A – Caucasopsis sp. 3; B – Caucasopsis sp. 8; C – Caucasopsis letsurtsume, conical morphotype; D – Caucasopsis letsurtsume, cube-shaped morphotype; E – Pontohoratia birsteini; F – Caucasopsis vinarskii; G – Imeretiopsis gorgoleti; H – Schapsugia pulcherrima; I – Gen. 2; J – Gen. 1; K –Caucasogeyeria chrysomallos; L – Gen. 3; M – Sitnikovia megruli. Throughout the Caucasus, in localized, often hidden caves and springs, dwell miniature mollusks of the Hydrobiidae family. These snails represent one of the least studied groups of freshwater invertebrates in this region. These tiny groundwater dwellers are rarely encountered by researchers: many species are known only from isolated finds, and their evolutionary history has remained a mystery. An international team of scientists, including specialists from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS), the Biology Department of M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, and St. Petersburg State University, conducted the first extensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of this group of mollusks. The researchers included a significantly larger sample size and used four genetic markers, complementing the genetic analysis with morphological features. A total of 13 genera of stygobiont hydrobiids have been identified in the Caucasus, five of which are new, and at least 37 species, approximately 20 of which are potentially new to science. This represents an extremely high level of cryptic biodiversity for a relatively small region. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that hydrobiids in Caucasian groundwater form three distinct lineages, corresponding to subfamily levels: Caucasopsiinae – a new lineage to science at the subfamily level, uniting the majority of endemic Caucasian hydrobiid genera.Belgrandiellinae – includes the stygobiont genus Sitnikovia and several crenobiont genera.Islamiinae – is represented by a single monotypic genus. A morphological study revealed that the structures of the female reproductive system are the most taxonomically significant. In contrast, a traditional taxonomic trait—shell shape—demonstrates a high degree of variability both within and between genera. Therefore, its use for diagnosing generic affiliation without correlation with anatomical data can lead to erroneous taxonomic conclusions. The photograph shows the diverse shell shapes of Caucasian hydrobiids. Take a guess: how many different species and how many genera are there? The answer is far from as obvious as the shell shape suggests. The discovered diversity and profound phylogenetic divergence indicate the long-term evolution of subterranean hydrobiids of the Caucasus in conditions of relative isolation. Unique endemic lineages, ranging from species to subfamilies, have developed here, not found in other regions. The Caucasus functions as an independent centre of speciation for cave fauna, demonstrating exceptionally high levels of endemism at all taxonomic levels. "These results demonstrate how little we know about the life of the Caucasus's underground ecosystems. Each new study uncovers dozens of hidden forms, many of which are narrowly endemic and potentially vulnerable," notes co-author Dmitry Palatov, PhD in biology. This work was supported by a Russian Science Foundation project (No. 25-24-00006). The article was published in the journal Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution: Elizaveta Chertoprud, Irina Ekimova, Dmitry Palatov, Jozef Grego, Levan Mumladze, and Maxim Vinarski, "Little treasures hidden in the darkness: diversity and phylogeny of stygobiotic hydrobiidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) of the Caucasus," Volume 213, December 2025, 108439.

Conference Topics: Impact of Microplastics on Aquatic Vertebrates in Freshwater and Marine EcosystemsImpact of Microplastics on the Biology of Terrestrial Vertebrates: Research and ObservationsMechanisms of Microplastic Impact on Animals: Toxicity, Bioaccumulation, and Other EffectsRisk Assessment of Microplastic Impacts on Vertebrate EcologyImpact of Microplastics on Food Chains and BiodiversityMethods for Detecting and Quantifying Microplastics in Various Environments Watch a video about the conference. Related materials: FishNet: "Microplastics as a New Toxicant in Vertebrates (conference)" RuTube: "Microplastics_As_Toxicant_Conference" FoodSMI: "New Methods for Detecting Microplastics in Poultry" RGS: "RGS Hydroecologists Presented at a Conference on Microplastics"

Photographs showing the typical habitat (A) and morphological features of the head, tail and body of Crocidura stanleyi Craig, Bryjová, Bryja, Meheretu, Lavrenchenko, Peterhans, 2025 (B-D). The biodiversity of the Ethiopian Highlands is characterized by a high level of endemism. Among the unique mammal fauna of this region, pygmy shrews of the genus Crocidura remain the least studied. An international team of researchers, including a researcher from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS), conducted a comprehensive analysis of this group. Based on a study of a large sample of specimens (both ancient museum specimens and those recently collected by the authors) using modern molecular genetic (next-generation sequencing, genome skimming) and morphological approaches, the taxonomy of Ethiopian pygmy shrews was revised. It was shown that they belong to two phylogenetically distinct groups: the "Eastern Afromontane" clade and the "fuscomurina" group of the "Afrotropical" clade. The first of these groups describes a new species to the global fauna: the white-toothed shrew Crocidura stanleyi, one of the smallest known mammals. "The new species is named in memory of the American mammalogist and evolutionary biologist Bill Stanley, who tragically died during fieldwork in the Semien Mountains of northern Ethiopia in 2015," said study co-author Leonid Lavrenchenko, Doctor of Biological Sciences. The discovery of this new species highlights the significant under-research of mammal diversity in the Ethiopian Highlands and confirms the need to integrate morphological and molecular genetic data in taxonomic studies. The work was published in the journal: Craig E.W., Bryjová A., Bryja J., Meheretu Y., Lavrenchenko L.A., Peterhans J.C.K., 2025. Integrative taxonomic revision of endemic dwarf shrews from the Ethiopian Highlands. Journal of Vertebrate Biology, Vol. 74:25031.

Fig.1. Metacercariae of Diplostomum petromyzifluviatilis and their location in the ventricular system of the brain of the river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis: a – whole mount (carmine stain) of metacercariae, b – image (computer microtomography) of a longitudinal section through the brain of an infected lamprey larva (TL=117 mm), c – transverse section (Mallory stain) through the diencephalon of a lamprey larva (TL=84 mm); 1–3 – cavities: 1 – III ventricle, 2 – midbrain ventricle, 3 – IV ventricle; 4 – choroid plexus, metacercariae are outlined with a dotted line. Scale bar, µm: a, c – 100; b – 500. A team of researchers from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg State University, the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the University of Exeter (UK) conducted a comprehensive study of the infection of the river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis with metacercariae of the trematode Diplostomum petromyzifluviatilis in small rivers of the Leningrad Region. Significant differences in the infection rate of lamprey larvae were found between rivers dominated by anadromous spawners (the Chernaya and Sista rivers) and rivers dominated by resident (freshwater) spawners (the Kamenka and Serebristaya rivers). In the former type, larval infection rates were high, while no infected larvae were detected in the latter type. This indicates a close relationship between the parasitic system, the structure of the river ecosystem, and the host's life strategy. An analysis of the habitat conditions and life cycles of the parasite and host allowed us to propose and substantiate a hypothesis explaining the observed differences. It was shown that the existence of a stable parasitic system of D. petromyzifluviatilis is possible only in rivers that provide conditions for the completion of the parasite's life cycle: the presence and availability of the first intermediate host (the mollusk Ampullaceana balthica), a high population density of the second intermediate host (lamprey larvae), and the presence of probable definitive hosts (fish-eating and waterfowl). Rivers dominated by the resident lamprey, due to their small size, frequent drying up, and the lack of extensive floodplains, are unattractive to birds—the parasite's definitive hosts—which is likely the key factor interrupting the life cycle of D. petromyzifluviatilis. For the first time, the localization of D. petromyzifluviatilis metacercariae in the ventricular system of the brain was studied in detail in lamprey larvae using computed microtomography and histology. It was found that the metacercariae are distributed unevenly, with the highest density in the fourth ventricle. "Since this region of the brain is involved in regulating motor activity, it has been suggested that the parasite potentially influences host behavior, which could potentially impact life strategy choices. The presence of metacercariae in resident spawners from the Kamenka River indicates that, if such an influence exists, it is likely modulated by other environmental factors," explained Alexey Kucheryavy, PhD, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences. The results were published in Volume 65(6) of the journal Voprosy Ichthyologii: Infection of the River Lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis (Petromyzontidae) with Diplostomum petromyzifluviatilis (Diplostomidae) in Some Rivers of Leningrad Oblast, December 2025, Journal of Ichthyology 65(6):1109–1122. This work was carried out as part of a Russian Science Foundation project.

Photo by D.I. Korobushkin December 5th marks World Soil Day. The soil cover—the pedosphere—is the central link linking the Earth's geosphere and biosphere components. The productive capacity of soils, their environment-forming, gas-, water-regulating, and sanitary functions, are the leading mechanisms that support the existence of ecosystems. The representation of typical soil cover structures of large regions within protected natural areas largely ensures the diversity of natural systems. In the face of significant climate change and increasing anthropogenic impact, protected areas provide a natural basis for establishing permanent environmental monitoring sites. Photo by D.I. Korobushkin In a series of studies examining the soil cover of nature reserves, national parks, and federal-level sanctuaries using geoinformation analysis, scientists from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IEE RAS) and the Institute of Fundamental Problems of Biology (IFPB RAS) found that these soils are highly representative of the polar zone and adequately representative of the boreal zone. Moving southward, the diversity of natural soils and their corresponding natural complexes in protected areas decreases, reaching minimal values ​​in steppe regions, particularly chernozem ones. "Many natural chernozems, including the most fertile ones, considered among the most economically valuable soils in the country and the world, are currently not represented in federal protected areas. The most significant areas of such soils are located in the Ciscaucasia and southern Western Siberia. Much of this territory has been altered by economic activity, and the need for environmental and soil monitoring sites is high. However, the capacity to create new large protected areas is limited," says Olga Chernova, PhD in Biology and Senior Researcher at the Laboratory for the Study of Ecological Functions of Soils at the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Fig. Chernozems on the Soil Map of Russia. Distribution and representation in federal protected areas: I — soil areas: 1 — found in protected areas, 2 — not found in protected areas. II — federal protected areas: a — nature reserves, b — national parks, c — wildlife sanctuaries To preserve the last minimally disturbed chernozems of the Ciscaucasia and Western Siberia, it is proposed to survey the soil cover of regional nature reserves and natural monuments and improve the protection of the most representative ones. Chernova, O. V., Prisyazhnaya, A. A. "Federal Protected Areas of Russia as the Foundation of a National Background Environmental Monitoring System" // InterCarto. InterGIS, 2025. Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 672-688.

Photo by Ivan Bashinsky. Most often, urban beavers live in the capital's parks. Ivan Bashinsky, Senior Researcher at the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS), PhD in Biology: Most beavers permanently residing within the Moscow area have completed their preparations for the winter season – they've stockpiled food and fortified their homes and lodges, preparing to wait out the cold weather. When stocking up on food, beavers cut down trees to access thin branches and drag these branches closer to their burrows, the entrance to which is always underwater. They pile the branches into a large heap on the river bottom so they can be reached even if the river is covered with a thick layer of ice. Interestingly, on Bobrovy Island in the Nagatinsky Backwater, where a family of beavers currently resides, the animals travel quite a long way to reach the most delicious trees – aspen. This is because the island's food supply is depleted. We noticed trails over 100 meters long from the shore to the center of the island, toward the aspen trees, whereas beavers typically travel no further than 20-50 meters from the shore, preferring closer vegetation. In anticipation of winter, beavers also fortify their dwellings—burrows and lodges. The animals construct lodges from a mixture of branches and mud to protect them from potential predators—which, of course, don't exist in Moscow, but the beavers may not be aware of this. Inside, the lodge is dry and warm, its floor lined with a thick layer of wood shavings. By winter, beavers dig additional burrows, which are often connected to the main dwelling by underground tunnels. In winter, beavers don't hibernate; they simply become less active, their metabolism slowing. They spend most of their time in their burrows, huddling together to keep warm. Only occasionally do they emerge to feed on stored food. Beavers have long been full-fledged residents of Moscow. In the capital, they most often inhabit park areas. Beavers successfully coexist with people in the same areas, for example, in Pokrovsky-Streshnevo and Sviblovo Parks. The areas in these parks are zoned, and designated areas for beavers are pre-designated. Walking trails are harmoniously integrated into the beaver settlements, providing comfortable walking for people and allowing the beavers to have their own territory. To organize spaces where both people and beavers are expected to be present, one can, among other things, use the technique of "distraction plantings," whereby thickets of willow, aspen, and young birch trees are artificially created in secluded areas rarely visited by humans, serving as a natural divider between the territories intended for beavers and for people. To create comfortable conditions for the coexistence of people and beavers within the city limits, special measures are being developed. These include shoreline adaptation and the protection of green spaces. To ensure the shore remains stable and does not attract beavers to build homes close to urban infrastructure, slabs or nets are laid on it. This also helps preserve the natural landscape, preventing soil erosion. Additionally, fencing is installed around individual valuable trees. This does not hinder the movement of animals, but protects specific plantings from damage by beavers, allowing the animals to fulfill their natural instincts in other, specially designated areas. Related materials: Moscow24: "Moscow beavers have prepared for winter" Regions: "They have strengthened their lodges and created strategic reserves: which animals in the Moscow region are best prepared for winter" Moscow News Feed: "Moscow beavers have prepared for winter" RIA MO: "Moscow beavers have completed their preparations for winter" TASS: "Moscow beavers have completed their preparations for winter" Rambler: "Moscow beavers have completed their preparations for winter" Recyclemag: "Moscow beavers have completed their preparations for winter" Science.Mail: "Beavers in Moscow are ready to welcome winter" MosNews: "Moscow beavers have prepared for winter"

Figure 1: Moina heilongjiangensis Researchers from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) conducted a comparative analysis of the fauna of cladocerans of the genus Moina, common inhabitants of temporary pools, in Ethiopia and Djibouti, two neighboring countries in the Horn of Africa. The study revealed that all Ethiopian representatives of the genus Moina belong to two species distinct from the two species found in Djibouti. The Djiboutian Moina were examined in more detail using high-throughput sequencing methods. Both mitochondrial and nuclear markers indicate the unexpected affiliation of one studied population with Moina heilongjiangensis, a species recently described from China. Figure 2: Map of the Horn of Africa showing sampling locations “Although we don’t know the exact range of this species, the invasive status of the Djiboutian population cannot be ruled out,” says Dmitry Pereboev, a junior researcher at the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences. This study has important implications for understanding African ecosystems and conserving their biodiversity. The results are also important for studying the role of cladocerans in ecosystems and their biogeography. The genomic data may be useful for taxonomists and biologists in other fields. The study was published in the journal "Water" and was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Agreement No. 075-15-2024-649). Research publication: Dmitry D. Pereboev, Anna N. Neretina, Petr G. Garibian, Boris D. Efeykin, Idriss Okiye Waais, Alexey A. Kotov, "Contrasting Fauna in Two Neighboring Territories of the African Horn: A Case of the Genus Moina Baird, 1850 (Cladocera: Moinidae), 2025, 17(22), 3312.

On November 12, the Russian-language comprehensive school at the Russian Embassy in Ethiopia hosted an unforgettable meeting with representatives of the Joint Russian-Ethiopian Expedition, one of the oldest international projects of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Biologists from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS), who have dedicated their lives to the study of wildlife, shared their unique knowledge and captivating stories with the students. The expedition's scientists discussed snakes—the amazing and diverse creatures that inhabit our planet. The children learned about various snake species, their habits, habitats, and role in the ecosystem. Special attention was paid to safety and rules of conduct when encountering snakes in the wild. The scientists also told the children about parasites—often unnoticed, yet crucial participants in biological processes—and explained the role parasites play in regulating population sizes and maintaining balance in nature. The topic of endemic fish species found only in Ethiopia was of particular interest. The students learned about the causes of endemism and the need to preserve unique ecosystems. One of the main topics was the story of Vavilov's expedition, that of a legendary scientist who made a significant contribution to the study of cultivated plant diversity. The students learned about the expedition's goals and objectives, its scientific results, and its significance for the development of agriculture. The meeting took place in a lively and relaxed atmosphere. The students actively asked questions, and the scientists eagerly shared their experiences and knowledge. This event will undoubtedly remain in the students' memories for a long time and perhaps inspire some of them to pursue a career in science. Material and photographs

Photo: Harting's voles are a social species and live in groups in which all adult members of the group care for the young. Researchers from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS), Lomonosov Moscow State University, and the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ZIN RAS) studied the ontogenesis of Harting's vole (Microtus hartingi) pups. The method of recording ultrasounds during brief isolation from the mother and other pups of the litter simulated a situation in which a pup fell from the nest and screamed for adult group members to hear and return it to the nest. Pups lack thermoregulation in the first days after birth, so they quickly cooled outside the nest and emitted numerous ultrasounds. Beginning at nine days of age, they became much quieter, as they were already covered in fur, which provided sufficient heat retention. Figure: Ultrasound spectrogram of a Harting's vole pup. The measured parameters shown are duration, peak frequency (fpeak), and fundamental frequency (f0). The study included 55 pups from 11 litters aged up to 12 days, and a total of 2,234 ultrasounds were analyzed. The duration, peak frequency, and several fundamental frequency parameters were measured in the pups' ultrasounds. Both the duration and frequency parameters of the ultrasounds decreased with increasing age and size of the pups. Figure: The number of ultrasounds per minute (call rate) and the proportion of animals calling (% callers) decreased sharply when the pups at nine days of age became furred and capable of independent thermoregulation. Five different call contour patterns were found in the ultrasounds of Harting's vole pups: chevron, flat, descending, complex, and ascending. Many of the pups' ultrasounds contained nonlinear vocal phenomena, which add complexity and individuality to the call structure. The ultrasound duration of Harting's vole pups averaged 149 ms, the longest among all vole species studied. Figure: Contour shapes (top) and various nonlinear vocal phenomena (bottom) in the calls of Harting's vole pups. Harting's voles thrive and reproduce in laboratory conditions for decades without any visible signs of inbreeding depression. This, along with their high vocal activity and the complex acoustic structure of ultrasound, makes the young of this rodent species a promising model for biomedical research, including potentially for evaluating the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals. The results of the study were published in the Q2 journal Behavioural Processes: Rutovskaya M.V., Volodin I.A., Golenishchev F.N., Volodina E.V. "Ontogeny of pup isolation-induced ultrasonic calls in a highly social rodent, the Harting's vole (Microtus hartingi). Behavioural Processes, 2025, v. 226, pp. 105161.

Photos: Structural details of the holotype female Ornithophila kohrsi. 1 — general appearance from the back; 2 — enlarged body, view from the abdomen; 3 — enlarged head, thorax, and abdomen, view from the back. Scale bar: 0.5 mm. The family of parasitic flies Hippoboscidae Samouelle, 1819 currently includes at least 213 species. These flies are distributed worldwide and transmit many dangerous diseases. The genus Ornithophila Rondani, 1879 previously included only three species: O. gestroi (Rondani, 1878), O. metallica (Schiner, 1864), and O. baikalica Yatsuk, Matyukhin et Nartshuk, 2024. Representatives of the genus inhabit the tropics and subtropics of Asia, Africa, and Europe, and have also been recorded in Central Asia, Russia, and Kazakhstan. These are holoptera, highly specialized parasites of birds. During bird banding at White Elephant Safaris' Nongoma Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, a new species of this genus, described in this paper as Ornithophila kohrsi Yatsuk, Matyukhin et Nartshuk, 2025, was discovered on a crested fly, a bird native to sub-Saharan Africa. "It differs from previously known species of this genus by a series of longer bristles extending to the edges of the abdomen at the level of the fifth tergite," said Alexandra Yatsuk, a junior researcher at the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS). This advancement expands our knowledge of this little-studied genus of bloodsucking flies, which are of veterinary importance worldwide. The work was published in the Euroasian Entomological Journal: Matyukhin A.V., Nartshuk E.P., Markovets M.Yu., Yatsuk A.A. 2025. A new species of the genus Ornithophila Rondani, 1879 (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) from South Africa // Euroasian Entomological Journal. Vol.24. No.4: 197–200.