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Taxonomy and species diversity of the mustard family (Cruciferae or Brassicaceae) in Kazakhstan is updated. Draba bajtenovii described and hitherto known from Kungei Alatau is synonymized with D. fladnizensis for which it is a southern limit of distribution in the Eurasia, while Trans-Ili Alatau endemic D. microcarpella is found conspecific with a montane Asian D.lanceolata. Noccaea thlaspidioides (N. cochleariformis) is confirmed to occur in the country based on collections from Altai. Finally, Isatis trachycarpa and Smelowskia annua are shown to be absent in the flora of Kazakhstan due to the lack of gatherings confirming their occurrence in the country., Уточнён видовой состав крестоцветных (Cruciferae, или Brassicaceae) Казахстана. Два вида рода Draba, считавшихся эндемиками страны (D. bajtenovii и D. microcarpella, известные по единичным сборам из Кунгей и Заилийского Алатау), синонимизированы, соответственно, с арктомонтанным D. fladnizensis, для которого данное местонахождение является самым южным в Евразии, и нагорноазиатским D. lanceolata. Noccaeathlaspidioides (N.cochleariformis), факт произрастания которого в Казахстане ранее не подтверждался, вновь включён в спискок видов природной флоры РК благодаря наличию образцов из казахстанской части Алтая. Нахождение во флоре страны Isatis trachycarpa и Smelowskia annua, напротив, не получает подтверждения по причине отсутствия сборов с территории Казахстана.

An information about 410 type and original specimens of taxa (65 published names) described as part of the genus Potentilla L. based on collections from Central Asia and Kazakhstan and stored in the Herbarium of the Komarov Botanical Institute RAS (LE) is provided. Considering data from other collections (DR, PR, MW, TK, JE, KFTA, KW, L, M, MO and P), the total amount of type material presented in the article is 509 samples. They include 33 lectotypes (27 in LE), 19 isolectotypes (8 in LE), 24 holotypes (23 in LE), 23 isotypes (20 in LE), 76 paratypes (75 in LE), 133 syntypes (91 in LE), and 203 specimens (168 in LE) which belong to original material (“original specimens”). The lectotypes of the names of 25 taxa (P. algida, P. approximata, P. biflora var. stenopetala, P. bifurca var. canescens, P. desertorum, P. desertorum var. arnavatensis, P. fedtschenkoana, P.fedtschenkoana var. digitata, P. flabellata, P. fruticosa var. angustifolia, P. hololeuca var. calvescens and var. subtrijuga, P. komaroviana, P. lipskyana, P. malacotricha, P. multifida var. nubigena, P. nivea var. cano-tomentosa, P. schrenkiana, P. sibirica, P. soongorica, P. soongorica var. viridescens, P. tephroleuca, P.transcaspia, P. turczaninowiana, P. turgaica) are designated in this work. The images of type specimens of P.ferganensis and P. × jakovlevii, local endemics of Asia, known only from locus classicus, which were not collected after the original description, are presented., Приводится информация о 410 типовых и оригинальных образцах таксонов (65 обнародованных названий), описанных в составе рода Potentilla L. по сборам из Средней Азии и Казахстана и хранящихся в Гербарии Ботанического института им. В. Л. Комарова РАН (LE). С учетом данных из других коллекций (DR, PR, MW, TK, JE, KFTA, KW, L, M, MO и P) общий объем типового материала, представленного в статье, составляет 509 образцов. В их числе 33 лектотипа (27 в LE), 19 изолектотипов (8 в LE), 24 голотипов (23 в LE), 23 изотипа (20 в LE), 76 паратипов (75 в LE), 131 синтип (89 в LE) и 203 образца (168 в LE), которые относятся к элементам первоначального материала (original specimens). Лектотипы обозначены в настоящей работе для 25 таксонов: P. algida, P. approximata, P. biflora var. stenopetala, P. bifurca var. canescens, P. desertorum, P. desertorum var. arnavatensis, P. fedtschenkoana, P.fedtschenkoana var. digitata, P. flabellata, P. fruticosa var.angustifolia, P. hololeuca var. calvescens и var. subtrijuga, P. komaroviana, P. lipskyana, P. malacotricha, P. multifida var. nubigena, P. nivea var. cano-tomentosa, P. schrenkiana, P. sibirica, P. soongorica, P. soongorica var. viridescens, P. tephroleuca, P.transcaspia, P. turczaninowiana, P. turgaica. Приводятся изображения типовых образцов P. ferganensis и P.× jakovlevii – узколокальных эндемиков Азии, известных только из locus classicus, сборы которых после первоописания пока никем не были повторены.

New floristic zoning of Central Asia is demonstrated briefly consuming the original map. Essential features of floras’ composition and similarity, their endemism level, peculiarities of floristic complexes and florocenotypes and furthermore the analysis of taxa included to the flora determine the zoning. Some particularities of large regions of Central Asia are described briefly., В тезисной форме и на оригинальной карте продемонстрировано новое флористическое районирование Средней Азии, в основу которого положены важные признаки состава и общности флор, их эндемизма, особенностей флористических комплексов и флороценотипов, а также анализ ареалов входящих во флору таксонов. Кратко рассмотрены черты флоры отдельных выделенных крупных регионов Средней Азии.

Aim. The study of the genus Melanotus from the collection of the Institute of Zoology of the Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia taking into account new taxonomic and chorological data.Material and Methods. Scientific material was identified after desktop processing and preparation of genitalia according to current data on the genus Melanotus.Results and Conclusion. We determined 21 species of the genus Melanotus in the collection from Europe, the Caucasus and Middle Asia, 12 species being recorded from the territory of Armenia. The collection of the genus Мelanotus in the Institute of Zoology includes species endemic to Armenia (M. gedeoni Mardjanyan, 2015, M. platiai Mardjanyan, 2015, M. khnzoriani Mardjanyan, 2015), to Tajikistan (M. fragilloides Dolin, 1988, M. vidualis Gurjeva, 1988) and to Iran (M. dichroides Platia & Gudenzi, 1999, M. richterae Mardjanyan, 2015). Three species, M. castanipes Paykull, 1800, M. fulvus Reitter, 1891 and M. sladkovi Dolin & Atamuradov, 1986 are recorded for the first time for Armenia. M. rustamovi Dolin & Atamuradov, 1987 is the first record for Tajikistan and M. persimilis Dolin & Latifi, 1988 for Turkmenistan.

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.

Mountain areas are very often considered to be biodiversity hotspots. Rocks are one of the most unique habitats and serve as a suitable biotope for many endemic and specialized plant species. Here we present the results of the vegetation studies conducted in central and eastern Pamir-Alai and the south-western Tian Shan mountains in 2013‒2019. Based on 334 phytosociological relevés we propose a synopsis of the rock communities of the montane and colline zones of eastern Middle Asia. As a result of our research, we distinguish 17 communities defined into five groups of petrophytic vegetation within the Caricion koshewnikowii alliance. We describe 11 new associations: Feruletum bucharicae, Scrophularietum glabellae, Asperulo albiflorae–Kafirniganietum hissaricae, Scutellarietum immaculatae, Campanuletum eugeniae, Silenetum kuschakewiczii, Rosularietum platyphyllae, Spireaetum pilosae, Silenetum lithophilae, Campanuletum albertii, and Rhinactinidietum limoniifoliae. Distinctiveness of environmental conditions together with the species composition of the phytocoenoses within the montane and colline belts of eastern Middle and Central Asia make the investigated vegetation among those with the highest specific diversity and richness of endemisms in the whole area. The main factors that determine the species composition of the investigated vegetation seem to be phytogeography, altitude, bedrock type, and exposition. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2021.1922531 .

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

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.

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.

The paper presents the results of phytosociological researches on rocky slope vegetation in Tajikistan with the aim to establish a comprehensive syntaxonomical classification system. Field studies were conducted in 2010-2014 in Pamir Alai ranges and Pamirian plateau. Nearly 500 relevés documenting rock and scree vegetation were made according to the Braun-Blanquet method. Numerical analyses of selected 58 relevés representing dwarf shrub vegetation on rock ledges made it possible to distinguish: Ephedro glaucae- Spiraeion baldschuanicae and Ephedrion regeliano-fedtschenkoi alliances, as well as Spiraeetum baldschuanicae, Rhamnetum coriaceae, Pentaphylloidetum parvifoliae and Pentaphylloidetum dryadanthoidis associations, community of Ephedra glauca and community of Rhamnus minuta. The classification of vegetation of dwarf shrubs on rock walls occurring in the Pamir Alai Mts is proposed. Because of the species composition, physiognomy and microhabitat conditions, the plant communities were included into Artemisio santolinifoliae- Berberidetea sibiricae class Ermakov et al. 2006. The main factors determining the species composition of the classified associations seem to be the elevation above sea level.The newly described syntaxa are largely defined by species restricted to very narrow ranges in Middle Asia.

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.

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

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.

Summary Intensification of agriculture has significantly diminished the populations of segetal weeds worldwide in recent decades. Remarkable changes to the entire flora and vegetation of man-made habitats are being observed in agroecosystems. The present study analyses, for the first time, the threat status of segetal weeds in Tajikistan. A group of 871 weed species were evaluated against IUCN criteria. The assessment of threat status revealed that 214 weed taxa have to be regarded as threatened in Tajikistan, including 18 endemic and four subendemic plants. Five species have been classified as extinct, 27 as critically endangered, 27 as endangered, 39 as vulnerable, 34 as near threatened and 44 as in the ‘least concern’ category. For 38 species, the threat level was not possible, due to lack of data. The most threatened group of taxa is related to rice paddy fields. Numerous losses and disappearances were also observed in cereal communities. Percentages of threatened species in different chorological groups amounted to 58% in the Irano–Turanian, 17% in the Pluriregional, 11% in the Mediterranean, 9.5% in the Cosmopolitan and 4% in the Euro–Siberian species group. Assessment of the threatened status of the rich segetal flora of Tajikistan affords the opportunity to raise awareness of the value of this group of species in the country and may be useful in the conservation management of arable habitats. The results show that even though agriculture in Tajikistan is still based on traditional management and manual work, weed control causes a serious threat to its segetal flora.

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.

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.

The Republic of Uzbekistan is a Central Asian country with rich native flora. The territory belongs to the Irano-Turanian region in the Ancient Mediterranean floristic subkingdom of Holarctic. The flora of Uzbekistan accounts over 4300 species of vascular plants including large numbers of endemic species, but the check-list is still incomplete. Presented here ten new records to the flora of Uzbekistan, were found during the field studies and examination of herbarium collections preserved at TASH.

Aims: To present the first syntaxonomical classification for the mesophilous deciduous forests of the PamirAlai Mountains in Tajikistan with some remarks on its environmental gradients. Location: Tajikistan. Methods: Altogether 201 relevés were sampled between 2008‒2013 using the seven-degree cover-abundance scale of Braun-Blanquet. They were classified by the modified TWINSPAN method using the four-step interval scale with cutoff levels of 0%, 2%, 5% and 10% and total inertia as a measure of cluster heterogeneity. Diagnostic species were identified using the phi coefficient as a fidelity measure. Detrendended Correspondence Analysis was used to determine the relation between samples, vegetation units and the major gradients in species composition. Results: Plant communities of typical broad-leaved, riparian and gallery woods inhabiting mainly the lowland, colline, montane and subalpine zone in several mountains and river valleys in the Pamir Alai Mts. are herein described. Numerical analyses of vegetation data resulted in the distinction of ten associations: Juglandetum regiae, Aceretum turkestanici, Violo suavis-Populetum albae, Swido darvasicae-Platanetum orientalis, Populetum pamiricae, Populetum talassicae, Salicetum turanico-pycnostachyae, Populetum pruinosae, Betuletum turkestanico-tianschanicae and Fraxinetum sogdianae, which have been assigned to four alliances: Acero turkestanici-Juglandion regiae for mesophilous broad-leaved forests, Populion afghanicae for montane riparian forests, Populion talassicae for subalpine riparian forests and Elaeagno-Populion pruinosae for gallery forests of the Middle Asian lowlands. The main factors determining the species composition of the studied associations are salinity, soil humidity, elevation, slope and aspect. Conclusions: Our first attempt initiates research on the diversity of forest vegetation in Tajikistan and Middle Asia. It provides the first classification scheme that could be used in further studies on forest vegetation in the surrounding regions, particularily in Middle and Central Asia.

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.

Presented are the results of analysis of about 700 samples of excrements of Varanus griseus from various regions of sand deserts of Middle Asia. Described are the hunting methods for various kinds of prey, alterations of composition of diet and hunting behavior of V. griseus in conjunction with environmental conditions. V. griseus prefers to hunt for relatively large prey which are concentrated in certain places with distinct spatial and temporal order. The most important characteristic of prey is not a possibility to easy catch it, but possibility to find it with minimal expense of time and energy, i.e., predictableness of results of searching. The most suitable kind of prey are rodent Rhombomys opimus in sand desert, Vipera lebetina, and nests of some birds in river valleys. Lizards and arthropods are readily eaten, but intensive hunting for them was recorded under only circumstances of low abundance of rodents and/or snakes. A common pattern of hunting is the methodical inspection of places densely populated with potential preys. A strong deterioration of feed conditions leads to increase of mobility of V. griseus, spatial redistribution and, as a probable result, disintegration of socium.

Analysis of specific morphological and biological features of the family Scythrididae has shown that the main evolutionary trend of this family is based on abrupt changes in the structure of the copulatory apparatus. Such changes result from its initial complexity and lead to appearance of numerous monotypic genera. Three new monotypic genera from the Kyzyl-Kum Desert are established, descriptions of their type species are given.

The locality of Potamogeton berchtoldii Fieber, the new species to the flora of Tajikistan (Middle Asia), together with its ecological conditions are presented. Additionally, the list of herbarium specimens of P. pusillus L. s. stricto gathered in Tajikistan and few specimens of P. berchtoldii collected from the area of adjacent countries are also provided. Taxonomical position of the species within the Potamogeton pusillus aggregation, the main morphological features of both taxa and possibility of finding other localities are discussed.

The stonefly fauna of the Systellognatha group of Russia and adjacent countries comprises 120 species belonging to 43 genera of 5 families. According to the geographical distribution, 12 groups of genera and 16 species-groups are distinguished. Most of the genera belong to the Holarctic (5), Nearctic-Eastern Palaearctic (7), Amphipacific (9), and Western Palaearctic (8) groups; among the species, the Eastern Palaearctic (29), Palaearchearctic (25), and Western Palaearctic (19) ones are prevalent. There are endemic species, especially in the Caucasus and Middle Asia.

Six species are identified in the Iteaphila setosa group (I. arundela sp. n., I. caucasica sp. n., I. italica Loew, 1873, I. kubaniensis sp. n., I. merzi sp. n., I. setosa (Bezzi, 1924)). This species group is distributed from southern England in the west, through southern Europe and northern Africa, to the Caucasus and Middle Asia (Uzbekistan).

Three new species and three new subspecies are described: Carabus(Semnocarabus)rustemi sp. n. from the southeastern part of the Dzhungarskyi Alatau Mountain system and middle course of the Ili River (SE Kazakhstan); C. (Eotribax) valikhanovi bagua ssp. n. from the Karaterek Valley on the western part of the Narat Mt. R. (Xinjiang, China); C. (Alipaster) thianshanskii sarkhobensis ssp. n. from the mountains on the left bank of the Aghiaz River (Xinjiang, China); C. (Cechenotribax) petri alipastroides ssp. n. from the Basulytau and Karatau mountains and upper course of the Shalkudysu River (SE Kazakhstan); Pseudotaphoxenus aralensis sp. n. from the northern coast of the Aral Sea (S Kazakhstan), and Curtonotus glebi sp. n. from the Suuktiube Mt. R. in Northern Tien Shan (SE Kazakhstan). New synonymy is proposed: Carabus (Alipaster) thianshanskii thianshanskii Breuning, 1932 = C. thianshanskii shatyensis Deuve et Tian, 2004, syn. n., the redescription of this taxon is given.

Four new species of caddisflies from the Tienshan-Mountains (USSR, Middle Asia) are described and illustrated: Hydropsyche kreuzbergi n. sp. (Hydropsychidae), Apataniana nikolaevi n. sp. (Limnephilidae), Dinarthrum kasachstanicum n. sp. and Dinarthrum nigrescens n. sp. (Lepidostomatidae). Some additional informations on diagnostic characters and near relatives are provided for each species.

Platystoma suave Loew and P. murinum Hendel are redescribed. The validity of P. murinum Hendel, considered previously as P. suave murinum, is proven. One new species, P. soosi sp. n., is described from Middle Asia.

Koramius charltonius (Gray, 1853) (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) is distributed in the mountains of Central Asia. We analysed genetic and phylogeographic patterns throughout the western part of its range using a mitochondrial marker (COI). We also analysed the wing pattern using multivariate statistics. We found that the species contains several unique haplotypes in the west and shared haplotypes in the east. The haplotype groups do not correspond to the wing pattern and also the described subspecies do not correspond to either the haplotypes or the groups circumscribed by the wing pattern. Currently, there are more than ten subspecies of K. charltonius in Central Asia; based on our analyses we suggest a reduction to only five of them. The following nomenclatural changes are applied: (1) K. charltonius aenigma Dubatolov & Milko, 2003, syn. n., K. charltonius sochivkoi Churkin, 2009, syn.n., and K. charltonius alrashid Churkin & Pletnev, 2012, syn. n. are new synonyms of K. charltonius romanovi (Grum-Grshimailo, 1885); (2) K. charltonius marusya Churkin & Pletnev, 2012, syn. n., K. charltonius eugenia Churkin, 2009, syn. n., K. charltonius anjuta Stshetkin & Kaabak, 1985, syn. n., and K. charltonius mistericus Kaabak, Sotchivko & Titov, 1996, syn. n. are new synonyms of K. charltonius vaporosus (Avinov, 1913); and (3) K. charltonius safronovi Korb, Shaposhnikov, Zatakovoy & Nikolaev, 2013, syn. n. is a new synonym of K. charltonius voigti (Bang-Haas, 1927).

A close evolutionary relationship of physiology and ecology of organisms determines the dynamic dependence of the population physiological status in man on ecological factors. For the explanation of the stability and variability of population physiological status the concept of physiological homeostasis was applied. The investigation of physiological status in several populations of Middle Asia, Kazakhstan, North-East Asia and Khakassia has shown that reversible changes in the environment may temporarily destabilize the equilibrium in the "population-environment" system and prolonged stresses may cause a state of disadaptation. For estimation of population physiological homeostasis dependent on the environment, generalized dispersion, correlation and factor analyses are very informative. They not only mark the violation of population homeostasis, but also indicate changes in the environment.

The leaf-beetle Leptomona russica (Gmelin, 1790) known from the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, and Middle Asia was found in Orenburg Province for the first time. It is the first record of this species from Europe and the first record of the genus Leptomona from European Russia. The diagnostic characters of the two Russian Leptomona species are included.

Kovalenko, Yakov N. (2017): Jelinekius prisniyi sp. nov., new species of genus Jelinekius Majer, 1990 (Coleoptera: Dasytidae: Rhadalinae) from Tajikistan. Zootaxa 4338 (3): 595-600, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4338.3.13

Halophytic communities of the hemicryptophytes in the lower part of the Atrek river valley (South-Western Turkmenia) are described in the paper. The characteristic of nine new associations referred to new alliances is given. The new order Aeluropodetalia littoralis ord. nov. has been distinguished for the communities of halophytic hemicryptophytes in the Middle Asia. Die Ordnung Aeluropodetalia littoralis in den Uberschwemmungsflachen im Tal des Flusses Atrek (Sudwestturkmenien) In der Arbeit werden die an Hemikryptophyten reichen Halophyten-Gesellschaften im unteren Abschnitt des Flusses Atrek (Sudwestturkmenien) beschrieben. Die neuen Assoziationen werden in zwei neuen Verbanden zusammengefasst. Fur die Gesellschaften der Halophyten-Hemikryptophyten in Mittelasien wird die neue Ordnung Aeluropodetalia littoralis ord. nov. vorgeschlagen.

The paper contains a list of 18 species of dipterans of the family Syrphidae collected by Polish expeditions to central Mongolia. Among them Paragus compeditus WIED. and Eristalis abusiva COLL. are recorded from this area for the first time. Also a new species of Syrphidae – Paragus mongolicus sp. n. is described and illustrated.

Iris ferdowsii is described and illustrated as a new species from Khorassan-Kopet Dagh floristic province in NE Iran. It is closely related to the rhizomatous bearded irises of I. sect. Regelia. The species of this section are distributed mainly in the east of Iran, Afghanistan, west of Pakistan and Middle Asia. Diagnostic morphological characters, and notes on distribution, habitat and conservation status of the new species are provided.

The only aphid specimen recorded in pre-Jurassic strata is the holotype forewing of Triassoaphis cubitus, which has not been referred to any family (Evans 1956. Heie 1987). Recently, another specimen has been discovered among numerous Triassic Homoptera collected in the rich locality. Dzhailou-Tcho (South Fergana, Middle Asia), and deposited in the Paleontological Institute (Moscow). According to paleobotanical data, the locality is of Ladinian-Carnian age, i.e., roughly synchronous or somewhat older than Carnian Ipswich Group (Dobruskina 1982) that harboured Triassoaphis. The newly found aphid is very primitive and peculiar enough to merit new family status.

The taxonomy and distribution of the genus Hybos Meigen in the Palaearctic Region is reviewed with a special reference to the European fauna. Twenty-three species have been recorded from the Palaearctic, of which only four species are known from Europe. We describe two new species, H. andradei sp. nov. (Portugal) and H. mediasiaticus sp. nov. (Middle Asia). The status of two previously considered doubtful species of Hybos are validated: H. striatellus Villeneuve, 1913 (Algeria) and H. vagans Loew, 1874 (the Caucasus). Both species are re-described, and the lectotype of H. striatellus is designated. A key to species of Hybos from the western Palaearctic is compiled. Numerous new data on distributions of H. culiciformis (Fabricius, 1775), H. femoratus (Muller, 1776), H. grossipes (Linne, 1767) and H. vagans are given. Hybos culiciformis is recorded for the first time from Algeria, Byelorussia, Croatia, Cyprus, Lebanon, and Portugal; H. femoratus-from Estonia, Georgia (including Abkhazia), Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Ukraine; H. grossipes-from Byelorussia, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Mongolia, Ukraine; H. vagans-from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia (including Abkhazia), Russia, Turkey. The variation of some characters in H. culiciformis is discussed and is confirmed for Portugese specimens by COI barcoding. Female postabdominal structures are examined and described for H. andradei sp. nov., H. culiciformis, H. femoratus, H. grossipes, H. mediasiaticus sp. nov., and H. striatellus. Possible relationships of the West-Palaearctic species are discussed. A check-list of Hybos from the Palaearctic Realm is provided.

Ten genera and 60 species of Capniidae were found in the examined territory of the former USSR. I establish six well-defined species groups of Capnia, differing by the shape of male epiproct and some other characters: 1) “atra” group - 10 species, 2) “vidua” group - 2 species, 3) “japonica” group - 2 species, 4) “bifrons” group - 4 species, 5) “cordata” group - 4 species from Middle Asia and 6 species from Himalaya, 6) “pedestris” group - 7 species from Middle Asia. Six species of Capnia still remain unassigned to any of the groups. Geographic distribution of genera and species is discussed. Six groups of generic distribution and 15 groups of specific distribution are established.

Biogeographia - vol. XX — 1999 (Pubblicato il 31 ottobre 1999) Biogeografia delI’Anatolia 11 contributo degli Ortotteri (lnsecta) alla conoscenza della biogeografia dell’Anatolia: la componente gondwaniana MARCELLO LA GRECA Via Femzrotta, 6/B - 1395125 Czztzznia (lmlia) Key words: Anatolian Orthoptera, gondwanian elements, Tediys, terranes. SUMMARY The Anatolian Orthoptera include elements deriving from stocks ofdifferent origin and coming from the surrounding areas. Four main biogeographical categories are concerned: angarian elements of the siberian cold steppe which arrived in Anatolia in the Pleistocene; steppic xerothermic elements of Middle Asia which arrived in the Pliocene and during the Interglacials; palaeomediterranean elements going baclt to miocenic stocks, some of which had in Anatolia a spectacular evolutionary explosion; other palaeomediterranean or midlleasiatic elements, but of remote gondwanian origin, lilte Imp/2y , Paecilimmz and allied endemic genera ([\’m':iizz, A/Iicromon, Pzzr/zpoerilinztm, Poerilimmze//zz), Saga, and A/cirerimze and Pzzmp/Jzzginzze oi: the family Pazizp/Jagidae that are also represented by a very great number of endemic genera and species. These ancient Orthoptera arrived in W Asia by an eastern terrane (or more than one), the Iranian—Anatolian plate that, brealted offftom the African Plate, crossed the Tethys and drifted to Ease with the southern and eastern margins of Eurasia perhaps as early as the Palaeocene. Other Pzzmp/Jzzgit/rte, the P/zntp/J/zgiaz/It’, arrived in SW Europe by means of a NW aftican terrane said Alborana, probably spread eastward to the remaining Europe in the Middle Miocene by going round the Perialpine Channel and Paratethys, and colonised the land originating from the lranian—Anatolian Plate. 1. INTRODUZIONE La conoscenza della fauna ortottetica dell’Anat0lia e abbastanza buona gtazie alle ricerche di Vari pionieri fra i quali vanno specialmente ricorclati Ebner, Burr, Uvarovg a esse fanno seguito le importanti pubblicazioni di pill largo respiro di altri studiosi: i clue volumi sugli Ortotteti dell’U.R.S.S. e territori confinanti di Bei-Bienko e Mistshenko (1951), la monografia di Ratnme (19 5 1) sugli Ortotteri sudeuropei e dell’Asia Minore, le numerose ricerche di Karabag Che Vanno dal 1948 al 1980 (soptattutto quella relativa agli Ortotteri della Turchia del 1958), lo studio sui Celiferi anatolici di Weidner (1969), quelle pit‘; recenti di Demirsoy (1975, 1977) e quelle di Nasrecki e Unal (1995) su1l’Anatolia Meridionale. lfaspetto biogeografico della regione E state finora considerate alquanto som- mariamente: dapprima da Uvarov (1921) Che in uifanalisi condotta su base regi0— nalistica, ma che per certi aspetti precotre i tempi, V1 ha riconosciuto Yesistenza di

The genus Willmannella Feider (Acari: Trombidioidea: Microtrombidiidae), previously known only from New Guinea, Java and Europe, is recorded from Middle Asia (Iran) for the first time. Willmannella kazerunica sp. nov. is described from a larva parasitic on an undetermined dipteran in Kazerun, Iran. A revised definition of larval Willmannella is proposed and the systematic position of this genus within the Microtrombidiidae is discussed.