[Parasitic contacts between the great, red-tailed and midday gerbils in the Muyun-Kum].

Interspecies epizootic parasitic contacts between rodents, bearers of plague in Mujunkums, have been studied. Rhombomys opimus, Meriones meridianus and M. libicus were marked with different radioactive isotopes. A bilataral exchange with fleas between great gerbils and rodents of the genus Meriones has been established. The exchange proceeded in the direction from rodents of the genus Meriones to great gerbils. Theoretically each rodent of Meriones meridianus and M. libicus fallen ill with plague can transmit within 24 hours one "blocked" flea to a great gerbil. In autumn three of ten animals take part in such transmission.