Checklist of Invertebrates from the Racha and Khvamli Karst Massifs, Sakartvelo (Georgia)
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The Caucasus region is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, hosting a remarkable diversity. Among its unique ecosystems, karst caves in western Georgia provide habitat for highly specialized invertebrate fauna. Despite the ecological significance of these cave systems, biospeleological research in the region remains limited. Based on recent studies, an updated and expanded checklist of invertebrates from the Racha and Khvamli karst massifs is provided. We report 102 species, representing 25 orders, 57 families, and 78 genera, including eight newly recorded taxa for the caves of Racha and Khvamli karst Massifs: Globochthonius satapliaensis , Harpolithobius perplexus , H. spinipes , Lithobius viriatus , Chaetoleptophyllum flexum , Leucogeorgia gioi , Porrhomma convexum and Colchidoniscus kutaissianus . Of these 102 species, 20 are troglobionts, 11 are stygobionts, 45 are troglophiles, two are stygophiles, 13 are trogloxenes, six are accidental records and for five species ecological status is not defined.
Source: Caucasiana
Authors: Ana Margalitadze, Eleonora Kiria, Mariam Gogshelidze, Lado Shavadze, Naia Modebadze, Shalva Barjadze
Institution: Ilia State University
Language: English
Subfield: Paleontology
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7110992983