Three identical strains of an arbovirus were isolated from 475 Ornithodoros papillipes ticks collected in June, 1972, in burrows of the great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus Licht., 1882) in the environs of Beshkent, Karshinsk steppe, Uzbek S.S.R. The isolate was found to range among flaviviruses. Complement-fixation, agar diffusion precipitation and neutralization tests is tissue culture and mice indicated a one-way antigenic relationship between the isolate and West Nile virus. However, the pattern of differences between them made it possible to consider the isolated agent as a new virus, "Karshi" virus. The results of electron microscopic studies of this virus are presented.

Data are presented on the changes in distribution and abundance of the Mongolian saiga Saiga tatarica mongolica in the last few decades, based on an analysis of the literature and the authors’ field observations. The subspecies has suffered a considerable decline in its range because of hunting and competition with domesticated stock. In 1997 a survey was made of almost all the known range, which consists of two disjunct areas and covers a total of 2200 sq km. A total of 609 animals was recorded and analysis of the census results suggests that c. 1300 saiga remain in total. The authors recommend strengthening the nature reserve established in 1993 in the Shargyn Gobi, and creating several sanctuaries outside this area, where Mongolian saiga from the main remaining population could be reintroduced. These measures would enhance prospects for the survival of this endemic subspecies of the semi‐deserts of western Mongolia.

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The paper analyses the results of a survey of 37 Russian biosphere reserves using questionnaires concerning the presence of alien species of mammals, their pathways of penetration, and their impacts on protected ecosystems. The penetration of alien mammals into terrestrial ecosystems of Russia is extensive, both in places with maximum human environmental impact (inhabited areas and agricultural lands) and in biosphere reserves with minimal human impact. There are 62 mammal species registered as alien in Russian ecosystems and they account for 22% of the terrestrial mammal fauna of Russia. The percentage of alien species in biosphere reserves is 32.6% at most. In most regions, Castor fiber, Ondatra zibethicus, Nyctereutes procyonoides, Canis familiaris, Neovison vison and Sus scrofa are very dangerous, and both Castor fiber and Sus scrofa can have environment-forming impacts.

authors recommend strengthening the nature reserve Abstract Data are presented on the changes in distriestablished in 1993 in the Shargyn Gobi, and creating bution and abundance of the Mongolian saiga Saiga several sanctuaries outside this area, where Mongolian tatarica mongolica in the last few decades, based on an saiga from the main remaining population could be analysis of the literature and the authors' field obserreintroduced. These measures would enhance prospects vations. The subspecies has suffered a considerable for the survival of this endemic subspecies of the semidecline in its range because of hunting and competition deserts of western Mongolia. with domesticated stock. In 1997 a survey was made of almost all the known range, which consists of two