Checklist of Invertebrates from the Racha and Khvamli Karst Massifs, Sakartvelo (Georgia)

By

Margalitadze, Ana
Kiria, Eleonora
Gogshelidze, Mariam
Shavadze, Lado
Modebadze, Naia
Barjadze, Shalva

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-12-10

Original Publication

Caucasiana : journal on the biodiversity of the Caucasus and the adjacent regions

Volume

4

Pages

203--229

Subjects

endemism , South Caucasus , subterranean fauna

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

[Sofia, Bulgaria] Pensoft 2022-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/caucasiana.4.e169350

 

Abstract

<br> The Caucasus region is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, hosting a remarkable diversity. Among its unique ecosystems, karst caves in western Georgia provide habitat for highly specialized invertebrate fauna. Despite the ecological significance of these cave systems, biospeleological research in the region remains limited. Based on recent studies, an updated and expanded checklist of invertebrates from the Racha and Khvamli karst massifs is provided. We report 102 species, representing 25 orders, 57 families, and 78 genera, including eight newly recorded taxa for the caves of Racha and Khvamli karst Massifs:<br> Globochthonius satapliaensis<br> ,<br> Harpolithobius perplexus<br> ,<br> H. spinipes<br> ,<br> Lithobius viriatus<br> ,<br> Chaetoleptophyllum flexum<br> ,<br> Leucogeorgia gioi<br> ,<br> Porrhomma convexum<br> and<br> Colchidoniscus kutaissianus<br> . Of these 102 species, 20 are troglobionts, 11 are stygobionts, 45 are troglophiles, two are stygophiles, 13 are trogloxenes, six are accidental records and for five species ecological status is not defined.<br>