Checklist of Invertebrates from the Racha and Khvamli Karst Massifs, Sakartvelo (Georgia)

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.

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Caucasiana
Published
2025-12-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3897/caucasiana.4.e169350
Primary Topic
Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Checklist of Invertebrates from the Racha and Khvamli Karst Massifs, Sakartvelo (Georgia)

Caucasiana
Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy
article

Checklist of Invertebrates from the Racha and Khvamli Karst Massifs, Sakartvelo (Georgia)

article en

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.

CaucasianaVol. 4
Ilia State University (GE)
Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation, Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund
Life in Land
Openalex Percentile: Top 25%
Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Checklist of Invertebrates from the Racha and Khvamli Karst Massifs, Sakartvelo (Georgia) · Caucasiana (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS