and its functional interpretation to the reconstruction of hypothetical and real forms. We provide a synopsis of original studies, describing the stages in the evolution of jacanas and trogons, as well as the key locomotor adaptation of passerine birds. Reconstructions of the soft tissues and ligaments of the hind limbs of the Hesperornis, moa, and Haast’s eagle make it possible to judge the peculiarities of locomotion in extinct species

This is the second article of the series with the analysis of all known to-date data on the dental health of the historical adult
population of Tver (12th-19th centuries, European Russia). Report 2 covers the antemortem tooth loss. Analysis is based on 1007 individuals (619 males and 388 females). All the groups ranging from the 12th to 19th centuries show high frequency of AMTL in both men and women. The percentage of AMTL in both genders increase to the 19th century due to the higher caries rated probably because of the better accessibility of simple sugars.

Although wolves, dogs and their hybrids can be discerned by genetic analysis, the study of morphology-morphometry to discern the three groups remains important as genetic analysis is not always possible or too expensive. In this study we aim to differentiate the three subgroups by analyzing two morphometric and ten morphological characteristics in 329 canid skulls. After morphometric-morphologic allocation, we applied genetic analysis on 108 skulls based on 11 autosomal microsatellites to verify the morphometric-morphologic results. In 30 specimens genetic tests were unsuccessful. In addition, 23 samples from wolves (14 skins and 9 muscle samples) as well as 32 samples from modern dogs (8 hair and 24 blood samples) were used as reference data in the genetic analysis. Based on morphology-morphometry we diagnosed 322 wolves, four dogs and three hybrids. Genetic testing was done on 78 specimens: one presumed dog, three presumed hybrids and 74 of the wolves, as diagnosed morphologically before. All, but one, morphologically diagnosed wolves, were confirmed as being wolves genetically. That one was identified a hybrid genetically. From the four morphological dogs one was confirmed genetically, the other three had failed genetic tests. Of the three morphological hybrids one was genetically a dog. The results of this study indicate the absence of reliable morphological criteria for identifying skulls of hybrids, which is a consequence of the high morphological variability in dogs and wolves. However, the use of morphometric and morphological characteristics, helps to narrow the numbers of skulls that require genetic analysis for more precise identification

The paper examines leather straps associated with avian bones from archaeological excavations in Medieval Russia. These leather straps, found attached to the tarsometatarsi of hunting birds, such as gyrfalcon, peregrine falcon, goshawk and sparrowhawk, constitute components of falconry equipment. A leather strap, secured on the tarsometatarsus of a buzzard, indicates the use of this bird as a decoy during the training of hunting birds. The same is true for the crane and little owl. The loss of other bones of the avian skeletons during the excavation process often leads to the erroneous interpretation of the leather straps with avian tarsometatarsi as amulets.

175 metapodials (MP) of Pleistocene and early Holocene bison (Bison priscus Boj.) from the vast area of NE Russia were studied. MP were attributed to males and females both visually and statistically. Data on the withers height of bison from NE Russia are provided. Stress markers were recorded, including so-called "buttresses". With rare exceptions stress markers were not of a pathological nature. The origin and development of the buttresses are age-related; their prevalence in bison females can be considered as the response to an increased load during pregnancy. Changes in the periosteum, found in males, are related to their greater activity. Buttresses are also well-developed on metatarsals of the red deer and the elk; less-developed in the reindeer and not found in the giant deer. A relationship between stress markers, locomotion, and the environment is established. Possible peculiarities of the Rauchua River bison locomotion are discussed. This article is protected by ...

Human osseal remains from the cemetery of Zatveretsky Posad at the historical Russian city of Tver revealed the data on its population in XVI-XVIII centuries. Obtained data generally agreed with the material from other contemporaneous necropoles of the city. Domination of male burials and underrepresentation of younger individuals are accompanied by the signs of poor oral hygiene. Caries has not only often destroyed majority of molars in males and females by the age of 45-50 years, but affected teeth of teenagers and even younger individuals. The heavily developed dental calculus is one of the signs of insufficient oral hygiene in adults. Possible kinship between buried is manifested by similar genetically determined cranial anomalies.

The book summarizes the results of the original morpho-functional/morpho-ecological approach to the study of skeleton, muscles and ligaments of avian apparatus of bipedal locomotion. For the first time the comparative anatomy of the avian system of terrestrial locomotion is covered in so many details. This coverage is combined with the unique historical review extending over the period of two thousand years. Morphological descriptions of hindlimb muscles and aponeuroses are unified and accompanied by rational suggestions to follow strict rules in dissecting and describing the avian hindlimbs. Several morphological structures important for understanding of avian adaptive evolution are described and analyzed. Their effectiveness in combination with specially developed biomechanical model is successfully checked in reconstruction of evolution of charadrii-, coracii-, trogoni-, cuculi- and passeriforms. Theoretical basics of the system approach developed in the work are applied to the r...

ABSTRACT Reconstruction of the soft tissues (i.e., collateral ligaments, Lig. anticum, menisci, tendon of the M. fibularis brevis) involved in the mechanism of intertarsal joint stabilization in two species of extinct birds, Hesperornis regalis and Emeus crassus, allowed insights into their locomotion. The foot-propelled diving of Hesperornis included loon-like movement of the tarsometatarsus and grebe-like movement of the toes. Movement of the tarsometatarsus in Emeus was restricted to the parasagittal plane, thus resembling those of other Ratites and most highly cursorial birds.

This is the first article of the series with the analysis of all known to-date data on the dental health of the historical adult population of Tver (11th-18th centuries, European Russia). Report 1 covers the temporal and gender-related aspects of caries and the lack of wisdom teeth.

This is the third book in a series on Medieval Novgorod and its surroundings and deals with a substantial body of animal bones that have been recovered over the last decade. The zooarchaeological evidence is discussed by the editor and a number of English and Russian specialists who dug the site, looking at domestic exploitation of animals, diet, animal husbandry, and butchery practices. Detailed data sets are provided to enable the reader to make comparisons with their own research, but the book is also suitable for those with a more general interest in Medieval Russian archaeology

В первом томе монографии, посвященной известному советскому орни тологу Валерию Ивановичу Зиновьеву, приводятся сведения о 195 видах неворобьиных птиц, отмеченных в Тверской области и на сопредельных территориях. Издание предназначено для орнитологов, как профессионалов, так и любителей, преподавателей вузов и средних школ, сотрудников природоохранных организаций и других лиц, заинтересованных в охране природы Верхневолжья