Summer field practice in zoology remotely

The 2nd year students of specialty 5В060700 - “Biology” of the Department of General Biology and Genomics from May 26 to June 6, 2020 passed a summer field practice in zoology remotely

 

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the usual educational process at the university was suspended, however, modern means of communication between students and teachers allowed to continue classes and practices of students remotely. For the first time in the history of field practice in zoology, students took it individually, often without even leaving their place of residence
In the 2019–2020 academic year, five groups of the 2nd year students studied in specialty “5B060700-Biology”. The total number of students is 118. Since students at the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University live in almost all regions and regions of Kazakhstan, practice sites are unusually diverse in their natural features and composition of the animal world. This allowed observing the species of animals of various ecosystems - from semi-desert and steppe, to freshwater and saline reservoirs. If students could not leave their city or village, they had the opportunity to observe the synanthropic fauna, or the animals of local parks, zoos and migratory birds. And to some students, lizards themselves ran into the house and birds flew in!


The European roller (Coracias garrulus), accidentally flew into the house of student A. Nazarkulova



Students observed invertebrates and vertebrates, their species and ecological composition, color, morphology and behavior.
Especially many species of spiders and insects were found.


A diverse world of invertebrates. Students photo (from left to right): N. Rezhepova, G. Temirbaeva, A. Zhanbaeva, T. Utegalieva, N. Rezhepova, M. Katkenova

 

Fishermen have helped to catch various types of fish near ponds: pike, perch, pikeperch, catfish, asp, tench and many others.

Tench (Tinca tinca), Kyzylsu River, Akmola region. Photo: G. Temirbaeva

 

Among the amphibians, green toad (Bufo viridis), moor frog (Rana arvalis), and marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) were found. Among reptiles, students met various species of lizards, snakes and turtles.

Russian tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii), Kyzylorda, photo: B. Seitzhappar

 

Among the birds, there were many waterfowl species (shelducks, mallards, mute swans, lake gulls and others), steppe species (the great and little bustards, kestrels and others), as well as various birds of prey and passerines.

White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), Sofievka village, Akmola region, photo: A. Ermek

 

Among the mammals encountered, there were especially a lot of hedgehogs – the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) and the long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus).

The long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus), Kyzylorda, photo: B. Seitzhappar

 

Students sent the pictures and videos to the general group in Watsapp, as well as to e-mail, remotely engaged in determining species under the supervision of a teacher, and kept field diaries.
Thanks to photographs and entries in the field diaries, valuable information was obtained on the distribution of various animal species. Based on the results of the practice, students wrote reports and prepared presentations.
As a result of summer field practice, students consolidated their knowledge of zoology, got acquainted with the fauna of their region, gained experience in identifying animals and got a pleasant experience from communicating with wildlife.



Teachers: Daniyar Tagayev, Meruert Salkymbayeva