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The Palaearctic genus Mannerheimia Mäklin, 1880 (Anthophagini) is redescribed. The taxonomic and faunistic data for ten species, including (re-)descriptions of M. arctica (Erichson, 1840), M. asiatica Kastcheev, 1999, M. brevipennis (Motschulsky, 1860), M. pleshanovi sp.n. (Russia: East Siberia, Khamar-Daban Mts.) and M. zanettii sp.n. (Pakistan: Hazara Kaghan Valley) are provided. These species, and M. afghanica Coiffait, 1982, M. japonica Watanabe, 1990, M. obscura Coiffait, 1982, and M. yasudai Watanabe, 1990 are illustrated. A new synonymy is established: M. brevipennis (Motschulsky, 1860) = M. micros (Fauvel, 1900) syn.n. The checklist and a key to the described 23 species of Mannerheimia are provided. The distributions of seven species are mapped: M. arctica, M. asiatica, M. brevipennis, M. obscura, M. pleshanovi sp. n. and M. zanettii. Several species are recorded for the first time from certain regions: M. arctica from Yamalo-Nenets, Khanty-Mansi and Taymyr autonomous regions, Evenkia and Tuva, M. brevipennis from Yamalo-Nenets and Khanty-Mansi autonomous regions, Kemerovo Area, Evenkia, Khakassia and Tuva, M. obscura from Pakistan, and M. yasudai from Sakhalin Island.

Using microsatellite markers, the genetic diversity, family ties, and genetic drift were studied in three breeds and seven populations of wool (fleece-bearing) goats of Central and Middle Asia. The parameters of allelic and genetic diversity of indigenous populations of Mongolian goats (Gurvan Egch, Darkhat, Burakh Zavkhan, Ulgiy Uulan, Altai Uulan), two populations of local Tuvan goats, Soviet and Tajik wool breeds of goat, and Orenburg fleece-bearing goat were obtained. Using a principal component analysis, two main groups of goats were detected, in one of which mainly Mongolian native populations are united, while in the other are Middle Asian breeds of goats. The populations of Tuvan local goat were divided between the appropriate groups. At the same time, Mongolian goats were characterized by a high intrapopulation diversity and a fairly low level of genetic differences between the populations. Data obtained indicate the existence of a correlation of genetic relations between the considered populations and breeds of fleece-bearing goats and their geographical distribution.

Abstract— Based on the investigations of the representatives of the genus Cottus from Middle Asia, the species status of C. spinulosus is supported, and its diagnostic characters are specified. The validity of С.jaxartensis is resumed and a degree of its distinction from C. gobio is evaluated. A comparative analysis of morphological characters of the C. nasalis holotype and С.jaxartensis specimens of the same body size shows identity of these species, and, thus, C.nasalis has been included in the synonymy of C.jaxartensis. A new species C. nudus sp. nova is described. The representatives of this species differ from other Asian species of the genus in the following characters: absence of bony spickles nd dermal tubercles on the skin of the head and trunk; elongated upper jaw terminated near the vertical through posterior margin of orbit; presence of teeth on palatine bones; short sensory canal on the trunk with 23 pores; monochrome light coloration of the fins; and widened distal ends of neural and/or hemal spines in seven caudal centra. A key for the identification of three Middle Asian species (C. spinulosus, C. jaxartensis, and C.nudus sp. nova) is given.

Aims: To complete the syntaxonomic scheme for tall-forb vegetation of the montane and alpine belts in the Pamir-Alai and western Tian Shan Mountains in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan with some remarks on its environmental predictors. Study area: Middle Asia: Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Methods: A total of 244 relevés were sampled in 2013–2019 using the seven-degree cover-abundance scale of the Braun-Blanquet approach. These were classified with a modified TWINSPAN algorithm with pseudospecies cut-levels 0%, 5% and 25%, and total inertia as a measure of cluster heterogeneity. Diagnostic species were identified using the phi coefficient as a fidelity measure. NMDS was used to explore the relationships between the distinguished groups. Results: Our classification revealed 19 clusters of tall-forb vegetation in Middle Asia. Among others we found forb communities typical for Tian Shan, western Pamir-Alai, forb-scree vegetation of Pamir-Alai, dry tall-forbs and typical forbs of the alpine belt. A total of eight new tall-forb associations and five communities were distinguished. The forb vegetation of Middle Asia has been assigned to the class Prangetea ulopterae Klein. The main factors differentiating the species composition of the researched vegetation are elevation, mean annual temperature, sum of annual precipitation and inclination of the slope. Conclusions: The paper presents the first insight into the comprehensive classification of the alpine forb vegetation in Middle Asia and fosters progress in explaining the relationship of boreo-temperate and Mediterranean-like (Irano-Turanian) vegetation in western Asian and central Asian subregions of the Irano-Turanian phytogeographical region. Taxonomic references: The nomenclature of the vascular plants follows generally Cherepanov (1995) and for Bromus spp. The Plant List (2020) Version 1.1. http://www.theplantlist.org/. Syntaxonomic references: The names of syntaxa are used in accordance with Ermakov (2012), Gadghiev et al. (2002) and Nowak et al. (2018). Abbreviation: NMDS = Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling.

This article presents a new checklist of Scrophularia in Uzbekistan. The synopsis includes 21 species; one of them is national endemic, and seven species were newly recorded for Uzbekistan as a result of field collecting missions, studies, and examination of Tashkent (TASH), St.-Petersburg (LE), Almaty (AA), and Moscow (MW) herbarium collections. The geographical distribution of Scrophularia in Uzbekistan was mapped and analyzed. The identification key, a table of comparative diagnostic characters, nomenclatural types, and ecological data are provided. (C) 2019 National Science Museum of Korea (NSMK) and Korea National Arboretum (KNA), Publishing Services by Elsevier.

The genus Hissarica Viidalepp (Geometridae, Geometrinae) is restored from synonymy with Xenochlorodes Warren. The moths and their male and female genitalia are illustrated and characterized in comparison with those of Hierochthonia Prout and Xenochlorodes. Taxonomic positions of “Hierochthonia” alexandraria Prout and Eucrostes petitaria Christoph are discussed and the new genus Ratsa Viidalepp & Kostjuk gen. nov. is established for them, creating the new combinations Ratsa alexandraria Prout and Ratsa petitaria Christoph.

This paper sheds the first light on the phylogeny of the Central Asian genus Turanium Baeckmann, 1922. By applying an integrative taxonomy approach, we revealed and described a new species from Kyrgyzstan—Turanium losi Karpiński, Plewa & Hilszczański sp. nov. Distinguishing characters from closely related Turanium pilosum (Reitter, 1891) are presented and their ecological associations are discussed. The key characters, including the male terminalia, were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy. High-quality stacked photographs of the habitus of the specimens are presented for both species and their geographical distributions are mapped. While the new species shows stable morphological characters that allow its differentiation from T. pilosum and the COI genetic distance between them is approx. 3%, the different species delimitation methods gave discordant results. Although the new species remained unrecognized for so long, it seems that these cerambycids are common in the region and both can be considered potentially invasive as they are apparently highly polyphagous. It has also been documented that they occur sympatrically in Kyrgyzstan. Both the Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses of COI sequences confirmed the monophyly of the genus Turanium with strong support (PP 1 and BS 90, respectively). Moreover, the recently revealed polyphyly of the tribe Callidiini was supported by our analyses and, consequently, the discussion on the establishment of a new tribe Ropalopini is raised. This study further corroborates the effectiveness of DNA barcoding as a tool in detecting new species and provides some of the first sequences for Central Asian cerambycids, which remain almost completely unknown in terms of molecular studies.

A review of the tenebrionid genus Podhomala Solier, 1836 is given. In total, eight species from Kazakhstan and Middle Asia are listed: P. (s. str.) lucidula (Krynicki, 1832), P. (s. str.) bicostata (Senac, 1884), P. (s. str.) fausti Kraatz, 1881, P. (s. str.) medvedevisp. n., P. (s. str.) heydeni Reitter, 1907, P. (s. str.) serrata (Fischer von Waldheim, 1830), P. (s. str.) acuta (Reitter, 1901), and P. (Urielina) nitida (Baudi di Selve, 1876). The following synonymy is established: Podhomala Solier, 1836 = Uriela Reitter, 1887, syn. n., = Pterocomodes Reitter, 1901, syn. n.;Podhomala (s. str.) lucidula Krynicki, 1832 = P. (s. str.) suturalis Solier, 1836, syn. resurr. A key to species, images, review of morphological adaptations, and distribution map of the genus Podhomala are given.

Three taxa of the subtribe Coryphiina Zerche, 1990 (Omaliinae: Coryphiini) from south-eastern Kazakhstan are redescribed and illustrated: the genera Murathus Kastcheev, 1999 and M. montanus Kastcheev, 1999, and Coryphiodes tchyldebayevi (Kastcheev, 1999) comb. nov. (ex Coryphium Stephens, 1834).

We present a critical revision of information about rare and endangered endemic species Salvia baldshuanica (Lamiaceae), included in the Red Books of the USSR and Tajikistan. As the nomenclatural type had been missing, we assembled information on the original herbarium material performed a proper typification of the species name. A chorological analysis of the species distribution in Middle Asia was carried out. To assess the state of the current natural populations, a topographic mapping of localities (Sanglok mountains, two isolated local populations; Sarsaryak ridge, one local population) was made. A narrow edaphic confinement of plants of this species to gypsum-bearing mountain soils has been established. A taxonomic assessment of the key morphological traits of S. baldshuanica confirmed at least the sectional level of its position within the subgenus Leonia. The species was found in nature only three times – in 1883, 1937 and 1979, which confirms its exceptional rarity and high scientific interest.

Rhodostrophia is a speciose genus which is widespread in arid landscapes of Central Asia. A new species, Rhodostrophia crypta sp. n. is described below from Kazakhstan.

Data and main patterns of the vertical distribution of butterflies in mountains of Middle Asia are presented and discussed. Butterflies have a belt type of vertical distribution in almost all mountain ranges of Middle Asia; mosaic vertical distribution is observed only for Terskey Ala-Too mountain ridge (the North Tien-Shan). The North Tian Shan pattern of the vertical distribution of butterflies is typical for Middle Asia generally, as well as for small areas of this region. Example of the genus Athamanthia Zhdanko, 1983 shows that the vertical distribution of extant taxa can be used for reconstructions of faunogenesis. The greatest diversity of this genus is registered in the North Tian Shan in mid-mountaine belt, and the most primitive species locally occur on coasts of Issyk-Kul Lake, in the Issyk-Kul Pleistocene refugium (A. eitschbergeri Lukhtanov, 1993 and A. issykkuli Zhdanko, 1990). Three evolutionary branches can be divided after the analysis of the wing pattern, the structure of male genitalia and the distribution of Athamanthia: the first one is associated with the expansion of butterflies in low-mountain habitats of Middle and Western Asia (west to Turkey); the second branch is assotiated with distribution in mid- and high mountain belts of Middle Asia (up to Hindukush); the third branch migrated in low mountains in Inner Middle Asia. The Inner TienShan and Alay connect speciation center of the genus with more southern territories of Central Asia through the Naryn refugium (acting as a secondary speciation center). Estimated time of the origin of the ancestral species of the genus is Miocene. Species of Athamanthia are xerophiles; therefore, we assume that the beginning of the wide spreading of ancestral forms was initiated at a time of intensive climate aridization in Central Asia (Late Miocene – Pliocene). The faunal similarity was determined using the Jaccard index. A comparison of the indices shows that the fauna of mountain regions of the Tian Shan (North, Internal, West) are similar to each other, but not similar to the fauna of the high mountain Central Tian Shan. The faunas of Lepidoptera of the Alay and Trans-Alay ranges are expectedly similar; the faunas of Gissar and Darvaz are similar to them and among themselves; the faunas of Hesperioidea и Papilionoidea of Eastern and Western Pamirs are dissimilar, although the similarity coefficient of these faunas is borderline. A preliminary division of faunistic regions on the basis of the fauna of butterflies of the Central Asian mountains is proposed: Grand Tian Shan, Central Tian Shan, Gissar-Alay, Western and Eastern Pamirs. Vertical endemicity inherent in mountain faunas is discussed. Both the geographical and vertical components of a range must be used in the arealogical analysis of mountain faunas

A taxonomic review and molecular phylogeny of the genus Melanargia Meigen, 1828 (Lepidoptera: Satyridae) of the Middle Asian mountains is given. The taxa Melanargia parce parce Staudinger in Staudinger, Bang-Haas, 1882, M. parce lucida Staudinger, 1886 and Melanargia parce persa Groum-Grshimaïlo, 1890 are conspecific, and the following synonyms are resurrected: Melanargia parce parce = Melanargia parce lucida syn. resurr. = Melanargia parce persa syn. resurr. The lectotype of M. parce lucida Staudinger, 1886 is designated. Two species and two subspecies of Melanargia Meigen, 1828 inhabit mountains of Middle Asia: M. parce parce (South Eastern Altay (Kalbinskiy and Sarymsakty ridges), Dzhungaria, Tien-Shan, Gissar-Darvaz, foothills of Western Pamir, North Eastern Afghanistan), M. parce karatavica (Zhdanko, 2012) (Kazakhstan: Karatau Ridge), M. russiae and M. repentina sp. n. (South Western Altay, Dzhungaria, Tien-Shan, northern slopes of Alay mountains sympatric with M. parce parce). The type locality of M. repentina sp. n. is Kyrgyzstan, Alai Mts., 9.6 km NW of Kichi-Karakol settlement, 2667 m, 39°50.370ʹN / 73°19.593ʹE. The differences between the new species and other known species of M. parce species-group from Middle Asia are supported by the molecular phylogeny, based on Cox1 of mDNA and by the structure of male genitalia (the gnathos structure and the aedeagus length). The cladogram (ML, parametric model Kimura-2, 10000 bootstrap replications) indicates two monophyletic clusters: M. repentina sp. n. + M. transcaspica Staudinger, 1901 and M. russiae (Esper, 1783) + M. parce parce. The subspecies Melanargia parce karatavica was not included in the analyses because of insufficient material.

A taxonomic review of the tenebrionid-beetle genus Calyptopsis Solier, 1835 from Kazakhstan and Middle Asia is given. In total, five species are listed: C. clypeata Faust, 1875 (Turkmenistan, Iran), C. deplanata Faust, 1875 (Turkmenistan), C. incerta Faust, 1875 (Turkmenistan, Iran), C. punctiventris Baudi di Selve, 1874 (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan), and C. faustisp. n. (Turkmenistan). A new synonymy is established: Calyptopsis punctiventris Baudi di Selve, 1874 = Calyptopsis laevipennis Reitter, 1897, syn. n. Lectotype of Calyptopsis deplanata is designated. A key to the species of the genus Calyptopsis from Kazakhstan and Middle Asia is given.

A new species of the subgenus Planempis Frey, 1953 (Diptera: Empididae), Empis (Planempis) gussakovskiisp. n., is described from Tajikistan, being the first record of the subgenus from Middle Asia. The relationships of the new species within the subgenus Planempis are shortly discussed. An updated check-list of Planempis species is provided.

A taxonomic revision of the tenebrionid-beetle genus Hedyphanes Fischer von Waldheim, 1820 from Kazakhstan, Middle Asia, Iran and Afghanistan is presented. The history of the classification of this genus is described; the descriptions, synonymy, bibliography, data on the distribution and ecology, and a key to 19 species are given. Four new species are described: H. kadlecisp. n. (Iran: Ardabil Province), H. igorisp. n (Iran: Semnan Province), H. aalbuisp. n (Iran: Qum Province), and H. afghanicussp. n (Afghanistan: Herat Province). Hedyphanes tuxeni Kaszab, 1959 is recorded for Iran and H. kiritshenkoi is recorded for Uzbekistan for the first time The following new synonymies are established: Hedyphanes besseri Faldermann, 1837 = H. parvicollis Seidlitz, 1896, syn. n.; Hedyphanes seidlitzi Reitter, 1914 = H. albertus Reitter, 1922, syn. n., and Hedyphanes bodemeyeri Reitter, 1914 = H. gebieni Reitter, 1914, syn. n. Hedyphanes kuschkensis Kaszab, 1960 is interpreted as a subspecies: H. seidlitzi kuschkensis stat. n. Lectotypes of Hedyphanes koltzei Heyden, 1892, H. europs Reitter, 1914, and H. bodemeyeri Reitter, 1914 are designated.

Twenty eight species of the genusQuediusfrom Middle Asia comprising Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, are revised.QuediusaltaicusKorge, 1962,Q.capitalisEppelsheim, 1892,Q.fusicornisLuze, 1904,Q.solskyiLuze, 1904 andQ.cohaesusEppelsheim, 1888 are redescribed. The following new synonymies are established:Q.solskyiLuze, 1904 =Q.asiaticusBernhauer, 1918,syn. n.;Q.cohaesusEppelsheim, 1888 =Q.turkmenicusCoiffait, 1969,syn. n., =Q.afghanicusCoiffait, 1977,syn. n.;Q.hauseriBernhauer, 1918 =Q.peneckeiBernhauer, 1918,syn. n., =Q.ouzbekiscusCoiffait, 1969,syn. n.;Q.imitatorLuze, 1904 =Q.tschinganensisCoiffait, 1969,syn. n.;Q.novusEppelsheim, 1892 =Q.dzambulensisCoiffait, 1967,syn. n.,Q.pseudonigricepsReitter, 1909 =Q.kirklarensisKorge, 1971,syn. n.Lectotypes are designated forQ.asiaticusBernhauer, 1918,Q.fusicornisLuze, 1904,Q.hauseriBernhauer, 1918,Q.imitatorLuze, 1904,Q.novusEppelsheim, 1892 andQ.solskyiLuze, 1904. For all revised species, taxonomy, distribution and bionomics are summarized.Quediusfuliginosus(Gravenhorst, 1802),Q.sundukoviSmetana, 2003 andQ.pseudonigricepsReitter, 1909 are recorded for Middle Asia for the first time. One species from theQ.coloratus-group, found to be new to science is not described due to shortage of material. Another possibly new species is tentatively identified asQ.fulvicollisStephens, 1833 until the taxonomy of that widespread species is revised. An identification key to all species is provided.

This article was prepared according on the analysis of the situation with the poaching and smuggling of falcons (Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus , Saker Falcon F. cherrug and Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus ) in Russia and near abroad countries in 2016–2017. The number of falcon-related arrests is steadily growing: 6.3 arrests per year in 1996-2005, 10.3 in 2006-5015 and 15.0 in 2016-2017. About half of all arrests took place in Kamchatka peninsula where governmental nature-protection authority works in collaboration with Federal Security Service and Border Control Service that leads to significant decrease of the number of illegally caught Gyrfalcons in 2017. One-third of all cases occurred in Siberia. The proportion of identified crimes in Moscow and St. Petersburg is relatively low – only 0.83 cases per year on average. In the last 12 year, the number of falcon-related arrests in the neighboring countries increased – from 2.6 crime cases per year in average in 2006-2015 to 7.5 crime cases per year in 2016-2016. The mean number of falcons annually withdrawal illegally from the nature increased 1.64 times during the last 2 years compared with the previous decade: from 76.3 individuals per year to 125.5 ind/year. This increase was mainly due to enhanced poaching in the Middle Asia where this index grew from 17.9 to 39 individuals per year. From 2014 to 2017, 36 peoples were convicted for a crime – 16 were sentenced to a colony and 20 got a suspended sentence. The strictest sentences were passed for smuggling (clause 226.1 of the criminal code of Russia) – from 2 years and 3 months to 6 years of the suspended sentence and from 2 years and 3 months to 7.5 years of a colony (22 convicted). On the other clause – illegal hunting, keeping and transportation of falcons (clause 258.1) 17 peoples were convinced – two of them were convinced to a colony, the rest got suspended sentence from 2 to 4 years.

Three new species of the gymnosperm seed genus Allicospermum Harris — Allicospermum valentinae, Allicospermum uzbekistanicum and Allicospermum papillosum — are described from the Middle Jurassic of Angren, Uzbekistan (Middle Asia). The seeds, recovered by bulk maceration, differ in their sizes as well as in the fine structure of the megaspore membrane and of the outer epidermis of the seed coat. Allicospermum valentinae is notable for having a very thin outer cuticle of the seed coat and a thicker megaspore membrane characterized by vermicular sculpturing of the free surface of the foot layer. Allicospermum uzbekistanicum stands out in the larger seeds and in the megaspore membrane displaying unbranching thick sinuous bacula of the patterned layer arranged parallel to the foot layer. Allicospermum papillosum is peculiar in the development of solid papillae over much of the outer epidermis of the seed coat and of hair-like papillae near the seed apex, as well as in the presence of long resin bodies. The latter species possesses a Ginkgo type of stomata and has a megaspore membrane similar to that in Ginkgo biloba — both features rather suggesting a ginkgoalean affinity, which also cannot be ruled out for A. valentinae.

Morphological features of the species of the genus Adoxomyia Kertesz, 1907 with bicolorous antennae in females were studied for the first time. Significant diagnostic characters are discussed, e.g., the structure of the head, the type of pubescence on the frons and face, the shape and coloration of the scutellar spines, and the morphology of the genitalia (the synstemum, the basal part of the epandrium, and the aedeagus). A new species, Adoxomyia subruficornis sp. n., is described from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan; it differs from A. ruficornis (Loew, 1873) in a dense pale pubescence on the frons, pale scutellar spines, elongate median projection of the synstemum, and rounded epandrial processes.

A new leaf-beetle species, Acolastus paki sp. n., is described from Tajikistan. New data (including photographs of the aedeagus and habitus) on Acolastus afghanicus, A. anthracinus, A. karatavicus, A. lygaeus, A. nanus, A. nigrifrons, A. syrdariensis, and Tituboea elegantissima are reported.

A complete catalogue is provided for the type specimens of amphibians and reptiles collected by Nikolay A. Zarudny and stored mostly in the herpetological collection of the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia (ZISP), as of August 2018. The collection contains 270 type specimens, representing 51 taxa (species and/or subspecies) of one family of turtles, one amphisbaenia family, five lizard families and four snake families from 74 type localities. As a result of studying Zarudny’s collections, mainly from Iran, was the description by A. M. Nikolsky of two new genera, Microgecko and Diplometopon, and 42 species and subspecies (varieties). Twenty-two of these taxa are regarded currently as valid.

Three new species-group are established for eastern Palaearctic species of the genus Anthobium Leach, 1819: the consanguineum-group containing A. consanguineum Shavrin & Smetana, sp.n. (China: Yunnan: Gaoligong Shan, Diancang Shan) and A. jaegeri Shavrin & Smetana, sp.n. (Central Nepal: Kali Gandaki Valley); the crassum-group containing A. crassum Shavrin & Smetana, sp.n. (China: Yunnan: Xue Shan, Haba Shan), A. crenulatum Shavrin & Smetana, sp.n. (China: Yunnan: Diancang Shan), A. explanatum Shavrin & Smetana, sp.n. (China: Sichuan: Gongga Shan), and A. farkaci Shavrin & Smetana, sp.n. (China: Sichuan, Sabde); the reflexum-group containing A. reflexum (Reitter, 1891) (Middle Asia), A.deplanatum Shavrin & Smetana, sp.n. (China: Sichuan: Erlang Shan), A. gaoligongshanense Shavrin & Smetana, sp.n. (China: Yunnan: Gaoligong Shan), and A. kashmiricum (Cameron, 1941) (India: Kashmir). The species groups are defined, briefly discussed, and a key to the species included in each group is given. A lectotype is designated for Lathrimaeum reflexum Reitter, 1891. The subgenus Prionothorax Luze, 1905 is synonymized with the nominal subgenus of Anthobium. An additional species of the fusculum group is described: A. transversale Shavrin & Smetana, sp.n. (China: Sichuan: Gongga Shan). The species of each species-group are (re-)described, illustrated, and their geographical distributions are mapped. Anthobium reflexum is recorded from Kyrgyzstan for the first time.

The newly collected specimens from the Upper Cretaceous (Santonian–early Campanian) Bostobe Formation at the Shakh-Shakh locality in the Northeast Aral Sea Region, Kazakhstan, increase the diversity of anurans in this stratigraphic unit and now two taxa can be recognized there: gobiatid Gobiates sp. and large anuran Discoglossidae indet. The faunal association of gobiatids + discoglossids is characteristic for Cenomanian–Campanian vertebrate assemblages of Middle Asia and Kazakhstan. In the Late Cretaceous of Asia, large sized anurans appeared in the Cenomanian and became a common element of anuran assemblages from the Turonian onwards, earlier than in North America where large sized anurans began dominating assemblages in the late Campanian.

Agglutinated quartz-siliceous foraminifera are widely spread in West Siberian, at least in Canadian and Middle Asia provinces. Considerable amounts of these forms are assigned to the rift structures which stretch out in the meridional direction in these provinces. The foraminifera assemblages of these forms may have been formed in the Arctic basin. As an example, we have studied agglutinated foraminifera of the Cenomanian-Turonian in the provinces along the rift to which industrial hydrocarbon field is assigned. The Plates 1-4—Cenomanian-Turonian agglutinated foraminifera of West-Siberian provinces are presented. Correlation of Foraminiferal zones and layers of West Siberian and Canadian provinces, showing the agglutinated index-species foraminifera are presented.

In Middle Asia, the dragonfly Pantala flavescens makes regular seasonal migrations. In spring, sexually mature dragonflies (immigrants) arrive in this region for reproduction. Dragonflies of the aboriginal generation (residents) develop in about two months, and migrate south in autumn. Residents of Middle Asia have significantly lower &delta, 2H values (&minus, 123.5 (SD 17.2)&permil, n = 53) than immigrants (&minus, 64.4 (9.7)&permil, n = 12), as well as aboriginal dragonfly species from Ethiopia (&minus, 47.9 (10.8)&permil, n = 4) and the Sahel zone (&minus, 50.1 (15.5)&permil, n = 11). Phenological data on P. flavescens in the Afro-Asian region and a comparison with published isotopic data on migratory insects from this region suggest that (i) the probable area of origin of P. flavescens immigrants is located in tropical parts of East Africa and/or the Arabian Peninsula and (ii) the autumn migration of Middle Asian residents to the south may also pass through the Indian Ocean. We assume that in the Afro-Asian region, there is an extensive migration circle of P. flavescens covering East Africa, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent with a total length of more than 14,000 km.

The spider genus Arboricaria Bosmans, 2000 is redefined and an updated diagnosis given. The differences between Arboricaria and Micaria Westring, 1851 are discussed in detail. A key to all five species of the genus is provided. One new species, Arboricaria zonsteini sp. n. (♂♀), is described based on specimens from Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan. One new synonym is proposed: Arboricaria koeni Bosmans in Bosmans & Blick, 2000, syn. n. is assigned to Arboricaria sociabilis Kulczyński in Chyzer & Kulczyński, 1897. Data on the distribution of Arboricaria in Russia and adjacent countries are presented with references to the papers on local spider faunas.

Aims: To propose the first syntaxonomical scheme for the graminoid steppe vegetation of the montane and alpine zones in the Pamir-Alai Mts. in Tajikistan with some remarks on its environmental gradients. Location: Tajikistan. Methods: A total of 155 relevés were sampled in 2015 using the seven-degree cover-abundance scale of Braun-Blanquet and subsequently 148 of these relevés were selected and classified by the modified TWINSPAN method using the four step interval scale with cutoff levels of 0%, 5%, 10% and 25% and total inertia as a measure of cluster heterogeneity. Diagnostic species were identified using the phi coefficient as a fidelity measure. The detrended correspondance analysis was used to determine the relation between steppe, scree and rock plots and the major gradients in species composition. Results: Four associations - Stipetum drobovii, Stipetum lipskyi, Stipetum margellanicae and Stipetum jagnobicae - were distinguished, as well as two communities of Bromus tectorum-Stipa arabica comm. and Stipa turkestanica subsp. trichoides comm. Because of their floristic distinctiveness, all of these communities were assigned to the new alliance Poo bulbosae-Artemision persicae and the provisionary order Carici stenophylloidis-Stipetalia arabicae. The identified plant communities were included temporarily in the Irano-Turanian class of steppe vegetation - Astragalo microcephali-Brometea tomentelli Quézel 1973 em. Parolly 2004. The main factors determining the species composition of the studied associations are altitude and cover of organic top soil, which have a major influence on the development of the particular type of steppe vegetation. Conclusions: For the first time, we have initiated research on the diversity of steppe vegetation in Tajikistan and Middle Asia. The final assignment of the western Pamir Alai graminoid steppe phytocoenoses, particularly at the higher syntaxnomical rank with identification of relations between the Cleistogenetea squarrosae and the Astragalo-Brometea steppes, needs further detailed investigation in the surrounding areas of Middle and Central Asia.

Based on numerical analyses of macromorphological characters (cluster analysis, principal coordinate analysis and principal component analysis), scanning electron microscopy observation of lemma and lamina micromorphology, as well as field observations, five taxa belonging to the Stipa turkestanica group have been recognized in the mountain area of Central Asia. They are S. turkestanica subsp. turkestanica, S. turkestanica subsp. trichoides, S. macroglossa subsp. macroglossa, S. macroglossa subsp. kazachstanica and S. kirghisorum. As a result of this study, we propose one new combination, S. macroglossa var. pubescens, and designate lectotypes for S. turkestanica subsp. trichoides and S. macroglossa var. pubescens, and an epitype for S. kirghisorum. Illustrations of micromorphological structures of the lemma, patterns of leaf hairiness and an identification key are provided. A taxonomic synopsis including information on nomenclatural types, synonyms, descriptions of the taxa, and, as supplementary information, a list of the specimens examined is also presented.

A distribution of Melitaea persea Kollar, [1849] and Melitaea lunulata Staudinger, 1901 in Middle Asia is clarified. The first species is recorded from Kungey Ala-Too, Terskey Ala-Too, Gissar Range and environs of Talas town. The second species is recorded from Transili Alatau and Kungey Ala-Too. A new subspecies, Neolycaena lunara oksana Korb, ssp. n. is described from Peter the First ridge, Surkhob River valley near Jirgatol. It is shown that valid lectotype designation of Lycaena iris Staudinger, 1886 was made by Bálint but not by Churkin and Zhdanko or Korb, but the lectotype designation of Lycaena iris Lang, 1884 by Bálint is invalid. Lectotypes of Lycaena iris Lang, 1884, Lycaena sieversii haberhaueri Staudinger, 1886, Lycaena rutilans Staudinger, 1886 are designated. It is established that Polyommatus jurii Tshikolovets, 1997 is a subspecies of Afarsia rutilans. The name Polyommatus neoiris Tshikolovets, 1997 is valid and the oldest available name for the taxon was described as Lycaena iris Staudinger, 1886. New synonymy is established: Lycaena iris Lang, 1884 = Lycaena sieversii haberhaueri Staudinger, 1886, syn. n., the taxon iris Lang has a subspecies status: Afarsia sieversii iris (Lang, 1884), stat. n. A check list of Afarsia sieversii (Christoph, 1873) species group from Middle Asia is given

For the completely floristic area of Middle Asia (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan) 19 species of genus Glycyrrhiza L. are listed. New revision was made on the base of classification of Grankina (2009) but species of the genus Meristotropis are listed separately. Still the central species—G. glabra L.—is one of the most famous species in the folk medicine as well as its resources are stocked in a large amount in this region.

The Quedius mutilatus group, a very poorly known presumably monophyletic complex of wingless, possibly hypogean species confined to the Tien-Shan Mountains, is characterized as such for the first time. Newly available material clarified the identity of Q. mutilatus Eppelsheim, 1888 and Q. kalabi Smetana, 1995, each hitherto known from a handful of non-conspecific and vaguely georeferenced specimens only. Additional material is reported for Q. equus Smetana, 2014 and one species, Quedius kungeicus sp. nov., is described. All available data on the taxonomy, distribution and bionomics for all these four species of the group are summarized.

On April 14th of 2014 a leading herpetologist of his country, Dr. Valery Konstantinovich Eremchenko passed away in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, after several years of severe illness. We lost a remarkable expert of the herpetofauna of Middle Asia, a friend and a collaborator.

Probiotic, a word derived from Latin, means ‘for life’. A long time before the awareness of probiotic microorganisms, fermented products, such as beer, bread, wine, kefir, kumis and cheese had been very frequently used for nutritional and therapeutic purposes. It is widely believed that fermented products were probably found, or better to say, discovered spontaneously. The legend tells that yoghurt is most likely resulted from a fermentation process within the animal skin bags used for transportation of water and milk in regions with low humidity and high temperatures (Middle Asia and Middle East). The history of probiotics goes paralel with the evolution of human race and, thanks to the sophisticated techniques at the moment, can be traced back to the ancient times, nearly 10,000 years ago. The aims of this review are to highlight the important events for probiotic history, to correct the widely available anonymous misinformation in the literature and to remind to the readers important characters in its history.

Bryological research carried out from 2008 in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan brought interesting data on the occurrence of epiphytic bryophytes which have not been recorded yet there. One of the species was recently described as a new (Orthotrichum pamiricum) and some of the other newly recorded species are considered as rare or endangered in the region of Middle Asia. To make detailed field monitoring of the species with the aim of mapping their distribution in a wild and complex mountainous terrain, it was necessary in the first instance to identify the area with suitable conditions for the occurrence of these species. We present an innovative modeling program MaxEnt (maximum entropy modeling), which have not previously been used for modeling either epiphytic bryophytes or in the Middle Asia region. Using 205 samples (presence-only data), percent tree cover, and seven uncorrelated bioclimatic variables, regions suitable for the occurrence of the studied species were identified. Distribution models for eight most interesting species of Orthotrichum are presented here (O. affine, O. anomalum, O. crenulatum, O. cupulatum, O. pallens, O. pamiricum, O. pumilum, and O. speciosum). They indicated appropriate areas for the most probable occurrence of the species in western Tajikistan, and southwestern and northeastern Kyrgyzstan. These results could serve as guides for future survey expeditions, and aid in the conservation of target species and our understanding of their ecology. Different environmental variables for various species were selected as the most important for modeling. However, for most species higher minimum temperatures and higher precipitation in the wettest month and mean diurnal range were the variables with the greatest contribution to the models.

A new species, Tomosvaryella vadimi sp. n. (the minima group of species) similar to the Palaearctic T. minima Becker and T. aegyptium Kuznetzov, is described from the Central Kopet Dagh Mountains, Turkmenia, Middle Asia. The new species differs from the other species of the T. minima group in the bright metallic silvery pruinosity forming large dorsolateral spots on tergites III and IV and in large, moderately wide and elongate surstyli with angled inner and outer margins (see figure). The diagnostic characters of the new species, including the structure of the male genitalia, are illustrated and keyed.

The fenestrate bryozoan Narynella narynica (Nikiforova, 1933) shows high potential for stratigraphic correlation of the Mississippian deposits of Middle Asia. This species was recorded in the upper Tournaisian to lower Visean deposits of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and at various localities in Kazakhstan. New material for N. narynica is described and type material for this species is formally designated.

A taxonomic revision of Taraxacum sect. Borealia Hand.-Mazz. in Middle Asia and the Himalayas is presented. Ten species, mainly confined to relatively small mountain areas, are classified as members of this section in this region. All names that might pertain to sect. Borealia have been studied, and whenever possible, their type material was examined. Two new species are described: T. klimesianum from Ladakh, Jammu-Kashmir in India and T. cornucopiae from the Tian Shan in Kazakhstan. A preliminary world checklist of the section is provided.

Short taxonomical review of the blue butterflies of Turanana cytis group of Middle Asia is presented; this group contains 2 species in Middle Asia. Lectotypes of Lycaena panaegides Staudinger, 1886, L. p. alaica Staudinger, 1886, L. cytis Christoph, 1877 are designated and figured. New synonymy is established: Turanana cytis cytis (Christoph, 1877) = Turanana cytis tuzovi Tshikolovets, 1994 syn. n. Two species of cytis group are presented by only nomenotypical subspecies in Middle Asia.

Stipa zeravshanica M. Nobis sp. nov. from the western Pamir Alai Mts (Tajikistan) is described and illustrated. Morphologically, the new species is similar to S. gracilis, but it is easily distinguishable by pilose (vs. glabrous) lower part of the awn, and generally somewhat longer ligules of the vegetative shoots. Epidermal patterns of the lemma in S. zeravshanica and three other closely related taxa, namely S. gracilis, S. himalaica and S. orientalis, were examined by means of SEM. The main macro-morphological and micro-morphological characteristics differentiating all mentioned species are presented. Additionally, a lectotype for S. gracilis is designated. Based on phytosociological relevés prepared during field investigation in the western Pamir Alai Mts, a new plant association Asperulo albiflorae–Stipetum zeravshanicae, occurring on shelves and rocky crevices is also described.

The study presents the results of geobotanical investigations conducted in crop fields in the western Tian Shan Mts in Kyrgyzstan (Middle Asia). The main research focused on classification of weed communities developing within this poorly investigated area, were conducted in the vicinity of Bishkek and Kara-Balta in 2010. Altogether, 299 phytosociological relevés were sampled using the Braun-Blanquet method. Based on all segetal vegetation patches, the analyses distinguished a new association: Caucalido platycarpi-Vicietum michauxii. The results of these phytosociological studies fill a gap in the knowledge about the syntaxonomical diversity of the Middle Asia region, which is one of the most crucial for segetal weed species. The study shows that anthropogenic agrocoenoses could harbour relatively rich flora. Extensively cultivated fields could especially serve as a suitable habitat for many xerothermophilous and heliophilous plants. More than 75 species in vegetation plots, mainly permament weeds, have been found. There is also a considerable share of species coming over from swards, screes and meadows.

The taxonomic composition of the group Polyommatus dagmara (Grum-Grshimailo, 1888) in Palaearctic is figured. This group is an Iranian-Central Asiatic endemismus and consists of 4 species, two of them are monotypic, two have two subspecies each. It is shown that including this group into genus-group taxon Paragrodiaetus Rose et Schurian, 1977 is erroneous, and the lectotype of the type species of this genus-group taxon (Lycaena glaucias Lederer, [1870]) is designated. Also lectotypes of Lycaena erschoffi Lederer, 1869 and Lycaena superba Staudinger, 1887 are designated, the new synonymy is established: Polyommatus erschoffi erschoffi (Lederer, 1869) = P. erschoffi taherides Eckweiler, 1998, syn. n. The determination key of species for this group is compiled.

Geltman D. V.: Revision of Euphorbia sect. Chylogala (Euphorbiaceae). — Willdenowia 43: 5–12. June 2013. — Online ISSN 1868-6397; © 2013 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. Stable URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3372/wi.43.43101 After the rearrangement of the system of Euphorbia subg. Esula Pers., E. sect. Chylogala (Fourr.) Prokh. contains four species: E. alaica (Prokh.) Prokh. (mountains of Middle Asia), E. heteradena Jaub. & Spach (Southwest Asia), E. retusa Forrsk. (deserts of North Africa and Southwest Asia) and E. serrata L. (West Mediterranean). This group is revised here. Special attention is given to E. alaica, a poorly known species from Kyrgyzstan and Tadjikistan. Lectotypes are designated for the names Euphorbia coriacea K. Koch, E. megalantha Boiss. and E. megalantha var. denticulata Boiss.

In this paper we describe previously unpublished trionychid turtle material, consisting of skull fragments, from the Late Cretaceous (late Turonian) Bissekty Formation of the Dzharakuduk locality in Uzbekistan. This material is assigned to two taxa: the skull-based Khunnuchelys kizylkumensis Brinkman et al. (1993, Can. J. Earth Sci. 30, 2214-2223) and Trionychini indet. Two specimens which cannot be confidently attributed to these two taxa are considered Trionychidae indet. In addition to these trionychid taxa known from skulls, the Dzharakuduk turtle assemblage includes at least two shell-based taxa, Aspideretoides cf. A. riabinini and “Trionyx” cf. “T.” kansaiensis. For this and other Late Cretaceous localities of Middle Asia and Kazakhstan, we suggest the probable skull-shell associations of Khunnuchelys spp. with “Trionyx” kansaiensis-like forms and Trionychini indet. with Aspideretoides-like forms.

Carbon stocks and carbon accumulation in the earth's drylands have gained increasing attention. The winter-cold deserts of Middle Asia, i.e. in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, cover an area of 2.5 million km2. Within these deserts, the two Saxaul species White Saxaul (Haloxylon persicum Bunge ex Boiss. & Buhse) and Black Saxaul (Haloxylon aphyllum (Minkw.) Iljin) are dominant woody species with a potential distribution area of about 500,000 km2. From the 1950s until today, the Saxaul vegetation has been degraded through logging and over-grazing. In this paper, we estimate the current and potential living above ground and below ground biomass of the Saxaul vegetation and its carbon stock. The living above ground biomass ranges between 1.5 t/ha and 3 t/ha. The potential carbon stocks above ground and below ground amount to 29.4–52.1 million t and 22–81.4 million t, respectively. Today, only 11%–28% of the potential biomass and carbon stock have remained. The carbon stock of the Saxaul vegetation is low compared to other ecosystems of the earth, but restoration and conservation of Saxaul vegetation is one way to sequester carbon through vegetation for Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, which do not have much other woody vegetation.

Results of investigation of the Otiorhynchus subgenus Nubidanus Rtt. (sensu Reitter) are reported. Pseudotiorhynchus Magnano is downgraded to a subgenus of Otiorhynchus Germar. Four species-groups are distinguished in the subgenera Nubidanus (as recently treated) (the hebraeus and impexus groups) and Pseudotiorhynchus (the morosus and ruminalis groups). Morphological diagnoses and brief distributional characteristics of the groups are given. Lectotype of O. morosus is designated, four new species closely related to O. morosus are described from Middle Asia and Kazakhstan.

This paper discusses the floristic structure, distribution and habitat requirements of a new forest syntaxon, Populetum talassicae ass. nova. The potential range of the Populetum talassicae association comprises the central Pamir-Alai and Tian-Shan Mountains in Middle Asia. The biotope of this community comprises high mountain river valleys and shore zones of mountain lakes situ- ated at elevations between 2200 and 2750 m. Phytocoenoses of the Populetum talassicae association are characterized by a clear predominance in the tree layer of a characteristic species of the association ‒ Populus talassica. Shrubs are not so abundant; how- ever, the undergrowth layer of the community could reach up to 60% of the total cover, consisting mainly of Salix spp., Hipophaë rhamnoides, Lonicera stenantha, Juniperus semiglobosa and J. seravschanica. The herbaceous layer is quite rich and has about 20 species on average. Among associated species mainly meadow, rush and marsh taxa have been noted. Regarding the considerable cover of the meadow species, the association of Populetum talassicae has been classified as the Populetea laurifolio-suaveolentis syntaxon. A new plant alliance was proposed ‒ Populion talassicae all. nova with Pedicularis dolichorhiza and Astragalus tibetanus as diagnostic species. The described forest association is one of the rarest and most rapidly disappearing wood communities in Tajikistan, which means that special conservation attention is called for.

A new genus of the family Brachypsectridae with two new species, Asiopsectra luculenta gen. et sp. n. (type species) from the Middle East (Iran) and A. mirifica sp. n. from Middle Asia (Tajikistan) are described. The genus Asiopsectra gen. n., in contrast to the genus Brachypsectra, is characterized by the 12-segmented bilamellate antennae, the very large and subcontiguous antennal fossae, the strongly raised supra-antennal keels, the very narrow mandibles, the presence of small “window” punctures on the elytra, the lack of keels along the posterior pronotal angles, and only a small patch of excretory hairs at the posterior edge of abdominal ventrite 5. A revised diagnosis for the family Brachypsectridae is given.