Different aspects of ecology, biology and regional distribution of Tipula subcunctans in the North Caucasus (Lake Maliy Tambukan, 12 km south-east of Pyatigorsk) are investigated. Abundance of larvae, fecundity of females, mode of oviposition and other data are presented. First instar larvae are described and the existence of two morphological forms of fourth instar larvae is demonstrated.

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, is endemic to the Caucasus region but few reference strain genome sequences from that region are available. Here, we present the improved draft or finished assembled genomes from 11 strains isolated in the nation of Georgia and surrounding countries.

A new species, Fannia caucasica sp. nov., is described from localities in Georgia and Armenia between 1600 and 2200 m. In addition, previous literature on the genus Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 in the Caucasus Mountains is reviewed, and records are given for 15 species from Armenia and Georgia, of which nine are new records for Armenia and seven are new records for Georgia.

Two new rabies-related viruses were discovered in Russia during 2002. Viruses were isolated from bats in Eastern Siberia near Baikal Lake and in the western Caucasus Mountains. After preliminary antigenic and genetic characterization, we found that both viruses should be considered as new putative lyssavirus genotypes.

A new troglobiont species of Collembola, Arrhopalites abchasicus sp. nov., from Psyrtskha Cave in Novy Afon (West Caucasus, Abkhazia) is described. Subdivision of the genus Arrhopalites on diversus, caecus and harveyi groups of species is proposed and identification key to the World species is provided.

Two new species of the genus Empis subgenus Lissempis Bezzi, 1909 are described from the Caucasus: Empis (Lissempis) azishtauensis sp. nov. (Russia: Adygea, Krasnodar Territory) and E. (L.) krasnodarensis sp. nov. (Russia: Krasnodar Territory). An updated key to European species of the subgenus is given.

In today’s era of globalization and marginalization we are sometimes struck by the seeming paradox of examples of exceptional development in still marginalized regions, or “counter-geographies”. One such example is the purported clustering of centenarians (those who have surpassed 100 years) in the Caucasus region of the former Soviet States. This paper explores purported centenarian clustering...

Since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia has regarded both Central Asia and the South Caucasus as being within its sphere of influence. It has also been constantly afraid of “losing them to the West.” The critical moment came in the fall of 1991, when U.S. and NATO military bases were established in Central Asia, American military assistance to Azerbaijan and Georgia was enhanced, ...

BACKGROUND The Abrau Peninsula is located in northwestern Caucasus between the cities of Novorossiysk and Anapa, Krasnodar Province, Russia. This paper contains an annotated checklist of the Chilopoda and Diplopoda inhabiting the Abrau Peninsula. NEW INFORMATION The fauna of the Abrau Peninsula comprises 17 centipede (4 orders) and 16 millipede (6 orders) species. Henia taurica, hitherto know...