Founded in:		1943
Specialization:		Zoology, Parazitology, Zoogeography, Biodiversity
Director:		Georgi H.Boyakhchyan
Address:		7, Sevak Str., Yerevan 0014, Republic of Armenia
Tel.:		(+374 1) 28 14 12, 28 16 01
Fax:		(+374 1) 28 13 60
E-mail:		zool@sci.am, hasoika@yahoo.com

General Information Staff - 75, Scientific staff - 55, among which Candidates of science (PhD) - 32 Doctors of Science (DrSc) - 6 Academicians - 1 The Institute consists of 5 laboratories and 3 scientific groups: Laboratory of Zoology of Vertebrate (headed by Mamikon G. Ghasabyan, PhD) Entomology and Soil zoology (headed by Мark Yu. Kalashyan, PhD) General Helminthology and Parasitology (headed by Sergej H. Movsesyan, DrSc, NAS RA academician) Physiology of Animal Behavior (headed by Gagik T. Sargisov, DrSc). Genetic (headed by Kim P. Dilbaryan, PhD) scientific groups of acarology (headed by Kim P. Dilbaryan, PhD) phitohelminthology (headed by Julieta A. Karapetyan, PhD) animals hybridization (headed by Azat Sh. Antonyan, PhD): The Institute has a scientific library (headed by Anahit H. Mkrtchyan), Zoological Museum (headed by duard G. Yavruyan, DrSc), invertebrate scientific collections (headed by Margarita A. Marjanyan, PhD) osteological collections (headed by Nina H. Manaseryan, DrSc) as well as a Joint Scientific Experimental Centre (JSEC) of Institute of Zoology of Centre of Zoology and Hydroecology of NAS RA and Center of Parasitology owithin the A.N.Severtsov Institute of Problem of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (headed by S.V.Suqiasyan).

Main Fields of Activity Study of animal biodiversity of Armenia The species composition of fauna including around 17000 invertebrate and 535 vertebrate species has been identified. Nearly 300 species have been classified as rare and endangered, while just as many have been classified as endemic. Based on the research materials Red Data Book for Animals of the Armenian SSR (1987) and Red Data Book for Republic of Armenia had been published (2010). Based on the results of many years of research of bone remains and rock carvings, the species composition of Holocene fauna which includes 67 vertebrate species (4 fishes, 29 birds, 34 mammals, of which 25 are wild and 9 domestic animals) have been identified. It has become clear that in the period from the Bronze Age until the Middle Ages, 10 in 25 mammal species have become completely extinct. Taxonomic study of animals More than 300 new animal species have been described. Both traditional and contemporary research methods - karyological, biochemical, molecular-genetic - are used in the taxonomic studies. Study of parasites and parasitic diseases of animals and plants in Armenia Nearly more than 900 species of helminthes of plants and wild and domestic animals have been described. Important findings on the dynamic of seasonal and age-specific infestation of animal helminthes and of their vector organisms have been received, transmission patterns, ecological and biological traits of helminth most hazardous for animals and humans have been studied. Data concerning biodiversity, distribution, infestation rates and other aspects of plant nematodes of vegetables and melons, as well as greenhouse, ornamental, fruit and other plants have been obtained. Faunal studies of tick pests, including pests of agricultural crops and animal ectoparasites are underway. Physiological study of animal behavior Evolutionary studies of brain are held to examine learning and memorizing processes in animals and behavioral characteristic of animals found under various extreme (stressing) conditions of both physical and biological nature. Study of population genetics in animals Research is held to study intra- and interpopulation phenotypic and genotypic variations of invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Assessment of animal biodiversity and biological resources of Armenia, their sustainable use and conservation. Faunal studies have contributed to the creation of protected area network (EPNA). Recommendations to modify the existing boundaries and establish new protected areas have been and continue to be developed. A hybrid stock of mufflon and domestic sheep has been established for the purpose of conservation and reproduction of rare and endagered species. A methodology for the breeding of Ararat cochineal (Porphirophora hamelii Brandt) has been developed. Methods to treatment and prevent a range of parasitic diseases of farm animals and crops, as well as genetic, biological and environmentally-friendly methods of chemical control of agricultural pests have been developed.

Internartional Activity The Joint Scientific Experimental Center of two institutions: A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution AS RF (Center of Parasitology) and Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology NAS RA (Institute of Zoology) was set up in 1996, and located in Nor Artamet village of Kotayk marz. This is the first joint scientific unit in entire NIS, which allowed re-establishing of lost collaboration between NAS RA and RAS. Here the collaborative (with Russian specialists) efforts in experimental studies dedicated to important issues to biodiversity, zoology and parasitology, and tests of effective and environmentally safe methods of agricultural pest control are implemented. The results of collaborative studies are presented in more than 50 national, regional and international peer-reviewed publications, including two monographs.

Other Information Collaboration The Institute of Zoology of SCZH NAS RA has long-term history of scientific relations to range of scientific research organizations of Russian Federation and other foreign countries, including: A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of Russian Academy of Sciences Zoological Institute of RAS Institute of Cytology RAS Sochi National park of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of RF Tula regional Exotarium of RAS Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals Polish Academy of Sciences The Entomological Society of Sweden Russian Entomological Society Czech Entomological Society Saint Louis Zoological Park (USA) International Council for Archaeozoology (ICAZ) European Federation of Parasitologists. Within the Republic of Armenia the Institute of Zoology of SCZH NAS RA has the cooperation with:` Institute of Botany of NAS RA Center for Ecological Noosphere Studies of NAS RA Institute of Physiology NAS RA Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography NAS RA Yerevan State University Armenian State Agrarian University Armenian State Pedagogical University after Khachatur Abovyan Ministry of Nature Protection RA American University of Armenia as well as with range of international and other conservation organizations, foundations (UNDP, USAID, REC Caucasus, WWF etc.), public organizations, media. The Institute of Zoology has published approximately 100 works (including 7 guides, 12 volumes of "The Fauna of Armenia", 23 issues of Zoological Collected Articles and "Pests of agricultural crops, forest and storage of Armenia"), more than 5000 articles and proceedings of the republican, all-Union and international conferences. Around 300 reviewed accounts and 50 photographs prepared by the staff of the Institute have been included in the volume of "Nature of Armenia" of the Encyclopedia of the Republic of Armenia (2006). The Institute has participated in preparation of - "The Fauna of Armenia" as part of the Armenian National Atlas - faunal assessment of SPAs, - National reports on Biodiversity, Climate change and Desertification and other materials (1998-2009). The Institute periodically organizes national, regional and international scientific conferences (6 of which have been held within the last ten years).

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