[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 

  

[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 

[Ichthyology • 2020] Macrognathus kris • A New, uniquely patterned Spiny Eel (Synbranchiformes: Mastacembelidae) from southern Borneo, Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia

 Macrognathus kris

 Ng & Tan, 2020

 

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4819.1.9 

Abstract

A new species of Macrognathus of the M. aculeatus species group is described from the Kahayan River drainage in southern Borneo, Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia. Macrognathus kris, new species, is distinguished from all Asian congeners in having the following unique combination of characters: rim of anterior nostril with two fimbriae and two fimbrules; 43–45 rostral tooth plates; 24–25 dorsal spines; 46–55 dorsal-fin rays; 51–59 anal-fin rays; 20–23 principal caudal-fin rays; 76–78 total vertebrae; body depth at anus 11.8–15.9% SL; color pattern consisting of light brown stripe on dorsum and 11–14 irregular pentagonal dark brown blotches on sides of body.

Synbranchiformes, Macrognathus, biodiversity, Pisces

 Macrognathus kris,
A. MZB 10978, holotype, 189.4 mm SL; B. ZRC 51203, paratype, 99.8 mm SL;
C. ZRC 51202, paratype, 227.3 mm SL; D. ZRC 51204, 370.0 mm SL.

Macrognathus kris 

Distribution. This species is currently known only from the Rungan River sub-drainage of the Kahayan River drainage in Central Kalimantan, Borneo ( Fig. 2). We hypothesize that it may occur also in neighboring sub-drainages within the Kahayan River drainage, or even in adjacent river drainages (e.g. the Mentaya River drainage). Further surveys are needed to confirm this.

Habitat. Macrognathus kris inhabits blackwater habitats associated with peat swamp forests. Sungai Panta (where some of the paratypes have been collected) is a blackwater feeder stream flowing into Rungan River, with alluvial forest and flooded forest habitats. Syntopic fish species include: Brevibora cheeya Liao & Tan, Crossocheilus pseudobagarius Duncker, Desmopuntius foerschi (Kottelat), D. johorensis (Duncker), D. rhomboocellatus (Koumans), Eirmotus cf. insignis Tan & Kottelat, Malayochela maassii (Weber & de Beaufort), Osteochilus pentalineatus Kottelat, O. spilurus (Bleeker), Striuntius lineatus (Duncker) ( Cyprinidae), Kottelatia brittani (Axelrod), ...., Betta anabatoides Bleeker, B. edithae Vierke, Luciocephalus aura Tan & Ng, Parosphromenus filamentosus Vierke, Sphaerichthys acrostoma Vierke, S. selatanensis Vierke, Trichopodus leerii (Bleeker) ( Osphronemidae), Achiroides sp. ( Soleidae), and Pao palembangensis (Bleeker) ( Tetraodontidae). The inhabitants are a mix of riverine—with mainly swamp forest and peat swamp—taxa.

Etymology. The kris is a wavy-bladed dagger carried and used by local nobility and warriors. The name is used as a noun in apposition, in allusion to the wavy or zigzag pattern on the body of the spiny eel and the general resting posture of the fish when viewed from above.

 

Heok Hee Ng and Heok Hui Tan. 2020. A New, uniquely patterned Spiny Eel (Teleostei: Mastacembelidae) from southern Borneo, Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia. Zootaxa. 4819(1); 170-178. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4819.1.9 

[Ichthyology • 2018] Altigena malihkaia • A New Species of Labeonini (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Irrawaddy River Basin in Myanmar

 

Altigena malihkaia

Zheng, Qin & Chen, 2018

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4476.1.8 

 Researchgate.net/publication/327632900

 

Abstract

Altigena malihkaia, new species, is described from the Mali Hka River, a tributary of the Irrawaddy River in northern Myanmar. It is distinguished from all other species of the genus Altigena by having a combination of 45–49 lateral-line scales, 12–14 circumpeduncular scales, 17–20 pre-dorsal midline scales, wide head (96.8–138.5% HL), long postorbital length (64.6–81.0 % HL), and short dorsal-fin (length 21.9–26.2% SL).

Pisces, Taxonomy, Cypriniformes, Mali Hka River

 Lan-Ping ZHENG, Tao QIN and Xiao-Yong CHEN. 2018. Altigena malihkaia, A New Species of Labeonini (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Irrawaddy River basin in Myanmar. Zootaxa. 4476(1); 87–93. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4476.1.8 [2018-09-13] 

  Researchgate.net/publication/327632900_Altigena_malihkaia_a_new_species_of_Labeonini_Cyprinidae_from_the_Irrawaddy_River_basin_in_Myanmar

[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