Irina S. Khokhlova

Contact

Desert Animal Adaptations and Husbandry, Wyler Department for Desert Agriculture,
Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev,
Sede Boqer Campus, 84990, Israel.
Tel: 972-8-6460674, fax: 972-8-6460515

E-mail: khokh@bgu.ac.il

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tAL3bYIAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao 

• Education

B.Sc., 1975-1977, Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Moscow, USSR.

M.Sc., 1978-1980, Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Department of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates, Moscow, USSR. Adviser – Professor I. A. Shilov.

M.Sc. Thesis - "Mechanisms of the inbreeding avoidance in house mice".

Ph.D. in Biology, 1981-1987, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia. Adviser – Professor S. A. Shilova

Ph.D. Thesis - "Mechanisms of the maintenance of population homeostasis in the house mouse groups".

• Employment History

2008-present. Research Scientist Grade A, Desert Animal Adaptations & Husbandry, Wyler Department for Desert Agriculture, The French  Associates Institute for

         Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Israel.

2000-2008. Research Scientist Grade B, Desert Animal Adaptations & Husbandry, Wyler Department for Desert Agriculture, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Israel.

1993-2000. Research Scientist, Desert Animal Adaptations & Husbandry, Wyler Department for Desert Agriculture, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Israel.

1992-1993. Research Scientist, Ramon Science Center, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Mizpe-Ramon, Israel.

1989. Visiting Research Scientist, Laboratory of Mammalogy, Institute of Ecology, PPR Academy of Science, Warsaw, Poland.

1980-1990. Research Scientist, Laboratory of Rodent Control, Institute of Disinfection and Sterilization, Ministry of Health of the USSR, Moscow, Russia.

1974-1975. Research Assistant, State Natural Reservation "Oksky", USSR.

• Professional Activities

(a)   Positions in academic administration

(b)   Professional functions outside universities/institutions

(c)   Significant professional consulting

Reviewer of manuscripts for Animal Behaviour, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Physiology and Behaviour, Australian Journal of Zoology, Israel Journal of Zoology, Journal of Mammalogy, Journal of Zoology, Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal of Evolutionary Biology

d)   Editor or member of editorial board of scientific or professional journal

(f)   Membership in professional/scientific societies

2010-present. The International Biogeography Society.

1980-present. Russian Theriological Society.

1981-1989. Russian Disinfectionist Society.

• Educational activities

(a)   Courses taught

(b)   Research students

Trainees.

2003. Lusine Ghazaryan (Armenia), Ben-Gurion University.

2003. Tatiana Ulianova (Russia), Ben-Gurion University.

2002. Marine Arakelyan (Armenia), Ben-Gurion University.

2001. Izik Oguzoglu (Turkey), Ben-Gurion University.

2000. Tatyana Demidova (Russia), Ben-Gurion University.

1998. Maria Lizurume (Argentina), Ben-Gurion University.

• Awards, Citations, Honors, Fellowships

(a)  Honors, Citation Awards

(b)  Fellowships  (e.g. Fullbright)

• Scientific Publications

(a)  Authored books

(b)  Editorship of collective volumes

(c)  Chapters in collective volumes - Conference proceedings, Festschrifte, etc.

1. Krasnov, B., Khokhlova, I. & Stefanov, V. 1981. Использование бродифакума для одновременного контроля численности нескольких видов грызунов (Use of brodyfacum for simultaneous control of several rodent species). In: Lyarsky P.P. (ed.). Современные проблемы медицинской дезинфекции и стерилизации (Modern Problems of Medical Disinfection and Sterilization), Moscow, pp. 75-76 (in Russian).

2. Krasnov, B. R. & Krasnova, I. S. 1984. Изменения видового состава сообществ мелких млекопитающих в сельском населенном пункте после проведения работ по контролю численности (Changes in species composition of a small mammal community in rural settlement after control activities). In: Turov I. S. (ed.). Актуальные проблемы дезинфекции и стерилизации (Actual Problems of Disinfection and Sterilization), Moscow, pp. 111-114 (in Russian).

3. Krasnov, B. & Khokhlova, I. 1989. Лабильность пространственно-этологической структуры группировок домовой мыши как стратегия адаптации к условиям среды (Plasticity of spatial and social structure of the house mouse populations as a strategy of adaptations to changing environment). In: Sokolov V.E., Kotenkova E.V. & Krasnov B.R. (eds.). Домовая мышь (The House Mouse), Nauka Press, Moscow, pp. 223-253 (in Russian, English summary).

4. Krasnov, B. & Khokhlova, I. 1994. Пространственная структура популяций. (Spatial structure of populations) In: Kotenkova E., Bulatova N. (eds.) Домовая мышь. Систематика, биология, распространение. (The House Mouse (Mus musculus). Taxonomy, biology, distribution), Nauka Press, Moscow, pp. 190-215 (in Russian, English summary).

*5. Krasnov, B., Khokhlova, I., Burdelova, N. & Shenbrot, G. 2001. Flea assemblages on rodents in Makhtesh Ramon: host-habitat mediation of host-parasite relationships. In : Krasnov, B. & Mazor, E.( eds.). The Makhteshim Country: Laboratory of Nature, Pensoft Publ., Sofia, pp. 251-273.

(d)  Refereed articles and refereed letters in scientific journals

1. Shilov, I. A. & Khokhlova, I. S. 1982. Некоторые механизмы снижения уровня инбридинга в группировках лабораторной домовой мыши (Certain Mechanisms of Decrease in the Level of Inbreeding in Groups of Laboratory House Mice). Zoologichesky Zhurnal 61: 901-911.

2. Khokhlova, I. S. & Krasnov, B. R. 1986. Механизмы авторегуляции плотности в популяциях домовой мыши (Mus musculus с различными типами пространственной структуры (Mechanisms of density autoregulation in the house mouse (Mus musculus) populations with different types of spatial structure). Zoologichekyi Zhurnal 65: 407-415 (in Russian, English summary).

3. Krasnov, B. R. & Khokhlova, I. S. 1988. Взаимоотношения синантропных и диких грызунов в сельских населенных пунктах и последствия мероприятий по контролю численности (Interactions between synanthropic and non-synanthropic rodents in rural settlements and the consequences of control activities). Zoologichekyi Zhurnal 67: 600-609 (in Russian, English summary).

4. Khokhlova, I. S., Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I. & Degen, A. A. 1994. Характер сезонных изменений массы тела у некоторых видов грызунов кратера Рамон, пустыня Негев, Израиль (Seasonal body mass changes and habitat distribution in several rodent species from the Ramon erosion cirque, Negev Highlands, Israel). Zoologichekyi Zhurnal 73: 115-121 (in Russian, English summary).

5. Krasnov, B., Shenbrot, G. & Khokhlova, I. 1994. Rodent community organization in Makhtesh Ramon: spatial and temporal patterns. Israel Journal of Zoology, 40: 56-57.

6. Shenbrot, G., Krasnov, B. & Khokhlova, I. 1994. On the biology of Gerbillus henleyi (Rodentia, Gerbillidae) in the Negev Highlands, Israel. Mammalia, 58: 581-589.

7. Khokhlova, I. S., Degen, A. A. & Kam, M. 1995. Body size, gender, seed husking and energy requirements in two species of desert Gerbilline rodents, Meriones crassus, and Gerbillus henleyi. Functional Ecology, 9: 720-724.

8. Krasnov, B. & Khokhlova, I. 1996. Discrimination of midday jird's odour by house mice. Animal Behaviour, 52: 659-665.

9. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Khokhlova, I. S., Degen, A. A. & Rogovin, K. A. 1996. On the biology of Sundevall's jird (Meriones crassus Sundevall, 1842) (Rodentia: Gerbillidae) in the Negev Highlands, Israel. Mammalia, 60: 375-391.

10. Krasnov, B., Shenbrot, G., Khokhlova, I. & Ivanitskaya, E. 1996. Spatial patterns of rodent communities in the Ramon erosion cirque, Negev Highlands, Israel. Journal of Arid Environments, 32: 319-327.

11. Degen, A. A., Khokhlova, I. S., Kam, M. & Nagy, K. A. 1997. Body size, granivory and seasonal dietary shifts in desert gerbilline rodents. Functional Ecology, 11: 53-59.

12. Kam, M., Khokhlova, I. S. & Degen, A. A. 1997. Granivory and plant selection by desert gerbils of different body size. Ecology, 78: 2218-2229.

13. Khokhlova, I. S., Kam, M. & Degen, A. A. 1997. A small gerbil that maximizes intake of energy from low-energy food. Journal of Mammalogy, 78: 158-162.

14. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Medvedev, S. G., Vatschenok, V. S. & Khokhlova, I. S. 1997. Host-habitat relations as an important determinant of spatial distribution of flea assemblages (Siphonaptera) on rodents in the Negev desert. Parasitology, 114: 159-173.

15. Shenbrot, G. I., Krasnov, B.R. & Khokhlova, I. S. 1997. Biology of Wagner's gerbil Gerbillus dasyurus (Wagner, 1842) (Rodentia: Gerbillidae) in the Negev Highlands, Israel. Mammalia, 61: 467-486.

16. Degen, A. A., Kam, M., Khokhlova, I. S., Krasnov, B.R. & Barraclough, T. G. 1998. Average daily metabolic rate of rodents: habitat and dietary comparisons. Functional Ecology, 12: 63-73.

17. Krasnov, B., Shenbrot, G., Khokhlova, I., Medvedev, S. & Vatschenok, V. 1998. Habitat dependence of a parasite-host relationship: Flea (Siphonaptera) assemblages in two gerbil species of the Negev desert. Journal of Medical Entomology, 35: 303-313.

18. Krasnov, B.R., Hastriter, M. W., Medvedev, S. G., Shenbrot, G. I., Khokhlova, I. S. & Vatschenok, V. S. 1999. Additional records of fleas (Siphonaptera) on wild rodents in the southern part of Israel. Israel Journal of Zoology, 45: 333-340.

19. Shenbrot, G. I., Krasnov, B. R. & Khokhlova, I. S. 1999. Notes on the biology of the bushy-tailed jird, Sekeetamys calurus, in the Central Negev, Israel. Mammalia, 63: 374-377.

20. Degen, A. A., Kam, M., Khokhlova, I. S. & Zeevi, K. 2000. Fiber digestion and energy utilization of fat sand rats (Psammomys obesus) consuming the chenopod Anabasis articulata. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 73: 574-580.

21. Khokhlova, I. S., Kam, M., Gonen, S. & Degen, A. A. 2000. Level of energy intake affects the estrous cycle in Sundevall's jird (Meriones crassus). Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 73: 257-263.

22. Fielden, L. J., Krasnov, B. & Khokhlova, I. 2001. Respiratory gas exchange in the flea Xenopsylla conformis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). Journal of Medical Entomology, 38: 735-739.

23. Khokhlova, I., Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I. & Degen, A. A. 2001. Body mass and environment: A study in Negev rodents. Israel Journal of Zoology, 47: 1-13.

24. Krasnov, B. R. & Khokhlova, I. S. 2001. The effect of behavioural interactions on the transfer of fleas (Siphonaptera) between two rodent species. Journal of Vector Ecology, 26: 181-190.

25. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Fielden, L. J. & Burdelova, N. V. 2001. Effect of air temperature and humidity on the survival of pre-imaginal stages of two flea species (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). Journal of Medical Entomology, 38: 629-637.

26. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Fielden, L. J. & Burdelova, N. V. 2001. Development rates of two Xenopsylla flea species in relation to air temperature and humidity. Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 15: 249-258.

27. Tchabovsky, A. V., Krasnov, B., Khokhlova, I. S. & Shenbrot, G. I. 2001. The effect of vegetation cover on vigilance and foraging tactics in the fat sand rat, Psammomys obesus. Journal of Ethology, 19: 105-113.

28. Degen, A. A., Khokhlova, I. S., Kam, M. & Snider, I. 2002. Energy requirements during reproduction in female common spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus). Journal of Mammalogy, 83: 645-651.

29. Fielden, L. J., Krasnov, B. R., Still, K. M. & Khokhlova, I. S. 2002. Water balance in two species of desert fleas, Xenopsylla ramesis and X. conformis (Siphonaptera : Pulicidae). Journal of Medical Entomology, 39: 875-881.

30. Khokhlova, I. S., Krasnov, B. R., Kam, M., Burdelova, N. I. & Degen, A. A. 2002. Energy cost of ectoparasitism: the flea Xenopsylla ramesis on the desert gerbil Gerbillus dasyurus. Journal of Zoology, 258: 349-354.

31. Krasnov, B. R., Burdelova, N. V., Shenbrot, G. I. & Khokhlova, I. S. 2002. Annual cycles of four flea species in the central Negev desert. Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 16: 266-276.

32. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Fielden, L. J. & Burdelova, N. V. 2002. The effect of substrate on survival and development of two species of desert fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). Parasite, 9: 135-142.

33. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Fielden, L. J. & Burdelova,N.I. 2002. Time of survival under starvation in two flea species (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) at different air temperatures and relative humidities. Journal of Vector Ecology, 27: 70-81.

34. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Oguzoglu, I. & Burdelova, N. V. 2002. Host discrimination by two desert fleas using an odour cue. Animal Behaviour, 64: 33-40.

35. Krasnov, B., Khokhlova, I. & Shenbrot, G. 2002. The effect of host density on ectoparasite distribution: An example of a rodent parasitized by fleas. Ecology, 83: 164-175.

36. Shenbrot, G., Krasnov, B., Khokhlova, I., Demidova, T. & Fielden, L. 2002. Habitat-dependent differences in architecture and microclimate of the burrows of Sundevall's jird (Meriones crassus) (Rodentia: Gerbillinae) in the Negev Desert, Israel. Journal of Arid Environments, 51: 265-279.

37. Kam, M., Cohen-Gross, S., Khokhlova, I. S., Degen, A. A. & Geffen, E. 2003. Average daily metabolic rate, reproduction and energy allocation during lactation in the Sundevall Jird Meriones crassus. Functional Ecology, 17: 496-503.

38. Krasnov, B. R., Burdelov, S. A., Khokhlova, I. S. & Burdelova, N. V. 2003. Sexual size dimorphism, morphological traits and jump performance in seven species of desert fleas (Siphonaptera). Journal of Zoology 261: 181-189.

39. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S. & Shenbrot, G. I. 2003. Density-dependent host selection in ectoparasites: An application of isodar theory to fleas parasitizing rodents. Oecologia, 134: 365-372.

40. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., & Shenbrot, G. I. 2003. Fleas, rodents, environment: factors determining habitat selection in hematophagous ectoparasites. Trends in Entomology 3:43-72.

41. Krasnov, B. R., Sarfati, M., Arakelyan, M. S., Khokhlova, I. S., Burdelova, N. V. & Degen, A. A. 2003. Host specificity and foraging efficiency in blood-sucking parasite: feeding patterns of the flea Parapulex chephrenis on two species of desert rodents. Parasitology Research, 90: 393-399.

42. Degen A.A., Khokhlova I.S., Kam, M. & Snider I. 2004. Water budget during reproduction in female common spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus). Journal of Mammalogy 85: 1106-1110.

43. Fielden, L. J., Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S. & Arakelyan, M. S. 2004. Respiratory gas exchange in the desert flea Xenopsylla ramesis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae): Response to temperature and blood-feeding. Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry 137: 557-565.

44. Khokhlova, I. S., Spinu, M., Krasnov, B. R. & Degen, A. A. 2004. Immune responses to fleas in two rodent species differing in natural prevalence of infestation and diversity of flea assemblages. Parasitology Research 94: 304-311.

45. Khokhlova, I. S., Spinu, M., Krasnov, B. R. & Degen, A. A. 2004. Immune response to fleas in a wild desert rodent: Effect of parasite species, parasite burden, sex of host and host parasitological experience. Journal of Experimental Biology 207: 2725-2733.

46. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Burdelov, S. A. & Fielden, L. J. 2004. Metabolic rate and jumping performance in seven species of desert fleas. Journal of Insect Physiology 50: 149-156.

47. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Burdelova, N. V., Mirzoyan, N. S. & Degen, A. A. 2004. Fitness consequences of density-dependent host selection in ectoparasites: Testing reproductive patterns predicted by isodar theory in fleas parasitizing rodents. Journal of Animal Ecology 73: 815-820.

48. Krasnov, B. R., Mouillot, D., Shenbrot, G. I., Khokhlova, I. S. & Poulin, R. 2004. Geographical variation in host specificity of fleas (Siphonaptera): the influence of phylogeny and local environmental conditions. Ecography 27: 787-797.

49. Krasnov, B. R., Poulin, R., Shenbrot, G. I., Mouillot, D. & Khokhlova, I. S. 2004. Ectoparasitic “jacks-of-all-trades": relationship between abundance and host specificity in fleas (Siphonaptera) parasitic on small mammals. American Naturalist 164: 506-515.

50. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I. & Khokhlova, I. S.2004. Sampling fleas: The reliability of host infestation data. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 18: 232-240.

51. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Khokhlova, I. S. & Degen, A. A. 2004. Flea species richness and parameters of host body, host geography and host “milieu" Journal of Animal Ecology 73: 1121-1128.

52. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Khokhlova, I. S. & Degen, A. A. 2004. Relationship between host diversity and parasite diversity: Flea assemblages on small mammals. Journal of Biogeography 31: 1857-1866.

53. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Khokhlova, I. S. & Poulin, R. 2004. Relationships between parasite abundance and the taxonomic distance among a parasite's host species: An example with fleas parasitic on small mammals. International Journal for Parasitology 34: 1289-1297.

54. Khokhlova, I. S., Krasnov, B. R., Kuznetsov, V., Sartor, C. E., Zan, M., Salek, L., Ghazaryan, L., Kam, M. & Degen, A. A. 2005. Dietary intake and time budget in two desert rodents: a diurnal herbivore, Psammomys obesus, and a nocturnal granivore, Meriones crassus. Mammalia 69: 57-67.

55. Krasnov, B. R., Burdelova, N. V., Khokhlova, I. S., Shenbrot, G. I. & Degen, A. A. 2005. Pre-imaginal interspecific competition in two flea species parasitic on the same rodent host. Ecological Entomology 30: 146-155.

56. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Arakelyan, M. S. & Degen, A. A. 2005. Is a starving host tastier? Reproduction in fleas parasitizing food limited rodents. Functional Ecology 19: 625-631.

57. Krasnov, B. R., Morand, S., Hawlena, H., Khokhlova, I. S. & Shenbrot, G. I. 2005. Sex-biased parasitism, seasonality, and sexual size dimorphism in desert rodents. Oecologia 146: 209-217.

58. Krasnov, B. R., Morand, S., Khokhlova, I. S., Shenbrot, G. I. & Hawlena, H. 2005. Abundance and distribution of fleas on desert rodents: linking Taylor's power law to ecological specialization and epidemiology. Parasitology 131: 825-837.

59. Krasnov, B. R., Mouillot, D., Khokhlova, I. S., Shenbrot, G. I. & Poulin, R. 2005. Covariance in species diversity and facilitation among non-interactive parasite taxa: all against the host. Parasitology 130: 557-568.

60. Krasnov, B. R., Mouillot, D., Shenbrot, G. I., Khokhlova, I. S. & Poulin, R. 2005. Abundance patterns and coexistence processes in communities of fleas parasitic on small mammals. Ecography 28: 453-464.

61. Krasnov, B. R., Poulin, R., Shenbrot, G. I., Mouillot, D. & Khokhlova, I. S. 2005. Host specificity and geographic range in haematophagous ectoparasites. Oikos 108: 449-456.

62. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Khokhlova, I. S. & Poulin, R. 2005. Diversification of ectoparasite assemblages and climate: an example with fleas parasitic on small mammals. Global Ecology and Biogeography 14: 167-175.

63. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Khokhlova, I. S. & Poulin, R. 2005. Nested pattern in flea assemblages across the host's geographic range. Ecography 28: 475-484.

64. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Mouillot, D., Khokhlova, I. S. & Poulin, R. 2005. Spatial variation in species diversity and composition of flea assemblages in small mammalian hosts: geographic distance or faunal similarity? Journal of Biogeography 32: 633-644.

65. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Mouillot, D., Khokhlova, I. S. & Poulin, R. 2005. What are the factors determining the probability of discovering a flea species (Siphonaptera)? Parasitology Research 97: 228-237.

66. Sarfati, M., Krasnov, B. R., Ghazaryan, L., Khokhlova, I. S., Fielden, L. J. & Degen, A. A. 2005. Energy costs of blood digestion in a host-specific haematophagous parasite. Journal of Experimental Biology 208: 2489-2496.

67. Goüy de Bellocq, J., Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Ghasaryan, L. & Pinshow, B. 2006. Immunocompetence and flea parasitism in a desert rodent. Functional Ecology 20: 637-646.

68. Goüy de Bellocq, J., Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., & Pinshow, B. 2006. Temporal dynamics of a T-cell mediated immune response in desert rodents. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A 145: 554-559.

69. Hawlena, H., Abramsky, Z., Krasnov, B. & Khokhlova, I. 2006. Ectoparasites and age-dependent survival in a desert rodent. Oecologia 148: 30-39.

70. Hawlena, H., Khokhlova, I. S., Abramsky, Z. & Krasnov, B. R. 2006. Age, intensity of infestation by flea parasites and body mass loss in a rodent host. Parasitology 133: 187-193.

71. Hawlena, H., Krasnov, B.R., Abramsky, Z., Khokhlova, I.S., Saltz, D., Kam, M., Tamir, A. & Degen, A.A. 2006. Flea infestation and energy requirements of rodent hosts: Are there general rules? Functional Ecology 20: 1028-1036.

72. Kam, M., Khokhlova, I. S. & Degen, A. A. 2006. Partitioning of metabolizable energy intake in sucking altricial and precocial rodent pups. Journal of Zoology 269: 502-505.

73. Krasnov, B. R., Morand, S., Mouillot, D., Shenbrot, G. I. Khokhlova, I. S. & Poulin, R. 2006. Resource predictability and host specificity in fleas: the effect of host body mass. Parasitology 133: 81-88.

74. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I. Khokhlova, I. S., Hawlena, H. & Degen, A. 2006. Temporal variation in parasite infestation of a host individual: Does a parasite-free host remain uninfested permanently? Parasitology Research 99: 541-545.

75. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I. Khokhlova, I. S. & Poulin, R. 2006. Is abundance a species attribute of haematophagous ectoparasites? Oecologia 150: 132-140.

76. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Mouillot, D., Khokhlova, I. S. & Poulin, R. 2006. Ecological characteristics of flea species relate to their suitability as plague vectors. Oecologia 149: 474-481.

77. Krasnov, B. R., Stanko, M., Khokhlova, I. S., Miklisova, D., Morand, S., Shenbrot, G. I. & Poulin. R. 2006. Relationships between local and regional species richness in flea communities of small mammalian hosts: saturation and spatial scale. Parasitology Research 98: 403-413.

78. Krasnov, B. R., Stanko, M., Khokhlova, I. S., Mosansky, L., Shenbrot, G. I., Hawlena, H. & Morand, S. 2006. Aggregation and species coexistence in fleas parasitic on small mammals. Ecography 29: 159-168.

79. Burdelov, S. A., Leiderman, M., Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S. & Degen, A.A. 2007. Locomotor response to light and surface angle in three species of desert fleas. Parasitology Research, 100: 973-982.

80. Khokhlova, I.S., Hovhanyan, A., Krasnov, B.R. & Degen, A. A. 2007. Reproductive success in two species of desert fleas: Density-dependence and host effect. Journal of Experimental Biology 210: 2121-2127.

81. Krasnov, B.R., Hovhanyan, A., Khokhlova, I.S. & Degen, A. A. 2007. Density-dependence and feeding success in haematophagous ectoparasites. Parasitology 134: 1379-1386.

82. Krasnov, B. R., Korine, C., Burdelova, N.V., Khokhlova, I.S. & Pinshow, B. 2007. Between-host phylogenetic distance and feeding efficiency in haematophagous ectoparasites: Rodent fleas and a bat host. Parasitology Research, 101: 365-371.

83. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Khokhlova, I. S., Mouillot, D. & Poulin, R. 2008. Latitudinal gradients in niche breadth: empirical evidence from haematophagous ectoparasites. Journal of Biogeography 35: 592-601.

84. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I. Khokhlova, I. S. & Poulin, R. 2007. Geographic variation in the “bottom-up" control of diversity: fleas and their small mammalian hosts. Global Ecology and Biogeography 16: 179-186.

*85. Hawlena, H., Bashary, D., Abramsky, Z., Khokhlova, I. S. & Krasnov, B.R. 2008. Programmed versus stimulus-driven anti-parasitic grooming in a rodent: efficiency, time allocation and age-dependence. Behavioral Ecology 19: 929-935.

*86. Hawlena, H., Krasnov, B.R., Abramsky, Z., Khokhlova, I.S., Goüy de Bellocq, J. & Pinshow, B. 2008. Effects of food abundance, host age, and flea infestation on the body condition and immunological variables of a rodent host, and their consequences for parasite survival. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A 150: 66-74.

*87. Khokhlova, I. S., Ghazaryan, L., Krasnov, B. R., and Degen, A. A. 2008. Effects of parasite specificity and previous infestation of hosts on the feeding and reproductive success of rodent-infesting fleas. Functional Ecology  22 (3), 530-536.

*88. Krasnov, B. R., Hovhanyan, A., Khokhlova, I.S. & Degen, A. A. 2008. Evidence for a negative fitness-density relationship between parent density and offspring quality for two Xenopsylla spp. parasitic on desert mammals. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 22: 156-166.

*89. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Shenbrot, G. I. & Poulin, R. 2008. Geographic patterns of diversification: an example with ectoparasitic insects. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 95: 807-814.

*90. Krasnov, B. R., Mouillot, D., Khokhlova, I. S., Shenbrot, G. I. & Poulin, R. 2008. Scale-invariance of niche breadth in haematophagous ectoparasites. Ecography 31: 630-635.

*91. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Khokhlova, I.S., Hawlena, H. & Degen, A. A. 2008. Sex ratio in flea infrapopulations: number of fleas, host gender and host age do not have an effect. Parasitology 135: 1133-1141.

*92. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Khokhlova, I.S. & Poulin, R. 2008. How are the host spectra of haematophagous parasites shaped over evolutionary time? Random choice vs. selection of a phylogenetic lineage. Parasitology Research 102: 1157-1164.

*93. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Khokhlova, I.S., Vinarski, M. V., Korallo-Vinarskaya, N. P. & Poulin, R. 2008. Geographical patterns of abundance: testing expectations of the “abundance optimum" model in two taxa of ectoparasitic arthropods. Journal of Biogeography 35: 2187-2194.

*94. Khokhlova, I.S., Ghazaryan, L., Krasnov, B.R. & Degen, A.A. 2009. Does acquired resistance of rodent hosts affect metabolic rate of fleas? Journal of Experimental Zoology 311: 389-398.

*95. Khokhlova, I.S., Serobyan, V., Krasnov, B.R. & Degen, A.A. 2009. Is the feeding and reproductive performance of the flea, Xenopsylla ramesis, affected by the gender of its rodent host, Meriones crassus? Journal of Experimental Biology 212: 1429-1435.

*96. Khokhlova, I.S., Serobyan, V., Krasnov, B.R. & Degen, A.A. 2009. Effect of host gender on blood digestion in fleas: mediating role of environment. Parasitology Research 105: 1667-1673.

*97. Yarmolinsky, L., Kam, M., Khokhlova, I.S. & Degen, A.A. 2009. Effect of weaning time on the growth rate and food intake of the spiny mouse pup. Journal of Zoology 279: 203-209

*98. Degen, A.A., Khokhlova, I.S., Kam, M. 2010. Milk production of the dam limits the growth rate of Sundevall's jird (Meriones crassus) pups. Mammalian Biology 76: 285-289.

*99. Kam, M., Degen, A.A., Khokhlova, I.S., Krasnov, B.R. and Geffen, E. 2010. Do fleas affect energy expenditure of their free-living hosts? PLoSOne 5: e13686.

*100. Khokhlova, I.S., Ghazaryan, L., Degen, A.A. & Krasnov, B.R. 2010. Infestation experience of a rodent host and offspring viability of fleas: variation among host–parasite associations. Journal of Experimental Zoology A 313: 680-689.

*101. Khokhlova, I.S., Hovhanyan, A., Degen, A.A. & Krasnov, B.R.. 2010. The effect of larval density on pre-imaginal development in two species of desert fleas. Parasitology 137: 1925-1935.

*102. Khokhlova, I.S., Serobyan, V., Degen, A.A & Krasnov, B.R. 2010. Host gender and offspring quality in a flea parasitic on a rodent. Journal of Experimental Biology 213: 3299-3304.

*103. Krasnov, B.R., Mouillot, D., Shenbrot, G.I., Khokhlova, I.S. & Poulin, R. 2010. Deconstructing spatial patterns in species composition of ectoparasite communities: the relative contribution of host composition, environmental variables and geography. Global Ecology and Biogeography 19: 515-526.

*104. Krasnov, B.R., Mouillot, D., Shenbrot, G.I., Khokhlova, I.S., Vinarski, M.V., Korallo-Vinarskaya, N.P. and Poulin, R. 2010. Similarity in ectoparasite faunas of Palaearctic rodents as a function of host phylogenetic, geographic, or environmental distances: which matters the most? International Journal for Parasitology 40: 807-817.

*105. Morick, D., Krasnov, B.R., Khokhlova, I.S., Shenbrot, G.I., Kosoy, M.Y. & Harrus, S. 2010. Bartonella genotypes in fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) collected from rodents in the Negev Desert, Israel. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 76: 6864-6869.

*106. Kam. M., Khokhlova, I.S., Krasnov, B.R. & Degen, A.A. 2011. Flea infestation does not cause a long-term increase in energy metabolism in Gerbillus nanus. Journal of Experimental Biology 214: 3968-3971.

*107. Khokhlova, I.S., Serobyan, V., Degen, A.A & Krasnov, B.R. 2011. Discrimination of host sex by a haematophagous ectoparasite. Animal Behaviour 81: 275-281.

*108. Krasnov, B. R., Mouillot, D., Shenbrot, G. I., Khokhlova, I. S. & Poulin, R. 2011. Beta-specificity: the turnover of host species in space and another way to measure of host specificity. International Journal for Parasitology 41: 33-41.

*109. Krasnov, B.R., Shenbrot, G.I. & Khokhlova, I.S. 2011. Aggregative structure is the rule in communities of fleas: null model analysis. Ecography 34: 751-761.

*110. Krasnov, B.R., Stanko, M., Khokhlova, I.S., Shenbrot, G.I., Morand, S., Korallo-Vinarskaya, N.P. & Vinarski, M.V. 2011. Nestedness and beta-diversity in ectoparasite assemblages of small mammalian hosts: effects of parasite affinity, host biology and scale. Oikos 120: 630-639.

*111. Krasnov, B.R., Stanko, M., Matthee, S., Laudisot, A., Leirs, H., Khokhlova, I.S., Korallo-Vinarskaya, N.P., Vinarski, M.V. & Morand, S. 2011. Male hosts drive infracommunity structure of ectoparasites. Oecologia 166:1099-1010.

*112. Liberman, V., Khokhlova, I.S., Degen, A.A. & Krasnov, B.R. 2011. The effect of host age on feeding performance of fleas. Parasitology 138: 1154-1163.

*113. Morick, D., Krasnov, B.R., Khokhlova, I.S., Gottlieb, Y. & Harrus, S. 2011. Investigation of Bartonella acquisition and transmission in Xenopsylla ramesis fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). Molecular Ecology 20: 2864-2870.

*114. Khokhlova, I.S., Fielden, L.J., Degen, A.A. & Krasnov, B.R. 2012. Feeding performance of fleas on host species: is phylogenetic distance between hosts important? Parasitology (accepted, winter 2012).

*115. Khokhlova, I.S., Fielden, L.J., Degen, A.A. & Krasnov, B.R. 2012. Digesting blood of an auxiliary host in fleas: Effect of phylogenetic distance from a principal host. Journal of Experimental Biology (accepted, winter 2012).

*116. Krasnov, B.R., Bordes, F., Khokhlova, I.S. & Morand, S. 2012. Gender-biased parasitism in small mammals: patterns, mechanisms, consequences. Mammalia (accepted, summer 2012).

*117. Krasnov, B.R., Fortuna, M., Mouillot, D., Khokhlova, I.S., Shenbrot, G.I. & Poulin, R. 2012. Phylogenetic signal and species roles in compartmentalized mammal-flea networks. American Naturalist (accepted, spring 2012).

*118. Krasnov, B.R., Mouillot, D., Khokhlova, I.S., Shenbrot, G.I. & Poulin, R. 2012. Compositional and phylogenetic dissimilarity of host communities drives compositional and phylogenetic dissimilarity of ectoparasite assemblages: geographic variation and scale-dependence. Parasitology (accepted, winter 2012).

(e)  Published scientific reports and technical papers

(f)  Unrefereed professional articles and publications

1. Sarfati, M., Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S. & Degen, A. A. 2003. Reciprocal physiological influences in the flea-rodent relationship: effects of host specificity. Bulletin of the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 60: 323.

2. Khokhlova, I. S., Krasnov, B. R., Kuznetsov, V., Sartor, C. E., Zan, M., Salek, L., Ghazaryan, L., Kam, M. & Degen, A. A. 2003. Dietary intake and time budget in two desert rodents: a diurnal herbivore and a nocturnal granivore. Bulletin of the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 60: 322.

3. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Shenbrot, G. I., Stanko, M. & Morand, S. 2006. The effect of rodent host abundance on ectoparasite abundance and distribution: Does theory work everywhere? Hystrix – Italian Journal of Mammalogy Suppl: 74-75.

(g)  Classified articles and reports

• Lectures and Presentations at Meetings and Invited Seminars not followed by Published Proceedings

(a)  Invited plenary lectures at conferences/meetings

1. Khokhlova, I.S. & Krasnov. B. R. 1988. Plasticity of social and spatial structure of the house mouse populations Rodents. VII National Conference, Sverdlovsk, Russia.

2. Krasnov. B. R. & Khokhlova, I.S. 1990. Interspecific interactions in rodents. V Russian Theriological Society Conference, Moscow, Russia.

*3. Krasnov. B. R. & Khokhlova, I.S. 2002. Rodents, ectoparasites, environment: patterns and processes. 8^th International conference “Rodents & Spatium", Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.

*4. Krasnov. B. R., Khokhlova, I.S. & Shenbrot, G.I. 2004. Host determinants of species richness of ectoparasite assemblages: An example with rodents and fleas. 9^th International conference “Rodents & Spatium", Lublin, Poland.

*5. Krasnov. B. R., Poulin, R., Mouillot, D. & Khokhlova, I.S. 2005. Ecological characteristics of a flea species determining its suitability as a plague vector. International Conference “Plague: bacteriology, evolution, ecology, epidemiology and its impact on human history", Oslo, Norway.

*6. Krasnov. B. R. & Khokhlova, I.S. 2006. The effect of rodent host abundance on ectoparasite abundance and distribution: Does theory work everywhere? 10^th International conference on rodent biology “Rodents & Spatium", Parma, Italy.

*7. Krasnov. B. R., Poulin, R., Mouillot, D., Korallo, N., Vinarski, M. & Khokhlova, I.S. 2007. Are there general rules governing parasite diversity in small mammalian hosts? V European Congress of Mammalogy, Siena, Italy.

*8. Krasnov, B.R. & Khokhlova, I.S. 2010. Searching for general rules in the ecology of arthropod ectoparasites. IX European Congress of Entomology, Budapest, Hungary.

*9. Krasnov, B.R. & Khokhlova, I.S. 2011. Are there general rules in the ecology of arthropod ectoparasites? Global Conference on Entomology, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

*10. Krasnov, B.R. & Khokhlova, I.S. 2011. Patterns, causes and consequences of gender-biased parasitism. VI European Congress of Mammalogy, Paris, France.

(b)  Presentation of papers at conferences/meetings

1. German, A. & Khokhlova, I. 1974. Dynamics of the hierarchical relationships of laboratory Mus musculus L. (Rodentia). In: First International Theriological Congress 143-144, Moscow.

2. Khokhlova, I. 1982. On space use in house mice. In: Mammals of the USSR. Proceedings of the Third State Conference of the Theriological Society 320-322, Moscow (in Russian).

3. Khokhlova, I. & Zolotarev, S. 1984. Behavioral characteristics in house mice from different habitats. In: Applied Ethology. Proceedings of the Third Conference on Animal Behaviour 134-136,  Moscow (in Russian).

4. Krasnov, B. & Khokhlova, I. 1984. Spatial structure of population of feral house mice in Kalmykia. In: Rodents: Abstracts of Fourth National Conference 467-469, Leningrad, USSR (in Russian).

5. Iakimenko, L., Korobitzina, K. & Khokhlova, I. 1986. Cytogenetical differentiation among three forms of house mice. In: Abstracts of Fourth Meeting of Russian Theriological Society 108-110, Moscow (in Russian).

6. Khokhlova, I. 1986. Mechanisms of population homeostasis in house mice. In: Abstracts of Fourth Meeting of  the Russian Theriological Society 368-370. Moscow (in Russian).

7. Khokhlova, I. & Krasnov, B. 1988. Lability of social and spatial structure in house mice. In: Rodents. Abstracts of Seventh National Meeting, 109-112. Sverdlovsk, USSR (in Russian).

8. Krasnov, B. & Khokhlova, I. 1988. Interspecific interactions in rodents and complex approach to their control. In: Rodents Abstracts of Seventh National Meeting, 107-109.  Sverdlovsk, USSR (in Russian).

9. Krasnov, B. & Khokhlova, I. 1990. Spatial and social structure of house mice populations under different environmental conditions.  In: Abstracts of Fifth National Theriological  Society Meeting 166-168. Moscow, USSR (in Russian)

10. Krasnov, B. & Khokhlova, I. 1993. Seasonal changes in the distribution of rodents in Ramon Cirque, Negev Highlands, Israel.  In: Sixth International Theriological Congress, 227. Sydney, Australia.

11. Krasnov, B. & Khokhlova, I. 1993. Spatial-ethological structure of populations of the house mouse (Mus musculus) under different environmental conditions. In: Sixth International Theriological Congress, 227-228. Sydney, Australia.

12. Krasnov, B., Shenbrot, G. & Khokhlova, I. 1994. Rodent community organization in Makhtesh Ramon: spatial and temporal patterns. 30^th Annual Meeting of Zoological Society of Israel. In: Israel Journal of Zoology 40:56-57.

13. Shenbrot, G., Krasnov, B. & Khokhlova, I. 1994. Patterns of animal distribution at the boundary of two biogeographical zones as possible indicator of global climate changes: an example with beetles, lizards, and rodents at the Ramon-Zohar line (Central Negev). In: Annual Meeting of Ecological Society of Israel 104-105.

14. Khokhlova, I., Kam, M. & Degen, A.A. 1995. Body size and diet quality selection in desert rodents. 31^st Annual Meeting of Zoological Society of Israel. In: Israel Journal of Zoology 41:94.

15. Krasnov, B. & Khokhlova, I. 1995. Host-parasite relationships: flea composition on a rodent as an indicator of its ecology. In: Second European Theriological Congress, Southampton, England.

16. Khokhlova, I., Kam, M. & Degen, A.A. 1996.  Plant selection and digestive bottle neck in desert gerbils of different body size. 32nd Annual Meeting of Zoological Society of Israel. In: Israel Journal of Zoology 42:69-70.

17. Krasnov, B., Shenbrot, G. & Khokhlova, I. 1996. Flea assemblages on Gerbilline rodents in Makhtesh Ramon. 32nd Annual Meeting of Zoological Society of Israel. In: Israel Journal of Zoology 42:71-72.

18. Khokhlova. I.S., M. Kam & A.A. Degen 1997. Effect of litter size on energetics of lactating dams and growth of pups in Meriones crassus. 33rd Annual Meeting of Zoological Society of Israel. In: Israel Journal of Zoology 43:107.

19. Krasnov, B., Shenbrot, G. & Khokhlova, I. 1997. Host specificity versus habitat specificity trade-off in flea assemblages (Siphonaptera) on rodents in the Negev Desert. 33rd Annual Meeting of Zoological Society of Israel. In: Israel Journal of Zoology 43:108.

20. Krasnov, B., Shenbrot, G. & Khokhlova, I. 1997. Flea infracommunities of desert rodents: host specificity versus habitat specificity trade-off. Seventh International Theriological Congress, Acapulco, Mexico.

21. Khokhlova, I. S., Kam, M., Gonen, S. & Degen, A. A. 1998. Effect of energy intake on the estrous cycle in Meriones crassus. 34th Annual Meeting of the Zoological Society of Israel. In: Israel Journal of Zoology 44:77.

22. German, A., Khokhlova, I. & Krasnov, B. 1998. Mice are lovable. Sixth International Conference “Rodents & Spatium", Akko, Israel.

23. Khokhlova, I., Kam, M., & Degen, A. A.. 1998. Energy and water requirements during pregnancy in Meriones crassus: consequences of body size. Sixth International Conference “Rodents & Spatium", Akko, Israel.

24. Krasnov, B., Khokhlova, I. & Shenbrot, G. 1998. Environmental mediation of the rodent-flea relationship. Sixth International Conference “Rodents & Spatium", Akko, Israel.

25. Krasnov, B. & Khokhlova, I. 1998. Behavioral interactions as a mechanism of spatial distribution of syntopic rodent species. International Congress of Ecology, Florence, Italy.

26. Kam, M., Khokhlova, I. & Degen, A. 1999. Intake of saltbush (Atriplex halimus) in growing fat jirds (Meriones crassus): Dietary selection, food manipulation, and the effect of body size. 35th Annual Meeting of the Zoological Society of Israel. In: Israel Journal of Zoology 45:311.

27. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I. & Khokhlova, I. S. 1999. Ability to forage in sandy substrate as a determinant of habitat selection in three gerbil species. Eighth International Small African Mammals Symposium, Paris, France.

28. Krasnov, B. R. & Khokhlova, I. S. 2000. Pattern of flea distribution on a desert rodent: the effect of host density. 13^th Meeting of European Society of Vector Ecology, Antalya, Turkey.

29. Krasnov, B. R. & Khokhlova, I. S. 2000. The effect of host density on ectoparasite distribution:an example with a gerbil parasitized by fleas. International symposium, “Ecological parasitology at the turn of the Millenium", Saint-Petersburg, Russia.

30. Krasnov, B. R. & Khokhlova, I. S. 2001. Host-habitat relations as determinant of spatial distribution of flea assemblages on rodents in the Negev Desert. Eighth International Theriological Congress, Sun-City, South Africa.

31. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S. & Burdelova, N. V. 2001. Habitat dependence of a parasite-host relationship: Flea (Siphonaptera.e) assemblages on a desert rodent. Annual Meeting of Israeli Society of Parasitology, Beer-Sheva.

32. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S. & Burdelova, N. V. 2001. Habitat dependence of flea-rodent relationships. Third International Congress on Vector Ecology, Barcelona, Spain.

33. Khokhlova, I. S., Krasnov, B. R., Degen, A. A. & Kam, M. 2002. Energy cost of flea parasitism in a desert rodent. Eighth International conference “Rodents & Spatium", Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.

34. Krasnov, B. R. & Khokhlova, I. S. 2002. Host-parasite-habitat relations: rodents parasitized by fleas in the central Negev desert. Eighth International conference “Rodents & Spatium", Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.

35. Krasnov, B. R. & Khokhlova, I. S. 2002. Fleas, rodents, environment: relationships. 12^th Congress of the Russian Entomological Society. Saint-Petersburg, Russia.

36. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Oguzoglu, I. & Burdelova, N. V. 2002. Host discrimination by two species of desert fleas. 12^th Congress of the Russian Entomological Society. Saint-Petersburg, Russia.

37. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S. & Burdelova, N. V. 2002. Density-dependent host selection in ectoparasites: An application of isodar theory to fleas parasitizing rodents. Ninth European Ecological Congress Euroeco 02, Lund, Sweden.

38. Tsairi, H., Abramsky, Z., Krasnov, B. R. & Khokhlova, I. S. 2002. Does ectoparasite burden affect body condition, energy demands and survival of its rodent host? Ninth European Ecological Congress Euroeco 02, Lund, Sweden.

39. Khokhlova, I. S., Krasnov, B. R., Kuznetsov, V., Sartor, C. E., Zan, M., Salek, L., Ghazaryan, L., Kam, M. & Degen, A. A. 2003. Time budget in two desert gerbils: Is diet important?" 11th International Symposium Animal Science Days, Porec, Croatia.

40. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S. & Shenbrot, G. I. 2003. Density-dependent host selection in ectoparasites and fitness consequences. Symposium “Host-parasite relationships", Zoological Society of Israel, Achva Colledge.

41. Khokhlova, I. S., Krasnov, B. R., Kuznetsov, V., Sartor, C. E., Zan, M., Salek, L., Ghazaryan, L., Kam, M. & Degen, A. A. 2003. Diet quality and time budget in desert rodents. Fourth European Congress of Mammalogy, Brno, Czech Republic.

42. Sarfati, M., Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S. & Degen, A. A. 2003. Reciprocal physiological influences in the flea-rodent relationships: Effects of host specificity. Fourth European Congress of Mammalogy, Brno, Czech Republic.

43. Khokhlova, I. S., Krasnov, B. R., Kuznetsov, V., Sartor, C. E., Zan, M., Salek, L., Ghazaryan, L., Kam, M. & Degen, A. A. 2003. Dietary intake and time budget in two desert rodents: a diurnal herbivore and a nocturnal granivore. In: Bulletin of the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 60: 322.

44. Sarfati, M., Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S. & Degen, A. A. 2003. Reciprocal physiological influences in the flea-rodent relationship: effects of host specificity. In: Bulletin of the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 60: 323.

45. Kam, M., Cohen-Gross, S., Khokhlova, I.S., Degen, A. A. & Geffen, E. 2004. Reproductive rate and energy allocation during lactation in Meriones crassus. 40th Annual Meeting of the Zoological Society of Israel. In: Israel Journal of Zoology 50:110.

46. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Khokhlova, I. S. & Degen, A. A. 2004. Host determinants of species richness of ectoparasite assemblages: An example with rodents and fleas. 9^th International conference on rodent biology “Rodents & Spatium", Lublin, Poland.

47. Khokhlova, I. S., Krasnov, B. R., Spinu, M. & Degen, A. A. 2004. Resistance and cross-resistance against fleas in a desert rodent. Ninth International conference on rodent biology “Rodents & Spatium", Lublin, Poland.

48. Mirzoyan, N., Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S. & Degen, A. A. 2004. Are rodent species equally suitable hosts for generalist ectoparasites? Ninth International conference on rodent biology “Rodents & Spatium", Lublin, Poland.

49. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Shenbrot, G. I., Degen, A.A., Mouillot, D. & Poulin, R. 2005. Mammalian host characteristics determining species richness of their ectoparasite assemblages. Ninth International Mammological Congress, Sapporo, Japan.

50. Khokhlova, I.S., Spinu, M., Krasnov, B.R. & Degen, A.A. 2005. Immune responses to

fleas in rodents in dependence of natural prevalence and diversity of flea assemblages. Ninth International Mammological Congress, Sapporo, Japan.

51. Kam, M., Khokhlova, I. S. & Degen, A. A. 2006. Partition of energy in altricial and precocial rodent pups. 9th International conference on rodent biology “Rodents & Spatium", Parma, Italy.

52. Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Mouillot, D., Khokhlova, I. S. and Poulin, R. 2006. Vector ecology and disease transmission: an example with fleas, small mammals and plague. 11^th International Parasitological Congress, Glasgow, UK.

53. Khokhlova, I. S., Spinu, M., Krasnov, B. R., Ghasaryan, L. & Degen, A. A. 2006. Immune response of a host and fitness of an ectoparasite: the asymmetry. 11^th International Parasitological Congress, Glasgow, UK.

54. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Shenbrot, G. I., Stanko, M. & Morand, S. 2006. The effect of rodent host abundance on ectoparasite abundance and distribution: Does theory work everywhere? 9^th International Conference on Rodent Biology “Rodents & Spatium", Parma, Italy.

55. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Shenbrot, G. I., Degen, A.A., Mouillot, D. & Poulin, R. 2007. Mammalian host characteristics and species richness of flea assemblages. International Conference “ Mammalian Fauna of Russia and Adjacent Countries", Moscow, Russia.

56. Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Shenbrot, G. I., Degen, A.A., & Poulin, R. 2007. Are there general rules governing parasite diversity in small mammalian hosts? V European Congress of Mammalogy, Siena, Italy.

57. Krasnov, B.R. & Khokhlova, I.S. 2007. Host search by fleas: host-related versus environmental-related factors. IV Russian Conference on Animal Behaviour, Moscow, Russia.

58. Krasnov, B.R., Khokhlova, I.S. & Fielden, .J. 2008. Respiratory physiology as a tool for understanding ecological patterns in fleas. XXII International Congress of Entomology, Durban, South Africa.

59. Krasnov, B.R., Khokhlova, I.S., Shenbrot, G.I., Korallo-Vinarskaya, N.P., Vinarski, M. & Poulin, R. 2008. Rodents and their parasites: searching for general patterns. 11^th International Conference on Rodent Biology “Rodents & Spatium", Myshkin, Russia.

61. Krasnov, B.R. & Khokhlova, I.S. 2010. Do general rules explain the ecology of arthropod ectoparasites of small mammals? Annual Conference of the Australian Mammal Society, Canberra, Australia.

62. Korine, C., Krasnov, B.R., Khokhlova, I.S. & Pinshow, B. 2010. Feeding ability of the flea Xenopsylla ramesis on three hosts that differ in life history. 2nd International Berlin Bat Meeting: Bat Biology and Infectious Diseases, Berlin, Germany.

63. Arbiv, A., Khokhlova, I.S., Ovadia, O. & Krasnov, B.R. 2011. Fine-tuning of parasite adaptations t a host species: a flea and two rodents. The 39th convention of the Israeli Society of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Megiddo, Israel.

64. Harrus, S., Morick, M., Khokhlova, I., Gottlieb, Y., Krasnov, B. 2011. Bartonella in rodents and their ectoparasites in Israel. Annual Meeting of Israel Society for Microbiology and Parasitology.

65. Krasnov, B.R., Khokhlova, I.S., Shenbrot, G.I & Poulin, R. 2011. Species –stability and geographic variation in ecological properties of parasites. The 5^th International Conference of the International Biogeography Society, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.

66. Krasnov, B.R., Khokhlova, I.S. & Matthee, S. 2011. Gender-biased parasitism: patterns, causes, consequences. 11th African Small Mammal Symposium, Kwaluseni, Swaziland.

(c)  Presentations at informal international seminars and workshops

2003. Khokhlova, I.S. & Krasnov, B. R. Rodent-flea-habitat interface. Institute of Ecology and Evolution Problems, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia.

(d)  Seminar presentations at universities and institutions

1980. Institute of Disinfection, Ministry of Health of USSR.

1984. Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University.

1985. Severtzov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russia Academy of Science.

1986. Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University.

1990. Severtzov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russia Academy of Science.

2000. Severtzov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russia Academy of Science

2002. Department of Parasitology, Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Science, St. Petersburg, Russia.

2003. Severtzov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russia Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia.

• Research Grants

1. 1998. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Krasnov, B. (PI), Shenbrot, G. (PI), Khokhlova, I. (CI), Degen, A. (CI). Does food availability determine seasonal body mass changes in Negev desert rodents? $5,000 for one year

2. 1998-2001. United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF). Krasnov, B. (PI), Fielden, L. (PI), Shenbrot, G. (PI), Khokhlova, I. (PI) The role of environmental factors in the mediation of host-ectoparasite relationships. $ 140,000 for 3 years.

3. 2000-2003. Ministry of Science, Sport and Culture of Israel. Krasnov, B. (PI), Mumcuoglu, K. (PI), Khokhlova, I. (PI), Shenbrot, G. (CI). Factors affecting survival and the rate of development of two flea species in the Central Negev Desert. $60,000 for 3 years.

4. 2001-2004. Israel Science Foundation. Krasnov, B. (PI), Khokhlova, I. (PI), Shenbrot, G. (CI). Mechanisms determining parapatric distribution of two flea species parasitizing the same host. $150,000 for 3 years.

5. 2001-2004. Ministry of Science of Israel. Krasnov, B. (PI), Abramsky, A. (PI), Khokhlova, I. (PI), Mumcuoglu, K. (CI), Hawlena-Tsairi, H. (PI). The dynamics of host-ectoparasite interactions in the Negev region, and its epidemic implications to the local human population. $90,000 for 3 years.

6. 2003-2004. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (seed money grant). Physiological and behavioural aspects of host specificity in fleas. Krasnov, B. (PI), Khokhlova, I. (PI), Degen, A. (CI). $5000 for 1 year.

7. 2004-2008. Israel Science Foundation. Density-dependent host (=habitat) selection in ectoparasites: Causal mechanisms and fitness consequences. Krasnov, B. (PI), Khokhlova, I. (PI), Degen, A. (CI), Shenbrot, G. (CI). $200,000 for 4 years.

8. 2006-2009. Israel Ministry of Science, Culture and Sport. New invasive rodent species in Makhtesh Ramon: Can it be affected by local parasites? Krasnov, B. (PI), Khokhlova, I. (PI), Degen, A. (PI). $60,000 for 3 years.

9. 2008-2012. Israel Science Foundation.Which host is tastier? Mechanisms of parasite aggregation among host individuals. Krasnov, B. (PI), Khokhlova, I. (PI), Degen, A. (CI). $175,000 for 4 years.

10. 2008-2012. Israel Science Foundation. Effect of ectoparasites on energy expenditure and reproductive success in free-living rodents. Degen, A. (PI), Kam, M. (CI), Khokhlova, I. (CI), Krasnov, B. (CI), Geffen, E. (CI). $175,000 for 4 years.

11. 2009-2013. United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF). Between-host phylogenetic distance and mechanisms of host selection in haematophagous parasites: Physiological and behavioral aspects. Krasnov, B. (PI), Fielden, L. (PI), Khokhlova, I. (PI). $120,000 for 4 years.

• Synopsis of research, including reference to publications and grants in above lists

My research interests and activities encompass the following major areas in mammalian research: 1) behaviour, 2) population ecology, 3) physiology and 4) parasitology.  I combine field and laboratory methods to investigate physiological, parasitological and ecological processes that determine life history strategies in mammals.

Animal behavior and population ecology. I started my scientific career in studies on the behavioural determinants of spatial distribution of small mammals. These studies had two main directions, namely (a) relationships between agonistic behaviour and reproductive patterns in house mice (Mus musculus) and (b) spatio-ethological variability in populations of house mice. The studies included ecological, genetic and behavioral aspects to reveal the influence of interactions among individuals on the spatial distribution and reproductive success within mice populations. I found that social interactions among individuals within groups are related to plasticity of their behavioural and physiological characteristics (such as aggressiveness, the speed of establishment of conditional reflexes, stress resistance) which, in turn, are determined genetically. The level of plasticity determines the reproductive success of group members (publ. C-2; D-1, 2).

The effect of environmental influence on the spatio-ethological structure in Mus musculus populations was examined both in the field and in the laboratory. Within populations, social relations, as well as spatial distribution of individuals, depend on habitat productivity, habitat complexity and climatic parameters.  Furthermore, each type of spatio-behavioral structure is related to specific environmental conditions (publ. C-1-4; D-2-3).

Research on comparative population ecology of gerbils was conducted in the Negev desert (publ. D-4-6, 9-10, 15, 19, 23, 27, 36). The rationale of this research was as follows: a species occurs in a particular habitat and is absent from another is that the species is adapted to the physical characteristics of its preferred habitat. These adaptations facilitate the performance of a species in its habitats so that it achieves the highest fitness. Consequently, the comparison of the performance of species in different habitat associations will help to answer the question of what determines habitat preference.

Physiological ecology. Nutritional factors play an important role in the evolution and population dynamics of animals. Nutritional ecology of desert rodents has been studied since 1993 (D-7, 11-13, 16, 20-21, 28, 30, 37, 42, 53, 71, 78, 97, 99, 102-103) using field and laboratory investigations of nutrition, energetics, growth, and reproductive biology of small mammals. Desert gerbilline rodents consume mainly plant material, in particular seeds. In the Negev Desert, typical of desert habitats, there is an abrupt emergence of green vegetation triggered by unpredictable precipitation. Thus, many rodents shift their diet from predominantly seeds to one containing more vegetation. I examined factors affecting the ability of different-sized desert rodents to utilize desert plants, and the impact of diet on maintenance, growth and reproduction. I also measured field (FMR) and average daily (ADMR) metabolic rates of desert rodents. Behavioral studies were conducted to determine diet selection and time-energy budgets of desert animals. Body size influences energy expenditure and dietary selection of animals in that small mammals require more energy and water per unit gut capacity than large mammals. I have shown that small gerbils consume a more energy-rich diet. Moreover, G. henleyi (10-12 g) are able to select energy-rich parts from low-digestible, energy-poor plants.

I have a particular interest in interactions of nutrition and reproduction in small mammals. I found that reproductive activities are sensitive to energy intake: with restricted energy intake, the estrous cycle and reproductive activities are disrupted but can be restored with provision of adequate energy. This strategy ensures that reproduction occurs when conditions of food availability and body condition of the females are favorable. Reproduction is one of the most costly activities in terms of energy expenditure and water requirements in females. In A. cahirinus, metabolizable energy intake was the main factor determining growth of young and the proportional increase in water input in lactating females was greater than the proportional increase in energy intake. Lactating M. crassus used a combination of reallocation of energy and increased metabolizable energy: females reduced energy expenditure for maintenance to compensate for increased energy requirements and used this saved energy, in addition to the increased metabolizable energy intake and mobilization of body energy reserves, for milk production. Reproductive parameters of females (such as milk production and growth rate of young) were positively correlated with ADMRs of females.

Ecological parasitology. Unlike endoparasites, ectoparasites are influenced not only by their host characteristics, but also by the off-host environment. Therefore, the habitat of the ectoparasite should be considered as not only a particular host, but also rather a particular host in a particular habitat. This raises the question of the role of the host-habitat relationship in determining ectoparasite community structure. The second important question in ecological parasitology is related to reciprocal physiological influences between the host and the parasite (publ. C-5; D-14, 17-18, 22, 24-26, 29-35, 38-41, 43-52, 54-70, 72-77, 79-95; 96, 98-101, 104-118, grants 2-11). These studies include the investigation of the effect of rodent physiological and reproductive status on foraging, reproductive success and performance of their flea parasites. In addition, I am studying the effect of ectoparasites on energy requirements of their rodent hosts and question whether the effect of flea parasitism is most critical during most energy-demanding periods of an individual life of rodent (breeding season, pregnancy, lactation). In addition, the study of the immunological parameters of flea-rodent relationships began recently to broaden the scope of the research of environment-host-parasite relations. In particular, I demonstrated that rodents develop cross-resistance against several closely related flea species. The pattern of mounting the immune response in a rodent species differs among species, and is related to the level of natural flea infestation and the diversity of flea assemblages. The resistance against fleas can be, albeit up to certain degree, transferred from mother to offspring. Current studies include the determination of causes of host-specificity of flea species to understand host-parasite co-evolution. Important is the effect of host grooming pattern, host blood composition and skin structure on the pattern of flea parasitism and the ability of the flea to identify the preferred host. Additional studies deal with macroecological and evolutionary patterns of mammal-flea relationships such as relationships between host specificity and size of geographic range and geographic variability of the diversity of flea assemblages within and among host species.

• Present Academic Activities

Research in progress

1. Factors determining host-specificity in fleas (with B. Krasnov).

2. Factors affecting immunocompetence in desert rodents (with M. Spinu [Romania], A. Degen, B. Krasnov).

3. Host species effect on egg production, survival and development of fleas (with Fielden, L.  [USA], B. Krasnov).

4. Macroecology of mammal-flea relationships (with G. Shenbrot, B. Krasnov, R. Poulin [New Zealand], D. Mouillot [France], S. Morand [France]).

5. Behavioural patterns in ectoparasites (with B.Krasnov).

6. Immune response of rodents to flea parasitism (with A. Degen, B. Krasnov, M. Spinu [Romania]).

7. Host nutritional and reproductive status and flea performance (with B.Krasnov and A. Degen).

8. Effect of ectoparasites on the reproduction of rodent host (with A. Degen, B. Krasnov, M. Kam).

9. Effect of ectoparasites on energy requirements of rodent host (with A. Degen, B. Krasnov, M. Kam).

10 The relationship between ectoparasite load, physiological indicators of health, and stress responses in rodents (with J. R. St. Juliana, N.Wielebnowski, B. P.Kotler, B. R. Krasnov).

Books and articles to be published

In preparation

1. Naumova, E. N., Zharova, G. I., Chistova, T. Yu., Kam, M., Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S. & Degen, A. A. 2010. Digestion and passage rate of several plants fed gerbilline rodents. For Functional Ecology.

2. Krasnov, B.R., Khokhlova, I.S. & Shenbrot, G.I. 2010. Structure of component communities in two taxa of haematophagous ectoparasites. For Ecological Entomology.

3. Kuznetsova, T.A., Khokhlova, I.S., Kostina, N.V., Dobrovolskaya, T.G, Umarov, M.M., Degen, A.A, Kam, M. and Krasnov, B.R. 2010. Effect of gerbils on biological properties of soil and bacterial composition of their burrows. For Functional Ecology.

Submitted for publication

1. Arbiv, A., Khokhlova, I.S., Ovadia, O., Novoplansky, A. & Krasnov, B.R. 2011. Reproductive implications of experimental host shifting in haematophagous ectoparasites. Journal of Evolotuionary Biology (submitted).

2. Korine, C., Krasnov, B.R., Khokhlova, I.S., Pinshow, B. 2010. Fleas feed well on torpid pipistrelles as they do on normothermic 1 jirds and fruit bats, but not on normothermic pipistrelles. Journal of Experimental Biology (submitted).