IRN AP19675960

Project topic «Distribution, genetic diversity and protection of snakes in Western Kazakhstan»

Relevance

In Western Kazakhstan, according to summary data, there are 13 species of snakes (61.9% of the snake fauna of Kazakhstan). The distribution of snakes in the region needs detailed research and mapping. During the three-year (2023–2025) expeditionary research, the available information on the geographical distribution and biotopic distribution of snakes in Western Kazakhstan will be refined and supplemented based on field research and GIS modeling results. The genetic diversity of snakes in the region will be determined according to the analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, with the specification of its constituent forms and their taxonomic status. Their relative abundance will be assessed and limiting factors identified. Taking into account the new data, a cadastre of snakes in the region was compiled and published in the form of a poster, brochure, photo guide, website and scientific articles. Recommendations will be drawn up for the conservation of the Caspian whip snake and the Sarmatian Rat Snake, species included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. Consumers of the results obtained are public authorities and public organizations, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, state and public bodies. The results of the research are of interest to the public, the local population, biologists and ecologists and will be posted in the global GBIF biodiversity database in the Darwin Core format. The site "Snakes of Western Kazakhstan" will be created. The obtained DNA sequences will be deposited for public access in the GenBank NCBI public database.

The creation of a detailed illustrated cadastre of snakes in Western Kazakhstan will ensure that an important component of the biological diversity of the region is taken into account and will contribute to the comprehensive study, sustainable use, conservation and reproduction of its biological resources.

Project goal

Studying the distribution, genetic diversity, distribution and abundance of snakes in Western Kazakhstan, identifying the attitude of society towards snakes, preparing recommendations for their protection in Kazakhstan.

Project Objectives

1) Clarification and addition of the existing ideas about the geographical distribution and biotopic distribution of snakes in Western Kazakhstan based on field research and the results of GIS modeling.

2) Compilation of a detailed illustrated inventory of snakes in Western Kazakhstan, including modern finds and analysis of limiting factors. The study of the number and size-sex composition of snakes in Western Kazakhstan. Description of the features of the species morphology and comparison with data obtained in other regions.

3) Determination of the genetic diversity of snakes in the region according to the analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA with the specification of its constituent forms and their taxonomic status. Collection of tissue samples from all species of snakes in Western Kazakhstan using non-traumatic methods from different localities for subsequent genetic research. Transfer of dead snakes found in nature to the leading collections of reptiles.

4) Evaluation of the spread, distribution and consequences of venomous snake bites on people and domestic animals within the region based on the results of survey data and analysis of data from health departments.

5) A study of public opinion about snakes, the place of reptiles in nature in order to form a tolerant consciousness among the population towards representatives of the snake suborder, informing the population through questions of tools about the benefits and harmlessness, as well as the safety of the snake.

6) Development of recommendations for the conservation of snakes in the republic and their transfer to the official nature protection structures of Kazakhstan, in particular, for the conservation of the Caspian whip snake and Sarmatian Rat Snake in the region - species included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan.

7) Informing the scientific community and the general public about the results of the project. Presenting the results at the global level when they are placed in the GBIF global biodiversity database. Preparation and submission to print of an article based on the results of the research in the foreign rating publication Web of Science / Scopus - 3; in journals recommended by the Committee for Quality Assurance in Science and Higher Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (hereinafter - CQASHE) - 1, as well as 1 - photo guide, 1 brochure and 1 poster. Creation of a public site "Snakes of Western Kazakhstan".

Expected Results

During the three-year (2023–2025) expeditionary research, the available information on the geographical distribution and biotopic distribution of snakes in Western Kazakhstan will be clarified and supplemented, and a cadastre of snakes in the region will be compiled and published taking into account the new data.

Proposals will be developed for inclusion in the Red Book of Kazakhstan some snake species. Recommendations for the protection of red-listed species: Caspian whip snake and Sarmatian Rat Snake will be developed. A comprehensive assessment of cases of poisonous snake bites of people and pets in the region will be carried out.

If a snake that died in nature is found, such biological material will be collected and transferred as a collection specimen to the leading zoological collections to represent the herpetofauna of Kazakhstan.

To increase the availability of the obtained data and its presentation to the wider world community, the collected data with geo-referenced snake encounter points in Western Kazakhstan will be formed into a dataset in the Darwin Core format and embedded in the GBIF global biodiversity database.

As a result of the project implementation, a program of empirical sociological research of the state of ecological consciousness in relation to the snakes of modern Kazakhstani society will be developed; obtained data characterizing the state of ecological consciousness in the western region of Kazakhstan, its inherent ideas and value judgments about the formation of tolerant consciousness in relation to snakes; scientific and methodological recommendations have been developed for creating a sustainable public consciousness of benevolence towards snakes and fauna in general, recommendations have been developed for overcoming superstition and prejudice towards snakes, cultural and social solutions to the problems of ophidiophobia.

3 (three) articles and (or) reviews will be published in peer-reviewed scientific publications in the scientific direction of the project, with a CiteScore percentile in the Scopus database of at least 50 (fifty). Suggested publications for publishing project results: Herpetologica, Percentile in Scopus: Agricultural and Biological Sciences - Animal Science and Zoology - 76 (https://www.scopus.com/sourceid/21983); Amphibia - Reptilia, Percentile in Scopus: Agricultural and Biological Sciences - Animal Science and Zoology - 77 (https://www.scopus.com/sourceid/24137); Journal of Herpetology, Percentile in Scopus: Agricultural and Biological Sciences - Animal Science and Zoology - 63 (https://www.scopus.com/sourceid/22562).

If the above journals do not accept articles, then it is planned to submit articles for consideration to other journals that have a CiteScore percentile in the Scopus database of at least 50.

1 (one) article or review will be published in a peer-reviewed foreign or domestic publication recommended by the CQASHE: Bulletin of the Karaganda University. Series Biology. The medicine. Geography (https://biollogy-medcine-geography-vestnik.ksu.kz/#); Bulletin of KazNU. Ecological series (https://bulletin-ecology.kaznu.kz/index.php/1-eco); Bulletin of KazNU. Series Geographic (https://bulletin-geography.kaznu.kz/index.php/1-geo/index).

A website “Snakes of Western Kazakhstan” will be created and a photo guide on snakes in Western Kazakhstan will be prepared, where each description will be accompanied by a photograph and contain information about their biology, habitat and behavior. This site and the book will help the inhabitants of the region to identify the snakes of the region, to distinguish one snake from another, poisonous from non-venomous. This site and the book will provide advice on how to behave when encountering snakes, how to provide first aid for snakebite, and other recommendations for the public.

In order to disseminate the results of our project to a wider audience, we plan to publish scientific articles and distribute the “Snakes of Western Kazakhstan” poster and other handouts among the population. An illustrative brochure and handouts will include descriptions of the snakes, tips on spotting them in the wild, and tips for locals on how to deal with them when they encounter them.

The target consumers of the obtained results are state authorities and public organizations in the field of ecology, the Department of Natural Resources and the regulation of nature management. The results obtained will be introduced into the educational process at M. Utemisov WKU. The results of the research will also be applied in the preparation of students and undergraduates in the specialty "Geography". The results will be disseminated to potential users, the scientific community and the general public. The project will be covered in social networks. Public awareness of snakes in the region is expected to increase once basic knowledge about snakes and their conservation is gained through outreach programs. We hope to reduce the senseless killing of snakes in populated areas.

Achieved results

The description of the study of snakes in Western Kazakhstan has been initiated based on literary, collection, and other available sources of information. Literary, collection, and other available sources have been analysed. The refinement and supplementation of ideas about the geographical distribution, systematics, biotopic distribution, and abundance of snakes have been initiated. Field trips have been conducted in the territory of Western Kazakhstan, exploring the habitats of snakes in the West Kazakhstan, Atyrau, Mangystau, and Aktobe regions. Field data has been obtained, including 10 expedition trips in the territory of Western Kazakhstan and adjacent areas of the Russian Federation.

The creation of a registry of snake encounters in West Kazakhstan, Aktobe, Atyrau, and Mangystau regions has begun. An initial electronic cartographic base has been prepared for the registry. Cadastre maps have been compiled based on 2023 data, including 82 findings of 8 snake species.

A collection of tissue samples from snakes has been created, ensuring the preservation of DNA. A total of 131 samples belonging to 10 snake species have been collected. An electronic catalog of samples has been established, including information on species, locality (including precise coordinates), collection date, gender, and age of the snakes.

Information on snakebites has been gathered and analysed. Data on snakebites in Western Kazakhstan have been detailed. A comprehensive description of the features and consequences of viper bites has been provided.

Specimens of deceased snakes found in nature have been collected and documented as collection specimens. During field investigations, 13 snake remains of varying degrees of preservation have been found and identified to species by expedition members. All labeled snakes have been placed in permanent transparent containers with alcohol, and a special journal, Inventory Book No. 1, has been created to store collection data.

Data has been collected with geographical references to snake encounter locations in Western Kazakhstan. GBIF (the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, https://www.gbif.org/) has been used for data collection.

 

A program for empirical sociological research has been developed, along with the methodology and program for the sociological study "Monitoring the Population's Attitudes toward Snakes in the West Kazakhstan Region." The creation of the website https://westkazsnakes.kz/ has been initiated.

 

Research group

1. Akhmedenov Kazhmurat Maksutovich - Candidate of Geographical Sciences, Professor. Hirsch index in Scopus -6, Hirsch index in WoS - 3. ORCID 0000-0001-7294-0913, Scopus Author ID 55022862400. E-mail.: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2. Bakiyev Andrey Gennadievich - Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor. Hirsch index in Scopus -3, Hirsch index in WoS - 4. ORCID 0000-0002-0338-2740, Web of Science Re-searcher ID AAC-8829-2021, Scopus Author ID 6603103900
3. Simonov Evgeny Petrovich - Candidate of Biological Sciences. Hirsch index in Scopus - 13, Hirsch index in WoS - 12. ORCID 0000-0003-0194-4487, Web of Science Re-searcher ID F-7698-2012, Scopus Author ID 57035597900.
4. Klenina Anastasia Alexandrovna - Сandidate of biological sciences. Hirsch index in Scopus -3, Hirsch index in WoS - 3. ORCID 0000-0002-8997-3866, Web of Science Researcher ID ABF-8604-2020, Scopus Author ID 57206674761.
5. Shpigelman Mikhail Iosifovich – master. Scopus Author ID 57226741975
6. Kishіbekova Asel Bolatkyzy – master.
7. Koshim Asima Galymzhankyzy - candidate of geographical sciences, professor. Hirsch index in Scopus -4, ORCID 0000-0002-3355-3125, Web of Science Researcher ID 0-2261-2014, Scopus Author ID 56127312400
8. Akhmedenova Sayagul Gusmanovna – master. Hirsch index in Scopus -1, ORCID 0000-0002-2024-6281
9. Amen Askhat Zhangeldiuly - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), specialty 6D020400 – Culturology. ORCHID 0000-0002-4275-3516
10. Zubkov Vladislav Sergeevich - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), specialty 6D021300 – Linguistics. ORCHID 0000-0003-0429-2875
11. Oryngalieva Dilyara Ershatkyzy- undergraduate, specialty 'Geography'.

Publications:

1. Akhmedenov K.M., Bakiev A.G., Klenina A.A., Simonov E.P. Snakes of Western Kazakhstan. Uralsk.2023. - 2 s. (https://westkazsnakes.kz/index.php/ru/buklet)
2. Akhmedenov K.M., Bakiev A.G., Klenina A.A., Simonov E.P. Batys Kazakhstan zhylandary. Oral.2023.- 2 b. (https://westkazsnakes.kz/index.php/kk/buklet)
3. Akhmedenov K. M., Bakiev A. G. New finds of Elaphe sauromates (Pallas, 1814) (Colubridae, Reptilia) in Kazakhstan // Current Studies in Herpetology. 2023, T.23, issue 3/4. P.129-134. DOI: 10.18500/1814-6090-2023-23-3-4-129-134 (https://sg.sgu.ru/ru/articles/novye-nahodki-elaphe-sauromates-pallas-1814-colubridae-reptilia-v-kazahstane)
4. Akhmedenov K.M., Bakiev A.G., Klenina A.A. Batys Kazakhstan zhylandary = Snakes of Western Kazakhstan / K.M. Akhmedenov, A.G. Bakiev, A.A. Klenina. – Oral, 2023. –52 b.(https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=59074088), (https://westkazsnakes.kz/index.php/ru/book24), (https://westkazsnakes.kz/index.php/kk /book24)