Faunal biodiversity research in the Republic of Georgia: a short review of trends, gaps, and needs in the Caucasus biodiversity hotspot

Abstract

We evaluated progress towards animal biodiversity research in Georgia, a key area in the Caucasus biodiversity hotspot. By reviewing recently published articles in all areas of animal diversity research, we unmasked the trends in biodiversity inventory, ecological and biogeographical studies, and conservation issues in Georgia. We concluded that species inventory and biodiversity research in Georgia has significantly increased during the last ten years, however the rate and extent of investigation is far from satisfactory. Major gaps remain in all branches of animal diversity research in Georgia, and consequently existing knowledge is inadequate to address modern challenges related to species and ecosystem conservation. We urge local governmental authorities and international scientific societies to support development of stronger research facilities and cultivate interest in biodiversity inventory and research in Georgia as an important step towards maintaining globally important biodiversity in the Caucasus.

A contribution towards checklist of fungus gnats (Diptera, Diadocidiidae, Ditomyiidae, Bolitophilidae, Keroplatidae, Mycetophilidae) in Georgia, Transcaucasia

“…Transcaucasia, the area southwards from the Greater Caucasus Mountains that includes the countries of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, is considered one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world, with a remarkable number of endemic species ( Myers et al 2000 ). However, limited attention has been paid to the biodiversity research in the area so far ( Mumladze et al 2020 ) and most organism groups, including Diptera and fungus gnats in particular, are rather superficially studied. There are 33 species of fungus gnats recorded from Azerbaijan ( Zaitzev 1994 , 2003 ; Zaitzev and Ševčík 2003 ) and seven species from Armenia ( Joost and Plassmann 1985 , Zaitzev 1994 ).…”

Towards retrieving the Promethean treasure: a first molecular assessment of the freshwater fish diversity of Georgia

“…This is due to long-term and uninterrupted development of biodiversity in the Great and Lesser Caucasus, parts of which are suggested as plio-pleisotecene refugial areas (thus Promethean treasure) ( Tarkhnishvili et al 2012 ). At the same time, diversity of freshwater organisms in the Caucasus region remains poorly studied, including fishes and their distribution ( Kuljanishvili et al 2020 , Mumladze et al 2020 ). Unfortunately, poaching and habitat destruction (in situ gravel mining, hydropower plant constructions) threaten the endangered biota with extinction ( Kuljanishvili et al 2020 , Freyhof et al 2015 ).…”

“…Since freshwater ecosystems are particularly sensitive and vulnerable to alterations in (gravel mining, hydropower plants) and adjacent to (land use) the water body ( Allan and Flecker 1993 ), negative impacts on the ichthyofauna have likely occurred, but have never been scientifically evaluated. This is also due to a general data deficiency concerning the whole freshwater realm of the region ( Mumladze et al 2020 ). Along with taxonomic uncertainties in some species, major gaps still exist in the accurate knowledge of species’ distribution ranges within the Georgian inland waters, while no local conservation assessments exist for any freshwater fish species ( Kuljanishvili et al 2020 ).…”

Genetic diversity, phylogenetic position and morphometric analysis of Astacus colchicus (Decapoda, Astacidae): a new insight into Eastern European crayfish fauna

“…In spite of a limited knowledge of the region's biodiversity, the Caucasus are well known due to their high numbers of endemic species including plants, invertebrates, and vertebrate species (Mumladze et al . 2019). For instance, these include Caucasian rhododendron Rhododendron caucasicum Pallas, 1784; West Caucasian cave shrimp Troglocharis kutaissiana (Sadovskij, 1930); Buch's snail Helix buchii (Dubois de Montpéreux, 1840); Caucasian parsley frog Pelodytes caucasicus Boulenger, 1896; and Caucasian salamander Mertensiella caucasica (Waga, 1876) sensu lato .…”