The record of Ametropus fragilis Albarda, 1878 (Ephemeroptera, Ametropodidae) from Georgia

The representatives of the genus Ametropus (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) were recorded 80 years ago in Georgia. Due to the taxonomic uncertainty, the recorded specimens were considered potentially new taxa. Since then, no other record of Ametropus has been documented from the whole South Caucasus and its nearby regions further south. In the present contribution, we provide a new record of Ametropus from the Alazani River (Kura River Basin, Georgia). Morphological and DNA barcoding of the COI gene fragment showed that the species belongs to the widespread Holarctic species A. fragilis. Morpho-anatomical characteristics also confirmed the high degree of similarity between the newly recorded specimens and those once recorded 80 years ago. In addition, the COI barcode showed a strikingly closer relationship between Caucasian A. fragilis and North American A. neavei (3.54% divergence) compared to Caucasian and European A. fragilis populations (4.3% divergence). The observed pattern clearly indicates the need for further and more thorough revision of the Ametropus species complex in the Holarctic region

Revealing the stygobiotic and crenobiotic molluscan biodiversity hotspot in Caucasus : part I : the phylogeny of stygobiotic Sadlerianinae Szarowska, 2006 (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Hydrobiidae) from Georgia with descriptions of five new genera and twenty-one new species

The position of the southwestern Caucasus as a stygobiotic Mollusca hotspot is confirmed. Molecular data of stygobiotic gastropods revealed the diversity of subfamily Sadlerianinae Szarowska, 2006, inhabiting the subterranean environment of Georgia. In addition to the well-known endemic genera Pontohoratia Vinarski, Palatov & Glöer, 2014 and Motsametia Vinarski, Palatov & Glöer, 2014, five more genera were identified in northwestern Georgia as new to the science: Kartvelobia gen. nov., Imeretiopsis gen. nov., Caucasopsis gen. nov., Caucasogeyeria gen. nov., and Hausdorfenia gen. nov. Additionally, 21 new species were found to inhabit the studied area (Samegrelo, Imereti, Racha regions in Georgia)

The first DNA-assisted record of Hemelytroblatta livida (Blattodea: Corydiidae) from Georgia with notes on Corydiinae species composition in the Caucasus

The fossorial sand cockroach Hemelytroblatta livida (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1865) is reported from Georgia for the first time, with a commentary on the species composition of the Corydiinae Saussure, 1864 subfamily in the Caucasus. Collection data, pictures of the male and female, and DNA barcodes are also provided. Furthermore, information on Polyphaga aegyptiaca (Linnaeus, 1758) is provided, along with images of the male, female, and juvenile

Phylogeny, phylogeography and hybridization of Caucasian barbels of the genus Barbus (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae)

Phylogenetic relationships and phylogeography of six species of Caucasian barbels, the genus Barbus s. str., were studied based on extended geographic coverage and using mtDNA and nDNA markers. Based on 27 species studied, matrilineal phylogeny of the genus Barbus is composed of two clades ¿ (a) West European clade, (b) Central and East European clade. The latter comprises two subclades: (b1) Balkanian subclade, and (b2) Ponto-Caspian one that includes 11 lineages mainly from Black and Caspian Sea drainages. Caucasian barbels are not monophyletic and subdivided for two groups. The Black Sea group encompasses species from tributaries of Black Sea including re-erected B. rionicus and excluding B. kubanicus. The Caspian group includes B. ciscaucasicus, B. cyri (with B. goktschaicus that might be synonymized with B. cyri), B. lacerta from the Tigris-Euphrates basin and B. kubanicus from the Kuban basin. Genetic structure of Black Sea barbels was influenced by glaciation-deglaciation periods accompanying by freshwater phases, periods of migration and colonization of Black Sea tributaries. Intra- and intergeneric hybridization among Caucasian barbines was revealed. In the present study, we report about finding of B. tauricus in the Kuban basin, where only B. kubanicus was thought to inhabit. Hybrids between these species were detected based on both mtDNA and nDNA markers. Remarkably, Kuban population of B. tauricus is distant to closely located conspecific populations and we consider it as relic. We highlight revealing the intergeneric hybridization between evolutionary tetraploid (2n=100) B. goktschaicus and evolutionary hexaploid (2n=150) Capoeta sevangi in Lake Sevan.The study was supported by Russian Science Foundation (grant no. 15-14-10020); final stage of the study was supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grants nos. 18-54-05003 and 19-04-00719)

A global agenda for advancing freshwater biodiversity research

Global freshwater biodiversity is declining dramatically, and meeting the challenges of this crisis requires bold goals and the mobilisation of substantial resources. While the reasons are varied, investments in both research and conservation of freshwater biodiversity lag far behind those in the terrestrial and marine realms. Inspired by a global consultation, we identify 15 pressing priority needs, grouped into five research areas, in an effort to support informed stewardship of freshwater biodiversity. The proposed agenda aims to advance freshwater biodiversity research globally as a critical step in improving coordinated actions towards its sustainable management and conservation

A global agenda for advancing freshwater biodiversity research

Global freshwater biodiversity is declining dramatically, and meeting the challenges of this crisis requires bold goals and the mobilisation of substantial resources. While the reasons are varied, investments in both research and conservation of freshwater biodiversity lag far behind those in the terrestrial and marine realms. Inspired by a global consultation, we identify 15 pressing priority needs, grouped into five research areas, in an effort to support informed stewardship of freshwater biodiversity. The proposed agenda aims to advance freshwater biodiversity research globally as a critical step in improving coordinated actions towards its sustainable management and conservation.Peer reviewe

Ceratozetes minimus

<p> <b> <i>Ceratozetes minimus</i> (Sellnick, 1928)</b> </p> <p> <b>Distribution in Georgia.</b> W: Avadkhara (Shtanchaeva & Subías 2010) E: Dariali gorge*</p> <p> <b>Global distribution.</b> Palaearctic</p> <p> <b>Ecology.</b> Alpine meadow soils</p>Published as part of <i>Murvanidze, Maka & Mumladze, Levan, 2016, Annotated checklist of Georgian oribatid mites, pp. 1-81 in Zootaxa 4089 (1)</i> on page 69, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4089.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/257567">http://zenodo.org/record/257567</a&gt

Suctobelbella sarekensis Forsslund 1941

<p> <b> <i>Suctobelbella sarekensis</i> Forsslund, 1941</b> </p> <p> <b>Distribution in Georgia.</b> E: Tavkvetila Mountain, Tbilisi (Shtanchaeva & Subías 2010)</p> <p> <b>Global distribution.</b> Holarctic</p> <p> <b>Ecology.</b> All types of habitats</p>Published as part of <i>Murvanidze, Maka & Mumladze, Levan, 2016, Annotated checklist of Georgian oribatid mites, pp. 1-81 in Zootaxa 4089 (1)</i> on page 54, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4089.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/257567">http://zenodo.org/record/257567</a&gt