Abstract: Papillomaviruses (PVs) are highly species- and site-specific pathogens of stratified squamous epithelium. Although PV infections in the various Felidae are rarely reported, we identified productive infections in six cat species. PV-induced proliferative skin or mucous membrane lesions were confirmed by immunohistochemical screening for papillomavirus-specific capsid antigens. Seven monoclonal antibodies, each of which reacts with an immunodominant antigenic determinant of the bovine papillomavirus L1 gene product, revealed that feline PV capsid epitopes were conserved to various degrees. This battery of monoclonal antibodies established differential expression patterns among cutaneous and oral PVs of snow leopards and domestic cats, suggesting that they represent distinct viruses. Clinically, the lesions in all species and anatomic sites were locally extensive and frequently multiple. Histologically, the areas of epidermal hyperplasia were flat with a similarity to benign tumors induced by cutaneotropic, carcinogenic PVs in immunosuppressed human patients. Limited restriction endonuclease analyses of viral genomic DNA confirmed the variability among three viral genomes recovered from available frozen tissue. Because most previous PV isolates have been species specific, these studies suggest that at least eight different cat papillomaviruses infect the oral cavity (tentative designations: Asian lion, Panthera leo, P1PV; snow leopard, Panthera uncia, PuPV-1; bobcat, Felis rufus, FrPV; Florida panther, Felis concolor, FcPV; clouded leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, NnPV; and domestic cat, Felis domesticus, FdPV-2) or skin (domestic cat, F. domesticus, FdPV-1; and snow leopard, P. uncia, PuPV-2).

Abstract: The list and brief description of existing protected areas of Uzbekistan are given. The snow leopard recorded in Chatkal and Hissar nature reserves.

Abstract: The article is based on the results of Transboundary project GEF expedition to the upper part of Pskem Rivers basin, July 27-Septeber 7, 2002. The past and present distribution and status of Carnivora and Artiodactyla is described using the gathered data and literature. There is a cadastre list with the place of the records for every species. For the most rare species a map-scheme is given/

Abstract: Materials on numbers and densities of 8 ungulates (Sus scrofa nigripes, Capreolus pygargus tianschanicus, Cervus elaphus, Cervus nippon, Cervus dama, Capra sibirica formosovi, Ovis ammon karelini, Bison bonasus) within the Chatkal …nd Talas Ranges are given. A critical analysis is also presented on prospects for development of the commercial hunting tourism as opportunities for additional assignments in measures on conservation of the Western Tien Shan biodiversity