ARMENIAN, RUSSIAN AND GEORGIAN EXPERTS COOPERATE IN ROCK LIZARDS STUDIES

The head of the Chair of Zoology Marine Arakelyan noted that on October 14-25 joint studies of the chromosomes of the rock lizards were conducted with the guests at the laboratory of the chair.

The joint studies are carried out within the framework of the program “Studies of the Meiosis of interspecific hybrids of rock lizards” carried out by the MES State Science Committee and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research.

The leader of the Russian part of the program is Viktor Spangenberg and the leader of the Armenian part is Marine Arakelyan.

M.Arakelyan mentioned that despite the significant experience in the studies of animals’ hybridization the problems of determination of the main forms of reproductive isolation of interspecific hybrids are still open. “The study is aimed at specification of the species of rock lizards reproduced in parthenogenesis and peculiarities of hybrids’ Meiosis in comparison with parental species. The program involves the research of the early stages of the origin of rock lizard populations”.

The head of the chair added that the students from Georgia studied the chromosomes of rock lizards in the laboratory of the chair. Within the scope of the program cytogenetic research is carried out at the laboratory of the Chair of Zoology as it plays a leading role in the studies of hybridized origins and network evolution of the Caucasus rock lizards.

According to Marine Arakelyan, joint research promotes experience exchange and cooperation expansion.