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Faunal surveys were performed in Mtirala National Park (Georgia, Caucasus). Oribatid mites were collected from four microhabitats (soil, moss, litter, decaying wood) at 15 locations from 250 to 1000 m a.s.l. Forest types included walnut... more
Faunal surveys were performed in Mtirala National Park (Georgia, Caucasus). Oribatid mites were collected from four microhabitats (soil, moss, litter, decaying wood) at 15 locations from 250 to 1000 m a.s.l. Forest types included walnut (Juglans regia) plantations, mixed chestnut (Castanea sativa) forests, and beech (Fagus orientalis) forests. Our surveys revealed 124 species of oribatid mites. One species, Feiderzetes latus (Schweizer, 1956), is new for Georgian fauna and was found only in decaying beech wood at various stages of decay. Chamobates voigtsi (Oudemans, 1902) was present in all types of habitats and dominated in soil and litter samples. Liebstadia pannonica (Willmann, 1951) was numerous in decaying wood, and Mycobatidae were abundant in moss. Other species were present in moderate quantities. Simpsons index of diversity (1D) revealed low to moderate diversity in nearly all samples, with sampling completeness of about 80%. Hierarchical cluster analyses showed the highest similarity between the soil and litter fauna, with dead wood being the most distinct, indicating special communities of oribatid mites exist there. No pattern of faunal changes along the altitudinal gradient was observed.
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Faunal surveys were performed in Mtirala National Park (Georgia, Caucasus). Oribatid mites were collected from four microhabitats (soil, moss, litter, decaying wood) at 15 locations from 250 to 1000 m a.s.l. Forest types included walnut... more
Faunal surveys were performed in Mtirala National Park (Georgia, Caucasus). Oribatid mites were collected from four microhabitats (soil, moss, litter, decaying wood) at 15 locations from 250 to 1000 m a.s.l. Forest types included walnut (Juglans regia) plantations, mixed chestnut (Castanea sativa) forests, and beech (Fagus orientalis) forests. Our surveys revealed 124 species of oribatid mites. One species, Feiderzetes latus (Schweizer, 1956), is new for Georgian fauna and was found only in decaying beech wood at various stages of decay. Chamobates voigtsi (Oudemans, 1902) was present in all types of habitats and dominated in soil and litter samples. Liebstadia pannonica (Willmann, 1951) was numerous in decaying wood, and Mycobatidae were abundant in moss. Other species were present in moderate quantities. Simpsons index of diversity (1D) revealed low to moderate diversity in nearly all samples, with sampling completeness of about 80%. Hierarchical cluster analyses showed the highest similarity between the soil and litter fauna, with dead wood being the most distinct, indicating special communities of oribatid mites exist there. No pattern of faunal changes along the altitudinal gradient was observed.
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Within the faunal researches on the Combori Range (East Georgia), a new taxon for Caucasus fauna - Chamobates kieviensis Shaldybina, 1980 has been found. The illustrative redescription of the new taxon is given.
119 species of oribatid mites were registered in Gombori Ridge beech forests. Among them 3 species: Phthiracarus balogi (Feider, Suciu, 1957), Tricheremaeus pilosus Michael, 1988, and Suctobelba granulate Hammer, 1952, were recorded for... more
119 species of oribatid mites were registered in Gombori Ridge beech forests. Among them 3 species: Phthiracarus balogi (Feider, Suciu, 1957), Tricheremaeus pilosus Michael, 1988, and Suctobelba granulate Hammer, 1952, were recorded for the first time for Georgian fauna According to faunal likeness distinct groupings of oribatid mites were formed, which is stipulated by distribution of beech forests at various heights. Fauna of Oribatid mites of soil of beech torests is richer than fauna of moss. Changes of number dynamics of oribatids are mutually opposed in those bitopes: while the number is high in moss. it decreases in soil, and visa versa, which is caused by temperature and moisture changes in ecosystem and migration ability of oribatids.
Two new flat mite species from the genus Pentamerismus: P. foliicetis Livschitz & Mitrofanov, 1967 and P. taxi Haller, 1877 were registered first time for Georgian fauna. List of Tenuipalpid mites is presented in this paper. Consequently,... more
Two new flat mite species from the genus Pentamerismus: P. foliicetis Livschitz & Mitrofanov, 1967 and P. taxi Haller, 1877 were registered first time for Georgian fauna. List of Tenuipalpid mites is presented in this paper. Consequently, the total number of tenuipalpid mites in Georgia adding two new records, is increased to 33 species.
Annotated list of the invertebrates in the caves of Racha region (Western Georgia) is made based on proper and literature data. 73 species of the invertebrates are recorded in the karst caves, 29 species of which belong to the oribatid... more
Annotated list of the invertebrates in the caves of Racha region (Western Georgia) is made based on proper and literature data. 73 species of the invertebrates are recorded in the karst caves, 29 species of which belong to the oribatid mites, 12 species-to collembolans, 8 species – to spiders and insects, 5 species – to myriapods, 4 species – to mollusks, 3 species – tocrustaceans, 2 species-topseudoscorpiones and 1 species – to leech and harvestman. Above mentioned invertebrates are sampled in 11 caves. Maximum species number – 24 species is registered in Tsakhi (Gogoleti) Cave, while only single species is recorded from Shareula II Cave. Myriapodgenus RatcheumaGolovatch, 1985 is registered only in Racha region, Georgia. The following species and subspecies: crustaceans – Caucasoligidium cavernicola gogoleticum and Bryocamptus birsteini; insects – Bryaxis hypocritus, Inotrechus injaevae, Troglocimmerites djanaschvilii, leech– Dina ratschaensis; myriapod – Ratcheuma excorne and harv...
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Research Interests: Ecology and Bioindication
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Two new species of Tetranychidae belonging to the genus Bryobia are reported from France. Bryobiabelliloci sp. n. and Bryobiagigas sp. n. collected on Genistacinerea and Bituminariabituminosa, respectively, are described and illustrated... more
Two new species of Tetranychidae belonging to the genus Bryobia are reported from France. Bryobiabelliloci sp. n. and Bryobiagigas sp. n. collected on Genistacinerea and Bituminariabituminosa, respectively, are described and illustrated in the present work. Additional data to the original description of Bryobiacinereae are given and an identification key to known Bryobia species from France is also provided.