The caddisfly fauna of the Karadak Mountains in the border area between Kosovo and Macedonia was ... more The caddisfly fauna of the Karadak Mountains in the border area between Kosovo and Macedonia was previously completely unknown. We collected adult caddisfly specimens occasionally, from September 2016 to June 2017, in sixteen localities in this area. During this investigation we found 18 species belonging to the following families: Limnephilidae, Rhyacophilidae, Philopotamidae, Uenoidae and Leptoceridae. The autumnal Limnephilid species Chaetopteryx gonospina was found in one locality only, in Dëbëlldeh village in southern Kosovo, representing the first record for Kosovo. Rhyacophila fischeri, Rhyacophilidae, was found in Tanushë village in northeastern Macedonia, the first record from Macedonia. This paper is a contribution to knowledge of the distribution of Trichoptera from Kosovo and Macedonia.
Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology
During August and September 2018 we collected the macroinvertebrate fauna in the Leqinat Lake, Ko... more During August and September 2018 we collected the macroinvertebrate fauna in the Leqinat Lake, Kosovo. The Leqinat lake (great lake) is a mountain lake found in the National Park "Bjeshkët e Nemuna" in western Kosovo, shared between Kosovo and Montenegro. Macrozoobenthos specimens were collected with D-frame net of 30×20 cm (600 cm 2) diameter. Samples were taken from all available habitats represented with more than 5% of total habitat area on the sampling stretch (multi-habitat sampling procedure). Sampling in riffle section of the lake was done by identifying the riffle segments, disturbing the substratum with the feet while holding the net downstream with the mouth facing upstream. The macrozoobenthos structure during this investigation includes: 2 classes (Bivalvia and Gastropoda), 2 subclasses (Hirudinea and Oligochaeta), 6 orders (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera and Odonata), 15 families, 6 genera and 86 specimens. The larger number of families and individuals belongs to the Odonata order (4 families and 47 specimens) followed by Tirchoptera (2 families and 10 specimens), Plecoptera (2 families and 6 specimens), Bivalvia (2 families with 5 specimens) Diptera (1 family with 12 specimens), Ephemeroptera and Hirudinea (1 family with 3 specimens) and Oligochaeta (1 family with only 1 specimens). This investigation is a contribution in knowing the macroinvertebrate fauna and their ecological patterns in alpine lakes in Kosovo.
In this study we describe Rhyacophila siparantum sp. nov., a new species of the Rhyacophila philo... more In this study we describe Rhyacophila siparantum sp. nov., a new species of the Rhyacophila philopotamoides species group from the Bjeshkët e Nemuna Mountains in Kosovo, based on morphological (male adults) and molecular (sequencing of the barcode region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI)) characteristics. The new species is morphologically closest to Rhyacophila schmidinarica Urbanič, Krušnik & Malicky, 2000, and also closely resembling Rhyacophila hirticornis McLachlan, 1879. R. siparantum sp. nov. differs from both its most similar congeners primarily by the shape of the segment X, which is in lateral view short apically and with a pronounced lateral hump on the posterior edge. This difference, combined with other characters related to the shape of the second segment of inferior appendages, spine pattern of parameres and size of ventral teeth on segments VI and VII, make R. siparantum sp. nov. easily distinguishable from both most similar congeners. Phylogenetic and...
Opuscula Zoologica Instituti Zoosystematici et Oecologici Universitatis Budapestinensis, 2019
The discovery of the new Agaphylax genus with unique paramere organisation has initiated our line... more The discovery of the new Agaphylax genus with unique paramere organisation has initiated our lineage sorting of tribes by parameres in the Limnephilinae subfamily applying the principles and procedures of fine phenomics in order to establish transformation series of the polarized plesiomorphy-apomorphy character states for each limnephiline genera. According to the extraordinary high diversity the paramere that is the stimulatory and titillating structure of the phallic organ is a speciation supertrait. This adaptive trait is directly involved in the processes of reproductive isolation and diverging as subtle initial split of lineages producing the incipient sibling species in the recent past of contemporary speciation processes. Contrary, the drastic divergence of the Agaphylax plated paramere is much older, similarly to the many-spined parameres of the Hesperophylacini tribe. It has been initiated by drastic combined and synchronous external and internal stochastic effects, proces...
The knowledge about stoneflies of the Balkan Peninsula is still not complete with many areas poor... more The knowledge about stoneflies of the Balkan Peninsula is still not complete with many areas poorly investigated. During this investigation we collected adult stoneflies specimens from Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro during the period 2014-2018. In total we found 43 species belonging to 14 genera and 7 families. Four species are recorded for the first time from Kosovo (<em>Leuctra cingulata</em> Kempny, 1899, <em>Nemoura</em> cf. <em>lucana </em>Nicolai & Fochetti, 1991, <em>Nemoura uncinata</em> Despax, 1934 and <em>Brachyptera macedonica</em> Ikonomov, 1983), one is recorded for the first time from Serbia (<em>Nemoura asceta</em> Murányi, 2007) and one from Albania (<em>Leuctra major</em> Brinck, 1949). This investigation contributes to the distribution patterns of stoneflies species in the Balkan Peninsula.
During 2017 we collected adult caddisfly specimens at the Karadak Mountains, <em>Republic&l... more During 2017 we collected adult caddisfly specimens at the Karadak Mountains, <em>Republic</em> of <em>North Macedonia</em>. In total we found 15 species, two of which are recorded for the first time from North Macedonia: <em>Potamophylax fules </em>Oláh and Ibrahimi, 2013 and <em>Chaetopteryx gonospina</em> Marinkovic-Gospodnetic, 1966. <em>Potamophylax fules </em>belongs to the <em>nigricornis </em>group and is scarcely distributed in Kosovo, Montenegro, Rumania and now Macedonia.<em> Chaetopteryx gonospina </em>has a disjunct distribution in Balkans and Pyrenees. Finding of these two species contributes to the knowledge of their distribution patterns and shows that Balkan Peninsula has still poorly investigated areas.
The Western Balkans are an important hotspot of caddisfly diversity in Europe, with several micro... more The Western Balkans are an important hotspot of caddisfly diversity in Europe, with several microscale endemics, many of which were discovered during the recent years. The genus Potamophylax Wallengren, 1891 likely originated and diversified in Europe, with the Balkan Peninsula being one of the most important diversity hotspots. In this paper, we describe the new species Potamophylax coronavirus sp. n. from Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park in the Republic of Kosovo. The new species belongs to the Potamophylax winneguthi species group and is morphologically most similar to Potamophylax juliani Kumanski, 1999, currently known only from Bulgaria and Potamophylax winneguthi Klapalek, 1902, known from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. The male of the new species differs from its most similar congeners mainly in exhibiting: (1) elongated subrectangular superior appendages in lateral view; (2) hardly acuminate, almost rounded apex of intermediate appendages; (3) differently shaped, irregul...
The quality of surface waters is being impacted by the anthropogenic and natural pollution, thus ... more The quality of surface waters is being impacted by the anthropogenic and natural pollution, thus limiting the usage of this water for drinking, industry, agriculture, recreation and other purposes. The water quality indices are intended to provide a single value for the water quality of a source or a stream that reduces the large amount of parameters in a simpler expression and enables an easy interpretation of the monitoring data. During 2017, seventeen physicochemical parameters were measured in spring, summer, autumn and winter, in five locations along the Morava e Binçës River in Kosovo. For the assessment we employed the Water Quality Index (WQI) which uses the physicochemical parameters for the evaluation of the water quality. The findings of this study ascertain that MB1 station had the best quality with a value of WQI 88 and is classified in the Good Category, whereas the lowest quality of water was found on in MB4 station with a value of WQI 65 and it is thus classified in the Fair Category. Finally, the average WQI was calculated for the entire measurement period and it resulted in a value of 77.60 indicating that the Morava e Binçës River waters belong to the Fair Category.
During the spring of 2011, forty-five macrozoobenthos samples were taken from streams and rivers ... more During the spring of 2011, forty-five macrozoobenthos samples were taken from streams and rivers all over the Dragash Municipality in order to assess the impact of inhabited areas in these freshwater ecosystems, considering the fact that there is no sewage treatment and waste management is dysfunctional in many parts of this Municipality. On the basis of the habitat structure evaluation, basic physical and chemical analysis and Family Biotic Index according to Hilsenhoff and EPT Index (Ephemeroptera Plecoptera Trichoptera), this study shows that the freshwater ecosystems in the Dragash Municipality are heavily polluted and impacted by human activities in their midstream and downstream segments. The main sources that deteriorate their natural ecological conditions in these segments are: load of all kinds of waste directly into the rivers and streams, industrial discharge into the freshwater ecosystems and the direct sewage discharge into the rivers and streams all over the municipali...
ABSTRACT: In this paper we provide a list of new species records of Trichoptera collected during ... more ABSTRACT: In this paper we provide a list of new species records of Trichoptera collected during the 2009–2010 period in the Republic of Kosovo. We report six first records for the Kosovo caddisfly fauna: Tinodes braueri McLachlan, 1978, Hydropsyche modesta Navas, 1925, Plectrocnemia mojkovacensis Malicky, 1982, Annitella triloba Marinković-Gospodnetić, 1955, Synagapetus moselyi (Ulmer, 1938) and Stenophylax meridiorientalis Malicky, 1982. We also provide new distribution records for several other species belonging to: Rhyacophilidae, Glossosomatidae, Philopotamidae, Hydropsychidae, Polycentropodidae, Psychomyiidae, Limnephilidae, Goeridae, Lepidostomatdiae, Leptoceridae, Odontoceridae, Sericostomatidae and Beraeidae. For the first time in more than 40 years, a rare Balkan endemic species Limnephilus petri Marinković-Gospodnetić, 1966 is recorded again from Kosovo. The present record of Odontocerum albicorne reconfirms its presence in southeastern Europe; it was previously considere...
In this study, the results of fish composition, distribution and abundance are presented accordin... more In this study, the results of fish composition, distribution and abundance are presented according to the effects of water physicochemical parameters from the Livoq Lake in the eastern part of Kosovo. The fish specimens were sampled in six sampling stations in 2018 by using a variety of methods, including electro-fishing devices, fishing rod and cast nets. The measured physicochemical parameters included: water temperature, dissolved oxygen, saturation of dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids. In total, 320 fish specimens were collected, belonging to 10 species of the following 5 families: Cyprinidae, Silurideae, Esocideae, Percideae and Centrarhideae. The most species rich family is Cyprinidae with 6 species in total: Cyprinus caprio Linnaeus, 1758, Rutilus rutilus Linnaeus, 1758, Carassius carassius Linnaeus, 1758, Squalius cephalus Linnaeus, 1758, Leucaspius delineatus Linnaeeus, 1758 and Alburnus alburnus Linnaeus, 1758. Four other families are represented b...
Adult caddisflies were collected during 2018 and 2019 from Kožuf and Baba mountains, located in t... more Adult caddisflies were collected during 2018 and 2019 from Kožuf and Baba mountains, located in the southern end of the Republic of North Macedonia. A total of 36 species were recorded, of which 22 and 8 were recorded for the first time for Kožuf and Baba mountains, respectively. Limnephilus flavicornis (Fabricius, 1787) is reported for the first time from the country from Kožuf Mountain. In addition, new localities of several rare and endemic caddisfly species were found. The results of this study highlight Kožuf and Baba mountains as refugium for caddisfly species of conservation importance.
Adult caddisflies were collected in the Opojë Region belonging to the Sharr Mountains in Kosovo f... more Adult caddisflies were collected in the Opojë Region belonging to the Sharr Mountains in Kosovo from May to October 2013. This mountainous area which is known for many endemic and rare species of plants and animals is still not enough explored in terms of caddisfly fauna.A diverse fauna consisting of 11 families and 43 species was found. Three species found during this investigation are first records for the Kosovo caddisfly fauna: Limnephilus lunatus, Micropterna lateralis and Plectrocnemia geniculata. The stenoendemic species Chaetopteroides kosovarorum is found for the second time in Kosovo. Several other rare species were recorded during this investigation. The most interesting finding is species Plectrocnemia geniculata, which is very widespread in Opojë Region and at the same time this represents one of the rarest occurrences of this species in the Balkans.This study contributes to the knowledge of the caddisfly fauna of the Sharr Mountains and adds to the list of known caddis...
The presence and distribution of Rhyacophila fasciata Hagen 1859 in Europe were revised, based on... more The presence and distribution of Rhyacophila fasciata Hagen 1859 in Europe were revised, based on bibliographic study, collection specimens, and new material collected in different countries. The status of formerly synonymized species, Rhyacophila ferruginea (Scopoli 1763) and Rhyacophila septentrionis McLachlan 1865 was also assessed. The type of R. ferruginea is missing, the taxon is still unidentified, and thus we propose Rhyacophila ferruginea as a nomen dubium. Morphological features and genetic evidence revealed that R. septentrionis differs from R. fasciata, so we propose to change its status to status resurrectus. We therefore include new descriptions of the different stages (larva, pupa, male, and female) of R. fasciata and of R. septentrionis, together with a molecular analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) and ecological notes. The species R. coppai Oláh 2020 NEW SYNONYM and R. soreda Coppa & Oláh 2020 NEW SYNONYM are synonyms of R. sociata Navás 191...
The caddisfly fauna of the Karadak Mountains in the border area between Kosovo and Macedonia was ... more The caddisfly fauna of the Karadak Mountains in the border area between Kosovo and Macedonia was previously completely unknown. We collected adult caddisfly specimens occasionally, from September 2016 to June 2017, in sixteen localities in this area. During this investigation we found 18 species belonging to the following families: Limnephilidae, Rhyacophilidae, Philopotamidae, Uenoidae and Leptoceridae. The autumnal Limnephilid species Chaetopteryx gonospina was found in one locality only, in Dëbëlldeh village in southern Kosovo, representing the first record for Kosovo. Rhyacophila fischeri, Rhyacophilidae, was found in Tanushë village in northeastern Macedonia, the first record from Macedonia. This paper is a contribution to knowledge of the distribution of Trichoptera from Kosovo and Macedonia.
Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology
During August and September 2018 we collected the macroinvertebrate fauna in the Leqinat Lake, Ko... more During August and September 2018 we collected the macroinvertebrate fauna in the Leqinat Lake, Kosovo. The Leqinat lake (great lake) is a mountain lake found in the National Park "Bjeshkët e Nemuna" in western Kosovo, shared between Kosovo and Montenegro. Macrozoobenthos specimens were collected with D-frame net of 30×20 cm (600 cm 2) diameter. Samples were taken from all available habitats represented with more than 5% of total habitat area on the sampling stretch (multi-habitat sampling procedure). Sampling in riffle section of the lake was done by identifying the riffle segments, disturbing the substratum with the feet while holding the net downstream with the mouth facing upstream. The macrozoobenthos structure during this investigation includes: 2 classes (Bivalvia and Gastropoda), 2 subclasses (Hirudinea and Oligochaeta), 6 orders (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera and Odonata), 15 families, 6 genera and 86 specimens. The larger number of families and individuals belongs to the Odonata order (4 families and 47 specimens) followed by Tirchoptera (2 families and 10 specimens), Plecoptera (2 families and 6 specimens), Bivalvia (2 families with 5 specimens) Diptera (1 family with 12 specimens), Ephemeroptera and Hirudinea (1 family with 3 specimens) and Oligochaeta (1 family with only 1 specimens). This investigation is a contribution in knowing the macroinvertebrate fauna and their ecological patterns in alpine lakes in Kosovo.
In this study we describe Rhyacophila siparantum sp. nov., a new species of the Rhyacophila philo... more In this study we describe Rhyacophila siparantum sp. nov., a new species of the Rhyacophila philopotamoides species group from the Bjeshkët e Nemuna Mountains in Kosovo, based on morphological (male adults) and molecular (sequencing of the barcode region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI)) characteristics. The new species is morphologically closest to Rhyacophila schmidinarica Urbanič, Krušnik & Malicky, 2000, and also closely resembling Rhyacophila hirticornis McLachlan, 1879. R. siparantum sp. nov. differs from both its most similar congeners primarily by the shape of the segment X, which is in lateral view short apically and with a pronounced lateral hump on the posterior edge. This difference, combined with other characters related to the shape of the second segment of inferior appendages, spine pattern of parameres and size of ventral teeth on segments VI and VII, make R. siparantum sp. nov. easily distinguishable from both most similar congeners. Phylogenetic and...
Opuscula Zoologica Instituti Zoosystematici et Oecologici Universitatis Budapestinensis, 2019
The discovery of the new Agaphylax genus with unique paramere organisation has initiated our line... more The discovery of the new Agaphylax genus with unique paramere organisation has initiated our lineage sorting of tribes by parameres in the Limnephilinae subfamily applying the principles and procedures of fine phenomics in order to establish transformation series of the polarized plesiomorphy-apomorphy character states for each limnephiline genera. According to the extraordinary high diversity the paramere that is the stimulatory and titillating structure of the phallic organ is a speciation supertrait. This adaptive trait is directly involved in the processes of reproductive isolation and diverging as subtle initial split of lineages producing the incipient sibling species in the recent past of contemporary speciation processes. Contrary, the drastic divergence of the Agaphylax plated paramere is much older, similarly to the many-spined parameres of the Hesperophylacini tribe. It has been initiated by drastic combined and synchronous external and internal stochastic effects, proces...
The knowledge about stoneflies of the Balkan Peninsula is still not complete with many areas poor... more The knowledge about stoneflies of the Balkan Peninsula is still not complete with many areas poorly investigated. During this investigation we collected adult stoneflies specimens from Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro during the period 2014-2018. In total we found 43 species belonging to 14 genera and 7 families. Four species are recorded for the first time from Kosovo (<em>Leuctra cingulata</em> Kempny, 1899, <em>Nemoura</em> cf. <em>lucana </em>Nicolai & Fochetti, 1991, <em>Nemoura uncinata</em> Despax, 1934 and <em>Brachyptera macedonica</em> Ikonomov, 1983), one is recorded for the first time from Serbia (<em>Nemoura asceta</em> Murányi, 2007) and one from Albania (<em>Leuctra major</em> Brinck, 1949). This investigation contributes to the distribution patterns of stoneflies species in the Balkan Peninsula.
During 2017 we collected adult caddisfly specimens at the Karadak Mountains, <em>Republic&l... more During 2017 we collected adult caddisfly specimens at the Karadak Mountains, <em>Republic</em> of <em>North Macedonia</em>. In total we found 15 species, two of which are recorded for the first time from North Macedonia: <em>Potamophylax fules </em>Oláh and Ibrahimi, 2013 and <em>Chaetopteryx gonospina</em> Marinkovic-Gospodnetic, 1966. <em>Potamophylax fules </em>belongs to the <em>nigricornis </em>group and is scarcely distributed in Kosovo, Montenegro, Rumania and now Macedonia.<em> Chaetopteryx gonospina </em>has a disjunct distribution in Balkans and Pyrenees. Finding of these two species contributes to the knowledge of their distribution patterns and shows that Balkan Peninsula has still poorly investigated areas.
The Western Balkans are an important hotspot of caddisfly diversity in Europe, with several micro... more The Western Balkans are an important hotspot of caddisfly diversity in Europe, with several microscale endemics, many of which were discovered during the recent years. The genus Potamophylax Wallengren, 1891 likely originated and diversified in Europe, with the Balkan Peninsula being one of the most important diversity hotspots. In this paper, we describe the new species Potamophylax coronavirus sp. n. from Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park in the Republic of Kosovo. The new species belongs to the Potamophylax winneguthi species group and is morphologically most similar to Potamophylax juliani Kumanski, 1999, currently known only from Bulgaria and Potamophylax winneguthi Klapalek, 1902, known from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. The male of the new species differs from its most similar congeners mainly in exhibiting: (1) elongated subrectangular superior appendages in lateral view; (2) hardly acuminate, almost rounded apex of intermediate appendages; (3) differently shaped, irregul...
The quality of surface waters is being impacted by the anthropogenic and natural pollution, thus ... more The quality of surface waters is being impacted by the anthropogenic and natural pollution, thus limiting the usage of this water for drinking, industry, agriculture, recreation and other purposes. The water quality indices are intended to provide a single value for the water quality of a source or a stream that reduces the large amount of parameters in a simpler expression and enables an easy interpretation of the monitoring data. During 2017, seventeen physicochemical parameters were measured in spring, summer, autumn and winter, in five locations along the Morava e Binçës River in Kosovo. For the assessment we employed the Water Quality Index (WQI) which uses the physicochemical parameters for the evaluation of the water quality. The findings of this study ascertain that MB1 station had the best quality with a value of WQI 88 and is classified in the Good Category, whereas the lowest quality of water was found on in MB4 station with a value of WQI 65 and it is thus classified in the Fair Category. Finally, the average WQI was calculated for the entire measurement period and it resulted in a value of 77.60 indicating that the Morava e Binçës River waters belong to the Fair Category.
During the spring of 2011, forty-five macrozoobenthos samples were taken from streams and rivers ... more During the spring of 2011, forty-five macrozoobenthos samples were taken from streams and rivers all over the Dragash Municipality in order to assess the impact of inhabited areas in these freshwater ecosystems, considering the fact that there is no sewage treatment and waste management is dysfunctional in many parts of this Municipality. On the basis of the habitat structure evaluation, basic physical and chemical analysis and Family Biotic Index according to Hilsenhoff and EPT Index (Ephemeroptera Plecoptera Trichoptera), this study shows that the freshwater ecosystems in the Dragash Municipality are heavily polluted and impacted by human activities in their midstream and downstream segments. The main sources that deteriorate their natural ecological conditions in these segments are: load of all kinds of waste directly into the rivers and streams, industrial discharge into the freshwater ecosystems and the direct sewage discharge into the rivers and streams all over the municipali...
ABSTRACT: In this paper we provide a list of new species records of Trichoptera collected during ... more ABSTRACT: In this paper we provide a list of new species records of Trichoptera collected during the 2009–2010 period in the Republic of Kosovo. We report six first records for the Kosovo caddisfly fauna: Tinodes braueri McLachlan, 1978, Hydropsyche modesta Navas, 1925, Plectrocnemia mojkovacensis Malicky, 1982, Annitella triloba Marinković-Gospodnetić, 1955, Synagapetus moselyi (Ulmer, 1938) and Stenophylax meridiorientalis Malicky, 1982. We also provide new distribution records for several other species belonging to: Rhyacophilidae, Glossosomatidae, Philopotamidae, Hydropsychidae, Polycentropodidae, Psychomyiidae, Limnephilidae, Goeridae, Lepidostomatdiae, Leptoceridae, Odontoceridae, Sericostomatidae and Beraeidae. For the first time in more than 40 years, a rare Balkan endemic species Limnephilus petri Marinković-Gospodnetić, 1966 is recorded again from Kosovo. The present record of Odontocerum albicorne reconfirms its presence in southeastern Europe; it was previously considere...
In this study, the results of fish composition, distribution and abundance are presented accordin... more In this study, the results of fish composition, distribution and abundance are presented according to the effects of water physicochemical parameters from the Livoq Lake in the eastern part of Kosovo. The fish specimens were sampled in six sampling stations in 2018 by using a variety of methods, including electro-fishing devices, fishing rod and cast nets. The measured physicochemical parameters included: water temperature, dissolved oxygen, saturation of dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids. In total, 320 fish specimens were collected, belonging to 10 species of the following 5 families: Cyprinidae, Silurideae, Esocideae, Percideae and Centrarhideae. The most species rich family is Cyprinidae with 6 species in total: Cyprinus caprio Linnaeus, 1758, Rutilus rutilus Linnaeus, 1758, Carassius carassius Linnaeus, 1758, Squalius cephalus Linnaeus, 1758, Leucaspius delineatus Linnaeeus, 1758 and Alburnus alburnus Linnaeus, 1758. Four other families are represented b...
Adult caddisflies were collected during 2018 and 2019 from Kožuf and Baba mountains, located in t... more Adult caddisflies were collected during 2018 and 2019 from Kožuf and Baba mountains, located in the southern end of the Republic of North Macedonia. A total of 36 species were recorded, of which 22 and 8 were recorded for the first time for Kožuf and Baba mountains, respectively. Limnephilus flavicornis (Fabricius, 1787) is reported for the first time from the country from Kožuf Mountain. In addition, new localities of several rare and endemic caddisfly species were found. The results of this study highlight Kožuf and Baba mountains as refugium for caddisfly species of conservation importance.
Adult caddisflies were collected in the Opojë Region belonging to the Sharr Mountains in Kosovo f... more Adult caddisflies were collected in the Opojë Region belonging to the Sharr Mountains in Kosovo from May to October 2013. This mountainous area which is known for many endemic and rare species of plants and animals is still not enough explored in terms of caddisfly fauna.A diverse fauna consisting of 11 families and 43 species was found. Three species found during this investigation are first records for the Kosovo caddisfly fauna: Limnephilus lunatus, Micropterna lateralis and Plectrocnemia geniculata. The stenoendemic species Chaetopteroides kosovarorum is found for the second time in Kosovo. Several other rare species were recorded during this investigation. The most interesting finding is species Plectrocnemia geniculata, which is very widespread in Opojë Region and at the same time this represents one of the rarest occurrences of this species in the Balkans.This study contributes to the knowledge of the caddisfly fauna of the Sharr Mountains and adds to the list of known caddis...
The presence and distribution of Rhyacophila fasciata Hagen 1859 in Europe were revised, based on... more The presence and distribution of Rhyacophila fasciata Hagen 1859 in Europe were revised, based on bibliographic study, collection specimens, and new material collected in different countries. The status of formerly synonymized species, Rhyacophila ferruginea (Scopoli 1763) and Rhyacophila septentrionis McLachlan 1865 was also assessed. The type of R. ferruginea is missing, the taxon is still unidentified, and thus we propose Rhyacophila ferruginea as a nomen dubium. Morphological features and genetic evidence revealed that R. septentrionis differs from R. fasciata, so we propose to change its status to status resurrectus. We therefore include new descriptions of the different stages (larva, pupa, male, and female) of R. fasciata and of R. septentrionis, together with a molecular analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) and ecological notes. The species R. coppai Oláh 2020 NEW SYNONYM and R. soreda Coppa & Oláh 2020 NEW SYNONYM are synonyms of R. sociata Navás 191...
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