[Mollusca • 2025] Caucasopsiinae subfam. nov. • Little Treasures hidden in the Darkness: Diversity and Phylogeny of stygobiotic Hydrobiidae (Gastropoda) of the Caucasus

Caucasopsiinae Chertoprud & Vinarski,

in Chertoprud, Ekimova, Palatov, Grego, Mumladze et Vinarski, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2025.108439 

Highlights

• Hydrobiidae inhabit groundwaters on both south and north sides of the Great Caucasus.

• Caucasian hydrobiids are represented by three distinct phylogenetic lineages of subfamily taxonomical rank.

• A new subfamily of Hydrobiidae endemic to the Caucasus is described.

• A high morphological variability in the shell morphology within Caucasopsiinae subfam.nov. has been revealed.

• Female reproductive system morphology better supports high-level taxa phylogeny than other features.

Abstract

Hydrobiidae is the most diverse and species-rich freshwater gastropod family in the Palearctic. Their diversity in the Caucasus region remains largely unexplored and the phylogenetic relationships with European taxa have not been clarified yet. The primary objective of this study is to perform a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the stygobiotic Hydrobiidae of the Caucasus with an increased taxon sampling and incorporation of multiple molecular markers. We show that the Caucasian hydrobiids are represented by three distinct lineages of a subfamily rank: (1) Caucasopsiinae subfam. nov., comprises most of the stygobiotic hydrobiid genera endemic to Caucasus; (2) Belgrandiellinae includes a single stygobiotic genus Sitnikovia and a complex of crenobiotic genera; (3) Islamiinae is represented by a single monotypic genus. The Caucasian stygobiotic hydrobiids are represented by 13 genera, five of which were identified as new for science, and at least 37 species, including a significant number (20 species) of putative new taxa. Analysis of the soft-body anatomy revealed that the female reproductive system showed the best congruence with the phylogenetic relationships. Shell morphology showed high variability at both inter- and intrageneric level, questioning the generic assignment of species based on empty shells. The Caucasian stygobiotic Hydrobiidae show high endemism at all taxonomical levels from species to subfamilies, which probably reflects their long evolution in relative isolation from the hydrobiid clades inhabiting other regions.

 

Keywords: Groundwater ecosystems, Integrative taxonomy, Freshwater snails, Endemism, New Subfamily, Springsnails

Class Gastropoda Cuvier, 1795

Subclass Caenogastropoda Cox, 1960

Superfamily Truncatelloidea Gray, 1840

Family Hydrobiidae W. Stimpson, 1865

Subfamily Caucasopsiinae Chertoprud et Vinarski, n. Subf.

Type genus: Caucasopsis Grego et Mumladze, 2020

Type species: Caucasopsis letsurtsume Grego et Mumladze, 2020

Shells of Caucasian Hydrobiidae (SEM photographs):
A – Caucasopsis sp. 3; B – Caucasopsis sp. 8; C – Caucasopsis letsurtsume, conic form; D – Caucasopsis letsurtsume, robust form;
E – Pontohoratia birsteini; F – Caucasopsis vinarskii comb. nov.; G – Imeretiopsis gorgoleti;
 H – Schapsugia pulcherrima; I – Gen. 2; J – Gen. 1; K – Caucasogeyeria chrysomallos; L – Gen. 3; M – Sitnikovia megruli.

Elizaveta Chertoprud, Irina Ekimova, Dmitry Palatov, Jozef Grego, Levan Mumladze and Maxim Vinarski. 2025. Little Treasures hidden in the Darkness: Diversity and Phylogeny of stygobiotic Hydrobiidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) of the Caucasus. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.  213, 108439. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2025.108439 

[Mollusca • 2020] Imeretiopsis gen. nov., Caucasopsis gen. nov., Caucasogeyeria colchis, C. chrysomallos, Imeretiopsis prometheus, Kartvelobia sinuata, Hausdorfenia shareula, ... • The Phylogeny of stygobiotic Sadlerianinae Szarowska, 2006 (Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae) from Georgia with Descriptions of Five New Genera and Twenty-one New Species [Revealing the stygobiotic and crenobiotic Molluscan Biodiversity Hotspot in Caucasus: Part I]

 5–8 Caucasogeyeria colchis sp. nov., live specimens Pirveli Balda, spring in the village
9–12 C. chrysomallos sp. nov.  

in Grego, Mumladze, Falniowski, Osikowski, Rysiewska, Palatov et Hofman, 2020.

  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.955.51983 

Abstract

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).

Keywords: cave, biodiversity, freshwater, interstitial, mtDNA, molecular taxonomy, spring, subterranean

Caucasogeyeria specimens used for molecular and anatomical studies
 1 Caucasogeyeria chrysomallos sp. nov. 2–4 C. ignidona sp. nov. 5–8 C. colchis sp. nov., live specimens Pirveli Balda, spring in the village 9–12 C. chrysomallos sp. nov. The numbers correspond to individuals. Photograph A. Falniowski, J. Grego, A. Rysiewska.

 Jozef Grego, Levan Mumladze, Andrzej Falniowski, Artur Osikowski, Aleksandra Rysiewska, Dimitry M. Palatov and Sebastian Hofman. 2020. 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. ZooKeys. 955: 1-77. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.955.51983 

  

[Ichthyology • 2023] Ponticola alasanicus • A New freshwater Goby (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from the Alazani River Basin, Georgia

 

Ponticola alasanicus

 Epitashvili, Japoshvili & Mumladze, 2023 

 

DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.11.e101095 

Abstract

Background: The South Caucasus Region and Georgia, in particular, is a biodiversity hotspot and characterised by high diversity of landscapes and ecosystems, as well as high levels of endemism. At the same time, diversity of freshwater organisms in the region remains poorly studied, including fishes. The freshwater fish fauna of the South Caucasus Region consists of 119 fish species, of which 13 species belong to the order Gobiiformes. It should be noted that gobies are amongst the poorly studied taxa in Georgia and probably unknown/undescribed species still living in the Georgian freshwater ecosystems which requires further research.

New information: Ponticola alasanicus, a new species is described from the Alazani River, western Caspian Sea Basin, Georgia. It is distinguished from its congeners in the Caspian and Black Sea Basins by having the following features: dorsal fin with VI-VII spines and 15½-16½ branched rays, anal fin with 10½-12½ branched rays; lateral line with 48-55 scales; laterally compressed body with dark brown and black blotches - scales ctenoid; first and second dorsal fins almost touching with dorsal fins bases; head large, depressed, wider than deep, its length approaches almost 3.4th of standard length; nape scaled completely; cycloid scales cover upper part of opercle, cheeks noticeably swollen; snout longer than eye, eye diameter 4.5 times its head length; lower jaw slightly protruding; upper lip is uniform; pelvic disc short, elongated and flat, not reaching the anus; the pectoral fins extends vertically through first branched dorsal fin; caudal fin rounded. Ponticola alasanicus sp. n. belongs to P. syrman group and it is separated by a minimum Kimura 2-parameter distance of 3.5, 3.6 and 4.8% from P. syrman, P. iranicus and P. patimari, respectively.  

Keywords: Ponticola alasanicus sp. n., freshwater gobies, DNA barcoding, taxonomy, Western Caspian Sea Basin

Live specimen of Ponticola alasanicus sp. n. from the type location.

Ponticola alasanicus sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: D1 – VI, D2 I / 15½-16½, A I / 10½ – 12½; nape scaled completely, scales cycloid and ctenoid, cycloid scales covering upper part of opercle; lateral line system with sub-orbital row d continuous; predorsal area is linearly concave in middle; first dorsal fin with oblique black stripe between first two or three rays, the tip of the first 3-4 rays is transparent white; species has one large dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin; ventral disc has oval/elongated shape, short, not reaching anus.

 Giorgi Epitashvili, Bella Japoshvili and Levan Mumladze. 2023. Ponticola alasanicus sp. n. (Gobiiformes, Gobiidae) from the Alazani River Basin, Georgia. Biodiversity Data Journal. 11: e101095. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.11.e101095 

[Diplopoda • 2025] Acanthophorella didi, A. spinicoxa, ... • Four New cavernicolous Species of the Genus Acanthophorella Antić & Makarov, 2016 (Diplopoda: Chordeumatida: Anthroleucosomatidae) from Georgia, Caucasus

  

 Acanthophorella didi, A. gaumarjos, 
 A. eto, A. spinicoxa 

Antić, Margalitadze & Šević, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5609.1.3 

 facebook.com/delikvencija

Abstract

Four new, presumably troglobiotic species of the chordeumatidan genus Acanthophorella Antić & Makarov, 2016 are described from several Georgian caves. Acanthophorella didi sp. nov. and A. gaumarjos sp. nov. were discovered in three and one cave in the Racha karst massif, respectively, while A. eto sp. nov. and A. spinicoxa sp. nov. are known each from two caves in the Sataplia-Tskaltubo karst massif and Zemo Imereti plateau, respectively. All four species are properly diagnosed, described, and richly illustrated. Vulvae are described for the first time in Acanthophorella barjadzei Antić & Makarov, 2016, and new records are added for A. valerii Antić in Antić et al., 2023. Notes on the ecology and localities are given for new species. The distribution map and a key to all 10 species of the genus are presented. Distribution and troglomorphism within the genus are briefly discussed.

 Myriapoda, biospeleology, cave, millipedes, Sakartvelo, troglomorphism

Acanthophorella didi Antić, Margalitadze & Šević sp. nov.

Acanthophorella eto Antić, Margalitadze & Šević sp. nov.

Acanthophorella gaumarjos Antić, Margalitadze & Šević sp. nov.

Acanthophorella spinicoxa Antić, Margalitadze & Šević sp. nov.

Dragan ANTIĆ, Ana MARGALITADZE and Mirko ŠEVIĆ. 2025. Four New cavernicolous Species of the Genus Acanthophorella Antić & Makarov, 2016 (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Anthroleucosomatidae) from Georgia, Caucasus.  Zootaxa. 5609(1); 41-69. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5609.1.3 [2025-03-19]

  facebook.com/delikvencija/posts/10236826602791951

[Arachnida • 2024] Maimuna antalyensis, Tegenaria beyazcika, T. egrisiana, ... • New Taxonomic and Faunistic Data on the Funnel-weavers (Araneae: Agelenidae) of Turkiye and the Caucasus, with Five New Species

Habitus of Tegenaria egrisiana sp. nov. (A, B), T. dalmatica (C), T. beyazcika sp. nov. (D), and T. tekke (E), dorsal view.
 A, D males B, C, E females.

in Zamani, Kaya et Marusik, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1218.135249

  

Abstract

New taxonomic and faunistic data on the agelenid spiders of Turkiye and the Caucasus are provided. Five species are described as new to science: Maimuna antalyensis sp. nov. (♂♀; Turkiye: Antalya), Tegenaria ballarini sp. nov. (♂♀; Turkiye: Antalya), T. beyazcika sp. nov. (♂; Turkiye: Antalya), T. egrisiana sp. nov. (♂♀; Georgia: Imereti), and T. hoeferi sp. nov. (♂♀; Armenia: Kotayk). Tegenaria lazarovi Dimitrov, 2020, syn. nov. is proposed as a new junior synonym of T. averni Brignoli, 1978. Persiscape caucasica (Guseinov, Marusik & Koponen, 2005) is newly reported from Armenia, and T. chumachenkoi Kovblyuk & Ponomarev, 2008 is reported for the first time from Turkiye. New distribution records for T. dalmatica Kulczyński, 1906, T. hamid Brignoli, 1978, T. longimana Simon, 1898 and T. percuriosa Brignoli, 1972, and topotype material for T. tekke Brignoli, 1978 are reported. The record of Eratigena fuesslini (Pavesi, 1873) from Turkiye is found to be based on a misidentification, and is herein attributed to T. hamid. The presence of an embolic spine, unknown in any other species of Tegenaria, is documented in T. anhela Brignoli, 1972 for the first time. Photographs are provided for all treated species.

Key words: Anatolia, Armenia, Georgia, Maimuna, new record, new synonymy, Persiscape, Tegenaria

Habitus of Tegenaria egrisiana sp. nov. (A, B), T. dalmatica (C), T. beyazcika sp. nov. (D), and T. tekke (E), dorsal view.
 A, D males B, C, E females.

 

Alireza Zamani, Rahşen S. Kaya, Yuri M. Marusik. 2024. New Taxonomic and Faunistic Data on the Funnel-weavers (Araneae, Agelenidae) of Turkiye and the Caucasus, with Five New Species. ZooKeys. 1218: 251-286. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1218.135249

[Mollusca • 2023] The Land Snail Family Clausiliidae (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Stylommatophora) in Georgia: Overview, Novel Records and A New Species; Mucronaria (M.) kartvelica

 

 Mucronaria (Mucronaria) kartvelica 

Mumladze, Grego & Szekeres, 2023 

DOI: 10.3897/caucasiana.2.e101013

Abstract

The Caucasus ecoregion is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in western Eurasia. Georgia is situated in the middle of this area, between the ranges of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, a position providing exceptionally balanced environmental conditions for its flora and fauna. Animal groups of low mobility, such as land snails, are important indicators of the past and present geographic and climatic events shaping these unique ecosystems. We give an overview of the land snail family Clausiliidae in Georgia that includes 30 species, among which eight are endemic to this country. Their distribution areas are reassessed in the light of novel georeferenced occurrence data resulting from recent field work. Aspects of the origin, diversity, habitat requirements and conservation status of the Georgian Clausiliidae fauna are discussed. Additionally, Mucronaria (Mucronaria) kartvelica sp. n. is described from the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Region.

Key words: Caucasus, endemisms, land snails, new species, zoogeography

 Mucronaria (Mucronaria) kartvelica sp. n., holotype (ISU TM-T003-H).

Scale bar: 3 mm.  

Mucronaria (Mucronaria) kartvelicasp. n.

 Differential diagnosis: The reduced, diffuse palatal plicae and the less elongate shell shape distinguish the new species from members of the subgenus Mucronaria (Index) Boettger, 1877 and position it in the subgenus Mucronaria (Mucronaria) Boettger, 1877. Mucronaria (M.) kartvelica sp. n. differs from all other species of its subgenus by the slender and strongly costate shell. By contrast, Mucronaria (M.) acuminata has ventricose shell with glossy, densely striate surface and very weak lamella superior, Mucronaria (M.) duboisi has strong, to the peristome margin extended lamella inferior and long, well outlined palatal plicae, whereas Mucronaria (M.) strauchi (Boettger, 1878) is less elongate, more densely costate, and its ribs are more widely spaced on the neck than on the rest of the last whorl.

Etymology: The name of the new species refers to its occurrence in Sa-kartvelo (native historic name for Georgia).

The habitat (A) and a live individual (B) of Mucronaria (Mucronaria) kartvelica sp. n.

Levan Mumladze, Jozef Grego and Miklós Szekeres. 2023. The Land Snail Family Clausiliidae (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Stylommatophora) in Georgia: Overview, Novel Records and A New Species. Caucasiana. 2: 29-61. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/caucasiana.2.e101013

[Diplopoda • 2023] Acanthophorella aurita, A. devi & A. valerii • Review of the Genus Acanthophorella Antić & Makarov, 2016 (Chordeumatida: Anthroleucosomatidae), with descriptions of three New Species from the Caucasus

  

Troglobiotic members of the genus Acanthophorella Antić & Makarov, 2016 in situ.
A–B. Acanthophorella barjadzei Antić & Makarov, 2016, ♂ from Nikortsminda Sakinule Cave. C–D. Acanthophorella barjadzei Antić & Makarov, 2016, ♂ from Muradi Cave.
E–F. Acanthophorella devi Antić sp. nov., types, ♂. G–H. Acanthophorella valerii Antić sp. nov., holotype, ♂ (NHMW MY10366).

in Antić, Šević, Barjadze & Makarov, 2023. 

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.908.2337

Photos by Dragan Antić.

ABSTRACT

The present paper is devoted to the description of three new species of the genus Acanthophorella Antić & Makarov, 2016 from Georgia, western Caucasus: A. devi Antić sp. nov. and A. valerii Antić sp. nov., both presumed troglobionts and each from a single cave, and the epigean A. aurita Antić sp. nov. The troglobiotic Acanthophorella barjadzei Antić & Makarov, 2016 is reported from two additional caves, with further descriptive notes given. Notes on the ecology and localities, and a distribution map for all six species of the genus are presented. A key is given to all members of the Flagellophorella complex. The relationships within the complex and the distribution and troglomorphism in the genus Acanthophorella are briefly discussed.

Keywords: caves, Georgia, Flagellophorella complex, millipedes, taxonomy

Troglobiotic members of the genus Acanthophorella Antić & Makarov, 2016 in situ.
 A–B. Acanthophorella barjadzei Antić & Makarov, 2016, ♂ from Nikortsminda Sakinule Cave. C–D. Acanthophorella barjadzei Antić & Makarov, 2016, ♂ from Muradi Cave.
E–F. Acanthophorella devi Antić sp. nov., types, ♂♂.
G–H. Acanthophorella valerii Antić sp. nov., holotype, ♂ (NHMW MY10366).

Photos by Dragan Antić.

Dragan Antić, Mirko Šević, Shalva Barjadze and Slobodan Makarov. 2023. Review of the Genus Acanthophorella Antić & Makarov, 2016 (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Anthroleucosomatidae), with descriptions of three New Species from the Caucasus. European Journal of Taxonomy. 908(1), 39–76. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.908.2337

[Herpetology • 2023] Darevskia arribasi • A New Species of the Genus Darevskia Arribas, 1999 (Sauria: Lacertidae) from South Ossetia

 Darevskia arribasi

 Tuniyev, Petrova & Lotiev, 2023

DOI: 10.30906/1026-2296-2023-30-4-237-248 

 Researchgate.net/publication/373513974

Abstract

A new species of rock lizards of the genus Darevskia Arribas, 1999 — Darevskia arribasi sp. nov. is described from vicinity of Ertso Lake in South Ossetia. In comparison of Darevskia arribasi sp. nov. with other species of the «saxicola-brauneri» complex [D. lindholmi (Szczerbak, 1962), D. saxicola (Eversmann, 1834), D. brauneri (Mehely, 1909) (including D. b. brauneri, D. b. myusserica Doronin, 2011, D. b. darevskyi (Szczerbak, 1962), and D. szczerbaki (Lukina, 1963)], the new species is characterized by the smallest body size among all representatives of this complex L♂♂ — 55 – 62 mm; ♀♀ — 58 – 63 mm. The number of scales around the middle of the body (Sq.) in D. arribasi sp. nov. (52 – 58, more often 54 – 56) also significantly less than for D. saxicola sensu lato in generally. Along the throat from ear to ear fold there are 36 – 42 scales, less than in D. saxicola sensu lato. Two large preanal shields present in front of the anal shield in half of the individuals examined; in a quarter of individuals on both sides of the small central preanal there are by one enlarged lateral preanal shield, in another quarter all preanal shields are of the same size. Central temporal (Massetericum) always developed; always six pair of mandibulars, three in contact; collar straight, extremely rarely slightly serrated; ribs on the caudal scales are expressed to some extent; rostral usually separated from frontonasal by nasal shields. The coloration of adult males is olive-lettuce, or olive-brown from above; adult females are grey-brown; juvenile coloration coffee-brown with the blue and black spots on the edge of the outer ventral shields at the middle of trunk. Taxonomical status of new species is well supported with result of analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b data.

Keywords: Caucasus; South Ossetia; Darevskia arribasi sp. nov.

Holotype of Darevskia arribasi sp. nov. (SNP No. 1928).

Boris S. Tuniyev, T. V. Petrova, K. Yu. Lotiev. 2023. A New Species of the Genus Darevskia Arribas, 1999 from South Ossetia (Reptilia: Sauria: Lacertidae). Russian Journal of Herpetology.  30(4); 237-248. DOI: 10.30906/1026-2296-2023-30-4-237-248

  Researchgate.net/publication/373513974_A_New_Species_of_Darevskia_from_South_Ossetia

[Diplopoda • 2020] The Millipede Genus Leucogeorgia Verhoeff, 1930 in the Caucasus, with Descriptions of Eleven New Species, Erection of A New Monotypic Genus and Notes on the Tribe Leucogeorgiini (Julida: Julidae)

A. Leucogeorgia abchasica (Lohmander, 1936) comb. nov., ♂ from Abraskila Cave. 
B. L. caudata sp. nov., type ♂ from Novoafonskaya Cave. 
C. L. gioi sp. nov., paratype ♀ (SMNG). 
D. L. lobata sp. nov., specimens from Motena Cave. 
E. L. prometheus sp. nov., specimen from Prometheus Cave. 
F. L. profunda sp. nov., non-type ♀ from Veryovkina Cave. 

 Antić & Reip, 2020. 

  DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2020.713

 (photos: Ilya Turbanov, Olga Chervyatsova, Hans Reip & Sergei Ivanov).

Abstract

The Caucasian leucogeorgiinine genera Archileucogeorgia Lohmander, 1936 and Leucogeorgia Verhoeff, 1930 are revised, with Leucogeorgia being considered as a senior subjective synonym of Archileucogeorgia, syn. nov. The following new combinations are thus warranted: Leucogeorgia abchasica (Lohmander, 1936) and L. satunini (Lohmander, 1936), both comb. nov. ex Archileucogeorgia. All four previously described species, viz., L. longipes Verhoeff, 1930, L. abchasica, L. satunini and L. rediviva Golovatch, 1983, are redescribed based on new material, partly also on the type series, with a lectotype being designated for L. longipes. In addition, eleven new species of Leucogeorgia are described, both with normal (L. borealis sp. nov., L. gioi sp. nov., L. golovatchi sp. nov., L. lobata sp. nov., L. oculata sp. nov. and L. prometheus sp. nov.) and modified mouthparts (L. caudata sp. nov., L. mystax sp. nov., L. profunda sp. nov., L. redivivoides sp. nov. and L. turbanovi sp. nov., all clearly troglobionts). Additionally, a new monotypic genus, Martvilia gen. nov., is erected, with M. parva gen. et sp. nov. as the type species, another presumed troglobiont. An identification key to both genera and all 16 species of Caucasian Leucogeorgiini is presented. Several other members of this tribe are also re-examined, including a syntype male of Telsonius nycteridonis Strasser, 1976, from Greece, herewith designated as the lectotype. Troglomorphisms and mouthpart modifications, as well as the distributions and relationships within both Leucogeorgia and Leucogeorgiini, and a Leucogeorgiini species richness estimate for the western Caucasus are discussed.

Keywords: Western Caucasus; modified mouthparts; troglomorphism; taxonomy; leucogeorgiinines

Leucogeorgia Verhoeff, 1930 species in situ. 
A. Leucogeorgia abchasica (Lohmander, 1936) comb. nov., ♂ from Abraskila Cave (photo: Ilya Turbanov). B. L. caudata sp. nov., type ♂ from Novoafonskaya Cave (photo: Olga Chervyatsova). C. L. gioi sp. nov., paratype ♀ (SMNG) (photo: Hans Reip). D. L. lobata sp. nov., specimens from Motena Cave (photo: Hans Reip). E. L. prometheus sp. nov., specimen from Prometheus Cave (photo: Hans Reip). F. L. profunda sp. nov., non-type ♀ from Veryovkina Cave (photo: Sergei Ivanov). G. L. turbanovi sp. nov., non-type ♂ from Krubera Cave (photo: Ilya Turbanov).

Dragan Ž. Antić and Hans S. Reip. 2020. The Millipede Genus Leucogeorgia Verhoeff, 1930 in the Caucasus, with Descriptions of Eleven New Species, Erection of A New Monotypic Genus and Notes on the Tribe Leucogeorgiini (Diplopoda: Julida: Julidae). European Journal of Taxonomy. 713: 1–106. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2020.713

[Crustacea • 2018] Xiphocaridinella otapi • Cryptic Diversity of Stygobiotic Shrimp Genus Xiphocaridinella Sadowsky, 1930 (Decapoda: Atyidae): The First Case of Species Co-occurrence in the Same Cave System in the Western Caucasus

Xiphocaridinella otapi Marin, 2018

  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4441.2.1 

Abstract

DNA barcoding of stygobiotic shrimps of the genus Xiphocaridinella Sadowsky, 1930 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) collected in underground streams flowing inside two neighboring large karst caves (Otap and Abrskil сaves) revealed the presence of two distinct genetic lineages representing the first case of species co-occurrence in the Western Caucasus. The paper presents the complete morphological re-description of stygobiotic atyid shrimp Xiphocaridinella ablaskiri (Birštein, 1939) and the description of a new species using genetic and morphological analysis. Other known cases of co-occurrence of several stygobiotic shrimp species in the same cave system as well as new genetic data (COI mtDNA) on Western Caucasian species of the genus Xiphocaridinella are discussed in the paper.

Keywords: Crustacea, Decapoda, Atyidae, Xiphocaridinella, stygobiotic, stygobiont, shrimps, new species, species co-occurrence, Western Caucasus

Ivan Marin. 2018. Cryptic Diversity of Stygobiotic Shrimp Genus Xiphocaridinella Sadowsky, 1930 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae): The First Case of Species Co-occurrence in the Same Cave System in the Western Caucasus. Zootaxa. 4441(2); 201–224.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4441.2.1

Ivan Marin. 2017. Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) kumistavi sp. nov., A New Species of Stygobiotic Atyid Shrimp (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) from Kumistavi Cave, Imereti, Western Georgia, Caucasus. Zootaxa. 4311 (4), 576–588. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4311.4.9

 novataxa.blogspot.com/2017/08/troglocaris-kumistavi.html

[Crustacea • 2017] Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) kumistavi • A New Species of Stygobiotic Atyid Shrimp (Decapoda: Atyidae) from Kumistavi Cave, Imereti, Western Georgia, Caucasus

Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) kumistavi 

Marin, 2017

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4311.4.9 

Abstract

A new species of stygobiotic atyid shrimp genus Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) Dormitzer, 1853 from underground stream and lakes of Kumistavi (Prometheus) Cave, Tskaltubo, Imereti region, Western Georgia is described based on morphology and DNA analysis. Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) kumistavi sp. nov. clearly differs from all Caucasian congeners by (1) long slender dorsally and ventrally armed rostrum with sting-like tip turned upward, (2) very slender fingers of pereiopod II both in males and females and (3) distally expanded telson with 5–7 pairs of distal spines. These features are rather unique within the known Caucasian Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) and show some morphological similarities with Dinaric species of the genus. Neotype of Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) kutaissiana (Sadowsky, 1930) is also designated based on the material from Tskaltsitela Cave, Kutaisi, Georgia.

Keywords: Crustacea, Decapoda, Atyidae, Troglocaris, Xiphocaridinella, stygobiotic, stygobiont, shrimps, new species, Georgia, Caucasus

Ivan Marin. 2017. Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) kumistavi sp. nov., A New Species of Stygobiotic Atyid Shrimp (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) from Kumistavi Cave, Imereti, Western Georgia, Caucasus.
 Zootaxa. 4311(4); 576–588. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4311.4.9

[Invertebrate • 2017] Pygmarrhopalites dbari & P. kovali • Two New Troglobiont Pygmarrhopalites Species of the principalis group (Collembola: Arrhopalitidae) from the West Caucasus

Pygmarrhopalites kovali  

Vargovitsh, 2017

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4250.1.2 

Abstract

Springtails of the principalis-group of the genus Pygmarrhopalites from the W Caucasian caves in Abkhazia are described: Pygmarrhopalites dbari sp. nov. from Psyrtskha Cave in Novy Afon and Pygmarrhopalites kovali sp. nov. from caves of Tsebelda Karst Massif. They differ from epigean relatives mainly by troglomorphies: reduced pigmentation, elongated appendages and modified foot complex. These new species as well as a great portion of endemic Caucasian speleofauna have highly restricted distribution and require protection. A new record of Arrhopalites abchasicus Vargovitsh, 2013 in Novoafonskaya Cave is added.

Keywords: Collembola, springtails, Symphypleona, taxonomy, new record, troglomorphic, Caucasus Mountains, Abkhazia

Pygmarrhopalites kovali, habitus of mounted male. 

Robert S. Vargovitsh. 2017. Two New Troglobiont Pygmarrhopalites Species of the principalis group (Collembola: Arrhopalitidae) from the West Caucasus. Zootaxa. 4250(1); 23-42.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4250.1.2