DOI: https://doi.org/10.54944/kzbec350sk28

UDC: 597.6+598.1

Eszhanov B.E., Musabekov K.S.

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 Al-Farabi Avenue, Almaty, 050038

E-mail: b-eszhanov@mail.ru

Abstract:

The biological museum of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University exhibits 50 species of local and World herpetofauna. Of these, representatives of amphibians are 13, reptiles - 37 species. Caudate amphibians are represented by 8 species from 3 genera and 3 families. Tailless-5 species from 4 genera and 4 families. From reptiles, the order of Turtles is represented by 4 species of 4 genera and 4 families. Scaly-32 species from 26 genera and 14 families, Crocodiles-one species from one genus and one family. 6 amphibian species are representatives of Kazakhstan, 2 species of the World herpetofauna, representatives of reptiles are represented by 21 and 16 species, respectively. The museum’s exhibits play an important role not only in the study of general biological disciplines (zoology, ecology, evolutionary studies, biogeography, nature conservation, etc.), but also in elective courses in the training of specialists. The article also shows the ways of using the variety of herpetofauna exhibits in the educational process of students, as well as many materials for students and researchers interested in the state of amphibians and reptiles in Kazakhstan.

Key words: Biological Museum, Kazakh National University, amphibians, reptiles, diversity, exhibits, educational process.

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Introduction:

Museums of different directions take a great place in scientific research, education, patriotic education, love of nature, formation of ecological culture and cognition, knowledge of biological diversity, etc.

The museums of the higher educational and scientific institutions successfully fulfill their mission (materials of the international scientific conference "Preservation of biodiversity in the nature and collections of Kazakhstan and adjacent territories", 2016). The biological museum of the Al-Farabi Kazakh national university serves the population for almost 85 years, its rich collection of fauna is the largest among educational institutions and scientific research organizations in the territory of the republic.

The museum has a collection of 7888 specimens of 830 species of vertebrates. History of creation, formation, museum staff, results of their work (Baitulin and others [Baitulin and others] 2003; Salina [Salina] 2004; Musabek [Musabek] 2013; 2015), general collections (Musabek and others [Musabek and others] 2016; Musabek [Musabek] 2019), ornithological (Musabek and others] 2015), theriologist (Asambayeva [Asambayeva] 2013). But about the diversity of herpetofauna - one of the groups of fauna - there is no complete data yet. We offer young scientists and students and a wide range of readers interested in this group to fill this gap and tell about the current state of amphibians and reptiles in the museum.