Smittia solominae sp. nov. (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae), living on ice of high mountain glaciers of the Elbrus Region (North Caucasus).

Illustrated morphological description with a study of DNA barcoding and biology of adult male, pupa and larva of Smittia solominae sp. nov., living on the ice surface of glaciers at an altitude of about 3000 m above sea level in the Elbrus region of the North Caucasus is given. DNA barcoding provided support that the new species unique within genus Smittia. The average interspecific distances between S. solominae sp. nov. and other Smittia from BOLD above 12% that correspond to species level.

New deep-sea species of Aborjinia (Nematoda, Leptosomatidae) from the North-Western Pacific: an integrative taxonomy and phylogeny.

Marimermithid nematodes parasitising invertebrates are mainly found in the deep-sea environments. Several adult and juvenile specimens marimermithids of the genus Aborjinia have been found in bottom sediments and inside Polychaeta during recent cruises to the Kuril-Kamchatka trench and the Kuril Basin (the Sea of Okhotsk). New species are described based on integrative study. Aborjiniaprofundasp. nov. differs from A.eulagiscae by the location of the ventral gland cell bodies (posterior to the nerve ring vs posterior to the cardia), by the smaller body size (23-28 mm vs 103-132 mm) and shorter tail (193-263 µm vs 500-850 µm). BI and ML phylogenetic analyses based on 18S and 28S rDNA suggest that genus Aborjinia belongs to the family Leptosomatidae. Based on molecular and morphological characters the new genus Paraborjiniagen. nov. is proposed for A.corallicola. Within the family Leptosomatidae the new genus differs from all genera except Aborjinia by its endoparasitic lifestyle and hologonic ovaries. Paraborjiniagen. nov. differs from Aborjinia by the position of cephalic sensitive organs (outer labial and cephalic papillae in two separate circles vs outer labial and cephalic papillae in one circle) and by the parasitic adult (vs free-living in Aborjinia).

Fauna and taxonomy of Diamesinae (Diptera, Chironomidae) from the Caucasus, with a morphological description and DNA barcoding of new taxa and a discussion of diagnostic problems for Diamesa Meigen and Pseudodiamesa Goetghebuer.

As a result of the revision of adult males as well as available literature data, 26 species of the subfamily Diamesinae are registered for the Caucasus, belonging to 5 genera. Four species are recorded for the first time for this region, one species, D. elbrusica sp. nov., and one subspecies, D. sakartvella gidanica subsp. nov., are new to science and are described. Six species are classified as endemics of the Caucasus. Distribution of other species of Caucasian Diamesinae is discussed. DNA barcodes of 102 specimens and 20 species of four genera, Boreoheptagyia Brundin, Diamesa Meigen, Pseudodiamesa Goetghebuer and Syndiamesa Kieffer were obtained in this study. Of these, 12 species were deposed in the GenBank and BOLD systems for the first time. We have established that D. cinerella group includes D. kasymovi and probably D. lavillei whereas D. zernyi group includes D. vaillanti and D. valentinae. Highly supported phylogeny and results of species delimitation suggest the description of D. elbrusica sp. nov. and D. sakartvella gidanica subsp. nov. Ps. aff. branickii and Ps. aff. nivosa are new species based on DNA barcoding. The results of species delimitation show that genus Pseudodiamesa includes 10 (ASAP, GMYC), 14 (mPTP) or 21 (BOLD) distinct molecular taxonomic units (mOTUs) among which only Ps. stackelbergi have an undoubted species status that requires a large revision using both morphological and molecular approaches.

Review of subfamily Prodiamesinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) from the Russian Far East and bordering territory.

Based on material from the Russian Far East and Eastern Siberia, a revision of the chironomids of the subfamily Prodiamesinae was carried out. A new species Monodiamesa fontinalis sp. nov., is here described, ten species from four genera-Monodiamesa bathyphila Kieffer, M. kamora Makarchenko et Yavorskaya, M. improvisa Makarchenko, M. nitida Kieffer, Odontomesa fulva Kieffer, Prodiamesa levanidovae Makarchenko, Propsilocerus amurensis Makarchenko, P. jacuticus (Zvereva), P. paradoxus Lundström and P. taimyrus Zelentzov are redescribed with varying degrees of completeness. Propsilocerus taimyrus Zelentzov, 2000 is proposed as senior synonym of P. saetheri Wang, Liu et Paasivirta, 2007. DNA barcoding of four species, M. fontinalis sp. nov., M. bathyphila, P. olivacea Meigen and P. akamusi (Tokunaga) was provided. Species delimitation and phylogenetic relationships using COI DNA barcodes confirms the species validity of M. fontinalis sp. nov.

Two new chironomid species of the genus Pseudokiefferiella Zavel (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae) from the Amur River basin of Russia.

The adult male, pupa, larva with DNA barcoding of Ps. matafonovi sp. nov. and the adult male of Ps. silinka sp. nov. from Amur River basin of Russia are described and illustrated. Ps. matafonovi sp. nov. is genetically distant from other Pseudokiefferiella showing uncorrected p-distances of >6.8 %. The results of species delimitation show that genus Pseudokiefferiella includes 10 (mPTP), 13 (ASAP, GMYC) or 14 (BOLD) distinct molecular taxonomic units (mOTUs) that requires a revision of this genus using both morphological and molecular approaches.

Taxonomy of Diamesa steinboecki group (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae), with description and DNA barcoding of new species. I. Subgroups steinboecki and longipes.

The results of a revision of the Diamesa steinboecki group, namely soubgroups steinboecki and longipes (Diptera, Chironomidae, Diamesinae) are presented. Illustrated descriptions of the adult male of D. dragani sp. nov. from Sayan Mountains, D. kownackii sp. nov. from Wrangel Island, D. maisaraensis sp. nov. from Pamir, D. marinskiyi sp. nov. from Tian-Shan, D. zagrosica sp. nov. from Iran, D. moubayedi sp. nov. from Lebanon are provided with redescriptions of D. steinboecki Goetghebuer from Pamir, French and Swiss Alps, D. sakartvella Kownacki et Kownacka from Caucasus and D. praecipua Sther et Willassen from Himalayas. Taxonomic remarks with data on the ecology and biogeography of the investigated species are given. In addition to taxonomic information, 658-bp fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene from the eight species are presented and the results of DNA barcoding are discussed. Previous investigations focused to integrative taxonomy and molecular analysis of the Diamesa species collected in various mountain regions such as Alps, Tien Shan and Pamir. In the present work, we focused on the principle of considering morphological groups, giving more emphasis respect to the division in geographical areas.

Redescription of the Caucasian endemic Diamesa caucasica Kownacki et Kownacka (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae).

Diamesa caucasica Kownacki et Kownacka was described from the watercourses of the Terek River basin flowing down from the high mountain glaciers of the Caucasus (alt. 20002700 m a.s.l.), namely from the Chkheri River (Ortsveri Glacier), the Suatisi River (Savitisi Glacier) and the Mnaisidon River (Mna Glacier) in Georgia (Kownacki Kownacka 1973). So far, no other finds of this species have been recorded in the Caucasus and other mountainous regions of Europe. Apparently, D. caucasica is endemic to the Caucasus and its distribution probably does not go beyond the glacial streams of the Terek River basin. This assumption is confirmed by the finds of adult males of this species made by Dmitry Palatov in 20182022 in the rivers at an altitude 14021980 m a.s.l., originating in the Mostocete, Tanantsete, Skazsky and Tseysky glaciers of North Ossetia and which also belong to the Terek River basin.

Morphological description of a new species of Capnia (Plecoptera: Capniidae) with DNA barcoding of genus members from the Russian Far East.

Capnia yavorskayae, a new species of the stonefly family Capniidae, is described from the Low Amur River Basin, Khabarovskiy Kray of the Russian Far East, on the basis of female morphological features. Confirmation of the uniqueness of the new species was also molecularly compared to other Capnia, including a few Far Eastern species, C. aligera Zapekina-Dulkeit, C. bargusinica Zapekina-Dulkeit, C. khingana Teslenko, C. kurnakovi Zhiltzova, C. nearctica Banks, C. nigra (Pictet), and C. rara Zapekina-Dulkeit for which DNA barcodes were obtained. We support the distinctiveness of the new species with mitochondrial DNA sequences, comparing it to Capnia from the eastern Palaearctic and Nearctic realms and one Zwicknia species. The new species forms a common clade with C. khingana, C. kurnakovi from the Russian Far East, and an undetermined Capnia species from Honshu, Japan. Each species from the Russian Far East has high interspecific distances from other Capnia species except C. nearctica which was close to C. atra Morton.

Chironomids are commensals of the larvae and pupae of Blephariceridae and Simuliidae from the North Caucasus (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae).

Illustrated morphological descriptions of chironomid larvae from subfamily Orthocladiinae Cardiocladius sp. 1, which as commensals live between ventral suckers of Blephariceridae larvae, as well as larvae and pupae of Eukiefferiella claripennis group inhabited of Simuliidae pupal cocoons, are given. DNA barcodes of these chironomid species and sequences of their hosts, three species of Liponeura Loew (Blephariceridae) and one species of Simulium aff. variegatum (Simuliidae), are provided.

Taxonomy of Diamesa steinboecki group (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae), with description and DNA barcoding of known species. II. Subgroups davisi, leona and loeffleri.

Illustrated redescription of the adult males Diamesa alpina Tokunaga from the Russian Far East and North America, D. amplexivirilia Hansen from Arctic and the Russian Far East, D. saetheri Willassen from Chukotka Region and Kolyma River basin, D. lupus Willassen from Alaska, D. serratosioi Willassen from Norway and Russian Far East, D. leoniella Hansen from Alaska, D. leona Roback from Eurasia, D. japonica Tokunaga from Japan and Russian Far East, D. khumbugelida Saether et Willassen and D. loeffleri Reiss from Himalayas are provided. Morphological data and DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) were used to delimit of seven species from subgroups davisi (D. alpina, D. amplexivirilia, D. serratosioi), leona (D. japonica, D. leona) and loeffleri (D. khumbugelida, D. loeffleri). Taxonomic remarks with data on geographical distribution of the investigated species are given.

Baetis majus sp. nov., new species of mayfly (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from Far East of Russia.

A new species, Baetis majus Tiunova sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on larvae and reared adults discovered in the Russian Far East. The differential identification of this species was determined by the characteristics of other representatives of the genus Baetis Leach, including subgenera Baetis Leach and Tenuibaetis Kang Yang from Eastern and Western Palaearctic, Nearctic and Oriental regions. In addition to morphological studies, DNA barcoding of the described species with average intraspecific K2P distances to nearest neighbours is documented. We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships of all available cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of the subgenera of Baetis and Tenuibaetis from four regions. Bayesian analysis using 47 morphological characters additional to partial COI sequences did not allow to determine the species-group of the Baetis genus to which the described species belongs.

New species and findings of emPagastia/em Oliver (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae) from Central Asia, with DNA barcoding of known species of the genus.

Chironomids of the genus Pagastia Oliver (Diamesinae, Diamesini) from the mountains of Central Asia are revised using both morphological characters and molecular data. Illustrated descriptions of the adult male Pagastia (P.) caelestomontana sp. nov. from Kirgizstan and Tajikistan, P. (P.) hanseni sp. nov. from Tajikistan, and record of a finding apparently a new species P. (P.) aff. lanceolata (Tokunaga) from Tajikistan as well as an updated a key to the determination of the adult males of all known species of Pagastia are provided. A phylogenetic framework is reconstructed based on two mitochondrial genes cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of 34 samples belonging to 7 species of the genus Pagastia and cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) available for most samples. Phylogenetic trees of some known species of the genus Pagastia were reconstructed using the combined dataset and Bayesian inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) methods. The interspecific K2P distances between seven Pagastia species including P. (P.) caelestomontana sp. nov., P. (P.) hanseni sp. nov. and undescribed P. (P.) aff. lanceolata (Tokunaga) are 6.3-13.2 which corresponding to species level.

First next-generation sequencing data for Haploporidae (Digenea: Haploporata): characterization of complete mitochondrial genome and ribosomal operon for Parasaccocoelium mugili Zhukov, 1971.

The first data on a whole mitochondrial genome of Haploporidae, Parasaccocoelium mugili (Digenea: Haploporata: Haploporidae) was generated using the next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach. We sequenced the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and ribosomal operon of Parasaccocoelium mugili, intestine parasite of mullet fish. The mtDNA of P. mugili contained 14,021 bp, including 12 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal genes, 22 tRNA genes, and non-coding region. The ribosomal operon of P. mugili was 8308 bp in length, including 18S rRNA gene (1981 bp), ITS1 rDNA (955 bp), 5.8S rRNA gene (157 bp), ITS2 rDNA (268 bp), 28S rRNA gene (4180 bp), and ETS (767 bp). We used the mtDNA protein-coding regions to make phylogenetic reconstructions of Haploporidae. Additionally, we performed the sequence cluster analysis based on codon usage bias of most of currently available mitochondrial genome data for trematodes. The observed gene arrangement in mtDNA sequence of P. mugili is identical to those of Plagiorchis maculosus (Rudolphi, 1802). Results of maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analysis showed that P. mugili was closely related to Paragonimus species from the suborder Xiphidiata. The results of sequence cluster analysis based on codon usage bias showed that P. mugili has the highest similarity with Plagiorchis maculosus (Xiphidiata). Our results do not contradict to proposing a new suborder for Haploporoidea-Haploporata. On the basis of obtained results, the relationship between mitochondrial protein-coding gene rearrangements and synonymous nucleotide substitutions in mitochondrial genomes has been suggested.

Taxonomy of some Boreoheptagyiini Brundin (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae) from the mountains of Central Asia and the Middle East, with description and DNA barcoding of new taxa.

Chironomids of the tribe Boreoheptagyiini from the mountains of Iran, China and East Kazakhstan are revised using both morphological characters and partial DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. Using adult males, Palatovia lorestanica gen. nov. sp. nov., as well as Boreoheptagyia iranica sp. nov. both from Iran (Lorestan Province, Zagros Mountains), B. joeli sp. nov. from China (Tien Shan Mountains), and B. sarymsactyensis sp. nov. from Eastern Kazakhstan (Kazakh Mountain Altai), are described and figured. A brief redescription of the rare species B. brevitarsis (Tokunaga) from Iran (Mazandaran Province), previously known only from Japan, is also given. The DNA barcoding analysis shows well-supported genetic divergence between all studied taxa (four species of the genus Boreoheptagyia and one of Palatovia). Combining DNA barcodes obtained in this study with available sequences in GenBank, the phylogenetic relationships of the tribe Boreoheptagyiini are reconstructed. In the resulting Bayesian and maximum likelihood (ML) tree the polyphyly of the genus Boreoheptagyia is recognized. B. iranica is placed as a sister species to P. lorestanica, despite the lack of confirmation of their morphological similarity.

Morphological description and DNA barcoding of some Diamesinae (Diptera, Chironomidae) from the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago and the Vaigach Island (Russian Arctic).

Chironomids of the Diamesinae subfamily from the Russian Arctic were studied using both morphological characters and molecular data. Adult males of Diamesa urvantsevi sp. nov., D. amplexivirilia Hansen, Arctodiamesa appendiculata (Lundström) from Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago and D. arctica (Boheman), Pseudokiefferiella sp. from Vaigach Island were described, redescribed, annotated and figured. A reference 658 bp barcode sequence from a fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI) was used as a tool for species delimitation. For D. arctica (Boheman) and Pseudokiefferiella sp. close DNA barcodes from Norway were performed, which allowed to relate these specimens to the described species. Comparisons with corresponding regions of COI between each described species and close related congeneric species produced K2P genetic distances of 0.11-0.16, values well associated with interspecific variation. Phylogenetic relationships for genera Arctodiamesa Makarchenko and Pseudokiefferiella Zavrel were reconstructed for the first time.

Baetis (Rhodobaetis) molecularis sp. nov., a new mayfly species (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from the Russian Far East.

A new species Baetis (Rhodobaetis) molecularis sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on larvae and reared adults from the Far East of Russia. The differential diagnosis of this species is provided with regard to other representatives of the subgenus Rhodobaetis Jacob, 2003 from East Palaearctic and Nearctic Regions. A dataset including novel and publicly available COI mtDNA sequences of 16 species of Rhodobaetis has been assembled to provide a reference dataset for DNA barcoding. The comparison between Baetis (Rhodobaetis) molecularis sp. nov. and other species produced K2P genetic distances of 0.201 in average, values well above those associated with intraspecific variation. The closest species was Baetis foemina McDonough with a K2P distance value 0.114. A Bayesian phylogeny of available Rhodobaetis is also provided.

Genetic Evidence for a Mixed Composition of the Genus Myoxocephalus (Cottoidei: Cottidae) Necessitates Generic Realignment.

Sculpin fishes belonging to the family Cottidae represent a large and complex group, inhabiting a wide range of freshwater, brackish-water, and marine environments. Numerous studies based on analysis of their morphology and genetic makeup frequently provided controversial results. In the present work, we sequenced complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes and fragments of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of the fourhorn sculpin Myoxocephalus quadricornis and some related cottids to increase the power of phylogenetic and taxonomic analyses of this complex fish group. A comparison of the My. quadricornis mt genomes obtained by us with other complete mt genomes available in GenBank has revealed a surprisingly low divergence (3.06 ± 0.12%) with Megalocottus platycephalus and, at the same time, a significantly higher divergence (7.89 ± 0.16%) with the species of the genus Myoxocephalus. Correspondingly, phylogenetic analyses have shown that My. quadricornis is clustered with Me. platycephalus but not with the Myoxocephalus species. Completely consistent patterns of divergence and tree topologies have been obtained based on nuclear rDNA. Thus, the multi-gene data in the present work indicates obvious contradictions in the relationships between the Myoxocephalus and Megalocottus species studied. An extensive phylogenetic analysis has provided evidence for a closer affinity of My. quadricornis with the species of the genus Megalocottus than with the species of the genus Myoxocephalus. A recombination analysis, along with the additional GenBank data, excludes introgression and/or incorrect taxonomic identification as the possible causative factors responsible for the observed closer affinity between the two species from different genera. The above facts necessitate realignment of the genera Myoxocephalus and Megalocottus. The genetic data supports the two recognized genera, Myoxocephalus and Megalocottus, but suggests changing their compositions through transferring My. quadricornis to the genus Megalocottus. The results of the present study resolve the relationships within a complex group of sculpin fishes and show a promising approach to phylogenetic systematics (as a key organizing principle in biodiversity research) for a better understanding of the taxonomy and evolution of fishes and for supplying relevant information to address various fish biodiversity conservation and management issues.

Review of the genus Shilovia Makarchenko (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae: Boreoheptagyiini) from the mountains of Central Asia, with morphological description and DNA barcoding of known species.

Chironomids of the genus Shilovia Makarchenko (Diamesinae, Boreoheptagyiini) from the mountains of Central Asia are revised using both morphological characters and molecular data. Illustrated descriptions of the adult male Shilovia xinhuawangi sp. nov. from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, S. yakovlevi sp. nov. from East Kazakhstan and redescription of S. rara Makarchenko from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are provided. The result of morphological study is congruent with DNA barcoding analyses using COI sequences. The average K2P interspecific nucleotide distances within S. xinhuawangi sp. nov. and S. yakovlevi sp. nov. are 0.03% and 0.3% respectively. The nucleotide distances between the two new species and S. rara can be considered interspecific. Phylogenetic analysis using Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inferences (BI) support the placement of S. xinhuawangi sp. nov. and S. yakovlevi sp. nov. within the monophyletic genus Shilovia.

Complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic position of the Levanidov's charr Salvelinus levanidovi Chereshnev, Skopetz et Gudkov, 1989 (Salmoniformes, Salmonidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome was sequenced in Levanidov's charr Salvelinus levanidovi. The genome sequences are 16,624 bp, and the gene arrangement, composition, and size are similar to the charr genomes. The level of divergence between S. levanidovi and charr belonging to the genus Salvelinus was in the range from 4.80% to 3.65%. Molecular phylogeny provides new evidence that S. levanidovi is closely related to the common ancestor of the genus Salvelinus. The present study confirms that S. fontinalis, S. levanidovi, S. leucomaensis, and S. namaycus form a basal group of taxa, each of them belongs to an independent evolutionary line.