A5064292064- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Environmental and Biological Research in Conflict Zones
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Forensic and Genetic Research
- Plant and animal studies
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Legal, Health, Environmental and COVID-19 Challenges
- Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Mollusks and Parasites Studies
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Marine and environmental studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Study of Mite Species
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
Ilia State University
2015-2025
National Institute of Ecology
2022
Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig
2001-2013
Tbilisi State University
1994-2011
Bangor University
2000
Spatial and temporal constraints on dispersal explain the absence of species from areas with potentially suitable conditions. Previous studies have shown that post-glacial recolonization has shaped current ranges many species, yet it is not completely clear to what extent interspecific differences in range size depend different rates. The inferred boundaries glacial refugia are difficult validate, may bias spatial distribution models (SDMs) consider constraints. We predicted 12 Caucasian...
The taxonomic status of brown bears in the Caucasus remains unclear. Several morphs or subspecies have been identified from morphological (craniological) data, but each these has never verified by molecular genetic methods. We analysed mitochondrial DNA sequences (control region) to reveal phylogenetic relationships and infer divergence time between bear subpopulations Caucasus. estimated migration gene flow both microsatellite allele frequencies, possible barriers among subpopulations. Our...
Abstract A recent revision of the anacondas (Serpentes: Boidae: Eunectes), with description a new species green anaconda, generated extensive publicity, but also provoked considerable controversy due to inadequacies evidence used and errors in nomenclature. We here use case this problematic publication to: (i) highlight common issues affecting delimitations, especially an over-reliance on mitochondrial DNA data, reiterate best practices; (ii) reanalyse data available for establish true...
We studied the distribution of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes and microsatellite genotypes at 8 loci in 102 gray wolves, 57 livestock guarding dogs, 9 mongrel dogs from Georgia (Caucasus). Most had clustered with presumably East Asian dog lineages, most wolves European but 20% 37% shared same haplotypes. Bayesian inference STRUCTURE software suggested that more than 13% detectable ancestry 10% wolf ancestry. About 2-3% sampled were identified, a high probability, as first-generation hybrids....
Abstract Current taxonomy of western Eurasian trout leaves a number questions open; it is not clear to what extent some species are distinct genetically and morphologically. The purpose this paper was explore phylogeography boundaries in freshwater anadromous from the drainages Black Caspian Seas (Ponto‐Caspian). We studied morphology mitochondrial phylogeny, combining samples Caucasus within potential range five nominal that thought inhabit region, using sequences available GenBank. Our...
Abstract Monozygotic twinning, which produces genetically identical organisms, exemplifies the widespread ability of embryonic regulation. Although incidence twinning varies considerably, it is found in many taxons. Only a few cases monozygotic have been reported lizards. Previously, we single observation an incompletely separated twin parthenogenetic Caucasian rock lizard, Darevskia armeniaca . To clarify whether particularly common this lizard species, studied eggs and two other species...
We compared the distributions, abundances and ecological requirements of parthenogenetic lizard Darevskia 'dahli' its bisexual progenitors, D. portschinskii mixta, in Georgia. developed a regression model relating species with distribution climates. lives warmer drier climates than mixta; has intermediate requirements. Temperature is more important humidity for portschinskii, mixta both temperature are 'dahli'. Suitable habitats all three overlap broadly; however, observed ranges partly only...
Reliable taxonomy underpins communication in all of biology, not least nature conservation and sustainable use ecosystem resources. The flexibility taxonomic interpretations, however, presents a serious challenge for end-users concepts. Users need standardised continuously harmonised reference systems, as well high-quality complete data sets, but these are generally lacking non-specialists. solution is dynamic, expertly curated web-based tools. Pan-European Species-directories Infrastructure...
We generated a phylogeny for Caucasian rock lizards (Darevskia), and included six other families of true (Lacertini), based on complete mitochondrial genome analysis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) genomic DNA was used to obtain 16 new mitogenomes Darevskia. These, along with 35 sequences downloaded from GenBank: genera Darevskia, Zootoca, Podarcis, Phoenicolacerta, Takydromus, Lacerta, Eremias—were in the All four analytical methods (Bayesian Inference, BI; Maximum Likelihood, ML;...
Thirty forest sites in Georgia were sampled to obtain inventories of their land snail faunas. The sites, nine sampling areas, ranged from Batumi near the Turkish border Lagodekhi Azerbaijan border, and included parts both Lesser Greater Caucasus mountains Colchic lowlands. Abundance was generally low, most held less than 20 species. Ninety species found overall. Although within some areas had very similar faunas, overall levels similarity among especially when compared with forests northern...
Given sufficient time and limited gene flow, evolutionary lineages tend to transform into separate species. Mechanisms preventing assimilation during repeated gene-flow events include divergent adaptations the development of pre- or postzygotic isolation. We analysed morphological genetic boundaries three species rock lizard clade Darevskia 'rudis' (Darevskia rudis, valentini, portschinskii) in relation environment, tried reconstruct pathways underlying observed separation among studied...
Abstract Aim Our research attempts to provide an explicit explanation of human–biome interactions during the last glacial period and how these have influenced current human population genetics at global scale. Publications date not addressed this topic. Location World‐wide. Methods Using climate, terrain, hydrographic, fossil pollen plant‐macrofossil data we developed a model distribution biomes climate deteriorations period. Subsequently, analysed genetic diversity, origins lineages...
The parthenogenetic lizards Darevskia armeniaca and dahli are widespread throughout the Lesser Caucasus, although they occupy different habitats. While these forms differ in size, colour scalation, both D. have a hybrid origin common maternal progenitor species. Current evidence about patrilineal is inconclusive, exact number of ancestral lineages remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate distribution mitochondrial haplotypes alleles at five microsatellite loci their presumed...
The North American terrapin, the red-eared slider, has globally recognized invasive status. We built a new extensive database using our own original and literature data on ecology of this reptile, representing information 1477 water bodies throughout Eurasia over last 50 years. analysis reveals regions earliest introductions long-term spatio-temporal dynamics expansion covering now 68 Eurasian countries, including eight countries reported here for first time. established also trends in terms...
Two species of genus Helix Linnaeus, 1758 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Helicidae) endemic to the Caucasus region are known from Georgia and northeastern Turkey: buchii Dubois de Montpereux, 1839 recently-described but disputed goderdziana Mumladze, Tarkhnishvili Pokryszko, 2008. The latter is largest land snail throughout non-tropical Eurasia. We compared shell shapes genital morphology two species. analyzed mitochondrial COI nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA ITS1gene fragments in 39 specimens H. ten...
Abstract Background The majority of parthenogenetic vertebrates derive from hybridization between sexually reproducing species, but the exact number events ancestral to currently extant clonal lineages is difficult determine. Usually, we do not know whether parental species are able contribute their genes vertebrate after initial hybridization. In this paper, address hypothesis, some genotypes seven phenotypically distinct rock lizards (genus Darevskia ) could have resulted back-crosses...
Abstract Grey wolf and golden jackal are both common in Georgia, although they have different habitat preferences. The is more mountain areas of the country, jackals lowland part with its milder warmer climate. In recent decades, abundance species increased. Simultaneously, increasingly often sighted at higher elevations than previously recorded, simultaneously, there increased sightings wolves lowlands western including close to Black Sea Coast. analysis partial mitochondrial DNA sequences...
Abstract We genotyped multiple populations of all seven parthenogenetic species rock lizards, genus Darevskia, as well their putative sexual parental populations, using double digest RAD-sequencing genomic markers. Taking advantage the conserved homology ZW/ZZ sex chromosomes among lacertid we aligned our short sequence reads to a reference Z chromosome assembly common wall lizard Podarcis muralis. This provided unique insight into origin all-female hybrid which inherited single exclusively...
Abstract Syrian spadefoot toads (Pelobates syriacus) are found from Balkan Peninsula throughout the Caucasus, Middle East, and Northern Iran. However, range of this species is sufficiently mapped only in Balkans. Based on detailed mapping Georgia, we analysed environmental factors influencing occurrence produced spatial models for entire range. Nine based logistic regression, discriminant function analysis, classification tree all showed significant influence vegetation index maximum summer...
Geometric morphometrics is a better tool to evaluate the variation of shape than ‘traditional’ morphometrics. In reptiles, it outperforms based on linear measurements and scalation. an earlier study, two-dimensional outline-based geometric in six species rock lizards (Darevskia) showed that their shapes reflected divergence pattern. This allowed us separate from different clades, but we could not distinguish closely related within clade. We hypothesized three-dimensional (3D) head data would...
Brown frogs of the complex Rana macrocnemis demonstrate various degrees differentiation between two widespread forms, and camerani, in different parts Anatolia, Caucasus Isthmus northern Iran. In order to reveal whether or not forms represent monophyletic evolutionary lineages, we analysed geographic distribution characters external morphology, alleles at three polymorphic allozyme loci mitochondrial DNA haplotypes. All character sets showed a highly congruent pattern limited area humid...