[Botany • 2021] Hedysarum sunhangii (Fabaceae: Hedysareae) • A New Species from Pamir-Alay (Babatag Ridge, Uzbekistan)

Hedysarum sunhangii  Juramurodov & Tojibaev, 

in Juramurodov, Tojibaev, Nikitina, Makhmudjanov, Yusupov, Deng et Dehkanov, 2021. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.524.1.1

  Researchgate.net/publication/355714611

 

Abstract

Hedysarum sunhangii is a new species described from the Babatag Ridge in the Uzbekistan part of the South-West Pamir-Alay (Central Asia). Morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses were utilized to determine the taxonomic position of the species in genus Hedysarum. This new species belongs to the subsect. Crinifera of the sect. Multicaulia and it resembles H. criniferum and H. nuratense, but can be distinguished by details of its 3–4 pairs of larger and elliptical or ovate shaped leaflets, standard and keel sizes.

Keywords: Crinifera, Morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy, Eudicots

 Living plant of Hedysarum sunhangii.
A, in its habitat; B, Leaves (1-upper part, 2-lower part); C, Pods (3-front side, 4-lateral side); D, flower; E, raceme; F, entire plant.

Hedysarum sunhangii Juramurodov & Tojibaev, sp. nov.

INOM JURAMURODOV, KOMILJON TOJIBAEV, ELENA NIKITINA, DILMUROD MAKHMUDJANOV, ZIYOVIDDIN YUSUPOV, TAO DENG and DAVRON DEHKANOV. 2021. Hedysarum sunhangii (Fabaceae, Hedysareae), A New Species from Pamir-Alay (Babatag Ridge - Uzbekistan). Phytotaxa. 524(1); 1-13. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.524.1.1

  Researchgate.net/publication/355714611_Hedysarum_sunhangii_a_new_species_from_Pamir-Alay_Babatag_Ridge_Uzbekistan

[Botany • 2025] Gagea khassanovii (Liliaceae) • A New white-flowered Species of Gagea from the Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan

 

 Gagea khassanovii Levichev, Turginov & W.J.Li, 

in Turginov, Levichev, Kurbaniyazova, Karimov, Yang et Li, 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.260.151373 

Abstract  

The article describes the morphological and anatomical features of Gagea khassanovii Levichev, Turginov & W.J.Li, sp. nov., recently described from the Fergana Valley. The species belongs to the section Incrustatae and differs from the species G. circumplexa Vved. in the colour of the flower and the presence of hairs on the leaves of the roots. This species is considered endemic to the Fergana Valley and contributes to the region’s floristic uniqueness.

Key words: Ageotropic sclerified roots, Fergana Valley, holotype, new species of Gagea, sect. Incrustata

 Gagea khassanovii Levichev, Turginov & W.J.Li 
A. View of the classic habitat of G. khassanovii (arrows indicate the position of individual);
B. G. khassanovii from the foothills of the Alay and C. Chatkal (Sumsar) ranges.

Photo: A, B. O.Turginov, C-A. Zhdanko.

 Gagea khassanovii Levichev, Turginov & W.J.Li, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. The species is similar to G. circumplexa Vved. in habit, but can be distinguished from the latter by the following characters: perianth is white (vs. golden yellow); inner tepals are linear, rounded at the apex (vs. lanceolate, pointed); cauline and basal leaves are much longer than the inflorescence (vs. equal to or slightly longer) (Table 1).

Etymology. The species is named in honour of the researcher and expert on the flora of Central Asia, Professor F. O. Khassanov.

 Orzimat Turdimatovich Turginov, Igor Germanovich Levichev, Gulsauir Tanirbergen qizi Kurbaniyazova, Farhod Isomiddinovich Karimov, Lei Yang and Wen Jun Li. 2025. A New white-flowered Species of Gagea (Liliaceae) from the Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. PhytoKeys. 260: 139-152. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.260.151373 

[Entomology • 2025] Perigrapha belyalovi • A New Species (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae) from Central Asia

 Perigrapha belyalovi Volynkin & Titov, sp. nov. 

P. heidi Hreblay, 1996

P. centralasiae Bartel, 1906 

in Titov, Volynkin, Tóth et Rakhimov, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.37828/em.2025.83.1 

Researchgate.net/publication/389889466

Abstract

A new species of the genus Perigrapha Lederer, 1857, Perigrapha belyalovi Volynkin & Titov, sp. n. is described from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The diagnostic comparison is made with the sympatric Perigrapha centralasiae Bartel, 1906 and the allopatric Perigrapha heidi Hreblay, 1996. Adults as well as male and female genitalia of all three species are illustrated.

Key words: Balkhash-Alakol Depression, Dzhungar Alatau, Orthosiini, Perigrapha centralasiae, Perigrapha heidi, Tien Shan

Figures 1-8. Adults of Perigrapha spp. 

 Perigrapha belyalovi sp. nov. and P. heidi Hreblay, 1996

Depositories of the specimens: 1-3 and 5 in CAV; 4 in ZISP; 6 in MH/HNHM; 7 and 8 in BBM (photos by B. Benedek).

Figures 9-16. Adults of Perigrapha centralasiae. 

Depositories of the specimens: 9-13 in CAV; 14-16 in ZISP.

Collecting site of  Perigrapha belyalovi sp. nov. and P. centralasiae:
SE Kazakhstan, Zhetysu Region, Sholak Mts, 750m, 43°__N 77°__E, 20.III.2024 (photo by S. Titov).

Sergey V. Titov, Anton V. Volynkin, Balázs Tóth and Ruslan D. Rakhimov. 2025. Perigrapha belyalovi, A New Species from Central Asia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae). Ecologica Montenegrina. 83; 1-11. DOI: doi.org/10.37828/em.2025.83.1

 Researchgate.net/publication/389889466_Perigrapha_belyalovi_a_new_species_from_Central_Asia 

[Entomology • 2025] Microdera abdullohi & M. uzbekistanica • A Review of the Genus Microdera Eschscholtz, 1831 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of Uzbekistan

 

 Microdera abdullohi N. Bekchanov et Nabozhenko, sp. nov. & 
M. uzbekistanica N. Bekchanov et Nabozhenko, 

in N. Kh. Bekchanov, Nabozhenko, Kh. U. Bekchanov et M. Kh. Bekchanova, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5590.4.1  

 facebook.com/NorbekBEKCHANOV75

 

Abstract

A review of darkling beetles of the genus Microdera Eschscholtz, 1831 from Uzbekistan is presented. In total, 12 species are known in this country. Two new species are described: M. abdullohi N. Bekchanov et Nabozhenko, sp. nov. (Sulton Uvays Mts.) and M. uzbekistanica N. Bekchanov et Nabozhenko, sp. nov. (Kuldzhuktau Mts.). The following new synonym is introduced: Microdera globulicollis Ménétriés, 1849 = Microdera extabesa Skopin, 1961, syn. nov. The species M. ferghanensis Kaszab, 1957 is resurrected from the synonymy of M. globulicollis Ménétriés, 1849. In describing the ranges of the species mentioned in the paper, we corrected some errors in previous publications and clarified the distribution, including as a result of taxonomic changes. A species rank status is restored for Microdera kaszabi Skopin, 1961, stat. resurr. (from a subspecies of M. convexa (Tauscher, 1812)), as a consequence the range of this species does not include southeastern Kazakhstan, and limited by Kazakh Hummocks in the east. Microdera deserta deserta (Tauscher, 1812) is recorded for Uzbekistan for the first time, and M. shasenema Medvedev & Nepesova, 1985 is firstly recorded for Tajikistan. The following species are removed from faunistic lists of different countries: M. laevigatula Reitter, 1915 from the list of Uzbekistan, M. heydeni Kraatz, 1882 from the list of Turkmenistan, M. minax Reitter, 1887 from the list of Kyrgyzstan, M. transversicollis Reitter, 1887 from the list of Armenia. Lectotypes for Tentyria deplanata Gebler, 1841 and Microdera semenoviana Bogatchev, 1947 are designated.

Coleoptera, taxonomy, darkling beetles, Tentyriini, deserts, Central Asia

Microdera abdullohi N. Bekchanov et Nabozhenko, sp. nov. (Sulton Uvays Mts.) 

 M. uzbekistanica N. Bekchanov et Nabozhenko, sp. nov. (Kuldzhuktau Mts.). 

Norbek Kh. BEKCHANOV, Maxim V. NABOZHENKO, Khudaybergan U. BEKCHANOV and Mokhira Kh. BEKCHANOVA. 2025. A Review of the Genus Microdera Eschscholtz, 1831 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of Uzbekistan.  Zootaxa. 5590(4); 451-480. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5590.4.1 [2025-02-25] 

 facebook.com/NorbekBEKCHANOV75/posts/1662673751300293

[Entomology • 2023] Philhammus dilaramae • A New Species of the Genus Philhammus Fairmaire, 1871 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Khorezm Region, Uzbekistan

Philhammus (s. str.) spp. of Middle Asia:

[1, 3, 5] Philhammus dilaramae sp. n. Nabozhenko et N. Bekchanov, 
[2, 4, 6] Ph. zaitsevi G.S. Medvedev, 1979;
 

in Nabozhenko, N. Kh. Bekchanov et Kh. U. Bekchanov, 2023.

DOI: doi.org/10.25221/fee.481.1 

Scale bare for figs 3–6 = 0.5 mm.

A new species of darkling beetles of the genus Philhammus Fairmaire, 1871 is described from Amudarya bank, Khorezm Region, Uzbekistan: Philhammus dilaramae Nabozhenko et N. Bekchanov, sp. n. This first representative of the genus in the country belongs to the nominotypical subgenus and most similar to Pre-Caspian Ph. zaitsevi G.S. Medvedev, 1979. The new species differs from the latter in the structure of genae, eyes and pronotum.

Key words: taxonomy, new species, Cnemeplatiini, Philhammus, Middle Asia. 

Philhammus (s. str.) spp. of Middle Asia:
1, 3, 5 – Ph. dilaramae sp. n.; 2, 4, 6 – Ph. zaitsevi;
1, 2 – habitus; 2, 3 – head and pronotum dorsally; 5, 6 – head and pronotum dorso-laterally.

Scale bare for figs 3–6 = 0.5 mm.

 Philhammus dilaramae Nabozhenko et N. Bekchanov, sp. n.

Ph. zaitsevi G.S. Medvedev, 1979

M. V. Nabozhenko, N. Kh. Bekchanov and Kh. U. Bekchanov. 2023. A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS PHILHAMMUS FAIRMAIRE, 1871 (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE) FROM UZBEKISTAN. Far Eastern Entomologist. 481; 1-6. DOI: doi.org/10.25221/fee.481.1 

https://www.biosoil.ru/FEE/Publication/2581

М. В. Набоженко, Н. Х. Бекчанов, Х. У. Бекчанов. Новый вид рода Philhammus Fairmaire, 1871 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) из Узбекистана // Дальневосточный энтомолог. 2023. N 481. С. 1-6.

[Herpetology • 2023] Alsophylax ferganensis & A. emilia • The Fergana Valley Is an Isolate of Biodiversity: A Discussion of the Endemic Herpetofauna and Description of Two New Species of Alsophylax (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Eastern Uzbekistan

  Alsophylax ferganensis & A. emilia 

 Nazarov, Abduraupov, Shepelya, Gritsina, Melnikov, Buehler, Lapin, Poyarkov & Grismer, 2023

DOI: 10.3390/ani13152516 

 Researchgate.net/publication/372920739 

twitter.com/J_Grismer

Abstract

The high level of endemism in Fergana Valley has been well documented in numerous studies for various groups of animals and plants. In a relatively small area, there are 45 endemic plant species, five endemic insect species, and five endemic reptile species. In surveying this area for data on distribution, abundance, acoustics, and genetic samples for species of reptiles, we discovered two new species of gecko from the genus Alsophylax. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences indicate the relatives of these new species are the even-fingered gecko, Alsophylax pipiens, and the southern even-fingered gecko, Alsophylax laevis, located hundreds of kilometers to the northwest and southwest of the Fergana Valley. The threats to these new endemic species are significant given the amount of continued agricultural development that involves new territories previously considered “unsuitable” for any species of significance that is leading to the further reduction in, fragmentation of, and degradation of the remaining natural ecosystems in the Fergana Valley. The conservation of these rare and locally endemic species depends directly on the readiness of the state to create areas with IUCN I and II protection. The many studies documenting levels of endemism, along with the data published in this study, are the basis for the justification for state-protected areas in the Fergana Valley.

Keywords: reptiles; conservation; taxonomy; Gekkonidae; Alsophylax; Fergana Valley; endemic species; cryptic diversity

A comparison of adult male Alsophylax ferganensis sp. nov. (top) and Alsophylax emilia sp. nov. (bottom).

Taxonomy

Family Gekkonidae

Genus Alsophylax Fitzinger, 1843

Both new species belong to the genus Alsophylax according to the following morphological characteristics:

(1) Elongate body with relatively short limbs; (2) non-segmented tail approximately the same length as the body; (3) relatively small and roundish head with a short rostral part; (4) no femoral pores and 6–8 precloacal pores; (5) small, roundish and flattened dorsal tubercles are present in some representatives of this genus, or dorsal scales can be smooth and homogeneous in another species.

 

 (a) Alsophylax ferganensis sp. nov. in situ and (b) its habitat.

Alsophylax ferganensis sp. nov.  

Diagnosis. Alsophylax ferganensis sp. nov. is tentatively a sister to clades A of A. pipiens and A. laevis (Figure 1) and morphologically closer to A. laevis (Table 3). Alsophylax ferganensis sp. nov. sp. nov. can be distinguished from A. laevis by a smaller maximum body size (SVLmax 31.5 mm versus 38.7 mm) and relatively narrow head, as well as elongated limbs and dorsal patterns with well-defined nuchal loop, and relatively narrower dark transverse bands with approximately equal interspaces in between versus wide transverse patterns and narrow interspaces in A. laevis (Figure 6). Caudal margins have dark transverse bands that are wavy. Dorsal scales are flat, smooth, and roundish, without enlarged dorsal tubercles (Figure 7).

Etymology. This species is named after the Fergana Valley where it is endemic.

  (a) Alsophylax emilia sp. nov. holotype and (b) its habitat.

Alsophylax emilia sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Alsophylax emilia sp. nov. is a sister to the clade containing lineages of A. pipiens, A. laevis, and A. ferganensis sp. nov. (Figure 1). Alsophylax emilia sp. nov. is morphologically closest to the A. pipiens (Figure 3; Table 3) and can be distinguished by the following features: enlarged dorsal tubercles flat roundish smooth and larger than surrounding scales by no more than 2.5 times; head shape relatively more massive and sharply delimited from the body; 7–9 precloacal pores in V-shaped line; not elongated limbs; 5–6 wide transversal dorsal bands and narrow interspaces, no contrasting nuchal loop, and wide transverse patterns. The main distinguishing features of the new species are the following: maximum SVL of 35.0 mm; maximum TL 40.2 mm; 8/8 infralabials; 6/7 supralabials; two pairs of small roundish postmentals, which contact mentals; one nasal scale; 22 scales between the orbits; 97–104 longitudinal ventral scales from postmentals to cloaca; 59–65 scales along the midline around the body; 11–12 subdigital lamellae on the fourth finger; 13–14 subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe; 2–3 cloacal spurs on each side; medial line of subcaudal scales formed by noticeably enlarged plates, 2–3 times larger the surrounding scales (Table 4).

Etymology. This species is named in honor of Soviet and then Uzbek herpetologist Emilia V. Vashetko (24.04.1940–07.11.2022) for her great contributions to the study of the herpetofauna of Uzbekistan and surrounding countries.

 Conclusions: 

Lastly, the age of the Fergana Valley allows it to support subtle yet different habitats ranging from claystone outcroppings to massive, isolated sand massifs and xeric flats that each support their own suite of species that are locally adapted to these different micro-habitats. The discovery of possibly two new species (Figure 1 and Figure 3) that are micro-endemic habitat specialists isolated in various clay outcrops and canyons supports the hypothesis that the valley may have been colonized twice at different times. We hypothesize that this possible colonization pattern could indicate that other groups have experienced multiple colonization events and they too have levels of cryptic diversity among their populations. This study highlights the reptile diversity in the Fergana Valley and further supports the need for more surveys focusing on these habitats deemed “non-suitable”, because the data from this study indicate that they may harbor unrecognized biodiversity. If the biodiversity from these areas is not documented and protected, they could become victim to the continued textile and agricultural developments in the Fergana Valley.

 

 Roman A. Nazarov, Timur V. Abduraupov, Evgeniya Yu. Shepelya, Mariya A. Gritsina, Daniel A. Melnikov, Matthew D. Buehler, Jack D. Lapin, Nikolay A. Poyarkov and Jesse L. Grismer. 2023. The Fergana Valley Is an Isolate of Biodiversity: A Discussion of the Endemic Herpetofauna and Description of Two New Species of Alsophylax (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Eastern Uzbekistan. Animals. 13(15), 2516. DOI: 10.3390/ani13152516

 (This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolution, Diversity, and Conservation of Herpetofauna)

  Researchgate.net/publication/372920739_Endemic_Herpetofauna_and_New_Species_of_Alsophylax_from_Eastern_Uzbekistan

 twitter.com/J_Grismer/status/1687588008789454848

 

Simple Summary: This study was carried out in one of the most densely populated and geographically isolated regions in the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Fergana Valley. The Fergana Valley has the highest level of endemic biodiversity in Uzbekistan (and one of the highest in Central Asia), and the habitats of these endemic species are rapidly being developed for agricultural purposes. Given this development, the remaining areas of habitat are not being adequately protected. The main goal of this study was to obtain up-to-date data on the distribution and abundance of five endemic reptile species in the remaining isolated and undeveloped habitats across the Fergana Valley. One of the most important achievements was the discovery of two unique and new micro-endemic species of gecko genus Alsophylax, which are described herein. These results elevate the number of endemic species in the Fergana Valley and further highlight the urgent need to create state-protected areas of habitat with IUCN I and II protection status for the remaining areas of suitable habitat, which is currently not available.

http://noticiasdelaciencia.com/not/11625/entender-como-las-comunidades-animales-respondieron-a-cambios-climaticos-en-el-pasado-puede-ayudarnos-a-entender-como-van-a-responder-a-cambios-climaticos-en-el-futuro

[Botany • 2023] Allium sunhangii (Amaryllidaceae) • A New Species of Allium sect. Brevidentia from Southern Pamir-Alay, Uzbekistan

 Allium sunhangii F.O.Khass., Tojibaev & Yusupov, 

in Khassanov, Pulatov, Asatulloev, Ergashov, Tojibaev & Yusupov, 2023.

 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.219.96464

Abstract

A new species, Allium sunhangii sp. nov., of the Middle Asiatic section Brevidentia F.O.Khass. & Iengal., (subgenus Allium, tribe Allioideae, Amaryllidaceae) is described. The species is a small plant from the Babatag Ridge in the Surkhandarya province of Uzbekistan. It is morphologically close to Allium brevidens Vved. in having initially dark violet filaments and three-cuspidate inner filaments, but differs by its small size and visibly unequal tepals as well as in the phylogenetic analysis based on ITS data.

Keywords: Allium, Brevidentia, Middle Asia, new taxon, phylogeny, taxonomy

 Allium sunhangii F.O.Khass., Tojibaev & Yusupov, 
A–A1 whole and longitudinal section of flower with teeth B view of single flower C cross section of pistil D–D1 bulb tunic and bulb E general view of species without leaves.

A1–A2 inflorescence and general view of growing  Allium sunhangii 
B1–B2 Zarkasa peak and habitat landscape.

 

 Allium sunhangii F.O.Khass., Tojibaev & Yusupov, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: This species is most similar to Allium brevidens Vved. (Fig. 1), from which it differs in a more compact habit, remaining small spathe with a short beak, unequal tepals and strongly exserted, dark violet filaments (Fig. 2).

Etymology: Allium sunhangii is named after Prof. Sun Hang, one of the leading botanists at the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, who actively promotes several projects within Central Asia.

 

Furkat O. Khassanov, Sardorjon Pulatov, Temur Asatulloev, Ibrokhimjon Ergashov, Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev and Ziyoviddin Yusupov. 2023.  Allium sunhangii – A New Species from Section Brevidentia F.O.Khass. & Iengal. (Amaryllidaceae) from Southern Pamir-Alay, Uzbekistan. PhytoKeys. 219: 35-48.  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.219.96464