Transboundary determinants of avian zoonotic infectious diseases: challenges for strengthening research capacity and connecting surveillance networks

As the climate changes, global systems have become increasingly unstable and unpredictable. This is particularly true for many disease systems, including subtypes of highly pathogenic avian influenzas (HPAIs) that are circulating the world. Ecological patterns once thought stable are changing, bringing new populations and organisms into contact with one another. Wild birds continue to be hosts and reservoirs for numerous zoonotic pathogens, and strains of HPAI and other pathogens have been introduced into new regions via migrating birds and transboundary trade of wild birds. With these expanding environmental changes, it is even more crucial that regions or counties that previously did not have surveillance programs develop the appropriate skills to sample wild birds and add to the understanding of pathogens in migratory and breeding birds through research. For example, little is known about wild bird infectious diseases and migration along the Mediterranean and Black Sea Flyway (MBSF), which connects Europe, Asia, and Africa. Focusing on avian influenza and the microbiome in migratory wild birds along the MBSF, this project seeks to understand the determinants of transboundary disease propagation and coinfection in regions that are connected by this flyway. Through the creation of a threat reduction network for avian diseases (Avian Zoonotic Disease Network, AZDN) in three countries along the MBSF (Georgia, Ukraine, and Jordan), this project is strengthening capacities for disease diagnostics; microbiomes; ecoimmunology; field biosafety; proper wildlife capture and handling; experimental design; statistical analysis; and vector sampling and biology. Here, we cover what is required to build a wild bird infectious disease research and surveillance program, which includes learning skills in proper bird capture and handling; biosafety and biosecurity; permits; next generation sequencing; leading-edge bioinformatics and statistical analyses; and vector and environmental sampling. Creating connected networks for avian influenzas and other pathogen surveillance will increase coordination and strengthen biosurveillance globally in wild birds

The first record of the family Piophilidae (Insecta: Diptera) from the Caucasus

Abstract Piophilidae Macquart, 1835, is a small family of flies widely distributed in all parts of the world but more represented in the cooler temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. At present, there is a lack of information on the distribution of this family in the Caucasus region. In this study, the family Piophilidae, with a record of Prochyliza nigrimana (Meigen, 1826), is reported for the first time from the South Caucasus ecoregion

The first record of the family Piophilidae (Insecta: Diptera) from the Caucasus

Abstract Piophilidae Macquart, 1835, is a small family of flies widely distributed in all parts of the world but more represented in the cooler temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. At present, there is a lack of information on the distribution of this family in the Caucasus region. In this study, the family Piophilidae, with a record of Prochyliza nigrimana (Meigen, 1826), is reported for the first time from the South Caucasus ecoregion

New and well-forgotten: DNA-assisted records of two beetle (Insecta, Coleoptera) species new for the fauna of Georgia with an update on the distribution of some other little studied taxa

First records of two species of beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera), namely Pocadius adustus Reitter, 1888 (Nitidulidae) and Byrrhus pustulatus (Forster, 1770) (Byrrhidae) are given for Georgia. In addition, an update on the occurrences of Necrobia violacea (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cleridae), Coelostoma orbiculare (Fabricius, 1775) (Hydrophilidae) and Lycoperdina succincta (Linnaeus, 1767) (Endomychidae) are also presented based on the specimens collected in Samtskhe-Javakheti region, determined by morphological and mtDNA barcoding methods

Into the unknown: the first barcode-assisted checklist of Psocoptera (Insecta, Psocodea) of Georgia with a census on country species richness

This checklist reports 47 species of Psocoptera from 15 families and three suborders from Georgia, of which 31 species are recorded for the first time, increasing the known fauna of the country by more than 65%. Of these, 37 species have been barcoded, representing 210 Barcode Identification Numbers (BINs). An additional 14 species are expected to occur in Georgia but remain undiscovered, meaning that only ≈ 77% of the fauna is currently documented. Barcodes, comments on distributions, and images of voucher specimens are given followed by a map of the sampling sites