Abstract: The structure of the foramen ovale from 16 species representing 4 carnivore families, the Felidae, Canidae, Ursidae and Hyaenidae, was studied using the scanning electron microscope. The Felidae were represented by 9 domestic cat fetuses (Felis catus), 2 snow leopard neonates (Uncia uncia), an ocelot neonate (Leopardus pardalis), 2 lion neonates (Panthera leo), a panther neonate (Panthera pardus) and 3 tigers (Neofelis tigris), comprising 2 fetuses and a neonate. The Canidae were represented by a golden jackal neonate (Canis aureus), a newborn wolf (Canis lupus), 8 domestic dog fetuses (Canis familiaris), 3 red fox neonates (Vulpes vulpes) and a dhole neonate (Cuon alpinus). The Ursidae were represented by a brown bear neonate (Ursus arctos), a day-old grizzly bear cub (Ursus arctos horribilis), a polar bear neonate (Ursus maritimus), and 2 additional bear fetuses (species unknown). The Hyaenidae were represented by a striped hyaena neonate (Hyaena hyaena). In each species, the foramen ovale, when viewed from the terminal part of the caudal vena cava, had the appearance of a short tunnel. A thin fold of tissue, the developed remains of the embryonic septum primum, extended from the distal end of the caudal vena cava for a variable distance into the lumen of the left atrium and contributed towards the 'tunnel' appearance in all specimens. It constituted a large proportion of the tube, and its distal end was straight-edged. There was fibrous material underlying the endothelium of the flap, the apparent morphology of which suggested that it comprised cardiac muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abstract: Snow leopard preservation efforts by Russian biologist Eugene Koshkarev are hampered by the lack of technology and the attitudes of the local population. Without access to radio-collars until recently, the biologists have had to use low-tech research methods such as field observation. The chabani, or semi-nomadic herders of Central Asia, fear the leopards as predators and set traps. Local governments also allow hunting

Abstract: Spontaneous occurrence of toxocariasis (Toxocaracati) in captive snow leopards with symptoms of diarrhoea, general malaise, letherapy, dehydration, partial or complete anorexia, vomiting with or without expulsion of the ascarid is reported. Response to anthelmintic drug pyrantal pamoate along with antibacterial drug sulphadimethyl pyrimidine and supportive therapy is recorded.

Abstract: In the International Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards 3, Blomqvist and Sten notes (1982) that no information had been recieved on the snow leopard in Mongolia. The present paper sets out to repair that omission by summarising the information in print on snow leopards in Mongolia and giving a brief account of its distribution in the country. This is essentially a review paper and it is hoped that more precise data may be obtained from fieldwork carried out in the future by Mongolian zoologist. The author worked in Mongolia for two years 1975-1977, and during that time collected information on mammals of Mongolia. Information on the snow leopard was obtained from colleagues at the State University of Mongolia; from zoologists and hunters; from herdsmen and local informants from all parts of the country and from three journeys made by the author: to the eastern Gobi Altai; the Khangai mountains, and a 2000 km journey through western Altai. In this paper, the term “Mongolia” refers to the territory of the Mongolian peoples Republic

Abstract: A syndrome of multiple congenital ocular anomalies in a litter of domestic kittens is described which appears identical to the multiple colobomatous syndrome described in captive Snow Leopards. The lesions varied between kittens in the litter, but ranged from microphthalmos with blindness to mild alterations in the lateral lid margins that resulted in trichiasis. The syndrome of eyelid agenesis in the domestic cat may encompass a broad range of congenital ocular lesions and multiple siblings, but the cause and mechanism of lesion formation is unknown.